Shen Moran's explanation left the group in a state of quiet disappointment.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
The hope they had placed in her—thinking she was a direct disciple of Great Master Liang Gongchi—collapsed almost instantly.
But just as the silence began to settle, Zhang Yuan suddenly clapped her hands, her voice bright and energetic.
"Wait! Don't we still have Xia Lingling?"
Her eyes lit up as if she had discovered a lifeline.
"She's also connected to Great Master Liang Gongchi, right? If you all work together, you should still be able to complete the array formation!"
As she spoke, she stepped forward and enthusiastically patted Xia Lingling on the shoulder.
"Come on, Lingling! You go handle Zhao Mu!"
Xia Lingling froze for a second.
She blinked, then slowly pointed at herself.
"Uh… me?"
Her expression quickly turned flustered. She shook her head so rapidly it resembled a rattle drum.
"No, no, no! I can't do that!"
Her tone was sincere—almost panicked.
She instinctively glanced toward Zhao Mu, who was busy working in the distance. There was unmistakable admiration in her eyes.
"If it's just sketching the outline of a Spirit Rune Diagram Path, I can manage that," she explained honestly.
"But drawing a complete formation… maintaining balance, depth, and stability… especially on uneven ground like this?"
She let out a small, awkward laugh.
"I really can't do it."
Her gaze softened.
"Senior Brother Zhao Mu… he's incredible."
Her admiration wasn't hidden at all.
"Besides," she added sheepishly, scratching her head, "Teacher Liang has only officially accepted Senior Sister Gu Ningli and Senior Brother Zhao Mu."
"I'm just… an assistant at best."
The words were honest—but devastating.
The group's brief hope vanished once again.
Expressions of disappointment spread across everyone's faces.
However, something else changed as well.
More and more people began to look at Shen Moran… with strange expressions.
"Didn't she say she was also Teacher Liang's student?"
"Yeah, I thought she was really impressive…"
"Turns out she's just an assistant?"
"Then why was she acting like she was on the same level as Zhao Mu?"
"Didn't she even speak badly about him earlier? Now look at this…"
The whispers weren't loud—but they were sharp.
Each word felt like a needle.
Shen Moran's hands clenched tightly at her sides.
Her face flushed with humiliation.
The shame burned within her chest… slowly transforming into something darker.
Jealousy.
Resentment.
Hatred.
All of it—directed at Zhao Mu.
Mo Guanguan noticed everything.
He glanced at Shen Moran, then sighed inwardly.
"Alright," he said, raising his voice slightly. "Since that's the case, we'll stick to the simplest method."
His tone was firm, though slightly resigned.
"Everyone, focus! Don't give up until the very end!"
On Zhao Mu's Side
Things were going far more smoothly.
With the support of the array patterns he had already set up, the workload had been drastically reduced.
Efficiency skyrocketed.
After about another half hour of steady work, Zhao Mu and his team successfully completed the task.
Before them stood a massive pit—
Ten meters long.
Ten meters wide.
Twenty meters deep.
It was flawless.
There was no suspense left.
They had secured first place.
Mo Guanguan's team followed in second place.
And as for Shao Han's team…
The team that had once been confident of victory…
They ended up dead last.
Punishment
"Second Group Leader, step forward!"
Instructor Zhang Biao's voice rang out sharply.
Shao Han's face darkened instantly.
The pressure around him dropped so noticeably that even those nearby could feel it.
Still, he stepped forward.
Zhang Biao's expression was cold.
"What's wrong with your team?"
His voice was harsh, without any restraint.
"You're always finishing last!"
The blunt humiliation hit Shao Han like a slap.
His head lowered slightly.
He said nothing.
But his clenched fists betrayed everything.
And this time…
The punishment was worse than before.
"Carry a 400-jin log," Zhang Biao ordered.
"Run twenty laps around the training ground."
One lap was one kilometer.
Twenty laps…
Twenty kilometers.
Even with spiritual power reinforcing the body, this level of training was brutal.
For a moment, Shao Han felt dizzy before he even began.
But under everyone's watchful eyes, he had no choice.
He stepped forward.
Lifted the log.
And began to run.
Zhao Mu Steps In
Just as Shao Han started…
A familiar voice rang out.
"Report, Instructor!"
Zhao Mu stepped forward.
"I request to run with him!"
Zhang Biao froze.
Then his expression turned emotional.
"A good soldier… a truly outstanding soldier!"
And so—
Zhao Mu also picked up a 400-jin log.
And began running.
The Breakdown Begins
Shao Han's expression twisted.
Of all people…
Why him?
He had wanted to endure this punishment alone—to make his team feel guilty.
But now…
That opportunity was gone.
Zhao Mu glanced at him with a faint smile.
"Take it slow," he said casually.
"I'll lap you a couple of times first."
And then—
He dashed forward.
Fast.
Ridiculously fast.
After all…
His 212 proficiency in Innate Divine Strength wasn't for show.
He was doing this deliberately.
Shao Han knew it.
During the entrance trial, it had been him who secretly orchestrated the attack on Zhao Mu.
Now…
This was payback.
Pressure
At first, Shao Han tried to remain calm.
Don't fall for it.
Don't compete.
He forced himself to maintain his pace.
But soon—
Zhao Mu was already over a hundred meters ahead.
Then came the shout from behind.
"Move faster!"
The assistant instructor pointed at Zhao Mu.
"Look at him! Are you crawling like a turtle?!"
Shao Han's face twisted.
He had no choice.
He sped up.
And just like that—
His rhythm was broken.
Collapse
Lap by lap, the gap widened.
First lap: 200 meters.
Second lap: 500 meters.
Third lap—
Zhao Mu's voice came from behind.
"Careful, I'm about to lap you!"
Shao Han's rationality snapped.
He surged forward.
He couldn't endure it.
Not the mockery.
Not the looks.
Not the humiliation.
Zhao Mu smiled.
Exactly as planned.
By the fifth lap—
Pain set in.
Five kilometers.
Carrying 400 jin.
Even with spiritual enhancement…
It was unbearable.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu moved steadily.
Sweat covered his body, but his breathing remained controlled.
He even felt… accomplished.
Each drop of sweat.
Each increase in proficiency.
It all felt worth it.
Zhao Mu overtook him again.
"Take a break," he said lightly.
"I'll just lap you ten more times."
He even started humming.
Shao Han's face twisted completely.
Rage.
Helplessness.
Despair.
All tangled together.
The End Result
When Zhao Mu finished all twenty laps—
He was tired, yes.
But still standing.
Still steady.
He dropped the log.
Drank water handed to him by Meng Qiuqiu.
Then sat down cross-legged, activating the Turtle Breathing Technique to recover.
Calm.
Composed.
Controlled.
Meanwhile—
Shao Han had only completed twelve laps.
His steps slowed.
His breathing ragged.
His body trembling.
No one sympathized.
Instead—
Voices of dissatisfaction rose from his own team.
"If I'd known, I would've joined Zhao Mu's team…"
"A B-rank special recruit… and this is all he can do?"
"Look at him—he's exhausted at twelve laps while Zhao Mu already finished twenty!"
"I swear… I'm erasing this memory in the future. Following him makes me look stupid!"
Each word struck like a hammer.
Shao Han's pride…
Shattered completely.
His breakdown…
Had truly begun.
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