Xie Ti said in pleasant surprise, "Isn't there still this wristband!"
"It’s not the same," Nanwei paused. "You can apply for a replacement, but the process takes time. The wristband is also your pass; without passing the authentication, you cannot move freely around the base. This particular wristband... is a bit unique. Its upper recognition limit is higher, but its lower limit isn't as accommodating as the others. You can try wearing this one for now."
Nanwei’s expression turned stern. "But if even this one fails to provide a result, you will have to leave the base immediately."
Nanwei’s words were absolute, sounding to the others like nothing less than a warning.
Liulan raised an eyebrow and took the wristband without a hint of hesitation.
Xie Ti was incredibly nervous and hurriedly intervened: "Wait! Won't you reconsider?"
"No need to waste time," Liulan replied quite decisively. "If I don’t wear it, I will definitely miss the recording. If I do, I still have a chance to stay."
He adjusted the length of the wristband slightly, fastened it around his wrist, and then raised his eyes to look at everyone. "Besides, I will only be better than a Grade Three High."
With a click, the clasp of the wristband closed completely, and the system’s green light lit up once more.
Liulan’s gaze was steady; he seemed never to have entertained the possibility of failure. Such blind pride and confidence left everyone stunned, and for a moment, not a single person could utter a word of doubt.
The green light gradually dimmed and vanished. Two seconds passed, and the wristband remained completely unresponsive.
Just as the whole world began to brew with disdain and mockery for him, a faint blue glow emerged.
Director Zhang timed it perfectly and gestured to the people beside him. The next second, the livestream screen went black. By the time the viewers realized what had happened, all that remained on the screen were the words: "Please Stay Tuned."
No matter how dissatisfied or frustrated the viewers in the livestream chat were, they could not shake Director Zhang’s iron heart.
At the same time, a familiar system voice echoed across the base:
"ID:
Codename: JX
Gender: Male
Preliminary Level Detection Result: A
Legion information not yet recorded; please update promptly."
...
...
An unexpected answer appeared abruptly, leaving the vast training ground filled with nothing but shock and confusion.
Yao Nian looked thoughtful and was the first to break the silence: "Why is his result different from ours?"
Nanwei replied slowly, "This is a newly established evaluation standard, currently used only by the major legions."
A new evaluation standard?
Everyone looked at each other, none of them understanding the implications.
Xie Ti hurriedly asked: "Then, is Liulan’s result good or bad?"
Nanwei looked at Liulan with a complex expression. "...Very good."
Not just good, but very good.
"And what about you, Instructor?" Zhu Yiyi pressed.
Nanwei’s brow furrowed even deeper. "C."
Xie Ti was completely stunned, looking at him with a vacant expression:
"Then, then that means..."
"According to the system evaluation, Liulan is higher than me," Nanwei answered in a deep voice.
???
What had they just heard? Who was better than whom?
As if struck by lightning, everyone turned to stare blankly at Nanwei. Only Liulan was still studying the wristband by himself, as if he had known the result would turn out this way all along.
Xie Ti laughed weakly. "But this should only represent physical fitness, right..."
Xie Ti’s words trailed off midway, and he did not continue.
Even if it were only physical fitness, a soldier who had truly come from the battlefield losing to an unknown D-list celebrity was already thought-provoking enough.
Everyone tacitly chose not to mention it again.
Yao Nian’s probing gaze fell upon Liulan once more. Liulan seemed to sense it and looked up, meeting his eyes.
Finally realizing what had happened, Gong Yu said with a hint of surprise and envy: "Liulan, you’re too amazing! How exactly did you train for that? Do you work out often?"
Liulan replied coolly: "I go to bed early and wake up early."
"I never would have guessed! With a small build like yours, you actually have that much stamina!" Xie Ti followed up with a tease.
Du Jinfeng glanced at Nanwei and, confirming he didn't appear dissatisfied, smiled and said, "The youth are to be regarded with respect."
Seeing that Gong Yu, with whom he had a good relationship, and the senior Du Jinfeng were both siding with Liulan, Bailin became even more displeased. He pursed his lips and said disdainfully, "If your character is poor, nothing else matters."
·
Seeing the sky growing darker and the humidity in the air increasing, Nanwei looked up at the sky. "It’s about to rain. Let’s call it a day for now."
He looked at Liulan. "Keep using that wristband. Once you get a replacement, you can return it to me."
"Alright."
Nanwei swept his gaze over everyone present and said solemnly, "Being slack, disorganized, and undisciplined—according to military regulations, all of you are to do an additional five kilometers of training."
"Five kilometers?"
"Isn't that going to kill us!"
Xie Ti’s face turned ashen, as if the sky were collapsing.
"But considering this is your first day at the base..."
Zhu Yiyi’s eyes brightened. "Are you just waiving it?"
"I’m postponing the extra training until tomorrow," Nanwei said coldly. "Follow the right-hand corridor, go with the person meeting you to the dormitory, pack up, and get some rest as soon as possible. Tomorrow, in addition to the five-kilometer extra training, there will be the standard drills and several courses."
A chorus of wails erupted from the group.
"Anyone who doesn't want to train can leave now."
No one dared to speak.
"What about you, Instructor? Aren't you going back to the dormitory?" Zhu Yiyi asked curiously.
"I have other matters to attend to."
Nanwei’s reply remained brief. Fortunately, no one pressed for more details.
Before leaving, Liulan instinctively glanced toward Nanwei and caught sight of his departing figure, moving in a hurried stride.
Xie Ti was walking behind Liulan, blocking his view. Seeing Liulan looking back repeatedly, he followed his gaze but saw nothing.
"What are you looking at?"
Liulan retracted his gaze and replied faintly, "Nothing."