Both parties had their own moves and they were evenly matched. No one party was able to hold the lead for too long. Once they were in the lead, they would be knocked into or tripped from the back by the other party.
Wang Zheng, Lao Xiong, Barry and Chang Dadan were running together at the end of the team. At this position, no one was interested in them. The ending was approaching.
“We have good control over the pace. One’s physical condition is the most important in a 10km race. Have you run a long distance event in the school sports day? The reasoning is the same. However, the only difference between that and this is that there is a little more weight here because of the battle load. The first 9km is all about breathing. The last kilometre is a competition of one’s willpower…”
Chang Dadan was nagging as he was running. He wasn’t really speaking to people. This was just how he ran. It seemed that as long as he was talking, he wouldn’t feel tired when running and could maintain a good breathing tempo.
On the other hand, Lao Xiong seemed to be bottling up his thoughts. His strides were big and it was clear that he wasn’t giving his all.
At this moment, there wasn’t any road that could be run on normally. They were already completely in the wild. The morning dew on the green grass was like rain drops and had moisturized the soil. This patch of soil was extremely sticky when slightly wet. The floor seemed to have some attractive force. They had to exert much force every time they tried to lift their legs. This had greatly restricted their usual pace.
“Tempo, tempo, tempo…”
Chang Dadan was mumbling to himself. Surprisingly, he could totally disregard the soil. An emotional victory could be useful at times. However, it was clear that Barry could not take it anymore as he started to stumble. Lao Xiong took a look at him and frowned slightly. However, he still extended his hands and grabbed Barry’s arms. He tried to pull him along as he run. The nickname of Lao Xiong (“Old Bear”) wasn’t because his surname was Xiong. It was because he had always boasted that he could kill a bear with a single punch.
“Student soldier, if you start to feel that it is too hard to continue, you can just hold on to me. I can bring you along easily. If we can maintain our stamina and catch up with the section in the final sprint, we will definitely win.”
After getting over the sticky soil, there was only a small mountain left to conquer. Lao Xiong smiled. He could see from the high ground that there were more people in the Red Fox Section that were leading. The first contingent had made it to the bottom of the mountain. Vice-captain Jing Long had already disappeared. From the current status, the Red Fox Section had a big advantage.
Wang Zheng smiled and nodded his head,” That’s great.”
Wang Zheng was running at a comfortable pace. At this level, this type pf training was a little too easy for him. As compared to the IG training camp, this was like an appetizer. At this level, it really can’t arouse his interest.
The road down the slope was much easier. Lao Xiong had finally let go of Barry’s arms. Chang Dadan looked at the front and took a deep breath. “From here onwards, it would be at my pace. I will go ahead first.”
Vroom. Chang Dadan accelerated towards the leading first contingent. He was very fast and overtook person after person. He had his own tempo.
Wang Zheng smiled but had no intention to increase his speed too. He followed Barry and felt rather comfortable. There wasn’t a need for him to make himself so tired in every morning training or he wouldn’t be able to work or study in the day.
Having reached the bottom of the mountain, there was a thick forest. The second contingent at the back had just entered the forest.
“Let’s catch up to them.” ordered Lao Xiong as he increased his pace.
Barry was panting. At this moment, he had also started to accelerate. The stamina he had been conserving at the start and even resorted to depending on Lao Xiong was so that he could pick up his pace for now. They were planning to catch up with the main group!
When they just entered the forest, Wang Zheng was suddenly on alert as he could see a flash of light from the side of his eyes. “Be careful…”
Just as the words passed by his lips, two figures appeared on a big tree at the edge of the forest and were charging towards them like a heavy tank.
Barry held his breath and his movements were dull at the most critical moment. Just as Wang Zheng extended his arms and wanted to grab him, Lao Xiong let out an angry growl. Thunderous footstep resounded and he rushed towards the two of them”
“Don’t go.”
Just as the sentence ended.
Lao Xiong squinted his eyes and clearly it was the rookies of the Silver Fox Section. What the heck, even the recruits were so arrogant.
The burly man had his eyes set on Barry and Wang Zheng. He had a clear goal. As long as he could injure anyone, this battle would be a victory for the Silver Fox Section.
An explosive momentum capable of seized and terrified the soul of one.
Lao Xiong’s footstep grew heavier. All the muscles in his body had constricted like a granite rock.
Competing with me in a head on collision? Other than the barbaric Tita people, who could be his opponent!
Who was the one trying to knock into the people he was protecting? Was he crazy? Dreaming? He had to teach the Silver Fox Section a lesson to make them understand what respect was.
Both parties were rushing ahead confidently. Their speed was really fast and in the instance of a breath, they were facing each other.
Just when the two bodies were to collide, the opponent clearly revealed a sinister smile.
Instantly, at the point of contact, Lao Xiong could only see emptiness ahead! The Nortoner who was heading towards him at full speed had suddenly moved aside. Did he just let go at the very end?
What? Was he thinking making a detour and trying to head for the student soldier?
Was the Nortoner stupid? If he made the detour, he would lose his speed and would have no momentum to collide into his opponent with.
Lao Xiong did not know about the strength of the student soldier. Although Barry might look weak from his appearance, the truth was that he was a real mech warrior and had the necessary stamina and strength. After all, he was a soldier that was nurtured by a real military school. He believed that Wang Zheng would be similar.
“Be careful!”
In that instant, Lao Xiong could hear Wang Zheng’s scream.
What was the student soldier screaming about?
Just when he had such a thought, suddenly something flashed across his eyes and a small figure rushed out from behind the Norton. Lao Xiong did not had the time to react and soon he felt his body tremble followed by a sharp pain on his left knee…
Oh damn, it was the people from the Gemini Star!
Lao Xiong flew up and rolled several times on the floor.
“With just this standard? It seemed that you were boasting a lot” The Nortoner, Sherlock, came out from the side and laughed. He then faced Wang Zheng and Barry and made a provocative hand signal.
The 1.5metres tall Ate was maintain a straight face. “I have said that I could handle him without any strategy.”
“Haha, brother don’t be like this. This isn’t a school. When it is time to use strategy we should still do so. It would be best for us to conserve our energy. Let’s get rid of the other 2 weaklings!” Sherlock smiled and looked to Wang Zheng and Barry.
This diversion tactic had achieved full victory and eliminated the strongest one of them. The remaining two rookies could be finished quickly.
Lao Xiong gritted his teeth and growled furiously. Just when he tried to get up, he could feel a sharp and intense pain at his ankle. All his strength went away like tides with the sharp and intense pain. “The two of you run now. I will fight with them!”
“Fight? Fight with just your looks? Lao Xiong, let me introduce you to the rookie of the Silver Fox Section. He is Ate from the Norton Star and a student soldier. However, he was a member of Norton Star’s IG. Haha. How dare you all compete with our captain with just your 36D. Dream on!” Sherlock laughed hysterically.
Ate also looked towards the two of them. When his gaze met Wang Zheng, Ate seemed to be electrified.
“Stop standing there Ate. Let’s take one of them each and not let them escaped.” In the eyes of Sherlock, the rookie student soldier and Barry were just liked fishes on the chipping board.
Lao Xiong gritted his teeth and stood up. He had suffered from this underhanded move by Sherlock.
At this moement, Ate from Norton dragged along Sherlock and entered the forest quickly. Sherlock was even flying as he was dragged along.
Ate seemed to have seen a ghost and was dragging Sherlock all the way. Sherlock had a bigger stature and ended up with bruises on his face. After running for quite some time, Ate finally stopped and was catching his breath against a tree.
“I must have seen a ghost. How could he be here!”
Sherlock called multiple times before Ate stood up. “Damn, Ate, what were you doing? Why did you run? I was almost dragged to death by you!”
“You can’t knock into that person.”
“Damn, what do you mean? Even if it was the Red Fox, we just collide into her. As I have told you before, this isn’t the school and the rules here are different!” Sherlock was extremely unhappy. He had missed such a great opportunity. If it wasn’t because that this dude was strong and had some background, he would really want to bash him into the ground.
Ate took a look at Sherlock and shook his head. Along the way, he did not say another word and was following behind Sherlock who was still nagging at him. He believed that it was because the dwarf from the Gemini Star was too soft.
Wang Zheng was surprised. Although he had not fought with him, he had some impression. He should be one of the reserves of the Norton Star Team. It seemed that he had recognised Wang Zheng. Wang Zheng did not know if he should laugh or cry. Was he that scary?