Chapter Eleven The First Obstacle

  The storm was still raging, and Wang Fanglong, standing in the middle of the team, was also thinking quietly.

  For the dense raindrops that kept pounding on his body, he seemed to be completely unaware, even when soybean-sized raindrops were blown into his eyes by the wind, he remained as still as a statue, not blinking an eye, and his whole person was like petrified.

  Years of hard training, the obsession in his heart, innate vigilance and habitual alertness made Wang Fanglong's spirit always in a state of high tension.

  In this emergency assembly, his movements were faster than anyone else's, and he put on his clothes and ran to the square in just one minute.

  It can be said that the instructor's criticism had nothing to do with him, but like all the other reserve team members, he was also listening very carefully, savoring every word, and slowly digesting them.

  In Wang Fanglong's view, this emergency gathering in the storm was unexpected, but if there were mistakes or slow actions because of it, that is absolutely no excuse.

  To be honest, for him personally, after hearing Li Zhenhong say that there would be no training at night, he was somewhat relieved deep down.

  So although he was the first to arrive at the gathering point, at the same time he was also reflecting that if he hadn't relaxed a bit, according to his normal state, the gathering speed would have been even faster.

  Standing in the team, Wang Fanglong secretly told himself deep down that no matter what happened in the future, he could never have any slack or numb psychology again.

  When Wang Fanglong was about to get into the zone, he suddenly heard Li Zhenhong's energetic voice: "Now I announce the training subject that will be conducted immediately: a 10,000-meter obstacle course run with full combat gear. However, since it is a full-combat gear run, someone must ask what equipment needs to be carried? I can tell you now that the equipment you need to carry while running has been prepared, and you can pick it up at the starting point with me later. The specific running location is the circular runway inside the camp wall, and the starting and ending points are both at the gate post. As long as you run around the road inside the wall and complete a lap, this 10,000-meter assessment will be completed."

  Wang Fanglong's spirit was shaken, and training was finally about to begin...

  At the entrance of the camp, the sentry outside the gate still stood tall in the wind and rain, with a small temporary awning built on top of his head, which was basically useless.

  The slanting dense raindrops flew with the wind in all directions, soaking the lower halves of the two sentries.

  Inside the gate, a spacious rain shed was temporarily set up on the straight and wide main road. Inside, the lights were bright, and many thick wooden boards were placed on the wet ground, with camouflage backpacks and 95-style automatic rifles piled densely on top of the boards.

  Qi Dajun and four other instructors were all standing under the rain shed.

  Soon, Li Zhenhong brought over a hundred "red beret" reserve team members and immediately ordered them to line up in sequence to receive equipment. In the end, everyone received a backpack, a gun, and a military watch.

  Wang Fanglong had just taken the backpack into his hands when he felt that it was quite heavy. But before he could think about it carefully, he quickly put on the bag and slung the gun over his shoulder, running towards the designated assembly point while putting on his watch.

  After everyone had received their equipment, Li Zhenhong went over the rules once more before they began the armed cross-country exercise.

  The rules are actually very simple, requiring everyone, regardless of the method used, to run around the wall with a backpack and gun within half an hour. Those who fail to return within the specified time or have fewer items in their backpack upon returning will be disqualified without any chance for redemption.

  Although they haven't started running yet, all the reserve team members feel that the backpacks on their shoulders are particularly heavy, but they don't know exactly how heavy they are.

  But soon, from Li Zhenhong's narrative, everyone knew the answer.

  To be honest, the specific weight of this backpack is quite frightening, a full 40 kilograms, with many items inside that they need for their outdoor training.

  Everyone gasped in shock at this weight!

  Although this weight is terrifying for the 10,000-meter long run, no one was intimidated by it. On the contrary, everyone became more passionate and felt their blood boiling with excitement, eager to start the test immediately.

  At the sound of Li Zhenhong's whistle, all "Red Beret" reserve members started a 10,000-meter loaded obstacle cross-country run in the wind and rain.

  No one wants to be eliminated, everyone is running forward with all their might.

  A 40-kilogram backpack is nothing for these well-trained people on a short trip, but if it's a 10,000-meter cross-country obstacle run, to be honest, no one has ever experienced it.

  In traditional special forces armed cross-country, backpacks are generally around 20 kilograms and there are no obstacles.

  But the "Red Beret" was built with the intention of aiming at the world's forefront, and it must not be satisfied with ordinary standards.

  The purpose of training here is only one, that is, with the most stringent standards, to train the world's top special warfare elite.

  As for international special forces, the British "Special Air Service" special force, which was famous during World War II, is currently recognized by various countries as the elite of special forces.

  The founder of America's anti-terrorist elite unit, Delta Force, Colonel Charles Beckwith, once commented on the British SAS:

  "In the various special forces, the British Special Air Service is one of the world's elite military units. The endurance, bravery and ingenuity displayed by this unit in combat are simply legendary."

  The British Special Air Service's training rucksack weighs in at 40 kilograms.

  If they just had to run with a 40-kilogram backpack on their backs, these reserve team members could still endure.

  What made it unbearable for them was the nasty weather and the bumpy road.

  Although the streetlights on both sides were turned on before the assessment began, it was impossible to see the road conditions in the wind and rain. Some people stepped into empty space and fell to the ground immediately, with severe cases even spraining their feet.

  But even comrades with injured feet did not stop their footsteps, one rolling from the ground got up, limping and running forward.

  At this time, five instructors also left the starting point.

  They walked into a bungalow next door, where there was a large hall with many tables and chairs inside. In front of the tables and chairs, there was a large LCD screen, and around it were many computer displays. The screens of all sizes displayed scenes from the track.

  Li Zhenhong and five other instructors went in and found a position to sit down, staring at the screen to observe the performance of 100 reserve team members.

  It can be clearly seen from the screen that the vast majority of class members have separated and are working hard to pass the assessment.

  Only Class Five, where Wang Fanglong was in, tightly guarded the oath they had just made, everyone encouraged each other and ran forward together.

  The fifth group, after running for about twenty minutes, encountered their first obstacle: a conveyor belt going in the opposite direction that was just as wide as the track.

  This conveyor belt is ten meters long and moves at a speed of 5 m/s. The direction of movement is opposite to the direction they are heading, making it difficult to pass through even on a sunny day with empty hands.

  Although the streetlights are on, the heavy rain makes it hard to keep one's eyes open. The conveyor belt is full of water and very slippery. Many people fell down after running just a few steps.

  Before he could even get up, he was sent back to his original position by the conveyor belt.

  Many people get stuck at this point and are at a loss for what to do.

  Wang Fanglong stared at the conveyor belt, slightly furrowing his brow. As for whether he could pass through smoothly, he didn't have complete confidence in his heart either. This was also the first time he had encountered such an obstacle.

  So, how many people can the first hurdle actually stop?

  And as for Wang Fanglong, will he be able to overcome this obstacle smoothly?