"Not hold back? Not go easy?"

This... Everyone's face registered surprise, if not outright shock.

"Young man, are you that confident?" Sister Zou raised an eyebrow, her disdain for Lin Mu growing. Originally, she had planned to let him off with a simple apology if his performance was acceptable. Now, however, his words only made her look down on him even more.

Confidence was a good thing, but too much of it was just arrogance. Beside them, Kong Lin let out a helpless sigh. He had already tried to speak up for Lin Mu, but his help was clearly not appreciated.

"We'll find out soon enough, won't we?" Lin Mu replied, his tone arrogant. He seemed completely indifferent to the contempt and mockery from Sister Zou and the others.

And he had every reason to be confident. He had personally trained the kid, Leng Feng. Although it had only been half a month, Leng Feng had already taken a step across the threshold of the Way. He possessed the talent of the Supreme Divine Pupils and the cultivation technique of the Divine Pupils Supreme of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. With Lin Mu's personal guidance on top of that, it would be truly shameful if he still lost.

After all, there was a fundamental difference between a Martial Artist and a Cultivator.

"Kid, you think half a month of training is enough to catch up to the soldiers of the Divine Machine Camp? Not unless you're a reincarnated deity who fed him an Immortal Pill," Xie Hui sneered, his mockery unconcealed.

Lin Mu didn't even bother to grace him with a response. This blatant disregard infuriated Xie Hui further. As a disciple of the Bagua Sect, he had a reputation to uphold. When had he ever been so blatantly ignored? Especially by a wet-behind-the-ears kid!

Xie Hui's annoyance intensified. Just wait until you lose. I'd like to see how you'll save face then. This time, the Bagua Sect is fully prepared. We're going to run this kid out of the Divine Machine Camp for good. Chief Instructor? What a joke!

Kong Lin opened his mouth to say something, but Lin Mu spoke first. "I appreciate the sentiment." Lin Mu felt that while Kong Lin was primarily motivated by the Divine Machine Camp's eligibility to compete, he wasn't a bad person at his core.

Sister Zou snorted coldly. She was determined to see how this arrogant young man would have someone with only half a month of training defeat the Divine Machine Camp. And could you even call that training? It was nothing but child's play—utterly ridiculous!

Kong Ying and Jiaolong were exasperated as well. They had wanted to help Lin Mu, but his outrageous remarks were driving them mad.

"You damned fool, would it kill you to keep a low profile?!" Kong Ying gritted her teeth, glaring furiously at Lin Mu. "If you lose, not only will you be kicked out, but the Divine Machine Camp won't even be able to compete!"

As if he hadn't seen Kong Ying's resentful glare, Lin Mu said simply, "Let's begin."

At his word, Leng Feng strode onto the training ground.

Just half a month ago, Leng Feng wouldn't have had the confidence to challenge anyone from the Divine Machine Camp. Forget challenging them—he wouldn't have even had the courage to step onto the stage. He had never received formal training, nor had he been injected with a Gene Potion. Lacking both physique and bravery, he was like an infant facing a full-fledged Martial Artist. The gap between them had been indescribable.

But now, Leng Feng felt an eagerness, an impulse to test himself. He wanted to see if what he had learned over the past half-month was truly as powerful as Instructor Lin claimed.

"Mad Dog, you're up."

Hearing the command, Mad Dog instinctively glanced at Jiaolong, looking as if he wanted to speak but holding his tongue.

Shi Potian spoke up, his voice firm. "Do not hold back. That is an order! It's my order, and it's Teacher Lin's order!"

Mad Dog snapped a military salute. "Yes, Captain!"

Shi Potian was the current Captain of the Divine Machine Camp. While Jiaolong also held the rank of captain, he was the deputy. And though little else had changed, Shi Potian's word was now an absolute command.

"Xiao Feng, I'm sorry," Mad Dog said with a bitter smile. "This is the captain's order. I have no choice but to get rough!"

Mad Dog certainly knew Leng Feng. He had joined the Divine Machine Camp inspired by Leng Feng's father, a living legend in the Southeast Military Region. Because of this, Mad Dog really didn't want to be harsh with his idol's son. But there was no helping it. Both Teacher Lin and the captain had ordered him not to hold back, so he had to comply.

Mad Dog's fighting style lived up to his codename—it was frenzied and brutal, like a wild dog fighting for scraps. Critically, he was incredibly fast. On the battlefield, the mere mention of his name was enough to cripple an enemy's fighting spirit, a testament to just how terrifying he was.

Sending Mad Dog out first proved the Divine Machine Camp had no intention of going easy. When Mad Dog attacked, it almost always meant a fatal blow to end the battle swiftly.

Sister Zou gave a slight nod. She was well aware of Mad Dog's strength, having seen him in action during last year's test. Sending him out first proved the Divine Machine Camp wasn't playing tricks. It also meant the fight would be over quickly.

Mad Dog moved. He let out a howl, a spine-chilling roar powerful enough to make one's heart tremble and shatter their concentration. His speed was like a sudden gust of wind. Pushing off the ground, he lunged forward, his clenched fists thundering toward Leng Feng's head.

Leng Feng was nervous, but as Mad Dog charged, he instantly circulated the qi within his body according to the method Lin Mu had taught him. A faint warmth spread through his eyes, and in that instant, his perception of the world changed completely.

It was an indescribable feeling. The world and everyone in it seemed to freeze, while Mad Dog's body moved as if in a slow-motion film. Every action, every expression, was slow and exaggerated, yet clear as day. Leng Feng could even see the feint; as Mad Dog leaped, his legs bent slightly and his arms drooped. He was posturing for a punch but was actually planning to deliver a fatal kick.

Leng Feng blinked slowly, his gaze sweeping over the onlookers. He saw the helpless sighs on the faces of Kong Ying and Jiaolong, the mocking sneers of Sister Zou and Xie Hui, and the worried, powerless expression on Kong Lin's face.

When his eyes landed on Lin Mu, however, he nearly cried out in shock. He saw Lin Mu give him a subtle wink. Beside him, Brother Xiao Tian gave a small, encouraging smile and mouthed words of support.

Leng Feng understood. So this is what the world looks like to Teacher Lin and Brother Xiao Tian. Everyone else moves so slowly they might as well be standing still. How could anyone possibly be a match for Brother Xiao Tian? And just how terrifying must Teacher Lin be?

Just then, Mad Dog reached him. As Leng Feng predicted, he retracted his fists and thrust his legs forward, preparing to kick him out of the ring. Seizing the opening, Leng Feng shot his hand out, grabbed Mad Dog's ankle, and yanked with all his might.

To the onlookers, Mad Dog had been a blur of motion, impossibly fast, appearing before Leng Feng in an instant. But in the very next moment, his entire body was sent flying.

BANG!

Mad Dog smashed heavily onto the ground outside the ring. A bewildered expression was plastered on his face, as if he had no idea what had just happened.

How did I get thrown out of the ring? he wondered.

The spectators were equally stunned, every one of them wondering the same thing. What in the world just happened?

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