In Chapter 448, during the second round of the lottery, the students dispersed in twos and threes, like a flock of quails released from their cages, making the most of these precious ten minutes to drink water and relax their muscles that were about to cramp.

The noise on the training field was divided into several distinct areas.

On the male soldiers' side, a group of people surrounded Wang Hu, who had just gotten up from the ground and looked like he was questioning his life, chattering and making a fuss.

"Tiger, what's wrong with you? This isn't the way you're supposed to let the water out, is it?"

"Yeah, that woman just kicked you out? Did you not eat dinner last night?"

Wang Hu's face turned a deep purplish-red, and he roared with a thick neck, "Shut the hell up! I didn't hold back! That woman is really weird!"

But his explanation only earned him louder laughter and disbelief from his brothers.

On the other hand, the atmosphere in the female soldiers' rest area was completely different.

Chen Xiaocao lowered her head, not daring to look anyone in the eye. As she walked back to the rest area, every step felt like she was walking on a knife's edge.

The sympathetic, regretful, and even slightly disdainful glances around her felt like needles pricking her.

She knew she had lost, not unexpectedly, but still embarrassing.

She felt that she had once again become a burden to Sister Su An.

Su An is so amazing and dazzling, she beat a big guy like Wang Hu, but her teammates suffered a crushing defeat in the first round.

This is so embarrassing.

She found the most inconspicuous corner, squatted down silently, and buried her face deeply in her knees, like a wounded little animal that just wanted to hide herself away.

"Little grass!"

As soon as Chen Xiaocao returned to the rest area, Liu Landi and Su Tang immediately surrounded her.

"Are you alright? Let me see. Did that fall hurt? That bastard really went all out! If I run into him later, I'll pluck all the hair off his legs." Liu Landi was about to touch him with a look of concern.

Chen Xiaocao shook her head, her voice thick with nasal congestion, and said in a muffled tone, "Landi, I'm fine..."

Before she could finish speaking, a figure slowly sat down beside her.

The man didn't speak, but simply sat quietly, yet he seemed to bring a tranquil magnetic field, isolating the surrounding noise.

Chen Xiaocao knew without looking up that it was Sister Su An.

She buried her head even deeper, her shoulders trembling slightly uncontrollably.

"Sister Su An..." She finally couldn't hold back anymore, and a muffled voice, trembling with tears, came from between her knees, "I'm sorry... I lost... I've embarrassed you..."

Su Tang looked at her trembling back and spoke calmly.

"Who said you embarrassed me?"

“Look up at me.”

Chen Xiaocao's body stiffened for a moment. She hesitated, then slowly raised her head. Her clear eyes were red and swollen, as if washed by rain, making her look just like a wronged little rabbit.

"How long did you fight that male soldier?" Su Tang asked.

"About... about three minutes..." Chen Xiaocao sniffed and answered softly.

“Three minutes,” Su Tang repeated. “In those three minutes, you dodged seven straight punches and two powerful side kicks. At the first minute and twenty seconds, you used the sliding step I taught you to almost make him fall because he lost his balance. At the second minute and forty-five seconds, you anticipated his sweeping leg, jumped ahead to dodge it, and even tried to hook his supporting leg with your heel.”

Su Tang's every word was like a precise pebble thrown into Chen Xiaocao's chaotic heart.

She...she had no idea she had accomplished so much. Her mind was blank; she was moving purely on instinct and the muscle memory honed from countless training sessions.

She thought she had performed terribly, but to her surprise, Sister Su An had watched her performance so closely during her own competition, remembering every detail.

“You lost because of your absolute strength and lack of practical experience, not because of your effort and courage.” Su Tang looked into her eyes and said clearly, word by word, “You didn’t embarrass me. That’s called progress.”

The word "progress" was like a warm current, instantly washing away all the grievances and self-blame in Chen Xiaocao's heart.

Tears streamed down my face, but this time, they weren't from sadness, but from being moved.

“Exactly!” Liu Landi chimed in. “Little Grass, you’re already amazing. That guy’s tough as nails, he looks tough to deal with. Next time, I’ll teach you a few tricks, like Monkey Steals Peach or Black Tiger Claws Heart. If all else fails, just grab his leg and gnaw on it. It’s like fighting a war, it’s not shameful, and I guarantee it will work.”

Chen Xiaocao burst out laughing at her sincere words of comfort, tears still glistening on her long eyelashes.

She nodded vigorously, her fighting spirit rekindled: "Yes! Sister Su An, Sister Lan Di, I will definitely work harder in the next round! Even if I lose, I will still take a piece of his flesh!"

"That's more like it." Su Tang reached out and gently patted her shoulder. The warmth from her palm instantly put her at ease.

"Break time! Everyone assemble!"

"Prepare for the second round of the draw!"

Instructor Lei Kuan's command was like a switch, instantly pulling everyone back to reality from a mix of complex emotions.

The trainees immediately stood up and lined up again in front of the fighting circle, and the atmosphere became tense and solemn once more.

Who will be his opponent in the second round?

Who will be defeated?

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Su Tang stood up, dusted off her trousers, and calmly looked at the lottery box that held everyone's fate...