Word spread, and the various factions stirred.
The two Archery Battalion camps were no exception. Everyone was talking about it.
"Doesn't that mean our Second Battalion will have four Squad Leaders from now on?"
"Four, yes, but becoming a Squad Leader won't be that easy."
"There are nearly a hundred people in the entire Second Battalion. Picking one out of a hundred—the difficulty speaks for itself. Ordinary Water Soldiers like us don't stand a chance."
"I heard a Water Soldier in the Main Combat Battalion has already entered the Dark Force ranks. Could the Archery Battalion have one too?"
"Who can say? But one thing's certain: if someone really does reach Dark Force because of this, no one else will have any room to compete!"
"A Dark Force martial artist already has more than enough strength to serve as a Squad Leader."
"It's unlikely. The Archery Battalion isn't the Main Combat Battalion. For us, our realm and fist techniques come second. Archery is what matters most."
"We all practice archery every day. I doubt we're advancing as fast as those guys in the Main Combat Battalion."
"In our Second Battalion, I reckon fewer than ten people are truly qualified to compete for a Squad Leader position. Zheng Song from the First Team, Wang Jiu from the Second Team, and Li Mo from the Third Team probably have the best chances."
"Hmph, why should I fear them? My arrows are no less deadly. Let's see them try to outshine me!"
"..."
The outside world was abuzz with heated discussion.
Hong Ming, however, seemed cut off from the world. He paid no heed to what was happening outside, focusing all his attention on one final push.
[Coiling Dragon Stake (Minor Accomplishment 923/1000)]
As he rested and recovered, Hong Ming brought up the