To start a new chapter of her life, Yan Xiyan had to endure the most grueling day she had ever faced. She was thrown headfirst into hellish training—personally designed by a world-class sniper.
After ten minutes of warm-up, she was told to stand still.
And not just that—while standing completely motionless, she had to read aloud the numbers that randomly flashed on a screen in the training field.
Any movement—even a slight twitch—would trigger an electric shock.
"57, 12, 1542, 4643…"
Controlled by a computer, the numbers appeared for only three seconds at a time. Sometimes, four or five numbers would appear simultaneously. At most, there could be seven. The range varied from one-digit to three-digit numbers.
She was required to call them out correctly instantly. No delay. No hesitation.
This training was designed to enhance her focus, situational awareness, and reflexes—three qualities that would one day mean the difference between life and death.
"It takes 0.022 seconds to fire a bullet from a sniper rifle," Sergeant Zhang had said."In that time, either your bullet lands between the enemy's eyes, or theirs takes your soul."
"If you want to survive, mastering the basics is just your first step."
Though Yan Xiyan was still just a child, Sergeant Zhang held back from using the most extreme portions of his training regimen—for now.
Yan Xiyan had been standing for over an hour.
The tremble in her legs faded as her concentration intensified. Her voice was steady now.
"Left, 324… Right, 644. Over."
She reacted the moment the numbers appeared, her voice quick, her tone precise.
Sergeant Zhang stood nearby, silently observing, a folder in hand. He was already documenting her performance on this very first day.
The basic training and sniper training would run side by side. After two months of foundational conditioning, he would finally allow her to handle live weapons.
From Monday to Friday, Yan Xiyan was an ordinary student during the day.But by nightfall, she transformed into something else entirely—a sniper-in-training, pushing her limits, guided by relentless instruction.
Within just a few months, a quiet transformation took place.
The softness in her features began to fade. The innocence once in her eyes was replaced with quiet determination. The fragility of youth gave way to the unshakable resolve of someone who had chosen their path with no regrets.
She no longer resembled a delicate flower.
Now, she was becoming something stronger.Something that could stand firm on the edge of a cliff—like a pine tree weathering endless storms.
The change was subtle, but undeniable.And by the time others began to notice… it was already too late to stop it.
After her evening exercises, her black eyes gleamed like obsidian soaked in moonlight—dark, deep, and burning with silent fire.
That evening, after she returned home, Grandpa Yan greeted her with an unexpected announcement.
"Get ready. I have somewhere to take you."
Inside the military compound, every soldier they passed saluted him with utmost respect.Yan Xiyan followed closely, disciplined and silent. She didn't glance around or ask questions.
"Soldiers of Squad Two, have your leader prepare a roster of all trainees. I'll be testing them tomorrow night."
His tone was absolute. Authority radiated from every word.
Suddenly—gunfire erupted in the distance. Loud. Sharp. Real.
Yan Xiyan's head snapped up instinctively. Her heartbeat began to match the rhythm of the gunshots.
It was like something deep inside her stirred—a sleeping instinct breaking free from its slumber.
General Yan motioned for the soldiers to continue their duties and turned to her with a faint smile.
"I'll show you the shooting range next time.But today, there's somewhere else I want to take you."
Their destination wasn't far from the range. They stopped before a room heavily guarded by soldiers.
Above the door, a bold slogan was displayed—words that every soldier would read coming in and out.
This was the firearms room. Access here was limited—even soldiers with ordinary clearance could only enter twice a week.
As Yan Xiyan stepped inside, her eyes lit up.
Rows upon rows of pistols, rifles, and guns gleamed under the lights—each one emanating a cold, deadly allure.
To most, it would be frightening.To Yan Xiyan, it was magnetic.
A fire lit in her chest.
She could feel it in her blood—a hunger to grow stronger, to touch that power, to claim it as her own.
She turned to look at Grandpa Yan, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Grandpa… can I… can I touch them?"
A voice inside her screamed to reach out. To pick one up. To feel what it was like to hold something capable of shaping destiny.
She longed to know what it would feel like when a bullet left the barrel—when that deadly force answered her will.