Recruitment

"Woo—woo—woo—"

The entire town suddenly erupted with a series of piercing sounds, and at the same time, a deep voice boomed through loudspeakers across the whole town: "Time's up. All Quasi-Warriors, report immediately to the town exit."

"The Warrior Practical Examination is over?" Ji Yun leaned against the town gate, with a few monster corpses still lying around him.

"This first bout of killing is passable, I suppose. When I hunt powerful monsters alone later, I shouldn't run into this kind of situation again." Ji Yun muttered to himself. Clearly, that scuffle with Xia Jiang was nothing but a farce in his mind—better to spend that time practicing the Spear Path instead.

In truth, the sight of large-scale monster slaughter hadn't fully settled with Ji Yun. After all, not everyone had such a strong tolerance for blood. Ji Yun could only manage to keep himself from being disturbed.

At the entrance to Monster Town, Quasi-Warriors were filing out one by one. Almost every single one bore bloodstains—either from monsters or from their own wounds. Some were being helped out by their friends.

"Doot, doot—"

Harsh sounds rang out as heavy trucks drove out of the town, their beds piled high with monster corpses.

"Hey, these are the bodies of Quasi-Warriors. Someone come receive them." One of the heavy trucks pulled over, and indeed, many corpses lay in its bed, some even mutilated—clearly half-eaten by monsters. The truck dumped the Quasi-Warrior bodies directly onto the ground nearby.

Ji Yun looked at the truckload of Quasi-Warrior corpses and estimated there were nearly a hundred.

Those who recognized the dead let out mournful cries, and some even rushed forward, wailing loudly.

"What's all this crying for?" A cold, sharp voice from an officer silenced the crowd, drawing angry glares from many Quasi-Warriors. But the officer swept his icy gaze around. "When you fight monsters, people die! If you choose the path of a Warrior, then be prepared for death! Human society gives Warriors privileges—why? Not so you can enjoy an easy life, but because you kill countless monsters and serve humanity. That's why you get privileges."

"Your status, your power... everything must be earned with your lives!"

"In this trial, we arranged the weakest monsters for you, and not even pack-type ones. If you can't even pass this, how do you expect to survive when you enter the Wilderness Zone?" The officer's words silenced all the Quasi-Warriors. Everyone knew quite a bit about monsters.

Among monsters, the most troublesome were the 'pack-type' ones—like the Lion Mastiff Dog among canine monsters. They always moved in groups of dozens, and even Intermediate Warriors wouldn't dare provoke them.

"Mm, four monster left ears. Not bad, minor injuries."

"He Zhu, oh, five monster left ears, no injuries. Acceptable."

Next.

By the town entrance, every Quasi-Warrior who came out handed over the monster left ears they'd hunted, as proof of their kills.

"This batch of Warriors is pretty strong overall. The pass rate is much higher than last time." An officer chuckled.

"Yeah, not bad. Most have only light injuries. Looks like we'll need to tweak the rules this time—killing three with light injuries already shows Warrior-level strength."

Several officers were tallying the numbers.

"Hm?" A message came through from the camp.

"Yes, yes, I understand. I'll confirm immediately." The officer's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The General called. These people on the list are all disqualified."

"Everyone," the officer set down the phone, his voice ringing out clearly to every Quasi-Warrior.

"Yao Lang, Yao Hai... you people are disqualified from the Quasi-Warrior examination. The rest, those with three or more monster left ears, pass."

"What? Why am I disqualified?" A commotion stirred among the Quasi-Warriors.

"I have a full five monster left ears! That's more than enough to pass. Why won't you let me through?"

"Hmph," the officer sneered. "You all know in your hearts how you got those left ears. If you have a problem, come talk to me directly. Alright, everyone head back."

"Sir, I don't accept this." A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Sir, the three of us clearly have 13 monster left ears and no injuries. Why won't you let us pass?"

The three took the lead, and soon the disqualified Quasi-Warriors were stirred up.

Ji Yun followed the sound and saw it was the three brothers who had sat across from him on the truck.

"You picked up six monster left ears near the Town Government, and you robbed someone else." The officer said coldly. "We have surveillance footage. If you don't admit it, go watch it—but the consequences won't just be disqualification."

"This..." The leading man's face turned pale.

"Alright, if there are no more objections, hand in your monster left ears and go home. Those who didn't pass, try again next time. Continue the inspection."

Ji Yun watched the three brothers walk away and shook his head. He really hadn't expected anyone to cheat on something that tested their own strength.

Then, Ji Yun walked up to an officer.

"Ji Yun, right?" The officer smiled. "Hand over your monster left ears." He fiddled with a laptop while typing something in.

Ji Yun took off his backpack and dumped out over twenty monster left ears, covering the metal basin's bottom.

"You really keep a low profile," the officer said with a shake of his head and a laugh. "You've caused us quite a headache."

Hearing the officer say this, the Quasi-Warriors around couldn't help but lean in.

The officer lowered his voice: "That video of yours has been circulating all over our base. Those spear strikes were beautiful." Before Ji Yun could respond, the officer announced loudly, "Ji Yun, twenty-two."

"That many?" The surrounding Quasi-Warriors were stunned.

"Who is this guy? I thought all the geniuses were already recruited by Thunderbolt Dojo and Limit Dojo? The Underground Alliance has one too. Where did he come from?"

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"I wonder who's stronger, this Ji Yun or Xia Jiang."

The Quasi-Warriors buzzed with discussion.

"What video?" Ji Yun quietly asked the officer.

"How would I know?" The officer gave a perfunctory laugh and quickly said, "Next."

"I have to know who did this." Ji Yun muttered a couple of words, then walked away.

Ji Yun was about to leave.

"Ji Yun."

A voice came from a sharp-looking officer.

"Our general wants to see you."

"Oh?" Ji Yun was a little puzzled...

Ji Yun didn't hesitate and directly followed the sharp-looking officer. Before entering the rest room, he took off his Combat Suit, washed up, and changed into clean, fresh clothes before stepping inside.

Inside the rest room, a calm, serious man sat with his eyes closed. Suddenly, he opened them, and his gaze seemed to hold a dazzling light as he looked at Ji Yun. Beside him was the effeminate man who had spoken before the assessment.

"My name is Lu Xiangsheng, a Major General in the Jinnan Military Region." The serious man returned to a normal expression and said, "Ji Yun, have a seat."

Ji Yun was a bit puzzled. Logically, even considering his father's background, the military wouldn't be this courteous.

Ji Yun smiled and sat down in front of the serious man, then said with a grin, "General Lu, may I ask what you want to see me about?"

"It's simple."

The serious man smiled gently. "I've looked into your family situation. Your father is the famous High-Level War General 'Mountain' Ji Shan. Your mother died in childbirth when you were born. Your father has contributed greatly in many beast tides, and we are very grateful to him."

Ji Yun forced a bitter smile. Indeed, when it came to his mother, he had only ever seen her image in videos and photo albums.

"I admire you greatly, and I believe you have a very promising future."

"I formally invite you, Ji Yun, to join our Huaxia Military!" The serious man looked at Ji Yun and said in a deep voice.

"Me? I've already finalized a contract with the Limit Dojo." Ji Yun shook his head with a smile.

The serious man shook his head dismissively. "A contract? If it's a contract, it can be broken! Just pay the penalty. According to warrior regulations, the maximum penalty cannot exceed three hundred million. I believe your value far exceeds that price! The military will pay that penalty for you!"

"Besides, as far as I know, your mother's difficult childbirth was caused by lingering internal injuries from fighting monsters. Our military has always been the organization best able to resist monsters. Join us, and you can avenge your mother to your heart's content."

"Moreover, after you join, I will arrange for you to enter our Huaxia Military's Special Operations Team!" The serious man said. "Every year, among the several major base cities in the country, no more than twenty warriors can enter the Special Operations Team! Every single one is an absolute top-tier genius. Over half the year has passed now, and our military has just sent out nine invitations. Unfortunately, only six responded. One is an 18-year-old High-Level Warrior from Chengdu Base City. One is a Psychic Master from Xi'an Base City! The other four are young geniuses from our Kyoto Base City and Jiangnan Base City!"

"The captain of our Special Operations Team is a being beyond the War God level, Councilor Jia Yi. If you join, with your talent, you can absolutely receive personal guidance from Councilor Jia." The serious man said. "Our military urgently hopes that talented warriors will join us to relieve the pressure."

Lu Xiangsheng had said everything he needed to say. He then looked at Ji Yun, and even with his usual calm, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of anticipation.

"Monsters... Mother." Ji Yun was silent for a moment.

"I'm sorry." Ji Yun gave a slight bow. "I will do everything I can to help the military, but I have already joined the Limit Dojo. I never considered switching. I'm truly sorry."

Refused, huh?

Lu Xiangsheng was also silent for a moment. "Won't you think it over more carefully?" he said.

"No need." Ji Yun stood up and gave a slight bow. "General Lu, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Ji Yun knew very well that since he had refused the other party, sitting together again would only create awkwardness. "But as I just said, I will do everything I can to help the military. That statement will never change."

"Alright," the serious man forced a faint smile and said, "It's fine if you don't join. With those words from you, joining or not makes no difference." "Just hold an honorary position in our military in the future. Then you'll still be one of our people, haha."

"Thank you, General Lu." Ji Yun smiled and walked out.

"So Ji Yun really didn't join your military." The effeminate man, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. "If he won't join the military, he's even less likely to join our Underground Alliance."

"His father and father-in-law are both in the Limit Dojo, so it's naturally unlikely he'd join another faction." The serious general shook his head and said, "Ji Shan is one thing—after all, he raised his son. But this Luo Hong just picked up a good son-in-law for free. He's really lucky."

"Go call that Xia Jiang from your Underground Alliance over. I'll ask him if he's willing to join the military."

"What, can't snatch from the Limit Dojo, so you're coming for our Underground Alliance?" The effeminate man shot him a glance and said, "No way. This Xia Jiang, though not exceptionally outstanding, is still an 18-year-old Intermediate Warrior. He's considered relatively good."

Across the world, the Limit Dojo and the Thunder Dojo were the two largest dojos! Their founders were respectively the world's number one and number two strongest individuals! Naturally, the Limit Dojo and Thunder Dojo absorbed numerous powerhouses and geniuses, making the once strongest force—the military—seem less prominent by comparison.

"Xia Jiang, are you willing to join the military?"

"If you join the military, you can have a chance to surpass that Ji Yun. Your chances are far greater than in the Underground Alliance."

"This..." Xia Jiang glanced at the effeminate man, hesitating.

"Say whatever you want to say." The effeminate man said. "Our Underground Alliance is a free alliance. You haven't signed a contract yet, so you can naturally change your mind."

"If it really gives me a chance to surpass Ji Yun, then I'll join the military!"

Xia Jiang didn't hesitate any longer. That spear strike from Ji Yun had left too deep a shadow on him. It wasn't just the danger to his life at that moment; the sheer force of that spear made him feel as if he were facing a sudden, raging gale.

"You really did steal him away." The effeminate man shook his head and waved for Xia Jiang to leave. Clearly, this Xia Jiang had displeased him somewhat.

"The temptations I offered weren't small. I'm only lacking in financial terms. Your Underground Alliance just has money, so naturally, you can't compare." The serious man stood up and said, "They're just a bunch of kids. Don't dwell on it. I just got a batch of fine tea. Want to go taste it?"

"Go? Of course I'm going." The effeminate man glared. "I'll drink you broke today."

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