Chapter 32: 72 Hours

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: 72 Hours

As public figures, every word and action gets endlessly magnified in front of the camera. Everyone speaks with restraint and measured control.

Wendy Aldridge only dared to openly criticize Renee Morgan by claiming she was standing up for Zara Chapman.

Renee Morgan calmly looked at Wendy Aldridge. "How have I been disrespectful to Ms. Chapman?"

"You!" Wendy Aldridge gave her a look as though she was hopelessly stubborn and beyond saving.

Renee Morgan glanced at Zara Chapman.

Zara Chapman avoided her gaze, chin lifted, looking off into the distance, every bit of pride written openly on her face.

Renee Morgan nonchalantly withdrew her gaze. So what if Zara Chapman was an award-winning actress? What did that have to do with her? She didn’t offend people, but she wouldn’t go out of her way to please them either. By now, she understood one thing clearly: it didn’t matter what others possessed—if she succeeded, the world would be beautiful. Until then, she had no way out except to give it her all.

The gossip-loving audience in the livestream watched all this and felt incredibly energized. What’s more engrossing than a power struggle between female celebrities?

Of course, the viewers had sharp eyes too. Everyone could see that Wendy Aldridge and Zara Chapman were targeting Renee Morgan.

But Renee Morgan wasn’t some pitiful little thing people could push around. She wasn’t afraid of trouble and faced everything openly—very admirable.

Back at the assembly field, after a short rest, it was lunchtime.

Everyone knew that tomorrow was outdoor training, but nobody knew what was planned for the afternoon.

Half an hour into the lunch break, the whistle sounded. Groggy and half-asleep, everyone hurriedly shouted for the others and dashed to the assembly ground.

The instructor stood with his hands behind his back, his piercing gaze sweeping over everyone.

After settling into her spot, Renee Morgan gently steadied her breathing.

Once everyone was assembled, the instructor spoke: "Tomorrow morning we’ll start outdoor training. For now, I’ll explain the rules."

Everyone perked up their ears, listening intently.

Outdoor survival, also known as the 72-hour wilderness challenge, would take place in the base’s forest. Each participant is equipped with an emergency survival whistle—if they encounter danger, they can use it to call for help, which also means mission failure. Only those who last 72 hours and make it through the forest will be considered to have completed the task.

Instructor: "Those who successfully complete the wilderness survival will earn a permanent Merrick residence permit and a Merrick Base Access Pass."

Everyone gasped, even the rumored mercenary-type members of Team One trembled with excitement.

Even people like Renee Morgan, who weren’t too familiar with Merrick, knew what those two documents meant—especially the Merrick Base Access Pass, a thing regular people could never get.

Netizens in the livestream immediately started spreading gossip about the Merrick Base Access Pass. Although Merrick Base is an international military training facility, there are no official channels to apply—besides various national military forces, ordinary people wanting access is nearly impossible. With the pass, you get the chance to leapfrog social classes.

Imagine how many factions worldwide want to enter Merrick Base yet have no opportunity; if they could gain access through this pass, they’d gladly pay whatever it took.

The audience was stunned, sensing that this pass might not be so easy to obtain.

Renee Morgan noticed Team One reacting much more strongly; she guessed these two permits were extraordinary. She could vaguely understand the purpose of the Merrick residence permit, but the Merrick Base Access Pass puzzled her—after the training, it’d be hard to return, so what use would the pass be?

The instructor seemed to notice Renee Morgan’s confusion. He fixed his gaze on her: "You may not understand how important this pass is just yet. Let me remind you—after you have this pass, even if you go to Siamara and meet their monarch, you’ll be treated as an honored guest, exempt from ceremonial kneeling."

Renee Morgan stared at the instructor in shock. "Why?"

The instructor smiled without answering, then after a while replied: "Merrick Base is an international training facility, with a unique status. Holding the pass means freedom to come and go, and protection from the base—across nations, too."

In short, it’s not just an access pass; it’s proof of status. One pass is enough for them to transcend social classes and climb the ranks.

Renee Morgan was utterly stunned.

The online audience was blown away too. Although some had already explained it before, nobody expected a single access pass to carry such weight internationally. Merrick Base’s standing in the world must be immense.

"Instructor, what if someone steals the pass?" Lynn Miller felt like holding that kind of power was dangerous.

Instructor: "Impossible, unless they want to be internationally wanted. Plus, each pass must be used by its owner—if someone else holds it, it’s useless, and the base’s laws will punish them. No one would be that stupid."

Zara Chapman hadn’t expected this; she suddenly regretted not grabbing a tool kit this morning.

As a film star, she was moderately known domestically, but as for international status... Don’t even mention international stature; she didn’t even have an entry ticket to international film festivals. If she attended international fashion shows, her company had to pay for it, and she always sat in the back row.

If she could get this pass, combined with her celebrity status, wouldn’t she easily shine on the global stage? Even without works, just holding this pass, she’d be treated as a VIP, with her fashion influence recognized worldwide.

Zara Chapman’s imagination ran wild—if she became the first domestic woman to earn this honor, she’d be absolutely thrilled.

"Wendy Aldridge, you said you’d share your tool kit with me tomorrow, right?" Zara Chapman suddenly turned to Wendy Aldridge and asked in a low voice.

Wendy Aldridge was still fantasizing about having the access pass, becoming a famous and respected star both at home and abroad. Zara’s words snapped her out of it; she nearly blurted out, "Why should I?" Then she remembered what she’d said that morning, wishing she could slap Zara. She’d said those words without knowing the pass was up for grabs. Now, understanding the mission’s importance, how could Zara shamelessly ask? Even if she borrowed the kit for a price, it’d be reasonable—let alone asking so freely.

While she was annoyed, Wendy Aldridge kept a smile: "Ms. Chapman, didn’t I say? We’ll all help you and Lionel Lincoln."

She said "all," not just herself.

Zara Chapman couldn’t guarantee others would share, so she stared straight at Wendy Aldridge: "I mean you alone—are you willing to share your tool kit with me?"

Faced with Zara Chapman’s arrogance, Wendy Aldridge nearly lost her cool, but she was smart enough not to flip out here. She gave Zara a reassuring look.