Chapter 146: Parachute Training—High Opening, Low Jump!

Deep in the jungle, Su Yun began teaching Qin Feng a set of combat techniques. By midday, after an entire morning of instruction, Qin Feng had basically mastered the moves.

"Not bad. You have a good aptitude; you’ve grasped the basics in just half a day. Keep practicing, and I’m sure you’ll master them, which will help you better engage the enemy," Su Yun said, looking at Qin Feng. She felt his potential was excellent. True to his background of living in the jungle, he possessed a natural instinct for combat—he understood concepts at a single hint and learned them the moment they were demonstrated. She was confident he would master the techniques completely.

"That might have to do with me growing up in the jungle," Qin Feng remarked.

"That's true," Su Yun replied. "It’s nearly noon. Let’s go get some food. This afternoon, we’ll train in parachuting—a vital skill for any special forces soldier."

Parachuting is a critical capability. Whether deploying from a helicopter at high altitude or dropping behind enemy lines for long-range operations, it is a necessity.

"Understood. No problem, we'll train for jumps this afternoon," Qin Feng said. He had parachuted before, but those were routine jumps. Since Su Yun came from a mysterious, elite unit, he knew her training would be far from ordinary. It could be unconventional or even dangerous; one slight mishap could lead to a fatal fall. Mastering the skill was the only way to ensure survival.

"Be prepared. This jump will be different from what you're used to. You’ll need to demonstrate your absolute best capabilities," Su Yun said with a faint smile. She knew the nature of this exercise and intended to forge Qin Feng into the best parachutist he could be.

"Yun'er, don't worry, I’ll land safely." Looking at her smile, Qin Feng sensed something was off—it seemed this jump was more complex than it appeared. However, he was ready and unconcerned. More importantly, he trusted that Su Yun would never put him in genuine danger. Regardless of how unusual it might be, he was determined to execute the jump and land safely.

In the afternoon, the pair arrived at the drop zone. Su Yun explained the exercise: a High Altitude, Low Opening (HALO) jump. She believed this would be an excellent way to push his limits and elevate his skills. She detailed the techniques and provided a demonstration at the airfield. After an hour of practice, Qin Feng had the basics down.

They headed to the hangar where a transport helicopter waited. With the engines roaring and the rotors spinning, Qin Feng strapped on his parachute and boarded. Su Yun also wore a rig, not to jump herself, but as a precaution; if something went wrong, she would be ready to intervene.

The helicopter lifted off, ascending toward the sky. This training mission had been specifically arranged for Qin Feng with the commander’s approval. Roughly ten minutes later, they reached the drop altitude of about two to three thousand meters.

As the cabin light turned red—the signal to prepare for the jump—Qin Feng looked at Su Yun. She nodded. He moved to the door and glanced out, shocked to see how clearly the ground was visible. He realized this was indeed a HALO jump, a technique he had little experience with. He knew it was dangerous and a true test of one's skills, requiring absolute precision to land safely.

Seeing his surprise, Su Yun wasn't phased. She hadn't warned him because this was a "life-or-death" style jump. "Qin Feng, are you afraid? If you are, we can cancel."

"Afraid? Since when have I ever been afraid? Isn't this just a HALO jump? I’ll do it. I believe I can handle this and that it will help me better deal with the dangers that could arise at any time."

As he spoke, an intense, formidable aura surged from him. He had never known fear. He recognized her challenge as a tactic to goad him, but he was undeterred. He was determined to grow stronger.

"Wait," Su Yun said suddenly.

"Yun'er, are you having second thoughts about letting me jump?" Qin Feng asked, knowing she was concerned for his safety.

"No, this is a procedural check. Inspect your gear." Her words reminded him that he needed to keep jumping to become truly formidable. After a final, careful check, she nodded. "Everything is clear. Jump."

"Understood. Don't worry, I'll land safely." Qin Feng knew her intentions were for his own good. He wouldn't let her down. He moved to the threshold and leaped into the void.

Su Yun watched his descent with intense focus, her expression a mix of anticipation and calm. If he faltered, she would jump without hesitation to save him. "Qin Feng, you can do this. You will succeed," she whispered.

Falling through the air, Qin Feng felt his velocity increasing rapidly. The sheer thrill of the freefall was exhilarating, though the speed was faster than he had anticipated.

*Stay calm,* he told himself, his mind sharp and cautious. He knew that even a minor error at this stage could be fatal.

Suddenly, he hit a pocket of turbulence, causing him to spin violently. It was disorienting, but his endurance was greater than most. Regaining his focus, he knew the moment was right.

"Deploy!"

With a sharp snap, the parachute blossomed. Qin Feng drifted toward the ground, battling strong winds that made control difficult. He didn't know exactly where he would touch down, but he focused all his energy on maneuvering the chute, knowing that only a perfect landing would count as a true success.