Chapter 308: Chapter 308 - Mass Collapse
My words carried quite a bit of arrogance, which only deepened Commander Wood’s displeasure.
"Are you claiming you’re more capable than Ignacio Richard?" Commander Wood questioned with what appeared to be a mocking grin.
I shook my head: "I’m certainly no rival for Commander Richard, but regarding individual training methods, mine could be superior."
Just as I stated, the ancestral treasure vault my father left behind was simply beyond comparison to what Ignacio Richard possessed.
Commander Wood’s expression darkened: "Ridiculous! Vincent, escort him out!"
"Commander Wood, Mason Raymond, he..."
"I told you to escort him out!" Commander Wood snapped.
Jasper Thompson had no option but to tug at my arm.
Once we both exited the office, Jasper Thompson remarked: "Mason Raymond, don’t take it personally. Your statements were quite bold, and Commander Wood has always revered Ignacio Richard. It’s only natural he wouldn’t accept them."
I nodded: "I get it."
"I’ll attempt to speak with Commander Wood again." Jasper Thompson offered.
I chuckled: "Jasper Thompson, do you believe your persuasion will succeed? Commander Wood has made up his mind, and I doubt he’ll budge regardless of what you tell him."
Jasper Thompson’s brow furrowed: "Then what’s our next move?"
"We wait." I replied calmly.
"I’ve examined his training regimen. Within five days at most, the trainees’ bodies will start reaching their breaking point."
"That’s when I’ll introduce my own program."
Despite this reasoning, Jasper Thompson remained somewhat concerned.
"What if Commander Wood believes the trainees struggling is just part of the process?" Jasper Thompson wondered.
I smiled: "When I say they can’t handle it, I mean their bodies will hit their absolute limit and won’t be able to go on."
Jasper Thompson’s eyes widened with understanding: "Mason Raymond, time isn’t on our side. Won’t five days be too much of a delay?"
I shrugged: "Jasper Thompson, do you have any better ideas?"
"None." Jasper Thompson admitted.
"There’s your answer." I laughed.
Given the circumstances, Jasper Thompson had little choice but to go along with my strategy.
Afterward, I accompanied Jasper Thompson back to our lodging.
When we arrived, Victor Green was seated there, and Watson Thompson was watching television.
Upon seeing me, Watson immediately jumped up.
"Why are you back so early?" Watson asked, looking somewhat surprised.
"Kids shouldn’t worry about grown-up business!" Jasper Thompson scolded with stern eyes.
I smiled and ruffled Watson’s hair, saying: "We wrapped up our affairs, so naturally we returned."
Watson nodded, then asked with a mischievous look: "Mason Raymond, could you train me as well? I want to become strong. Would that be alright?"
"Watson! Don’t pester your brother Mason with such requests!" Jasper Thompson chided from nearby.
I waved dismissively: "It’s perfectly fine. I was actually considering sharing my breathing and meditation methods with Watson."
"Really? Awesome! Brother Mason is the best!" Watson immediately cheered with excitement.
Conrad Schroeder had previously noted that Watson possessed a pure dark energy constitution.
This body type advanced in cultivation far more rapidly than average people.
The only drawback was that pure dark energy constitutions could solely cultivate using dark energy.
Neither Inner Strength nor qi could be processed.
"Follow me." I led Watson to the courtyard.
I then had Watson sit with crossed legs on the ground and instructed her in my breathing and meditation approach.
Watson showed remarkable aptitude, and within just an hour, she grasped proper breathing and meditation techniques.
The only unfortunate aspect was the limited dark energy available in the urban environment.
So Watson couldn’t experience the absorption sensation I had described.
"Am I not smart enough?" Watson said with some disappointment.
I shook my head: "Not at all, you possess exceptional talent, far greater than Victor Green’s."
"Obviously!" Watson immediately shot Victor Green a triumphant look.
Victor Green said with a pained expression: "Mr. Raymond, could you please not use me as a comparison?"
"It’s simply the truth." I laughed.
"If I’m really that gifted, why can’t I sense the intake you described? And there’s no sensation in my core either," Watson Thompson complained.
I patted Watson’s head and explained, "That’s because this location isn’t ideal for your practice. After I finish my current work, I’ll bring you to a better place."
"You’d better not break that promise!" Watson said enthusiastically.
Over the next few days, I remained in my room almost constantly.
I was barely visible except during mealtimes.
Before long, three days had gone by.
——
Chuzzle Battle Zone, at the training grounds.
"Captain Bennett, I don’t think I can continue anymore," a team member complained with a pained expression.
"Honestly, I’m feeling the same. It’s like my body has become incredibly heavy, and my limbs feel like they’re about to snap," another added.
Soon everyone began voicing their complaints.
Bennett Maxwayne barked, "Quiet, all of you! Haven’t you heard the saying about enduring hardship before tasting success? If you just persist and push forward, your bodies will see tremendous improvement!"
"But... but this is becoming unbearable," a team member murmured.
This only made Bennett Maxwayne more furious.
He delivered a kick to that team member’s stomach and yelled, "You can leave right now! The Dragon Tiger Team has no use for weaklings like you!"
Witnessing this scene, the remaining team members didn’t dare voice further complaints and could only persist with their training through clenched teeth.
"Bennett, how’s the training coming along?" Commander Wood approached from the distance.
Bennett Maxwayne quickly responded, "Commander Wood, don’t worry, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"
Commander Wood’s brow creased, "I just overheard them mentioning physical struggles? I hope there won’t be any incidents. Keep in mind, safety must always come first."
Bennett quickly replied, "Commander Wood, that’s exactly what makes this training program special. Once they can endure it, they’ll reach new heights!"
Commander Wood gave a nod before walking away.
Yet he couldn’t stop thinking about Mason Raymond’s earlier warnings.
If Mason’s predictions proved accurate, serious problems would arise.
Another day went by.
——
I finally emerged from my room.
I stretched leisurely and mumbled, "That was exhausting."
"What exactly were you doing locked up in there all this time, Mason?" Vincent asked, looking confused.
I replied mysteriously, "That’s staying secret! You’ll discover tomorrow."
——
That evening, the Dragon Tiger Team members continued their training without pause.
They pushed themselves hard according to the program Bennett Maxwayne had given them.
"Pff!"
Suddenly, one team member coughed up blood and collapsed!
"What’s happening?" Bennett’s expression shifted as he rushed over.
Before anyone could process this, another person dropped to his knees with a heavy thud!
He appeared to be in agony, sweating heavily.
"My leg’s shattered! I can’t feel it!" the team member screamed in pain.
Within moments, various problems started manifesting in everyone.
Some kept spitting up blood, while others suffered bone fractures!
Out of the eighteen team members, fourteen had already fallen in mere seconds!
"This can’t be happening!" Bennett panicked, feeling completely overwhelmed.
"Medic, get a medic!" someone finally reacted, shouting desperately.
Luckily, medical staff were stationed at the battle zone. Shortly after, several doctors rushed to the scene.
They transported the fourteen injured members to the medical facility on stretchers.
Bennett remained by the entrance, looking troubled and anxious.
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally emerged.
"Doctor, what’s their condition?" Bennett asked urgently.
The doctor’s face was serious as he replied, "It’s not looking good. Their bodies have sustained different levels of harm. Some even have fractures throughout their entire body, making any future training practically impossible."
