A World Worth Protecting

1

The Eternal Smoke Signal rose for more than thirty meters, appearing spectacular from afar and breathtaking up close.

One could not see its source or fathom how it came to be; what was clear in one’s eyes were the rings that rose steadily and endlessly heavenward, expanded across the blue skies, and transformed into spirals in the skies. It was like a giant eye hung upon the heavens.

An earth-shattering spirit force could be felt within the smoke signal, the potency of which felt so strong it seemed as if it could, upon triggering, level mountains. Even True Breath realm cultivators like Wang Baole and Chen Yutong would be instantly disintegrated.

“Ninth-grade Dharmic Armament! The most powerful Dharmic Armament that the Federation is capable of crafting at present!” Chen Yutong sucked in a deep breath. Beside him, Wang Baole’s breathing hastened as well.

The smoke signal was indeed a staggering sight. However, it was incomparable to the majestic imperial gate, the spike-ridden moat surrounding the metal walls… and beyond the imperial gate, the expanse of scorched lands and the vastly different spirit energy that spoke of a world that was drastically different from the Federation.

It was a world that seemed full of primordiality, of madness, and of violence!

“The seventh primary stronghold…” Wang Baole murmured to himself. Their cruiser approached the towering stronghold walls and, drawn by the array formation, lost all power suddenly. It was akin to being picked by an invisible hand and then placed within the walls among the countless camps.

As they descended, a dozen or so cruisers in the distance approached rapidly. They were disciples, like Wang Baole and the rest, from the various colleges. The cruisers were similarly drawn by the array and landed after another.

The camp site was vast and could accommodate a hundred thousand warriors. Upon their cruiser’s landing, Wang Baole and the rest disembarked; a warrior approached immediately, saluted, and led them away.

Wang Baole turned serious as he sensed the solemn atmosphere. Alongside Chen Yutong and the others, he went through a series of examinations and was led by the same warrior to the front of another tent.

“After you’ve registered here, you’ll receive your respective missions. Thank you all for your invaluable help!” The warrior who had led them there was a young man; he finished speaking then saluted them again.

“For mankind!”

Chen Yutong, Wang Baole, and the rest of the team cupped their fists and returned the salute respectfully. The young warrior turned away and went on to receive other newcomers.

Outside the tent, a hundred people stood waiting. Every one of them was in the True Breath realm. They wore different attire, coming from different Dao colleges. Some were excited, some were nervous, and others were silent. Some gazed repeatedly at the distant untamed wilderness, a cold light in their eyes.

“We have quite a number of people from the four Dao Colleges this around,” Chen Yutong whispered to Wang Baole. Wang Baole nodded. He noticed more people who had arrived after going through the examinations.

Time passed steadily as they waited. Chen Yutong was obviously well-known around there; people standing in front or behind them in the queue soon recognized him and came forward to say hello.

Some were from Upper Academy Island of Ethereal Dao College, but there were also quite a few from the other three Dao colleges. Chen Yutong greeted all of them with a smile. He was well-mannered and charming, laughing and chatting with them. During the conversations, he would bring Wang Baole in and introduce the latter.

Zhou Penghai and Sun Fang could only look on in envy at Chen Yutong, surrounded by friends, as well as Wang Baole, who was showered by constant attention from Chen Yutong. They were not in the same league, unable to compete against Chen Yutong and his wide social network across the four Dao Colleges.

However, they were soon surprised to find out that Wang Baole seemed equally capable in his ability to make friends.

“Wang Baole!”

“It’s Wang Baole!” Wang Baole was all smiles and friendliness to the people to whom Chen Yutong introduced him. Gradually, many of the new disciples from the four Dao Colleges started taking notice. When they caught his face, an odd look fell over their faces.

These were the people who had participated in the examination at Spirit Breath Village and had all advanced to become disciples in their respective colleges’ Upper Academies. They knew Wang Baole all too well. They smiled wryly, and some approached him to say hello.

As this went on, Chen Yutong’s curiosity grew. He tugged at Chen Yutong and asked in hushed tones.

“Junior Brother Baole, these people are giving you strange looks. What’s up with them?”

“It’s nothing. Basically, they all think I robbed them of their fortunes at Spirit Breath Village,” Wang Baole said, almost smugly. He briefly explained what had happened in Spirit Breath Village. Zhou Penghai and Sun Fang widened their eyes in amazement and fear, as if gazing at a godly figure before them.

A look fell over Chen Yutong’s face after he heard the story as well. He felt as if he had gained a whole new understanding of this junior brother of his. He patted Wang Baole on the shoulder and was about to say something when suddenly, a newcomer in the new batch of arrivals—a girl—saw Wang Baole and narrowed her eyes.

“Wang Baole!” The girl was wearing the robes of White Deer Dao College. Her pretty, petite features were marred by the glaring almond-shaped eyes and gnashing teeth.

“Li Yi?” Wang Baole turned his head and gave an enthusiastic wave.

This girl was Li Yi. She glared at Wang Baole, snorted, and turned her head the other way, ignoring him.

Chen Yutong, witnessing the scene before him, whispered to Wang Baole questioningly, “Also someone you got to know in Spirit Breath Village?”

“Yup. This girl is vicious. She wanted to strip me naked then. Luckily, I was careful, else I would have been in danger,” Wang Baole lamented.

Chen Yutong opened his mouth, as if to say something. Moments passed, and the words would not form. He simply shook his head and smiled wryly. As for Zhou Penghai and Sun Fang, they were once again stunned beyond words.

In the following time, the people waiting outside the tent got to know one another. Those queuing in the front entered the tent, and when they reappeared, they retrieved their cruisers and left. It was as if the registration dispelled the effects of the array formation on them.

Finally, the row of people ahead of Wang Baole stepped into the tent as well. Soon, it would be their turn. It was then that a shout resounded in the distance. The explosion of the sound barrier being broken pierced through the air.

It was an ear-piercing sound, driving pain into all who heard it. They were compelled to look upward, and when they did, the expressions on their faces changed. Wang Baole raised his head hastily. Beyond the stronghold wall, in the skies above the wilderness, three gigantic flying beasts were headed straight for the stronghold.

The three flying beasts had huge forms that spanned more than thirty meters. Their serpentine bodies were covered with feelers while countless pairs of wings grew on their backs. They were swift and looked ferocious. The waves of cultivation energy being emanated struck fear in everyone’s heart. The cultivation energy was more powerful than even that of Chen Yutong.

As the beasts dashed through the skies, the stronghold wall tremored. Three beams of light exploded from within. Their force was earth-shattering; it felt as if they could pierce the heavens itself. Where the light passed, they left scorching heat in their paths. The three flying beasts tried to escape but to no avail. Light pierced through their bodies, and the beasts exploded into clouds of dust, killed instantly!

“That’s the Fire God Cannon!” Chen Yutong exclaimed, excitement bright in his eyes.

“The Federation gathered all its top-tier Dharmic Armament cultivators, who researched and fused hundreds of Numinous Treasures together to finally craft a great cannon of devastating, destructive power!

“That is the mission that the Dao College has given us—protect and repair the Fire God Cannon!”

Wang Baole was taken aback by the Fire God Cannon’s destructive power. Then, he realized that the warriors around him had not once raised their heads during the commotion. It was only then that he realized that perhaps for the warriors, who were stationed here year round, such incidents were a common sight.

“This is what the frontier is like…” Wang Baole calmed himself down. He had noticed the Fire God Cannon that Chen Yutong spoke of when he had been traveling in the skies earlier. As he immersed deep in thought, a group of people who had entered the tent stepped out. They bade Wang Baole and his friends farewell, retrieved their cruisers, and left.

Chen Yutong took a deep breath and looked over at Wang Baole. Both of them entered the tent, one after another. Zhou Penghai and Sun Fang hastily suppressed their feelings of shock and awe as they swiftly followed.

The tent was not too spacious. Four warriors stood on two sides; in the middle was a table, and behind the table sat a young woman. She was dressed in uniform and had an air of alertness and competency to her. A more diligent observer might have been able to discern the untamed wildness in her eyes.

Zhou Penghai’s and Sun Fang’s eyes brightened when they saw the young woman. Chen Yutong remained unfazed. As for Wang Baole, he was flabbergasted.

<em>Not this… </em>Wang Baole subconsciously touched his nose. This was not going well. The young woman before them turned out to be Zhou Lu.

Zhou Lu saw Wang Baole as well. She did not seem the slightest bit surprised. She had gotten hold of the list of names prior and knew that Wang Baole would be coming.

Her eyes were like frost. She eyed Wang Baole up, then sneered.

“Wang Baole, remember me?”

Her words caught Zhou Penghai, Sun Fang, and Chen Yutong by surprise. They looked toward Wang Baole in unison. The people who recognized Wang Baole in this stronghold seemed to keep growing larger and larger in number.

Wang Baole blinked. If this had been Ethereal Dao College, based on Wang Baole’s character, his admission might have been without question, but he was in enemy territory now; a momentary retreat was nothing to be ashamed of. He looked at Zhou Lu with surprise and confusion.

“Fair lady, you know me?”

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