Arrival

"Welcome to Armed Base No. 1049 of Jiangnan Base City."

"Now, everyone, get off!"

Once they stepped out of the fully enclosed Armed Train carriages, a massive military camp came into view.

The entire perimeter of the camp was enclosed by reinforced concrete and military-grade barbed wire.

Heavy thermal weapons were densely deployed everywhere, their countless muzzles aimed beyond the camp.

A tall watchtower stood every kilometer or so. Dark red stains covered the black tower walls, while the metallic weapons atop them gleamed brilliantly beneath the sun.

There were even more soldiers carrying all kinds of sophisticated weapons. Every one of them exuded a fierce aura, clearly elite troops who had survived bloody battles.

Xia Zhi and the other Quasi-Warriors taking the practical combat assessment stood on the parade ground at the camp entrance.

"Look outside!" someone shouted excitedly.

Xia Zhi turned around. Beyond the camp's security line, several monsters with sunken, starving bellies were screeching in their direction.

Drool dripped from their scarlet tongues, and their eyes glowed green, yet they did not dare approach the camp's security line.

"Caw, caw, caw!"

A flock of avian monsters flew high overhead, and the clear blue sky seemed to be instantly covered by dark clouds.

"Sure enough, only after leaving the base city can you see the reality of this world."

Yang Ming, who had come with him, said, "Humans can only live within base cities protected by armies and weapons now."

"Only Warriors can survive outside the cities and fight monsters."

"Everyone~~"

A somewhat familiar rough voice rang out.

"Welcome to Armed Base No. 1049 of Jiangnan Base City."

"This Warrior practical combat assessment will be held in our Northern Military Region."

"You 1,742 kids taking this assessment—I hope most of you will pass, and I also hope every one of you will survive it."

The speaker was a burly man over two meters tall. His camouflage uniform was stretched taut over his muscular body, and the single golden star gleaming on his shoulder insignia indicated that he was a major general.

"I am Dong Hao, commander of the 72nd Army of the 12th Group Army, and I am in charge of this practical combat assessment."

"Any Warrior who passes the assessment and is willing to join our group army to become a glorious soldier and defend our homes and country will be directly awarded the rank of second lieutenant."

"Quasi-Warriors who do not pass but are willing to join the army may also be awarded the rank of warrant officer."

"In Huaxia Country, the strength of our military is undoubtedly the greatest!"

"Join the army and become a glorious soldier. No matter where you are in our country, you will have the strongest support behind you!"

"Alright, everyone enter the camp first. The assessment will begin at 18:00 this afternoon."

Xia Zhi followed the crowd into the camp. Just inside was a broad plaza, with neat rows of barracks in the distance.

The plaza was bustling. The military camp had prepared a lavish lunch for the Quasi-Warriors taking the assessment.

That afternoon.

All 1,742 Quasi-Warriors stood in an open area of the plaza. On the raised platform ahead stood several senior figures from the Northern Military Region, the Limitless Martial Arts School, the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School, and the HR Alliance.

"Those whose names are called, step forward and collect your combat uniforms and weapons."

"Liu Hong."

"Li Gan."

Ten officers in the distribution area called out names.

Those whose names were called quickly ran out and went to their assigned distribution stations to collect their combat uniforms and weapons.

"Xia Zhi."

A loud voice carried clearly over.

The moment he heard his name, Xia Zhi immediately ran out and rushed to the front.

When the senior figures from the various organizations on the platform heard that name and saw the young Xia Zhi run out, all their gazes turned toward him.

"Is this the young man from your martial arts school who signed an A-level contract this time?"

The burly Major General Dong Hao asked Zhuge Tao beside him.

"He's quite a good young man," Zhuge Tao replied, saying no more.

"He looks ordinary. He definitely can't compare to Zhang Lei, the genius newcomer from our martial arts school this time."

Wang Zhiheng, the president of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School beside them, curled his lip.

"Then we'll see how they perform in this assessment." Zhuge Tao smiled.

In the distribution area.

The officer responsible for handing out equipment pointed at a pile of gear on the ground before him. "This is your combat uniform and battle boots."

"This is the Blood Shadow Battle Saber you requested. The heaviest we can provide here is a Grade 2, 98 kilograms. We didn't prepare anything heavier this time."

The officer gave Xia Zhi a puzzled glance. Few Quasi-Warriors requested weapons this heavy, especially battle sabers.

"This is a communications watch. It has positioning and communication functions, and you can call for help if anything happens. This is a Hexagonal Shield."

Ignoring the officer's puzzled gaze, Xia Zhi gave him a slight smile, scooped up the nearly two hundred kilograms of equipment, and quickly ran off.

Very soon, all 1,742 Quasi-Warriors participating in the assessment had collected combat uniforms suited to their bodies, along with weapons of the specifications they had requested.

Everyone could only use cold weapons, and the combat uniforms were all standardized models with equal defensive capabilities.

These were the requirements of the Warrior practical combat assessment. Thermal weapons were forbidden.

Under relatively fair conditions, the assessment would determine whether each participating Quasi-Warrior possessed the strength of a Warrior.

Once everyone had collected their equipment, they dispersed and returned to their respective resting areas to change into their combat uniforms, battle boots, and other gear.

Laughter filled the spacious plaza.

Xia Zhi wore Alloy Battle Boots on his feet. His military trousers, combat vest, and other gear were all made from special materials containing Kuro Alloy.

The Hexagonal Shield and Blood Shadow Battle Saber were strapped to his back. At the moment, he was standing with Yang Ming, who had come with him.

Yang Ming was also fully equipped, holding a Blood Drinker Series Spear in his hand as he said excitedly to Xia Zhi, "Just this set of equipment costs nearly a million to put together."

"Xia Zhi, this should be your first time wearing something like this, right?"

"Don't underestimate this combat uniform. Although it's the lowest-grade combat uniform, it can withstand the claws of the weakest H-class monsters."

"Ordinary people in the base city never get to see these. Only Warriors have them."

"Mm, I hadn't worn one before. Warriors earn money quickly, but they spend it quickly too."

Xia Zhi ran his hand over the cold surface of his combat vest.

"Isn't that the truth?"

"After passing the practical combat assessment, the startup funds provided by the martial arts school are for buying equipment and learning secret manuals."

"Otherwise, going out of the city to fight monsters directly would just mean death."

Yang Ming sighed as well.

"Xiao Zhi, Xiao Zhi." A voice called out.

Xia Zhi looked over and saw Jiang Tao, an instructor from the martial arts school, hurrying toward him.

"Brother Yang, the instructor's calling me. I'll go over first."

Xia Zhi greeted Yang Ming, then walked toward Jiang Tao.

Seeing the anxious look on Jiang Tao's face beneath his black combat uniform, Xia Zhi could not help asking curiously, "What is it, Instructor?"

"Li Qiang was asking around about you just now. I felt something was off, so I came to tell you."

"Li Wei and the others are all taking the assessment this time, but I haven't seen where Li Wei is yet."

"I only saw Li Qiang discussing your situation with Warriors from our neighborhood."

"I think they may try to do something against you during this assessment."

"Against me? I was just thinking of settling the score with them. If they want to come, they can come together!"

After listening to Jiang Tao, Xia Zhi thought to himself.

There will only be one chapter tonight. I'm too tired today, so I'm going to sleep early and write more tomorrow. Thank you, readers, for your support and encouragement. As a new writer with a new book, I'll keep a level head, update steadily, and give you the best story I can. If you like it, please add it to your collection. If you have votes, please send some encouragement! Thank you!

Thanks to reader 997bgs, and thank you for your fourteen votes every day! You've encouraged me since the first day! My deepest thanks!

And thank you to all the readers who encouraged me from the first chapter! I won't name every one of you individually. Does anyone want a character in the story? You can leave a comment in the comment section.