Kevin Zhao said coldly, "I'm not targeting Ian here. He's the one who offended Kyle Lee. Look over there—five Innate Sixth Layer, four Innate Fifth Layer. What do we have to fight against that?"
"This time I agree with Kevin," Derek Zhao nodded in strong agreement. "I just don't want to get dragged down by him, that's all!"
Hearing Kevin and Derek's words, Elaine Zhao grew even angrier. She turned to Gavin Zhao and asked, "Captain, what about you? What's your take?"
Gavin Zhao was silent for a moment, then looked apologetically at Ian and said, "Elaine, we have to put the bigger picture first. We're representing the Zhao Family. If all of us get eliminated, it'll only bring shame to the clan!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he also stepped away from Ian.
"The captain's right. Sorry, Ian!" Ray Zhao gave Ian an apologetic smile, then moved aside as well.
Seeing all four of them abandon Ian, Elaine Zhao couldn't help but tremble with anger. She pointed at them and shouted, "You... you are all ungrateful! If it weren't for Ian—!"
"Elaine!"
Suddenly, Ian interrupted Elaine. "Elaine, they're not wrong. The War God Squad assessment really does concern the Zhao Family's honor. So, you should join them too."
"No! I'm not going!" Elaine shook her head stubbornly, her voice trembling with emotion. "If you hadn't saved me, that monster would've bitten off my leg! So no matter what, I'm standing with you!"
Elaine Zhao's attitude genuinely comforted Ian. The fact that she insisted on standing with him moved him a little. She wasn't like Gavin or Ray, who kept talking about 'the Zhao Family's honor' or 'the bigger picture.' To put it bluntly, they were just scared of Kyle Lee.
He didn't believe people this afraid of death could really support such a huge clan. No wonder Edward Zhao would rather cultivate an outsider like him than raise these branch-line youths—people like them have too many distractions and care too much about gains and losses.
"Elaine, come here."
Ian pulled Elaine aside, lowered his voice so only she could hear, and said, "Elaine, let me tell you something. The one who seriously injured Kyle Lee was actually me. Back then, I was only Innate Second Layer and he was Innate Fourth Layer.
Now I'm Innate Fourth Layer, and he's just Fifth Layer. So, killing me won't be that easy for him!"
Elaine was stunned and couldn't believe it. "Ian, are you serious?"
"Of course. Why else do you think Kyle Lee acts like a rabid dog every time he sees me?" Ian said with a playful smile.
"But they have so many people!" Elaine said, worry showing on her face again.
Ian smiled with confidence. "If I can't beat them, I can always run, can't I? So sticking with you guys is actually more dangerous than going solo. Now go join Gavin and the others."
"Alright then." Elaine was finally convinced and nodded.
"Oh right, Elaine, you should watch out for Gavin. He's a hypocrite," Ian warned.
Elaine was taken aback but still nodded. "Mm, I'll be careful!" Clearly, she didn't take Ian's warning to heart—she thought he was just upset because Gavin abandoned him. Of course, she understood how Ian felt, so she also said, "You be careful too."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of myself!" Ian promised Elaine.
When Elaine joined Gavin and the others, Kyle Lee, not far away, gave a smug grin and secretly thought, "Those Zhao idiots—I'm not letting a single one of them off!"
Over the next hour or so, more teams kept arriving.
When the twelve-hour mark hit, that same icy voice from the plane broadcast over the loudspeakers on the parade ground: "First round assessment is over. Anyone who hasn't arrived is eliminated! Those who passed, stay where you are!"
Ian scanned the crowd and saw that 238 people had passed, meaning more than half were eliminated in the first round.
About five minutes later...
A middle-aged man in camouflage military uniform appeared.
The moment he showed up, everyone sensed an aura as deep as an abyss and as massive as a mountain, and instinctively stopped talking.
"Hello everyone, I'm Logan Long, one of the examiners for this assessment. Congratulations on passing the first round. Next, you'll have two hours to rest, and the cafeteria has prepared food for you! Go eat now, and gather back here in two hours!"
After finishing, Logan Long left decisively.
During those twelve hours, everyone had only eaten a single bag of biscuits and was already starving. Hearing there was food in the cafeteria, their eyes instantly lit up.
But Logan Long hadn't told them where the cafeteria was.
So most people felt lost, while a few darted off in different directions to search for it.
"Elaine, stick with me. I'll take you to the cafeteria!"
After sending a voice transmission to Elaine, Ian dashed off in a certain direction. Elaine was startled, but quickly followed after him.
Seeing this, Gavin and the others had a thought and chased after Ian too.
The cafeteria really had prepared food, but only enough for 120 people.
Thanks to his Clairvoyant Vision, which now covered a 6,000-meter radius, Ian was the first to find the cafeteria.
After rushing into the cafeteria, Ian immediately grabbed a tray of food, moved to the side, and started eating quickly.
Elaine, Gavin, and the other five Zhao youths arrived just a step behind him.
Seeing Ian, they also quickly grabbed a tray and started eating.
Soon, even more people rushed into the cafeteria.
Ian finished his first portion, then dashed up to grab a second tray.
Seeing this, Gavin signaled Ray and the others, and they all quickly stuffed the rest of their food into their mouths and raced to get another serving.
More and more people flooded into the cafeteria.
But with limited food, everything was snatched up in less than three minutes.
At least half the people didn't get any food.
"What's going on? Why isn't there enough food?" a martial artist complained loudly.
"Yeah, didn't they say there was food? How is it gone so fast?" another martial artist echoed.
Soon, more and more martial artists began protesting, demanding food.
Just then, the cafeteria loudspeaker blared with that same icy voice: "Shut up! If you didn't get any food, it's because you're too slow. Anyone who keeps shouting will be eliminated immediately!"
Instantly, the noisy martial artists didn't dare speak another word.
Suddenly, a martial artist noticed Ian still had half a tray of food left, and since Ian was sitting alone, he strode over. "Kid, hand over the rest of your food."
"Sure, take it!"
Ian handed the tray to him without hesitation.
The man was stunned, then grabbed the tray and started scarfing down the food, not caring if Ian had already eaten from it.
Seeing this, the other hungry martial artists' eyes lit up and their gazes locked onto those still eating.
"Kid, I'm from Northwest Wolf Sect. Hand over your food!"
"Screw you! I'm from Kunshan Sword Sect!"
"Damn it, you dare insult me? Are you looking for trouble?"
"Brother, could you share half your food with me?"
"Get lost!"
"Damn it, you just cursed me—I'll kill you!"
......
Soon, a brawl broke out in the cafeteria, but before the fighting started, Ian quietly slipped out.