next day

At five o'clock in the morning, the thin mist had not yet dissipated.

Elite soldiers from various countries are already lined up neatly on the parade ground.

The instructors stood at the front of their respective teams and counted the number of people.

Lucas was dressed in a smart training uniform with a whistle around his neck.

Twenty referees stood in neat rows at the back.

Nearly a hundred soldiers in international training uniforms were positioned at the four corners of the parade ground.

Qin Zhiluo didn't notice anything amiss when she first came.

But other instructors who frequently come here are filled with doubt when they see that the number of referees has doubled and that many soldiers have come.

Lin Ximen had been here once before and quickly realized something was wrong.

Qin Zhiluo received the signal secretly transmitted by Lin Ximen and narrowed her eyes slightly.

Lucas said with a serious expression, "The first round of the competition is cross-country with full gear."

"The entire course is 20 kilometers long, with a 30-kilogram load. You'll pass through the forest behind you, and our referees are already waiting for you there!"

"If you do not arrive within one hour, you will be eliminated and will not be able to participate in the subsequent competitions."

"The first team to reach 30 people wins, and the rankings follow in order."

Lin Ximen frowned slightly. Why was there an elimination round system?

Lucas picked up the whistle from around his neck.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Everyone scattered instantly. Some teams chose to run on their own, some teams united together, and in some teams, the strong ran first while the weaker teams banded together.

Lu Ze led 40 people ahead, while Lin Ximen led the students behind.

Qin Zhiluo wandered around the forest alone but found nothing unusual.

"Instructor Qin."

Long Yanli, with his sharp eyes, spotted Qin Zhiluo sitting in the tree, raiding a bird's nest.

Qin Zhiluo paused, then smiled, "Instructor Long, what a coincidence."

Long Yanli looked at her with an ambiguous gaze, "Yes, I came here following your trail."

Qin Zhiluo put the bird egg back and tossed a wild fruit to Long Yanli, saying, "Hush money."

Long Yanli stood under the tree, holding out a few strawberries. "Want some?"

Qin Zhiluo, utterly pathetic, was pinned to the tree by him and devoured the strawberry in one bite.

Long Yanli looked at the little girl with doting eyes and pinched her nose. "Why have you been avoiding me these past few days?"

Qin Zhiluo looked up and stared directly at him, "Instructor Long, I think this could easily get us trending on social media..."

Long Yanli sighed, his attempt to flirt being ruthlessly rejected.

Qin Zhilu leaned casually against the tree and recounted what Lin Ximen had told her, "Do you know what's going on?"

Long Yanli took a step back, maintaining normal social distancing. "Lucas received a threatening letter; someone is planning to attack this place."

"Many soldiers were sent from above to guard this place inside and out."

Qin Zhilu frowned slightly. "You've got quite the big talk, actually wanting to wipe out the best warriors from various countries."

Long Yanli gave her the remaining strawberries, saying, "Baby, be careful, I'm leaving now."

Qin Zhiluo nodded, sat under the tree, and ate strawberries casually.

Amelia happened to be passing by, and Qin Zhiluo gave her a few strawberries.

"Instructor Qin, how come you run so fast!"

Amelia admired the girl who was even younger than her; it seemed she had arrived at this place long before her.

Qin Zhilu clapped her hands and casually slung her backpack over her shoulder. "It's not going to be fast. Several groups of people have already gone by."

When Qin Zhi landed, none of the trainees dared to speak.