Registration — truly, everyone had a chance.

Essentially, everyone had signed up. Whether or not they could be selected, they all wanted to try their luck. What if they actually got chosen?

“Today is individual selection, no longer team competition. You will now cross over those mountain ridges, and only the first three hundred to return will be chosen.”

Three hundred!

Huo Yan’s words set the entire Fourth Longwu Unit into a roiling ferment.

Right now, it was not just the Fourth Longwu Unit selecting three hundred — it was the entire Longwu Academy.

Not only new students, but the older students from previous years were also included — over a thousand people immediately whittled down to three hundred. The test was truly severe.

“There will be some ambushes in the rear mountains. They will not be lethal, but there is a chance of injury.”

Huo Yan fixed his gaze on the crowd below, his expression grave, without the slightest trace of jest.

“If any of you happen to roll down a mountain or meet with some accident and die during the assessment, the Longwu Army bears no responsibility.”

“The selection for the Longqi Army is extremely rigorous. The Longqi Army will serve in the future as the vanguard under the Ninth Prince in every campaign — and must be ready to lay down their lives for the nation at any time.”

Among the students before him were quite a few from wealthy and noble families, so these things had to be made clear to them first.

“In short — there is a risk to your life at all times, whether during the selection or in the military life that follows.”

“So if any of you have lost your nerve, step out right now and withdraw immediately!”

This time, a wave of murmuring and discussion rose from the crowd. Huo Yan did not stop them, nor did he demand that those speaking hold the posture of standing at attention.

He gave everyone enough time to consider. After half a stick of incense had passed, he called out: “Now — those who have made up their minds to go, step forward!”

Some immediately stepped forward. Others, seeing everyone else step up, also began extending their feet.

“Stand at attention!” Huo Yan let out a thunderous bark. Those who had just been about to step forward froze in place.

“You lot — withdraw immediately!” Huo Yan pointed to those who had been in the middle of stepping up, his voice cold. “Three steps back! Away from the registration formation!”

“Captain Huo, we want to go too — we just… just hesitated for a moment.”

“That’s right, Captain Huo, we’ve thought it through now. We want to join the selection too!”

“Those who have hesitated are not suited for the Longqi Army. Fall back!” Huo Yan showed not the slightest leniency.

Just like that — simply for having shown a moment’s hesitation — out of the sixty-some members of the entire Fourth Longwu Unit, over ten had their registration qualifications revoked.

Someone immediately led those ten-plus individuals back to their quarters to rest.

For these three days, the focus was on selecting members for the Longqi Army. All other matters were to be set aside entirely.

Huo Yan looked at the forty-some people who remained and called out in a loud voice: “To enter the Longqi Army, you must possess a powerful will — a resolve that is unwavering and absolute!”

“The Longqi Army is the core of the entire Longwu Army, the very heart of its military spirit. There will absolutely be no room within its ranks for anyone who harbors thoughts of retreat. Is that understood?”

“Understood!” The forty-some voices rang out in unison.

“Good. The stick of incense is almost burned down — the moment it is, everyone sets off at once!”

Huo Yan once more swept his gaze across everyone: “Now — steady your minds!”

He turned and went off to confer with the other officers about something.

Xiao Yingtao let out a soft sigh and looked at the members of her unit: “Since today is individual selection, none of you need to wait for me when the time comes. I can manage on my own.”

Yet she still could not help glancing at Mu Mu, and said earnestly: “Jiu’er’s qinggong is the weakest. If you can — help her a little more.” Since there were ambushes, there was bound to be danger. Anyone who did not know qinggong would be at a serious disadvantage!