The atmosphere was emotional as Li Chang’an said goodbye to his family, teachers, and classmates.
Li Furong’s face was filled with reluctance, but she held back her tears and said, "Brother, you have to take care of yourself. I’ll be waiting for you to come back!"
Wu Yong patted Li Chang’an’s shoulder and said earnestly, "Chang’an, do your best. I know you have the strength for this. Don’t let us down!"
Although his other classmates congratulated him verbally, many of their eyes revealed contempt and disdain. ’Hmph, with his level of skill, he thinks he can join the Interstellar Warrior Corps? I bet he’ll just get himself killed!’
’Yeah, he was just incredibly lucky to get into the corps in the first place. Who knows if he’ll even make it back alive!’
Soon, Li Chang’an boarded an Interstellar Warrior spaceship and arrived at their base.
Having just joined the 42 Combat Group, Li Chang’an was immediately assigned to a special elite squad.
He stood at the edge of the Combat Group’s training grounds, where four squad members were sizing each other up.
The elite squad consisted of two men and two women. With Li Chang’an, that made five people in total.
The first male member was named Sun Yang. He wasn’t particularly tall, but he had a sunny disposition and a constant smile, making him seem especially friendly.
He wore a set of custom combat fatigues and carried a standard-issue Interstellar Warrior long blade on his back.
He smiled as he casually chatted with Li Chang’an. "Hey, you’re Li Chang’an, right? You must be new. Getting assigned to our squad right after joining the Combat Group... you’ve got some good luck!
Haha, but this is an elite squad, you know. So, how strong are you?"
"Sun Yang, cut the crap!"
The second male member spoke coldly. He was tall and wore a pair of rimless glasses, appearing especially quiet and reserved. He held a tablet, his fingers flying across the screen as he occasionally glanced at Li Chang’an.
"I don’t have time for your nonsense.
Li Chang’an, right?
I’m the squad’s hacker, Bai Lin.
Try not to drag us down."
Although Bai Lin’s tone was icy, his fingers moved rapidly over the tablet. He seemed meticulous, completely focused on the task at hand.
He didn’t spare Li Chang’an another glance, seemingly unconcerned with his reaction.
"Hmph!"
One of the female members standing nearby scoffed. Her name was Shen Qiuyue; she was tall with a cold and stunning aura.
Her deep-set eyes swept over Li Chang’an, the corners of her mouth twitching upward in a disdainful smirk. "I don’t care who you are or where you come from, but you need to understand something. Around here, strength is all that matters.
Your background, no matter how impressive, is useless!"
She came from an ancient, noble family. A genius Martial Artist from a young age, she cultivated her family’s secret Martial Arts. Her Qi and Blood Value had long since surpassed what ordinary people could comprehend, and it was said that as a youth, she was already undefeated among her peers.
Her noble bearing made others hesitant to approach, and she exuded a strong, oppressive presence.
The last female member, Han Ruoxi, was a stark contrast to Shen Qiuyue. She wore a set of light combat fatigues and appeared gentle on the surface, but a strange Energy emanated from her.
Her background was ordinary, coming from a commoner family, but she possessed a Superpower, making her the squad’s youngest Superpower User.
Han Ruoxi offered a gentle smile. When she saw Li Chang’an, she even extended a hand in greeting. "Hello, I’m Han Ruoxi. I hope we can work well together!"
Li Chang’an nodded and shook her hand.
He could feel that her palm was soft, but the handshake concealed a powerful Inner Strength.
Seeing this, Sun Yang immediately teased, "Hey, Li Chang’an, you better be careful! Don’t be fooled by how gentle our Ruoxi looks. Her Superpower is incredible. She almost sent me flying last time!"
"Sun Yang, don’t be ridiculous!"
Han Ruoxi shook her head with a smile, looking a little shy.
Just then, the 42 Combat Group’s instructor walked over and swept a cold gaze over them. "Today’s training is the Captain selection. Among the five of you, whoever is the strongest will become the Captain!"
"Instructor, are we really doing this?"
Sun Yang scratched his head and grinned. "I really want that Captain position, but I have a feeling it won’t be easy to grab!"
Shen Qiuyue raised an eyebrow, her gaze cold. "The position goes to whoever has the strength for it. No need to waste words."
Bai Lin remained completely unfazed, still staring at his tablet. "Let’s just get this over with. I don’t have time to waste on a pointless selection."
"Since none of you have any objections, we’ll do it by the book.
You’ll face off in pairs. The final winner becomes Captain!"
After speaking, the instructor motioned for them to take their positions.
Li Chang’an stood to the side, observing the expressions on the others’ faces.
Sun Yang still wore his sunny smile, but a glint of fighting spirit flickered in his eyes.
"I’ll go first!"
Sun Yang raised his hand, beaming. "Don’t be nervous, everyone. I’ll just get things started. Who wants to take me on?"
"I will!"
Shen Qiuyue stepped forward without hesitation, her eyes icy and unflinching.
Sun Yang smiled. "Alright, let’s have a go!"
The instructor waved his hand, signaling the start of the match.
Sun Yang immediately adopted a fighting stance. Though he usually spoke casually, his entire aura suddenly shifted, becoming exceptionally serious.
His footwork was agile as he quickly circled to Shen Qiuyue’s side, attempting a preemptive strike.
Shen Qiuyue sneered, deflecting Sun Yang’s attack with a light swing of her Longsword.
"Idiot!"
she said dismissively. In a flash, her sword-tip was aimed straight for Sun Yang’s chest.
Sun Yang gritted his teeth and struggled to block, but Shen Qiuyue’s strength and speed far exceeded his expectations.
They had only exchanged a few blows before Sun Yang was forced back again and again. In the end, he had no choice but to raise his hand in surrender. "Alright, Shen Qiuyue, you win!"
"I told you, you’re no match for me!"
Shen Qiuyue said coldly, her face showing no hint of triumph, as if this outcome was only natural.
Next up was the duel between Bai Lin and Han Ruoxi.
Although Bai Lin wasn’t skilled in direct combat, he excelled at using his hacking skills and traps, attempting to interfere with Han Ruoxi using various electronic devices.
However, Han Ruoxi’s natural talent with her Superpower allowed her to easily neutralize all the traps, and she effortlessly defeated the hacker.
Finally, it was Li Chang’an’s turn to face Han Ruoxi.
Han Ruoxi glanced at Li Chang’an, her expression hesitant. "Li Chang’an, I don’t really want to fight you..."
Li Chang’an smiled. "We have to. It’s the selection. You don’t need to hold back!"
Han Ruoxi nodded and gently assumed a defensive stance with her Superpower.
Her Superpower was the ability to control energy fields. She could form an invisible barrier to protect herself or use the Energy to launch attacks.
Li Chang’an said nothing more and quickly launched his assault.
His movements were simple and swift, his techniques sharp and efficient, with no wasted motion.
Although Han Ruoxi’s defense was formidable, Li Chang’an, relying on techniques from the Martial Scripture, quickly found a flaw in her defenses. Within a few moves, he had already backed her into a corner.
"Li Chang’an, you’re amazing!"
Han Ruoxi said, panting, her eyes filled with astonishment.
"You let me win,"
Li Chang’an replied with a slight smile.
At last, the winners of both matches had been decided.
The final showdown was Li Chang’an versus Shen Qiuyue.
Shen Qiuyue stood before Li Chang’an, watching him coldly. "I won’t hold back. You’d better be careful!"
"That’s fine. I won’t hold back either," Li Chang’an said calmly.
The two clashed instantly. Shen Qiuyue’s Swordsmanship was fierce, but the techniques from Li Chang’an’s Martial Scripture were more profound.
Although Shen Qiuyue’s Qi and Blood Value was far beyond that of an ordinary person, she gradually found herself struggling under Li Chang’an’s relentless assault.
Finally, Li Chang’an executed a Flawed Sword technique, instantly shattering Shen Qiuyue’s defense and knocking her Longsword to the ground.
Shen Qiuyue’s expression faltered, but she quickly regained her composure and let out a soft sigh. "You win."