Lin Guang even stated that whether they were incredibly lucky or blessed, they managed to conquer Donghai Island in just three days. He admitted that even he couldn't have accomplished such a feat!
Therefore, after this mission concluded, Wang Bing dared to use his privilege to declare all members as having passed.
What was initially a mission to stabilize the situation, designed to deplete the experts from the island nation and Black Forest faction as much as possible, suddenly transformed into a complete reclamation. This was undoubtedly an over-fulfillment of the mission objectives!
Let alone everyone passing, he might even get approval if he applied for some medals from above.
However, even with this success, in everyone's eyes, it was merely Li Chonglou getting lucky, a fluke.
Gratitude was present, after all, the people were dead, but it wasn't overwhelming.
Now, with the dead suddenly reappearing, the crowd’s emotions were hard to process. They instinctively reverted to how they felt when they first saw Li Chonglou.
Essentially, it was a tacit agreement to forget about the events on Donghai Island.
At this moment, they followed along, foregoing even the delicious meals provided by the cafeteria, which were considered a perk, solely to see Li Chonglou embarrassed.
Thus, during the mealtime at the sub-base, as people began to emerge from other teaching buildings in groups, they witnessed Wu Di and his entourage following Lin Guang in a grand procession.
"It's this late, are the newbies still training?"
"Impossible. We couldn't even endure it. How could some newcomers withstand this training intensity?"
Passersby were puzzled, and many stopped to observe.
Whether someone recognized Li Chonglou or got the news from security, everyone soon learned the general situation.
Li Chonglou, who had recently made waves throughout Shangjing, had arrived.
He was joining as a new member, and Instructor Lin Guang was taking him for an entry test.
"Tsk, what's so interesting about a newcomer's test? No need to guess, they won't even pass."
"Don't say that. Didn't you see the people who joined in the same batch can't wait to watch? I heard that the reason they broke the recruitment record this time was all thanks to Li Chonglou accomplishing the impossible."
"Accomplishing the impossible?"
"I don't know the specifics, but this person should be extraordinary. Haven't you heard the rumor? He, a mere Level Five, managed to stop Yuan Bei, a Level Seven from the Commoners’ Association!"
"Although I don't believe that rumor, it actually makes me want to go watch too."
And so, the news spread like wildfire through the crowd. Seeing many people driven by curiosity, they too decided to go.
"Let's go, let's go see what this guy is really capable of."
A person only at Level Five, reportedly not even thirty yet, had already gained such a reputation in Shangjing. Well, it wasn't entirely a good thing, as he had offended too many people.
But that was still a reputation!
How many people in the Executive Department didn't possess Level Five strength?
I refuse to accept it!
I don't believe there can be such a huge gap between people! We're all Level Five. I want to see if you have three heads and six arms or if you're some kind of monster.
Of course, there were also those who were simply very interested in Li Chonglou.
And some who just wanted to join the excitement.
In the end, even Lin Guang hadn't anticipated that the scene of the entire base surrounding a trainee for a test, something unseen for many years, would be reenacted today.
When was the last time that happened? Was it when the elder Tie joined?
Lin Guang still clearly remembered himself, a child then, watching that scene with his relatives.
At the testing grounds of the Executive Department's sub-base, Li Chonglou also hadn't expected it to be on that training field.
Initially, he thought they would use some high-tech equipment to test his physique. It seemed he had overthought things.
However, glancing back at the crowd, a minority of which numbered several hundred keen spectators, Li Chonglou couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Uh, Instructor Lin, are we going to test right here?"
Wu Di and the others called out, and he naturally followed suit. He couldn't possibly call him Brother Lin like Captain Wang.
Lin Guang nodded and pointed to the training equipment in front of them. "That's right. The test is divided into four aspects: strength, speed, endurance, and potential development. Don't worry, there's a lot, and it won't take much time."
"No, I wanted to ask if they could not crowd around?"
Li Chonglou gestured towards the crowd of spectators behind them. Being surrounded by so many people gave him the feeling of being put on display like a monkey.
It felt awkward.
Lin Guang rolled his eyes. "Watching is also their right. Why do you care about them?"
Alright.
Li Chonglou could only give up on that idea.
However, it was just a few simple tests, so there shouldn't be any major issues.
With that thought, Li Chonglou felt it was better to finish quickly and asked, "Then what should I do now?"
Without further ado, Lin Guang led him to a training area.
The entire training ground was divided into dozens of different training zones, each with a rectangular layout, but differing in terrain and equipment.
There were dumbbells, steep slopes, and large pools.
Honestly, Li Chonglou still didn't understand the purpose of these grounds, typically used by special forces, for their cultivation levels.
Could those dumbbells and other weightlifting equipment truly measure their real strength?
Wasn't it a matter of just a single finger?
"Look at his expression, doesn't it resemble ours earlier?"
"Haha, he'll be stunned in a moment."
His ears perked up at the slightly off remarks behind him, and Li Chonglou couldn't help but shed his dismissive attitude.
At this point, Lin Guang had brought him to an area filled with various weightlifting equipment.
There was a separated walkway, with a piece of equipment placed every few meters.
The first items were dark dumbbells, similar in size and style to those used by ordinary people.
Then came the barbells used for weightlifting, followed by heavy objects resembling stones, but all uniformly black.
Lin Guang spoke at this moment.
"See these things? You need to lift them in sequence, as much as you can. The highest one you can lift with your maximum effort is where you stop. This is the first item, the strength test."
Lin Guang's expression suddenly turned serious.
"I must remind you, don't even think about holding back. The score you get in this test will determine your subsequent arrangements."
Li Chonglou's eyebrows immediately shot up, and he asked with some curiosity, "Arrangements? What arrangements?"
Lin Guang explained, "Your performance will be scored. First, the higher your score, the more basic time points you'll receive upon entry. Old Wang should have told you about this."
Li Chonglou nodded.
However, if it were just this, he wouldn't be particularly interested.
But Lin Guang hadn't finished speaking.