150: Chapter 150 Glory Bestowed

The central auditorium of the Tianjiao Camp was heavily guarded today.

There was a guard every three steps, and a sentry every five.

Soldiers with live ammunition surrounded the entire auditorium, making it impenetrable.

Even the airspace was sealed off by several armed helicopters.

This scene was even more grand than a pre-war mobilization.

Inside the auditorium, every seat was taken.

In addition to all the students and instructors of the Tianjiao Camp, many military bigwigs with golden stars on their shoulders sat in the front row.

As well as representatives from the major aristocratic families in Kyoto.

The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Huge spotlights shone on the rostrum, illuminating it as if it were daytime.

Lei Zhan stood in front of the microphone, dressed in a crisp special-grade instructor's uniform.

His face, usually fierce, now showed a rare hint of seriousness.

“Everyone, stand up!”

With Lei Zhan's roar, thousands of people in the auditorium stood up in unison.

The sound of military boots hitting the ground was like a muffled thunder rolling by.

“Play the national anthem!”

The stirring melody began.

Lin Fan stood at the forefront of the student formation.

His back was straight, and his gaze calmly fixed on the bright red flag.

Although usually carefree, he knew the importance of the occasion.

This was also his most basic respect for this country and for those predecessors who shed blood and sacrificed on the Ten Thousand Races Battlefield.

The ceremony ended, and everyone took their seats.

Lei Zhan cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping across the audience, finally settling on Lin Fan.

“Although this year's Tianjiao Camp graduation competition was suspended due to unforeseen circumstances,”

“However, the results are valid.”

“At the critical juncture of the Abyss invasion, someone stepped forward and turned the tide.”

“Approved by the Military's Supreme Command,”

“It is hereby announced that the first place in this year's Tianjiao Camp is Lin Fan!”

Thunderous applause erupted.

Especially from Qin Feng's direction, the clapping was deafening, his hands almost red from hitting them so hard.

Although other students felt a bit sour, no one dared to cause trouble at this moment.

After all, Lin Fan's performance that day was witnessed by all.

Whether it was saving people or his terrifying combat power, no one could find fault.

“Student Lin Fan, please come to the stage to receive your award!”

Lin Fan adjusted his collar and strode onto the rostrum.

Each step was steady.

The spotlight moved with him, enveloping him in a halo.

At this moment, he was the focus of the entire audience.

Lei Zhan looked at Lin Fan, who stood before him, a hint of gratification flashing in his eyes.

He picked up a glittering golden medal from the tray.

The Special-Grade Combat Hero Medal.

This was not just an honor, but also a privilege.

Possessing this medal meant that within Dragon Country, as long as one did not commit treason, they virtually had a death-exemption token.

Lei Zhan solemnly pinned the medal to Lin Fan's chest.

Then, he picked up a pair of epaulets.

Two bars, four stars.

Senior Colonel!

A collective gasp instantly echoed throughout the hall.

An eighteen-year-old Senior Colonel!

What did this even mean?

Looking at the entire military history of Dragon Country, such a case was extremely rare.

Even the family representatives sitting in the front row had their eyelids twitching wildly at this moment.

They had originally thought the military would only give some material rewards, but they never expected them to go to such great lengths.

They were practically creating a god!

Lei Zhan personally placed the epaulets on Lin Fan and patted his shoulder hard.

“Kid, this burden is not light.”

“Don’t disgrace me.”

Lin Fan saluted a standard military salute.

“Guaranteed to complete the mission.”

But it wasn't over yet.

Lei Zhan turned around and picked up a red-headed document from the table.

His expression became extremely serious.

“Approved by the Supreme Military Science Academy and the Military General Logistics Department,”

“Comrade Lin Fan is hereby awarded the title of ‘Dragon Country Strategic Partner’.”

“And the Myriad Treasures Pavilion is officially recognized as a military-licensed supplier.”

“Lin Fan will serve as Pavilion Master of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.”

Boom!

If the rank of Senior Colonel had only caused shock earlier,

Then these three titles were like a nuclear bomb thrown into the crowd.

Strategic Partner!

This meant that Lin Fan was no longer a mere soldier or a promising junior.

But a giant who could stand on equal footing with the state machinery and engage in mutual benefit.

Pavilion Master of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

Once this identity was officially stamped, anyone who dared to touch the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in the future would be touching the military's cheese.

Below the stage, Su Qingxue's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at the spirited young man on stage.

She recalled the peddler selling blind boxes in the Wasteland Zone back then.

In just a few months,

He had actually grown to this extent.

This speed of transcending classes was simply despair-inducing.

Li Hanyi sat in a wheelchair in the corner, his face covered in bandages.

Hearing these titles, he clutched the armrest tightly, his fingernails breaking off.

But he dared not make a sound.

He didn't even dare to show a resentful gaze.

Because he knew that from this moment on,

He and Lin Fan were people from two different worlds.

Lin Fan took the heavy document.

There was no wild joy on his face, only an inscrutable calmness.

He turned around, facing the thousands of eyes below the stage.

He picked up the microphone.

“Thank you, country, thank you, military.”

“Of course, I also want to thank all the students for their strong support.”

Lin Fan intentionally emphasized the words “strong support.”

Many students in the audience subconsciously covered their electronic wallets.

The fear of being dominated that day surged into their hearts again.

Lin Fan smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

“The Myriad Treasures Pavilion owes its current success to everyone’s every purchase.”

“To give back to new and old customers,”

“I have decided that the Myriad Treasures Pavilion will soon launch the ‘Grandmaster Advanced Edition’ blind box.”

“Welcome, all bosses, to actively order.”

The entire hall fell silent.

Lei Zhan stood beside him, his mouth twitching fiercely.

This kid.

Even in such a solemn occasion, he didn't forget to advertise!

But he didn't stop him.

Because this was Lin Fan.

A freak who wore greed on his face but engraved loyalty in his bones.

An old general with white hair, sitting in the front row, looked at Lin Fan on the stage and turned to General Ye Canglan next to him, saying:

“Old Ye, this kid is quite interesting.”

“But isn’t this smell of money a bit too strong?”

General Ye Canglan pushed up his glasses, a sharp glint flashing behind the lenses.

“Smell of money?”

“I think it’s the smell of life.”

“Only people who are greedy for money, afraid of death, and full of flesh and blood can live long.”

“Those hypocrites who spout benevolence and righteousness die the fastest in this man-eat-man world.”

The old general was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“That’s true.”

“As long as his gun is pointed at the alien races,”

“Even if he pokes a hole in the sky, we’ll have to cover for him.”

Lin Fan stood on the stage, taking in the expressions of everyone below.

Envy, jealousy, awe, calculation.

All sorts of emotions intertwined.

His gaze shifted slightly downwards, landing on a seat in the front row of the VIP section.

A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit sat there.

Vice Minister Wei.

The second-in-command of the General Logistics Department.

This person had a constant smile and clapped very enthusiastically.

But the moment Lin Fan activated the Eye of True Sight,

He saw a faint, yet nauseating black aura entwined around this person.

That aura.

It originated from the same source as the Abyss monsters that appeared in the Asura Battlefield before.

Lin Fan subtly withdrew his gaze.

The smile on his lips deepened.

It seemed.

Behind this glory, someone had already sharpened their knife.

Waiting to bleed him dry.

In that case.

Let’s see.

Whose teeth are better.

...

Night fell.

The banquet hall of the Tianjiao Camp was brightly lit.

Long dining tables were laden with exquisite spiritual food.

Steaks cooked from the prime meat of A-grade exotic beasts emitted rich energy fluctuations.

Fine wine brewed from spirit springs shimmered with an amber glow in crystal glasses.

There was no smoke of war here.

Only the clinking of glasses and the rustle of clothes.

Lin Fan wore a custom-tailored suit, holding a glass of red wine.

He didn't like such occasions.

He would rather go back to his villa to count points than fake smiles with a group of people here.

But he was the protagonist now.

There was no escaping it.

“Pavilion Master Lin, congratulations! You are young and promising!”

“Senior Colonel Lin, I am from the Kyoto Zhao Family, let’s have tea together sometime.”

“Brother Lin Fan, I’m from the class next door...”

Wave after wave of people surrounded him.

There were scions of aristocratic families, rising stars of the military, and socialites eager to climb the social ladder.

Lin Fan wore an impeccable professional fake smile.

He accepted all comers, flawlessly.

“You’re too kind, too kind.”

“Absolutely, absolutely.”

“Next time, a discount.”

He was like a slippery loach, weaving through the crowd, yet remaining untouched.

Qin Feng followed behind him, acting as a shield.

“Sorry, Brother Fan isn’t discussing business tonight.”

“Excuse me, excuse me, Brother Fan is going to toast.”

Finally getting rid of the swarm of admirers.

Lin Fan hid in a corner of the banquet hall and loosened his tie.

“These people are even more troublesome than exotic beasts.”

Lin Fan took a sip of wine and muttered.

“Of course.”

Qin Feng was holding a large lobster, his mouth greasy from eating.

“To them, you are now a walking Tang Monk’s flesh.”

“Who wouldn’t want a bite?”

“Especially the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, that piece of fat meat, how many families in Kyoto are envious of it.”