First Arrival on the Battlefield

A military truck traveled for three days and three nights on the bumpy highway, finally arriving at the Dragon Fang Pass Fortress on the northern border.

As the truck drove through the fortress gates, Fang Yan and the others were stunned by the sight before them.

The Dragon Fang Pass Fortress was built against the mountain, its massive walls constructed entirely of black rock, reaching a hundred meters high and dozens of meters wide. The walls were covered with energy cannons of various calibers and defensive runes. Behind the battlements, soldiers held their weapons, vigilantly watching the distance.

The air was filled with the strong scent of blood and gunpowder. In the sky in the distance, a few figures could occasionally be seen darting rapidly; these were the Martial Artists and soldiers responsible for patrolling.

"This is the Dragon Fang Pass Fortress, the first line of defense for us humans against the Dark Demon Race," Rear Admiral Li Jianguo stood at the front of the truck, introducing them to the crowd. "One hundred kilometers from here is the location of the dimensional rift. In the past month, the Dark Demon Race's activities have become increasingly frequent, and they have launched several small-scale attacks."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts grew heavy. The atmosphere here was completely different from the bustling Donghai City, filled with tension and oppression.

The truck stopped at a military camp within the fortress. After disembarking, the group was led to a spacious training ground.

Quite a few soldiers and Martial Artists in camouflage uniforms had already gathered on the training ground. Their faces showed fatigue, but their eyes remained resolute.

"For the next half month, you will undergo half a month of adaptive training here," Rear Admiral Li Jianguo said. "The training content includes battlefield tactics, coordinated combat, and analysis of the weaknesses of Exotic Beasts and demons. After half a month, you will be officially assigned to combat units to participate in defense missions."

For the next half month, Fang Yan and the others began their arduous adaptive training.

The intensity of the training far exceeded the boot camps they had experienced in school. They had to wake up before dawn every day for physical training, learn battlefield knowledge and tactics in the morning, undergo simulated combat training in the afternoon, and conduct reviews and cultivation at night.

Here, no one treated them as winners of the national competition; they were simply regarded as ordinary soldiers. The instructors' requirements were extremely strict, and any slight mistake would result in severe punishment.

Although Fang Yan and the others were all top talents among the younger generation, they felt immense pressure under such high-intensity training. Many experienced physical exhaustion, but not a single one chose to give up.

During training, Fang Yan also met many Martial Artists from other units. Among them were experienced veterans and young Martial Artists like himself. Through exchanges and sparring, Fang Yan learned many practical combat skills that he couldn't have learned in school.

At the same time, he did not neglect his own cultivation. Every night, he would set aside time to practice the Profound Ice Force and the Five Finger Fist Heart Sword. As his understanding of the Five Finger Fist Heart Sword deepened, his sword embryo became more refined, and the power of his sword light grew stronger.

Half a month passed quickly.

The youthful immaturity on Fang Yan and the others' faces faded, replaced by a sense of resilience and composure. Their strength had also improved to varying degrees. Chu Feng and Lin Mengyao had broken through to the Martial Master Late-stage, and Li Hao's strength was even more unfathomable.

"Adaptive training is complete!" Rear Admiral Li Jianguo stood on the training ground, looking at the spirited group with satisfaction. "Starting today, you are officially assigned to the 'Eagle Cub Assault Team,' with me as the captain, responsible for leading you on defense missions. Now, distribute weapons and equipment!"

Soon, soldiers distributed a batch of specially made weapons and equipment to everyone. This included a specially made alloy combat knife, a set of lightweight bulletproof vests, a communicator, and some first-aid supplies.

Fang Yan took his equipment, his heart filled with excitement. He knew that he was about to truly step onto the battlefield and engage in a life-or-death confrontation with the Dark Demon Race.

"Now, all personnel! Objective: Defense Position Three! Move out!"

At Rear Admiral Li Jianguo's command, the members of the Eagle Cub Assault Team neatly boarded the military off-road vehicles and drove towards Defense Position Three.

Defense Position Three was located on the outskirts of the Dragon Fang Pass Fortress, only fifty kilometers from the dimensional rift. This was one of the locations most frequently attacked by the Dark Demon Race.

When the off-road vehicles arrived at Defense Position Three, the position was already tense. Soldiers were reinforcing the fortifications, and the energy cannons were loaded and aimed in the direction of the distant dimensional rift.

"Report, Captain! Large-scale Dark Demon Race energy signatures detected ahead, estimated arrival in five minutes!" a scout ran over and reported loudly.

Rear Admiral Li Jianguo's expression changed: "All personnel enter combat positions! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

Fang Yan and the others immediately entered their respective combat positions according to the training deployment.

Fang Yan lay in a trench, gripping the Ink Ice Spear tightly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. He could feel a dense, dark aura rapidly approaching.

Soon, dense black figures appeared on the distant horizon. They were tall, with dark purple skin and sharp horns on their heads – the warriors of the Dark Demon Race.

"They're here!" someone whispered.

Rear Admiral Li Jianguo took a deep breath and shouted the order: "Energy cannons ready! Target: Enemy cluster! Fire!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Dozens of energy cannons fired simultaneously, sending massive beams of energy towards the cluster of Dark Demon Race.

Violent explosions erupted within the Dark Demon Race cluster. Many demon warriors were hit by the energy cannons and instantly turned to ash.

But the Dark Demon Race's numbers were simply too great. After one wave of attacks, a large number of demon warriors still charged towards the position.

"Melee units, prepare!" Rear Admiral Li Jianguo commanded again.

Fang Yan tightened his grip on the Ink Ice Spear, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

The first real battlefield had arrived!