Chapter 931: Chapter 931

Lin Chen's hand rested on Lan Xingyue's shoulder, and immediately she felt a warm current flow through her.

In an instant, the pain in her shoulder vanished, and a hint of surprise flashed in Lan Xingyue's eyes as she looked at Lin Chen behind her.

"Captain, leave this tall guy to me," Lin Chen said with a faint smile.

Lan Xingyue saw a touch of confidence in Lin Chen's gaze, so she nodded slightly.

With a cheerful smile, Lin Chen walked up to Zhan Xiong: "Brother Zhan Xiong, I'm counting on your guidance."

Zhan Xiong looked at Lin Chen and burst out laughing: "Ha, now that's like a real man. I like it. It's been so long since I met a decent opponent. Today, I want to see what makes Lan Xingyue's elite so extraordinary."

As soon as his words fell, Zhan Xiong beckoned with his finger: "Come on then."

But Lin Chen merely shook his head: "Brother Zhan Xiong, I insist you go first!"

A trace of surprise flashed across Zhan Xiong's face, then he suddenly chuckled: "Kid, you've got guts."

With that, Zhan Xiong snorted coldly, his body disappearing like lightning. When he reappeared, he was already right in front of Lin Chen.

A heavy punch, packed with tremendous force, slammed down toward Lin Chen's shoulder.

A faint smirk curled at the corner of Lin Chen's mouth as he shifted his body to dodge.

Zhan Xiong snorted again, lowering his wrist and swinging his elbow toward Lin Chen, only for the latter to twirl away once more.

After two consecutive attacks narrowly missed Lin Chen, Zhan Xiong grew visibly furious and threw a straight punch aimed directly at Lin Chen's head.

Lin Chen effortlessly tilted his head, casually dodging Zhan Xiong's attack.

Zhan Xiong's punches grew faster and faster, yet Lin Chen avoided them naturally. His opponent couldn't even graze his clothes.

Lan Xingyue watched the scene in shock. Zhan Xiong's attack speed was extremely fast, so much so that to the onlookers the duel appeared like a fleeting blur.

Just moments ago, under Zhan Xiong's fierce onslaught, even she struggled to keep up. But Lin Chen evaded effortlessly, moving like a seasoned sailor in the midst of a ferocious storm, calmly responding to every violent wave.

After ten moves, a trace of a smile appeared on Lin Chen's lips: "Brother Zhan Xiong, I know you're a soldier of the country. Out of respect, I've let you make ten moves. From now on, you'd better be careful."

"What?" Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, everyone was stunned.

Facing such a master as Zhan Xiong, Lin Chen dared to let him throw ten punches.

Even Zhan Xiong's expression shifted. He had assumed Lin Chen was merely dodging because he couldn't retaliate, but in reality, Lin Chen had been holding back this entire time.

"You bastard!" Zhan Xiong finally grew furious, his eyes even showing a faint blood-red tint.

Accompanied by an enraged roar, Zhan Xiong swung his fist again, now aiming with full force at Lin Chen.

This punch carried immense strength, tearing through the surrounding air as if ripping it apart.

Yet faced with Zhan Xiong's all-out strike, Lin Chen didn't dodge this time. Instead, he suddenly swung his fist, aiming to collide with Zhan Xiong's iron fist.

A cold sneer formed on Zhan Xiong's face: "Kid, I'll make you taste just how hard the toughest fist of the Dragon Warriors can be."

"Idiot, dodge it! You'll get hurt!" Lan Xingyue gasped in alarm.

It was common knowledge that Zhan Xiong was the strongest brute of the Dragon Warriors team. His fists were famously called iron fists, known for their monstrous strength. Going head-to-head with him was no different than seeking death.

At that moment, Zhan Xiong's fist continued to tear through the air. A golden gleam even began to shine at the edge of his punch.

The others, watching the scene unfold, displayed serious expressions on their faces.

Along with a muffled noise, under everyone's astonished gazes, the two fists collided once again.

A wave of energy spread out from the center where the two stood, and the ground beneath them cracked like a spider web.

As the dust settled, everyone's eyes locked onto the central figures.

They saw a deep imprint on the ground before Zhan Xiong, left from the moment Lin Chen's fist had forced him backward.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen remained standing in place, his expression calm and indifferent, not even a speck of dust on him.

How could this be? Zhan Xiong had actually been forced back by Lin Chen's punch.

Zhan Xiong stood frozen, his face full of disbelief. He had never been pushed back in all the years he'd practiced fist fighting. This was the first time.

Moreover, during the collision of their punches, Zhan Xiong clearly felt Lin Chen restraining himself. Had Lin Chen not gone easy on him, Zhan Xiong's arm might well have been disabled.

Sweat trickled down Zhan Xiong's cheek. This kid… how could he be this strong?

For Zhao Xiaohua and the others, Lin Chen's victory didn't provoke much of a reaction, but Mu Yuqiu and Yue Lai's faces showed traces of shock.

The Dragon Warriors' strongest man being pushed back with a single punch—this was beyond comprehension.

Lan Xingyue, too, revealed an expression of disbelief as she watched Lin Chen force Zhan Xiong back.

What surprised her even more was Zhan Xiong's gesture of respect as he cupped his hands to Lin Chen: "Brother Lin, thank you for holding back. I admit defeat."

"This guy made the proud Zhan Xiong admit defeat with just one punch!"

Lan Xingyue felt as if she were dreaming, her gaze toward Lin Chen undergoing subtle changes.

Zhan Xiong stepped forward to Lan Xingyue: "Back when the higher-ups said they'd select members from outside, I was against it. But now, I'm convinced. This kid is indeed stronger than me."

With a hearty laugh, Zhan Xiong turned to the others: "Everyone, Zhan Xiong wishes you success in this mission. When you return, I'll treat you all to drinks and meat!"

After Zhan Xiong left, Lan Xingyue's face regained its cold composure: "Alright, the real training starts now. From this moment forward, you will be held to the same standards as the warriors here. Morning wake-up call is at five. After breakfast, training begins. Lights out is at ten. I hope you all abandon the princess-like attitudes you've had back in the city."

Lan Xingyue then explained the team's regulations, leaving the group visibly dismayed.

The rules were detailed to an extreme, even dictating meal times, bath times, and even bathroom breaks.

According to Lan Xingyue, such strict requirements were meant to instill discipline. After all, in the complex and dangerous wilderness, a moment's hesitation could very well mean death.

At night, after lights out, Wang Zixuan and An Xiaodi weren't asleep. The two sat on the training field under the moonlight, intent on memorizing thick manuals on survival skills.

Lin Chen left the barracks. The wind outside was chilly, the sky dotted with stars, and a bright moon hung in the heavens, lending an air of peace and serenity.

Lin Chen teased: "What's this? Cramming for tomorrow?"

Wang Zixuan glared at Lin Chen: "Quit joking. We're reviewing. If we fail tomorrow, that she-ape won't let us off the hook."

"She-ape!" Lin Chen couldn't help but burst into laughter at Wang Zixuan's nickname for Lan Xingyue.

"This nickname is surprisingly fitting," Lin Chen said, laughing uncontrollably.

"Close your eyes, both of you," Lin Chen said mysteriously.