novelraw Chapter 431: Military Service
Chapter 431: Military Service
...
Vermilion Bird City, dedicated military airfield.
Dozens of medium-sized transport ships were quietly docked at their berths.
Airfield waiting area.
Feng Jue, Liu Ziming, and Xu Hao had already changed into crisp military uniforms, the epaulets bearing the insignia representing new recruits.
Their expressions varied.
Feng Jue remained stern as ever.
Liu Ziming, for once, had put away his usual flippant attitude, carefully adjusting his collar, appearing somewhat nervous yet also excited.
Xu Hao wore a calm expression, silently checking his personal luggage.
The three of them, as graduates of this year's Vermilion Bird Academy, naturally could not escape the ironclad rule of serving Daxia for three years.This was an obligation, but also a form of repayment.
Repaying the massive resources and training Daxia had invested during their growth period.
Now that their studies were complete, it was only right for them to contribute their part in protecting this land.
Fortunately, through Teacher Wang Mingyuan's arrangements and their own wishes, the three had been assigned to the same fortress, allowing them to look out for each other.
A figure directly flew through the air, landing lightly before the three of them.
Su Zhan was wearing simple casual clothes.
He merely stood there, yet naturally became the focal point of the entire scene.
All the top students, officers, and teachers turned their gazes toward him.
"Brother Su!"
Liu Ziming's eyes lit up, being the first to call out.
Feng Jue and Xu Hao also looked over simultaneously, warmth in their eyes.
Su Zhan's gaze swept over his three friends, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Came to see you off."
His arrival held extraordinary significance.
The military was also a small society, with its own rules and underlying hierarchies.
Having a major celebrity like Su Zhan, who was currently at the peak of his fame in Daxia, personally come to see them off was undoubtedly sending a clear message to the Iron Wall Fortress, and even the entire military system.
These three were people Su Zhan valued.
This was a solid backing.
Enough to thoroughly extinguish any potential thoughts of bullying new recruits or harboring ulterior motives before they could even sprout.
Su Zhan's action was precisely to ensure his three friends would encounter fewer unnecessary troubles and have more opportunities for fair experience during their service.
"Once you get there, be careful in everything."
Su Zhan looked at them. "The military isn't like the academy. There are many rules, heavy tasks, and real battlefields are far more brutal than arenas. Look out for each other, protect yourselves."
"Understood, Brother Su, don't worry!"
Liu Ziming patted his chest. "The three of us together, no problem!"
Xu Hao nodded heavily. "We'll proceed with caution."
Feng Jue was concise. "Rest assured."
Liu Ziming punched Su Zhan's shoulder, winking and saying, "You're now the number one big shot in our Daxia! Tsk tsk, don't even need to take a car when going out, just fly over directly, this presence! Awesome!"
Su Zhan chuckled, shaking his head. "Cut it out."
But Liu Ziming got even more excited, hooking his arm around Xu Hao's neck beside him, sighing to Su Zhan, "Seriously, Brother Su, it's a good thing you're not serving this military service with us!
With your current strength as an Ocean Realm big shot, if you really went to the fortress, where would there be any room for us brothers to gain experience?
Probably all the tough battles would be monopolized by you alone!
We'd only be able to cheer you on from behind, how boring would that be!"
Xu Hao was also amused by him, helplessly pushing Liu Ziming's arm away, speaking seriously to Su Zhan, "Brother Su, don't listen to his nonsense.
But honestly, seeing you so strong now gives us more confidence too.
You're clearing the path ahead, we can't fall too far behind either. We have to achieve something on the battlefield, can't tarnish the reputation of our Vermilion Bird Academy, or you, Brother Su Zhan."
Feng Jue looked at Su Zhan. "You walked ahead, saw broader scenery. We will catch up."
Hearing the words of the three, a warm current surged in Su Zhan's heart, his tone becoming earnest. "Ziming, don't undervalue yourself. Battlefields and arenas are two different things, each with their own dangers. Your experience is equally important.
Xu Hao, Feng Jue, remember, on the battlefield, surviving, and bringing your brothers back alive, is more important than any merit.
I don't need you to prove anything. Protecting yourselves is the best account you can give to me, to Teacher Wang, to the academy.
Once you reach Iron Wall Fortress, serve with peace of mind, strive to improve.
If you encounter any injustice or troubles you can't solve, don't force yourselves to endure it, contact me directly.
My brothers are not going there to suffer grievances."
These words were spoken plainly, yet carried a confident, protective undertone.
Liu Ziming's eyes lit up, grinning. "With your word, Brother Su, then we can practically swagger around!"
Xu Hao, however, nodded solemnly. "We understand, Brother Su. We'll establish ourselves through our own abilities, but if it truly comes to a last resort, we won't stand on ceremony with you."
Feng Jue merely gave a slight nod, everything understood without words.
Su Zhan glanced around. "What about the teacher? Why didn't he come to see you off?"
Hearing this, Liu Ziming immediately perked up again, rushing to say, "Hey! Brother Su, speaking of this, it's actually thanks to you!"
Xu Hao took over, his tone carrying sincere happiness. "Yes, Brother Su, all thanks to the Reforge Fruit you brought back. After Teacher Wang consumed it, not only were his old injuries completely healed, but he also broke through the bottleneck that had plagued him for years, successfully advancing, officially promoted to Ocean Realm!"
Feng Jue added one sentence. "Teacher is now the face of our Vermilion Bird Academy."
Liu Ziming puffed out his chest with shared pride. "Exactly!
As soon as Teacher Wang made his breakthrough, he was immediately conscripted by the Military Department. He's now serving as an instructor and Chief Commander at the Eastern Raging Waves Fortress! That's an important frontline fortress!
Teacher said, this is like an old tree sprouting new buds. He has to go where he's most needed to contribute his remaining energy, and incidentally pave the way for us youngsters!
So he really couldn't make it back to see us off today."
Su Zhan felt very pleased upon hearing this.
Teacher Wang Mingyuan being able to break through to Ocean Realm was something he had always hoped for.
The Reforge Fruit being able to help the teacher made him feel that adventure was incredibly worthwhile.
Su Zhan nodded. "So that's how it is. Teacher being able to break through to Ocean Realm is good news.
At Raging Waves Fortress, with Teacher's experience and current strength, he will surely stand firm as a mountain."
Knowing that Teacher Wang Mingyuan was safe and even more powerful, the last trace of concern in Su Zhan's heart for his three friends going off to serve was considerably eased.
At the very least, they weren't entirely without foundation in the military; a powerful mentor was watching over them from afar.
Because of Su Zhan's arrival.
At first, there were only some whispers and uncertain, doubtful glances.
But soon, when someone confirmed with certainty in a low exclamation that it was Su Zhan.
The atmosphere instantly became fervent.
Those young Awakened individuals also wearing new recruit uniforms could no longer care about discipline. One by one, they flushed with excitement, their gazes burning as they looked toward Su Zhan's direction, whispering among themselves.
If not for military discipline and the invisible Pressure naturally emanating from Su Zhan, they would have likely swarmed over long ago.