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

"Please—"

Zeng Linglong's voice, like steel that had been tempered by fire, echoed across the playground, suppressing the lingering echoes of the vows that had just subsided.

"Remember this journey well."

He slowly walked down the steps of the observation platform and came to the high platform in front of the playground, facing the three thousand team members directly.

"Remember every moment you gritted your teeth and persevered, every moment of despair when you were on the verge of collapse, and that last bit of determination to crawl forward."

His gaze, like a searchlight, swept across every face.

"This won't be the only test you'll face in your military career."

"But it will leave an indelible mark—"

He raised his hand, gently tapped his temple with his index finger, and then pounded his chest hard.

"Engraved in your souls, fused into your very bones."

"To become your instinctive reaction and source of strength when you face any desperate situation in the future."

The corners of his mouth slowly curled upwards.

That was no longer the playful or cold smile of before, but a near-cruel satisfied smile filled with fervent expectation and a relentless, forging will.

"Good steel..."

"It's about constantly throwing them into the furnace..."

"Repeatedly subjected to the forging of heavy hammers."

His gaze landed precisely on the five hundred team members who made it to the end.

"The top 500..."

He paused, then uttered a new title that instantly straightened the spines of the five hundred men and ignited their fervor:

"Newbies."

"Yes, you guys can now be called 'newbies'."

Zeng Linglong's voice conveyed neither praise nor criticism.

"This is your new beginning, your new name, with me."

His smile vanished, and his tone suddenly turned as cold and hard as iron:

"war……"

"Never because you are injured, exhausted, or need a break..."

"And mercifully... pressed the pause button."

His gaze swept over the team members who were still wrapped in bandages and had abrasions on their faces.

"so--"

"Here with me..."

There is no such thing as "injured"!

"As long as your heart is still beating, and your consciousness hasn't faded..."

"You are a warrior, so keep fighting!"

"you……"

He pointed to the five hundred "newbies".

"It will proceed to... the next stage of refinement and selection."

He turned to the side, raised his arm, and pointed to the entire Dragon Return Squad standing behind him like a rock.

Ye Feng, Xiao Ya, Tie Zhu, Jiang Tianhua, Fang Rong, Qi Liang, Tang Long... twelve figures, like twelve different styles, yet all exuding a terrifying aura of slaughter.

"Do you see them?"

"Their minds and bodies..."

"It has long been integrated with the battle itself..."

"Every inch of their skin, every muscle, every heartbeat..."

"They all grew, were tempered, and evolved in the most brutal and real flames of war."

His words shrouded the Dragon Return Squad in a legendary and mysterious aura.

"All that you experienced before... the incredibly realistic ambushes, explosions, 'death'..."

Zeng Linglong's gaze sharpened.

"Those 'illusions' that deceive your eyes, those 'shadows' you can't even touch..."

"It was all them—they created it all and executed it themselves!"

He raised his voice, each word booming like thunder:

"To be able to create... a death hoax that even you elites believed in!"

"To be able to 'kill' and 'disappear' right under your noses without leaving a trace!"

"this--"

He paused heavily.

"It's a hundred times, a thousand times, more difficult than any real, head-on battle!"

Zeng Linglong's voice boomed across the silent playground, shattering everyone's perceptions:

"Because what's needed... is an understanding of the battlefield environment, the psychology of both sides, the rhythm of combat, and even the trajectory of every single bullet—"

"Absolute control!"

"It is the supreme art of becoming a ghost on the battlefield, manipulating illusions of life and death!"

His gaze swept over the slightly agape mouths of the audience members, their pupils suddenly contracting in shock.

"this……"

"That is the true pinnacle of... the realm of killers and guardians!"

"It's the shadow you'll be chasing in the future!"

"And in the near future..."

Zeng Linglong's voice slowed down, but carried even greater weight.

"I will rise from among you..."

"Select those who can be with them—"

He pointed to the Dragon Return Squad again.

"Comrades-in-arms who stood shoulder to shoulder, entrusting their lives to each other!"

"Whoosh—!"

Despite the strict military discipline, a barely suppressed, low commotion inevitably arose from the audience!

Fighting alongside instructors who are like gods of war?!

Become one of them?!

This is almost the most fervent and noble dream in the hearts of all team members at this moment!

"so--"

Zeng Linglong's voice drowned out the commotion as he began to list out the details as if they were his own treasures:

"Look closely at the role model standing before you!"

"Here it is—"

"Infiltration and disguise expert."

"An expert in assassination and infiltration."

"Expert in heavy weapons and firepower suppression."

"Expert in extreme tactical sports and blind shooting."

"Close-quarters combat and joint lock expert."

"Intelligence analysis and electronic warfare expert."

"Expert in high explosives manufacturing and booby trap setting."

"Expert in battlefield first aid and biochemical (psychedelic) drug application."

"Expert in squad-based collaborative operations and tactical command."

"……etc!"

Each time a name was announced, he would point to a member of the Dragon Return Squad with the corresponding temperament.

The members who were called on either nodded slightly, glanced coldly at the audience, or curled their lips into a dangerous smile.

"Modern Special Operations...all the essential core skills!"

"All associated professional fields!"

"They've all gathered here!"

Zeng Linglong's voice was resolute.

"And you—"

"They must reach... my required standard of mastery!"

"boom--!"

It felt as if a tangible heat wave was bursting forth from the chests of the three thousand team members!

Everyone's eyes were frighteningly bright, their breathing became heavy, and their blood was surging and roaring in their veins!

The fatigue and pain from just now seemed to be swept away by this huge blueprint for the future, full of infinite possibilities!

To be able to associate with such a powerful person and learn such divine skills?!

What an opportunity! What an honor!

"And those who didn't make it into the top 500..."

Zeng Linglong then changed the subject and looked at the other 2,500 team members.

The team members' eyes dimmed for a moment, but they still stood straight and refused to bow their heads.

"You...have the same opportunity!"

Zeng Linglong's voice was beyond question.

"One week later!"

"I will hold a skills competition among all of you!"

"For each skill...only five will be selected!"

"As a reserve member of a 'mysterious' unit!"

"Ready to...replenish in at any time!"

Hope reignited in the eyes of 2,500 people!

"in addition……"

Zeng Linglong dropped another bombshell.

"The General Staff has decided to...establish two peacekeeping rapid reaction forces permanently stationed overseas."

"Similarly... we will select the best from among you!"

"That place... will be another crucible for your practical training!"

Zeng Linglong raised his hand and glanced at the time.

"Now--"

His voice regained its absolute command tone.

"Everyone has it!"

"You have one hour!"

"Rest! Eat! Change into your training uniform!"

"One hour later—"

He surveyed the entire room, and that signature, iron-blooded smile reappeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Hell...Second Stage!"

"start!"

"yes--!!!"

Three thousand voices, perfectly synchronized, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing!

Without hesitation, without fear, only absolute determination after breaking free from the cocoon and being reborn!

The team members quickly turned and ran towards their respective barracks. Their steps were steady and powerful, their eyes sharp as knives.

The wind they stirred up as they ran seemed to be filled with the scent of iron and blood.

Yes, their aura... is completely different now.

The previous confusion, hesitation, and easily angered restlessness have been completely burned away by that three-day, three-night hellish journey.

Instead, there is a calm and collected demeanor, like refined steel, and a beastly nature and fighting spirit hidden beneath that composure, ready to erupt at any moment.

They have already completed a transformation in their self-awareness deep within their hearts:

We are beasts.

It is a killing machine born to protect...

Their perception of the black figure on the stage also underwent a complete transformation.

Zeng Linglong is no longer the "young and arrogant" and "cold and ruthless" head instructor.

He was their guide, leading them to glimpse the true meaning of war and tempering their souls and bodies...

He is a blacksmith who possesses unfathomable abilities and created the mysterious and powerful legendary army behind him.

It is something that has quietly taken root deep within their hearts, something worthy of being followed by life and loyalty to the death—

Mars!

Absolute trust, an almost religious adoration, silently took root and grew wildly in the hearts of three thousand young and passionate souls.

It wasn't just the team members.

Even the senior instructors, including Tianlang, who were standing behind Zeng Linglong, looked at Zeng Linglong's back with indescribable complex emotions.

There was a deep sense of awe, a sudden realization of admiration, and an even greater fervor and devotion to finding the true direction forward.

They finally realized that the gap between themselves and the young man in front of them was not only in strength, but also in their vision, philosophy, and terrifying ability to shape souls.

On the observation platform, Elder Liu and Elder Zhang exchanged a glance, both seeing undisguised shock and relief in each other's eyes.

The two veteran generals, who had weathered many storms and knew countless people, suddenly felt enlightened.

"The art of war... begins with training the mind."

Old Liu sighed softly, as if summarizing a great battle.

"Once the will is as firm as a rock..."

"It is an unshakable faith."

"And once faith is forged..."

Old Zhang took over the conversation, his gaze fixed intently on the steel torrent that was rapidly and orderly dispersing below the stage.

"That is..."

"An army that will never be defeated!"

"The Blade That Rules the World!"

Their gazes finally settled on Zeng Linglong's tall, straight back, as if he could hold up the entire sky.

A natural leader's aura.

An innate fighting spirit of a king.

A terrifying talent for understanding human nature and manipulating people's minds.

This young man...

He is forging, in his own way, an invincible and formidable force that truly belongs to the new era!

An hour of rest passed by in a flash.

Above the base, the muffled sound of invisible war drums seemed to echo.

The second gate to hell...

It is slowly opening.

More intense subterranean fire, heavier iron hammers, and a more brutal process of elimination...

These "newbies" and "reserve" who have just completed their first transformation are waiting.

But at this moment, no one backed down.

Only an endless burning fighting spirit, and the most devout gazing and resolute determination to climb that mountain called "Peak".