Early the next morning, outside the Song-Style Courtyard House.
A fierce wind swept up the withered yellow leaves strewn across the ground.
Three black military SUVs stopped at the village entrance. Zhao Jie, Wang Ye, and Wang Shuo opened the doors and stepped out. The impetuousness and immaturity of their younger days were gone. Their strides were steady, the sharp gleam in their eyes restrained. Late core formation true essence circulated smoothly within them.
Ye Wenjun and General Zhao stood nearby, waiting in crisp officers' service uniforms.
"Advisor Chen." Seeing Chen Lin approach with the others, Ye Wenjun snapped to attention and delivered an impeccably sharp salute. Several deep wrinkles had appeared at the corners of his eyes, but his gaze remained exceptionally resolute and keen. "Huaxia's Spiritual Energy Great Wall is complete. A million elite troops across the major military regions have all been equipped with magical artifacts. With Chen Family Village anchoring the center, Earth won't descend into chaos."
Chen Lin nodded slightly. "If you run into some old deity transformation monster you can't handle, go to the village and find my cousin. She takes after me in temperament and isn't someone to cross. Please bear with her."
General Zhao answered solemnly, "Rest assured, Advisor Chen. The military will defend the Outskirts of Chen Family Village to the death."
Having finished his instructions to the military, Chen Lin turned to his three closest friends from high school, who stood side by side.
Wang Ye was the first to lose his composure. His eyes reddened at once, and he stepped forward to punch Chen Lin hard in the chest.
With a muffled thud, the recoil sent Wang Ye stumbling back three steps. He shook his hand, baring his teeth in pain.
"You bastard, your body's gotten even tougher." Wang