The Rise of a Special Forces Soldier Abandoned by a Wealthy Family

The observation deck is located directly in front of the playground.

Zeng Linglong, Old Liu, and Old Zhang appeared.

Behind them, Tianlang and other assistant instructors, as well as Ye Feng, Xiaoya, Tiezhu and all the other members of the Dragon Return Squad, stood quietly.

All eyes were turned to the playground below.

His gaze fell upon the three thousand silent figures, each seemingly imbued with the power of a volcano.

Almost simultaneously, Old Liu and Old Zhang narrowed their eyes slightly and leaned forward unconsciously.

They saw it.

I noticed a completely different aura in these soldiers compared to three days ago.

Three days ago, they were sharp knives and unruly eagles, exuding power and intimidating aura.

And now...

Their aura had calmed down, yet it was like refined steel that had been repeatedly forged and quenched by a heavy hammer, restrained yet appearing even more substantial, as if containing terrifying explosive power.

Their eyes were calm, but no longer filled with confusion or frivolity. Instead, they held a profound and resolute look, born from having experienced life and death, disillusionment, and a deep understanding of the cruel reality of life.

Like a deep pool, its bottom is unseen, yet it reflects the light of faith.

The killing intent remained, but it had become even more refined.

The fighting spirit remains, but it is now more controllable.

"That's more like it..."

Old Liu murmured softly, his aged eyes flashing with barely suppressed excitement and satisfaction.

"This is... what the future sharpest weapon of my Dragon Kingdom should look like!"

Zeng Linglong didn't speak, he just watched quietly.

At this time-

On the playground.

The mountain eagle, standing at the very front of the line, took a deep breath, its chest bulging high.

He suddenly raised his right arm, his five fingers together, and his fingertips aimed at his temple!

The movements were precise, powerful, and carried an almost reverent solemnity!

"salute--!!!"

A hoarse roar, seemingly fueled by all his strength and emotion, exploded from his throat!

"Whoosh—!!!"

Three thousand right arms, raised in perfect unison as if waving from one person!

Three thousand military salutes, bearing the marks of mud and sweat!

With a sense of relief at surviving a disaster!

With the resolve to be tempered and reshaped!

With the deepest gratitude and respect!

They all turned their attention to the black figure on the observation platform!

The sunlight reflected off the three thousand raised arms, creating a dazzling display.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

one second.

two seconds.

ten seconds.

One minute……

The military salute lasted for a full minute.

No one urged them on, no one put it down.

Until the eagle's arm muscles had not fully recovered—and began to tremble slightly—he mustered his last strength and roared hoarsely:

"The ceremony is complete!"

"Whoosh!"

Three thousand arms were lowered down in unison once again.

But their gazes remained fixed intently on Zeng Linglong.

Zeng Linglong slowly walked forward to the edge of the observation platform.

His gaze swept across every young and resolute face below, as if it were a tangible presence.

"Know……"

"What...did you go through before?"

Below the stage, three thousand pairs of eyes stared intently, not blinking.

"You probably... don't know."

Zeng Linglong slowly shook his head.

"Because it's not just about training and selection..."

"That's a path that a special forces soldier will inevitably take repeatedly throughout his future career."

He paused, then his tone suddenly became more serious:

"Why...why do I have to make you keep going like this? Without an end?"

"Until your bodies reach their limit...in the final moments before you lose consciousness..."

"Is only one belief left in your mind?"

His voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap:

"tell me--!"

"What is your last belief...?!"

"Comrades! Brothers!!!"

Three thousand voices converged into a steel torrent tearing through the sky! Without hesitation, decisive and resolute!

"No!"

Zeng Linglong abruptly swung his right hand, cutting off the answer.

His gaze was piercing, as if it could burn through everyone's soul:

"They were more than just comrades and brothers!"

"That is—protection!"

He emphasized the word "protect" with great force, as if a heavy hammer were striking the heart of everyone!

"After your hearts have been 'shattered' by cruel reality!"

"After your bodies have been 'ravaged' to the extreme, leaving them battered and bruised!"

"What you have left, what keeps you crawling on..."

"It's the most primal, purest, and deeply ingrained in the blood of soldiers—the will to protect!"

His voice carried a power that transcended time and space:

"Protect the mountains and rivers beneath your feet!"

"Protect your loved ones behind you!"

"We will protect everything you swore to defend!"

"Only those who understand and practice this 'protection'..."

"Only then can one be called... a qualified warrior!"

Below the stage, three thousand team members, their chests heaving violently, their eyes shining brighter and brighter!

Zeng Linglong's voice softened, yet it unfolded like a scroll stained with blood:

"And the 'path' you've walked these past few days... with blood and tears..."

"This is the 'path' you will truly walk in the future!"

"This road...is rife with war, ruthlessness, and cruelty!"

"Even more... full of endless challenges and breakthroughs!"

"You will experience... your comrades who took bullets for you falling tragically before your very eyes!"

"You will experience... the sacrifice of your brothers due to your own command errors!"

"You will witness... the intrigues and ruthless tactics of foreign enemies, and feel utterly powerless!"

Every word he said was like a key, unlocking the floodgates of the team members' memories.

Scenes along the march—ambush, explosions, "death," sorrow, anger, helplessness, the final crawling obsession—are all strung together and given a new, heavy, and real meaning!

"This road... is destined to be fraught with danger and setbacks!"

"The departure of comrades, the failure of missions, the cruelty of the enemy, and our own powerlessness..."

"This is the 'path' you've just walked!"

Zeng Linglong stood up straight, his gaze sweeping across the entire room like that of a hawk:

"This road... is like rowing against the current!"

"If you don't advance... you retreat!"

"Don't assume that just because you're strong or hardworking..."

"Your enemies... are also getting stronger!"

"The only thing you can do..."

He practically shouted it out:

"We're stronger than them! We're more ruthless than them!"

"Keep honing your skills! Keep pushing your limits!"

He pointed to the audience, especially the five hundred team members who made it to the end:

"So... I'll make you keep walking! Keep walking!"

"Until the last comrade beside you falls!"

"Until you yourself... fall!"

"That's what you call surpassing!"

"Do you understand?!"

"Got it—!!!"

Three thousand roars shook the heavens and the earth! They carried the clarity of sudden enlightenment, the clarity of a cleansed soul, and an endless, reborn fighting spirit!

Yes, they understood!

I completely understand now!

All the hardships, all the disillusionment, all the perseverance on the march...

These were all carefully constructed, highly condensed rehearsals of the future battlefield and mental journey for them by the chief instructor!

In three days and three nights, they experienced, endured, and surpassed everything that might take them years, or even their entire military career, to come!

My heart was broken, but I was rebuilt through my belief in protecting others!

The body reached its limit, but the will to transcend it broke through!

Especially those five hundred "survivors," their eyes were now as sharp as newly sharpened military daggers!

Their combat skills may still need to be honed, but their mentality and resilience have undergone a qualitative transformation!

They truly touched the very soul of the "special forces soldiers"!

Zeng Linglong looked at the pairs of eyes burning with fire below the stage, and at the faces that had undergone a complete transformation.

He knew that the quenching was complete.

The blade has already begun to show its sharpness.

He took a deep breath, and with all his might, uttered his final, pre-battle question:

"Then——!"

"This road..."

"you--"

Are you ready?!

"Always be prepared—!!!"

"Always be prepared—!!!"

"Always be prepared—!!!"

Three thousand voices, each one louder and more resolute than the last! The sound waves, like a tsunami, swept across the entire base and surged towards the sky!

"Fight! Fight! Fight!!!"

"Fight to protect—!!!"

"Fight for my comrades—!!!"

"Fight for yourself—!!!"

"Fight for glory—!!!"

The final vow resounded throughout the heavens and the earth, shaking the clouds!

The blazing sun shone on the three thousand figures standing tall like javelins on the playground.

The confusion and restlessness they once displayed have vanished.

Only those forged through the baptism of fire and blood—

An indomitable military spirit!

Standing on the high platform, facing the mountain wind, Zeng Linglong finally smiled and smiled a deep and gratified smile.

They made it through the first level of hell.

But a real whetstone...

It's time to begin.