yasinovel Chapter 72 The giant whale breaks through the sea
Chapter 72 The giant whale breaks through the sea
After Dong Yijian's explanation, everyone had a general understanding.
Based on past experience, the selection of personnel for the Wuwei (military guards) is generally based on actual combat. It is unlikely to be a ring, but rather a relatively complex terrain, or even a chaotic battle between dozens of people.
After all, when carrying out a major offensive mission, it's not like you're fighting the enemy in a contest.
"Also, I have another surprise for you."
Dong Yijian said cheerfully, "I will also run for office."
"....."
No one spoke.
Dong Yijian coughed awkwardly: "Aren't you guys excited? We might even become comrades-in-arms in the future."
Xu Shu gave him face and chuckled as she continued, "Sir, you're already at the Steel Bone Realm, and you're an officer, why do you still need to take the exam?"
Dong Yijian frankly said, "Because I'm getting old, age is one of the evaluation criteria. Someone like me has to perform at a level far exceeding yours to be selected. Actually, the chances of me being selected for the Martial Guard are slim. I'm just trying my best."
Lu Zhao believed he was telling the truth. A person who could develop such a skill as enduring hardship must have their own pursuits and beliefs, otherwise it would be difficult to persevere.
Someone asked, "Instructor, what about us? What are our chances of being selected?"
Dong Yijian scratched his head: "It's very difficult to select martial arts guards. Your main problem is that you haven't had enough time to train. But I reckon we can still select four or five people. There are so many martial arts guards, there must be one or two with lower standards."
If four or five out of more than twenty people are selected, the ratio is less than 30%, which is already an optimistic estimate.
Don't be fooled by their status as an elite class or geniuses on the ship...
Genius is just the threshold for participating in the selection!
Suddenly, Xin Li's cold voice came from behind.
"Here's a suggestion for you."
He stood in the center of the front, and Dong Yijian immediately and consciously moved aside.
"Whether it's the Azure Sea Guard, the Exquisite Guard you're discussing, or other guards like the Thousand Radiance Guard and the Wave-Treading Guard, they are all specialized teams with higher requirements for martial prowess."
No armed forces organization trains new recruits. Once selected, they are incorporated into the formal ranks and begin performing combat missions immediately.
Therefore, during the selection process, in addition to ability itself, they also value two other aspects.
First, there's the ability to solve problems. In real battlefields and missions, stats on paper are only one aspect. Regardless of skill level, whoever survives is stronger. Can anyone explain what I mean?
Yang Guangming raised his hand and said, "You mean that exerting influence beyond one's realm is more important than the realm itself?"
Xin Li nodded slightly in satisfaction.
Upon hearing this answer, Dong Yijian nodded as if he understood.
"I didn't know there were these rules. Nobody told me before. Does this apply to me too?"
Xin Li froze for a moment, and even the usually sharp-tongued man stammered.
Dong Yijian laughed and said, "Hahaha, I was just joking."
Old Dong is almost fifty years old, and the possibility of him making progress in martial arts is extremely slim. Even if he surpasses his current level, it won't make much difference.
Young people haven't been training for long and have endless potential for the future, which is why we consider many factors to select the best candidates. Otherwise, if it were based solely on hard skills, no one here would be able to pass the selection for the Martial Guard.
Seeing that he didn't insist on asking, Xin Li breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "The second point is personality. Resilience, optimism, confidence, persistence, and all qualities that are beneficial in a high-pressure environment will be a plus."
After saying that, he looked coldly at everyone and said, "If you think that the two points I just mentioned are completely different from your own situation, I suggest you give up and stay in the Wuzu to fight positional warfare honestly. Just be smart and find cover as soon as possible when the enemy launches missiles to bombard the ground."
Translation: If you want to be a slacker, don't go to Wuwei; but if you stay in Wuzu, your life or death is in your own hands.
"Finally, my martial arts training ends today. I hope that when the Great Expedition ends, you will all be able to return home in glory."
Dong Yijian shouted, "Salute!"
In this way, everyone hurriedly bid farewell to Xin Li.
Few realize that this less than two-month training period may be the only opportunity in their lives they will have to get up close to a unit of the Qingming Guard's caliber.
"Sir, is the Azure Sea Guard recruiting this time?"
Murong Can asked, with little hope.
Dong Yijian spread his hands: "The Qingming Guard is a top-tier martial guard, not much different from the Martial Cavalry. They don't recruit people below the Liuyi Realm; they usually only select from other martial guards."
Most people weren't too disappointed, since even if they were to actually be admitted, probably no one would be able to get in by now.
Lu Zhao hasn't finished equipping the Three-Zhang Golden Body yet. That special skill is level seven, which is already difficult to achieve. Moreover, Xin Li's emotions are usually very stable, and he has only managed to get halfway there now.
"We'll see about that later. Anyway, as long as I keep going uphill, we'll definitely meet again."
Finally, Dong Yijian reminded him not to overexert himself during the next two days of training, as excessive exertion might affect his performance in the exam.
After the meeting was dismissed, everyone went home.
"Let's go, let's go, no training today," Murong Can called out.
Only two or three people who are just one step away from breaking through to the Iron Body Realm will have high-intensity training today. The rest are preparing to take their first rest since enlisting, as Dong Yijian suggested, to get their bodies into the best condition.
All four people in the dormitory had already broken through to the Iron Body Realm, so theoretically there was no need to race against time anymore. However...
Shi Jian: "I'm going to find Old Dong to fight."
Lu Zhao: "I'm still a little short on my progress, I'll try again."
Yang Guangming: He walked away silently.
Only Murong Can remained in the same spot, resentful.
"Damn it! What's the use of cramming at the last minute? Is it worth it for just one more day? We're already at the Iron Body Realm, how much can we train in a day?"
After complaining, he went to catch up with Yang Guangming and continue training.
.....
Lu Zhao went to have a meal first, and then prepared to go to the unmanned training ground. He planned to take advantage of today and tomorrow to push the total training level of the Iron Body Realm to 80% for good luck.
Walking down the street, he noticed that the veterans who usually patrolled the streets had started slacking off and were bragging on the roadside.
"Brother Liu, you seem to be from Vientiane, right? You must know where to get a foot massage, right? Take us to find a nice place to have some fun!"
The middle-aged man next to him grinned and said, "Forget about foot massages, prostitution is legal in Vientiane. I'll take you straight to a brothel, no big deal!"
A burst of laughter erupted, and everyone was very excited.
Lu Zhao was not interested in their topic at first, but he slowed down because he saw a doctor with a livid face approaching quietly from behind.
Boom boom boom!
One person kicked him, and several people glared at him, wanting to turn around and curse. However, upon seeing who it was, they immediately turned pale and stood at attention.
"Long live the Emperor!"
The title of "Duke" is a seventh-rank noble title. If one were to command troops within the Qin Dynasty's elite infantry, the highest rank one could hold would be a commander of five hundred men, which is a very high rank for a patrolling rank of infantry.
He pointed at the group and launched into a tirade of abuse.
"What are you doing during patrol time? Enjoying yourself, huh? Believe me, once we're ashore, I'll make sure you can't disembark and have plenty of time to play around on the training ground!"
The veterans didn't dare utter a sound.
"Let me tell you, the Myriad Realms Continent is the junction of the three major star regions. Now, with the Great Expedition underway, there might be a bunch of Grand Masters and Grand Commandants passing through. If they go down there and cause trouble... and create a bad impression, they'll be caught and executed on the spot. No one can protect you!"
Lu Zhao secretly ate the melon out of the corner of his eye, secretly delighted.
However, the doctor seemed to have noticed his gaze, and pointed a Great Wilderness Imprisoning Heaven Finger at him.
"Hey soldier, what are you looking at? Which battalion are you from?"
Damn it, I can't even stop by to watch the commotion...
"Reporting, sir, I am a new recruit," Lu Zhao replied, standing still.
The doctor glanced at the mark on his chest.
He had a general idea of what was going on with the new recruit who had a title, so he waved his hand and let him go.
Just like in school, if you announce that you're one of the top students in your grade, no matter which class the teacher is in, they'll always give you some respect.
Lu Zhao then successfully escaped and went to the deserted training ground to begin his attempt to reach level 80.
...
"call!"
Lu Zhao let out a breath, took out his phone (which had no signal) and checked the time; it was already 9 PM. The progress had advanced by another 1%, now at 79%. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they should be able to complete the target before landing tomorrow.
"That's about it. They should all be back in their dorms by now. Let's ask A-Can if he has any new information."
He patted his behind and walked out of the training field, subconsciously glancing up at the protective shield above his head, which seemed to be brighter than usual.
What's going on? Are we about to leave the Void Sea?
Lu Zhao felt something was off. Dong Yijian had clearly said that he would probably not leave the Void Sea until tomorrow afternoon.
As a thought or two flashed through my mind, the brightness of the shield increased.
Something's not right...
For some reason, Lu Zhao's heart started pounding, and he pulled out the beam saber from his pocket.
At the same time, a drill as thick as a building emerged from behind the light screen, followed by a fully enclosed, pitch-black ship, piercing straight down like a giant whale breaking through the sea.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the black ship fell, it spewed out a large number of projectiles, trailing smoke and flames, and crashed to the ground like a swarm of bees.
woo-
The sound of bugles pierced through the rising flames and smoke, issuing a combat alert to everyone.
The new and veteran soldiers on the ship did not wait for the selection process to simulate actual combat, but instead encountered a completely real war.