The Legend of the Dragon King

“Thank you.” A genial smile appeared on Tang Wulin’s face. It was a genuinely thankful expression. With his good looks and his smile that resembled the sun, it was innate in him to be on the good side of most people.

The first lieutenant stood up and said, “Follow me. It’s been quite some time since we have newcomers. Handsome young lad, I must remind you, no matter where you’re from or what your origins were, never be arrogant. The Blood God Army is not your ordinary army. Those who were recommended here are all proud sons of the gods. But, those who remain make up less than one-third of the initial numbers. You’re a polite young lad. I hope that you can stay.”

Tang Wulin asked, “Are we beginning the assessment now? Is there no need for any registration?”

The first lieutenant replied, “There’s no need. You’ve already proven your identity, that’s why you’re here. Besides, before you pass the assessment, any form of registration is meaningless. As to why we’re commencing now, the reason’s simple. The enemy won’t ever tell you when they’re coming.”

After he heard her final sentence, Tang Wulin immediately focused his gaze. The scene of the sudden attack on Shrek City was something that he could never forget.

“You’re right.”

The first lieutenant brought Tang Wulin out of the room, and they went to a place that resembled a warehouse. “You can pick any weapon you like here. Take note that where you’ll be undergoing the assessment later, you won’t be able to use your soul power. You can only rely on your physical self and the weapons here. So, pick one that you’re familiar with.”

An assessment where he would not be able to use soul power? Tang Wulin was shocked. In that case, would his bloodline power be affected?

Inside the warehouse, there was a dazzling array of weapons. There were many modern soul weapons which included beam assault rifles and soul cannons. They were available in all varieties. There were even mobile versions designed for an individual soldier’s use.

Tang Wulin recognized only a third of the weapons here, but he knew how to use those he recognized. After contemplating for a bit, Tang Wulin eventually picked a long, dark alloy rod. Although he could not utilize his bloodline power, he had confidence in his strength. He might not be an expert in the long-range soul weapons, but he knew how to operate them. If he was going to fight a mecha, he would consider using the long-range weapons.

When she saw Tang Wulin picking a long rod, the first lieutenant raised her eyebrows slightly. There was a hint of regret in her eyes.

“I see you insist on choosing pride. Come with me.” Her tone was slightly hostile, but she said nothing more. The first lieutenant brought him out of the warehouse to the center of the barracks. They were inside an exceptionally huge building.

The top of the building was shaped like a cone. It was the tallest building in the barracks and was about fifty meters tall. They went in through a side door. Tang Wulin finally met the other soldiers.

There were dozens of people inside. They wore smart, white military uniforms. There was the Snow Condor emblem displayed on their chests just like the one on his recommendation letter. None of them took note of Tang Wulin who was led by the first lieutenant. However, Tang Wulin noticed, from the insignia on their shoulders, that they were all officers. The lowest of their ranks was that of a second lieutenant. There were no privates.

Could this be the Blood God Army’s command center?

The first lieutenant brought Tang Wulin to an elevator at the side. The elevator doors slid open. When both of them stepped into the elevator, an ice cold voice sounded.

“Wait.”

Another person stepped into the elevator.

Tang Wulin’s eyes brightened. It was a female soldier that walked in. Her shoulder was decorated with a major’s insignia. She was the same female major who brought Tang Wulin to the barracks. Currently, she had taken off her thick jacket and wore only her white military uniform. Her snow-white military uniform was well-ironed with hardly any creases. With the golden insignia on her shoulders, she looked valiant and heroic.

“Major!” the first lieutenant immediately saluted her. The female major also hammered her own chest. However, the action looked awkward for a woman. She had a slender and tall build with beautiful looks. Nonetheless, she had a heroic spirit that was absent in ordinary women. Even so, it did not impede her physical development. When she hammered her chest with her right hand, waves rippled down her body. It made Tang Wulin’s lips twitch.

“I’ll be in charge of his assessment. You may return to your post,” said the major lowering her voice.

The first lieutenant was slightly stunned. “You’re personally taking charge?”

The major nodded, “Yes. I monitored his journey in the mountains. So, I’ll take charge of his assessment.”

“Understood!” the first lieutenant saluted her again. She then exited the elevator in great strides.

The elevator doors shut. Tang Wulin could sense that the elevator was descending. In the closed and slightly cramped space, it was just him and the female major.

Tang Wulin cleared his throat. “Good day, major. My name’s Tang Wulin.”

“Call me senior officer,” said the female major coldly.

“Understood. Good day, senior officer,” Tang Wulin hastily added.

“Stand upright!” shouted the female major.

Tang Wulin was slightly shocked. He then stood straight as a ramrod. He was not used to being shouted at in a commanding tone. However, when he remembered the first lieutenant’s words, he kept his silence.

The female major said nothing more, nor did she introduce herself. After a brief moment, the elevator bell rang with a crisp “Ding!”. The elevator doors slid open.

They exited the elevator and stepped into a metal corridor, much to Tang Wulin’s amazement. They walked along the corridor and made a left turn. The major brought Tang Wulin into a room.

Upon entering the room, Tang Wulin’s face immediately registered shock. The room hit him with a blast of nostalgia.

This was…

Why did it resemble the entrance to the Spirit Pagoda’s spirit ascension platform? It was the intermediate spirit ascension platform to boot. Glass covers were erected around the room. Judging by their sizes, he had no doubt that they were meant to accommodate people with standing room inside.

The major walked up to the control desk and began operating the machine. Her hands moved quickly as they flitted across the keyboard. A series of crisp clicking sounds could be heard.

Two glass covers slowly opened. Various instruments in the room lit up as well.

“Have you been to the spirit ascension platform before?” The major turned toward Tang Wulin to ask.

“I have,” answered Tang Wulin honestly.

The major nodded and said, “Your assessment will be similar to what you’ve experienced in the spirit ascension platform. Your mission is simple. You’re to protect me until the assessment ends.”

“Understood.” Tang Wulin nodded and walked toward one of the glass covers.

As she looked at his back, the major squinted her eyes slightly. Then, she swiftly followed him. “Let me remind you that you won’t be able to use your soul power inside. You can only use the weapon in your hands, do you understand?”

“Understood.” The first lieutenant had reminded him earlier. At the same time, Tang Wulin made a quick judgment of the assessment. It was similar to the spirit ascension platform. He would not be able to use his soul power but could only rely on his physical abilities to fight.

He went under the glass covers, and it slowly closed shut. Metal plates immediately attached themselves onto his body. A metal hoop behind him kept his body in place. His surroundings gradually brightened.

Tang Wulin had not been to the spirit ascension platform for a long time. He shut his eyes and felt the changes in his surroundings silently. There was a slight pricking pain in his limbs and bones. The sensation traveled all the way to his brain. His body broke out in spasms, and his mind went blank.

Tang Wulin could faintly feel the stimulus from the electric currents with the changes in the data wave and the shockwave from the spatial energy.

He had not felt anything like this before. It was because his spiritual power had already reached the Spirit Abyss realm. That was why he felt such vivid sensations.

It was bearable. When he opened his eyes again, he discovered that he was amidst a snowy terrain. He still held the metal rod. What shocked him more was when he looked around, he saw the barracks which he had arrived at not long ago.