Arrival

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

"Now, everyone get off!"

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

The entire perimeter of the camp was wrapped in reinforced concrete and military barbed wire.

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

A tall watchtower stood every thousand meters. Its black walls were covered in dark-red stains, while the metallic weapons atop it gleamed brilliantly beneath the sun.

There were even more soldiers carrying all kinds of sophisticated weapons. Every one of them had a fierce bearing and looked like an elite who had survived bloody battles.

Xia Zhi and the other Quasi-Warriors taking part in the Combat Assessment were standing 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 bellies hollowed out by hunger were screeching in their direction.

Saliva 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 bird-type monsters flew high over the camp, and the clear blue sky seemed to be instantly obscured 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 from the side, "Humans can only live inside base cities protected by the military and weapons now."

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

"Everyone—"

A somewhat familiar rough voice rang out.

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

"This Warrior Combat Assessment has been arranged in our Northern Military Region."

"There are 1,742 of you brats participating in this assessment. I hope most of you can pass it, and I hope every last one of you survives it."

The speaker was a burly man standing two meters tall. His muscular body stretched his camouflage uniform taut, and the single golden star shining on his epaulet marked him as a major general.

"I am Dong Hao, commander of the 72nd Army under the 12th Group Army, and I am in charge of this Combat Assessment."

"Warriors who pass the assessment and are willing to join our Group Army as honorable soldiers defending their homes and country will be directly awarded the rank of second lieutenant."

"Quasi-Warriors who fail the assessment but are willing to join the military can also be awarded the rank of warrant officer."

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

"Join the military and become an honorable soldier. No matter where you are in our country, you will have the strongest support behind you!"

"Alright, 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 vast square, with orderly barracks standing in the distance.

The square was bustling. The military camp had prepared a lavish lunch for the Quasi-Warriors who had come for the assessment.

That afternoon.

All 1,742 Quasi-Warriors stood in an open area of the square. On the platform before them stood senior officials 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."

There were ten officers in the distribution area calling out names.

Those whose names were called quickly ran out to the appropriate station to collect their combat uniforms and weapons.

"Xia Zhi."

A loud voice rang out clearly.

The moment Xia Zhi heard his name, he immediately ran forward to the front.

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

"This is the young man from your school who signed an A-level contract this time?"

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

"A rather good young man," Zhuge Tao replied, without saying much more.

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

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

"Then we'll see how they perform in this assessment," Zhuge Tao replied with a smile.

In the distribution area.

The officer responsible for issuing equipment pointed at a pile of gear on the ground in front of 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 grade 2, ninety-eight kilograms. We didn't prepare anything heavier this time."

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

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

Ignoring the officer's puzzled gaze, Xia Zhi smiled faintly at him, picked up the nearly two hundred kilograms of equipment, and quickly ran off.

Before long, all 1,742 Quasi-Warriors participating in the assessment had received 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 the same model with equal defensive capabilities.

That was a requirement of the Warrior Combat Assessment. Thermal weapons were prohibited.

Under relatively fair conditions, the assessment tested 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 and battle boots.

Laughter filled the spacious square.

Xia Zhi wore Alloy Battle Boots on his feet, while 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. He was currently standing with Yang Ming, who had come with him.

Yang Ming was also fully equipped, holding a Blood Drinker Series Spear in his hand. He said excitedly to Xia Zhi, "Just this set of equipment alone costs close to a million."

"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 don't get to see this. Only Warriors have it."

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

Xia Zhi touched the cool surface of his combat vest as he spoke.

"Isn't that the truth?"

"After passing the Combat Assessment, the startup funds provided by the martial arts school are meant for buying equipment and studying secret manuals."

"Otherwise, going straight out of the city to fight monsters is just courting 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, striding hurriedly toward him.

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

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

Looking at Jiang Tao before him, dressed in a black combat uniform with an anxious expression, Xia Zhi could not help asking, puzzled, "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 participating in this assessment. 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 be planning 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, then let them all come together!"

After hearing Jiang Tao out, Xia Zhi thought to himself.

There will only be one chapter tonight. I'm too tired today, so I'll sleep early and continue writing tomorrow. Thank you, readers, for your support and encouragement. As a new author with a new book, I just need to keep a steady mindset, continue updating, and present the best story possible. If you like it, please add it to your collection. If you have votes, please support me with them! Thank you!

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

And thanks to all the readers who encouraged me from the first chapter onward! I won't name every one of you individually. If anyone wants a character in the book, leave a comment in the comment section.