125: Chapter 125 Successor

The Old Marshal saw his straightforward response and nodded with satisfaction, taking a black iron token from his drawer and handing it over.

"This is a special military token approved by the military department. Take it to the Zhenxi Army camp and find Yuan Hui. He knows your background and will make proper arrangements."

Zhang Wen took the token and, just as he was about to thank him, heard the Old Marshal add with a smile.

"That brat Yuan Hui was just promoted to commander a few days ago. His subordinates are all veterans who have followed him through life and death, and they are very arrogant. Be sharp when you go there."

The next morning, Zhang Wen took the school's teleportation array to the Zhenxi Army camp.

The camp guards verified the token but did not let him pass immediately. They looked him up and down and curled their lips.

"Commander Yuan is at the Martial Arts Field. Go there yourself, but don't wander around—the camp is not like your academy; the rules are strict here."

As soon as he entered the Martial Arts Field, he heard a clashing of metal.

Hundreds of soldiers in the field were divided into two teams fighting. The man in black armor leading them held a heavy axe and split his opponent's long saber with one blow; it was Yuan Hui.

He caught a glimpse of Zhang Wen out of the corner of his eye, raised his hand to signal a pause, and walked over with large strides.

"Zhang Wen?"

Yuan Hui's voice was loud and clear. He patted Zhang Wen on the shoulder with considerable force. "The Old Marshal told me everything. SSS-Rank Talent Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder, that's interesting."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding soldiers were in an uproar. A veteran with a full beard stepped forward and said in a rough voice.

"Commander, this kid looks like he's only seventeen or eighteen. What use is he? Don't tell me he's a nepotism hire sent by the military department!"

"Exactly, Commander," another tall, thin soldier echoed.

"The last intern from Qinglan University didn't even touch the edge of the Soul Devouring Hall before losing his nerve. This kid is probably even worse, right?"

Yuan Hui frowned but did not refute, simply looking at Zhang Wen.

"My subordinates all crawled out of piles of dead bodies; they only respect strength. If you can't show real ability, they might not be willing to cooperate with you on future missions."

Zhang Wen understood that this was an Opportunity to establish his authority.

He stepped forward and cupped his hands at the bearded veteran: "This big brother looks like an expert in body training. This Junior would like to exchange a few moves, stopping at the point of contact."

The bearded man was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud.

"Kid, are you sure? I am in the Penetration Realm Middle Stage and practice the Iron Cloth Shirt. With your thin arms and legs, don't get hurt by me!"

The Martial Arts Field was instantly surrounded by soldiers. Yuan Hui stepped aside, crossing his arms to watch the show.

Zhang Wen drew his sky-splitting startling thunder spear, the tip pointing obliquely at the ground: "Please make your move, big brother."

The bearded man shouted, lunged forward, and his fist slammed toward Zhang Wen's chest with a gust of wind.

This punch had the force of a thousand catties; an ordinary Penetration Realm Early Stage cultivator wouldn't be able to take it.

Zhang Wen, however, was unhurried. The thunder mass inside his Dantian gently rotated, and a wisp of Lightning Radiance seeped into his feet.

He used Tremor Step Treading Thunder Marks to dodge sideways, simultaneously sweeping with the spear shaft, the butt of the spear accurately striking the back of the bearded man's knee.

"Ouch!"

The bearded man's leg went soft, and he almost fell to his knees.

Surprised and angry, he turned to punch again, but his fist was firmly blocked by Zhang Wen's spear shaft.

"Is that all the strength you have?"

Zhang Wen's lips curled slightly. His arm suddenly exerted force, and a faint Lightning Radiance appeared on the spear shaft.

The bearded man felt a jolt of electricity surge through his fist into his body, instantly numbing his arm and causing him to lose strength.

Zhang Wen took the Opportunity to thrust the spear tip forward. It stopped just before his throat, the Lightning Radiance dancing on the tip, but it didn't hurt him at all.

"I lost."

The bearded man's face flushed red as he lowered his head in defeat.

The soldiers were immediately silent. The tall, thin man who had just mocked Zhang Wen swallowed his saliva; just as he was about to speak, Yuan Hui glared at him.

"Who else is unconvinced?"

Zhang Wen stood with his spear retracted, his gaze sweeping across the field.

No one responded.

Yuan Hui walked up and clapped his hands: "Do you all understand now? This is a helper sent by the military department. From now on, whoever dares to be negligent will be dealt with according to military law!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers responded in unison, their eyes looking at Zhang Wen with a bit more awe.

Yuan Hui turned to Zhang Wen and smiled: "Not bad, you didn't embarrass the Old Marshal."

"Come, I'll show you the intelligence on the Soul Devouring Hall—we've found that their altar might be hidden near the Youluo Grass in the western border's salt flats. We'll set out tomorrow morning."

Zhang Wen followed Yuan Hui into the military tent. On the sand table inside, many small flags were inserted, marking the activity range of the Soul Devouring Hall.

Yuan Hui pointed to the northwest corner of the sand table.

"This is Xifeng Mountain. Recently, Herdsmen have gone missing, and scouts have found traces of soul fiend nearby."

He took a map from the drawer and handed it to Zhang Wen.

"This is a detailed map of the salt flats. Youluo Grass only grows in high-salinity areas, so be observant when you arrive."

Zhang Wen took the map, and just as he was about to speak, an urgent report from a scout came from outside the tent.

"Commander! A large amount of evil aura has been discovered in the direction of Xifeng Mountain; it looks like the Soul Devouring Hall is transferring Herdsmen!"

Yuan Hui's face darkened, and he stood up abruptly: "All troops assemble!"

Zhang Wen followed Yuan Hui out of the tent, only to see the soldiers already in formation, each holding weapons with sharp eyes.

"This operation will be led by Dual Talents. Depart!" Yuan Hui gave the order.

The thunder mass in Zhang Wen's Dantian became active—the wind of the western border was finally coming.

The team galloped toward Black Wind Mountain, and on the way, Dual Talents came to Zhang Wen's side.

"Hello. Later, when we encounter the people from the Soul Devouring Hall, don't expose yourself first. They are sensitive to auras, so we must avoid alerting the enemy."

Zhang Wen nodded: "I understand."

When they were close to Black Wind Mountain, the foul smell in the air became increasingly thick.

Dual Talents raised his hand to signal the whole army to hide. He and Zhang Wen quietly crept up the hillside, only to see more than a dozen Black-Robed Figures on the open ground at the foot of the mountain, escorting a group of Herdsmen toward the northwest.

The leading Black-Robed Figure held a bone staff in his hand, with black Qi emerging from the head of the staff.

"It's the Soul Devouring Hall!"

Zhang Wen lowered his voice, "There are at least three Domain Realm auras."

Dual Talents' eyes turned cold: "Wait until they enter the valley, then we will attack from both front and rear."

For this operation, in addition to the commander Dual Talents, there were two Domain Realm experts, plus Zhang Wen, a Penetration Realm cultivator who could wrestle with those in the Domain Realm.

It could be said that the chance of winning was maxed out.

Zhang Wen gripped his sky-splitting startling thunder spear tightly, watching the Black-Robed Figures gradually walk into the valley, his lips curling into a cold smile—Soul Devouring Hall, it's time to settle the score.

On the other side, in the military department's council hall, Gongsun Hongyi looked at the Old Marshal, his tone carrying a bit of disbelief.

"Old Marshal, you let Zhang Wen enter the army now, and even had Yuan Hui specifically cooperate; is this... trying to lead him down the path of a successor?"

The Old Marshal put down his teacup, tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, and his gaze fell on the military flag outside the window.

"What else? The Blue Star Secret Realm will open next year, and the Soul Devouring Hall is causing trouble in the western border again. How many more years can us old guys hold on?"

He turned to look at Gongsun Hongyi, his eyes serious: "Zhang Wen has the SSS-Rank Talent, and with our support, this is a heaven-sent Opportunity."

"But talent alone is not enough. He must see blood, he must establish a foothold in the military department, and he must make the younger generation like Yuan Hui respect him."

"But he is only at the Penetration Realm Early Stage."

Gongsun Hongyi frowned, "Isn't it too hasty to let him deal with the Soul Devouring Hall?"

"Hasty?"

The Old Marshal laughed, "Back when I was his age, I had already killed enemies at the border."

"This kid Zhang Wen is steady and has a sense of proportion. The fact that he could escape from Ye Chen at the Black Wind Stockade last time shows that he isn't just a hotheaded youth relying on talent."

He stood up and walked to the sand table, pointing to the map of the western border: "I let Yuan Hui lead him, firstly to let him get familiar with military life, and secondly to let him see how the border of the Dragon Country is defended."

"When he returns from the western border, I want him to know that the stability of this Dragon Country cannot be defended by talent alone."

Gongsun Hongyi looked at the Old Marshal's side profile and suddenly understood.

"You want him to understand Cultivation and military affairs, to have both connections and achievements... when we retire, he will be able to take over the banner directly."

"That's right."

The Old Marshal nodded, "Those two SSS-Rank Talents from the Su and Murong Families are seedlings from hermit families; they only have eyes for their Family, not the nation."

"Only Zhang Wen, who crawled up from the grassroots, received education from Qinglan University, and has a blood feud with the Soul Devouring Hall, will fight with his life to protect this Dragon Country."

Gongsun Hongyi sighed, but his lips carried a smile.

"You old fox, you've calculated every step. It seems my Qinglan University is going to produce a future pillar for the Dragon Country."

"It's not produced by Qinglan University; it's nurtured by the land of this Dragon Country."

"After you go back, keep an eye on him, but don't interfere—the path Zhang Wen has to walk, he must walk it himself. Even if he stumbles a few times, it's better than us protecting him."

Gongsun Hongyi nodded and agreed, but he had already started planning in his heart—when Zhang Wen returns from the western border, he must bring out all of Qinglan University's best hidden Thunder Element Cultivation Techniques for this kid.

After all, this is the successor appointed by the Old Marshal; he cannot be allowed to fall behind in Cultivation.