171 To Be Bestowed the Rank of a General, Extinguish a Species! (1/2)

The delivery of the missive was followed swiftly by a voice transmission from Chen Yutong.

”Junior Brother Baole, you should've received the missive as well. We'll be traveling to the seventh stronghold to support the repair and restoration of the composite Numinous Treasure. Nearly all of us Dharmic Armament Pavilion disciples have been dispatched to the different primary strongholds. There are a few who will be traveling with me—you, Zhou Penghai, and someone called Sun Fang will be in my team.

”There are seven great generals in the Federation. The general stationed at the seventh primary stronghold is Zhou Dexi. Junior Brother Baole, do you know what it takes to be a general? It takes a primary stronghold, a ninth-grade Dharmic Armament, a conquest of new lands for mankind—it is the utmost glory!”

Chen Yutong's voice was overwhelmed with excitement, as if he was brimming with anticipation for the mission to support the war efforts.

”If one wishes to become a general, one must extinguish an entire species! Annihilate any one of the top twenty species found in the Beast Records, destroy the entire bloodline, and one will receive the honored rank of general!

”Every time that a new general appears, the Federation will declare a war of expansion on the wilderness where the monsters reside. A new primary stronghold will be built in the newly conquered lands. There, we will light the Eternal Smoke Signal that will strike fear straight into the hearts of the monsters!

”The Eternal Smoke Signal is a ninth-grade Dharmic Armament crafted by all living top-rate Dharmic Armament cultivators who have been gathered by the Federation, made from the spirit blood of the extinguished species.

”My passion is to create a living puppet, and my dream has always been… to destroy an entire monster species, to become a general, and for an eighth primary stronghold to appear in the Federation, lighting the eighth Eternal Smoke Signal!”

Chen Yutong's words climbed steadily toward a near-feverish intensity as he shared his dream. He continued speaking with inexhaustible excitement before ending the voice transmission with their date of departure.

Wang Baole placed the voice transmission token away and took a deep breath. His expression became solemn as his mind digested what Chen Yutong had said.

Wang Baole was cautious but hardly a coward; prone to anger, even more so toward violence; forceful to the extent of being overly aggressive. He understood that the threat of the monsters was akin to a sharp sword hanging over the Federation's head. Many even believed that the second Beast War would inevitably break out in the future.

With regard to the general status and the Eternal Smoke Signal… Wang Baole felt that neither were what his final goal was. That was because his dream was to become the Federation President!

If exterminating one monster species is what it takes to become a general, then to become the Federation President, I'll have to at least exterminate ten monster species, expand our lands and build ten primary strongholds, and light ten Eternal Smoke Signals. Else, I won't be able to keep the generals in order.

Taking a deep breath, a fierce light burned in his eyes. He held the same fervor as Chen Yutong when it came to conquering new lands.

With that thought, Wang Baole started his preparations. He organized his Dharmic Artifacts and sold quite a few pills. During that period, he noticed the daily cruisers, each ferrying three to five people, dashing through the layered clouds from one place to another—disciples who had set off early for their respective assigned strongholds.

His eyes shone with anticipation as he saw them off. Three days later, after he had purchased all his necessities for the trip, the day of departure as agreed upon with Chen Yutong arrived.

Wang Baole left his cave abode early that morning and headed straight for the disciplinary department. He was in high spirits and greatly looking forward to the mission.

He soon reached the disciplinary department and spotted Zhou Penghai and Sun Fang. The pair had arrived early and were waiting for Chen Yutong and Wang Baole.

Sun Fang seemed especially nervous. He was speaking in hushed, respectful tones beside Zhou Penghai while his eyes wandered all over the place. Upon seeing Wang Baole, he sucked in a deep breath and took a few hurried steps toward Wang Baole. Wang Baole was hardly given any time to approach before Sun Fang cupped his fists hastily and bowed deeply.

”Fang Sun greets Senior Brother Wang!”

When Zhou Penghai, who had been standing alongside Sun Fang, heard that, an odd expression fell across his face. He had caught wind of news that Sun Fang had been referring to himself as Fang Sun. At present, after observing Sun Fang's behavior before Wang Baole, he could not help but smile. He cupped his fists and greeted Wang Baole, a tinge of deference in his demeanor.

Wang Baole broke out into laughter as well after seeing how quickly Sun Fang had fallen in line. He gave Sun Fang a pat on the shoulder before greeting Zhou Penghai warmly and drawing the latter into a lively conversation.

As for Sun Fang, he felt as if a burden had been lifted off him with that mere pat on the shoulder from Wang Baole. A great portion of the heaviness that had been weighing upon his heart finally dispersed. His spirits excited and energized, he remained cautious as he stood beside the two, nodding incessantly in agreement regardless of what Wang Baole or Zhou Penghai said.

Not much time passed before Chen Yutong also appeared, fully equipped. He looked at Wang Baole and the rest, laughed, and without saying a word, retrieved his cruiser.

Chen Yutong's cruiser was incomparable to Wang Baole's. It was of unquestionably superior quality, could seat ten people, and was painted completely silver. Its mere appearance was exceptional.

”Let's set off!” With a wave of his hand, Chen Yutong leapt on board. Wang Baole followed his lead, followed by Zhou Penghai and finally the meek Sun Fang.

Once everyone had gathered onboard, Chen Yutong took a deep breath as his eyes shone brightly.

”Everyone, let's all pull together as a team for this mission. I hope that when we return, no one will be left behind!”