"Qin Tian, I'll teach you the Psionic Awakening Technique."
At dusk, Qin Dadi woke everyone for dinner. As they sat around the table, Xiao Yunlong suddenly spoke, catching Qin Tian off guard.
He had already come up with several ways to get the Psionic Awakening Technique from Xiao Yunlong. He hadn't expected Xiao to offer it on his own.
This was... kind of awkward.
Xiao Yunlong set down his chopsticks and said solemnly,
"After getting some sleep, my head's clear. I suddenly thought of something."
Qin Dadi's lips moved slightly. He knew what Xiao Yunlong was about to say and had wanted to stop him, but after thinking it over, he gave up.
"Qin Tian, the Empire's Clone Technology has a serious flaw."
Xiao Yunlong's words made Qin Tian's heart sink. His brow furrowed slightly.
Xiao Yunlong spoke without reservation. "All clones live for three years at most. Some don't even make it to a year. That's the main reason clones are called cannon fodder."
Three years. Do I only have three years to live?
A flicker crossed Qin Tian's eyes, but he didn't panic. He now had three bodily talents—[Advanced Strength], [Rapid Healing], and [Shadow of the Spirit Cat]—and his physical condition had long since surpassed that of ordinary clones.
Perhaps these talents had already eliminated the risk to his lifespan.
Besides, from the way Xiao Yunlong had put it, becoming a Psionic User was another way to solve the problem.
"But once you become a Psionic User, the problem goes away."
Xiao Yunlong raised his eyebrows, looking like a hero. "So, isn't that a crucial piece of information? Pretty generous of me, right?"
Qin Tian said sincerely, "Thank you."
Xiao Yunlong was restless and a bit of a chatterbox, but he was a good person—warmhearted and optimistic, and especially considerate of Qin Tian, his new teammate. That offer just now left Qin Tian both grateful and a little ashamed.
"It's no big deal."
Xiao Yunlong waved a hand, carefree. "The Psionic Awakening Technique isn't exactly a state secret. You can get it for a bit of money. Whether you awaken successfully, though, is up to you. Nobody can help you with that."
"Understood."
Qin Tian nodded.
At that point, Qin Dadi spoke up. "Since we're on the subject, I'll add something too. Becoming a Psionic User is every Empire Citizen's dream, but awakening your Psionic Energy isn't easy. It takes a lot of talent. So even if you don't succeed, don't get discouraged. There are other ways to deal with the lifespan problem."
"I understand. Thank you, Captain."
Everyone continued eating. Just as they were finishing, Qin Dadi's Smart Watch chimed.
He glanced at it, his expression turning slightly serious.
"What is it, Captain?" Liu Zhaozhao noticed the change in his expression and asked.
"The Command Center sent a notice. We don't have a mission tonight."
"Huh? Isn't that good news?" Xiao Yunlong asked, puzzled.
Qin Dadi shook his head. "We're off tonight, but tomorrow we'll join the main force in an assault on the Golan Heights."
Xiao Yunlong and Liu Zhaozhao both changed expressions at that.
A Legion's campaign was nothing like their usual special operations. The danger was exponentially greater.
A stray bullet from who knew where, or the shockwave from a clash between high-ranking Psionic Users, could take them out.
But a military order was absolute. Even if they didn't want to go, they had no choice but to carry it out.
So the war's starting?
A flicker crossed Qin Tian's eyes. Honestly, like the other three, he'd rather not take part if he could help it.
But the order had been given, and resisting would be pointless. He might as well turn the danger into an opportunity: kill as many enemies as he could on the battlefield, earn Evolution Points, and search a few corpses for more talents.
"Qin Tian, Yunlong, Zhaozhao."
Qin Dadi stood and placed his right hand in the middle of the four of them. He spoke each word clearly:
"Let's all... make it out alive!"
Clap, clap, clap.
One by one, the other three hands joined his.
"Make it out alive."
The next morning, the army set out.
Transport trucks, armored vehicles, tanks... all kinds of war machines rumbled over the ground, carving trenches in their wake. Fighter jets circled overhead, escorting the army as it marched out. The soldiers were fully armed, their morale soaring.
The members of the Earth Dragon Squad sat fully armed in the back of a troop carrier. Each wore a Combat Suit and a Tactical Helmet.
"That's an FM45 Gen-2 Fighter, equipped with Gray Company's Air Control Weapon System. Its performance is excellent."
"That Disc-shaped Aircraft is pretty good too. It's one of Mossa Company's classic products."
Xiao Yunlong pointed out each aircraft as it streaked across the sky. He was a military enthusiast and knew the models and types of fighter jets and aircraft like the back of his hand.
Qin Tian listened intently. His knowledge of this world was practically nonexistent, so every bit of information was useful to him.
Seeing that Qin Tian was interested, Xiao Yunlong got even more animated and talked at length.
With a major battle looming, talking was one way to ease the pressure.
A few hours later, the army began to slow down.
"Out of the vehicles. The Golan Heights are close."
Qin Dadi jumped down first, and Qin Tian and the others followed close behind.
Screee!
A sharp eagle's cry suddenly rang out in the distance.
Qin Tian looked up. A vast black "cloud" was advancing across the horizon, looming over the army. He activated the binocular function on his Multifunctional Helmet, and soon saw what the "cloud" really was.
It was a flock of enormous Giant Birds, each with a massive body and a wingspan several yards across. Every feather shimmered with a deep, mysterious light, as though studded with tiny stars.
The leading Giant Bird had a pair of curved horns on its head, glowing pale blue. As sunlight refracted through them, the light rippled gently, like some ancient, mysterious incantation.
"Those are Damonra Beasts, the Orc Empire's most common aerial combat beasts."
Xiao Yunlong lowered his binoculars. "They look pretty imposing, huh? But there's no need to worry. Our fighter squadron is every bit as good."
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Fighter jets streaked across the sky, leaving layers of turbulent air in their wake.
Rat-a-tat-tat!
Blue beams shot from beneath the fighters, like blue rain falling as they took aim at the flock of Damonra Beasts.
Screee!
The leading Beast King let out a piercing cry. In an instant, the Damonra Beasts scattered, beating their wings and whipping up a storm of air. At the same time, invisible blades of wind shot toward the fighters.
Boom, boom, boom!
The aerial battle erupted. In the first exchange alone, flying beasts and fighter jets fell from the sky.
The two sides fought fiercely. Pitiful cries and the explosions of fighter jets rang out without pause.
Below, the army continued its advance. Before long, Qin Tian saw their target: the Golan Heights.
The heights were rugged, and rows of Orc-built watchtowers stretched across them. Crystals set into their spires shone in seven colors, while the Orc Empire's Silver Dragon Flag fluttered in the wind.
Black Iron Cages stood out across the heights. Green-skinned Orcs were locked inside. They wore iron armor and steel helmets, and their eyes were bloodshot. They looked like beasts that hadn't eaten in days, their gazes full of bloodlust and hunger for living prey as they let out one chilling roar after another.
"At last."
Qin Tian gently stroked the barrel of his gun. Its cold touch traveled up his fingers. For some reason, he felt unusually calm at that moment.
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