Flame Edge

As Lu Ming and the other hundred World Lord recruits walked into the massive hall of the World Lord camp, they were immediately surrounded by recruiters from various squads swarming in like a tide.

"Recruits are here!"

"Are there any World Lord warriors in this batch?"

"Where are the World Lord warriors!"

Voices rose and fell, causing many of the new World Lords to frown.

The guide saw this and announced loudly, "There are three World Lord warriors among this batch of recruits!"

As soon as the words fell, the intelligent optical brains of all the recruiters immediately received the specific information.

Instantly, a multitude of gazes focused on Lu Ming and the other two.

Veterans who had been roaming the Outer-Domain Battlefield for years knew clearly that, aside from World Lord warriors, the mortality rate for everyone else among the recruits was terrifyingly high.

Soon, Lu Ming was surrounded by people.

"Brother Flame Edge, come join our Fierce Tiger Squad; we have three Immortals!"

"Come to our Spark Squad, we have the most complete configuration!"

Lu Ming's gaze swept over these enthusiastic recruiters and finally rested on a woman with an enchanting aura who had a soft, white fox tail behind her.

Standing behind her were three team members, each possessing extraordinary auras.

"I am the captain of the Phantom Fox Squad, Moon Princess."

The fox-tailed woman smiled charmingly.

"Our team just underwent a reorganization and is in need of fresh blood."

Lu Ming pondered for a moment; it made no difference to him which squad he joined.

He only needed to earn enough military merits to become a free man; since that was the case, he would choose this squad.

There was no other reason.

It was easy on the eyes.

"Fine, I'll join."

A trace of triumph flashed in Moon Princess's eyes: "Follow me."

A short while later, everyone sat at a dining table in a corner of the camp.

A blue-haired youth holding a snow-white beast whistled: "Captain, you're impressive! Out of three World Lord warriors in this batch, you snatched one!"

The small beast in his arms let out a matching cry.

Moon Princess rolled her eyes at the youth and said to Lu Ming with a smile, "Don't mind him, this is Beast King; he just likes to speak without thinking."

A tall man wearing dark red armor said in a deep voice: "Blood Blade, World Lord warrior, specializes in close-quarters combat."

His face was covered in mysterious patterns that glowed faintly when he spoke.

The last woman, who had long, pointed ears and delicate features, said softly: "Wind Spirit, Controller."

Moon Princess introduced them to Lu Ming: "Our squad originally had six members, but last month we encountered an elite alien squad in a secret realm and lost two teammates."

Her tone was calm, but a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes.

Beast King stroked the small beast in his arms and said, for once, seriously: "The ones we lost were Shadow Blade and Iron Wall; they were good men."

Lu Ming finally understood the reason for the slightly somber atmosphere in the team.

"In the Outer-Domain Battlefield, attrition is the norm."

Moon Princess looked at Lu Ming.

"The Ninth Battlefield is a notorious meat grinder, with a recruit survival rate of less than three percent. World Lord warriors fare slightly better, but it also depends on luck."

She began to explain the precautions in detail: "Remember, strength is important here, but luck and teammates are even more important. When you encounter danger, don't try to be a hero—if you need to retreat, retreat."

During the subsequent training, Lu Ming gradually became familiar with the characteristics of his teammates.

As an illusionist, Moon Princess had a deep mastery of mental attacks: "Flame Edge, your Fire Law and Space Law are strong, but you must be wary of the Machine Race's technological weapons; they are best at countering warriors like you."

Although Beast King appeared cynical, his strength as a beast tamer could not be underestimated.

His Snow Shadow Beast displayed astonishing speed in simulated battles.

Blood Blade was a silent warrior, but he held nothing back when instructing Lu Ming on close-combat techniques: "Those who survive on the battlefield are the ones who put self-preservation first."

Wind Spirit did not speak much, but every move she made was extremely precise.

She told Lu Ming privately: "Captain Moon Princess is very responsible; following her, your survival rate will be much higher."

Half a month later, Moon Princess gathered everyone: "Prepare to depart."

Excitement flashed in Beast King's eyes: "Finally, I can stretch my muscles!"

Wind Spirit silently checked her telekinetic weapons, while Blood Blade began to wipe his battle blade.

The group arrived at the departure hall, which was filled with various types of spaceships. Moon Princess took out a streamlined purple ship: "Board."

The lounge inside the ship was entirely constructed of F9-grade metal; it was the safest place for the squad.

"Everyone, relax."

Moon Princess looked at her team members.

"According to the old rules, Blood Blade takes the front, Wind Spirit provides long-range support, Beast King acts as backup, and Flame Edge, you follow my lead."

After all, this was Lu Ming's first time on the Outer-Domain Battlefield, and his teammates were very considerate of him.

As the passage opened, the purple ship transformed into a streak of flowing light and rushed out of the base.

When the ship completely left the safe zone and entered the vast starry sky, everyone subconsciously looked back at the massive military base.

Moon Princess's voice echoed in the cabin: "The trial of life and death begins now."

As the ship sailed steadily along the edge of the Ninth Battlefield, the atmosphere in the lounge gradually relaxed.

After all, the initial leg of the journey after leaving the military base was relatively safe—it was a good time for the team members to adjust their states and get to know each other.

"Say, Flame Edge."

Beast King teased the Snow Shadow Beast in his arms while glancing sideways at Lu Ming.

"Your code name is quite imposing, but I wonder if you're actually as 'sharp' as it sounds when the fighting starts? Don't let your legs go weak the moment you see an alien; that would be a huge embarrassment! Haha!"

He always spoke directly, with a touch of mockery, yet there was no malice in it.

The Snow Shadow Beast in his arms seemed to sense its master's mood and let out an "awoo" at Lu Ming, baring its teeth. The display lacked any real menace and instead appeared somewhat comical.

Before Lu Ming could reply, Blood Blade, who was wiping his blade nearby, didn't even look up as he spoke in a muffled, grumpy voice: "Beast King, look after yourself and your cat. During our last skirmish, if your 'Little Snow' hadn't been greedy for merit and alerted that Machine Race patrol, we wouldn't have been chased across half a star sector by three L-133 mechanical puppets."

His tone was flat.

Beast King acted as if he had been stepped on, nearly jumping up: "Hey, hey, hey! Blood Blade, you old grump, why bring up old wounds! Can you blame me for that time? It was clearly a failure in intelligence! Besides, didn't we shake them off in the end thanks to Little Snow's speed? You, the guy carrying a big blade who was eating dust in the back, what do you know about tactical maneuvering?"

He craned his neck, his face turning slightly red.

Wind Spirit's cold, clear voice drifted over as she elegantly tuned several bell-shaped telekinetic weapons floating in front of her.

"Beast King, that wasn't maneuvering, that was running for your life. Besides, you stole my reserve fruit-flavored energy bars."

"I..."

Beast King was rendered speechless by the two of them ganging up on him; he sat back down angrily and rubbed the head of the Snow Shadow Beast vigorously.

"Little Snow, look at them, they're all bullying us! You're the only one who's good!"

The Snow Shadow Beast let out a "woof" sound as it was rubbed, its face expressing a sense of hopeless resignation.

Captain Moon Princess watched her teammates bicker with a helpless smile, her soft white fox tail swaying gently.

"Alright, that's enough. Beast King, keep your mouth in check; Flame Edge is a recruit, don't scare him. Blood Blade, Wind Spirit, you too—there's no point in constantly bringing up old history."