Chapter 417: What the hell brought me here, is this still domestic?

At noon the next day, the weather began to gradually improve.

Outside, fine rain continued to fall, and the sky remained overcast.

After only a morning's rest, their biological clocks made them unable to stay still.

Those who could come here were the elite of grassroots units, the elite of amphibious reconnaissance.

Being unable to idle is everyone's trait; although they were trained to exhaustion each day, when they lay down they thought, 'If only I could sleep a whole day.'

But if you really gave them a day to sleep, they would feel they were wasting time, wasting the day.

Especially yesterday, Lu Yang endured such a huge storm and even went out specially to train rock climbing.

This fearless fighting spirit gave everyone great spiritual encouragement, forcing them to improve.

Moreover, the food and drink they had yesterday were all Lu Yang's; even if he didn't mind, they had to find some food to return as thanks.

After raining all night straight, fresh water was no longer a worry; just what they had collected was enough for them to drink for a long time.

But in wilderness survival, they were far behind Lu Yang; the gap was like that between primitive man and modern man.

In the end, it was still Lu Yang who, relying on solid knowledge and skills, led everyone to find food, process ingredients, make bedding from vines, and burn charcoal.

Under Lu Yang's leadership, their harvest in just a few short hours of one afternoon could match what they had gathered over several days before.

After gathering the food together, they distributed it evenly per person, ensuring everyone got enough food and water.

Although, compared to the meals they used to eat in the cafeteria, there was still no comparison.

But placed here, in such an extreme environment, it was already extremely precious.

"Be careful!"

The next morning, training continued as usual.

Lu Yang carried timber, yet he ran at the front of the troop with light steps, while behind him still followed three squads.

But when going uphill, the subtle motion of those behind helping push the front group made it clear that everyone's mindset had changed.

Mutual cooperation and shared survival seemed to slowly seep into their consciousness, helping them quickly meld into a unit.

On the summit, Lao Mao's butt took a hard kick, making him jump up in pain: "You kicked too hard—did I ever kick you that hard before?!"

Bai Yuan snorted: "Not kicking you off counts as my mercy."

Lao Mao rubbed his butt, fuming: "Thirty years east, thirty years west; just wait, someday I'll go from squad leader to company commander!"

Bai Yuan gave a hollow chuckle: "Wait till you sit in my position—I'll either become chief of staff or deputy battalion commander."

"No need to talk about anything else; at least with this situation we can cut the training schedule in half."

"I'm preparing; once the supplies and equipment arrive, I'll directly form them into a combat team."

"We'll start moving toward actual combat, hammering their teamwork and combat skills; physical and military training will also be included."

Lao Mao: "Won't that be too fast? If the higher-ups disagree, what will you do?"

Bai Yuan: "The navy is building at full speed; as the spearhead of sea and land, we also need to pick up the pace."

"All training plans have been improved generation after generation. Every plan, when first drafted and implemented, raises many doubts."

"True knowledge comes from practice; if you haven't tried, how do you know it will work? I'm confident I can lead them well and turn them into an excellent combat team."

"That's true." Lao Mao: "But such an example is hard to replicate; not every year can you find a leader who is so satisfying, exceptionally strong, and clever."

Bai Yuan laughed, shook his finger, and indicated it could be replicated.

No typhoon, but we can artificially create some difficulties.

For example, mild food poisoning, diarrhea, vomiting, encountering a 'pirate' invasion.

A sudden strong sense of crisis will stimulate adrenaline secretion, forcing them to unite tightly.

Then pick the most alert and relatively outstanding member of the team; through hints or explicit signs, make them the leader.

Finally, the most crucial step: give the leader a privilege similar to that of a squad leader, such as smoking.

Although smoking is nominally prohibited, the leader can secretly share cigarettes with comrades and pretend not to notice.

Bai Yuan: "Sneaking cigarettes behind the instructor's back, this tense, exciting moment can also increase cohesion."

Lao Mao raised his thumb and said, "You really have a trick: isn't this the same as some old soldiers forming a group to go wash feet?"

The old saying goes: the strongest bonds are forged by carrying guns together and pulling down pants together—that's the principle.

Suddenly, Lao Mao noticed a small black dot on the distant sea horizon: "Looks like the supply ship is coming?"

Bai Yuan: "You go receive it; I'll later take Number Twelve to the southern cliff to see how much substantial progress this storm-baptized sea swallow has made."

"Okay."

The two split up to act.

Meanwhile, on the supply ship.

Two familiar figures walked onto the deck, gazing at the distant island.

Kang Changyi beamed with pride: "How about that, enough? This opportunity isn't something just anyone can encounter—am I a good enough brother?"

Zhou Kaidong held the rail, his face deathly pale, obviously seasick: "You damn, just saying it's official duty; you didn't say we'd have to take such a far ship... What the hell brought me here, is this still domestic?"

Kang Changyi slapped his back: "You get to ride a ship and see the scenery—isn't that more comfortable than training at the base?"

"Comfort my ass, I've felt awful the whole way!"

"Tsk tsk, Comrade Zhou Kaidong, you're a veteran—how can you get seasick? These waves... uh... not big... uh..."

Kang Changyi wanted to show off, but didn't expect to overestimate himself.

He was also on his first ship ride; seasickness is normal.

Moreover, the typhoon had just passed yesterday, so the sea wasn't calm.

Watching Kang Changyi retching over the rail, sticking out his tongue like a hanged man and making a splash in the sea, Zhou Kaidong was amused.

Although he felt a bit nauseous, he was still much steadier than that guy—at least he hadn't actually vomited.

As the ship drew nearer to the island, he suddenly saw that on the island someone seemed to be running back and forth carrying things.

"Quick, look!"

"Huh, what's wrong?"

Kang Changyi, sniffling and teary, twisted his head, stared, and was instantly startled.

He had thought it was a supply delivery for some veteran stationed at a watchpost on the island, but the situation clearly wasn't that.

Especially when the ship gradually docked and a Lao Mao wearing a fisherman's hat, a custom camouflage uniform, and exuding sheer toughness stood on the shore, his face couldn't hide his astonishment.

Even though they were both soldiers, from far away they sensed a powerful aura; this guy was definitely not an ordinary person!

Zhou Kaidong and Kang Changyi stared at each other, and the words "Special Operations elite" instantly flashed in their minds.

Kang Changyi braced himself against the ship's rail, stood up, and strained his throat: "Could this be some secret sea‑training base??!"