Chapter 56: The Longyuan Army Volunteer Corps

Seeing Su Yao dash out of the classroom with a strange expression, Xiang Nan was left bewildered.

“What on earth was Su the Great Yao talking about just now? Whatever, better catch up on sleep first!”

He was just starting to drift off when a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

Irritated, Xiang Nan shot up like a spring: “Can’t a person even get some sleep around here?!”

Opening his eyes, he found Li Mu staring at him in confusion. “What’s with you? Did you swallow a bullet or something? You’re so full of fiery energy.”

Suppressing his annoyance, Xiang Nan asked, “You need something? What’s up?”

Since Li Mu had helped him earn quite a few merit points, Xiang Nan figured he should at least show him some respect.

Li Mu replied, “Nothing major, just here to bring you something.”

With that, Li Mu pulled out a small cloth pouch from his pocket. Inside, a third-tier spirit pearl glimmered with radiant light.

The moment Xiang Nan saw the spirit pearl, his eyes lit up. But glancing at Li Mu, he forced himself to appear calm. “What’s this about?”

Li Mu sat down beside him. “What else could it be? Remember that Armored Blazing Tiger last time? You took it down, so this is your reward from the Longyuan Army!”

Xiang Nan was delighted. “At least the Lone Wolf Captain has some conscience. But I have to say, the Longyuan Army really is generous—handing out a third-tier spirit pearl just like that.”

Li Mu nodded. “You’re not wrong. When it comes to fighting monsters, the Longyuan Army is always on the frontlines. And where do you think these spirit pearls come from? They’re cultivated by the beasts themselves. In our unit, even fourth-tier spirit pearls are rare, let alone third-tier ones.”

Hearing this, Xiang Nan couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

Ever since he’d acquired the system and practiced the Heart-Cleansing Chant, his ability to refine spirit pearls was more than a hundred times faster than most, and his demand for them had skyrocketed accordingly.

He wasn’t lacking in spirit pearls, but what the Eagle Alliance and the academy provided were mostly second-tier. If he wanted third-tier pearls, the fastest way was to hunt the beasts himself.

Given this, joining the Longyuan Army as a volunteer seemed like a pretty good method.

Just then, the system notification chimed in his mind.

[Ding! System Quest: Join the Longyuan Army Volunteer Corps, slay three third-tier monsters. Reward: Compatibility +10%.]

Well, what do you know—the system was like a worm in his stomach, reading his every thought.

No sooner had he considered the idea than the compatibility reward appeared.

He was definitely going to volunteer!

“I heard the city defenses suffered a fierce beast tide attack recently. There should be quite a few third-tier beasts among them, right?” Xiang Nan probed.

“That’s right. This time, the beast tide is fiercer than ever—not just third-tier monsters, but possibly even fourth-tier ones. The military is already prepared for a desperate battle. I don’t have much time; I need to help select volunteers.”

With that, Li Mu turned to leave.

Xiang Nan wasn’t in a hurry. “Alright, take care.”

Li Mu had just reached the doorway when he paused, turned back, and looked at Xiang Nan with a helpless expression.

“Xiang Nan, what are you hesitating for? It’s not like you’re being forced to enlist—just volunteer to help defend the capital against the beast tide. Don’t you find it stirring?”

“Stirring? Maybe a bit,” Xiang Nan replied, feigning indifference, wanting to tease Li Mu, who was always in such a rush.

From the moment Li Mu tried to tempt him with a third-tier spirit pearl at such a crucial time, Xiang Nan had already discerned his true motive.

“Exactly! A man has to do something passionate and worthwhile at least once in his life. Come on, let’s head to the training grounds,” Li Mu said enthusiastically, grabbing Xiang Nan and dragging him out.

“You really could’ve just said so!” Xiang Nan laughed. “But I’m only tier two, three stars—don’t let your selection process weed me out. That’d be embarrassing!”

“Don’t worry, you’ve got special approval!”

“Wow, such face you’re giving me!”

“Of course!”

The two chatted as they made their way toward the training grounds.

At that moment—

The training grounds were already filled with over a thousand students, every one of them excited and fervent. The upperclassmen especially were eager to join this epic mission.

Those who joined the Longyuan Army Volunteers would not only receive military rewards, but the academy would also grant accolades based on their performance.

For anyone, this was the best opportunity.

The volunteer requirements weren’t very high—just reach tier two, five stars or above, and you were eligible for selection.

There would be a strength test. Strength levels ranged from E to S.

For example, even if you were a high-tier, third-stage martial artist, if your strength was only E, you wouldn’t make the cut.

In the Capital Spiritual Martial Academy, none of the students were mediocre—at least forty percent of the thousand present met the eligibility requirements.

On the raised platform, several cultivation and strength testing machines were set up.

The machines had two sections: one tested the ancestral awakening stage—just press your palm to the sensor, and it would display your tier and which ancestor you’d awakened.

The other tested strength level, requiring the awakened to punch a titanium-magnesium alloy screen, measuring the level by the force of the blow.

Hundreds of students lined up, taking the tests one by one.

Those who passed were assigned to squads by Longyuan Army officers in camouflage, then flown out in waves by helicopter.

Standing by one of the test machines was Lu Ming.

His third-tier, four-star cultivation made him proud and the envy of all.

Lu Ming squared up to the strength tester, gathered his power, and delivered a powerful punch.

The machine’s voice announced, “Tester’s strength: Grade A.”

Though not the highest S-grade, A was still exceptional among students.

The Longyuan Army officer nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent! Welcome to the Longyuan Army Volunteer Corps!”

Lu Ming saluted excitedly. “Thank you, sir!”

He then stepped aside.

At that moment, Li Mu arrived with Xiang Nan and whispered a few words to the officer.

The officer glanced at Xiang Nan, his expression less than pleased, but walked over nonetheless. “Since Captain Lone Wolf has given special approval, welcome to the Longyuan Army Volunteer Corps.”

His tone made it clear he wasn’t particularly happy about Xiang Nan’s inclusion.

Xiang Nan understood—no one liked those who came in through the back door.

But that was their business; as for him, he felt no guilt. As long as he could slay a few third-tier monsters, this trip would be worthwhile.

A 10% increase in compatibility—an entire level up.

And with three third-tier spirit pearls, refining them would probably net him another level.

This was a huge win!

On the platform, Lu Ming spotted Xiang Nan.

Enemies meeting always burned with intensity.

Wasn’t this guy a new student? Probably only first-tier, right? How could he be qualified to join the Longyuan Army?

No way! As a genius, he couldn’t accept it!

Besides, it was obvious Xiang Nan had used connections—he hadn’t even taken the test!

With his cultivation, he’d definitely fail the test!

So what if he’d awakened Wong Fei-hung? He probably didn’t even meet the basic requirements!

Lu Ming turned, glancing at Xiang Nan, his lips twitching in displeasure.