723: Awarding of honors

Earth.

After replenishment, the Expeditionary Force, with its numbers once again increased to 5,000, and 1,000 Lizardmen warriors, stood in formation on the massive parade ground.

The meeting hadn't started, and Yang Dian and the various regimental commanders hadn't appeared, so the atmosphere wasn't serious.

Some people talked about how much their strength had improved during their vacation, while others gathered to chat about everyday matters.

Some lamented the rapid changes in Huaxia; after fighting outside for a period and returning home, they found some aspects of urban development incomprehensible.

Still others speculated whether this gathering would involve other major actions besides the medal ceremony.

It wasn't until a large shadow suddenly enveloped the parade ground, and suppressed roars echoed from above, that everyone instinctively donned their armor and sharpened their weapons.

Some wore mechs and formed a battle line at the very front, while others activated their auxiliary Machina to remotely control small starships, star destroyers… In just an instant, the entire Expeditionary Base transformed into a massive war fortress.

Seeing the illuminated muzzles, Yang Dian was certain that if he didn't act, countless attacks would fall upon these giant Dragons in the next moment.

He moved, landing on the commander's platform on the parade ground.

He lightly tapped the air in front of him with his index finger, and after a 'boom' that shook the Soul, the Expeditionary Force soldiers, who had immediately adopted a combat stance, finally came to their senses.

They noticed Yang Dian standing on the commander's platform.

And behind Yang Dian, the ten giant Dragons that had just descended from the sky and bowed their heads, as well as Deputy Army Commander Lei Ming and the ten Expeditionary Force regimental commanders who had dismounted from the Dragons' heads.

"Are these giant Dragons, already tamed Dragons?"

"Didn't the internal network say that the Army Commander conquered Emerald Dragon Star? Are these winged Lizardmen the Dragons from Emerald Dragon Star?"

"I had my auxiliary Machina check, and there are over six thousand more giant Dragons in the sky. Do you think the Army Commander brought them back, and there's a share for us?"

"You mean I don't have to do anything, and I'll become a Dragon Knight?"

"It's a pity there's a barrier now, so I can't go to The West to show off."

"Have you noticed, compared to the giant Dragons of the other regimental commanders, our Commander Chen's Dragon is more delicate and cute, just like her."

As soon as Wu Yong's words came out, he was stared at by Chen Ci, who had just ascended the commander's platform and stood behind Yang Dian.

Li Li, standing beside him, felt numb:

"Damn you, Old Wu? Can't you say that to someone else! You really want to die, but don't drag me into it. I don't want to be specially trained..."

The commotion didn't last long before the voices of the various deputy regimental commanders rang out across the parade ground:

"Disengage combat armor, silence, and fall into formation."

"Chen Qi, Li Yu, Yang Qian, I'm talking about you! Do you have any discipline?"

"Look at the Lizardmen warriors, then look at yourselves. Can't you learn their discipline?"

"When you go back, daily training will be tripled!"

Was that discipline for the Lizardmen?

Their cerebellums had atrophied under the Dragon's might, and before they could react, Yang Dian had already appeared, promptly suppressing the commotion.

Of course, the Lizardmen and Yang Dian knew this, but the ordinary soldiers did not.

'Perhaps I should bring out the Lizardman God to train the Lizardmen warriors' courage.'

'Otherwise, encountering creatures similar to the Lizardman God would cause the Lizardmen warriors to instinctively feel fear, which is somewhat of a flaw.'

As his thoughts churned, Yang Dian surveyed the parade ground, looking at the Expeditionary Force soldiers standing tall and proud, a surge of heroic spirit welling up within him.

'Currently, the Expeditionary Force only has the Human Race legion and the affiliated Lizardmen legion.'

'In the future, it needs to develop into a scale where the Huaxia Human Race is the core, commanding dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of alien legions.'

'In the future, powerhouses will be as numerous as rain, and starships will shuttle like shuttles, traversing the star seas and myriad realms.'

'Only then can the Expeditionary Force be called a true Expeditionary Force.'

Thinking this, Yang Dian took another step forward, his gaze once again sweeping over the Expeditionary Force soldiers.

Every Expeditionary Force soldier he looked at straightened their chests with effort, as if all glory belonged to them.

Seeing everyone's high morale, Yang Dian didn't give a lengthy speech like a typical Wen Organization meeting, but went straight to the point.

"Lu Wenqiang."

"Here!"

"Liu Chuanli."

"Here!"

"He Guofu."

"Here!"

"Li Li."

"Here!"

"Wang Shen."

"Here!"

"Step forward, come to the stage."

The five stepped forward in unison, formed a line in front of everyone, then jogged onto the stage, standing excitedly in front of Yang Dian and saluting him.

After returning the salute, Yang Dian continued:

"Lu Wenqiang, during the Machina Rebellion, you rescued 332 civilians in the Myanmar-Thai region, shot down 2,532 Machina, and in the Battle of Strange Star, led a squad to eliminate 265 strange creatures, saving 3,755 Strange Star people. After protecting your squad and the rear, you single-handedly fought against the ghost god until reinforcements arrived..."

"Liu Chuanli..."

"He Guoqiang..."

"Li Li..."

"Wang Shen..."

"After deliberation by the Expeditionary Force and confirmation by the Wen Organization, you are awarded First-Class Merit and the 'Shield of the Republic' medal."

As his voice fell, a Machina holding a tray with five shield-shaped medals came to Yang Dian's side.

Yang Dian took a medal from the tray, pinned it to the chest of each of the five, then patted their chests:

"Well done."

"You haven't disgraced our Expeditionary Force."

The five were so excited their faces turned red:

"Glory belongs to the collective; it is the result of the organization's Cultivation and the support of our comrades."

Yang Dian smiled at them, then waved his hand and produced five 'Auxiliary Cultivation Devices'.

"Drip your blood to refine them, then go claim your next prize."

Lu Wenqiang was stunned for a moment:

"Next prize?"

It was customary to receive numerous rewards after being awarded a medal.

But he had never heard of any reward being given on the spot besides the medal.

After all, how could the organization allow material possessions to tarnish the sacred medal ceremony?

While Lu Wenqiang was still confused, He Guoqiang had already cut his finger and squeezed a drop of blood onto the 'Auxiliary Cultivation Device'.

A moment later, after receiving the information, he opened his eyes, looked at the sky, then at Yang Dian.

"Army Commander?"

Meeting his eager, expectant gaze, Yang Dian, with a hint of a smile in his eyes, nodded to him:

"Go."

He Guoqiang, his face flushed, saluted Yang Dian:

"Thank you, Organization, Army, and Army Commander for your Cultivation."

"I will definitely work hard to improve my strength, expand Huaxia's territory, and make Huaxia's prestige spread throughout the universe!"

Yang Dian patted his shoulder again:

"Good."

"I'm waiting for you to expand Huaxia's territory and make Huaxia's prestige spread throughout the universe."

He Guoqiang nodded vigorously, then didn't hesitate, directly donned his armor, flew into the sky, and went to choose a Dragon.

Realizing what the 'small stone' in his palm represented from their conversation, Lu Wenqiang decisively imitated He Guoqiang and performed the blood-binding ritual.

A moment later, he and Liu Chuanli and the others also looked at Yang Dian with excited faces.

Yang Dian, however, waved his hand, signaling them to stop talking nonsense:

"I don't want to hear what you say, I only want to see what you do."

"After contracting a giant Dragon, work hard and don't disappoint me, don't disappoint the Organization."

The four simultaneously saluted Yang Dian:

"We will not fail the high expectations of the Organization and the Army Commander!"