Welcome to the Military Department

The carcass of the Mountain-Moving Lizard was tossed aside. Su Bei stirred it with his gun and quickly extracted a crystal core from its head.

This was an energy core condensed by a Level 1 Exotic Beast during its evolution process, useful for both potion making and direct energy consumption.

It was quite valuable.

A single one this size, about the same as a fingernail, was worth over a hundred thousand.

The flesh and blood of the Mountain-Moving Lizard were also not cheap. Its outer rocky armor was keratinous and could also be used in medicine.

It was practically a treasure trove from head to tail.

Su Bei looked it over but held back. He wondered if he could get it exchanged for cash after this was over.

He was quite short on money.

It was manageable during the Quasi-Martial Artist stage, but after opening the Secret Treasury Gate, cultivation was essentially a money pit.

Without some means of making money, his cultivation progress would become incredibly slow.

He needed to prepare some funds in advance so that once he opened the Secret Treasury Gate, his cultivation wouldn't be so tight.

He quickly returned to the front of the cave.

Fortunately, the receiver indicated that Tag #1 was still inside the cave. If he had fought tooth and nail only to have his home raided, Su Bei would have truly lost his mind.

The cave was quite spacious, with traces of biting and gnawing on the stone walls, clearly indicating that the Mountain-Moving Lizard had excavated it itself. Walking deeper into the cave, Su Bei soon found the #1 sensor.

It was hidden in a crevice between mountain walls; it would have been quite difficult to find without a thorough search.

He directly pocketed it.

First place, secured!

Even though Su Bei had prepared himself mentally, he still felt a surge of excitement upon holding it.

With this, there were no longer any obstacles on his path to becoming a Martial Artist!

As a registered Martial Artist of the Alliance, he would enjoy the best treatment from the country!

From now on, no matter what he did, he would receive certain preferential treatment within the rules. Even if he didn't want to take risks, he could find a respectable job in any of the base cities.

He just wondered what that so-called opportunity would be. He hoped it wouldn't disappoint him.

Su Bei searched the cave again but found nothing of value. He figured the Mountain-Moving Lizard had no habit of hoarding treasures, so he stopped searching.

He exited the cave and headed straight for the entrance.

Meanwhile.

Several martial evaluation assistants stood in silence before the corpse of the Mountain-Moving Lizard.

"It's really dead?"

"No way, someone actually killed a Mountain-Moving Lizard?"

A first-tier Martial Artist standing nearby found it hard to accept. While he was confident he could defeat the Mountain-Moving Lizard, he would have to use all his trump cards.

The fact that a Quasi-Martial Artist could actually kill it left him feeling complicated, as if all his years of cultivation had been for nothing.

He was responsible for external rescue, so being slightly weaker wasn't an issue.

A slightly older second-tier Martial Artist looked at the corpse of the Mountain-Moving Lizard and said, "Judging by the situation, it was likely a Quasi-Martial Artist with exceptional archery skills who wore it down to death."

"The penetrating wound on its head is a fatal blow, directly causing its death."

As he spoke, the second-tier Martial Artist's expression turned a bit strange. "However, I'm not sure if I'm seeing things correctly."

"...Isn't this archery style a bit odd?"

"It must have been shot nearly a hundred times, and the arrowheads alone must weigh several hundred pounds... But based on the wounds, they are all lacerations caused by immense force. How is there not even the most basic spiral force?"

Upon hearing this, several people moved closer to examine it.

"It really does seem so?"

"This... no technique, just brute strength?"

Everyone was baffled.

But since it was already killed, regardless of the method, it wasn't normal for a Quasi-Martial Artist to kill a Level 1 Exotic Beast.

"Let's report it first."

"Tsk... this martial evaluation has really produced an extraordinary individual. I imagine the higher-ups are already scrambling to get their hands on him."

On the other side.

In the monitoring room, as they watched the light dot representing Su Bei, carrying Tag #1, head back towards the entrance, several representatives from various departments were becoming restless.

At the same time.

The report also reached everyone.

Li Xiongshan took the call and listened. Upon hearing the news from the other end, he was stunned for a moment. "What? Killed? How did they kill it?"

"With a gun?!"

"Damn it, how did someone bring a thermal weapon into the arena?"

"Oh, a spear..."

He hung up the phone and slammed his hand on the table, looking furious.

"This is outrageous!"

"Su Bei actually dared to participate in the martial arts evaluation with a thermal weapon!"

Li Xiongshan scanned the crowd. "Investigate thoroughly! We must investigate thoroughly! My Military Department is in charge of this martial arts evaluation. If such a mistake occurs, I will be held responsible. I will take this Su Bei back to the Military Department later for a thorough review!"

"I will definitely give everyone an explanation!"

The crowd: "..."

No.

Are you treating us like deaf people?

Regardless of Su Bei's feat of killing opponents above his level, geniuses are as common as carp crossing a river in this world. While such geniuses are rare, they do exist. Many of them have already reached high positions and possess immense strength. It's easy for a genius to emerge from a martial arts evaluation, but it's incredibly difficult for a genius of this caliber to appear.

This is a struggle for talent, especially when it involves the Void Battlefield. Such talent cannot be let go!

"Old Li, I could hear your calculations all the way from the city," said the Martial Department representative, Wang Ming, tapping the table. "My Martial Department oversees the police. Su Bei is also wanted for the deaths of five people. How about this: when he arrives, I'll take him to the police department for a good interrogation. I'll definitely make him confess!"

"Get lost!" Li Xiongshan snapped. "Five people ambushed him and he killed them all. What's there to interrogate? I'll take him to the Military Department!"

Wang Ming almost spat out blood. "Didn't you just say you wanted the police department to interrogate him?"

"I never said that!"

"Are you going back on your word?"

"So what if I go back on my word? I never said that!"

Seeing them start to argue, Fu Hongtao, the representative from the Association, stepped forward. "Let me say a fair word."

"The Ascension Secret Treasure this year is provided by our Association, and this person should also belong to our Association."

"Pfft!" Li Xiongshan spat. "Who cares about your Ascension Secret Treasure? What doesn't my Military Department have? I'm just taking him back for interrogation, it's not like I'm not returning him!"

If he can be returned, there must be a ghost! everyone thought, cursing inwardly.

"We, the Sun Moon Group... can also..." the representative of one of the top powers said weakly at this moment.

But he was completely ignored.

Top powers naturally have strength, but it depends on who they are compared to. Compared to the Wuji Martial Hall, they are giants. However, compared to the Military Department, the Martial Department, and the Martial Artist Association, the gap is not just in magnitude, but also in standing.

"How about this," Li Xiongshan said. "Old Fu, I remember the last time the first place was snatched by your Association."

"And last time, Old Wang's side snatched the first place, and he was a good prospect for criminal investigation."

"This time, no matter what, it should be our Military Department's turn."

Upon hearing this, the two fell silent.

While they said that, everyone knew that the Military Department's requirements for recruiting were high. Ordinary enlistment was always welcome, but when it came to elite internal units, their standards were sky-high! The Pioneer Army and the Demon Suppressing Army, the two ace forces, as well as the Hidden Dragon incubation base, are all under the jurisdiction of the Military Department. The Azure Dragon incubation base is directly managed by the Martial Department, and their requirements are outrageously high. The Military Department doesn't really recruit ordinary talents, as there are quite a few people enlisting every year. So, in the previous two times, it wasn't that the Military Department let them have it! But these words were unassailable.

"This matter is settled. The Void Battlefield has always been dominated by my Military Department, and this person must come to my Military Department!" Li Xiongshan acted shamelessly. "They have been urging me several times these past few days. We can discuss any compensation later."

Wang Ming and Fu Hongtao exchanged glances, feeling helpless.

With the matter brought to this point, and even "they" being mentioned, no matter how unwilling they were, there was nothing they could do. It would be better to ask for more resources and make an exchange.

"So the Military Department gets the advantage," Wang Ming pouted sourly. "You'd better cultivate him well, such a talent is rare."

"Hahahaha, no problem, no problem."

"If his talent is truly outstanding, perhaps even Hidden Dragon will send someone!"

Li Xiongshan burst into laughter. Although he hadn't managed to pull off a completely free heist, he had still completed the task assigned to him, and his mood was excellent.

However, despite the Association and the Martial Department appearing to have been wronged, neither side had actually lost anything.

It was just that most people always thought they had a choice, when in reality, all decisions had already been made.

Therefore.

When Su Bei was brought to the monitoring room, completely bewildered, he saw Li Xiongshan, who was as imposing as a giant bear, laughing heartily.

"Su Bei, welcome to our Military Department!"