During the brief rest period, a few more stragglers trickled in.
Those who had arrived earlier began to grow anxious, hastily gathering their things and hurrying down the mountain without delay.
Li Xiang watched them coldly, silently checking his watch. Honestly, five minutes was enough for their bodies to recover temporarily.
As for whether their legs would be too sore to walk downstairs tomorrow—that wasn't his concern.
Five minutes later.
Clapping his hands and blowing his whistle, Li Xiang gathered the group.
"Let's move! We're almost done! Push through! Downhill won't be as hard! Get up! Straighten your backs! We're in the top hundred—if we drag our feet, we'll lose our lead!"
He kept feeding them psychological encouragement, and after about two minutes of coaxing, he finally managed to line up the dazed group.
"Let's start with marching in place first."
Li Xiang frowned, not rushing to lead them downhill just yet.
From the mountain to the base, it was still roughly three kilometers. No one was forcing them to run the entire way.
Because of that, many in the group had already started thinking about walking down.
We're already so far ahead. Barely anyone's catching up. Walking should be fine, right?
Li Xiang could read their expressions clearly. He also knew that even if they did walk, their chances of staying in the top hundred were still high.
The stragglers who had fallen behind had been walking uphill—they wouldn't suddenly start sprinting downhill either. They probably thought they could make up for lost time later.
But once they actually tried running, they'd realize the truth—if you can't run, you can't run.
Li Xiang understood this perfectly. But as long as no one openly suggested walking, everyone would keep running to the finish line as he instructed.
That was the unspoken agreement.
The group set off again.
Everyone gritted their teeth and pushed forward. The reason no one spoke up?
First, they trusted Li Xiang's judgment.
Second, they didn't want to clash with him—afraid he might exclude them in the future.
Once you've tasted an advantage, letting go isn't easy. People naturally grow dependent.
It was like borrowing someone's homework once—next time, you'd go straight back to them. So, biting back groans, they forced their heavy legs into a slow jog downhill.
Considering their exhaustion and the terrain, Li Xiang slowed the pace even further—nothing like the brutal uphill sprint.
As they left, the mountaintop camp suddenly felt emptier.
Though a few more stragglers were still climbing up, they were few and far between.
A couple of staff members began chatting.
"Kids these days are terrifying. Even exhausted, they still ran three kilometers downhill. If it were me? I'd never run after that. Yet they just followed him without complaint."
"Probably rich kids. Natural leaders, born with charisma. Did you see how responsible he was? Wouldn't let them sit or lie down, forced them to drink water even when they didn't want to."
"That aside… he's also kinda cute. And that white-haired kid? They look so cute together!"
"Right?? So adorable!"
The topic swiftly shifted from Why is Li Xiang so capable? to Why are Li Xiang and Song Jie so cute?
To adult women, thirteen-year-old boys could only be described one way: adorable.
Who knew how the two boys would react if they heard?
They'd probably just laugh it off.
Going downhill was undeniably easier than climbing up, especially at a reduced pace.
Though exhaustion still weighed on them, the evening breeze swept away the stifling heat, replacing it with a refreshing coolness that lifted their spirits.
Aside from the fatigue of running, everything else was fine.
Li Xiang's whistle continued to blare without mercy.
Not long after they started descending, the No. 1 High students who had fallen behind earlier slowly caught up.
Just like the others they'd passed along the way.
People naturally follow the crowd. When everyone around you is walking, and you're on the verge of collapse, few can resist the temptation to slow down.
Li Xiang didn't so much as glance at them, let alone make eye contact. Yet the stragglers still kept their heads low, rushing past with visible shame.
Embarrassment was a universal feeling, even if Li Xiang couldn't care less.
They maintained a steady pace downhill.
Strangely, the return trip felt much faster.
When they finally arrived back at camp, they were shocked to find only fifteen flags had been turned in so far.
Meaning they weren't just in the top hundred—they were easily in the top fifty.
The instructors were equally stunned by the neatly organized group and Li Xiang, still leading at the front with his whistle.
"Not bad! Just under 43 minutes round trip."
Zhong Qizhi checked his watch.
Six kilometers of cross-country running, uphill and downhill, plus the rest break at the summit—for a bunch of thirteen-year-olds, that was impressive.
Li Xiang lowered his whistle, sighing inwardly. 43 minutes for six kilometers? Even ordinary people in my past life could do better.
But there was no helping it. Uphill was brutal. Just finishing was an achievement. Back then, the 1000-meter run in physical exams didn't even start until age fifteen or sixteen.
"Those who've finished, gather your things and head back to the dorms!"
Zhong Qizhi called out to the trembling-legged students before turning to Li Xiang—who wasn't even winded—and teasing,
"Even after all this, you still won't be class monitor?"
"I'm really pressed for time. I can't take on such an important role. Don't tease me, sir."
Li Xiang waved him off. Skipping training wasn't an option, and being monitor would inevitably eat into his personal time.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
Zhong Qizhi suddenly lowered his voice. "What if I told you being monitor comes with bonus points? Still not interested?"
"Bonus points?" Li Xiang narrowed his eyes. Is he setting me up?
But the bait was tempting.
"How many points? What kind?"
"Can't say yet. But trust me, being monitor has plenty of perks." Zhong Qizhi grinned. "Last chance. It's not fair to Song Jie if I keep pushing you."
You just realized it's unfair?
Li Xiang resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Is there a vice monitor position that gets points without the work? That sounds more my speed."
In his two years at No. 1 Middle School, Li Xiang had consistently won Model Student and Outstanding Class Cadre awards.
Yet he'd never lifted a finger for class duties.
"Quit joking! Nothing in life comes that easy!"
Surprisingly, Zhong Qizhi's patience held. "Just give me a straight answer!"
Li Xiang exhaled. "Sorry. I really don't want it."
At its core, the Youth Training Camp was a cradle for future trainers. As long as he wasn't morally bankrupt, his strength alone would render the monitor title meaningless.
Even if it came with extra points?
This was a competition for trainers, not monitors. As long as Li Xiang remained the undisputed strongest, no title could shake his position.
Same for Song Jie.
A measly monitor role? Not worth it.
Besides, Zhong Qizhi's insistence was definitely suspicious.
"Think carefully. A single point can make all the difference."
Zhong Qizhi wasn't giving up.
Li Xiang stared blankly. "Sir… how old are you?"
"Twenty-three. Why?" Zhong Qizhi blinked.
'…No wonder. Way too young. This isn't how you persuade someone.'
The harder you tried to spoon-feed them, the more they'd resist.
Li Xiang sighed, bowing his head. "I really don't want to be monitor. Goodnight, sir. I've got things to do, so I'll head out first."
With a polite bow to the overeager instructor, Li Xiang jogged off to where Song Jie and the others were waiting.
They'd agreed to check out the training hall.
Yes, even if their legs were about to give out.
Zhong Qizhi watched him go, stunned, until a voice spoke beside him.
"He refused?"
"...Yes, Camp Leader. I might've been too pushy. Made him wary."
Zhong Qizhi finally realized how transparent he'd been.
Xiang Yangwei waved a hand. "No matter. If he doesn't want it, forget it. A few monitor points aren't worth much anyway."
"This place runs on strength. Without it, even making him camp leader would be pointless."
He'd intended to sweeten the deal for Li Xiang but only ended up triggering his defenses.
'…Maybe it's for the best.'
At least the Tenth wouldn't accuse him of favoritism anymore.
"Kid, your final score is up to you now."
Xiang Yangwei's eyes narrowed slightly before he turned away.
....
Training Hall.
After touring the facilities, Lin Feng and the others let their Pokémon test out the equipment.
By 8:30 PM, they called it a night.
Back to the dorms. Showers. A bit of reading or laptop time. Lights out at 9:30.
"Goodnight."
Song Jie's voice came from the opposite bunk.
Li Xiang smirked, closing his eyes. "Goodnight."
Tomorrow's training would start early.
Next Morning. 4:30 AM.
Li Xiang woke up, well-rested after seven hours of solid sleep—enough to keep him energized all day, but even his quiet movements roused Song Jie.
"Morning. Going for a run. You in?"
Song Jie wordlessly rolled out of bed and dressed.
Under a still-dark sky, the two boys slipped out of the dorm.
The training hall wasn't open yet, so they settled for a D-Class arena instead.
Patrolling guards spotted them and, after confirming they weren't sneaking off for mischief, simply warned them to be careful before leaving.
They'd never seen kids up at 4:30 AM before.
'Guess this is what genius trainers are like.'
"Didn't train at all yesterday. Just messed around with Lin Feng and the others."
Li Xiang began his warm-up stretches beside the wooden sword Duan Tianxing had permitted him to bring.
Song Jie mirrored him. "You always get up this early?"
"Why ask? You think I'm putting on a show for you? I'd have to keep this up for a year then."
Song Jie frowned. "That's not what I—"
"Relax, just joking. You're no fun, kid." Li Xiang shifted into his stance. "Fair warning—if you try to steal my techniques, I'll break your legs."
Half-joking, half-serious.
While Beng Fist wasn't some secret art, and the school wanted to expand, stealing techniques was still a serious offense.
As Duan Tianxing put it: Master the fist without the virtue, and you're just a thug.
Song Jie sighed. "You're getting weirder by the day."
With that, he began his own routine. Even without martial arts, he had plenty to work on.
Time flowed like water.
The sun rose in the east, painting the world in light.
The dormitory remained silent—everyone else was still dead asleep.
'Not surprising, after last night's run.'
6:30 AM.
Breakfast time. The wake-up alarm blared.
Li Xiang stopped, calling out to Song Jie in the distance. "Food?"
Perched atop his Aerodactyl, practicing low-altitude maneuvers, Song Jie nodded. "Sure!"
'Why's he training like that? Using himself as extra weight?'
Li Xiang didn't get it, but he did need to work on his own riding skills.
Good thing they weren't in the city.