Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

Several months had passed since the new recruits were assigned to their units. The early days of spring had arrived, bringing with it a gentle breeze that swayed the green willow branches.
As Zhuang Yan stepped out of the administrative building, dressed in his field uniform, he was greeted by a wave of cheers and applause. Curious, he followed the sound, his footsteps quickening as he approached the commotion. Through the crowd of gathered soldiers, he spotted a familiar figure at the center of the action—Platoon Leader Chen Guotao of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Unit.
At that very moment, Chen was demonstrating a striking technique. With incredible precision, he leaped into the air, his legs cutting through the air like a pair of sharp blades. His powerful kicks shattered several clay targets held by the soldiers around him.
Each impact was clean and decisive, showcasing his flawless execution. The soldiers erupted into another round of cheers and applause. Even Zhuang Yan couldn’t take his eyes off the scene.
As the applause died down, Chen Guotao scanned the group of soldiers before speaking in a commanding tone.
“Did you all see that?”
“Yes, sir!” The soldiers responded in unison.
“In close-quarters combat, the legs play a role that can only be described as ‘critical’.”
He paused before continuing, “Hand-to-hand combat is a fundamental skill for a reconnaissance soldier, and among those skills, leg techniques form the very foundation.”
“Do you all understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then get back to training!”
The soldiers responded with a loud “Yes, sir!” before dispersing to their designated training areas.
At that moment, Zhuang Yan stepped forward, blocking Chen Guotao’s path.
“Platoon Leader Chen,” he called out.
Chen turned to look at him with an expression of mild curiosity.
“Can I train with you?” Zhuang Yan asked earnestly.
Chen raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you the company clerk? What do you need training for?”
“I… I already finished cleaning the office,” Zhuang Yan explained hesitantly. “Everyone else is out here training, and I’m the only one not participating. It doesn’t feel right.”
Chen Guotao studied him for a moment before nodding.
“Fall in.”
“Yes, sir!”
A wide grin spread across Zhuang Yan’s face as he eagerly rushed to join the training session.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
As Zhuang Yan took his place among the soldiers, another figure approached Chen Guotao from the side.
It was Lin Yi.
Watching Zhuang Yan with amusement, Lin Yi spoke in a relaxed tone.
“Platoon Leader Chen, if you see potential in him, why didn’t you request him for your unit in the first place?”
Chen smirked. “With how sharp you are, do you really need to ask?”
Lin Yi chuckled but didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Zhuang Yan, watching him intently.
After a moment, he spoke.
“Zhuang Yan is a natural soldier.”
“He’s sharp, resourceful, and creative—qualities that make an exceptional special forces operator.”
“But he’s also rebellious by nature. His decision to enlist wasn’t entirely his own, which means he lacks a clear sense of purpose.”
Lin Yi’s expression grew serious as he continued.
“A soldier like that is like a blade without a hilt. If left unchecked, he’ll harm himself just as much as he’ll harm others.”
He paused before adding, “Captain Miao is the perfect whetstone to refine that blade.”
Lin Yi’s words carried weight, and Chen Guotao knew exactly what he meant. If Zhuang Yan’s impulsive nature wasn’t properly honed and directed, he wouldn’t last long—even if he made it into special operations.
Chen Guotao folded his arms and looked at Lin Yi thoughtfully.
“Sounds to me like you’ve got an eye on him for something,” he said.
Lin Yi shrugged. “Not sure yet. We’ll see.”
Then, his expression changed as he looked at Chen with genuine concern.
“I’m more worried about your health than I am about Zhuang Yan.”
Chen’s eyes flickered with surprise. Lin Yi’s voice grew softer but more serious.
“Your spine is already showing signs of degenerative disease. If you keep pushing yourself, things could get worse—possibly irreversibly worse.”
Chen Guotao clenched his jaw. He had been hiding his condition, unwilling to acknowledge the growing stiffness and pain in his lower back.
He had trained for years with the goal of joining the special forces, and now that he was so close, he refused to let go.
Lin Yi sighed. “Chen, it’s your body. I can’t make decisions for you. Just… think about what you’re risking.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, heading toward the company’s reading room.
Chen Guotao stood in place for a long moment, his fists clenched.
Lin Yi was right.
If he pushed his body beyond its limit, he could end up permanently unfit for duty.
But if he gave up now, he would never forgive himself.
For now, there was only one thing to do—keep training and hope for the best.
He took a deep breath, turned back toward the soldiers, and barked out an order.
“One!”
“Kill!”
“Two!”
“Kill!”
“Keep your kicks at the proper height!”
“Three!”
“Kill!”
“Four!”
“Kill!”
The soldiers responded with fierce determination, their voices echoing across the training grounds.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Among the sea of green uniforms, Chen Xiwa and Zhuang Yan stood side by side, dripping with sweat.
They had only just begun their journey as reconnaissance soldiers, but the intensity of the training had already begun shaping them. Unlike standard infantry units, reconnaissance teams endured grueling regimens designed to push them beyond their limits.
Their daily schedule included:
Every moment was spent building their skills, their endurance, and their resilience. As members of an elite reconnaissance unit, they were one step below special forces, and the training reflected that. Through sheer willpower and relentless effort, Chen Xiwa and Zhuang Yan were slowly transforming into true reconnaissance soldiers.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
While his comrades trained, Lin Yi sat in the reading room, poring over military literature. His ambitions no longer stopped at joining the special forces. He wanted to become a part of the greater evolution of the military. He understood that the future of warfare was changing.
The military was shifting toward integrated, specialized combat units—modernized forces that blended reconnaissance, information warfare, and special operations. The creation of Special Operations Brigades—a step beyond conventional special forces—was already underway. These elite, highly specialized units would soon become the backbone of modern warfare. Lin Yi had no intention of merely becoming a soldier. He planned to shape the future of the military itself.