The two new boys and one girl, upon hearing Ji You’s voice and seeing her warm, genial smile, felt even happier inside. The girl’s cheerful demeanor, with sweetness all around, indicated that the squad’s atmosphere was quite good, and the team members could get along successfully.

This way, in the upcoming competition, everyone could cooperate excellently with each other.

Thinking like this, the slight anxiety rising within the three students also dissipated.

Soon.

The three entered the base and, despite discovering its simplicity, they didn’t express disappointment. Everyone knew clearly they were here to compete, not to enjoy life. Given this, why worry about less-than-ideal conditions?

Each of them having their own thoughts, as soon as they set foot into the base, an inexplicable feeling of unease arose within them. They felt, among the five present, aside from the short girl in the middle, the others’ gaze toward them seemed rather strange.

Where was the strangeness?

Before the three could figure it out, the short girl called out, "You three, come and check in."

"Check in?" The girl amongst them shook her head slightly, looked around, and asked, "Can I ask who the squad leader is?"

Ji You raised her voice, "Me."

The girl was taken aback, "You?"

The two boys were also a bit puzzled, seemingly unconvinced, then they heard Ji You say with a broad smile, "Of course, I’m joking. This is our squad leader, but he doesn’t talk much."

Having said that, Ji You raised her hand and pointed at He Nu.

Upon hearing this, a deep furrow creased between He Nu’s brows, his beautiful tea-colored eyes flickered slightly. He then put on a stern face, striving to keep his voice steady, "Squad leader? Not me. Handle your own work properly, don’t pass it to me."

Hmm?

He Nu, Little Cutie, was surprisingly on track.

Truly surprising.

So, Ji You immediately said, "Enough coughing... You three hurry up and check in, don’t delay the matter."

The three did not respond.

After all, they were competitors who fought their way through throngs to reach the competitive arena. None of them were true fools. They were unguarded against Ji You and others because they never thought that before the competition officially starts, enemies might invade.

The three stayed silent mainly considering who among Ji You and He Nu was truly the squad leader. Upon entering the competition setting, they only received their squad number and location coordinates; information such as squad leader and members was temporarily unknown.

But! There must be someone who knows all member information— the squad leader.

Everyone tends to admire strength. Ji You was short and slight, with no trace of a powerful aura upon her. In contrast, He Nu was tall, handsome, with firm yet gentle brows, eyes solid and calm, speaking nothing, yet exuding an invisible aura, causing ripples in the hearts of the three.

In the end, that tall, aura-rich boy wasn’t the squad leader, but rather the seemingly overly frail short girl?

If the squad leader is weak, will their squad forfeit the advantage to win?

All three of them weighed these thoughts when they suddenly heard Ji You’s face darken, reprimanding, "Joined the team and still want to leave? Is this what your school and mentors taught you? What about your collective honor?"

"What about teamwork spirit?"

"Who told you that upon entering the arena, you’d fight alone?"

"Who told you that squad leadership relies on height rather than abilities?"

...

Question after reprimand left the three feeling a bit dumbfounded, each having somewhat thin skin, ears starting to redden. Eventually, the girl stepped forward first, saluting Ji You like a warrior, loudly declaring, "Seventh Team Xia Bingbing reporting."

Ji You glanced at her.

Xia Bingbing had a slim figure, an exquisite oval face, high nose, cherry lips, large shimmering eyes... Truthfully, in the 21st century, her look was the standard for pretty internet celebrities.

However, this girl had no hint of charm, instead exuding some warrior-like vigor.

Overall, rather likable.

Ji You withdrew her gaze, simultaneously putting down the Big Chopper held in her hand, then nodded and said, "Join the squad."

Xia Bingbing loudly replied, "Yes."

Ji You smiled and said, "Nice spirit."

Next.

The two boys exchanged glances, then stepped forward together, saluted Ji You, loudly declaring, "Seventh Team Yu Cheng, Song Ping reporting."

Among them, the tall, strong boy with jet black short hair was Yu Cheng. The slightly shorter one with flaxen short hair was Song Ping.

Both appeared very capable fighters.

Ji You nodded faintly, saying, "Not bad."

"Join the squad."

Upon hearing Ji You say this, Yu Cheng and Song Ping felt slightly relieved. The squad leader’s anger earlier really scared them; even they self-proclaimed as macho warriors were startled.

Luckily.

In the end, after Ji You’s reprimanding, the new members of the rival squad reached a consensus regarding Ji You as ’squad leader’: [This squad leader is truly an easy character to engage with.]

Throughout, He Nu, Cheng Haoyue, He Yu, Liu Jia, and Wang Xin remained silent, maintaining a serious demeanor from start to finish. Indeed, all five pondered the same question internally:

[To kill or not?]

They held back as Ji You had mentioned earlier that action depends on her hand gesture; raising the left hand signifies immediate action, while raising the right hand means holding off.

Now, however, Ji You hadn’t raised either hand but instead put away the chopper.

What’s the meaning of this?

Hmm?

What did Ji You say earlier? If there was no gesture, they should remain quiet, act like a silent soldier.

Indeed.

Just like that.

Thus, Cheng Haoyue and the other four maintained a reserved, quiet demeanor. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Xia Bingbing, Yu Cheng, and Song Ping joined the squad and instantly felt the odd atmosphere from the four teammates. Not only were their gazes towards them weird, but the aura among themselves was unusual, too. Moreover, they seemed tensed, unwilling to converse more with the three.

Xia Bingbing contemplated, wearing a smile, took the initiative to walk to He Yu, saying, "Hello, my name is Xia Bingbing. We’ll be teammates, let’s look after each other?"

He Yu’s fingertips holding the sword trembled slightly; she made a stern face and said, "Sure."