CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 101 MILITARY MERIT REWARDS, SPECIAL BEASTMASTER TROOPS?_2

Under such circumstances, if the Forest Wolf Troop, which had suffered a great defeat before but had become surprisingly elite after completion of its cultivation, were to suddenly achieve something astounding, the significance would be completely different.

So, what did it mean when a new Evolutionary Body appeared—one that had never before been seen in the outside world, with an unknown origin and combat style, completely unfamiliar even to the veterans in the Legion?

It represented completely unknown intelligence, an absolute advantage, and priority in resource allocation!

At the same time, it also meant that this Pet Beast, the Forest Wolf, warranted the allocation of more resources and manpower.

Under such circumstances, as long as the capabilities of the Wanmu Wolf weren’t too disappointing, it would definitely be able to orchestrate a major surprise!

Not to mention, according to Zhang Lie’s description, this Wanmu Wolf had already become the most comprehensive top-tier Forest Wolf Evolver.

It wasn’t just Zhang Lie who was itching with curiosity; Lin Lei was too. After all, as the Division Commander of the Battle Wolf A Division, he also had a damn Forest Wolf among his Pet Beasts! Although this Forest Wolf wasn’t his main combat Pet Beast, it hadn’t evolved yet!

If force doesn’t work, resort to gentleness.

Thinking of this, Lin Lei sighed,

"Comrade—no, Squad Leader, since you hold the same military rank as me, you should also know that I’m not at liberty to distribute military honors as I please. The division indeed has a quota of honors, but all the battalions from the Battle Wolf A Division will be participating in this competition!

"With so many battalions requesting them in advance, where would I find enough to give? If I give to one, what about the next one that comes asking? I also beseech you, Squad Leader, to trust our soldiers! Those who can pass the selection are definitely the elite of the elite! Perhaps Breeder Su himself would like to do the selection?

"How about this: if your troops indeed achieve a ranking—I daren’t say first place, but as long as it’s within the top five of the entire army—it would be reasonable for me to offer a second-class merit! You know a first-class merit isn’t realistic or possible, but a second-class is still feasible!

"Even if such high ranks aren’t achieved, after the event, I will still award a third-class merit. Although it’s true that for developing a brand new Evolutionary Body, if the Breeder were part of the Legion, it wouldn’t be difficult to receive a second-class merit. However, Breeder Su isn’t a member of the Legion. So, if it really comes to that, I must ask that you and Breeder Su not publicize this third-class merit...

"As for an honorary military rank, you should also know that even I don’t have the authority in that matter."

These words were spoken with sincerity and genuine emotion.

Su Anyong gave a slight nod.

A second-class merit!

Of course, he knew this was indeed Lin Lei’s limit. He also knew that obtaining military honors as pure funding for cultivation before a battle was inherently difficult. This was precisely the outcome Su Anyong had been aiming for.

The Legion was a place where strength and achievements were paramount!

Only achievements could be persuasive; only the strong could distinguish themselves.

Without achievements, it was normal to gain nothing at all.

Su Anyong’s early military experience had certainly taught him to acknowledge this.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "If the Forest Wolf Troop achieves a top-five position, then in addition to the second-class merit you’ve promised, your division will have to grant another third-class merit!"

"This... Alright!"

Top five, that will suffice! How many hidden dragons and crouching tigers are there in all the battalions of the entire army?

"Squad Leader, rest assured," Lin Lei said, thumping his chest in assurance, though he quickly added a caveat to avoid any grander demands. "It’s not just General Zhao whose attention you’ve caught; people from the other Legions also want to see the results. In terms of resource cultivation, there definitely won’t be any problems! After all, the highest level for this competition is Commander Level, so excessively advanced cultivation resources won’t be needed!"

He was truly intimidated by this ’Squad Leader.’

However, upon seeing the smile on Su Anyong’s face, Lin Lei finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Alright. Whenever you have time, just send the people over quickly. I’ll be leaving in a couple of days and need to continue keeping an eye on my son during this time."

Damn it! Zhang Lie cursed inwardly. If I had known this old fox who popped out of nowhere was leaving in a couple of days, I would have stalled for two days and brought it up then!

Lin Lei, however, paid no mind to these details. Instead, his eyebrows suddenly shot up, and he asked curiously, "Squad Leader Su, to which faction do you belong? I’ve never heard of such an important figure like you in Linzhou before."

Indeed, someone of his equivalent rank would be considered a significant figure in the local Legions.

However, Su Anyong merely glanced at him, his expression turning serious once more as he stated flatly, "Comrade Lin Lei, take note! According to confidentiality regulations, your position and rank do not grant you the authority to know this information! Furthermore, you are not permitted to disclose my military rank or military experience to regular Beast Tamers, including Su Ping!"

"Uh..." Lin Lei’s expression on the video call stiffened instantly.

「The sun slowly set in the west.」

Finally stepping out of the Heart of Woods, Zhang Lie heaved a long sigh and immediately redialed the number.

"Commander, what exactly is going on?"

Lin Lei’s irritated voice came from the other end of the phone, "What else could be happening? Either this person is an imposter struggling for an excuse—though that’s unlikely; the badge and his knowledge of the Legion’s inner workings don’t seem fake. Plus, it would be too easily exposed. Or, he’s a retired or even active member of the Special Beast Taming Forces!"

Within the Legion, there were indeed Special Beast Taming Forces; Zhang Lie had heard of them.

Each Special Beast Taming Force didn’t have many members.

But each member was very special, their identities kept confidential because the types of Pet Beasts they used were an absolute secret! This ensured they wouldn’t be targeted based on their Pet Beasts during future special missions.

Since his enlistment, Zhang Lie had heard legends that within the Dragon Nation’s Beastmaster Legion, there was a most special beast-taming unit known as the Dragon Group.

All its members’ Pet Beasts belonged to the True Dragon lineage.

Those members represented the top-tier, ace individual Beast Tamers of the Dragon Nation’s Beastmaster Legion!

Of course, this was just a legend within the Legion.

"Alright, stop overthinking it. Your current mission is to bring those selected elites of the Forest Wolf Troop here to me. I’ve invested a lot in you on this! If you mess this up again, you’ll be sent to shovel dung on a farm! Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir! I guarantee I will complete the mission!" Zhang Lie saluted subconsciously.

Only then did the call end with a satisfied click.

Staring at the disconnected call, Lin Lei also sank into contemplation.

Special Beast Taming Forces, huh?

Who within the Beastmaster Legion hadn’t dreamed of joining one?

Once you joined, all your previous military records within the Legion would be hidden, your public record reverting to that of an ordinary person. But in reality, every Beast Tamer in a Special Beast Taming Force was an absolute ace within the Legion.

Typically, the name of a Special Beast Taming Force would have some connection to the primary Pet Beasts they employed. Therefore, the name of any Special Beast Taming Force within the Legion was an absolute secret!

Although members of the Special Beast Taming Forces weren’t necessarily officer class, in such units, military rank held an even more special significance. All ranks were earned through strength and accumulated merits!

After all, Blue Star was a Beast Master Civilization, and a powerful Beast Tamer could sway the outcome of a considerably large-scale war.

Lin Lei felt a surge of emotion.

Every Special Beast Taming Force constantly faced life-and-death situations. Each member was truly elite, tempered through all sorts of perilous environments.

These things were too far removed for an ordinary Beast Tamer in the Beastmaster Legion. Only those with exceptional talent, true one-in-ten-thousand seedlings, would be directly selected after enlistment.

Clearly, this Squad Leader Su must be such a person.

However, Chief Lin, currently full of wild thoughts about Su Anyong, would never imagine the truth. He envisioned Squad Leader Su as a powerful, mysterious, retired or even active Beast Tamer from a special force. In reality, this same Squad Leader was squatting at the doorstep of a side room in his own home. He listlessly puffed on a cigarette, bewilderedly watching a small Paperman inside. The Paperman waved a paper sword around its waist and glared with its eyes. Witnessing this, Su Anyong once again found himself doubting the meaning of life.