There was no need to mention track and field.

Even Xia Xiaolan didn’t know about “IPSC.”

Seeing the setup on the other side, Ning Xue quickly educated everyone. IPSC stands for “International Practical Shooting Confederation.” Unlike Olympic events that focus solely on accuracy with static target shooting, IPSC is “tactical shooting” – a combat-derived shooting sport that pursues the unity of speed and precision in dynamic situations. Although the IPSC association was only established in Missouri in 1976, it has developed rapidly in recent years, gaining worldwide popularity among shooting enthusiasts.

In this area, Xia Xiaolan had no experience in either of her lives – she wasn’t an expert at everything. During their first shooting training two days ago, she was just as awkward as everyone else handling a rifle, a complete novice.

Strangely, while Ning Xue’s performance at target practice had been average, she knew so much about this international shooting competition. Was this just another example of a true scholar’s extensive knowledge?

The thought passed quickly as Xia Xiaolan began to worry about Zhou Cheng.

The boys’ challenge was well-planned. Xiong Baiyan and Ji Jiangyuan were undoubtedly carefully selected “seeded players.” Xia Xiaolan never underestimated Huaqing students – besides being excellent in academics, many of them were truly multi-talented, hence the saying “hidden dragons and crouching tigers.”

She couldn’t run over to warn Zhou Cheng in front of everyone. Thanks to Zhou Cheng’s “iron-faced impartiality,” no student had ever suspected that he and Xia Xiaolan knew each other. His few interactions with her had all been officially justified and very brief.

The thought that the Chief Instructor was her boyfriend was sweet to daydream about.

In reality, military training regulations prevented Zhou Cheng from showing any affection toward Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t reveal it either.

On the field, preparations were complete. Xia Xiaolan joined others at the edge of the field, with Instructor Li serving as judge.

“Go, Instructor Zhou!”

“You can do it, Xiong Baiyan!”

“Come on, Xiong Baiyan!”

Someone started cheering, and it was like stirring up a hornet’s nest. In terms of numbers, the new students far exceeded the instructors. After days of singing military songs and shouting slogans, the students’ voices had grown strong, completely overwhelming the instructors’ support team!

“Go! Go!”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t add names to her cheers. Cheering for Zhou Cheng would betray the Huaqing contingent while cheering for Xiong Baiyan would infuriate Zhou Cheng.

Moreover, Summer was quite conflicted.

As his girlfriend, she wanted Zhou Cheng to win, and win impressively.

But after integrating into the collective these past few days, developing a sense of group honor through military training… Xiong Baiyan now represented Huaqing University, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t want him to lose either! Why were there so many undercover storylines in modern police dramas? Xia Xiaolan could relate now – she was the “undercover agent,” wavering between Zhou Cheng and collective honor.

Ten kilometers meant 25 laps!

It wasn’t just about speed – explosive power alone wouldn’t be enough. Endurance was crucial.

After warming up, Instructor Li took out a whistle: “On my whistle – Ready, run!”

In the first lap, both maintained similar speeds.

Through laps 2, 3… all the way to lap 15, Xiong Baiyan seemed to tire, his breathing becoming irregular. Zhou Cheng thought this student had managed to maintain a steady pace for so many laps, with his stamina probably halved. Losing half your energy in the first 15 laps didn’t mean you could complete the remaining 10 – energy depleted faster toward the end.

Having assessed his opponent’s capabilities, Zhou Cheng relaxed a bit.

He spotted Xiaolan standing at the edge of the field, mixed in with the female students yet somehow standing out.

There was worry on Xiaolan’s face, and at this moment, Zhou Cheng could truly feel that she cared for him. He had received her letter, of course, which had dampened much of his joy about leading the military training. He hadn’t expected the non-apology incident would trigger such a strong reaction from his family, not only cutting off his outside business but also changing their attitude from appreciating Xiaolan to opposing their relationship.

The letter wasn’t asking him to make a choice, but Zhou Cheng hadn’t yet figured out how to respond to her.

Zhou Cheng’s thoughts drifted further and further, and when he came back to his senses, he realized he had fallen behind.

He had maintained his original pace, and after judging that Xiong Baiyan was running out of steam, he had become overconfident. Even when Xiong Baiyan started gradually speeding up at lap 19, Zhou Cheng ignored it, assuming it was just a final desperate burst that would lead to complete exhaustion. But that wasn’t the case – Xiong Baiyan had been steadily increasing his speed, and by lap 22, he was half a lap ahead of Zhou Cheng!

His opponent hadn’t slowed down but had accelerated – speeding up for the final two and a half laps?

Zhou Cheng quickly picked up his pace. Xiong Baiyan exploded forward, and it wasn’t until lap 24 that Zhou Cheng caught up. The two ran neck and neck as everyone around the field shouted. Gender, department – none of it mattered. Xiong Baiyan was a Huaqing student, and this competition against Zhou Cheng had everyone’s blood boiling.

In the 25th lap, Zhou Cheng led Xiong Baiyan by one body length, his chest breaking the red line first.

Instructor Li’s heart had nearly jumped out – if Zhou Cheng had lost, the students would have become unmanageable for the remaining days!

Fortunately, Chief Instructor Zhou won in the final moment!

Instructor Li quickly blew the whistle.

“Instructor Zhou wins!”

“Ah, so close!”

“Old Xiong was just a bit short.”

“Almost took down the Chief Instructor – Old Xiong’s amazing!”

Although Xiong Baiyan lost the race, it was an honorable defeat. At least to outsiders, it seemed Xiong Baiyan had come very close to beating Zhou Cheng, showing that Zhou Cheng wasn’t so far above them after all. Because of the sprint in the final two laps, both men were panting heavily, making it impossible to tell whose stamina was more depleted.

Xia Xiaolan also breathed a sigh of relief.

Though it betrayed the collective honor, she was happy Zhou Cheng won.

Ji Jiangyuan stepped forward from the crowd. “Instructor Zhou, I won’t take advantage of your fatigue. After you rest for half an hour, let’s compete at fixed target shooting.”

IPSC was a combat-derived shooting sport, and if Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t intimidated by moving targets, he was even more confident with static ones.

Zhou Cheng gave Ji Jiangyuan a look. This kid had quite some prestige among the new students – beating Ji Jiangyuan would make others more compliant. Zhou Cheng wasn’t angry about the challenge; here, ability spoke for itself, with skilled individuals earning respect without unnecessary complications.

“No need to rest. Let’s finish this quickly so you can resume training!”

Xia Xiaolan’s anxiety was futile.

Zhou Cheng and Ji Jiangyuan took their positions at the shooting range.

Ji Jiangyuan said the rules for formal shooting competitions were too complicated, suggesting they determine the winner with three shots.

He looked truly impressive holding the rifle, winning countless fans among his peers.

Zhou Cheng was even more nonchalant. “Fine.”

“After you, Instructor Zhou.”

Ji Jiangyuan was polite. Zhou Cheng took these three shots casually – he could disassemble and reassemble the gun blindfolded, let alone shoot at a fixed target!

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Three consecutive shots, all dead center.

The instructors cheered, and Ji Jiangyuan gave Zhou Cheng a thumbs up. Ji Jiangyuan took some time to prepare his three shots. After careful aiming, all three of Ji Jiangyuan’s shots hit the bullseye. Instructor Li was stunned – there was no time limit for target shooting, and while Zhou Cheng had shot faster, the final results were identical.

Considering their respective positions, declaring Zhou Cheng the winner based on such a minor difference seemed like taking advantage of a student.

“It’s a tie.”

A draw!

Zhou Cheng was genuinely surprised – this student’s marksmanship exceeded his expectations.

Such skill required at least two or three years of practice, with regular training, to achieve such precision.

So, how did a student who got into Huaqing spend time practicing shooting instead of studying for the college entrance exam? Zhou Cheng studied Ji Jiangyuan carefully, confirming he didn’t recognize him. He recalled what Director Li had said when asking him to lead the military training, and Zhou Cheng was slightly taken aback.

Director Li had said: “Learn from each other, progress together!”