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

Chapter Thirty-Three: Locating Targets by Sound—A Godlike Feat!

“So lively, yet you didn’t call me? Miao Lian, that’s hardly fair now, is it?”

A voice from the distance suddenly interrupted the exchange among the gathered officers and soldiers.

“Lin Yi!”

The soldiers of Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company instantly brightened, anticipation flashing in their eyes.

Zhuang Yan and Chen Xiwa were even more eager, staring in his direction like children who had found an adult to seek justice after being wronged.

“This is…?”

Minister Zhao and Captain Gao both looked toward the approaching figure, visibly surprised.

Lin Yi strode towards them, dressed in field combat fatigues. His rank was clearly displayed—Staff Sergeant. However, beneath the camouflage, his youthful face made him appear much younger than his rank suggested.

“You brat, what are you doing here?”

Miao Lian rolled his eyes and introduced him to the others.

“Minister, this is Lin Yi—one of our new recruits.”

“And why shouldn’t I be here? If even new recruits are being tested, how could I not come and show Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company’s true strength?”

Lin Yi shrugged lazily, his tone casual.

“Lin Yi—Staff Sergeant?”

“You’re that Outstanding Recruit of the Military District?”

Minister Zhao immediately recalled the name.

This was the university student who had shattered multiple recruit training records within the Southeastern Military District.

In fact, the military command had already pulled Lin Yi’s academic records from Yanjing University—he had been the province’s top scorer in the national college entrance exam and had grown up independently. These were precisely the qualities most valued by the army. Many departments had tried to transfer him into their ranks, but every single request had been blocked by the Commander himself.

The Southeastern Military District’s plan for Lin Yi was to develop him as a future commanding officer—his potential was already evident. Especially after he had written an article published in the Military District Journal, sparking major discussions on military reform.

It was no exaggeration to say that the direction of the Southeastern Military District’s current military reforms was following the diversified strategy outlined in his paper. Most people might not know this, but Minister Zhao was well aware—the article had been submitted to the General Staff Headquarters as an internal document. Plans were already in place to award Lin Yi a Second-Class Merit Commendation.

His future was limitless.

“Sir!”

Lin Yi immediately snapped to attention and saluted.

“If the Minister has come to inspect our unit, it wouldn’t be a complete evaluation if I didn’t put on a demonstration, would it?”

“You cheeky little thing—trying to get one over on me, are you?”

Minister Zhao chuckled, instantly understanding his intent.

“Very well. How do you plan to demonstrate?”

“Since Captain Gao just gave a performance, I shall do the same.”

“Chen Xiwa, Zhuang Yan.”

Lin Yi cast a glance at Captain Gao and called out.

“Yes, sir!”

Without hesitation, Chen Xiwa and Zhuang Yan rushed off to retrieve another bucket filled with empty beer bottles.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Lin Yi pulled out a strip of black cloth and tied it over his eyes.

“What?”

Not only the reconnaissance soldiers but even Captain Gao and Minister Zhao looked visibly startled.

He is going to shoot blindfolded?

Miao Lian and Platoon Commander Chen, despite knowing Lin Yi’s exceptional marksmanship, hadn’t expected this. Even they felt a twinge of nervousness.

“Xiao Zhuang, Xiwa—throw them together!”

Lin Yi stood sideways, his voice calm yet commanding.

“Yes, sir!”

Chen Xiwa and Zhuang Yan obeyed immediately, hurling multiple bottles into the air simultaneously.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire erupted across the shooting range, and all eyes snapped to the sky.

Every beer bottle shattered mid-air.

Unlike Captain Gao’s earlier performance, in which bottles were thrown one at a time, here at least two were tossed per throw, increasing the difficulty significantly. Yet in that split-second window, Lin Yi pulled the trigger with unwavering precision. It was as if he required no aiming at all—each bullet struck its target flawlessly. In mere moments, every last beer bottle had been destroyed. Only then did Lin Yi remove the blindfold and hand his QBZ-95 rifle to a nearby reconnaissance soldier.

The field remained eerily silent.

Everyone was still processing what they had just witnessed.

“Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The reconnaissance soldiers, already stunned by Captain Gao’s earlier display, were now completely overwhelmed by Lin Yi’s performance. Excitement surged through the ranks, and applause erupted throughout the training ground. Their palms were practically turning red from clapping.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Even Minister Zhao joined in, nodding in admiration.

“Excellent! Truly excellent!”

“You really are a man of many talents—no wonder the Commander insisted on keeping you in the field.”

“Only by going through these experiences can you advance faster and further.”

“The future belongs to young people like you. Keep it up!”

The surrounding officers and soldiers couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

For a Major General to hold such high expectations for a Staff Sergeant—this meant he saw Lin Yi as someone with the potential to reach the very top. It was unbelievable to them.

“Yes, sir! I am honoured!”

“I will continue to strive forward!”

Lin Yi’s expression remained composed as he gave his response with solemn determination. Seeing his lack of arrogance despite such overwhelming recognition, Minister Zhao found himself growing even fonder of this young man.

“Identifying targets by sound—truly remarkable!”

Even Captain Gao couldn’t help but voice his admiration. To be able to rely entirely on sound to locate and shoot targets—such skill was extraordinarily rare, even among the elite Special Forces across the nation. Today, he had witnessed it from an eighteen-year-old recruit. It was staggering.

“This year’s Special Forces selection—will you be participating?”

“I will.”

Lin Yi met Captain Gao’s expectant gaze and answered firmly.

“Becoming a Special Forces soldier is the highest honour for a reconnaissance soldier.”

“I am no exception.”

“Good. I will be waiting for you.”

Captain Gao nodded approvingly. A talent like this—how can Langya Special Operations Battalion possibly let him slip away?

Standing nearby, Zheng Sanpao and Chen Guotao exchanged looks of envy.

They knew that, unlike them, Lin Yi didn’t even need to go through the selection process.

If he wanted, he could join the Special Forces immediately.

This was the privilege of raw talent.

“Alright, time’s up.”

Minister Zhao checked his watch.

“I still have other units to inspect.”

He then turned to Zhuang Yan and encouraged him.

“Young man, don’t be discouraged.”

“These men were raised on bullets—new rifles barely last them a year before wearing out.”

“One day, you will be like them.”

“Sir!”

Zhuang Yan spoke loudly and clearly.

“One day, I will surpass them!”

“Good!”

“That’s the spirit!”

“I look forward to that day.”

“When the time comes, I will personally present you with an award!”

Rather than feeling offended by Zhuang Yan’s ambition, Minister Zhao admired it.

“Thank you, sir!”

Zhuang Yan responded with enthusiasm.

Minister Zhao then turned to Captain Gao and the accompanying Lieutenant Colonel.

“And what are you all standing around for? Waiting to get ambushed?”

“Hurry up and get in the vehicle!”

Before leaving, Captain Gao briefly pulled down his sunglasses and tapped two fingers against them—directly at Zhuang Yan.

With that, the group boarded the vehicle and departed, leaving Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company behind.