I'm Sorry, I Booked First

On April 8th, as the sky began to brighten, a loud and urgent whistle roused the students participating in the fortress special training.

Lu Chong had only slept for three hours, but he rose feeling refreshed and quickly made his way to the assembly point.

After his cultivation breakthrough last night, he had spent several hours studying his own condition to see if there would be any regression.

Fortunately, the Auto Cultivation System had indeed grown as he had hoped.

The most obvious point was that after his cultivation broke through to the Ninth Stage, the speed of his auto-cultivation had not decreased; instead, it had subtly improved.

With a supply of intermediate Nutrition Bars, his cultivation could increase by 10% every day.

At this rate, in less than ten days, he would be on track to break through the major barrier and become a true Martial Artist.

Eighteen-year-old Martial Artists were rare, but on a national scale, they were not uncommon; a wave of them always emerged during the annual college entrance exams.

However, one must not forget that it had only been a month since Lu Chong was at the Third Stage of Martial Disciple.

To go from the Third Stage of Martial Disciple to a Martial Artist in just over a month—if not unprecedented, it was certainly rare.

Lu Chong did not let this make him arrogant, for he understood clearly that talent or cheats were merely an innate advantage; if he did not strive to forge ahead himself, he would sooner or later be overtaken by others.

Moreover, if he truly encountered fierce Exotic Beasts or enemies, they wouldn't care if he was a peerless genius; in fact, they would only strike harder without reservation.

A genius who has not yet grown up can only be called a potential asset, not a true powerhouse.

"Students, today you will follow our soldiers into the Wilderness to carry out reconnaissance and clearing missions."

"However, the protagonists this time are not the soldiers, but you."

"The soldiers will only help you hold the line, record your Military Rank Honor, and collect the spoils of war."

"We depart at 08:00 and return to camp promptly at 14:00. We will tally your daily Military Rank Honor."

"You may use this honor as you see fit to exchange for money, resources, or even Martial Skills from the military."

"Additionally, Colonel Huang has personally ordered that the student with the highest Military Rank Honor after the special training concludes may be granted a military rank, depending on the circumstances."

"I believe you all know what this means."

As the words of the chief instructor, Cheng Dongye, fell, the hundred students erupted into an uproar.

While Lu Chong was wondering what he should exchange his Military Rank Honor for, the other students were busy discussing the military rank Cheng Dongye had mentioned.

Although it was not a position of real power that allowed one to command troops, the vast majority of them understood just how formidable this military rank was.

To put it in common terms, this kind of military rank was equivalent to a protective talisman.

It allowed one to enjoy numerous national policy benefits, receive the admiration of others, and served as a symbol of status.

Most importantly, those who possessed a military rank could receive a corresponding salary, enjoy priority access to military resources, and gain access to many inheritance opportunities not open to the public.

When Lu Chong vaguely heard this discussion, his entire spirit lifted.

Salary, benefits, military resources—weren't these exactly what he needed most?

How could the resources and Martial Skill inheritances from schools or the open market compare to those of the military?

Furthermore, accepting a military rank did not require mandatory service, meaning he could still attend university and do as he pleased.

"Where else could I find such a good deal?"

Without a doubt, I, Lu Chong, have already claimed the top spot in this special training.

Lu Chong made up his mind, feeling full of motivation; that shining military rank seemed to be beckoning to him.

It wasn't just him; every student present felt the same, rubbing their palms and itching to jump off the fortress and fight the Exotic Beasts to the death.

The chief instructor stopped while he was ahead, not continuing to incite these green students, and began helping them form groups.

Each instructor led a group of fourteen or fifteen students, equipped with a squad of soldiers.

Lu Chong and Lou Qingqing were assigned to the same group; he did not know any of the other students.

The instructor leading this group was a Sixth Stage Martial Artist named Liu Ziqiang, a second lieutenant platoon leader.

According to the military's organizational structure, platoon leaders were generally mid-to-high-stage Martial Artists, squad leaders were low-stage Martial Artists, and the ordinary soldiers in the squads were mostly Martial Disciples.

The seven instructors here were clearly all second lieutenants.

The soldiers who were about to escort the students into the Wilderness were mostly high-stage Martial Disciples.

"Move out!" At 08:00, at Cheng Dongye's command, the students passed through the activated Light Wall one by one and arrived in the Wilderness.

The Wilderness here was completely different from the dilapidated urban ruins of the base's Hunting Ground; it was a true Wild Mountain Forest Terrain.

The seven student groups dispersed immediately, heading in different directions to scout and reconnoiter.

Their mission was to scout the Wilderness within a fifty-mile radius, identify potential hidden dangers, collect precious medicinal herbs, and clear out any Exotic Beasts that appeared.

The students were in the lead, with the instructors and a squad of soldiers bringing up the rear, ready to provide support at any time.

Of course, there were also escorts brought by individual students, such as Sister Yu, who followed along and remained silently at the very back.

Unless they encountered an insurmountable crisis, these outside helpers were not to interfere with the students' special training.

"Lu Chong, if you encounter danger, call me immediately. I will have Sister Yu help you," Lou Qingqing said, giving Lu Chong a nervous reminder.

Lu Chong smiled at Lou Qingqing to show his gratitude.

Unless he encountered a truly dangerous situation, he would not call for reinforcements, as doing so would affect his ability to earn military merits.

"Platoon leader, is he the one who topped the mock exam a few days ago?"

At the back of the squad, the squad leader leaned toward Liu Ziqiang and asked in a low voice.

Liu Ziqiang nodded, his voice serious: "That's him, Lu Chong. It's said that his Monument-Splitting Palm, Nine-Shadow Step, Eagle Claw Technique, and Heart-Piercing Kick have all reached Perfection."

"That's why Old Cheng asked me to follow this team and, incidentally, guide him in practicing the Mountain Leaning Back," Liu Ziqiang added.

"Isn't that playing favorites?" The young squad leader was even more curious. "Whose connection is he to require such special treatment?"

Liu Ziqiang shot him a glance and kicked the squad leader three meters away, retorting irritably: "Do your job. Do you even know what the flowers of the motherland are, or what a genius is?"

"Tell all the soldiers to be ready for fire support at any time. These precious gems are only here to experience life; not a single one can afford to have an accident."

After the squad leader limped away, Liu Ziqiang glanced at Lu Chong in the distance, recalling Cheng Dongye's warning: "This is someone Colonel Huang values highly; there cannot be the slightest mishap."

"I'd like to see just how much weight this student, so highly regarded by the Colonel, actually carries. I just hope he doesn't see blood in the Wilderness and wet his pants in fear."