Lin Hao and the others didn't waste time. They quickly ran up to the middle-aged man. "On the orders of the Chief of the Eastern Military Region, we have arrived at Azure Dragon Fortress to report for duty. Please give us your instructions, sir."
The middle-aged man looked at Lin Hao and the others and nodded in satisfaction. "Fall in first. I have something to say."
Lin Hao and the others nodded, then took their places at the back of the formation.
"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Dongfang Shuo, and I'm the Commander-in-Chief of Azure Dragon Fortress. From now on, you can call me General Dongfang or Chief. Understood?"
"Understood!" everyone answered in unison.
Looking at the twelve energetic young people below, Dongfang Shuo nodded with satisfaction.
"I know every one of you is exceptionally talented. On the orders of Headquarters, all Eight Fortresses across Xia Kingdom will put gifted young people like you through special training. You're only a part of that group. From this moment on, you're no longer students or teachers from Wu University. You're soldiers of Azure Dragon Fortress."
"From today onward, your lives will no longer belong to you. They belong to the entire country and to the countless ordinary people living behind this fortress. If I find that any of you abandon your post or desert during a mission, I don't care how talented you are or how powerful your background is. You'll all be dealt with under military law. Understood?"
"Understood!" the twelve answered in unison.
Dongfang Shuo glanced at the roster in his hand, then called out, "Jiang Weiwei, Su Xiaorui, step forward!"
The two were taken aback, then stepped forward and stood at attention. Dongfang Shuo looked at them and continued, "From now on, you'll join the Azure