Chapter 144: Forming the Team (Thanks to Qidian_Lian for the generous reward and extra update)

Chen Mo said coldly, “Shangguan Chaoyue, the opportunity has already been given to you. If you don’t want it, fine—I’ll find someone else.”

“I—I—I! Choose me! You can humiliate me however you want!” The others in Class D scrambled eagerly.

Chen Mo turned to leave, but Shangguan Chaoyue spoke up, “I want to know, why did you choose me?”

“Because you’re the only assassin in the entire school who can remain concealed. Our squad already has control, damage output, and tank roles covered; we just need an assassin. Is that reason enough?”

Shangguan Chaoyue’s face flushed slightly. She had thought Chen Mo’s choice was out of pity after seeing her body, but hearing it was because of her abilities actually made her a little pleased.

“Th-then I’ll reluctantly agree!” she said with a touch of pride.

And so, Chen Mo’s five-person squad was officially formed.

Other squads were gradually assembled as well. Twenty squads gathered on the playground, where Wei Zheng was about to give a briefing before the mission.

Xiang Wanqing, seeing Chen Mo’s team, muttered to herself, “Hmph, I lowered myself to invite you, and you refused. Then you went and formed your own squad filled with misfits from Classes D, F, and C. What a joke. Looks like I overestimated you, Chen Mo!”

Among the twenty squads, excluding Chen Mo’s, most were composed of students from Classes A and B, with few from lower classes.

Prince Wei’s squad even included a girl from Class C. She was plain-looking, with dark skin, and was said to have the “Ordinary” profession. Chen Mo’s data scan couldn’t detect her skills, leading him to suspect she possessed some unique ability. Otherwise, Prince Wei wouldn’t have included such a weak teammate given his strength.

Clearing his throat, Wei Zheng spoke loudly, “Very good. All twenty squads have been formed. Before the mission, I need to clarify a few points. Your task is to assist the Shadow Legion in capturing the guild outpost, so all your actions must follow the orders of the Shadow Legion’s command. I, along with four other instructors, will also obey these commands. If you encounter any danger during the mission, you may request support from the instructors. I will provide each squad leader with a mini walkie-talkie clipped to your collar to ensure smooth communication.”

With that, Instructor Moon Fox stepped forward, handing each squad leader a small walkie-talkie adorned with a white cloud emblem, easy to clip onto collars.

Wei Zheng continued, “The target is a small guild with nearly four hundred members, all evolved beings, possibly armed with firearms. So no heroics—just stay behind the Shadow Legion. This mission is mainly for learning and experiencing real combat, not for you to charge headfirst into battle. Understood?”

“Understood!” The hundred students responded enthusiastically, clearly excited. This was an attack on a guild and would surely involve large-scale fighting. Their hearts burned with the spirit of glory and valor.

Wei Zheng nodded approvingly. “Besides our Pingli High School, three other schools—Mingde High, Normal University Affiliated High, and Changjun High—will each send a hundred participants. You are all one unit now. Once deployed, do not disgrace Pingli High. Show the other schools our strength and bring honor to yourselves and our school!”

“Don’t worry, Instructor! We’ll bring glory to the school!” Many students exclaimed with passion, eager to rush to the battlefield and lead the charge.

Wei Zheng concluded, “Tomorrow at 8 a.m., all twenty squads must assemble on the playground. Buses will transport you to join the Shadow Legion. You still have half a day to practice with your squads—don’t embarrass yourselves tomorrow! Dismissed!”

After dismissal, Chen Mo gathered Ning Xuan, Ding Yan, Ye Zhiyan, and Shangguan Chaoyue—the four teammates—and led them to an empty spot on the playground. They decided to familiarize themselves with each other’s skills first. Since this was a team, Chen Mo naturally avoided heroism and focused on maximizing the squad’s collective value.

Prince Wei had been right: Chen Mo was indeed honing his command skills. If he couldn’t even lead a five-person squad well, how could he command thousands in the future?

“Ning Xuan, start with a self-introduction, then show us your skills!”

“Yes, Captain!” Ning Xuan stood straight and deliberately saluted Chen Mo, her comical gesture causing everyone to laugh.

Switching roles, Ning Xuan’s body suddenly shimmered with a purple glow.

“Hmm?!” Shangguan Chaoyue, who had been dismissive of Chen Mo’s team—one F-class member, one C-class—now realized she was wrong. Ning Xuan alone was already incredibly powerful.

Ning Xuan wore a full set of B-level “Pride and Prejudice” armor, a rare two-set combination with a very low chance of synthesis. Just this gear alone gave her overwhelming attributes.

Smiling gently, Ning Xuan said, “I only have two skills: a single-target freezing spell and a continuous frost magic.”

Freeze!

Without any fuss, Ning Xuan cast a spell, sending an ice block flying toward a decorative stone on the lawn.

Bang!

The stone instantly froze solid.

Frost Ray!

Her left hand emitted a beam of icy cold energy, piercing through the stone.

Boom!

The stone shattered into frozen shards.

The entire scene fell silent.

Ye Zhiyan, Ding Yan, and Shangguan Chaoyue were stunned. Such power was absurdly strong!

Other squads training nearby were drawn by the commotion. Seeing the shattered stone, they finally understood why this thirteen-year-old girl ranked first—not just luck, but genuine strength few could match in real combat.

On the top floor of a building beside the stadium was Prince Wei’s training area.

“Prince Wei, that little girl is really impressive!” Zhang Shengmo stood on the railing, overlooking the playground.

Prince Wei replied calmly, “Enough, Shengmo. This operation is our first real battle together. The family will assess us based on our performance. We should behave ourselves.”

Zhang Shengmo was unrestrained. “Prince Wei, you’re too cautious! It’s just a small guild. Together, we could probably wipe them out ourselves, especially with the Shadow Legion leading the charge. It’s no big deal.”

“Zhang Shengmo!” Prince Wei’s expression darkened.

Instantly, Zhang Shengmo backed down. “Alright, alright, haha! Look, Prince Wei, that’s your problem—you’re too serious! Like some old, eccentric man!”