The three of them came to a secluded, shady spot beside the lake. It was summer, with willows casting deep shade and a warm breeze drifting gently past.
"I hear you practice the Origin-Revering One-Qi Art," the Dawnward Garrison General asked, picking his nose.
"What realm have you reached?"
"Reporting to you, General, my Origin-Revering Great Stance has reached the Uncarved Jade Realm."
"The Uncarved Jade Realm, huh..." The Dawnward Garrison General fell silent for a moment, then flicked the booger off his finger.
"What level have you reached in each of the five external disciplines?"
"Reporting to you, General, my Wave-Treading Step has reached perfection. The other four are still at the second level," Lin Nan answered honestly.
"Hmm... barely passable..."
The Dawnward Garrison General nodded in satisfaction.
"How old are you this year?"
"Twenty-one."
"Twenty... twenty-one..."
The watermelon in the Dawnward Garrison General's hand suddenly burst under his grip, but that same serene smile remained on his face, as though everything were within
his control.
"Not bad. A promising talent."
"Thank you for your praise, General!"
Before his words had faded, the Dawnward Garrison General casually pulled a jade token from his sagging bag and tossed it over. It traced an arc through the air and landed in Lin Nan's hand.
Lin Nan lowered his head and felt the jade token. It was sticky, still smeared with watermelon juice, and its patterned face bore the word "Commander."
"This is..."
Beside him, Li Nianru suddenly gasped at the sight, then hurriedly covered her mouth.
"That's the Golden-Wing Commander's identity token. Golden-Wing died in Black Dragon City. My people brought this token back from the scene."
The Dawnward Garrison General sighed softly.
"The Martial Alliance has twelve greater commanders and thirty-six lesser commanders. Golden-Wing had the fastest movement skills of