First Toast to Chief Helmsman Chen!

My Left Hand and I were seated in the first row near the middle, while "Worldly Uncontested" was seated on the side of the first row. Gun Like a Dragon" and "Shen Jin " were seated directly in the second row.

Soon after, the total number of players in the hall exceeded one thousand, and these were all elites from all over the country, once again proving the saying "Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river," and how difficult it is to reach the top among players!

"Gentlemen."

A middle-aged woman dressed in formal business attire stepped onto the podium. "Please be quiet for a moment. Next, the Ministry of Defense will deliver his keynote address."

"The Ministry of Defense?"

My Left Hand froze, staring at me in surprise. "Did I hear that right?"

You heard me right.

I looked to the other side and saw a middle-aged man in the uniform of the Crimson Dragon Country walk in. He exuded an imposing aura and carried the rank of general on his shoulder.

The Ministry of Defense did not have a prepared speech. After taking his place on the podium, he exuded an air of profound composure and began his speech.

"Those who have come to this venue today are all so-called 'players.' A few months ago, there was a saying circulating throughout the entire home planet: 'When players descend from the sky, it is a natural disaster.' On this home planet, the birthplace of the Star Abyss civilization, almost all countries and forces consider players to be enemies, not friends. But I don't think so."

He looked up at the crowd in the hall and slowly said, "Although you are players, you share the same skin color and speak the same language as us. You all have parents and friends in this world, and they are all citizens of the Crimson Dragon Country. Although you possess another soul and greater power, I have never considered you as enemies..."

He pointed outside and said in a deep voice, "Look at this world! Alien species roam freely, insect nests are everywhere. Our people haven't seen the scenery outside the Wall of Life for hundreds of years. They are trapped in this corner of the world, afraid to take a single step outside! Every year, how many of our soldiers have died outside to resist the demons, resist the alien species, and resist the spread of the insect nests? How many of our children have paid the price for this?"

"Then, you appeared. You possess great talent and a righteous heart. You fought against the Zerg, the demons, and the aliens. Therefore, I never considered you as enemies. In my eyes, it was the children who sacrificed themselves on the border and Great Wall Watch who returned, it was the young people who died for the Republic who returned, and it was you who gave them new souls!"

At this point, he gently placed his fist on the table and said, "Some say you harbor ill intentions, that you are unscrupulous, but I... I believe in you, and I am willing to fight alongside you, to stand with you through thick and thin! On the map of my Crimson Dragon Country, there are no players, only brave warriors willing to fight for the Republic!"

A round of applause erupted at the scene, and many players even had tears in their eyes.

The Ministry of Defense's speech was highly inspiring, and more importantly, he genuinely gave the players a strong sense of belonging, making all the players present no longer feel like outsiders.

"Holy crap..."

Left Hand said, "Why am I a little touched?"

"It's normal to be touched; I was a little touched too."

"Damn it..."

The Ministry of Defense continued, "Today, I want to say that the Crimson Dragon Country will give every player full respect. Although many people don't understand, I am still working hard. I hope that each of you can be recognized in the Crimson Dragon Country and receive the status you deserve. In addition, everyone present today will be incorporated into the Ministry of Defense's organizational structure. I want to give you the status of a soldier."

He looked up at the crowd. "Although it will be a long process for the world to accept the players' identities, and you will still need to hide your identities and mingle in every corner of society for a long time to come, I guarantee that the Crimson Dragon Country, from the Great Wall Watch to all the major legions, will regard the players as comrades and will never break its promise!"

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

"In Creek City, in the Northern Frontier, and on many battlefields outside the borders of the Crimson Dragon Country, players have made numerous contributions. Today, we will award one Silver Star Hero Medal and 99 Bronze Star Hero Medal as recognition and reward for everyone!"

Afterwards, a clerk went on stage and began announcing the list of players who had received medals.

The first group included two people, Left Hand and Gun Like a Dragon, and ten others who went on stage to be awarded a Bronze Star Hero Medal by the Ministry of Defense.

"Holy crap..."

After stepping down from the stage, he excitedly held the box in his Left Hand and said, "Why do I feel so happy to have been recruited?"

I grinned and said, "Take it easy, don't get too excited."

"Um!"

Left Hand said, "Third Brother, wait a moment, you'll definitely get a piece of this medal too."

"Let me see yours first."

"Okay!"

Picking up the medal, although it's called a bronze star, it's actually made of pure gold with exquisite craftsmanship. Inside the medal are eight figures clustered together, each with a lifelike expression, corresponding to the player's eight professions in <Star Abyss>. It has to be said that the Crimson Dragon Country's higher-ups really went to great lengths to recruit players.

After that, the second batch, the third batch... batch after batch of players went up on stage to receive their medals, all of them were bronze stars, until the very last batch, and my name was still not on the list.

"Holy crap... are you kidding me?"

Left Hand got a little anxious. "Third Brother, with your glorious record, why don't you get a medal? I'll go talk to them."

"Don't rush."

I crossed my arms. "Isn't there still a Silver Star Hero Medal?"

"Damn, you're thinking about that... that's a bit difficult..."

"Not necessarily."

Sure enough, the clerk said excitedly, "Next, we will award the only Silver Star Hero Medal! Its recipient is the one who turned the tide in the Battle of Creek City, slaying the Gray Bug Regiment Commander Vega with a single sword strike, and who killed two commanders and saved General Su Wei, Commander of the Crimson Dragon Legion 99th Division, in the Battle of Tidal Coast two days ago. Please welcome the most powerful player in the South— Ding Han!"

"Holy crap!"

He slapped his thigh with his Left Hand, his face beaming with excitement. "Third Brother, that's awesome... It really is the only Silver Star Medal! Come on up to the stage and collect your medal!"

I got up and walked onto the stage, my steps a little unsteady. It would be a lie to say I wasn't excited, given the scale of the event.

The Ministry of Defense personally presented the medal, pinning it to my chest before shaking my hand and smiling, "Ding Han, I've seen your name in battle reports many times. General Su Wei even strongly advocated for awarding you a higher-level Hero Medal. I think you deserve this Silver Star Medal. Congratulations!"

Thank you!

I didn't know what to say, so I just thanked them.

Afterwards, he walked off the stage in a daze, feeling even more disoriented.

All around and behind him, players congratulated him, and he responded to each one, unable to hide the smiles on his face.

After all the medals were awarded, the Ministry of Defense gave a closing speech, stating that the meeting was top secret, no surveillance cameras were turned on, all staff members present were internal personnel, and the players' identities remained confidential, and he hoped that everyone would not worry.

Afterwards, we returned to the hotel.

Then he took a taxi alone to the restaurant that Axe and Xiao Bai had agreed to have dinner at.

Soon after, we arrived at a Sichuan-style restaurant, went upstairs to a private room, and saw Axe and Xiao Bai we hadn't seen in a long time.

"Ding Han, it's been a long time!"

Axe stepped forward and gave me a bear hug, ruffling my hair and laughing loudly, "Dude, I've missed you so much!"

"Holy crap, my hairstyle..."

I quickly pulled away, saying, "Axe, how strong are you now? That hug really hurt. Luckily you don't have a girlfriend, or you'd accidentally kill me with that hug sooner or later."

"Ahem, why do you have to bring up something you don't want to talk about?"

Axe scratched his head. "I can't help it. Gene Warrior have high strength growth. I only need four more pieces to get all purple gear, so my strength value is definitely high. But Ding Han, your strength is definitely higher. I didn't even intend to let go, but you still managed to break free."

Of course.

I sat down casually. "I've been completely purple for a while now."

Then she winked at Xiao Bai: "Sister Bai, long time no see, you've become even more beautiful!"

"You son of a bitch..."

Axe said speechlessly, "I'm talking to you, why are you going to flirt with Xiao Bai?"

Ling Baiwei chuckled, "Oh, back when we first met in Creek City, Ding Han was so shy. Now look at him, he's turned into a seasoned old fox, even daring to flirt with me now."

"There's no way around it; a man's confidence is built on his rank and Overall Combat Level."

"Awesome..."

Axe asked, "Ding Han, what's your combat level now? Can you tell me?"

"Above eight thousand."

I gave a rather conservative figure, but in fact it has already exceeded 10,000.

"Holy crap..."

Axe tiger's body trembled, and he gave a thumbs-up. "Awesome..."

"What were the contents of the meeting? Can you tell us?" Xiao Bai asked.

"There's nothing I can't reveal."

I glanced inside the private room to make sure there were no security cameras, and said, "Actually, it's just that the upper echelons of the Crimson Dragon Country have made a statement to the players, expressing their willingness to grant them official status and implicitly acknowledging that all players have a formal position within the Crimson Dragon Country. They hope to cooperate more with the players; in other words, they want to recruit player teams and use them for their own purposes."

"What about the players' attitude? Are they all willing to be recruited?" Axe asked.

"Yes, I'm willing to accept either."

"This isn't right..."

Axe frowned and said, "Ding Han, although we are currently in a weak period, after this meeting, all the player representatives accepted being recruited. How is this any different from Song Jiang being granted amnesty by the imperial court?"

"The difference is huge."

I said calmly, "First of all, whether players choose to serve the Crimson Dragon Country is their own choice. Those who want to go on the missions given by the Crimson Dragon Country can go, and those who don't can't. Players have the autonomy. In addition, cooperating with the Crimson Dragon Country can more efficiently improve players' levels and equipment. This kind of cooperation is a win-win relationship, which is very different from the surrender faction like Song Jiang."

"Stop talking, let's eat first."

Xiao Bai poured me a beer and asked, "This is the first one?"

"No doubt about it."

Axe and I simultaneously picked up our glasses and said in unison, "Let's toast Chief Helmsman Chen with the first glass!"