"Don't worry. I'm already at the seventh layer of the Spirit Meridian. Once the outer disciples' competition comes around, I'll definitely achieve a good ranking," Xue Mengmeng said confidently.
Baili Xiao smiled and nodded, then went alone to the summit of Miao Liu Peak, gazing at the boundless horizon in the distance.
That was the direction of Qingyang Village. She murmured to herself, "Brother Chu Yang, what are you doing now? Could you be thinking about me too?"
A faint set of footsteps interrupted Baili Xiao's thoughts. She hurriedly turned around and called out to the newcomer, "Aunt."
Xiao Yuexuan nodded in satisfaction and smiled. "You broke through to the Condensing Pulse Realm?"
Baili Xiao nodded. "I just broke through."
"I discussed it with the Vice Sect Master. Your marriage arrangement with Xu Zimo may not work out," Xiao Yuexuan said regretfully.
"What happened?" Baili Xiao asked in confusion. She had always been rather confident in her appearance.
Of course, she had no interest in Xu Zimo. The reason she had agreed to her aunt's proposal and entered into a marriage arrangement with Xu Zimo was simply to borrow the Vice Sect Master's power.
Once she became the sect's Holy Maiden, cultivation resources would be tilted entirely in her favor. After she achieved success in cultivation, what could such a meaningless marriage arrangement possibly matter?
From beginning to end, Chu Yang was the only one in her heart. The True Martial Sacred Sect was merely a stepping stone in her life.
What she needed now was to borrow power—her aunt's power. If she could become Xu Zimo's fiancée, she could also borrow the Vice Sect Master's power.
"Xu Zimo has some objections," Xiao Yuexuan said. "But I don't think it's a big problem. Aunt has faith in you.
"Once Xu Zimo returns after some time, spend more time with him. It's just the temperament of a young man."
"I understand," Baili Xiao said, nodding seriously.
Sunlight spilled down from the sky like a layer of golden gauze, shrouding the entire world within it.
Chu Yang left Qingyang Village with the half jade pendant Coach Mo had given him, thus beginning his own journey.
After arriving in Xuanyuan City, he rested for a night before heading straight to the military camp Coach Mo had mentioned the next day.
Basically, every city had a military camp. They were responsible for safeguarding the entire city, but they were an independent institution and were not under the city lord's jurisdiction.
The military camp enforced strict discipline. Soldiers clad in uniform black armor patrolled the area.
"Kid, you want to join the military camp?" At the registration office, two burly men looked at Chu Yang and laughed.
"Do you know someone named Du Tianyin?" Chu Yang asked.
"Why are you looking for General Du?" The soldier's expression tightened as he asked.
"Mo Tianqi, an old acquaintance of his, told me to find him." Chu Yang took out the half jade pendant Coach Mo had given him.
"Wait here." The soldier's gaze sharpened, and he hurried into the military camp.
Before long, a hearty laugh rang out from within the camp.
Then a broad, powerfully built man with an imposing aura and long black hair walked out.
"Are you Old Mo's nephew?" the man asked Chu Yang.
He wore exceptionally refined black armor, with a battle sword hanging at his waist. His exposed neck was covered in scars; one look was enough to tell that he was a man who had fought on battlefields year after year.
"Yes. Coach Mo told me to come to Xuanyuan City and find you." Chu Yang nodded and handed over the half jade pendant.
"Since you're Old Mo's nephew, don't be so formal. From now on, call me Uncle Du," Du Tianyin said, patting Chu Yang on the shoulder.
"Hello, Uncle Du," Chu Yang quickly greeted him as well.
"Since Old Mo sent you to find me, he must want you to join the military camp and temper yourself," Du Tianyin said. "I trust anyone he recommends. If you have nothing else to do, report to the camp directly."
Chu Yang nodded and followed Du Tianyin into the military camp.
The camp was filled with tents. Brownish-green tents stood in neat rows. Martial artists bared their upper bodies and carried enormous boulders as they trained with frog jumps. Soldiers sparred with blades and swords, sword qi sweeping four meters away while blade light cleaved through the air with explosive booms. They were evenly matched.
Chu Yang registered his personal information and received a token.
"From today onward, you are a member of our Blood Wolf Guard. During your time in the Blood Wolf Guard, you must strictly follow the military camp's rules." The soldier handing Chu Yang the token spoke firmly and loudly. "If one day you wish to leave the Blood Wolf Guard, remember to hand in this token.
"This token is not merely proof that you belong to the Blood Wolf Guard. It will also be your lifelong glory and splendor."
Chu Yang nodded solemnly and accepted the token with both hands.
Then, led by that soldier, he received a robe and two Profound-grade Meridian Techniques.
The robe was the symbol of the Blood Wolf Guard. Its hood was blood-red, while the rest was dark black.
Chu Yang draped it over himself and felt that it looked rather imposing.
As for the two Profound-grade Meridian Techniques, one was called Blood Saber Slash, and the other was called Blood Origin Palm.
Every soldier who joined the Blood Wolf Guard could learn these two Meridian Techniques. If they wanted to learn other Meridian Techniques later, they had to complete missions to earn merit points and exchange them.
Within the Blood Wolf Guard, official ranks were also strictly divided.
Those who had just joined the Blood Wolf Guard were ordinary soldiers. The ordinary soldiers were managed by Ten Household Commanders, above whom were Hundred Household Commanders and Thousand Household Commanders. Above them were generals.
Because Du Tianyin was too busy, he assigned Chu Yang to a Thousand Household Commander and told him to make the arrangements.
Du Tianyin would not keep Chu Yang at his side. Although that would be safer, Mo Tianqi had surely recommended Chu Yang because he wanted him to grow and be tempered.
The Thousand Household Commander then assigned Chu Yang to a Ten Household Commander.
A Ten Household Commander managed a squad. Including himself, there were ten people in total. Someone in this squad had happened to die in battle earlier, so Chu Yang was assigned there.
He then introduced himself before everyone. The others in the squad were all fairly old; only one young man looked about the same age as Chu Yang.
After the introduction, that young man approached Chu Yang and said with interest, "My name is Tong Guan. Do you want to be my little brother?"
"Not interested." Chu Yang shook his head. He was still busy practicing the two Meridian Techniques the Blood Wolf Guard had given him.
"Think it over. If you're willing to be my little brother, I can protect you as I see fit when we go on missions later. Otherwise, rookies like you suffer the greatest casualties," Tong Guan threatened.
"Get lost," Chu Yang said flatly, giving him a glance.
"You... just wait," Tong Guan said. His expression shifted unpredictably as he shot Chu Yang a look, then stormed off in a huff.
Chu Yang did not pay much attention to it. He began studying the Meridian Technique called Blood Origin Palm.
"Kid, have you ever killed anyone?" The old man from Chu Yang's squad asked with interest as he wiped down his saber.
I finished writing this chapter at four in the morning. Earlier, I had been so sleepy while writing that I fell asleep, then jolted awake from my dream when I remembered I still owed an extra chapter.
No matter what, a person has to keep their word, so I forced myself to finish it. Hurry up and praise me, QAQ. Wah wah wah!
Before you continue