The spacecraft traveled at an incredible speed. In less than half a month, they arrived above the planet hosting the next round of the Joint Military Academy Competition.
Even though the spacecraft was just hovering above the planet, everyone could feel the waves of heat assaulting them.
This was a planet covered in volcanoes, and active ones at that.
Apparently, this planet hadn't erupted in many years, so apart from the high temperatures and sweltering heat, there wasn't much to complain about.
Chloe, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, was drenched in sweat from the scorching weather. Once inside the air-conditioned spacecraft, she felt infinitely better as the cool air enveloped her.
She leaned against the vent, feeling the icy breeze on her face, and thought there was nothing more comfortable than this.
Seeing this, Anderson looked a little helpless.
He took Chloe's hand and pulled her back, saying, "Don't stay too close to the vent, it's not good for your health."
Chloe was a bit defiant, but she knew Anderson was right, so she grumbled a few complaints and fell silent.
She sat by the window, watching the billowing smoke rising from the volcanic craters, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Do you think we'll be cooked alive if we go down there to compete?"
Daniel, in his werewolf form, lay panting on the floor like a pug sticking its tongue out to cool down, his voice faint and weak, "I... hate... this planet."
The Werewolf Race hated heat, and while regular heat was manageable, this was a full-blown volcanic planet. With their heightened sensitivity to temperature, it was no surprise the werewolves were struggling.
Seeing this, Qin Huaibei mocked Daniel even more fervently, "Oh, oh, sticking your tongue out from the heat, how pitiful."
Daniel shot him a glare but was too drained to retort, only saying, "Just you wait, I may be hot now, but I won't be once we're on the battlefield."
While the surface temperature of this planet was extremely high and tough on shoes, the Werewolf Race was different. Although they hated heat, they were also heat-resistant, especially their four paws, which were immune to high temperatures.
During the competition on the Volcanic Planet, Daniel would likely be their mode of transportation, carrying everyone except Qin Huaibei, of course.
Hmph.
Daniel was so proud that he failed to realize he had completely resigned himself to being his companions' personal transportation.
If Chloe knew his inner thoughts, she would undoubtedly mock him relentlessly.
While the main team from The No.1 Military Academy was bickering, Ren Yunying walked in.
She must have just returned from The No.1 Military Academy to the competition venue, with beads of sweat still glistening on her forehead from outside.
Upon seeing Ren Yunying, the young students immediately felt that familiar sense of oppression. They stood at attention and greeted her respectfully, "Hello, Instructor Ren!"
"Hello," Ren Yunying said, removing her jacket and drawing a long whip from her waist.
This action caused everyone to shudder, and Chloe sensed that something ominous might be about to happen.
Without drawing attention, she took a step back.
Ren Yunying gripped the whip tightly and said slowly, "Do you remember what I told you before your break? Don't neglect your training just to have fun."
"Did you do as I said?"
They had clearly not followed her instructions, having spent their time playing nonstop. Everyone guiltily averted their eyes.
Daniel mustered the courage to lie, "We did train, we definitely trained!"
"Is that so?" Ren Yunying raised an eyebrow at him and swung her ponytail. "Then let's start with you."
"Huh?" Before Daniel could react, the others had already scurried into the corners, hiding.
In the next instant, Ren Yunying unleashed a furious whipping attack on Daniel!
"Oh crap!" Daniel instinctively dodged backwards and began endlessly evading her strikes.
After about half a minute, Ren Yunying narrowed her eyes slightly, "Training? Look at yourself these past few months - have you lost all your fighting spirit from indulging in leisure? When faced with danger, all you do is dodge instead of fighting back?!"
Upon hearing this, Daniel immediately came to his senses. He drew his iron hammer weapon from his mustard ring and fiercely counterattacked.
But before he could get close, Ren Yunying effortlessly hooked the hammer with her whip and yanked it to the ground.
This "Wolf's Mouth Seizes Hammer" technique left everyone stunned, especially Daniel.
He was dazed and had no idea what to do, allowing Ren Yunying to lash him with dozens of brutal whip strikes.
Ren Yunying's expression darkened, "This is what you call training?"
"Your speed, power, and reaction to danger are all far worse than before! Daniel, are you useless?!"
"At first, you didn't even think to take out your weapon to fight me! Don't call yourself a student of The No.1 Military Academy when you go out!"
Daniel hung his head silently, his face flushed red, his heart aching without tears—
He should have known better than to provoke her, or he wouldn't be the first one punished and beaten.
Cradling his lacerated wounds, Daniel silently retreated to a corner to sulk.
Ren Yunying's piercing gaze swept over the others, sending chills down their spines.
After half a second, she said coldly, "You all, come at me together."
...
"Useless! All useless!"
Ren Yunying scolded them furiously, and no one dared to talk back.
She stood before them with her hands behind her back, "Is this the self-discipline of students from The No.1 Military Academy? Neglecting training for consecutive months, thinking no one would notice?!"
"Your speed and power have dropped significantly from before!"
"In these past few months, I expected to see progress, not regression!"
Ren Yunying berated them, her tone full of disappointment. After a pause, her gaze fell on Chloe, "Only you are somewhat better, having not regressed."
Chloe couldn't help but puff out her chest in pride.
But Ren Yunying couldn't stand her arrogance and immediately said coldly, "But you haven't made any progress either! Military Academy students should be improving their abilities every few days, not stagnating like you!"
"Are you proud of not regressing?!"
Hearing this, Chloe immediately deflated and shook her head repeatedly, "No, no, no."
Ren Yunying berated and struck them all before finally leaving the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Qin Huaibei and Daniel collapsed to the ground, their eyes vacant.
Daniel protested, "Chloe, were you secretly training behind our backs?"
"No," Chloe said glumly. "I was playing with all of you. I just don't regress easily."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she was met with several glares.
Katherine stood up to tend to their wounds as they idly chatted.
Suddenly, Daniel shoved Chloe excitedly and pointed out the window, "Hey, look at that!"
They followed his gaze and saw another spacecraft had docked, connecting to their own larger ship.
A group of unfamiliar young students emerged from the smaller craft. The boy in the lead appeared even younger than them, his handsome features cold and aloof.
After observing for a moment, Chloe remarked, "They must be new Military Academy students recruited by the competition organizers."
