For some people, this place is a paradise for adventure and hunting; but for most, it is a land of death.

Towering evergreen broadleaf trees, some over ten meters high, block out the sunlight. Countless vines crazily climb up the trees in search of enough sunlight. The ground is covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, black and yellow intermingled, emitting a nauseating, fishy odor.

Years of rain and muggy heat have caused the fallen leaves to naturally ferment, creating new nutrients. While nutrients are formed, some waterlogged areas have turned into deadly swamps. These swamps are perfectly camouflaged, appearing to be solid ground, but if you step in by accident, you’ll be swallowed up in no time.

Countless poisonous snakes, insects, and ants roam about, and large carnivorous animals may appear at any moment. Danger lurks everywhere, traps are all around; this subtropical rainforest is in no way inferior to the Amazon’s tropical rainforest. Even experienced old hunters could lose their lives here.

Yet this land of death didn’t leave much of a psychological shadow on this group of children. Although they were scared at first, once they entered the rainforest, curiosity quickly replaced fear.

There are no forests like this in real life, nor are there so many trees whose names you can’t even guess. This is a fresh, new world, one never experienced amid the hustle and bustle of city life.

“Wow, there are mushrooms, more mushrooms!”

“Little rabbit, little rabbit!”

“I caught a caterpillar!”

Shouts and exclamations rang out one after another, as the children who entered the rainforest treated this place like a playground.

“Edward Baldwin, why are you following me?” With her hands behind her back, Baby Duke pouted her rosy lips and said unhappily, “You didn’t help me beat someone up just now, so I’m not playing with you anymore.”

Baby Duke was very angry, because she trusted Edward Baldwin so much, but Edward Baldwin actually didn’t help her beat someone up.

“Fighting is bad.” Edward Baldwin followed closely behind Baby Duke, pleading, “Baby Duke, will you play with me? We’re already good friends.”

This was Edward Baldwin’s first friend, and also his only friend. For this friend, he had given all his Wangwang snow cakes to her, but fighting… Edward Baldwin instinctively rejected fighting, because he had been beaten too many times himself.

“Hmph, I just won’t play with you, and I’ll make sure no one else plays with you either.” Baby Duke shook her little head stubbornly.

A trace of sadness appeared in Edward Baldwin’s eyes, but he still followed closely behind Baby Duke.

“Edward Baldwin, Baby Duke isn’t talking to you anymore, so why are you still following her, you tagalong.” The little boy who had helped Baby Duke beat someone up earlier glared at Edward Baldwin unfriendly.

This boy’s name was Paul Ray, with a chubby, sturdy look. Ever since getting off the bus, he had been following behind Baby Duke, watching Edward Baldwin warily.

“None of your business,” Baby Duke turned her head, waving the military knife in her hand in front of Paul Ray’s eyes and said, “Edward Baldwin is my friend. When I talk to my good friend, you don’t get to butt in.”

“But…”

“But what?” Baby Duke said fiercely, “I don’t even like being with you. Your dad is so ugly.”

“My dad isn’t ugly.” Paul Ray retorted, aggrieved, “My dad told me to protect you.”

“But someone is already protecting me.” Baby Duke turned to Edward Baldwin and said, “Edward Baldwin, we’re good friends. Will you protect me?”

Gratitude appeared in Edward Baldwin’s eyes, and he nodded hard, biting his lip.

“Hee hee… but I still won’t play with you, and I’ll make sure no one else plays with you either.” Baby Duke squatted down, stabbed the military knife into the ground, stood on it with her hands on her hips, and shouted loudly to the children behind her, “Come here, all of you, come here.”

A dozen or so children immediately gathered around at Baby Duke’s call. Right now, Baby Duke was their leader, so of course they listened to her.

“From now on, no one is allowed to play with Edward Baldwin.” Baby Duke rolled up her sleeves and threatened, waving her little fist, “If anyone dares not to listen to me, I’ll beat them up. Got it?”

“Got it!” The childish voices rang out in unison, surprisingly neat.

Baby Duke looked at Edward Baldwin with pride, her face full of authority.

Edward Baldwin looked at Baby Duke, then turned to look at the others.

With a “whoosh,” everyone ran behind Baby Duke, glaring menacingly at the solitary Edward Baldwin across from them.

Edward Baldwin was isolated, ostracized by everyone at Baby Duke’s word.

“Hee hee…” Baby Duke giggled, pulled out the military knife, waved her hand, and led the group forward.

But Edward Baldwin didn’t show any sign of sadness, and just slowly followed behind alone.

At the starting point, the departing bus returned and stopped in the clearing. A male and a female officer watched the computer while analyzing each person through the video footage.

“Arthur Blake has been receiving strict military training since the age of three. Both his leadership and organizational skills are excellent,” the female officer said as she took notes. “Seven years is enough for him to be on the verge of becoming a professional soldier. He’s the most promising one.”

“Not bad, Arthur Blake is indeed impressive. Linda Drake, what do you think of this kid Richard Grant?” the male officer asked.