When asked who the student being thrashed was, Zhang Mu slapped his forehead and thought for a moment.
"If I'm not mistaken, her name is Lu Qingyue."
"She's the student who's been desperately looking for a teammate lately.
"She actually begged me for help a while ago, so I vaHaoely remember the name."
Zhang Mu sighed, his face a mixture of pity and contempt.
"But honestly, her abilities are pathetic. She hasn't run a single mission yet, she rarely even shows up for group practice sessions."
"Add to that her disability, losing an arm... she practically has no chance. I'm truly baffled why she's still insisting on staying; it's just a waste of time."
Shen Xiao's pace slowed abruptly, but his eyes stared straight ahead with a chilling glint.
"I heard she finally found a teammate today and immediately applied for a mission assessment," Zhang Mu continued, struggling to keep up with Shen Xiao's stride.
"Unluckily for her, she ran straight into 'Dog Hao.' After struggling for an entire month to find a partner, she's being blocked by the most ruthless person in the club."
"If she gets seriously injured this time and ends up hospitalized for long, she'll really have to pack her bags and get out of this academy. Senior Shen, slow down! Wait for me!"
Hearing the grim news, Shen Xiao no longer replied.
He accelerated his pace, bolting toward the training arena building.
He knew Hao Xian's character all too well.
The man was as rigid as a stone, never considering human relationships and knowing no such word as 'mercy' inside the ring. If that bastard didn't hold back.
Lu Qingyue's life was in genuine danger!
...
Central Training Arena
CRASH!
Lu Qingyue endured an agonizing pain as her body slammed against the arena floor.
Before she could even stabilize her position, a heavy blow struck her again, launching her into the air.
She wanted to hold her ground, she wanted to fight back, but her strength was already completely depleted.
She skidded far across the floor, crashing into the ring barrier with a sickening thud.
Her internal organs felt as if they had been rearranged.
Seeing Lu Qingyue still trying to crawl back up, Hao Xian didn't give her a single breath; he surged forward with a brutal barrage of attacks.
Lu Qingyue could only curl up, trying to protect her vital areas in the middle of the storm of strikes.
However, she had underestimated the Vice Chairman's strength.
In the blink of an eye, Hao Xian unleashed ten punches, six kicks, three elbow strikes, and one knee smash.
Twenty moves, fast as lightning, and Lu Qingyue was sent flying once again.
THWACK!
She landed on the edge of the ring, nearly falling off.
Weak.
She was still far too weak!
But she couldn't give up.
Even if winning was impossible, she had to endure for at least ten minutes!
If she lost disgracefully here, it would be a massive insult to Shen Xiao, who had spent his valuable time inviting her to join him.
BOOM!
Hao Xian's assault did not stop.
Lu Qingyue was thrown back again, rolling twice across the canvas.
"Cough...!"
She wiped the blood trailing from the corner of her lips and stood up once more on trembling legs.
Her clothes were tattered and covered in dust.
Her entire body ached, and she was certain several of her ribs were cracked.
Even in this pitiful condition, Hao Xian showed not a shred of compassion.
He felt he had already suppressed his strength to the minimum limit, but the difference in their levels meant every blow remained fatal to Lu Qingyue's fragile physique.
"Still want to continue? Give up and get down now, at least you won't have to keep getting beaten."
"Continuing is useless, the result will be the same," Hao Xian said coldly.
"Or are you waiting for your teammate, Shen Xiao, to show up and beg for your passing grade?"
"Cough... cough... I'm fine."
"Good, so you have a backbone after all." Hao Xian glanced at his watch.
"Five minutes left. Don't be naive and think I'll soften up. I ask you one more time, continue?!"
"Yes!"
The spectators in the stands began to feel horrified.
The atmosphere that was once full of cheers turned into uneasy murmurs.
"Damn, Dog Hao is truly a dog! Doesn't he know how to pity a woman?"
"That girl... does she not feel pain? She keeps getting thrashed but refuses to surrender."
A short-haired youth in the stands muttered cynically, "Are you Haoys joking? It's almost winter break and she's just now taking the mission exam?"
"This isn't about being weak, it's about laziness!"
"She probably just spent her time in the dorms watching movies and now wants to 'ride the coattails' of someone strong like Shen Xiao. Lazy people deserve to be beaten."
THUD!
With a suppressed groan, Lu Qingyue flew back again, desperately protecting her head so it wouldn't hit the concrete floor.
Just a little more... only twenty seconds left...
BUM!
Right at the final second, Hao Xian lunged forward and landed a powerful flying kick.
Sending Lu Qingyue hurtling out of the ring and falling face-first below the stage.
Looking down at the helpless Lu Qingyue, he announced it.
"You FAIL! Go back and train before you even dream of running a mission!"
"Why...!" Lu Qingyue wailed with what remained of her strength.
There were only twenty seconds left! Hao Xian could have let her endure, but he intentionally kicked her out at the last moment.
"I just wanted to run missions and earn money..."
"Why? Because you aren't strong enough!" Hao Xian barked.
"You think that by just standing there getting beaten without surrendering, I'll pass you?"
"That's narrow-minded thinking! I kicked you out at the last second specifically to teach you a lesson. Don't you ever dream of cheating or hitching a ride on the strong!"
Hao Xian stepped down, his voice booming with fury.
"You've been here for four months, and you're only applying now?"
"What have you been doing all this time? Just eating and sleeping in the dorms?!"
"You have no shame! Do you think this university is a place to get a free degree? We train you to protect the country, not to be a burden!"
"I didn't..."
"Didn't what?! You are a failed hope. Pack your things and get out of here!"
"Hey, Hao Xian... you seem to be quite spirited, don't you?"
A cold voice sliced through the air.
Everyone turned toward the arena entrance.
There stood Shen Xiao, radiating an intensely oppressive aura, with sparks of blue electricity beginning to dance around his fingertips.
"Is it appropriate to hurl insults like that without understanding the actual situation?"