CHAPTER 39: 39TH CHAPTER: DECISION TO STAY

EDITOR: ENDLESSFANTASY TRANSLATION

"Please go ahead, Big Brother Wu!"

"From the experimental video Student Jiang brought, we can conclude that the failure of the fifth-generation Biochemical Demon Soldiers caused a riot a year ago, which even led to the death of the lead scientist. Although the Demon Clan eventually suppressed it, the base was sealed, and it seemed the plan had been shelved."

"However, judging by your encounter, the Biochemical Demon Soldier project has made a breakthrough. They have successfully gained control over the Biochemical Demon Soldiers, and their strength has once again been enhanced."

"Moreover, there are dozens of cultivation pods inside the sealed base, but the army of Biochemical Demon Soldiers you encountered far exceeds the number of those pods. This leads us to two conclusions."

"First, there are other Demon Clan bases in the primary trial field, and Demon Clan members are secretly creating Biochemical Demon Soldiers there. Second, the Demon Clan’s Biochemical Demon Soldier project has been perfected."

"Whether they hid the base in the primary trial field to secretly cultivate Demon Soldiers or for some other purpose isn’t important. What’s important is that we need to find them and eliminate them."

"We will immediately shut down the primary trial field completely, forcibly clear out all Star Martial Warriors, and then carry out a carpet search and excavation. Inevitably, we will have a tough battle to fight."

"And your medical abilities are what we urgently need. I hope... you will stay and help us, to provide treatment."

"Don’t you have any Medical Attribute Star Martial Warriors?" Wang Lan asked curiously.

"No! Medical Attribute Star Martial Warriors are too precious. It’s hard to find even one among a hundred Star Martial Warriors. The Southeast Military Region’s Star Martial Army has one hundred thousand members, of whom only about a thousand are Medical Attribute."

"Medical Attribute Star Martial Warriors are so highly valued; how could they possibly be assigned to rotate shifts in the trial fields? They are either on vacation or studying and are only dispatched during wartime."

"Don’t you request instructions from your superiors or ask for reinforcements?"

"Of course, we ask for instructions and reinforcements! But the order I received from military headquarters is to hold out for two days. Although I don’t know why, there must be a reason. It’s likely related to something the Demon Clan has orchestrated."

"Young man, do you think the Demon Clan will give us two days to wait for support safely? I’m certain that within these two days, they will make a move."

"I just hope you can help me save those injured brothers. You don’t need to join the battle. And I promise, should any danger arise, I’ll be the first to send you out. How about that?"

"Protecting our homeland and safeguarding human civilization is the mission of every Star Martial Warrior. I am duty-bound! It’s just... although I possess the Phoenix Form, the overdraft after a single use is too great, and I need twenty-four hours before I can use it again. So even if you want my help, you’ll have to wait for twenty-four hours."

"Understood, of course. The Phoenix Form is an incredibly powerful Star Martial Skill. Logically, you don’t even meet the conditions to learn it. The fact that you can use it must come at a price."

"And I’ll be blunt: with my mid-Galaxy Stage Cultivation Level, suppressing a primary trial field is more than enough."

"In that case, I’ll entrust my life to you, Big Brother Wu!"

"Rest assured, even if it costs me everything, I’ll ensure you remain unharmed. If anything happens to you under my watch, my life might as well be over. Don’t worry!"

After Wang Lan left, the trial field garrison began a carpet-style clearance of the Trialists. Because the previous Exotic Beast riot had already been cleared once, all Star Martial Warriors had been gathered at the entrance, and the trial field’s lockdown had not yet been lifted.

This time, however, it was even more thorough. The previous announcement stated that due to a riot in the trial field, and for the safety of the Trialists, everyone should remain at the entrance. Trialists would be allowed to resume their trials once the garrison completed the suppression.

The trial fee is five thousand a day; for the Trialists, every day of delay felt like having their own flesh carved out. They were anxiously waiting for the trial field to reopen after the Exotic Beast riot was suppressed, practically staring holes into the distance.

"Dear Trialist friends, the Exotic Beast riot in the trial field has been suppressed. Please, all Trialists... Wait, an urgent notification has just been received. An unknown malfunction has occurred in the trial field. The trial field garrison requires all Trialists to evacuate immediately. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and any losses incurred by our Trialists."

"Repeating the announcement..."

"What the hell..."

"What’s going on? Weren’t the Exotic Beasts suppressed already?"

"Unknown malfunction? My ass! What kind of unknown malfunction could a trial field even have? Did the trial dimension collapse or something? I paid good money to get in, and now you’re telling me to clear out?"

"Refund, refund!"

"Dear Trialist friends, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. We will issue full refunds for the period from the start of the Exotic Beast riot to the end of your remaining trial days. We ask for your understanding, Trialist friends..."

"Understanding? Like hell! Do you think we care about this paltry sum? We want Soul Beads!"

"That’s right, we want to continue our trials!"

The uproar, however, had no impact whatsoever on the Star Martial Army’s decision. Though they grumbled loudly, when it came time to be cleared out, they still obediently handed over their items and departed.

Argue further? Not a chance.

A platoon of the Star Martial Army stood there, each soldier emanating Star Energy Fluctuations of the Star Shine or Star Cloud Stage. You lot, at Star Shine Stage at best, want to try something? They’d teach you a lesson in humility in minutes.

In the pitch-dark underground secret chamber, the dim yellow incandescent lights overhead flickered faintly. The dim lighting barely illuminated the round table below and the shadows of three figures, but their appearances remained obscured.

"The base in the primary trial field, sealed for a year, has been discovered."

"How was it discovered? Were they still searching all this time?"

"No, it was an accident. A trial team encountered a Flaming Leopard King in a canyon outside Wind Valley. In the ensuing battle, they inadvertently blasted open the rear wall of the base. You know how it is, the cliff faces of Wind Valley have been eroding for years and have become progressively thinner."

"What should we do now? Launch the plan ahead of schedule?"

"We can only launch it early. Only..."

"Only what?"

"This time, the unit garrisoning the primary trial field is the Martial Arts Corps’ Third Battalion. And it just so happens that within the Southeast Military Region’s Star Martial Army, the Star Martial Special Operations Brigade is the strongest, and within the brigade, the Martial Arts Corps is the most formidable. This time, we’ve unfortunately run into the elite of the elites."

"The Martial Arts Corps’ Third Battalion. Its commander, Wu Changfeng, is at the mid-Galaxy Stage. The deputy commander, Fu Qiaoshi, is at the peak of the Star Cloud Stage. The entire battalion boasts as many as one hundred seventy Star Cloud Stage elites, comprising one-third of the whole corps."

"After they discovered the sealed base, one of their action teams went in again to investigate. I wanted to test the Martial Arts Corps’ strength, so I deployed one hundred and fifty fifth-generation Biochemical Demon Soldiers."

"However, the result was beyond my expectations!"

"Were the losses heavy?"

"All one hundred and fifty fifth-generation Biochemical Demon Soldiers were eliminated, while their twelve-member special operations team lost only four."

"What?" The middle-aged man opposite him could no longer remain composed.

"How is that possible? Three fifth-generation Biochemical Demon Soldiers should be enough to kill a human Star Cloud Stage Star Martial Warrior! How did they manage to annihilate one hundred and fifty of our Biochemical Demon Soldiers with only four losses?"

"Did Wu Changfeng make a move?"

"I wish that were the case, but it wasn’t. Wu Changfeng was still at their military command center and hadn’t left."

"There are only one thousand Biochemical Demon Soldiers in the primary trial field. If the battle plays out like this... our plan has no chance of succeeding. Can we put the Demon Soldiers into silent mode? Hide the base?"

"’It’s no use!’ The youthful-looking speaker shook his head. ’This time is different from a year ago. Back then, they weren’t certain our base existed, so when one search yielded nothing, they dropped it.’"

"’But this time, they’ve confirmed the base’s location. They will undoubtedly dig three feet deep, even if it means turning the entire trial field inside out. Our base can’t be hidden, nor can the Demon Soldiers and Demon Generals.’"

"’Damn it... This is our first operational plan. If it fails, the Empire will lose confidence in us.’"

"’Therefore, this plan must succeed. Of course, based on my intelligence, even the Martial Arts Corps shouldn’t be as strong as they appeared in that engagement. There might have been an unexpected element contributing to that battle’s outcome.’"

"’Furthermore, a Demon General’s combat prowess is estimated to be at the late Galaxy Stage. We’re not without a chance of victory.’"

"’Let’s hope so! If the Martial Arts Corps weren’t stationed there, advancing the plan wouldn’t be an issue. Destroying a primary trial field means severing one of Jade Country’s Star Martial Warrior training bases...’"

"’Fate won’t always be on our side. Unexpected events are something we must face directly.’"

The secret chamber once again sank into dead silence.

At the entrance to the trial field, Wang Lan, Jiang Xinyu, and the others arrived at the exit. Wu Changfeng had already prepared Wang Youle’s death report and analysis. Jiang Xinyu would face no trouble after leaving, and Wang Youle would be honored posthumously as a martyr.

In times of peace, martyrs are highly valued. They receive public adulation and media praise. Their parents also receive special consideration for being the parents of a hero. However, if war were to erupt, these intangible benefits would likely vanish.

In an all-out war against the Demon Clan, anyone could die, and many likely would!

Jiang Xinyu passed through the security checkpoint safely. She had only taken two steps when she suddenly stopped.

Wang Lan was right behind her, but she hadn’t heard him pass through the security checkpoint.

A terrible premonition surfaced in her mind, and Jiang Xinyu’s heart suddenly began to pound. Panic evident on her face, she spun around abruptly, only to see Wang Lan standing behind the security checkpoint, smiling and waving at her.

"Wang Lan, what are you doing? Get over here!" Xu Xiangwen looked somewhat panicked as he gestured urgently.

"You guys go on ahead. I’m staying behind to assist the Star Martial Army. They need me."

"Are you kidding me? You’re not a soldier; you’re still a student!"

"On the battlefield against the Demon Clan, is there any distinction between soldiers and students? I’m a Star Martial Warrior, and that’s enough. Besides, I’m a Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior. It’s very safe in the rear echelon. Don’t worry, I’ll be out in a couple of days."

Wang Lan smiled and turned to leave.

"Stop!" Jiang Xinyu’s voice was like ice. "I brought you here, so I’m taking you out! Are you coming or not?"

"This is my decision. No one will blame you. Someone here will inform my aunt, so don’t worry."

"Don’t worry my—" Jiang Xinyu managed to bite back the last word. Her eyes flashed, and she strode towards the security gate.

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Miss Jiang, please step back. The trial field is now sealed. All Trialists must leave."

"I’m a Star Cloud Stage Star Martial Warrior! I can assist the military in combat!"

"I’m sorry, we cannot approve your request. Please leave immediately."

"Trial zone clearance complete. All Trialists have exited the trial field."

"Seal the trial field!"

"Trial field sealing in progress..."

The heavy iron door slowly closed, gradually separating the two worlds. In their respective visions, the other’s figure grew increasingly narrow, smaller and smaller.

BOOM—

The iron door slammed shut. The sound seemed to strike Jiang Xinyu’s heart directly, and for an instant, she felt as if she had lost her entire world.

"That bastard Wang Lan, ditching us like this! Does he even think of us as his brothers?"

"Xinyu, don’t worry too much. Wang Lan is a Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior; he won’t be sent to the front lines. Besides, doesn’t Wang Lan have his Phoenix Form? You know him; he never does anything he’s not confident about."

"Let’s go. We’ll wait for him outside the gate." Jiang Xinyu wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and said softly.