bookrandom Chapter 54: Boarding the Ship
Chapter 54: Boarding the Ship
Zhong Ming listened for a long time, feeling his heart surge with emotion, as if an epic battle was unfolding right before his eyes.
The introduction of various demonic beast generals and human divine weapons took half an hour.
The story continues: "The roar of the Kui ox drowned out the war drums, and Hong Rong lured the enemy army into a trap after three defeats."
The old man finally couldn't hold on any longer. Since he didn't have a gavel at hand, he took his fan and banged it on the bowl.
"To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next episode. Ladies and gentlemen, it's dawn, time to disperse."
The group was still reluctant to leave, but the criminals had to return to their posts. Although they could legitimately slack off, they still had to sign in, and the mine's management had to prevent them from escaping.
When the bell rang and he looked up, it was already dawn.
The journey is long, but we must continue.
Ten minutes later.
The two Yue brothers stared at Zhong Ming, making him feel uneasy.
"Um... I went out for a walk and got some fresh air."
"He breathed for an hour?"
"Um...maybe?"
Yue Xingtian took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "It's no big deal when you're with us Yue brothers, but you're going to the recruit camp, which is very strict. You absolutely cannot act without reporting, as that's a violation of military law, and your superiors have the right to punish you severely, very severely."
On this point, even Yue Kaishan advised, "Brother Cuihong, I really need to make this clear to you. This matter cannot be taken lightly. I don't know which new recruit instructor will be guiding us, but they will definitely be very strict."
The two explained to Zhong Ming in general terms that if a cultivator voluntarily joins the army, in principle, as long as he enters the recruit camp, they will spare no effort to train him to "trick" his way into the army.
For unqualified troublemakers, the recruit instructors have the right to postpone their service, and during this period, their spirit stone military pay will be suspended.
Spirit stones are the lifeblood of cultivators. If you are forced to train every day without being able to concentrate on cultivation, and you are not given spirit stones, your cultivation will hardly progress. Most people will choose to obediently follow orders.
Those who choose to withdraw will have to pay a heavy price, and for families under the Chen dynasty, a fixed proportion of members must join the army. If you withdraw, others will have to take your place.
You will bear the dual pressures of your family and the military.
"Brother Cuihong, don't worry too much. Since you are a foreigner, things will be a little easier for you."
Yue Xingtian patted Zhong Ming on the back and whispered, "I'll try my best to get information about your new recruit instructor in advance, including his personality and preferences. It depends on luck."
Now, let's get ready to go.
The three people and the rat arrived at a vertical, deep well, which made Zhong Ming somewhat troubled.
"Um, I can't fly."
"I'll take you."
Despite Zhong Ming and Yue Kaishan being known for their physiques, they were no match for Yue Xingtian. The burly man spread his arms, grabbed one person on each side, and with a powerful leap, flew straight upwards.
This was Zhong Ming's first flight. No matter how high he jumped or how far he leaped through the mountains and forests before, it could never compare to this, a true flight.
He watched as the rocky platform beneath his feet receded further and further away. Oh, there were even circular carvings on it to help flying people judge distances. How thoughtful! I only noticed that now.
The lack of fear might be because he believed that even if something went wrong, he could still cling to the cave wall; or perhaps he couldn't see any landmarks when he looked up and didn't know how high he was flying; or perhaps adrenaline was coursing through his body, awakening humanity's ambition and courage to conquer the sky.
Zhong Ming felt incredibly happy right now!
This is what you call an immortal!
This is what they call defying fate.
At that moment, he truly realized what spiritual practice meant for a person.
"Alas!"
Zhong Ming roared, and the three of them rushed out of the long "well".
"Oh ho ho, Lao Yue, your little one is very energetic."
Before Yue Xingtian even landed, a group of veterans around him were already looking at him with mocking eyes.
Zhong Ming's feet landed firmly on the ground. He staggered for a moment before regaining his balance. Looking around, he realized he was standing in a very, very small circular pit. This was the top of Jisui Mountain.
There were people all around.
In the early morning, before the sun had fully risen above the horizon, the light was blurry, and Yue Xingtian's expression was unclear; it must have been dark.
"Vitality, what a wonderful word."
Yue Xingtian swaggered up to the group of cultivators, who were all soldiers from the supply team: wounded veterans, cowardly fools with powerful backers, and unlucky souls who had accumulated enough merit only to find their families wiped out and had nowhere to go...
In short, these are his subordinates.
"You've completed the mission? Why are you laughing so happily? I bet the guys you found aren't any better than the two of us."
Each supply team member received a mission: to find the new recruits.
Some people were lucky enough to find cultivators willing to join the army in the mines, while others returned empty-handed, seemingly unable to obtain any extra military merit points.
"Alright, little guys, get ready to board the boat."
Shorty people?
Zhong Ming and the other eight looked at each other. "We're not short either, so why are you calling us short guys?"
"Alright, put away your confusion. This is the last chance to get an explanation for free. Powerful cultivators all possess the ability to manifest the universe, and you can also call it manifesting the heavens and the earth. Once you unleash it, you will truly stand tall and majestic. Compared to them, you are just small dwarfs, understand? Now shut your mouths and get on the ship."
A red-robed cultivator beside Yue Xingtian chanted a few words, and suddenly a snow-white flying boat appeared in the very center of the circular pit.
It is about eight zhang long, shaped like a flying shuttle, and its texture is like the finest white jade in the world.
Zhong Ming was startled, but his eyes were full of curiosity as he looked up and down at this vehicle he had never seen before.
"Haha, I told you, I found two excellent fighters," Yue Xingtian said proudly.
Zhong Ming looked back and saw that the other cultivators had either taken a few steps back in fright or hid behind their recruit examiners, with only a few standing still.
"So, whose little brat is interested in teaming up with me and these two?"
Yue Xingtian arrogantly questioned the crowd behind him. Some looked at their examiners with eager anticipation, while others turned away with disdain.
'Hmph, look at you, you big oaf.'
Most of them thought the same thing, and they also remembered Zhong Ming and Yue Kaishan.
Yue Xingtian can bring his cousin, and the other examiners can bring their relatives. What they are thinking is, why are you the supply team leader while my relative isn't?
Family feuds also exist within the military.
Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes.
If all the recruits he chooses can be eliminated, wouldn't that weaken his prestige as captain?