Chapter 71 – Half a Month Forging a Strong Soul (Three)

The scorching sun blazed overhead in a cloudless sky, and even the fleeting, elusive breeze carried a distinct warmth.

Hundreds of students advanced in unison under the burning sun, their synchronized chants of “One, two, one!” serving as a bond connecting them all.

It was only at this moment that Ye Kuang truly understood the hardships endured by the soldiers. Though they possessed iron wills, they were still flesh and blood.

Yet it was with such physical limitations that these soldiers shouldered the heavy responsibility of defending their homeland, upholding national honor, and not only building an impregnable fortress but also teaching them the true meaning of unity.

Ye Kuang deeply realized a truth: the strength of unity does not solely depend on the outcome of training.

It was not just about collective honor and shared disgrace; more importantly, it illustrated that without a process of cohesion, it was difficult to comprehend the stark contrast it brought.

Enduring the torment of the scorching sun, bearing what ordinary people could not—regardless of how much sweat was shed—was all for the sake of one day becoming as resilient as a rock, unyielding and indestructible!

What seemed like a mere military training session was, in reality, a process of physical conditioning and the tempering of resilience.

Ye Kuang had only recently begun practicing martial arts, so initially, he struggled to grasp these deeper concepts. But now, he was starting to understand.

Resilience is the unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity!

Resilience is the calm composure amidst trials and tribulations!

Resilience ultimately determines how far one can go!

His martial arts were not merely a superficial understanding of the word; they were about carrying the banner, leading the way, embodying the spirit a nation ought to possess, and passing down its cultural influences.

As Ye Kuang shouted with all his might, he also reflected on life. Unlike others who chanted mindlessly, he was acutely aware of this growing sense of mission within him.

A family has its traditions and character, and a nation naturally has its demeanor and culture. Unlike the subjective nature of a family, “she” exists purely in objectivity.

Sun Ying: “Attention!”

Thump, thump, thump!

The sound of feet stomping the ground was sharp and precise, a testament to the discipline being instilled.

Though not perfectly synchronized, just an hour of training had already shown initial results for Ye Kuang and the others.

Seeing this, Sun Ying did not hesitate to praise them: “Very good. It’s remarkable that you’ve grasped the basics in such a short time. You are indeed quick learners. However, you must work on perfecting the flaws.”

Then, shifting his tone, Sun Ying continued: “Take a half-hour break now. After that, we’ll begin squad training. As mentioned earlier, those who perform well will be rewarded, while those who don’t… well, let’s just say it won’t be pleasant.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone—regardless of gender—lost all composure. Some collapsed to the ground, rubbing their sore feet, while others stood with trembling legs.

After all, as modern university students, which of them hadn’t been pampered, waited on hand and foot, and never had to lift a finger? Who could claim to endure such training without being affected?

Yet, at this moment, it was undeniable that they had survived the initial ordeal.

This was nothing short of a miracle!

Even someone as strong as Ye Kuang was drenched in sweat, his face and neck flushed crimson as if scorched by flames.

As for the others, it was a blessing that none of them had broken down in tears on the spot!Gao Qing suddenly fumed indignantly, “Is this even human? Giving us only half an hour to rest. Scholar, you should’ve provoked that bastard earlier!”

Zheng Xiucai was fine until he heard this, but now his anger flared. He retorted furiously, “Why don’t you try it yourself instead of giving me terrible ideas? I’m the one who’d get beaten! If I get punished, I’d become the scapegoat and be utterly humiliated!”

Ye Kuang interjected, “Rather than bickering, you two should rest. Didn’t you hear the instructor? If we perform poorly later, it won’t just be you two facing surprises—everyone will suffer together.”

His words plunged the scene into immediate silence.

Everyone clearly realized the severity of the situation. The previous two hours of training had been hard enough to endure—who knew what torturous surprises awaited them next?

It must be mentioned that during this time, no fewer than three girls had covered their faces with reddened eyes, their pitiful appearance stirring indignation among some male chauvinists.

That half-hour felt neither long nor short.

When everyone saw Sun Ying’s figure reappear, they couldn’t help gritting their teeth in resentment, knowing that the real training was about to begin.

One could say that to achieve mastery, besides enduring what ordinary people cannot, one must appreciate the value of hard-won days and cherish every step forward.

Seeing the changes in everyone’s expressions, Sun Ying naturally understood what it meant but didn’t elaborate further. Life is like this—either resting in comfort or forging ahead under heavy burdens!

A life without suffering is incomplete.

“Alright, half an hour has passed. Before we continue, as your instructor, I must ask you a question.”

Sun Ying paused briefly before continuing, “Do you know the relationship between being as tenacious as a rock and being indestructible? What significance does this hold for military training?”

Ye Kuang’s expression shifted at these words; he knew the crucial part was coming.

Seeing that no one intended to answer, Sun Ying seemed completely unbothered. He suddenly smiled, “No one? That’s fine. Everyone, stand up…”

With no choice, the group complied.

Sun Ying commanded, “At ease! Attention! From now on, whoever figures out the answer won’t have to suffer further. First, stand at attention for half an hour!”

What?

The group could hardly believe their ears. Under the scorching sun with temperatures reaching 38°C, they actually had to stand at attention for such a long time?

Sun Ying paid no mind to their reactions. He walked toward the shade under a tree without looking back, adding, “After half an hour, anyone who knows the answer can come tell me. If the answers are substantially similar, all of you can rest until everyone has answered!”

The blazing sun scorched everything in all directions. On the Sports Field, only about forty people stood motionless under the fierce heat.

This scene inevitably drew numerous sidelong glances.

Time, relatively speaking, passed excruciatingly slowly at this moment.

Only these forty individuals endured dual torments—physical and mental—while racking their brains for the answer to this simple yet difficult question.