The Military Camp

Actually, Xu Xin wasn't wrong. Xu Qing had started encountering all kinds of new things, especially Warriors—things he'd never known about before.

As a result, Xu Qing's understanding of the world had begun to mature. And as his understanding matured, so did he.

In short, he was finally starting to connect with the world. He was no longer the Xu Qing who had lived in an ivory tower.

With his intelligence, he took to every new thing quickly, immediately understanding it and grasping its essence.

"Hehe." Xu Qing smiled cutely, no longer looking so dazed.

Xu Xin reached out and pinched his cheek. "It's quiet right now. Let's sit down and have some juice."

"Okay." Xu Qing sat down.

Over the past month, Xu Xin had observed Xu Qing and confirmed that he really had changed. He was much livelier, his eyes more expressive, and his face as animated as anyone else's. He smiled, frowned, pouted, and even got angry.

He'd never been like that before. It was almost as if he'd become a different person; he wasn't dazed at all anymore.

"Looks like I protected him too much before. He was like a child who hadn't grown up, completely clueless about so many things." Xu Xin understood now. It was her fault as his older sister—she'd been overprotective.

But now things were different. After Xu Qing started encountering new things in the outside world, he'd grown up in no time.

The only thing that hadn't changed was that he still loved eating and drinking juice.

He also still went fishing from time to time, especially when he was bored.

"Xiao Qing, your practical exam is tomorrow. Be careful and don't get hurt." Xu Xin checked the date and told him.

"Don't worry, Sister Xin. I'm strong. I'll pass the practical exam in no time," Xu Qing said confidently.

Xu Xin smiled gently. "I know you're strong, but you still need to be careful. And don't reveal your true strength."

"Okay, I will." Xu Qing nodded. He understood now—this was called keeping a low profile.

All he had to do was pass the practical exam and get his Warrior status.

The next morning.

Xu Xin walked Xu Qing to the door. "Xiao Qing, be careful."

"Relax, Sister Xin. When I get back, I'll be a Warrior." Xu Qing waved with a smile and got into the car.

"We're off," Xu Gang said before driving Xu Qing toward the Limit General Hall headquarters in the city center.

Xu Xin stood at the door, smiling. "My silly little brother has grown up. Maybe I should let go and let him make his own way in the world. I'll ask him what he thinks when he gets back."

Watching Xu Qing grow more mature felt to Xu Xin like watching her own child grow up. She was proud and happy.

Xu Gang drove Xu Qing to the Limit General Hall in the city center.

"Xiao Qing, be careful during the exam. Good luck passing and becoming a true Warrior." After saying this, Xu Gang drove away.

Xu Qing entered the Limit Dojo building. Many Quasi-Martial Artists had already gathered in the first-floor lobby. Most were in their early twenties, and there were at least a hundred of them.

"It's almost time. We should get going." A middle-aged man appeared and walked over to them. After counting everyone, he checked the time.

This Warrior was Wu Jiang, the person who had tested Xu Qing.

Then, under Wu Jiang's lead, all the Quasi-Martial Artists boarded the train. They were headed to the military district to take their practical exam.

The train car was sealed, so they couldn't see outside, but it had display screens.

The screens showed prominent figures giving speeches. They came from various major organizations, including the Limit Martial Arts Hall, the Thunder Martial Arts Hall, the Underground Alliance, and the military.

Xu Qing grew drowsy listening to them and soon fell asleep against the side.

The other Quasi-Martial Artists listened to the speeches with excitement, all wondering which organization they should join after becoming Warriors.

Who knew how long had passed before a loud voice rang out. "We've arrived at the North Military Region!"

The booming announcement woke Xu Qing right up.

"We're here?" Xu Qing rubbed his eyes and yawned.

The people beside him gave him strange looks. Was he really here to take the practical exam? He was far too relaxed. He didn't look nervous in the slightest.

"All personnel, disembark!"

At the command, Xu Qing and the other Quasi-Martial Artists filed off the train.

A huge military camp came into view, sprawling across a vast area. Various heavy weapons were positioned around its perimeter, their enormous cannons aimed outward. Many soldiers stood guard, fully armed.

Some monsters howled beyond the camp's perimeter fence, but they didn't dare approach.

There were also many flying monsters in the sky, at least several hundred of them, roaring as they swept past.

Xu Qing and the other Quasi-Martial Artists entered the camp, looking around curiously.

Only Warriors could leave Jiangnan Base City. This was the first time any of them had seen the world beyond the base, and everything felt new.

"So those are monsters." Xu Qing looked at the monsters beyond the perimeter fence, shrieking at the top of their lungs. His first thought was that they were ugly.

His next thought was that they were ferocious. They looked at people as if they wanted to eat them alive. It was downright infuriating.

As Quasi-Martial Artists from all over Jiangnan City continued arriving, their numbers in the camp soon passed a thousand.

"Welcome to the Jiangnan City North Military District. Your practical exam will be held here."

"Though it's unlikely, we hope you'll all pass the exam. We also hope every one of you makes it through this practical exam alive!"

A man's voice rang out over the military district's loudspeakers.

At noon, Xu Qing and the others ate lunch at the military district.

That afternoon, more than a thousand Quasi-Martial Artists gathered on an open field. Senior officers from the North Military Region and the two major dojos stood on the raised platform in front of them.

"Next, the Quasi-Martial Artists whose names are called will come forward to collect their combat uniforms and weapons."

There were so many Quasi-Martial Artists that they were called up ten at a time. Even so, the process took more than half an hour.

On the field, Xu Qing and the other Quasi-Martial Artists received combat uniforms that fit them, along with the weapons they'd requested.

The weapons were all melee weapons; firearms weren't allowed. That was one of the practical exam's rules.

Xu Qing had requested a bow and arrows, so he received a bow and twenty arrows.

"Little girl, why'd you pick a bow and arrows? A blade's definitely more useful." A somewhat flashy young man walked over.

He'd already put on his combat uniform. With a shield on his back, a War Blade at his side, and a Communication Watch on his wrist, he was fully equipped.

"Who are you calling a little girl? I'm not one." Xu Qing pouted, picked up his combat uniform and belongings, and walked away.

Seeing Xu Qing avoid him as if he were the plague, the young man was left awkwardly standing there. He'd thought Xu Qing looked cute and had deliberately approached to strike up a conversation, but it hadn't gone well.

Behind him, several Quasi-Martial Artists he knew burst out laughing.

"What the hell are you laughing at?" The young man glared at them, only making them laugh even harder.