Gu Fang raised an eyebrow slightly, standing leisurely at the edge of the training ground with an amused expression that said, "Let's see what you come up with."
Lin Yi decided to start with basic physical fitness to select the best candidates. She led everyone to the General's Mansion's training ground—of course, a general's mansion had to have one. It had been unused since Gu Fang's severe injury until he recovered and could walk again, when A Fu had it cleaned and organized for future use.
The guards lined up in the center of the ground, silent. Lin Yi walked to the front, cleared her throat, and tried to sound authoritative: "Next, we will conduct several tests. They mainly assess basic physical fitness, body coordination, and balance. The first test: basic fitness. Each of you must complete fifty squats and hold a plank position for fifty breaths. If you feel exhausted, you can give up without any penalty." She emphasized the last point, as this was just a selection, not a strict assessment, and the mansion had plenty of talent.
Although Lin Yi said they could quit, no one dropped out during the first test. All the guards gritted their teeth and completed the tasks, though many were breathing heavily afterward. Lin Yi nodded inwardly—their basic stamina was decent.
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