Regardless of whether it was his previous life or his current one, Wang Chong had never been good with bows. Thus, Wang Chong couldnât really guide Chen Burang on this aspect.
Even so, he retained some memory of various archery techniques from his previous life. Perhaps, this might prove useful in helping Chen Burang raise his capabilities!
After separating with Chen Burang, Wang Chong loitered around the crowd a little longer before returning back to the mountain peak. However, to Wang Chongâs surprise, he saw a few more figures standing near Zhao Jingdian.
âWhat happened?â
Wang Chong walked over and asked with a hushed voice.
âThese people came not too long after you left. They are all very strong, and based on my estimates, their cultivation is at least at Origin Energy Tier 7. Like me, they all used the method of mutual destruction to pass the test.â
Zhao Jingdian said.
He had been sitting here since Wang Chong left so he witnessed the entire proceedings from start to end.
âOh?â
Hearing Zhao Jingdianâs recount, Wang Chong couldnât help but chuckle.
âThereâs nothing too surprising about that. There are many smart people here as well. Most probably, they were watching by some corner when we were taking the test so it isnât too surprising for them to know about the method as well.â
The biggest mistake one could make was to underestimate others. Wang Chong could immediately tell that those people were imitating Zhao Jingdianâs method.
Furthermore, given how they resorted to it the moment they rushed up, not even bothering to test the waters first, it was clear that they were confident. If they hadnât witnessed Zhao Jingdianâs fight, they wouldnât have dared to do something so risky.
âThose two are still alright. I can sense that their cultivation is around our level. However, that man... Somehow, I feel that heâs even stronger than you!â
Zhao Jingdian said fearfully.
âOh?â
Wang Chongâs eyebrows shot up and a grim expression appeared on his face. Zhao Jingdian had witnessed his fight with the instructor, and he wasnât the type of person to exaggerate.
If Zhao Jingdian said that the other person was stronger than him, then it was very likely that that was the case.
âWho are you talking about?â
âThat person over there!â
Zhao Jingdian pointed to the person standing behind the instructor. Only then did Wang Chong realize that he had overlooked a figure.
That person was standing around ten zhang behind the instructor so Wang Chong simply thought that he was just a spectating student.
(~30m)
On top of that, the person had an extremely cold face, and the aura he emanated was equally frigid. Even when standing amidst a crowd, his presence would make him exceedingly conspicuous. He seemed to have a natural disposition in inducing fear and creating distance against others.
ââThere wasnât a single person within a perimeter of three zhang around him. The fact that the crowd was circling around him showed a lot.
(10m)
âItâs him?â
Wang Chongâs eyebrows shot up in astonishment.
â... That person is extremely formidable. If Iâm not mistaken, his cultivation should be very close to Origin Energy Tier 9. On top of that, when he crossed hands with the instructor, the instructor was actually unable to defend against him and was left with a small cut.â
Zhao Jingdian spoke with a slightly apprehensive tone.
To be able to induce such apprehension within Zhao Jingdian, the other partyâs strength was indeed extraordinary.
However, that wasnât what Wang Chong was concerned about. At this moment, his mind was currently preoccupied with something else.
Wang Chong knew who that person was!
He was Su Hanshan!
Even among the future great generals in Kunwu Training Camp, this person was ranked amongst the top tier. He was one of the few from the Three Great Training Camps who was publicly acknowledged to be a talented general capable of standing his own ground on the battlefield!
But right until the very end, he was only considered to be a potential great general. He didnât manage to become a grade-1 general like Wang Chongsi, Go Seonji, and Zhang Shougui.
There was minimal news on Su Hanshan out in public, and all that was known about him was that he had come from Kunwu Training Camp.
â... To think that he would be a student of this instructor as well!â
Wang Chong muttered under his breath.
Looking at that figure ten zhang away, a complicated expression appeared on Wang Chongâs face.
In Kunwu Training Camp, Su Hanshan was definitely ranked in the top.
In the future, the army that he personally trained and led would possess the greatest offensive ability in a frontal fight across the entire Great Tang.
No matter how many layers of defense the other party put up, the army that Su Hanshan led would be able to tear apart their formation as though a sharp blade, stabbing right into the core of the opposing army and tearing it apart from within.
In a frontal clash on the battlefield, Su Hanshanâs army was a subject of fear for hostile nations and foreign tribes.
The troops that he trained fought right down to their very last breath. No matter how powerful the enemies were, no matter how disadvantageous the situation was, his army was able to stand upright without the slightest fluster.
And Su Hanshan had always braved through death with his subordinates as well, thereby becoming their spiritual leader as well! In terms of belief, there wasnât a single army who was as resolute and tightly-knitted as Su Hanshanâs army.
But it was a pity that there was no such thing as a perfect being. Su Hanshan possessed an aloof personality, and this resulted in his eventual defeat.
Just as what that could be seen at this very instant, Su Hanshan was simply too cold and proud. His presence in itself made others instinctively distance themselves from him.
In other words, he couldnât fit in.
In the military, there wasnât anyone who was close to Su Hanshan. Even those who graduated from Kunwu Training Camp also didnât have much of a relationship with him.
And on the battlefield, Su Hanshan never needed or expected reinforcement either.
His proud personality made him unwilling to accept the help of others.
However, there wasnât a single person who could rule the battlefield by himself.
Wang Chong had failed back then, Su Hanshan was the same as well!
His personality had already carved out his eventual fate.
He disappeared along with his feared army on the battlefield of the great catastrophe!
âTo think that I would meet him here!â
Wang Chong thought as his heart leaped in agitation.
Destiny was truly something inconceivable. To think that two lone wolves would meet one another here.
Wang Chong needed help, but due to the lack of help, he could only become a âlone wolfâ of that catastrophic age. On the other hand, due to Su Hanshanâs aloof personality, he was unwilling to accept help so he became a âlone wolfâ as well.
Looking at this talented future great general who would die before maturity, Wang Chong suddenly understood what he had to do.
âAlright!â
Seated on the rock, the instructor finally spoke, drawing everyoneâs attention.
âIâll be ending the test in advance. Initially, I only intended to accept two to three people but I ended up taking in the five of you. Thatâs more than sufficient already!â
âRemember this, my name is Zhao Qianqiu, and from today onward, Iâll be your teacher. For now, since the test is officially over, follow me. Iâll bring you all around to familiarize you all with the training camp.â
With the exception of Wang Chong, this was the first time everyone was hearing his name.
âSo his surname is Zhao as well!â
Of the people gathered here, Zhao Jingdian was the most surprised to learn of Zhao Qianqiuâs name.
âDonât think too much into it, letâs go.â
Wang Chong patted Zhao Jingdianâs back. Before leaving, he shot a final glance backward. By now, the students on the mountain had already thinned down significantly.
The recruitment was already nearing its end.
Yiiiii!
Facing the bottom of the mountain, Wang Chong whistled. Soon, the neighing of a colt sounded and a cloud of dust flew into the air. Before long, an indigo figure could be seen charging over.
In just a short moment, a colt of around Wang Chongâs height with hoofs as white as snow appeared amidst swirls of dust. Its mane flew majestically with the wind as it excitedly licked Wang Chongâs face.
âAlright, Little Shadow, stop licking me.â
Its tongue felt ticklish, and Wang Chong couldnât help but chuckle as he stroked the White-hoofed Shadowâs indigo coat. It had only been a few days since it started following Wang Chong but it had already grown very fond of him.
âI see, you already have your own war steed. That is great. Groom it carefully and donât waste such a good spirit steed. In the future, itâll become your second life.â
A deep voice sounded from behind. Turning around, Wang Chong saw five pairs of eyes staring at him with bizarre gazes.
The one who had just spoken was Instructor Zhao Qianqiu.
None of the people here were fools. With just a single glance, it was clear that Wang Chongâs steed was anything but ordinary. It was enviable that Wang Chong had such a steed when he had just entered the training camp.
In any case, Zhao Qianqiu didnât speak too much about it. After saying those words, he turned around and advanced forward.
From the examination area where the instructors were stationed to the peak of the mountain, there was a fence. Imperial Army guards were stationed behind the fence to guard the area, and only those who had passed the instructorsâ tests were qualified to enter the barracks within the region.
Flashing his token, Zhao Qianqiu was able to bring the group in without any problem. Soon, they arrived at the barracks.
âKunwu Training Camp can be further divided into four smaller campsâAzure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoiseâand they are located on the four peaks of the mountain. Based on the instructor one is under and oneâs level of cultivation, the recruits will be allocated to one of the camps. Of which, the allocation for Vermilion Bird is slightly more unique as itâs where all the ladies live.â
âHeh. The reason why Iâm telling you this is to warn you all not to go peek at the ladies. Donât even dream about sneaking into the Vermilion Bird PeakââI know that some of you will definitely try it in the future!â
Hearing those words, the group couldnât help but chuckle.
âThis instructor sure is interesting.â
Wang Chong thought.
âIf you were to peep on those ladies, youâll definitely be kicked out of the camp. However, that is not the reason why Iâm warning you. The ladies of Vermilion Bird base are exceptionally powerful. Even though your level of cultivation isnât bad either, you all might not necessarily be a match if you were to encounter them.â
For some reason, Zhao Qianqiuâs words reminded Wang Chong and Zhao Jingdian of the Little Marchioness Yi, Yi Weiliang.
Zhao Qianqiuâs words were definitely not an exaggeration.
âAlright, Iâll bring you all to the training grounds now. This is the location youâll be frequenting the most in the future!â
Saying so, Zhao Qianqiu brought the group further up the mountain peak.