When the Shadow Leopards gazed at Xu Que and his companions, they too felt a pang of fear. After all, these dimensional creatures were not without intelligence.
Xu Que narrowed his eyes slightly, swiftly maneuvering to the creature's rear, blocking its escape route.
"I'll go first!" Zhao Xian declared, ripping off his training uniform and fixing his gaze firmly on the Shadow Leopard.
Upon seeing Zhao Xian's muscular physique, Xu Que couldn't help but admire him. If not for his experience from his previous life, it was unlikely he would have been able to recruit such capable individuals.
As Zhao Xian engaged in combat with the Shadow Leopard, Qi Shan and Huang Bo began observing the beast's attack patterns.
However, Kun Shao was different. He showed little concern for the beast's ferocity; his sole thought was whether he could tame one as a mount.
If he could ride one, it would undoubtedly be the most spectacular thing.
As the battle grew fiercer, Xu Que called out, "Alright, next one!"
"I can hold on for a few more rounds!" Zhao Xian shouted back.
"Don't worry, I'll bring a few more over. Each of you will face one. Right now, familiarize yourselves with the rhythm of the fight!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately understood, sidestepping a pounce from the Shadow Leopard.
"I'm in!" Qi Shan shouted, stretching his limbs before charging at the beast.
The Shadow Leopard, caught off guard, was kicked squarely in the side by Qi Shan.
Rolling in fury, the beast ignored its previous attacker and lunged directly at Qi Shan.
As the practical training continued, Huang Bo and Qi Kai weren't as proficient as Zhao Xian or Qi Shan, but their reactions were far from slow.
Xu Que, however, found himself troubled by Kun Shao.
As Zhao Xian had remarked, Kun Shao had great potential, but his talent was being applied in all the wrong ways.
After Xu Que dispatched a Shadow Leopard with a single stroke, he began to guide Zhao Xian and the others on what was lacking in their combat style.
After listening to Xu Que's advice, Zhao Xian nodded in agreement. "What Xu said is right. This isn't a sparring session. We're facing creatures from another dimension. They're vicious and bloodthirsty. There's no need to hold back."
"Got it. Next time, I'll fight to the death, aiming for the eyes first, then going for a killing blow!" Huang Bo grinned.
Kun Shao stood up abruptly. "Hey, Lao Huang, you're stealing my moves!"
At this, everyone burst into laughter.
Seeing that the group was nearly recovered, Xu Que rose to his feet. "Alright, get ready. I'll bring a few more over soon."
"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison.
As Xu Que stepped into the middle corridor, the female Shadow Leopard immediately sensed his presence.
Before Xu Que could even make a move, more than a dozen Shadow Leopards charged toward him.
This time, Xu Que had no intention of leading so many of them away. As he entered a winding tunnel, he quickly struck down four of them, then, upon reaching the cave's exit, used his sword control technique to slice through three smaller leopards.
Hearing the roars of the beasts from the tunnel, Zhao Xian and the others prepared for battle.
---
**Outside, at the Magic City Combat Command Center:**
Six hours remained until the special training camp's live combat session.
In the office, a middle-aged man dressed in a special training uniform was reviewing data on an electronic screen. He was the camp's chief instructor, Fang Xiu!
"Report," Shen Mengchu saluted as she handed over a personnel list.
Fang Xiu didn't look up, his gaze still fixed on the screen as he said, "Speak."
"The emergency recall order has been issued. Five members have not yet been contacted," Shen Mengchu reported.
Fang Xiu glanced over the list, quickly scanning the names.
"Do any of these members have neighbors or surveillance nearby?"
"Report, Instructor. Aside from Liu Ruoyan and Lu Yang, whose whereabouts remain unconfirmed, the other three members have been seen by witnesses, and corresponding surveillance footage has been found."
"So, you're telling me that, aside from those two whose whereabouts are still unknown, the other three are deserters?" Fang Xiu asked, his eyes locking onto Shen Mengchu.
"Yes, Instructor," Shen Mengchu responded solemnly.
"In that case, add those two to the deserter list as well. Upload the list to the other military districts." Fang Xiu slid the list toward Shen Mengchu.
"Understood." Shen Mengchu saluted before turning to leave, but Fang Xiu's voice rang out once more.
"Prepare the compensation. Follow the same conditions as for previous overseas missions."
At these words, Shen Mengchu's heart sank. Without turning back, she replied, "Yes, Instructor."
Once Shen Mengchu left, Fang Xiu picked up his phone, sent a location message, and then crushed the device in his hand.
---
**Meanwhile, at the Special Training Base:**
The special operations members were gathered in small groups, discussing the highlights of their day.
As they conversed eagerly, the red emergency lights in the base suddenly flashed.
"All personnel, assemble!" a deep voice boomed over the loudspeakers.
The team quickly gathered, and Shen Mengchu, along with Vice Instructor Tang Jian, appeared on the elevated platform before them.
"By now, you must all be aware of the special mission," Tang Jian began, his gaze sweeping over the group. "The temporary defense line in Magic City is on the brink of collapse. Our living zones are shrinking by the day. In just seven days, the death toll has reached 600,000! Let me be clear, though our time together has been short, you are the final weapons we have in this city. I will stand with you on the frontlines…"
As Tang Jian spoke, the recruits—none of whom had ever seen battle—began to grasp the gravity of the situation. They now understood that the military had done all it could to buy them time. It was now time for them to fight and bring this war to a close.
"Alright, now, Shen Mengchu will distribute the pre-mission supplies."
At these words, all eyes turned to Shen Mengchu.
She forced herself to remain calm as she descended the stairs. Soon, more than twenty soldiers appeared, each carrying a box of special equipment.
The recruits didn't cheer right away. Instead, they remained eerily quiet. They all knew what these supplies represented.
As Shen Mengchu read out each name, the special operations members approached to collect their gear.
"This is for you. If you have any last wishes, write them down. We will do our best to fulfill them," Shen Mengchu said, handing a piece of white paper to one of the recruits.
The soldier, a country bumpkin, smiled awkwardly. "I've only been in Magic City for less than half a year. My biggest wish is to bring a wife back home."
"Survive, and I'll help you find one," Shen Mengchu said, holding back tears.
"Yes, Instructor!" The recruit saluted and quickly walked toward the resting area.
When she handed the paper to Ji Bodda, he smiled and said, "I don't need this. I'm not going to die!"
Shen Mengchu said nothing, but gently placed the paper on Ji Bodda's gear box.
Back in the resting area, Ji Bodda took out his phone, typed two messages, and then discarded it aside.
---
**At the Longjing Villa:**
Upon receiving the information, Tang Xue immediately gathered her team.
In the basement, 46 thugs who had injected themselves with berserker bloodline serum were now significantly stronger than ordinary humans.
"This mission has a limited timeframe. I want you all to remember who made you strong. I won't tolerate failure," Tang Xue declared coldly.
"Understood!" The thugs responded in unison.
"Good. The mission details will be sent to you in the vehicle. Everyone, get in!"
As the five heavy trucks rolled out of the villa, Tang Xue turned to the remaining thugs and instructed, "Keep an eye on them. Don't let anything go wrong!"
"Yes, Sister Tang!" Two thugs saluted like soldiers.