Chapter Twenty-five: Should I Join the Battle?

The transport helicopter ascended and departed, soaring into the sky and gradually vanishing from sight. Qin Feng carefully surveyed the jungle around him, noticing that it was surrounded by lush vegetation—dense foliage, a variety of plants and shrubs—resembling a primordial forest.

The greenery stretched endlessly, vibrant and full of life, yet an eerie silence prevailed. Night had fallen, and no one could predict what might happen next. Qin Feng was keenly aware that beneath this tranquil surface, unknown dangers were concealed. Having grown up in the jungle with Old Qin, he knew all too well the threats lurking here: venomous snakes, leopards, tigers, wild boars, wolves, and other poisonous, ferocious, and terrifying beasts. Survival demanded utmost caution.

The squad leader had warned of dangers in the jungle, and Qin Feng took his words seriously, for the leader never lied. His instincts agreed; the moment he laid eyes on this forest, he sensed its complexity and the lurking menace in the air.

Moving cautiously through the jungle, Qin Feng did his best to conceal himself. He knew there were other adversaries hidden among the trees, and he needed to stay wary to avoid elimination. Quietly weaving his way forward, he was as silent as a phantom, his presence nearly undetectable.

He carried a military backpack filled with various weapons. Slung across his back was an 88 sniper rifle; each participant could choose two firearms—a 92 pistol and either a sniper rifle, a light machine gun, or an assault rifle—based on personal preference, habits, and combat style. Qin Feng had chosen the 88 sniper rifle. He also carried grenades, a military dagger, and other equipment; everyone's weapons were similarly allocated.

Suddenly, Qin Feng sensed danger ahead. The darkness obscured his view, but he advanced cautiously, step by step. In that instant, a shadow shot forward with astonishing speed, streaking toward him like a bolt of black lightning.

Calmly observing the threat, Qin Feng reacted the moment the shadow appeared. His gaze was steady, knowing that the greater the danger, the more crucial it was to maintain composure. As the shadow lunged at him, he swiftly drew his dagger and slashed—cold steel flashed, and the shadow was cleaved in two, the threat neutralized.

Looking closer, Qin Feng saw it was a king cobra, nearly a meter long, its triangular venomous head severed. The snake’s forked tongue protruded, and its exposed fangs appeared fearsome, sending chills down his spine. He inhaled sharply; fortunately, he’d detected the danger in time and acted quickly, or he might have been the one to perish.

“The jungle is even more perilous than I imagined. A king cobra tonight—who knows what other venomous creatures or fierce beasts I’ll encounter next? I must be extra careful,” Qin Feng thought, now understanding why this selection test was called ‘jungle survival.’ Here, all manner of hazards could appear; you must eliminate threats to survive, while also fighting against enemies. A moment’s carelessness could mean elimination.

Qin Feng reminded himself to remain vigilant. Only by surviving could he continue to battle his adversaries; only those who persist to the end can claim ultimate victory.

He pressed on through the jungle, stepping lightly, almost ghostlike, leaving no trace of his whereabouts.

“Bang, bang, bang! Boom!”

Half an hour into the survival test, sudden bursts of gunfire and grenade explosions echoed through the jungle. The fierce exchange of weapons meant someone had surely been “taken out.”

At the start, regardless of how the test unfolded, some would seize the chance to eliminate others, opening fire to “kill” their opponents.

“The concentration of fire is at the nine o’clock direction, about one and a half kilometers away. Looks like there’s intense fighting over there,” Qin Feng noted, gauging the distance and direction from the sounds. Having lived in the jungle since childhood, he could estimate locations and distances from auditory cues.

“Should I go and join the fight?” Qin Feng pondered. He knew people were battling there, but was unsure whether to head over. After some deliberation, he decided against it. “I won’t go. The survival test has just begun. No one knows what might happen, what dangers are hidden, or whether enemies are lying in wait. Charging in recklessly could get me ‘killed.’ Besides, it’s a bit far. By the time I arrive, the fight might already be over.”

He quickly resolved not to rush into battle. The situation was chaotic; no one could grasp the full picture. Acting rashly risked accidental injury or being caught in a grenade blast—being eliminated under such circumstances would be truly unfortunate.

On the battlefield, knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to invincibility.

Right now, Qin Feng needed to understand his adversaries. Without clear knowledge of the enemy, it was best not to act impulsively. Preserving himself was paramount; only by surviving could he hope to endure to the end and become a special forces soldier.

“I must keep my composure. Let them fight to the death while I find a place to hide. Perhaps, when they are spent, I can reap the rewards, or at least learn more about the enemy’s situation. That way, I’ll be better prepared to confront them.”

Qin Feng understood well: in jungle survival, survival itself is the priority, not combat. Only when facing danger should one fight; at other times, focus on staying alive. If you constantly seek battle, your chances of survival diminish. Once you fight, you risk exposure; no matter how formidable you are, you cannot fend off enemies from all sides. There were three hundred and five participants in this jungle—if he were discovered, he’d face overwhelming attacks. Thus, concealing himself, remaining unseen, was the best way to survive.