1440: Above the Stars

Inside the office, Li Qingcang's curiosity was almost at its Peak.

He knew very well that anyone favored by Elder Su and who had caught his eye would at least be a Genius of the highest caliber.

Anything less would not be mentioned by Elder Su at this time.

After all, the Elder Su before him was once a prominent figure ranked among the top thirty in the entire Azure Dragon Great Region; with a stomp of his foot, the entire Azure Dragon Great Region would tremble.

And now, he was even more formidable.

Elder Su's real name was Su Qingfeng, and he came from humble origins, growing up in an ordinary family in a remote Star Domain of the Azure Dragon Great Region; his journey to where he is today can be said to be a benchmark for bottom-up ascension.

Su Qingfeng displayed extraordinary talent during his time at the cultivation academy, sweeping aside Geniuses meticulously nurtured by various prominent families, and graduated as the top student from the Azure Dragon Academy on the capital planet, subsequently joining the army.

He once fought valiantly against the Demon Court army for sixty years on the Empire's northern border, achieving illustrious military merits by stepping on the blood and bones of countless Yao Race members, and without any background, he became the commander of the Empire's Northern Army Group at that time, holding the rank of General.

Later, as the war between the Empire and the Demon Court entered a relatively stalemated phase, Su Qingfeng was transferred back to the Azure Dragon Great Region, promoted to Grand General, and became the highest military officer of the Kangjin Star Region.

When he resigned fifty years ago, Su Qingfeng had held that position for a full one hundred and thirty years, and his subordinate generals were almost spread throughout the military of the entire Azure Dragon Great Region.

Moreover, although Su Qingfeng resigned from his position as the highest military officer of the Kangjin Star Region fifty years ago and no longer held a practical post, his status and position could subtly rank him among the top five in the Azure Dragon Great Region; even the patriarchs of the Empire's top aristocratic families or even members of the imperial family would treat him with respect.

Because when Su Qingfeng resigned from his position as the highest military officer of the Kangjin Star Region fifty years ago, his strength had already reached the Peak of the Sixteenth Realm, placing him among the Empire's Lingyun Pavilion, making him a super powerhouse ranked among the best in the entire Empire and even the entire Universe.

And now, fifty years later, no one knows whether Su Qingfeng has broken through that barrier and achieved a Realm beyond the starry sky.

Such endorsement from a major figure is incredibly significant for any young person.

“When I was by Elder Su’s side back then, I only received the evaluation of being dull and unlikely to achieve anything great. Could it be that among the contestants who have come to Feilong No. 9 Base for the Military Region Martial Arts Competition this time, there is a hidden Dragon?”

Li Qingcang pondered to himself, increasingly eager to know who that young person favored by Elder Su was.

He recalled that after Elder Su resigned, he served as his personal guard, merely handling Elder Su's daily affairs. Among all the guards, his talent and potential were middling. Even with Elder Su's guidance, when he was transferred later, he only received the evaluation of being dull and unlikely to achieve anything great.

Even so, he has now been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, managing a powerful weapon like a planetary fortress, responsible for guarding the capital planet of the Kangjin Star Region.

In cultivation, he has also successively passed through three major Heavenly Tribulations, becoming a Thirteenth Realm star-level powerhouse.

And such achievements were evaluated as being dull and unlikely to achieve anything great. How could someone who deserves a 'not bad' evaluation not have a future achievement far surpassing his?

If he could be transferred under his command, establishing a connection for the future would be truly remarkable.

“I don’t know that young fellow’s name, but he should be a contestant sent by Tenglong Fortress to participate in the Military Region Martial Arts Competition. You can find out by checking the information when you go back.”

“However, don't try any condescending methods. This kid has a wolf-like ferocity, very much like me back in the day. Staying in a greenhouse will only dull his spirit; only tempering can make him shine brighter.”

As he spoke, Su Qingfeng glanced at Li Qingcang, easily discerning what he was thinking.

“Hehe, you truly have a Wisdom Eye, Elder Su; my thoughts can't be hidden from you.”

Li Qingcang chuckled, his expression a bit awkward.

However, he quickly adjusted his mindset and did not dwell on the matter any further.

“Elder Su, your visit this time, I presume, isn't merely to observe the young talents from our Kangjin Star Region participating in the Military Region Martial Arts Competition, is it?”

After adjusting his mindset, Li Qingcang asked with some hesitation.

He had recently heard some rumors, and at the same time, he keenly noticed that the Empire's Nine Departments had issued more decrees in recent years than before.

Although each decree seemed reasonable, if integrated and viewed comprehensively, it would become apparent that the Empire's resources were converging towards the western and northern regions.

This gave Li Qingcang a vague, bold speculation, and Su Qingfeng's appearance at Feilong No. 9 Base, after not making a public appearance for ten years, further solidified Li Qingcang's belief in his own conjecture.

At this moment, after asking this question, Li Qingcang felt very anxious, but not out of fear, but out of excitement.

“When you left back then, I said you were dull and unlikely to achieve anything great. It seems I was somewhat mistaken. Your keen observation skills surpass any of the young fellows in your batch of personal guards back then.”

Su Qingfeng looked at Li Qingcang in surprise, his tone slightly praising.

Hearing this, Li Qingcang's spirit trembled.

A current-like shiver enveloped his entire body, making him forget that this was the first time he had received praise from Elder Su.

Because, through the hidden meaning in Elder Su's words, he completely confirmed his own conjecture.

The war between the Empire and the Demon Court is about to begin!

No, the war between the Empire and the Demon Court has never ceased; it's not about to begin, but rather to expand in scale, advancing towards a grander objective.

Thinking of this, Li Qingcang looked at Su Qingfeng with anticipation in his eyes.

“Elder Su, you see…”

He said with a smile:

“Does this junior have the good fortune to serve the Empire loyally this time?”

When two hegemonic forces in the Supreme Universe initiate an expanded war, the battlefield will definitely become the most dangerous area in the entire Universe, but...

Within this, for soldiers, it also represents a great opportunity.

Military merits would be much easier to obtain than in the current period; as long as one stands out, endless benefits would flock in.

Wealth, resources, power...

As long as one survives the great war and earns enough military merits with their own hands, these will all be within reach.

Li Qingcang has been stuck in the Thirteenth Realm for thirty years, deeply aware that his potential is almost exhausted, and he has an extremely urgent need for resources to break through the Realm.

However, there are numerous generals throughout the entire Empire who have the same needs as him.

He is currently ranked three to four hundred in the Empire's military department's application sequence for breakthrough resources. The military merits accumulated annually while stationed at Feilong No. 9, a planetary fortress, cause his ranking to move forward slowly; it won't be his turn for several decades.

But if the great war with the Demon Court begins and he goes to the front line, not to mention the possibility of breakthrough resources being directly issued...

Li Qingcang is confident that he can, by virtue of his military merits, surpass those ahead of him.