Chapter 43: A Biting Dog Doesn't Bark?
Early morning.
Sunlight pierced through the cloud layer, spilling onto the plaza outside the Lanjian City Awakener's Association.
Hundreds of students, ready for their military training, stood in neat formation.
Every face held a mixture of excitement and anticipation.In the center of the plaza, several massive military transport planes were parked, their engines roaring with a deafening rumble.
Chen Yu and Ling Yue appeared at the edge of the formation.The appearance of the handsome duo attracted quite a few strange looks.
Since the last assessment, when Chen Yu revealed his true strength, his reputation had been somewhat salvaged.
"Chen Yu… He's already an apprentice."
"Holy crap, Li Mufeng and Jiang Qingye are only at the high-tier trainee rank!"
"That breakthrough speed rivals the geniuses over in the Capital."
"Speaking of which, why is Ling Yue still at the peak of trainee rank?"Discussions rose and fell like waves.
However, Chen Yu and Ling Yue chatted as if no one else was around."Right, why haven't you broken through to Apprentice yet?"
Chen Yu asked curiously. With Ling Yue's talent, breaking through should be simple.Ling Yue frowned slightly.
"My control over my ability is still lacking just a tiny bit. I'm worried that breaking through might cause my powers to riot."
"Isn't that why I'm here?" Chen Yu said."I was worried it would affect your military training," Ling Yue said, her small face turning serious.
"My dad said this training is of extraordinary significance to you."
"It's fine; I can suppress it."Hearing this, warmth flooded Chen Yu's heart.
This girl… she's too good. I'm literally crying inside.Just then, a malicious gaze landed on Chen Yu.
Chen Yu's Observation Haki was always active. Sensing the stare, he turned his head to see Chen Chen standing not far away, staring at him with a sinister expression.
Today, Chen Chen was wearing a brand-new combat uniform, a trace of arrogance on his face. It was a stark contrast to his usual "green tea bitch" act.Chen Chen stared dead at the happy scene of Chen Yu and Ling Yue talking.
His fingernails nearly dug into his palms.The two of them standing together were so blinding. That attention should have belonged to him!
Ever since Chen Yu revealed his strength during the assessment, the Association members' gazes toward Chen Chen had grown indifferent.
The resource allocation had dropped, and the people who used to surround him had started to drift away to climb other social ladders.
All of this was Chen Yu's fault!
A wave of venomous resentment surged in his chest.
He clenched the cold object hidden in his sleeve—a secret weapon Zhang Li had secretly slipped him. It was strong enough to instantly severely injure an Apprentice Awakener.
As long as I get rid of Chen Yu!Ling Yue would see who was truly worthy of standing beside her. The Association's favor, the awe of others—it would all return to his hands.
A ruthless glint flashed deep in Chen Chen's eyes. His killing intent grew like wild vines, tightly entangled with his hatred.
Chen Yu, you must die!"Strange, why hasn't Chen Chen come over to start trouble today?"
Chen Yu wondered inwardly.Usually, every time they met, Chen Chen would lunge like a mad dog to provoke him.
But today, he was unusually quiet.As if sensing Chen Yu's gaze, Chen Chen walked over slowly, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold sneer.
"Chen Yu, don't think that just because someone is protecting you, you can sleep easily."
"No one knows what happens inside the Misty Forest."
"Oh?" Chen Yu raised an eyebrow.
"So, you're planning to make a move during the military training?"
"I thought you changed your personality today and decided not to come over and be a bitch."
Chen Chen's face darkened, and a flash of killing intent passed through his eyes.
"A biting dog never barks."Chen Yu paused for a moment.Then, he beamed with a bright smile.
"So you finally know you're a dog?"
"You!" Chen Chen's face flushed red with anger.
His fists clenched with a cracking sound, wishing he could rush up and tear Chen Yu to shreds right there.
But he ultimately held back, merely letting out a cold snort.
"We'll meet on the training grounds. When the time comes, I'll let you know what it means to be better off dead."
After saying that, he turned and walked away.Watching Chen Chen retreating, Chen Yu's eyes turned cold.
He could sense a faint, dangerous aura coming from Chen Chen. His Observation Haki was sending out warning signals.You don't think I won't kill you, do you?
Chen Yu thought to himself.Not long after, a staff member waved his hand. "Alright, everyone is present."
"Everyone, board the planes. We depart for the Great Wall District 7 in ten minutes!"
The crowd didn't dare delay and moved toward the transport planes.
Chen Yu and Ling Yue followed the crowd, stepping onto the aircraft.
As the hatch closed, the transport plane slowly ascended, flying toward the Alliance's border defense line—Great Wall District 7.
Chen Yu sat by the window, watching the city shrink rapidly below, his heart calm.
Great Wall District 7.Among the ten districts of the Great Wall borderline, it was the defense line with the lowest frequency of Beast Tides.
It averaged about once a year.Because it bordered the Misty Forest, a natural defense line, and through the efforts of predecessors, humanity's control over the Misty Forest exceeded eighty percent.
Thus, it was chosen as the location for the annual Alliance military training.
At this moment, on the tarmac at the edge of District 7, transport planes were landing one after another.Hatches opened, and students participating in the training walked out.
These weren't just Awakeners from Lanjian City; they were Awakeners from almost the entire Eastern Alliance who had passed the assessment and qualified for the training.
The sounds of spirited discussions among the young men and women rose and fell.
"That guy over there in the black combat suit, isn't that Lin Yan from Gusu City? I heard he has an S-rank teleportation fruit ability! During the assessment, he single-handedly repelled two First Order Peak beasts!"
"Look at the southwest corner, Xia Wanqing from Hushang City! Don't let her height of 1.5 meters fool you; she has the S-Rank Strength-Strength Fruit. She fights like a female T-Rex."
"That's Lanjian's Jiang Qingye, right? AB-rank dual ability, Quick-Cut Fruit and Sword Dao talent complement each other. Definitely a seed candidate!"
"The one wearing silver-rimmed glasses next to him should be Li Mufeng! Ancient Zoan, Pteranodon Fruit ability. Powerful vitality, and he can fly!"
Just then, the crowd suddenly went quiet for a moment.
Chen Chen walked over slowly, wearing his brand-new combat uniform, a Seven Star Sword at his waist, and covered in flashy protective gear.
"It's Chen Chen! The only SS-rank Awakener in the East!"
Amidst the exclamations, many Awakeners subconsciously straightened their backs. Even the previously discussed Lin Yan, Xia Wanqing, and others turned to look at Chen Chen.
Chen Chen felt the gazes focusing on him from all directions, and the corner of his mouth hooked into an arrogant smile.
When his gaze swept over the crowd, it paused on Chen Yu and Ling Yue for a moment, a trace of hidden sinister intent flashing in his eyes.
He then held his head high and walked to the front of the line.
Clap, clap, clap—
A middle-aged man with a burly figure wearing a military uniform appeared.
He clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention.
He wore the rank of vice general on his shoulders, his face carrying an iron-blooded aura.
It was the vice general of District 7 responsible for this training—Zhao Lie.Zhao Lie walked to the front of the formation, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.
He spoke in a deep voice, "Welcome to District 7. For the next three months, you will undergo the most brutal military training here."
"I'll say the ugly part first. This training is not playing house. This place is full of danger. A moment of carelessness could cost you your life."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty, instantly silencing the noisy plaza.
"The location for this training is the Misty Forest outside District 7."
Zhao Lie pointed into the distance.
"You should have all seen it. The Great Wall over there is humanity's first line of defense against the beasts from beyond the borders."
"And the Misty Forest is located just outside the Great Wall. It is inhabited by all kinds of beasts."
Everyone looked in the direction Zhao Lie pointed.
A massive wall stretched across the distance like a giant dragon, separating District 7 from the outside world.
Outside the wall lay rolling mountain ranges, shrouded in mist. Vague, massive shadows could be seen moving within—the habitat of the beasts beyond the border.
"We have already released a large number of marked beasts into the Misty Forest."
Zhao Lie continued, "Your mission is to enter the Misty Forest, hunt these beasts, and collect the tags on their bodies."
"After the training ends, we will grade your performance based on the number of tags you collect."
At this point, Zhao Lie's tone became serious. "Remember, there are two rules that must be strictly obeyed."
"First, fighting each other is inevitable, but you must not kill one another. Once discovered, you will be immediately disqualified and handed over to the Awakener's Association for punishment."
"Second, the Misty Forest is fraught with danger. If you encounter a beast you cannot contend with, you can choose to give up. Saving your life is the priority."
(To be Continued)