Mutual Selection

On the other hand, word that Bai Ji actually had a year of experience with the White Eraser was also leaked, quickly spreading and sparking widespread discussion. Yet the White Eraser side was clearly prepared for this. Putting on an aggrieved and helpless front, Bai Ji directly tossed out a hospital stay bill covering nearly an entire year, saying: "All I wanted was a friendly spar. Why go this far? But it doesn't matter. As long as he keeps enduring it and hiding away, he really will remain the strongest." Endure it to preserve his title as the strongest? Those words cut deep. Bai Ji spoke this way partly to complete the task his squad had assigned him—to win back face and standing for the White Eraser—and partly because he himself truly hungered for that title of the strongest right now. He had already witnessed how illustrious Han Qingyu was at the combat training base. As fellow young men and former recruit geniuses who had once dazzled everyone, Bai Ji felt increasingly resentful and frustrated over the "opportunity" he had missed last year and the regret of his injury. Now, when it came to military merits and honors, there was simply no way he could compete. Precisely because of this, Bai Ji wanted this fight even more. He wanted to use the end of Han Qingyu's glorious recruit era to elevate himself to the status he had once lost, walking away covered in fame and glory. In short, the more prominent Han Qingyu became, the sweeter the anticipation and fantasy of defeating him felt... His personal desire soon eclipsed even the squad's orders, and Bai Ji grew increasingly impatient. Gradually, he was stepping out of line, but the people from White did nothing to stop him. "Youth without audacity is youth wasted! Besides, having a rival to constantly compare himself against, constantly fearing being surpassed, will also be good for his future growth." That was their internal rationale. In truth, it was not entirely unreasonable, and it fully aligned with their logic and habits. On the other side, Han Qingyu himself still gave no response for the time being. Yet the people in Dorm 22 could no longer hold back. When they pressed Wen Jifei, he could not explain the whole truth, so he could only claim that he was the one telling Qingzi not to fight. "That guy has been recuperating and training in White Eraser for nearly a year! Qingzi is only just finishing recruit camp! How could they fight? Fight my ass!" He spoke the truth, but unfortunately, there was no way to convince everyone. Among the thousands of recruits, some were willing to believe that Bai Ji, with his Grade A+ fusion, truly had spent a year hospitalized and had only recently returned. Having only a single dazzling genius throughout their entire recruit period had simply been a bit too lonely. Talking endlessly and fanning the flames everywhere, what these people really wanted in the end was just to see a genuine clash between geniuses, hoping someone could go toe-to-toe with Han Qingyu. During this time, Liu Shiheng grew exasperated from being badgered and could not help defending him: "Is this really necessary? Qingzi's achievements and honors are right there for all to see. Who does that guy think he is? Besides, camp is ending any moment now. What if someone gets injured and has to lie in bed for another half year? And then carry a hospital bill around everywhere?" Those words soon reached Bai Ji across the distance. Dodging the subject of the hospital bill, Bai Ji responded: "Actually, Azure's tradition has always encouraged combat sparring and competition. Even if you get injured in a spar, when you stand before a Great Spike one day, you'll realize it was actually a good thing." "I wouldn't mind lying in bed for another year, because the experience of being injured is also part of my growth." "Besides, a fight between him and me is bound to happen sooner or later. I will choose White... Every year, Gold and White hold sparring matches." Three statements—both seemingly proper and sharply aggressive. The revelation that Bai Ji would choose the White Eraser made the rivalry unmistakable. Thus, even if this fight never took place, the talk of two titans existing only in debates among the Class of 1990 recruits would likely persist for a long time. ... The mutual selection for recruits finishing camp took place on the training grounds. The twenty squads permitted to recruit across regiments were gathered on the review stand. The rest were stationed around the perimeter of the field. The recruitment sections for each regiment were set up like market stalls, with recruits from their respective regiments mostly standing in front of them (there was competition among squads within the same regiment as well). However, there was also an independent phalanx on the field. This formation was organized by score. Most within it were recruits with a degree of fusion at Grade B or above whose training performance matched their rating, though it also included a certain number of outstanding Grade C recruits, and even three remarkable Grade D recruits with special proficiencies. In truth, across the entire recruit camp period, there were quite a few recruits with Grade B or higher fusion who failed to meet expectations in training, just as there were plenty of Grade C and D recruits who performed exceptionally well. Han Qingyu stood in the formation with He Tangtang beside him, the two chatting idly. "...Pfft." Suddenly, He Tangtang's legs buckled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. Han Qingyu quickly caught him. "What happened? How could you..." "I'm fine." He Tangtang steadied himself and forced a grin. "In our Regiment 425, what does coughing up a little blood even count for?... I'm fine, I've just been pushing myself too hard in training lately." Though he said so, his face was ashen. "What really happened?" Han Qingyu asked sternly. He Tangtang stayed silent... He was afraid Qingzi couldn't beat him. Cheng Qinrui, an old acquaintance from Regiment 429, lightly patted Han Qingyu's shoulder from behind. When Han Qingyu looked back, Cheng Qinrui said: "What, you don't know? Just before assembly, He Tangtang couldn't stand hearing that guy named Bai talk about you like that... so he went over to the simulated combat arena." Han Qingyu turned his head toward He Tangtang. He Tangtang avoided his eyes, chuckling awkwardly. "My hands were itching, so I went to test him out. Damn, that bastard really is strong, heh." "It's not just a matter of him being strong. He was vicious with He Tangtang on the platform. I stepped up to stop it back then, but I wasn't in time." If simulated combat sparring observed proper restraint and excluded hand-to-hand strikes, it rarely caused serious injury. Yet He Tangtang clearly had internal damage now. He had an exceptionally durable physique, yet he was still injured. In Cheng Qinrui's account, Bai Ji seemed to know about the connection between He Tangtang and Han Qingyu. After parrying He Tangtang's straight blade away, Bai Ji threw his own blade aside and directly resorted to punches and kicks. "To keep him from being declared defeated or voluntarily leaving the platform, he kept propping He Tangtang's arms up, refusing to let him fall..." Cheng Qinrui said. Hearing this, Han Qingyu's habitually indifferent eyes filled with murderous intent in an instant. He turned his head to look for Bai Ji, but could not immediately spot him in the crowd. "He seems to have already gone over to the White Eraser side," a recruit nearby said. "Qingzi, aren't you heading over to Gold yet?" Han Qingyu shook his head, then turned to look at He Tangtang. "Once this is over, I'll fight him." "Don't. That bastard... is really strong." He Tangtang had already judged that Han Qingyu would not be able to beat Bai Ji, and he was basically certain Bai Ji was a seasoned veteran. He hastily added, "I was the one who refused to go down! Seriously, you know my temper." "I know," Han Qingyu said, offering him a faint smile. "He really is strong. He might even be stronger than you..." "Actually, none of you have ever known how strong I really am."