Supply Base

Hundreds of miles west of Jiangnan Base City, a military garrison base was stationed.

"Rumble..."

Amidst the piercing roar of the train, it slowly came to a halt at the military station.

One by one, fully armed martial artists and soldiers stepped off the train, numbering in the hundreds.

Of course, the carriages for martial artists weren't nearly so crowded. The Phantom Squad, as a top-tier War General-level team, even had an entire small carriage to themselves.

As Yang Wu and his five companions disembarked, they saw large numbers of soldiers in uniform unloading various supplies from the train, while also hauling bundles from the military base onto the train.

"Yang Wu, when we martial artists go out to hunt monsters and need to resupply along the way, we always enter the military base!"

Within the Phantom Squad, Captain Chu Tian's main role was to serve as the team's strongest combatant. Handling the squad's day-to-day affairs fell to the vice-captain, Zhou Zheng.

At this moment, Zhou Zheng spoke solemnly to Yang Wu: "This place is the very frontline of humanity's fight against monsters! This is what keeps the ordinary people in the base cities safe!"

"Throughout Huaxia Country, and even the entire world, every base city is protected by a military garrison. That's why the base cities remain secure! Every military base sets aside a special rest area for martial artists entering the Wilderness Area. And when the base itself is in danger, martial artists are expected to help defend it!"

"Also, within the military base, conflicts between martial artists are strictly forbidden. If discovered, severe cases can result in immediate execution on the spot!"

"Brother Zhou, I understand!"

Yang Wu nodded in response.

The martial artist supply base was located at the core of the military garrison, in a very favorable geographical spot. Rows of quiet little buildings stood there peacefully.

"Old Zhou, your Phantom Squad will be staying in B3 this time. Rest up." An officer in charge of room assignments at the supply base pointed to a rather elegant little building.

Then, the officer handed a key to Phantom Squad's vice-captain Zhou Zheng, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a chuckle, "Old Zhou, you haven't been around here in a while. How long do you plan to stay this time? If you come across any good materials, make sure to sell them to me! I'll give you the best price!"

The military supply base housed purchasing agents from various major factions. This officer was clearly one of them.

And the Phantom Squad, as one of the top martial artist teams in Jiangnan Base City, had no trouble hunting high-level monsters.

Only true War God-level experts could claim to surpass them.

So the officer was very courteous to Yang Wu and the others.

Zhou Zheng smiled and replied, "No problem. If we find any good materials, I'll definitely come to you, Old Qian!"

This special rest area for martial artists within the military base wasn't very large, after all, martial artists were still quite rare.

After parting ways with the officer, Captain Chu Tian led the group toward the three-story building marked 'B3'.

As the six of them walked along, they drew the attention of several martial artist teams who were resting there.

"That's the Phantom Squad! Aren't they always active around City 003? Why have they come all the way over here?"

"Heh, I heard the Phantom Squad just took on a new member. Look, now they've got six people, right? Coming here is probably for team practice."

"Who is it? Lucky bastard, getting to join the Phantom Squad."

"I heard it's some newly promoted martial artist prodigy. Name's Yang Wu, I think."

"Who cares who he is? Let's go say hi to the Phantom Squad. If we run into trouble in the Wilderness Area later, it might just save our lives!"

Once that last guy said it, many of the martial artist teams were tempted.

Hunting monsters in the Wilderness Area—even War God-level experts couldn't guarantee they'd never face danger.

If they got into trouble, a martial artist team could send out an emergency rescue signal while fleeing. If another team nearby picked up the signal, they might come to help.

And in this military base, the only ones who could surpass the Phantom Squad in strength were probably a handful of War God-level experts.

What's more, the Phantom Squad's captain, Chu Tian, was a Spiritual Master. Using his Spiritual Force to assist with flight, his rescue capabilities even surpassed many War God-level experts.

So some martial artists leaned over their balconies and shouted greetings to the Phantom Squad.

Others even walked out of their buildings.

"Brother Zhou, what brings you to the West Military Region this time? Let's grab a meal later!"

"Captain Chu, Sister Lu Qing, when are we all going to drink at your wedding?"

"Old Zheng, when we get back to the base city, I'll come find you for a drink!"

Many martial artists enthusiastically greeted Chu Tian and the others. Some even warmly called out to Yang Wu.

But the Phantom Squad was long accustomed to such attention.

Zhou Zheng stepped forward and announced loudly, "Brothers, our team just arrived at the supply base and we're all a bit tired. We need to rest for a while. Once we're safely back at the base city, Old Zhou here will definitely treat everyone to a drink!"

"That's what you said, Old Zhou (Brother Zhou)! Don't forget!"

Everyone chimed in.

And so, Yang Wu and the others smoothly arrived at the door of the building assigned to the Phantom Squad.

Swipping the key over the sensor on the door, it opened immediately, and they all entered.

"Captain, I'm going to rest for a bit!"

After saying that, Zheng Tao took all his gear and walked into one of the bedrooms.

"Anyone who wants to rest, go ahead. We're setting out tonight, so don't be low on energy later! Brother Zhou, make sure to explain the rules to Yang Wu!" Chu Tian instructed from the side.

"Understood!" Zhou Zheng quickly replied.

Then Zhou Zheng set down his gear and sat directly on a nearby sofa, motioning for Yang Wu to sit beside him.

Once Yang Wu was seated, Zhou Zheng spoke: "Yang Wu, with the weather this hot, we usually travel at night. If you're tired, go rest for a while—don't end up lacking energy later."

"Brother Zhou, I'm fine!" Yang Wu said calmly.

Seeing that Yang Wu wasn't fatigued, Zhou Zheng went on to tell him some things to watch out for while traveling.

Although Yang Wu had picked up quite a bit of information from the Extreme Home forums, it really wasn't as comprehensive as what Zhou Zheng told him.

For example, how to reduce the attention of monsters while traveling, how to find water sources in the Wilderness Area, and so on...

As dusk fell, the fully armed Phantom Squad of six left the Supply Base and set out on the abandoned highway leading to City 023.

Only this time, the alloy case that Lu Qing had been carrying was now in Zhou Zheng's hands.

Yang Wu was the newcomer, so he walked in the very center of the formation.

But what surprised Yang Wu was that Lu Qing, the squad's firepower specialist, walked at the very front of the formation alongside Captain Chu Tian.

"Move out!"