Chapter 65

Chapter 65

For the second time in his life, Bai Luming suffered from insomnia, again because of the same man.

Early the next morning, after drowsily brushing his teeth and washing up, he looked up to see someone who had already returned with breakfast. "…You're up quite early."

"You didn't sleep well yesterday, so I went to the cafeteria first," He Yilan said, handing over the bag.

Bai Luming casually took it, bit into a sandwich, then looked at He Yilan, puzzled. "How did you know I didn't sleep well?"

The question was practically an admission, but he didn't mind. Then he heard He Yilan calmly say, "Because I didn't sleep well either."

A subtle silence fell between them for a moment.

Bai Luming opened his milk and took a sip. "Got it… Let's eat quickly and head to assembly."

The training ground in the morning was as vibrant as ever.

Upon arrival, Bai Luming immediately grabbed Chu Xiao and ducked into the simulation pod.

With the reserve selection assessment drawing near, everyone had entered the final sprint phase of training. Under Bai Luming's tutelage, Chu Xiao officially experienced 108 creative ways to die, almost entering upright and leaving horizontal every day—a state that could no longer simply be described as "miserable."

Bai Luming hadn't originally intended to be so harsh, but during Chu Xiao's training, he discovered his young apprentice's mental resilience was far stronger than he'd imagined. Once he got carried away, he showed no mercy.

Occasionally, He Yilan, a bystander with nothing better to do, would even step in to help with the training. Back and forth, time actually passed much faster than watching movies and slacking off.

In the last half month, all individual training concluded, and each military region shifted into collective training.

Based on the different focuses of the training programs, all trainees were divided into several distinct formation squads. After switching to field training for the final integration phase, the day of the reserve assessment finally arrived.

According to the announced rules, during this assessment, trainee teams from each military region would be randomly deployed into a C-level contaminated zone.

This C-level assessment zone also contained four high-risk areas, each housing an extremely dangerous giant insect beast. Teams that successfully killed one would receive a massive point bonus, which was the primary source of points for this assessment.

At the same time, the types and ferocity of the insectoids in this C-level zone far exceeded those in the preliminary assessment. Solo kills of other insect types would also earn corresponding points.

After the assessment, the final ranking of each military region's total points would determine the allocation of advancement slots.

For the trainees, besides individual combat, this was also a crucial team competition.

Bai Luming boarded the transport ship with the other trainees. Compared to the upcoming assessment, one thing that pleased him was that the assessment planet wasn't too far, requiring only a short voyage. At least he wouldn't have to endure the dreaded space jump.

This assessment was overseen by the Nawei Military Region. With four marshals personally observing, the entire arrangement process was executed with remarkable efficiency.

After the transport ship arrived above the destination, the 12 military region teams were quickly deployed. Upon landing, each team promptly reorganized. As the official start signal was given, the final elimination assessment finally began.

At the same time, through the aerial surveillance system, the observation hall could see the different colored markers representing the 12 trainee teams moving densely across the giant screen.

The lead instructors of all 12 military regions gathered together.

They should have been amicably discussing the newly commenced assessment, but at this moment, they couldn't help but glance toward the small door at the very back.

Behind that door was the specially arranged private observation room for the marshals.

Although it had been rumored that the four marshals would personally watch this assessment, when the day actually came, everyone still felt somewhat awestruck.

This was merely the "reserve" elimination assessment—what had this batch of trainees done to deserve such attention!?

Although separated from the main observation hall, the mere presence of the four marshals exuded an undeniable intimidating aura through the door crack, making all the officers sit stiffly upright in their seats, their military postures even more erect than during their initial days in the army.

Inside the private observation room, the atmosphere was undoubtedly more relaxed.

The side statistics screen showed each military region's current points. Since it had just begun, a neat row of "0"s was displayed.

Qing Yileng turned to Shen Yanfeng. "Which squad is that person in?"

He stated this as if certain Shen Yanfeng knew the answer, using a declarative tone for what should have been a simple question.

Shen Yanfeng could only answer truthfully. "Number 27."

Qing Yileng nodded.

With a few casual taps, one of the virtual displays switched to a new area.

Using the aerial surveillance angle, they could accurately pinpoint the positions of several mechas within the No. 6616 Military Region's trainee team.

It was Bai Luming's team.

Jin Wumian sat comfortably on the sofa, leaning back against a cushion. After a glance, he slowly shook his head. "No wonder he wasn't even on the elite team roster. He's completely throwing in the towel, not planning to advance at all."

Qing Yileng didn't comment either way. "Do you want him to advance?"

As he finished speaking, Shen Yanfeng gave a low, dry cough nearby.

From their last meeting, it was clear that although Bai Luming was among the trainees, he had no intention of revealing his identity and returning to the military. And even if he did advance and make it onto the reserve list, aside from the Blaze Legion, the other three armies definitely wouldn't want to recruit this walking disaster into their ranks.

As for joining the White Army—why would someone who could be Marshal Bai choose to play the game of rising from the bottom? Unless he genuinely found bullying newcomers fun, it would just be a waste of time.

Hearing Qing Yileng's words, Jin Wumian also fell into brief conflict. "I think I'd quite like him to return to the military, but then again, if he really came back, he'd be pretty annoying…"

After some conflicted thought, he simply gave up. "Forget it. Let's discuss instead—who do you think will win among these 12 trainee teams?"

Chi Yan: "No. 6616 Military Region."

The almost immediate answer made Jin Wumian glance at him with a laugh. "Everyone says you two are the biggest rivals. Indeed, the one who wishes you best is your 'enemy.'"

Chi Yan ignored the teasing and stated, "No. 6616's overall commander has much clearer logic than the other teams."

Hearing this, Jin Wumian remembered. "That overall commander… is called Ji Xinghan, right?"

As they spoke, the points on the leaderboard began to change.

With the assessment officially started, trainees from various military regions began completing insect kills, and the total scores gradually updated.

The marshals were all too familiar with assessments under such rules.

Although points from basic insect kills were essential, which teams took down the four giant insect beasts would be key to determining the final rankings.

It was essentially a boss battle.

As the overall commander of No. 6616 Military Region, Ji Xinghan was back for a second round and clearly much more experienced. After the assessment started, he quickly used the received contaminated zone map to assign tasks, accurately dispatching them to every team.

Bai Luming also received his orders.

Although both were mecha teams, his No. 27 squad was different from main forces like the elite team—it was a cannon fodder group that could be eliminated at any time without anyone noticing.

It fit his current persona perfectly.

Seated inside a Basic Type B Mecha, Bai Luming compliantly followed the team's movements.

Although he lacked an omniscient perspective, he could roughly imagine that some people were likely sitting comfortably in the observation room at that very moment, casually chatting while closely watching his every move.

Having known for some time that these people intended to watch him for amusement, Bai Luming maintained a fairly good mindset. Once the communication channel connected, he let out a soft "Hey," but before he could say anything else, He Yilan's voice came through from the other side: "I read you."

Bai Luming: "It seems like you knew I would send a communication request."

He Yilan replied: "Not exactly. I was just about to send you one when you beat me to it."

Bai Luming was quite satisfied with this response and chuckled to himself before asking, "What were you going to contact me for?"

He Yilan countered with a question of his own: "Why did you contact me?"

"Just felt bored and wanted to chat with you," Bai Luming answered bluntly. He glanced at the team's position on the contaminated zone map and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Ji Xinghan is much steadier than I expected."

Although, according to the contaminated zone map, the overall movement direction was toward the No. 3 high-risk area, there was a Zerg habitat not far ahead of them—a great spot to harvest points.

However, the initial drop positions for the 12 military regions were randomized. Regardless of how they were deployed, each high-risk area would have at least three teams nearby. If they continued moving in this direction, they would likely encounter teams from other military regions soon.

This elimination assessment focused primarily on scoring points, with the most complex aspect being the participation of a full 12 factions. If they did collide, whether they would ignore each other, become enemies, or form alliances depended entirely on the choices each side's commander made.

Bai Luming wasn’t particularly concerned about Ji Xinghan’s decisions. After all, no matter how the commander chose to engage in combat, for him personally, he was just one step away from leaving.

He brought it up merely to make casual conversation with He Yilan, having nothing better to do.

He Yilan didn’t seem to care much about Ji Xinghan’s choices either, simply responding with an "Hmm": "Being steady isn’t a bad thing. It’s just a matter of luck now."

As if his words willed it into existence, warning lights flashed simultaneously on both of their mechas.

The contamination detection equipment provided feedback: Zerg traces had been clearly detected not far away, and in astonishing numbers.

Even more concerning, according to feedback from the forward reconnaissance teams, they seemed to have also run directly into teams from other military regions.

Bai Luming let out a slow "Oh" and stated, "It seems our commander’s luck really isn’t all that great."

On the virtual map ahead, coordinates transmitted by the reconnaissance teams began appearing one after another.

From these warning signals, it was clear that the No. 6616 Military Region hadn’t just run into one other team—they had run into two.

No one could have anticipated that the preliminary selection assessment would begin with three military regions converging right from the start. It was shaping up to be quite the spectacle.