Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1205 - 586:
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
A stream of red characters scrolled across the massive electronic display.
[Physical Examination Assessment]
[Location: West Mountain Military Zone · B3 Defense Sector]
[Category: All-Terrain Cross-Country and Wilderness Survival]
[Objectives: Participants must navigate the designated sector and arrive at the checkpoint within the allotted timeframe.]
[Resource Provisions: Combat attire, standard tactical gear, and a total pack weight of 20 kilograms.]
"A cross-country run through West Mountain?"
Ma Donghe's eyes widened in confusion as he fixed his gaze on the screen.
"I thought the test consisted of weightlifting, the long jump, and a sprint? I even shelled out for a high-end Nike vest. Why did they switch to mountain hiking?"
Fang Cheng looked up, his eyes narrowing as they settled on the words "West Mountain."
West Mountain was far from an ordinary location.
It was the site of a mysterious explosion back in November.
Following that incident, wildfires raged across the landscape, eventually accompanied by a bizarre black rain that terrified the citizens of East Capital.
The fallout forced a strict, month-long lockdown across the West Gate District and numerous bordering towns.
Once the flames were extinguished, the military cordoned off portions of West Mountain, installing barbed wire to prevent civilians from wandering into the area.
Even now, the containment measures remain in place.
On quiet nights, one can still occasionally hear the faint, haunting wail of air raid sirens echoing from the depths of the mountain.
The tremors of that explosion sent ripples through the mutant community, leaving a significant impact.
Fang Cheng had been pulled into the center of these events multiple times, both willingly and otherwise.
Not to mention past events, the power struggle at the Mist Mountain Lu Family Manor originated from the Golden Benba Bottle that had surfaced from the ancient tombs of West Mountain.
More recently, his decision to eliminate the Bloodthorn Mercenary Corps at Silver Wing Building during a rescue mission had drawn him into direct conflict with the military.
The military's unethical harvesting of mutants for experiments seems directly tied to an entrance to an ancient civilization relic hidden within West Mountain.
Fang Cheng stroked his chin, his mind racing with possibilities.
Choosing such a high-stakes military zone for the Special Search Team’s entrance exam...
Was this a simple logistical choice, or did it conceal a deeper agenda?
A wave of restless chatter broke out across the hall.
The candidates nearby had all registered the update on their tickets.
They whispered nervously, their attention entirely fixated on the upcoming physical test.
"What is this? Weren't we supposed to do basic physical drills where a passing grade was enough?"
"Cross-country survival instead of set events? There’s no mention of a specific distance or time limit. How are they even going to grade this?"
"Ugh, I spent months training for sprinting and weights. All that effort is useless now!"
"Switching the requirements on short notice is completely unprofessional..."
Overhearing the murmurs, Wei Zheng let out a soft sigh and leaned in to explain to Fang Cheng and Ma Donghe.
"This was a last-minute directive from the higher-ups. It was already finalized until Chief Ling stepped in."
"He claimed the Special Search Team needs soldiers who have actually shed blood and can handle real combat, not gym athletes with useless bulk."
"So, he scrapped the standard, quantifiable tests and redirected everyone to West Mountain."
Fang Cheng looked away from the monitor and asked, "Has a test like this happened before?"
Wei Zheng creased his brow in deep thought before responding.
"They used this method a decade ago during the Special Search Team's major reformation."
"But it was scrapped because the wilderness setting was too unpredictable. It lead to accidents, corruption, and massive disputes over how to objectively measure success."
He paused, then added, "The reforms back then were also spearheaded by Ling Shaofeng, who shifted the organization toward its current focus on technology over traditional martial arts."
Fang Cheng narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
Ma Donghe, however, scoffed with a dismissive shrug.
"Who cares who organized it? An exam is just an exam."
Wei Zheng gave him a worried look.
"I never imagined they would dust off these wilderness tests again after all these years."
"You kids need to be ready. The interior of West Mountain is uncharted and the terrain is treacherous."
"Since it's a military zone meant for survival testing, the difficulty will be extreme—and potentially lethal."
"Lethal?"
Instead of fear, Ma Donghe flashed a confident, pearly-white grin.
"That’s fine by me! I hate running laps like a high schooler on field day."
"Real combat is my specialty."
He patted his broad chest with a swagger.
"We already dealt with extreme survival during the entrance screening, didn't we?"
"I literally ripped a mutated wolf apart with my bare hands! Carrying a backpack across some hills shouldn't be much of a challenge."
Wei Zheng shook his head with a sigh at Ma Donghe’s naive optimism.
The preliminary trial was merely a basic screening test for civilians.
It couldn't hold a candle to the rigor of this government-level evaluation.
Ignoring Ma Donghe, he addressed Fang Cheng with a more serious tone.
"Ling Shaofeng is a shrewd man who never takes a step without a reason; there is definitely an ulterior motive for this sudden change."