Military Pledge

Though he really wanted to go online and tear that author apart, it was obviously too late now. He could only unpack the supply pack while listening to Grandpa Lei's last-minute lecture.

"Remember, don't rush in once you enter. Observe your surroundings first, find a safe retreat route, then explore slowly."

"Every Spirit Domain has its own rating criteria. A C-rank or above earns additional Spirit Domain rewards. My expectations for you aren't high. Just reach C-rank. Once you're out, I can arrange a job for you."

"If you really can't beat them, climb a tree and find a way to survive."

Listening to the instructions, Xu Jiang opened the supply pack as well. Compressed food, first-aid medicine, climbing rope, and three hundred rounds of ammunition—the basic survival tools were all there.

Though he might not necessarily need them, Xu Jiang was still quite touched.

Perhaps Grandpa Lei had made investments like this many times before, but he surely hoped that every newcomer would make it out alive in the end.

And naturally, there was no shortage of people making snide remarks at a time like this.

"Old Lei! Bringing another newcomer? This won't do! I heard none of the three you brought last time made it out alive. Why not reconsider and come teach at our Martial Arts Association?"

Turning around, Xu Jiang saw a group approaching. At the front was an elderly man wearing a short-sleeved martial arts uniform.

Though he was advanced in years, the muscle definition on display still revealed his formidable explosive power.

Then Xu Jiang noticed the short sword hanging at his waist. He was probably a Swordsman. Xu Jiang's assessment of the old man was simple: rich!

In his previous life, people might have found it strange to see someone walking down the street in a short-sleeved martial arts uniform.

But here, it was perfectly normal.

Because this martial arts uniform was no longer merely clothing. It was a set of equipment.

Just looking at those shimmering golden patterns, even an outsider like Xu Jiang could tell it was an incomparably precious enchanted set.

The people behind him included Swordsmen, Elementalists, and gunners. Their equipment was quite complete, and they were probably all here for the Spirit Domain trial.

Grandpa Lei snorted unhappily. "Mo, you should worry about yourself. The Five Directions Spirit Realm is about to open. Don't let your Martial Arts Association lose again this time."

"Don't worry. I'm not as pathetic as you lot."

Though the two old men were trading insults in the street, Xu Jiang did not sense any real hostility between them. They did not seem like enemies, but more like old rivals.

Only after they had argued themselves hoarse did they finally part ways in satisfaction and return to their own business.

Grandpa Lei spat at the other man's retreating back, then turned and comforted Xu Jiang. "Xu Jiang! Don't be nervous. He was just trying to scare you. Black White Forest has the lowest death rate of all Spirit Domains. It's very friendly to newcomers."

"Oh? Really? How friendly?"

"At least after the monsters beat someone to death, they don't eat the corpse."

Yeah, Grandpa Lei really knew how to comfort people.

After waiting for a while, the sound of thunderous tremors began to ring out. Dark clouds pressed down from the sky, and the Spirit Domain opened on schedule.

Xu Jiang did not hesitate. He quickly put on the Skeletal Mech, made sure the Desert Eagle at his waist was fully loaded, took his entry permit, and followed the group into the Spirit Domain.

The gate to the Spirit Domain was like a vortex. The moment he stepped through, the surrounding environment darkened, and countless streaks of light flashed past.

As though space and time had intertwined, the sensation of weightlessness passed in an instant, and Xu Jiang was already standing in an unfamiliar world.

Black White Forest, as its name implied, was a world of black and white.

The ground resembled scorched earth burned by flames, with scattered bones piled here and there. Yet the surrounding trees were unnaturally pale and withered, like bleached skeletons.

White leaves drifted gently from the dead branches. The moment they touched the ground, they instantly turned black. The entire world was sharply divided between black and white, radiating an eerie atmosphere.

Trial begins. Corresponding ratings and rewards may be obtained based on performance.

A voice sounded in his ear as well. This was a prompt from the secret realm itself. According to Grandpa Lei, Spirit Domain ratings were calculated based on one's results.

The lowest rating was E-rank. All one had to do was nothing, hide in a tree hollow for three days, and wait to be teleported out when the time came.

The C-rank goal Grandpa Lei had set for him, meanwhile, required killing twenty monsters. That was no easy task for a novice.

Xu Jiang cautiously surveyed the surroundings. Not far away, another flash of light appeared as someone else was teleported in.

The newcomer seemed equally inexperienced. Seeing the eerie scene, he could not help shivering. He approached Xu Jiang fearfully, seemingly wanting to team up with him.

But after taking only two steps, he froze.

He looked Xu Jiang up and down, then asked in astonishment, "Brother, aren't you trying a little too hard? A T-1000 mech? And you only equipped a pistol?"

Anyone who could enter this place either had a powerful expert's recommendation or held an entry permit.

Those things were being traded for five thousand each on the Black Market. If you could get an entry permit, surely you would not wear a set of trash mech armor, right?

It was completely obsolete defective gear. No power core, shield, thrusters, detector—nothing. You were relying on a Desert Eagle alone? Don't drag others down even if you wanted to die!

Without another thought, the newcomer turned around and left, terrified that Xu Jiang would hold him back.

"Tch. We're both newcomers. Do you really think your equipment is that good?" Xu Jiang snorted disdainfully.

Some people were just shallow. They could not see the strength hidden beneath simplicity.

What use was all that gorgeous, expensive mech armor? Only a mech that knew shame and strove to improve was a good mech.

"General, I'm sorry for making you lose face. Don't worry, I'll work hard. I definitely won't betray your trust."

The female admiral's forceful declaration was accompanied by an even more aggressive increase in intensity.

Congratulations. Admiral Qianji has entered an inspired state. For the three-day trial, learning ability will be greatly enhanced. If an A-rank evaluation is not obtained, all growth gained during this period will be returned.

She had made a Military Pledge!

But an A-rank evaluation did not seem easy to obtain. He wondered just how great a surprise this learning ability could bring him.

As he pondered, a sharp cry sounded in his mind again.

"Watch out! Enemy attack!"

At the same time Qianji issued the warning, she forcibly dragged his body through an emergency dodge.

Before Xu Jiang could react, a white shadow shot past his ear. Looking closely, he discovered it was actually a white Laced Poison Snake.

It was not that Xu Jiang lacked vigilance. The snake had blended completely into the surrounding White Trees. Its sudden attack had truly been impossible to guard against.

Fortunately, Qianji reacted quickly. With a tilt of his head, she avoided the poisonous snake's ambush. Then, in an extremely short time, she adjusted his footing, stepped forward, and raised his right leg.

Bang!

His right knee slammed solidly into the snake's body, sending it flying three meters away. It rolled across the ground several times, looking utterly dazed.

Congratulations. Admiral Qianji has had a flash of inspiration and comprehended the skill: Knee Strike Lv1

Knee Strike Lv1: Launch a powerful knee strike at an enemy, knocking it back and causing stun. The effect is determined by the difference in size and strength between both sides.