Mecha and Sword

Inside the New Phoenix City Stadium, one after another, young people verified their identities and picked up their number tags, orderly forming queue after queue, preparing to start today's fitness test. The test was a run, but it would not take place within the confines of the New Phoenix City Stadium.

The stadium was merely a gathering point. The final destination was ten kilometers away from the New Phoenix City Stadium. The ten-kilometer stretch of the road had already been cleared. Four batches of young people had already left the starting line, and the fifth batch of assembled youths were now slowing making their way.

No one would sprint full-out from the beginning of a ten-kilometer run, as the consequence would be elimination. All the young people present, who had registered online a week in advance and had actually shown up for the test, did not want to be eliminated.

As the five hundred young individuals took off, several drones followed closely above them. Once they left the stadium, they noticed the onlookers lining both sides of the road. Among them were their families and friends. Normally, these people would be cheering them on at this time, but to the surprise of the 500 young people, everyone was silently looking at their phones.

Was there some breaking news?

Amid the sparse cheering, the five hundred young people ran further and further away. They could not see that the sixth group of young people were getting ready, or, within the seventh group of young people, an elderly man had suddenly joined their ranks.

Counting 3500 people ahead, Ji Xinghe was the first elderly person. Counting 3500 people after, Ji Xinghe was the last elderly person.

Just in New Phoenix City alone, there were ten thousand registrants, with seven thousand actually showing up for the assessment. But there was only one over the age of 35: His name is Ji Xinghe, who came to the fitness test accompanied by a reporter and a cameraman.

Not because he wanted attention but because if he didn't bring them, he wouldn't be able to participate in this fitness test.

Standing among the young people, with all eyes focusing on him, Ji Xinghe calmly looked towards the grand stand inside the stadium that was directly opposite the giant screen. There were military personnel, officials from New Phoenix City, councilors, and social notables gathered there. Among them was Tu Yuan, who had previously threatened Ji Xinghe to retire peacefully in Azure Star's New Phoenix City. Tu Yuan was the Federation's youngest Major General, one of the most promising future generals.

As Ji Xinghe looked at Tu Yuan, Tu Yuan was also looking at Ji Xinghe. Unlike the others on the grandstand who were watching the young people running on the track through various splits screens or the single elderly Ji Xinghe in the stadium, Tu Yuan was looking directly at Ji Xinghe.

The distance between the two was quite considerable, and neither Tu Yuan nor Ji Xinghe could clearly see each other, but their eyes seemed to collide in the air.

"Shall I go down..."

A Staff Officer murmured into Tu Yuan's ear. Understanding the intention of his subordinate, Tu Yuan shook his head.

"It's ok. He won't finish the ten kilometers in thirty-five minutes."

His staff officer was surprised, not because he believed Ji Xinghe could run ten kilometers in thirty-five minutes - a standard that the majority of young people couldn't meet, and one that was surprisingly close to the standard of the Federation Dragon Continent's second-level athletes (34 minutes for men, 42 minutes for women).

The surprise was due to the wordiness of Tu Yuan's statement. Usually, Tu Yuan would just say two words: Not necessary.

Did the general feel that Ji Xinghe might meet this standard?

…

"Sir, only those who complete the ten kilometer run in 35 minutes will pass this physical test. Are you sure you still want to participate?"

The staff member reminded kindly.

"Sure."

With a moment's hesitation, the staff member asked: "Do you want to change clothes?"

Ji Xinghe shook his head, took off his coat with one hand and left it hanging by his side. His physique was revealed in front of the cameras

Lean.

That was the first impression everyone had upon seeing him. There was no sign of any excess fat or the saggy and dry skin that many elderly people had. Instead, he had noticeable muscle definition.

Ji Xinghe continued to undress, this time his trousers.

"Sir, please don't. This is a live broadcast... Oh, it's fine. Please continue, sir."

Pei Jing hurriedly warned him, but halted halfway through, as Ji Xinghe had already taken off half his trousers, revealing the shorts he wore underneath. His loose trousers were easily removed over his sports shoes.

It was only at this moment that the spectators finally confirmed that Ji Xinghe was not joking and was not trying to make a statement by his participation. He genuinely wanted to take part in this fitness test – he truly wanted to join the military and go to the Alien Planet front line.

He was well-prepared, at least in terms of his clothes and shoes.

"Little lady, please take care of my bag for me. Thank you," Ji Xinghe said as he began to warm up. The bag he was referring to was the one he gave to Pei Jing upon entering, it contained two knives he personally made. It was because he gave this bag to Pei Jing that he was able to bring it inside.

Pei Jing, who had no idea what was in the bag, nodded worriedly at Ji Xinghe. However, seeing that it was almost time for this group to start, she climbed onto the balance bike she had borrowed earlier. The cameraman couldn't carry the camera and ride the balance bike at the same time, so the TV station quickly dispatched a drone to follow Pei Jing.

The whistle sounded, everyone was ready. Pei Jing positioned herself alongside the track, ready to follow the race. The drone flew overhead focusing on Ji Xinghe.

The whistle blasted again.

"Ready!"

Bang.

Amid the gunshot marking the beginning of the race, Ji Xinghe began to run with 499 other young people. His destination was the finish line, 10 kilometers away. From this moment onwards, he only had 34 minutes and 59 seconds left, but with each step, he is one step closer to his goal

When this group of runners left the stadium, the spectators who had been watching their phones finally moved their gaze from their screens, as they could now see Ji Xinghe in front of them. Out of 500 contestants, Ji Xinghe stood out - he was at the very back. Already, within the short span of leaving the stadium, he had fallen behind everyone else.

Some sighed, some watched calmly, some were ready to mock, and some began to shout loudly.

"Go for it!"

"Keep it up!"

About three kilometers from the stadium, many spectators had gathered on either side of the road. Some were still on their way while others, after calculating the time, went directly to the finish line. But most of them came to this spot around three kilometers from the stadium. Initially, they wanted to see them after a kilometer, but after seeing Ji Xinghe's lean muscles, they felt he could run three kilometers.

No more than three kilometers - they couldn't bear to make it harder for the young people.

Perhaps for this reason, the young ones in Ji Xinghe's group sprinted right from the start, widening their lead over Ji Xinghe.

Ten meters, fifty meters, a hundred meters.

Only Ji Xinghe was left on the track, accompanied by Pei Jing on her balance bike at the edge of the track. However, countless pairs of eyes were watching this scene.

The drone only captured Ji Xinghe, running silently and all by himself, with no one within a five-meter radius around him.

For some reason, a feeling of loneliness suddenly surged into many people's hearts. It seemed as if they could see this lonesome old man, alone in his home, cooking meals he wouldn't eat after hearing about the demise of his only son. They could see him sitting alone in a dim room, unwilling to go out and bask in the sun. One mourning the loss of a person who would never return as he looked at old albums and videos...

However, Ji Xinghe wasn't alone. He could choose not to be, and so he was no longer alone.

A young man finally appeared next to Ji Xinghe, who was not overtly fast but moved with absolute determination. This young man had started with a hundred-meter sprint and left Ji Xinghe behind, but now he was gasping for air and could hardly lift his feet.

So, he was overtaken by Ji Xinghe. He was the first young man to be outrun by Ji Xinghe, but he certainly wouldn't be the last.

The young man was pale, looking overhead at the drone that seemed to cover him too. He hurriedly moved to the edge of the track. He looked disgruntled at Ji Xinghe as the drone captured this, feeling that the old man had made him lose face.

But in reality, Ji Xinghe didn't want to surpass anyone, he just wanted to complete the 10 kilometers within 35 minutes. He was willing to save face for everyone as long as no one obstructs him from going to the Alien Planet front line.

If anyone is to obstruct him, no matter who, he wouldn't grant them face.

His son is dead; he is willing to risk it all.

...

...

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