Zhang Yunli’s words had been direct enough.
The Omegas, who had just been hesitating but ready for extra practice, suddenly grew even more dejected.
Mu Chenxing clapped his hands. “Get ready to hop in the vehicles. Crash team, I’ll lead you through a round first.”
Someone muttered softly, “Didn’t they say the principal and the others don’t support us?”
Mu Chenxing looked puzzled. “So what if they don’t support us?”
The Omegas all turned to Zhang Yunli, who was left speechless.
Mu Chenxing continued, “They don’t support us because they think we’re stealing the Alphas’ spotlight. They’re feeling the crisis, so of course they don’t support us. We’ve broken no rules.
He smiled. “We have the strength to win, but they lack the courage to lose. The weak love to talk big. What do we care about them?”
…That actually made sense? Everyone exchanged glances.
Zhang Yunli couldn’t help defending, “The principal didn’t mean it that way, it’s just—”
He swallowed the rest.
As a teacher, he couldn’t badmouth other teachers in front of students.
Everyone knew about Zhang Yunli’s relationship with Principal Fu Mingyuan. Hearing his hesitant defense, they all burst out laughing.
Zhang Yunli felt a bit awkward. “Anyway, it’s not your problem… Just focus on the competition.”
Seeing everyone still laughing, Mu Chenxing added, “Think about your results. Except for Xiaofeng and the others who joined late and missed one event, every one of you passed at least three prelims. It’s normal to make some Alphas upset.”
After this exchange, everyone’s mood stabilized quite a bit.
Training began.
Mu Chenxing led the flight vehicle practice first.
“Our racing piloting mode uses the same control system as the flight simulation event, so you won’t feel the pressure during the matches. However…”
He scanned the surrounding Omegas. “You’re not aggressive enough. You instinctively dodge whenever there’s a vehicle nearby.”
Tong Xiao, who was eager for extra racing practice, didn’t get it. “What if we don’t dodge and get hit? The vehicle will take damage.”
“If you don’t hit others, they’ll hit you.”
“How is that possible? Everyone’s competing.”
“Damaged vehicles lose performance points. You might not be able to continue.”
“Flipping over would be even worse.”
“Dodging saves time.”
Mu Chenxing said, “To hit top speeds, you can’t yield.”
“We need to seize the initiative. Hit others, force them to yield. If they don’t, break through with minimal damage.”
The Omegas: “…”
Someone asked weakly, “How do we minimize damage?”
Mu Chenxing: “That’s exactly what I’m teaching you now.”
“From here on, training will only use the LF08 Model. Its size and damage states are closest to the simulated flight vehicles.”
“Okay.”
…
Racing demanded the most skill. Mu Chenxing explained the crashing techniques he’d figured out over this time several times over, having them test different impact directions and angles daily. The racing area echoed with constant bang bang bang crash sounds every day.
Practice in the other three areas was intense too. Everyone rushed over whenever they had free time to rack up training hours.
They pushed the intensity to the max.
The difference now? Crowds of people—students, teachers, Alphas, Betas, and plenty of Omegas—lingered intentionally or not near their venue entrance every day.
Mu Chenxing simply shut the doors, refusing visitors.
The eight days flew by.
The qualifying rounds began.
After prelims, each event had only a thousand competitors left—a huge drop.
Qualifiers selected just 300 per event.
The Omega Growth Association’s four events spanned two days.
One on the first day, three on the second.
Day one: Obstacle Avoidance Speed Run.
Of the Omega Growth Association’s 53 entrants, only 4 advanced.
Most Omegas were eliminated in one go.
Mu Chenxing didn’t know the outsiders’ reactions yet, but his association’s Omegas were all thoroughly dejected.
Mu Chenxing laughed helplessly. “Look at the top three hundred—all second- and third-years. You’ve only trained two months. Why set such huge goals?”
Everyone: “…”
Yeah, when he put it that way.
Mu Chenxing: “Speed was never our strength. Making qualifiers is already amazing. And we’re first-years. Next year, we’ll charge for finals. For now…”
He shrugged. “Making qualifiers is enough to brag about for a year.”
Zhang Yunli: “Brag for a year? This is a military academy! Even regular school sports meets don’t have Omegas competing with Alphas. You’re competing with Alphas at a military academy and made qualifiers! That’s brag-worthy for a lifetime! Go brag now! Post on Weibo, Xiaohuangshu, Kuaishou!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Mu Chenxing: “No rush. Wait till all events are done, then brag about all four results together! Team up—one person bragging isn’t loud enough!”
“Hahahaha!”
“Yeah, we’ll all brag together!”
“Teacher Zhang has to brag with us!”
“Bring the principal too hahahaha~”
Zhang Yunli chuckled. “Fine, fine. I’ll shill for you then!”
With all the giggling, the brief low mood vanished.
Day two, the three events wrapped up quickly:
Precision Strike: 17 of 63 Omegas advanced.
Flight Piloting: 21 advanced.
Shooting: 14 advanced.
After the final shooting match, crowds jammed outside the venue. The school had dispatched student council Alphas to maintain order, keeping all onlookers behind the barriers.
The group of Omegas fled the crowd like refugees.
Mu Chenxing didn’t even let them head back to the association. He ordered them straight to the dorms.
Back in the dorm, Tong Xiao and the other two chattered excitedly. Group notifications pinged nonstop.
Until someone forwarded a post to the group—
【Alert! Qualifier numbers: 4, 17, 21, 14! What level is that?】
OP: Omegas are Omegas. No matter how much they hype, qualifiers only netted this many. Who’s still gonna brag about an Omega uprising?
1st reply: Tsk, prelim results said it all. Making it this far is already burning high incense.
2nd: Except for that Mu Chenxing, the rest were outside top three hundred in prelims. How’d they suddenly jump up?
3rd: Hint: Association advisor is a Pheromones bigshot.
4th: Knowsies know.
…
Mu Chenxing asked directly in the group: “Wanna clap back?”
[Crazy bayonet charge.gif]
[Chopping watermelons wildly.gif]
[Machine gun spray.gif]
…
Mu Chenxing: “Then go clap back. Matches are done—why hold back?”
Xia Weizhen hurried: “Semifinals are still coming!”
Mu Chenxing: “What are you thinking? Later rounds are just going through the motions. No need to practice—we’ll play one and bounce. Next goal: pick a great restaurant and feast!”
“Should @ Teacher Zhang here!”
A wave of hahahaha emojis flooded.
Someone @’d Zhang Yunli.
Zhang Yunli: “Why @ me—oh, food? Pick the spot, no budget limit. Principal’s treat!”
Everyone was stunned, then cheered in unison.
“Thanks, Principal!”
“Principal’s a real one!”
“Principal, I love you—”
“No.” Zhang Yunli quickly added.
Everyone: “Pff hahaha—”
Mu Chenxing: “Stop loving the principal. Everyone, hit the School Forum and fight back.”
“How? We didn’t all make semifinals.”
“Yeah, Xingxing, you and the top scorers handle it.”
“I suck at arguing.”
Mu Chenxing: “No need to argue. Just post your qualifier and prelim rankings. Let the ones ranked below you see.”
“Oh, and post all four events.”
Everyone: “…”
“Isn’t that too cocky?”
“Kinda provocative.”
Mu Chenxing: “If you’re scared to speak, I’ll post first. Copy my words, attach your ranking screenshots.”
A long string of “OKs” scrolled by.
Mu Chenxing laughed in exasperation. “You guys.”
He still opened the School Forum.
Combined his four event results into one image, then replied to the post—
1759th reply: We’re just frail little Omegas with meh rankings, but we respect the strong—shoutout to the strong ones ranked above me [shy.jpg]
Attached: Four-event qualifier rankings.
The group Omegas were waiting; they copied and pasted instantly.
The thread exploded with 63 replies posting scores.
1836th: …
1837th: …Frail Omegas?
1838th: They ain’t wrong though. Anyone mocking who can’t beat ’em is pathetic.
1839th: Yeah, even Omegas hit these ranks. Alphas below mocking? Hilarious.
1840th: Strong Alphas compete. Useless ones spread rumors.
1841st: Strong Alphas compete. Useless ones spread rumors.
…
1921st: Run, this floor’s Omega territory now.
1922nd: Come see, the Alphas on this floor imploded.
…
Mu Chenxing was still brawling on the forum when Zhang Yunli video-called him.
Mu Chenxing was surprised and picked up. “Teacher?”
“You free right now?”
Mu Chenxing checked the time. They’d finished their afternoon match early; it wasn’t even 3:30 yet.
“Yeah, what’s up? Time for the group meal?”
Why hadn’t anyone @’d him?
Zhang Yunli: “A few teachers want to meet you. If you’re free, come to the principal’s office in the Administrative Building now.”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
Guess he had to go even if busy.
Tong Xiao and the other two overheard and turned.
“Trouble?”
“Want us to come?”
“Those teachers aren’t here to hassle you, right?”
Mu Chenxing waved it off. “Teacher Zhang and the principal are there. Don’t worry. But if you wanna tag along for fun, come on.”
Fun could wait. After a quick huddle, Tong Xiao and the trio decided to accompany him.
The four headed to the principal’s office in the Administrative Building. They spotted Zhang Yunli right out of the elevator.
“All here?” Zhang Yunli chuckled. “Scared the teachers’ll eat Xingxing alive?”
Tong Xiao and the others grinned sheepishly.
Mu Chenxing changed the subject. “Teacher, which teachers want me? Not here to cause trouble, right?”
Zhang Yunli: “Nah, well… not really. Don’t stress. With me and the principal there, they’d have to get past us first. Let’s head in.”
“Okay.”
Zhang Yunli led them to the principal’s office, knocked, and pushed the door open.
Mu Chenxing peered past him, scanning the room.
Spacious and bright, ringed with sofas where several men of varying ages sat.
Not many, but each was tall, stern, and imposing.
As they entered, all eyes turned, sizing them up openly.
Mu Chenxing stayed calm. Tong Xiao and the others tensed, subtly hiding behind him and Zhang Yunli.
Zhang Yunli: “Principal, teachers, this is Mu Chenxing. The other three are his dormmates—Omega qualifiers too.”
The teachers’ gazes shifted to Tong Xiao and the trio.
They tensed even more.
Fu Mingyuan: “Have a seat.”
“Mm.” Zhang Yunli turned, herded the four onto the sofa facing the silent teachers, and took the single chair between Fu Mingyuan and Mu Chenxing.
Tong Xiao and the others sat ramrod straight, eyes down, hands on knees—obedient and quiet.
Mu Chenxing sat properly too, but cut straight: “Principal, what do you need us for?”
The opposite teachers looked surprised.
Fu Mingyuan, having lived with Mu Chenxing for days, knew his personality somewhat. “No rush. First, meet these teachers.”
He introduced them one by one. “These are instructors from flight vehicle air dominance, solo combat, shooting specialties: Lu Qihong, Luo Zhan…”
Mu Chenxing pulled Tong Xiao and the others up to greet them. The teachers nodded, and they sat again.
Fu Mingyuan continued, “We watched your Omega Growth Association’s matches. They have some questions for you.”
Before Mu Chenxing could speak, the teachers across from them started firing questions.
“We’ve heard that your Association members only trained for less than two months. Is that right?”
Mu Chenxing nodded.
Everyone already knew about the two-month training period, so the teachers weren’t surprised and continued, “Who’s your coaching teacher? From the school, or someone you hired from outside?”
Mu Chenxing pointed at himself. “I was the one coaching them.”
A few teachers’ faces darkened.
“Don’t lie.”
“We’ve checked your academic background and origins. Answer properly.”
“You’re just an Omega with no prior foundation. What makes you qualified to coach?”
Mu Chenxing was speechless and looked toward Fu Mingyuan.
Zhang Yunli looked at him too.
Fu Mingyuan said, “Don’t intimidate students in front of me. If you don’t want to ask, then get out.”
The teachers: “……”
“But he couldn’t possibly coach anyone.”
“He just barely passed Human Biology. What does he have to coach with?”
Fu Mingyuan turned to Mu Chenxing. “Mind if we talk about it?”
Zhang Yunli hurriedly added, “If it’s inconvenient, then forget it.”
Mu Chenxing: “?”
What do these two mean? Didn’t I say it was me who trained them—damn. They think it’s Pei Yao?
He was torn between laughter and tears. “It really was me. Just consider it my talent—you never noticed it before, right?”
Fu Mingyuan and Zhang Yunli: “……”
The teachers: “……”
Mu Chenxing blinked. “If you don’t believe me, give me a group of Alphas or Betas, let me coach them for a while, and you’ll see.”
The teachers: “……”
“Fine.”
The teachers were stunned and all turned to Fu Mingyuan in unison.
He ignored them completely, only looking at Mu Chenxing. “What events can you coach? Still just these four?”
Mu Chenxing said, “I’m not sure.”
Fu Mingyuan frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Because I’ve only tried these four so far.” Mu Chenxing grinned, baring his teeth. “I suggest you let me try every event. I’ll see where my talent lies.”
