Chapter Eleven: Arrival at the Training Camp

After a day of travel, Hua Feng and his companions finally arrived at the training base of the Flying Dragon Battalion by special transport.

September 1st, 2116. Lushan, Huaxia.

Lushan, located in J City of JX Province, is an oval-shaped massif, a classic horst mountain stretching about twenty-five kilometers long and ten kilometers wide. Its ninety peaks rise like layered screens, shielding the northern gateway of JX. The main peak, Hanyang Peak, reaches an altitude of 1,474 meters. The mountain’s enchanting clouds and mist are unrivaled, drawing countless poets and luminaries from past and present to marvel at its beauty.

The Flying Dragon Battalion is nestled deep within Lushan, occupying a vast area, though few reside within. As one of several training camps, the Forward Base also trains here.

The Forward Base occupies a dedicated training ground of about five square kilometers, adjacent to elites selected from other military academies or units. According to the guidebook distributed to Hua Feng, the combined area of all camps is roughly three hundred square kilometers; sometimes, training extends beyond, with the farthest exercises even reaching Mars. Among the many camps, the Flying Dragon Battalion stands as the foremost, its reputation evident in the caliber of trainees—each one formidable and not to be underestimated.

Hua Feng analyzed the information he had gathered for Wang Yue and the others, giving them a clearer understanding of what lay ahead. Now, sitting in their dormitory gazing at the vast night sky, his thoughts drifted. He recalled the years of military life, how a chance ambush had propelled him from an ordinary soldier into the training camp for further study. Through this, he glimpsed realms he once could not imagine. Far from home, he had not seen his parents in Henan for a long time, and a wave of homesickness quietly swept over him.

He reflected on his current cultivation, now at the twenty-first King level. After the ordeal at Fortress 798, he realized how weak he truly was. Once, among comrades and ordinary people, he felt no inadequacy, but when faced with cultivators, he found himself powerless. Now, he knew he must temper himself, grow stronger, and become capable of protecting everyone he wished to shield.

After these musings, Hua Feng returned to his bed. Among his companions—Wang Yue and other acquaintances—some were meditating, some seemed lost in thought, while others had already slipped into sleep, unnoticed.

Their destination had finally been reached; washing away the fatigue of the journey, everyone gradually drifted into dreams. Slowly, Hua Feng too fell asleep.

The night was still, the moon brilliant. Peace reigned, and the occasional mountain breeze carried moonlight, bringing tranquility and warmth to the camp. Lushan’s distinctive mist shrouded the Flying Dragon Battalion, this mountain of enduring allure destined to forge greatness and legend in the twenty-second century.

“Emergency assembly!”

A clear reveille, accompanied by the urgent whistle and shout of the instructor, startled the trainees from their dreams—in particular, the members of the second battalion of Flying Dragon. It was their first drill, the first group training; Hua Feng and his friends dared not be lax. They dressed and washed with haste, assembling on the training ground. Fifty stood in perfect formation, each an elite among elites.

Gazing at the setting moon in the west, Hua Feng thought: A new trial has begun.

“Today marks our second battalion’s first morning drill. Thank you for your cooperation,” said a middle-aged man with a stern yet dignified presence, smiling as he addressed the swiftly assembled trainees. “Let me introduce the motto of the Flying Dragon Battalion:

‘Iron shoulders bear righteousness, undaunted by toil and hardship. Great ambitions set within the chest, united in pursuit of grand visions. We value unity and mutual support, never abandoning one another, and place the nation’s cause above all. Every qualified warrior in Flying Dragon is part of the country’s final line of defense. Each of us must possess iron will and the courage to face any challenge! We are the descendants of the dragon; each of us shall be a Flying Dragon fighting for our homeland. In future training and missions, we must live up to ourselves and to the Flying Dragon emblem we bear!’”

The commander’s passionate speech was met with sustained applause. Afterwards, under the instructors’ guidance, everyone began their march uphill, carrying thirty kilograms, aiming for Hanyang Peak, the main summit of Lushan at 1,474 meters. The instructor led the way, promising a sunrise at the peak.

Although the emergence of vital energy had occurred, only a few had achieved significant progress; the majority remained ordinary. For Hua Feng, this intensity of training was nothing, and even Wang Yue and Yun Meng found it easy. Others weren’t so fortunate. To ensure genuine training, instructors forbade the use of true energy, but those like Zhang Yu, whose physique had already surpassed normal limits, could handle the exercise relying solely on their bodies.

If someone looked down from above at Lushan, the sight along the road to Hanyang Peak would be spectacular: squads of young men and women in sharp uniforms surging toward the summit. Teams from various camps set out separately, converging into a long stream winding upward. A force of about five hundred was indeed impressive.

Passing through mist, along mountain streams and stone paths, traversing bamboo groves and primeval forests, the spirited teams marched forward, an exuberance of youth radiating from each person, lingering over Lushan.

Lushan has always been a summer retreat, so even with heavy loads and sweat, the heat was not oppressive. The commander watched these outstanding youths and seemed to glimpse the nation’s future hope. Their physical condition was excellent; after a forced march of twenty li, not one lagged behind. Such achievements owed much to Huaxia’s reforms: comprehensive quality education had flourished, and martial arts were a compulsory subject. Early cultivation ensured robust physiques, and universal education had extended to universities.

On this first day of training, everyone gave their all. Their youthful vigor and energy were on full display, and the instructor was well pleased.

Soon, as Zhang Yu and his new friend Li Long came to their senses, they found they had reached the summit. “One cannot recognize Lushan’s true face, for one is within the mountain.” This sentiment once again echoed in the hearts of these vibrant young people, as they marveled at the wonders of nature.

The sun rose, its rays warming the flushed faces of the youths, filling them with comfort. Years later, when these people recalled their first day in the camp, they could not help but sigh that the beauty of that sun was never seen again in all the years that followed; but that is another story. Even many years hence, Flying Dragon Battalion remained a cherished dream for Huaxia’s youth.

To enter the Flying Dragon Battalion had become the ambition of a great number of young people—just as Tsinghua University and Peking University were decades earlier. Yet here, after university graduation, aspiring soldiers came to temper themselves. Classes were held, covering a vast array of subjects. Those who left this place became talents who commanded respect wherever they went, making outstanding contributions to the country’s development in every field.

The chief instructor, also the commander, ordered a ten-minute rest for everyone to enjoy the sunrise, before more training commenced. Taking advantage of the pause, Zhang Yu sought out his teammates Li Long, Wang Yue, Yang Tian, Shuang Ning, and Yun Meng. The group gathered, closed their eyes, and spoke not a word, simply savoring the moment as nature brought relaxation to their bodies and minds...