Chapter 62: Black Cat, White Cat—The One That Catches Mice Is the Good Cat!

It seemed as though, in an attempt to ease the tense and frozen atmosphere, a soldier cleared his throat twice and shifted the topic.

“So, does that mean Captain Lone Wolf’s cultivation has at least reached the fourth tier?”

“That’s only natural—Captain Lone Wolf is a prodigy of reversion, after all!”

With the conversation turned to Lone Wolf, the soldiers regained much of their confidence. No matter how potent the demonic forces, there would always be those extraordinary reversion warriors on the side of righteousness. Step by step, they were ascending toward the ranks of the extraordinary, shouldering the responsibility of safeguarding civilization. And in this battle against the beast tide, the renowned Dragon Abyss Army was not overshadowed by a mere student.

Yet many could not help but marvel in their hearts. It would not be long before this young student might very well catch up with Captain Lone Wolf.

...

Dragon Abyss Army Headquarters.

Following the successful repulsion of the beast tide, Officer Wu, in charge of the capital’s city defenses, was commending and rewarding the elite teams of each defense division.

The highest honor was, of course, bestowed upon Lone Wolf, who had slain the fifth-tier leader beast.

“This time, the Lone Wolf elite team’s performance was especially outstanding. Not only did Captain Lone Wolf repel the leading fifth-tier beast and shatter the tide’s assault, but data shows that the Lone Wolf team slew the highest number of high-tier beasts while suffering the lowest casualties...”

In the meeting, Officer Wu gave the Lone Wolf team high praise.

The other captains regarded Lone Wolf with envy. As a female captain, she not only possessed extraordinary talent but was also known for her diligence. Not yet thirty, she had already completed her fourth reversion, becoming a fourth-tier martial adept—her cultivation had thus advanced by leaps and bounds. No wonder Officer Wu held her in such high regard.

Officer Wu continued to review the reports. “Hm? This data... How did a student manage to kill three fourth-tier beasts? Is there a mistake? Student volunteers were all assigned to the third defensive line.”

Lone Wolf stood up. “Sir, there’s no mistake. This student was recruited by our Lone Wolf team from the Capital Spiritual Martial University as a volunteer.”

“Oh? The Capital Spiritual Martial University has cultivated such outstanding talent again?”

“In fact, he’s only a freshman, having just entered the university. His current strength is at Second Tier, Four Stars. I have his file here for your review, sir.”

Not only Officer Wu but everyone present was astonished.

Second Tier, Four Stars? Yet he managed to slay three fourth-tier beasts?

With skepticism, they perused Xiang Nan’s file, and Officer Wu took a deep breath.

“Is this student the same reversion prodigy who caused the Tai Chi anomaly that day?”

“That’s him!”

Officer Wu nodded emphatically. “Truly extraordinary!”

At this point, someone rose to challenge, “I heard from soldiers who witnessed the battle that this student seems to use some kind of beast magic. As soon as he starts chanting, the beasts become hesitant and fearful. So in killing them, he’s not relying on real strength.”

At these words, the meeting room erupted in murmurs.

“Beast magic? Could it be some kind of soul-capturing art?”

“At such a young age, if he treads a twisted path, it may bring harm to our Nine Provinces.”

“But regardless, he did kill three fourth-tier beasts and dozens more of the second and third tier. His merit is undeniable.”

As opinions clashed, Lone Wolf slammed her palm onto the table.

“Black cat, white cat—it’s a good cat if it catches mice! For a Second Tier, Four Star student to dare charge into a horde of beasts and fight barehanded, that courage and sense of duty are matched by few! As for this so-called beast magic, it’s nothing but speculation. What I do know is that every soldier who saw him slay beasts atop the high walls holds him in the highest respect!”

Lone Wolf’s words drew vigorous nods from Officer Wu.

“Lone Wolf is right. For the Dragon Abyss Army to become the true pillar of the Nine Provinces, we must promote talent without prejudice! If a reversion prodigy like Xiang Nan could join us, not only would it strengthen our forces, but his mysterious talents would also be under our supervision—a dual benefit.”

At this, Captain Mountain Rooster stood up. “Sir, our northern defense sector is stretched thin. Personnel is always lacking. Why not let me recruit this student?”

Lone Wolf snorted coldly. “Captain Mountain Rooster, if you approach him, I fear our Dragon Abyss Army will lose him forever.”

Mountain Rooster’s brows shot up. “What do you mean by that, Lone Wolf?”

Lone Wolf sneered. “How soon we forget, Captain Mountain Rooster. Not long ago, you wanted to have him arrested, remember? Or has that slipped your mind already?”

Mountain Rooster’s eyes flashed sharply. “Are you saying this student is Xiang Nan?”

“That’s right, Xiang Nan. His first reversion was to the Benevolent Martial Saint Wong Fei-hung, mastering the art to the Grandmaster’s level; his second reversion caused a massive celestial phenomenon, reverting to the Immortal Zhang Sanfeng, another martial grandmaster who surpassed the limits of his era. How many such geniuses exist in our Nine Provinces?”

Every word from Lone Wolf sent a chill down Mountain Rooster’s spine. He had admired Xiang Nan then and had earnestly invited him to join the Dragon Abyss Army. Yet Xiang Nan had refused outright, and Mountain Rooster’s pride had turned the recruitment into a confrontation.

“If it really is him, then no one will succeed. He’s already told us—he has no interest in our Dragon Abyss Army,” Mountain Rooster insisted stubbornly.

“Is that so? Then let me approach him. When he becomes an elite member of my Lone Wolf team, you’ll have to swallow your envy!” Lone Wolf’s confident smile made Mountain Rooster’s nose flare in frustration.

Officer Wu slapped the table. “Good! The matter of recruiting Xiang Nan is entrusted to Lone Wolf. It must be accomplished! Our Dragon Abyss Army needs such a strong ally!”

“Rest assured, sir. Lone Wolf guarantees completion of the mission!”

“As for this fifth-tier beast…” Officer Wu paused, his sharp gaze sweeping the assembled elite captains of the Dragon Abyss Army.

After a moment, he continued, “I’ve already reported the situation to the National Security Bureau. The final conclusion will depend on their investigation.”

Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Has anything unusual happened in the Abyss?”

“Unusual?” Officer Wu sneered. “If there’s one thing this era lacks, it isn’t anomalies. The Abyss is teeming with extraordinary-tier beasts, changing every day. No one can guarantee it will remain sealed forever. And besides that, there are countless Dark Abysses. Even the world’s most elite spiritual martial teams have perished in those depths—more than a few. No one knows what truly lies within.”

Officer Wu’s words left all the Dragon Abyss Army’s elite captains wearing grave expressions.

The sudden appearance of a fifth-tier beast was like a sword now hanging over everyone’s head. Only time would tell how that sword might fall upon humanity.

“In that case, will the higher-ups assign Beast Tamers to guard the city defenses?” someone asked.

“Beast Tamers? In all the Nine Provinces, their number is vanishingly small. Which city’s defense could they possibly cover?”

The captains looked to one another, but none spoke.

“In summary, everyone must be on their utmost guard. From now on, our city defenses must be raised to a new level.”