Void Battlefield

Li Xiongshan truly deserved to be called a soldier. He acted decisively, and before the martial evaluation had even ended, he directly took Su Bei to an administrative office.

—Though the martial evaluation itself had never had anything like a closing ceremony.

With a big shot like Li Xiongshan leading the way, Su Bei's paperwork went exceptionally smoothly.

Special matters were handled specially.

Especially since the martial evaluation had already conducted a background check, nearly every obstacle had been removed.

Just like last time at Wuji Martial Hall, Su Bei felt somewhat dazed. Ever since obtaining the panel, he had gone from an unnoticed little Quasi-Martial Artist to a hot commodity everyone wanted.

Even that longbow was taken away by someone Li Xiongshan called over, who said they would return it after repairing it.

Still, no matter how smoothly things went, nearly an hour had passed.

"You're one of my soldiers now. The uniforms are custom-made to fully suit your habits, and they'll be issued to you in a few days."

Li Xiongshan's face was creased with smiles. "Our unit belongs to the Tianhu Military Region's garrison army. While we can't compare to the Pioneer Army or the Demon Suppressing Army, those two ace forces, the garrison army is still considered a frontline unit within the military."

"Since you have no military merits yet, we can't assign you a rank for now. However, the martial evaluation has regulations stating that warriors who place first will receive corresponding promotion policies after enlistment. Your promotion is only a matter of time."

"But don't worry about that for now. Stay by my side as a guard for the time being. You don't feel slighted, do you?"

"Not at all!"

How could Su Bei possibly feel slighted? He was thrilled beyond measure. Did anyone really think serving as a guard beside a commander was beneath them?

"Your top priority now is continuing your cultivation. Tomorrow, when you choose an Ascension Secret Treasure, I need to give you a few reminders."

The more Li Xiongshan looked at Su Bei, who was both capable and knew how to speak properly, the more satisfied he became. Smiling, he said, "The association usually provides B-grade Ascension Secret Treasures. When choosing, don't just look at the grade. This thing needs to suit you; otherwise, it will trouble your future cultivation."

"I see that you cultivate the Solar System Gene Method as well. When choosing, Mystic Treasures with fire, solar system, or stellar attributes will suit you best."

"Also, if you don't find one you like, don't hold back. Just choose the most expensive one!"

"Our military has quite a few Mystic Treasures too. If none suit you, look through the military's collection. If you still can't find one, I can get one for you from another military region!"

"You absolutely cannot settle!!"

Li Xiongshan spoke with extreme seriousness, afraid that Su Bei would take a wrong turn because of this.

If that really happened, he would never forgive himself.

"Thank you, Uncle Xiong."

Su Bei spoke sincerely. Though they had only met that day, Li Xiongshan had truly treated him well.

"Since you're my soldier, I'll naturally keep you safe." Li Xiongshan waved a hand indifferently. "After we spend more time together, you'll know what kind of man I, Old Li, am."

"You won't be shorted on benefits. Of course, don't think you can rely on those benefits to cultivate forever. People still have to rely on themselves. I'll only handle your worries at home. You just need to focus on cultivating."

"Yes!"

Su Bei agreed.

"The reward for first place in the martial evaluation from the association is one Ascension Secret Treasure, one complete martial arts manual, one Gene Method, and five million in cultivation funds."

Besides Li Xiongshan, a military clerk standing nearby added, "The Ascension Secret Treasure needs to be prepared. It will arrive at the association in three days and can be collected together with the top ten. The complete martial arts manual and Gene Method can be chosen at any time, while the funds will be transferred directly into your account."

"Additionally, this reward may be shared within a limited range. It was actually prepared for the sake of your family."

Finally, it was time to divide the spoils!

Su Bei listened with a smile, though he had long since made his choices.

He would naturally keep the money. Cultivation required money everywhere, and he planned to choose a fist technique to cultivate. He had already tasted the benefits of high-grade martial arts; after the Piercing Sun Spear Technique reached the Greater Achievement Realm, its force could exceed ten thousand jin.

Who knew what a perfected fist technique would be like?

As for archery, he only intended to choose a basic archery technique to learn. It would be a way to rapidly increase his combat strength in the short term.

He did not need to become especially proficient. He only needed to shoot accurately.

He had no need for a Gene Method for now. There was still a cultivation technique in the panel mission waiting for him to claim after becoming a warrior, so he could prepare one for Su He instead.

If he wanted to make money, becoming famous really was the way!

If he cultivated silently, who knew when he would be able to save up such wealth?

A single high-grade martial art could easily cost over a million.

"The military also has rewards for you."

The clerk said, "One low-grade custom Mystic Treasure weapon, one set of protective clothing, and the military will also take full responsibility for your daily living arrangements."

"A Mystic Treasure?"

Su Bei froze.

A single damaged Mystic Treasure bow had already delighted him immensely, yet they were actually giving him a complete Mystic Treasure weapon?

Su Bei had seen it at Wuji Martial Hall last time. The price of any Mystic Treasure was never below ten million!

"I added that." Li Xiongshan's deep voice rang out. "Your spear isn't good enough. You only sparred with Liu Shan once, and the spearhead was already damaged."

Su Bei fell silent for a moment.

So this was what it felt like to have a big shot backing him?

As they spoke.

Li Xiongshan brought Su Bei into an office. The clerk had already tactfully left.

Li Xiongshan sat boldly in the main seat, his expression becoming much more serious. "Xiaobei, now that we're on the same side, I'll get straight to the point."

"This martial evaluation was different from previous ones. You should have sensed that."

Then he changed the subject. "You've heard of the Void Battlefield, right?"

Su Bei's expression shifted, and he nodded.

Of course he had heard of the Void Battlefield. However, information was restricted everywhere. His understanding of it went no further than the requirement that, after becoming a warrior, one had to enter it for at least seven days each year.

Warriors all remained tight-lipped about it, as though it were something too taboo to mention.

But some people online said it was a warrior's paradise, where Mystic Treasures could be found everywhere and cultivation speed would increase dramatically. Others said it was a warrior's hell, where countless warriors died every year.

But from the looks of it, this opportunity actually involved the Void Battlefield?

"At present, there are eight Void Battlefields that remain open year-round across the entire region. I won't tell you the specific details. You'll naturally learn them after becoming a warrior."

"Besides those permanently open Void Battlefields, Shattered Battlefields occasionally open without warning. Recently, a Shattered Battlefield has been gradually forming near Jinnan. After testing, the entry requirement for this Shattered Battlefield is below the warrior level. This has never happened before, which is why you were selected."

Li Xiongshan continued, "I don't need to say much more about the dangers of the Void Battlefield. Comparatively speaking, Shattered Battlefields are much less dangerous, but no one knows what exactly is inside them right now.

Maybe there will only be giant beast corpses after entering. Maybe there will be piles of Mystic Treasures. Or perhaps danger lurks everywhere within.

"However, danger and opportunity often coexist. Setting everything else aside, if you can come out alive, the military merits alone will be enough for you to rise several ranks in succession!"

Su Bei absorbed the torrent of information in a short time.

Li Xiongshan looked at him seriously and solemnly. "Xiaobei, I am now speaking to you on behalf of the military. Are you willing to accept this mission?"

"You have one day to consider it. I'll send you some information about Shattered Battlefields later. It won't be too late to decide after you've thought it through."

Su Bei's mind turned rapidly.

He was familiar with this.

It was nothing more than a risk assessment.

He moistened his slightly dry lips. "What is my mission?"

"Together with your teammates, destroy the Shattered Battlefield."

Li Xiongshan's gaze was profound. "Every time a Void Battlefield opens, it brings a large amount of Cosmic Energy. This stuff does little for humans, but it accelerates the growth of mutated beasts."

"Uncle Xiong, I don't need a day. I agree to go."

Su Bei spoke directly.

With such a huge operation, they could not possibly be selecting a few geniuses merely to send them to their deaths. Whether it was Sun Zicheng from Wuji Martial Hall or Zhai Feng from the association, if this were truly a death mission, they would not have fought so desperately for this opportunity.

When you could not make a choice yourself, look at how those stronger than you chose.

Besides, the rules of this martial evaluation had been specially changed for this matter. Could he simply say he would not go and be done with it? What a joke!

"Good!"

"As expected of my soldier!"

Li Xiongshan looked deeply at Su Bei, feeling both gratified and somewhat worried.

In truth, he had not wanted this promising young man to take such risks. With Su Bei's talent, becoming stronger was only a matter of time.

Yet even a fledgling eagle had to fall from the cliffside to learn how to fly. Which supreme powerhouse had not been tempered through life and death?

Su Bei adapted to his role quickly. "Then how long do I have to prepare?"

"At most one week." Li Xiongshan tugged at the collar of his uniform. "You'll also need to undergo training in Jinnan and get briefly acquainted with your teammates."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be back within a month."

"This week is just enough for you to settle matters at home. No matter what you need, you can bring it up at any time. You're someone with a mission now. Our military will stabilize your rear so you can have peace of mind!"

Su Bei nodded.

He knew about the military's benefits. With this identity, as long as his parents did not commit murder or arson, they would not exactly be able to walk sideways in Tianhu City, but few people would dare provoke them.

The time was indeed a little tight.

But it was enough.

"Oh, right."

As if remembering something, Li Xiongshan hurriedly said, "When you get to Jinnan, if people from other departments say anything strange to you, you absolutely must not agree!"

Su Bei was puzzled. "Something strange?"

"Things like asking you to join another department, offering military merits, promising benefits—you absolutely must not agree to any of it."

Li Xiongshan looked utterly serious. "The military runs deep. Those bastards are incredibly sly. Xiaobei, listen to your uncle. You can't handle them."

Su Bei: "..."

"Understood, Commander!"

Thanks to everyone who voted with monthly passes. Let me briefly explain the update schedule. During the new-book period, two updates a day are standard, so I'll generally release them at the same time. And my updates aren't short, right... Though it's two chapters, the word count is basically equivalent to other authors' three chapters. I'd still like to ask for follows and such. That stuff completely affects this book's future, and good results give me more motivation to write. There'll be a burst of updates once it goes premium.