Demon God Squad

Several people arrived at the checkpoint. A General Level officer stood there, while four military vehicles had blocked off the road and caution lines had been set up around the area.

As the captain, Shi Lei walked at the front and asked the officer, "Sir, why has a checkpoint been set up here?"

The officer glanced at Shi Lei. "Yilan is up ahead. The Giant Palm Human Bear has appeared in Yilan County, drawing many Martial Artists there to hunt it down. However, word has come that the number of high-level Mutated Beasts within Yilan County has surged. Quite a few Martial Artists have already died in Yilan County. To protect the Martial Artists, the Base City and the military jointly decided to set up this checkpoint. For the time being, Martial Artists whose strength is insufficient are forbidden from entering Yilan County, lest the casualties become too severe and affect the safety of the Base City itself."

The group exchanged glances. They felt disappointed, but also somewhat pleasantly surprised.

Although it was certain that the news had already leaked, their trip had not been in vain. High-level Mutated Beasts were dangerous, but they were also extremely valuable. Every one of them was worth a great deal. If they could gain something here, then this trip would have been worthwhile.

At most, they would just have to compete with other squads. Martial Artists had never feared competition.

Shi Lei asked again, "Then how can we qualify to enter Yilan?"

The officer looked over the group again. "I think your squad would be better off not going, especially since you even have Trainee Level members. Yilan County is very dangerous. Those without sufficient strength are not permitted to enter."

Everyone grew a little anxious. They had prepared for so long and come all this way—how could they simply turn back now? Shi Lei said, "Sir, although our squad has trainees, our overall strength is still quite good. At least give us a chance. Otherwise, how can Martial Artists be convinced?"

"Fine. Since you insist on trying, I'll give you the opportunity. Do you see that town ahead?"

The group looked forward and saw a town ahead of them. It had once been a town under Yilan County's jurisdiction, and it lay on the only route from here to Yilan.

"We see it."

"For any squad insisting on entering Yilan, the Base City has regulations. That town is a temporary trial ground. The military has already sealed it off and conducted a preliminary survey, dividing it into the General Zone and the Warrior Zone. There are many monsters inside. Only by killing enough monsters within the town can you prove that you have the strength to enter. Those whose results fail to meet the standard are not allowed into the county seat."

"Fine, we'll participate."

"Will you participate as a squad or as individuals?"

"What's the difference?"

"Of course there's a difference. For a squad, the total results are counted. In the end, everyone's spoils are added together. If the standard is met, all of you may enter Yilan County together. If it isn't met, even by a little, then none of you may enter. Individual results are simpler—they depend solely on your own performance. Meet the standard, and you can enter."

Shi Lei said, "Our squad is one whole. No one can be left behind. We'll participate as a squad."

At that moment, Ye Tiancheng looked at Lin Zhen as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he kept quiet.

Lin Zhen said nothing. Ye Tiancheng still doubted his strength. Although his performance in battle against Zhang Huai had been quite outstanding, that had ultimately been a fight against another person.

People were generally bolder when fighting their own kind, but when facing vicious Mutated Beasts, whether they could maintain their previous level was another matter. It was normal for Ye Tiancheng to have such doubts.

But Lin Zhen did not want to say anything. He would only speak through his actions.

"Alright. Since you've confirmed that you're participating as a squad, each General Level member must pay fifty thousand, and each Warrior Level member must pay twenty thousand."

As the captain, Shi Lei discussed it with the others before immediately taking out the money to pay the fee.

"Alright, go line up. Warrior Level members go to the left, General Level members go to the right. The difficulty on each side is different. You have twelve hours. After twelve hours, you must come back out. Since you are entering as a squad, your final result will be the sum of everyone's results. Have you remembered all that?"

They all nodded. As Zhao Liang walked toward the right, he said to Lin Zhen, "Lin Zhen, it's your first time fighting Mutated Beasts. Remember not to push yourself too hard. You can first familiarize yourself with the rhythm of battle and take things step by step. Also, be careful of the other Warrior Level Martial Artists inside. You've become rather famous among the Warrior Zone in the Base City lately, and many Martial Artists may not be convinced. Be extra vigilant when the time comes."

"Thanks, Brother Zhao. I understand."

Just as Shi Lei and the others were about to turn and leave, another squad approached from behind.

"Captain, they're Demon God members."

Shi Lei's expression changed as he turned around. The other squad had already arrived before them.

"Hahaha! Look who it is. Isn't this that arrogant Demon Hunter?"

The man laughing loudly was the Lean Scarred Man. A long saber was strapped to his back, and several scars crossed his face, making him look somewhat ferocious.

Four people followed behind him: a Martial Artist carrying a Long Spear on his back, and a Tall Strong Man with something resembling a rocket launcher mounted on his left arm and a battle axe in his right hand.

Besides those three men, the other two were women.

The moment Lin Zhen saw one of the women, he froze.

He actually knew her. She had once been his neighbor, and she had practically grown up alongside him. Her family circumstances were about the same as his. She was one year older than him, and her name was Li Mengxi. She was quite a pretty girl.

The two of them had been childhood sweethearts. When they were young, neighbors had teased Lin Zhen, asking what kind of wife he wanted when he grew up. The young Lin Zhen had said he wanted Li Mengxi as his wife, prompting a round of laughter and teasing. Even after they grew up, their parents often brought it up to tease him, leaving Lin Zhen rather embarrassed.

It was said that Li Mengxi, despite being a girl, had passed the graduation exam and been recruited by a Martial Hall. It had caused quite a stir among the neighbors at the time.

Only a year had passed, but for the current Lin Zhen, a thousand years had already gone by. His memories of Li Mengxi had become somewhat vague.

But now that he thought back, Lin Zhen remembered something else.

Because he had often been together with Li Mengxi and been teased by adults so much, Li Mengxi had even believed that Lin Zhen liked her very much. After Li Mengxi passed the graduation exam, she had once spoken to Lin Zhen alone. Yet what she said had been a rejection—that they were unsuitable for each other, and that she wished him luck in finding true love in the future.

Lin Zhen had felt a little disappointed at the time, though not much. By then, he had already realized that he did not truly like Li Mengxi. The person he liked was An Ning. What he felt for Li Mengxi was merely an elder-sister-like affection, and their personalities were not especially compatible either. Li Mengxi was an exceptionally practical girl. Being practical was not necessarily wrong, but An Ning was the one he truly wanted.

Later, Lin Zhen had heard some things about Li Mengxi. It seemed that her life had not been very good. She had been with several Martial Artists, wholeheartedly pursuing a better life, yet she had never obtained what she wanted. That had made Lin Zhen sigh at the time.

If he had not seen Li Mengxi today, Lin Zhen would not even have remembered this. It had never been part of his plans after being reborn.

Li Mengxi currently had her long hair pinned up and wore a black leather outfit. Her figure was excellent, her face was charming, and she wore a light touch of makeup. Beside her stood another girl around eighteen or nineteen, with purple-dyed hair.

Li Mengxi was also somewhat surprised to see Lin Zhen. After staring blankly for a moment, she asked, "Lin Zhen, why are you here?"

"Sister Mengxi, I'm a member of the Demon Hunter Squad now."

"Demon Hunter? You became a Martial Artist? Why did you join this squad?" Li Mengxi frowned slightly, seeming somewhat dissatisfied.