Inside the conference room.
Lin Ye looked at Secretary Xu and asked, "What's the password for the case?"
"The password is 757."
After opening the password case, Lin Ye saw a dark-red circular medal lying flat inside exquisite packaging.
The edge of the medal had frosted anti-slip grooves, making it particularly eye-catching.
This was his very own Honor Medal.
"Colonel Lin, 'Ember NO.757' is your exclusive medal." Xu Qi spoke with a smile, then carefully picked up the medal and pinned it to Lin Ye's chest.
"'Ember NO.757' is my Honor Medal." Lin Ye reached out and stroked the dark-red medal.
Smooth and cool, like a woman's skin.
"The button is on the back of the medal," Xue Zhan reminded him.
"Mm, I know."
Lin Ye nodded slightly, then looked at Xue Zhan and asked, "Does this serial number mean I'm the 757th War General Martial Artist to join the Great Xia military?"
"That's right!" Xue Zhan nodded without hesitation.
"Does that mean the Great Xia military has 757 War General Martial Artists?" Lin Ye continued.
However.
As soon as he asked that, Xue Zhan's expression gradually darkened. "Including you and those seniors who sacrificed themselves, the Great Xia military has indeed had a total of 757 War General Martial Artists!"
Lin Ye nodded faintly and lowered his head to examine the dark-red medal closely.
It was not only a symbol of honor, but also seemed like a sense of belonging for Martial Artists.
In this chaotic era filled with peril, weaker Martial Artists could only rely on such an extreme method to gain their sole chance to defeat the strong while weak.
"However, before you, the medals of many War General Martial Artists were buried underground alongside their sacrifice every month.
"Now, the entire Great Xia military has only around five hundred surviving War General Martial Artists, and that number is still plummeting..."
By this point, Xue Zhan's voice had gradually lowered.
"I know."
Lin Ye pressed tightly against the medal, but wave after wave of Beast Tides surfaced in his mind.
As the rate of monster mutation accelerated, more and more powerful monsters formed herds and continuously assaulted Human Bases.
At times like this, only these Martial Artists and soldiers could step forward to protect their homes, facing monsters without fear of death.
As the backbone of humanity, War General Martial Artists often took on even greater dangers...
"Why doesn't the military recruit more War General Martial Artists?" Such a question suddenly emerged in Lin Ye's mind.
Xue Zhan said, "This..."
Hearing Lin Ye's question, Xue Zhan and Xu Qi exchanged a glance and both sighed helplessly.
"Because the Limit Mercenary Group and the Thunder and Lightning Mercenary Group recruit War General Martial Artists worldwide. They offer high prices and better conditions, so more experts tend to choose those two forces. Most War Generals aren't as willing as you to join the military...
"In these years of great disaster, many Martial Artists place self-preservation above all else..."
Lin Ye said, "..."
For a moment, Lin Ye did not know what to say.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Lin Ye's mind, and he said, "What if the nation forcibly stepped in and competed with the Limit and Thunder and Lightning Mercenary Groups for elite Martial Artists?"
"They can't compete. The masters of the Limit Mercenary Group and the Thunder and Lightning Mercenary Group are Martial Artists standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid."
"Before them, nations no longer hold any meaning."
"Even Jia Yi, the number one Martial Artist in Great Xia, is no match for Hong or Thunder God.
"In this era, without strength, there is not even the slightest deterrence."
Listening to Xue Zhan, Lin Ye's expression grew increasingly grim.
He recalled something a predecessor had once said—"Dignity exists only upon the edge of a sword!"
"If Great Xia had a super expert capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Hong and Thunder God, things would not be like this..." Xu Qi's fair face was also filled with helplessness.
The conference room immediately fell silent.
Xue Zhan seemed to recall certain events, and a trace of worry appeared on his face.
Not only Jia Yi, Great Xia's strongest fighter, but even the most powerful Martial Artists from the other major powers were no match for Hong and Thunder God.
The gap between those two and everyone behind them was simply too great.
"What if nuclear bombs were used?" Lin Ye asked.
"That's even more impossible. Nuclear bombs can't harm experts of that level." Xue Zhan shook his head helplessly.
As a high-ranking member of Shan City's military, he had also come into contact with certain secrets.
He understood more than Lin Ye about the two supreme figures at the top of the Martial Artist pyramid.
He knew even better how terrifying they were.
Only Thunder God and Hong could suppress all five major powers through the strength of one person.
The immense gap made all those who came after them seem like dust before them.
Seeing that Lin Ye still did not understand, Xu Qi recounted an old incident. "You may not know this, but even nuclear bombs failed to kill that High-tier Lord Monster in Nevada, America.
"Instead, they caused it to mutate again and evolve into the flying 'Blood Demon Sky Wolf,' resulting in millions of casualties.
"In the end... Thunder God was the one who severely wounded it and drove it away."
"If a High-tier Lord Monster mutates and evolves again, wouldn't that be equivalent to a human Martial Artist Beyond War God?" Lin Ye could not imagine such a scene.
"Hong and Thunder God call such monsters 'King-level Monsters.' They are kingly beings among monsters. Once one raises its call, countless monsters answer."
Lin Ye's expression changed slightly. "..."
A single Lord Monster was already so terrifying, let alone a King-level Monster that stood another level above it.
To a nation, that level of existence was a massive disaster.
Yet the more Lin Ye thought about it, the more frightening it became. Even such a terrifying monster that surpassed Lord Monsters had still been severely wounded by Thunder God and forced to flee in disgrace.
That showed just how terrifying Thunder God was!
Not to mention Hong, who was even stronger than Thunder God.
The two of them truly were like two great mountains looming over all Martial Artists in the world, impossible to surpass.
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Take another look inside the case. The cultivation manuals and Martial Artist badge are all in there!"
After carefully removing the Honor Medal and placing it back into the silver box, Lin Ye took out the High-tier War General Level Martial Artist badge beside it and wore it on his right arm.
The replacement of his Martial Artist rank badge immediately elevated Lin Ye's entire bearing.
Combined with his already striking looks, he drew Xu Qi's gaze even more.
Lin Ye glanced at the badge on his right arm, nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze toward the alloy case.
Beneath the silver box, two books and two discs lay quietly atop the combat suit.
A familiar feeling washed over him, and Lin Ye's lips curved slightly.
"These are the middle and final volumes of the Nine Splendor Art, the manuals concerning saber techniques and movement techniques, right?" Lin Ye asked with a smile as he picked up the two books.
They were exactly the same as the one Xu Qi had given him before, except these were the middle and final volumes.
"These two discs contain demonstrations by the founder. If you encounter anything unfamiliar, watch them more and study them repeatedly," Xue Zhan reminded him.
"Thank you, Hall Master Xue!" Lin Ye smiled.
After putting away the manuals, he took the long and narrow Saber Case, then drew out the Battle Saber.
Buzz!!
The four-foot-long saber weighed around 150 kilograms. It was exquisitely crafted, its blade reflecting a fierce cold gleam.
Lin Ye liked it immensely.
Produced by the Great Xia military, it was an exceptional Battle Saber—well-balanced in weight, fast to swing, and devastatingly powerful.
He walked to an open area in the conference room.
Holding the saber, Lin Ye gathered his momentum and began practicing naturally.
Horizontal cuts, upward slashes, chops, successive strikes... These basic saber techniques, combined with Lin Ye's exceptionally skilled movement technique, flowed with utter naturalness, as though they had been forged by nature itself.
Gradually, Lin Ye accelerated. As his figure shifted rapidly, flashes of saber light and afterimages appeared again and again.
With his broad, sweeping movements, he gave off an unstoppable impression.
Sharp, swift, fierce!
The strange thought that involuntarily arose in his heart made Xue Zhan, a veteran High-tier War General, feel rather uneasy.
"If the space here weren't limiting Lin Ye's techniques and speed, he would probably be even more terrifying!"
Lin Ye's Perfect Level movement technique and speed enhanced his saber momentum, creating the thunderous force of a gale wrapping around hardy grass.
Whoosh!!
A silver blade glow bloomed as a streak of silver lightning slashed down from above toward a pot of lucky bamboo in the corner.
However, at the very instant before the blade touched the bamboo leaves, the saber abruptly stopped.
Hoo!!
The saber's momentum pressed down upon the leaves, causing them to sway irregularly.
The practice ended, and Lin Ye withdrew his Battle Saber in satisfaction.
"Not bad. It's far better than my previous Broken Blade!"
With this set of High-tier War General Level combat suit and Battle Saber, he would have greater confidence when entering the wilderness in the future.
His efficiency in obtaining Attribute Points would also increase.
"Now that you've looked over all these benefits, let's talk about some daily tasks outside the terms of the agreement." Xu Qi spoke with a mischievous smile, looking at Lin Ye like a little fox.
Lin Ye raised an eyebrow slightly. "What daily tasks?"
"..."
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