With the arrival of the remaining members from the Second Group, Zhao Mu's team had now expanded to more than sixty people.
The atmosphere among the Cadet Soldiers became much more stable after gathering together. Compared to wandering separately through the dangerous ruins, staying in a large group gave everyone a stronger sense of security.
However, not everyone was entirely at ease.
Zhu Meng frowned slightly as he looked at the newly joined members before turning toward Zhao Mu.
"With so many people gathered together," he asked, "how are the points supposed to be calculated afterward?"
"If these people from the Second Group stay with us, won't part of the score count toward them as well?"
The moment those words were spoken, several people nearby subconsciously looked at Zhao Mu.
Clearly, they were also concerned about the same issue.
After all, this trial was directly tied to their future evaluations and military rankings.
No one wanted their own contributions to be reduced because too many people shared the rewards.
Hearing the question, Zhao Mu glanced calmly at Zhu Meng.
Then, unexpectedly, he laughed softly.
"Do you really think the division between groups still matters at this point?"
Zhu Meng froze for a moment.
"What do you mean?"
The smile on Zhao Mu's face gradually disappeared, replaced by seriousness.
"People can actually die here."
"And these Vicious Beasts are more than capable of taking our lives."
"If we continue fighting over a few meaningless points while doubting and competing against each other, we'll collapse from internal conflict long before the enemy destroys us."
Everyone nearby fell silent.
Zhao Mu continued in a calm but powerful voice.
"I think I've already understood the instructors' true purpose for this trial."
"Do you remember what they said before we entered the ruins?"
Zhu Meng scratched his head awkwardly.
"What exactly did they say?"
Zhao Mu replied slowly:
"They said we would be evaluated based on our overall performance inside the trial zone."
As he spoke, his gaze swept across everyone present.
"The Xuanfeng Empire doesn't need lone wolves who only care about their own interests."
"What the Empire truly needs…"
"Is a wolf pack."
His voice became firmer with every word.
"Only a powerful wolf pack can become invincible and make every enemy tremble in fear."
"As for a lone wolf, no matter how strong it may be, its strength will always remain limited."
He pointed toward the ruined city ahead.
"Isn't that already obvious?"
"Most Cadet Soldiers here can't even kill powerful Remnant Beasts on their own."
"If we continue acting independently, many of us will die."
Zhao Mu's explanation immediately caused everyone to fall into deep thought.
Until now, they had only focused on earning points by killing more Vicious Beasts.
Some had even secretly rejoiced whenever they heard that other Cadet Soldiers had failed—or worse, died.
To them, fewer participants meant fewer competitors.
But after hearing Zhao Mu's words, many suddenly felt ashamed of themselves.
At the same time, outside the ruins, the three instructors watching through the surveillance screen revealed satisfied expressions.
"This kid really is smart," one instructor praised.
"He figured out our intentions so quickly."
Another instructor nodded approvingly.
"On a real battlefield, individual strength means very little against endless tides of Vicious Beasts and Dark Races."
"Only soldiers who trust each other like brothers—soldiers who never abandon their comrades—can become an unstoppable iron army."
Compared to Zhao Mu, another student seemed far less impressive.
Instructor Xie Yingxue frowned as she watched a separate screen showing Shao Han leading a small group of elites deep into the ruins.
Her eyes were filled with disgust.
"He only cares about increasing his own score while abandoning weaker teammates."
"That kind of behavior is despicable."
"If this were a real battlefield, those abandoned companions would already be dead."
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu, who willingly gathered everyone together and took responsibility for leading them, displayed the temperament of a true general.
Back inside the trial zone, Zhao Mu quickly began assigning responsibilities after the group fully assembled.
"I'll take point," he said decisively.
"I'll be responsible for scouting and acting as the vanguard."
"The rest of you will remain in teams of five."
"Stay alert and advance slowly."
He quickly divided the team into different positions.
Those with greater strength and courage were assigned to the outer perimeter, responsible for defense and direct combat.
Meanwhile, weaker members remained closer to the center, where they could provide support safely.
Under Zhao Mu's arrangements, the originally chaotic group rapidly became organized.
Soon, the large team began moving forward through the ruined streets.
However, with over sixty humans gathered together, their scent spread far into the surrounding area.
It did not take long before the lurking Remnant Beasts noticed them.
Dark figures began moving silently between broken buildings and shattered alleyways.
Some hid within the shadows.
Others crawled across rooftops like predators stalking prey.
Their movements were eerie and unsettling.
But Zhao Mu's expression remained calm.
Without hesitation, he silently drew his compound bow and nocked an arrow.
The next moment—
Whoosh!
Without any warning, he fired directly into the darkness between two ruined buildings.
Pfft!
A muffled sound echoed through the area.
Immediately afterward, a Remnant Beast's corpse fell heavily from the shadows.
The creature had died instantly.
Zhao Mu's arrow was simply too fast.
The Remnant Beast had not even managed to react before its head was pierced clean through.
The surrounding Cadet Soldiers stared in shock.
Zhao Mu spoke coldly while lowering his bow.
"These creatures are trying to disrupt our morale."
"Don't be afraid."
"They're not as difficult to deal with as you imagine."
"As long as you properly use the training you've received, you can easily crush these ugly monsters."
Hearing his words while looking at the dead Remnant Beast nearby, everyone suddenly felt their confidence increase.
If Zhao Mu could kill one with a single arrow, then surely five trained Cadet Soldiers working together could handle one as well.
The fear in their hearts gradually disappeared.
Now, when they looked at the monsters darting through the shadows trying to intimidate them, the beasts no longer seemed terrifying.
Instead, they looked almost ridiculous.
Like monkeys putting on a show.
Suddenly—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two Remnant Beasts leaped down from a tall building and charged directly toward the rear of the formation!
Holding the back line were Zhu Meng and Zhuo Yun.
The instant the beasts attacked, Zhu Meng roared loudly and charged forward like an enraged lion.
His massive broad saber swept through the air with terrifying force.
Powerful Spiritual Energy surged into the weapon before colliding directly with the steel-like arm of one Remnant Beast.
Clang!
The creature's arm was severed instantly and sent flying high into the air.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The power of a B-grade alloy weapon was truly terrifying.
At the same time, Zhuo Yun thrust forward with the long spear in his hand.
"Dragon Gall Spear!"
The Remnant Beast reacted quickly and barely dodged the first strike.
However, Zhuo Yun's wrist flicked sharply.
The spear instantly transformed into countless afterimages.
One thrust became ten.
Ten became a hundred.
The spear moved so quickly that the eye could barely follow it.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
Several bloody holes exploded across the Remnant Beast's body.
Although Zhuo Yun's attack lacked the overwhelming power of Zhu Meng's saber, his precision and technique were far superior.
Watching him fight, even Zhao Mu nodded inwardly in approval.
Although Zhuo Yun only possessed a C-rank talent and his Combat Level was merely Level 5, his spearsmanship had been practiced for over a decade.
Zhao Mu had once personally seen Zhuo Yun use the tip of his spear to kill a fly without leaving even the slightest mark on the wall behind it.
His Six Harmonies Destruction Spear Technique was incredibly refined.
Even though he could not instantly kill a Remnant Beast like Zhu Meng, he completely suppressed his opponent and left it unable to retaliate.
Seeing Zhu Meng and Zhuo Yun dominate the battle, the surrounding Cadet Soldiers immediately gained courage.
"Charge!"
Several students rushed forward with excited expressions.
Working together, the ten Cadet Soldiers quickly surrounded and killed the two Remnant Beasts.
After the battle ended, many of them looked exhilarated.
"We actually did it!"
"I killed a Remnant Beast!"
Their previous fear had almost completely vanished.
Zhao Mu laughed lightly.
"I told you already."
"These things aren't truly frightening."
"But now…"
His expression gradually became serious.
"We're about to face the real challenge."
As if responding to his words, chilling roars suddenly echoed from every direction.
The two Remnant Beasts from earlier had only been a signal.
Now, dozens of shadows emerged from nearby buildings and dark alleyways.
One Remnant Beast after another lunged toward the group.
However, unlike before, the Cadet Soldiers no longer panicked.
Instead, they raised their weapons and actively charged forward.
Everyone unleashed the Combat Techniques and Spiritual Energy circulation methods they had learned during training.
The battlefield instantly erupted into chaos.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu remained at the very front.
His compound bow moved continuously as arrows flew one after another.
In only a few breaths, he killed three more Remnant Beasts.
Then, seeing another group rushing toward him, Zhao Mu suddenly kicked upward with his left foot.
A massive halberd flew into his hand.
He inhaled deeply.
Then—
Boom!
He stomped heavily onto the ground and charged forward like a cannonball.
"Hegemon's Formation-Breaking Halberd!"
The terrifying aura erupting from Zhao Mu instantly shocked everyone nearby.
This Combat Technique emphasized absolute courage and overwhelming force.
To use it properly, one needed fearless battle intent and an indomitable will.
Strength alone was not enough.
At this stage, the average Remnant Beast possessed strength roughly equivalent to a Level 5 Spirit Power User.
Although they lacked true Spiritual Techniques, their bodies were naturally strengthened by Spiritual Energy, giving them terrifying physical abilities.
But Zhao Mu was different.
Even without using Spiritual Energy, his physical strength alone already rivaled a Level 5 Spirit Power User.
Combined with his max-proficiency Halberd Technique—
His combat power had reached an astonishing level.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)