Song Heguo's words were very pertinent. Fifty years was almost a third of a lifespan for an ordinary cultivator.
Using fifty years to assess someone determined to atone was neither excessive nor too lenient a punishment.
Everyone understood, and Sima Tu understood even more so!
Although the consequences of breaking the agreement were severe, they were insignificant as long as he adhered to his oath today.
Thus, he quickly kowtowed in thanks.
"Thank you, Commander, for your magnanimity. I will certainly remember my oath at all times. Should I violate it, I am willing to accept any punishment!"
Seeing Sima Tu's attitude, Song Heguo nodded and turned to Su Kunyu.
"Little Su, this person is your soldier. I'll leave the supervision of this matter to you, alright?"
Su Kunyu did not refuse and quickly replied.
"It is my duty, and I am obliged to serve!"
After speaking, he once again pronounced the sentence to Sima Tu.
"Sima Tu maliciously violated the principles of the New Recruit Arena Competition. The circumstances are severe. His results in the New Recruit Arena Competition are hereby nullified. Considering his good attitude in admitting his mistake, he is now permitted to be assigned to the veteran battalion and will fight on the front lines against superhumans for a period of fifty years. If his performance is good, he will be promoted normally; otherwise, his offense will be compounded, and he will be severely punished."
Hearing this verdict, everyone was largely satisfied.
However, Su Kunyu then shifted his tone and politely pointed to Han Lang on the stage, saying again.
"New recruit Han Lang possesses outstanding strength and is both talented and virtuous. He is now appointed as the first squad leader of the New Recruit Battalion. Exercising his champion's privilege, he may arbitrarily select four members for his squad. Next, let's give a round of applause to Han Lang. The new recruits await his selection!"
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from below the stage.
Simultaneously, everyone was eager to try, raising their right hands high, hoping to gain Han Lang's favor and have the honor of becoming a member of his team.
Discussions immediately broke out.
"Pick me, Brother Han Lang! I'm at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, with intermediate-grade Profound tier martial skills and a mid-grade spiritual artifact!"
"Hmph! With your strength, you think you can gain Brother Han's favor? You're just a defeated opponent of mine. It's more suitable to pick me!"
"Are you two getting too carried away? There are so many cultivators at the late stage of Foundation Establishment in the New Recruit Battalion; filling one squad is more than enough. How could it possibly be your turn?"
"You can't say that! Brother Han Lang's strength is already so formidable. Perhaps he values character more than strength?"
"Exactly! Although I also feel we don't stand much of a chance, we must have dreams, right? What if they come true?"
Hearing the discussions below, Han Lang was instantly enveloped in a vortex of praise, as if he were the center of the universe.
However, regarding the selection of his teammates, his mind was already made up.
Thus, he rubbed his nose with a hint of embarrassment and then said.
"Fellow comrades, please remain calm! Han Lang is untalented but has fortunately won the championship of the arena competition. However, there are only four slots for the new recruit squad. Even if Han Lang wished to, he lacks the ability to become a comrade shoulder-to-shoulder with every single brother!"
"Furthermore, Han Lang already has a plan for his squad members. Therefore, brothers, regardless of whether you are in my squad or not, we will remain trustworthy comrades in the future. I implore you not to elevate Han Lang too highly. Let us serve our country together!"
Han Lang's intention was to appease everyone's emotions.
But for some reason, after hearing his words, everyone's focus shifted entirely.
"Ah? Brother Han Lang already has his chosen candidates in mind?"
"Then we weren't familiar with him before! Does that mean we have no chance?"
"I believe in Brother Han Lang's judgment. He definitely won't choose someone unknown!"
"That's for sure! Otherwise, in future missions, wouldn't he be bringing along a bunch of dead weight?"
"I'm certain he will choose from the many new recruits at the late stage of Foundation Establishment!"
"I'm also very curious, which brothers will receive Han Lang's special attention!"
At this point, everyone fell silent.
They all focused on Han Lang standing on the stage, perusing the entire list of rankings from the New Recruit Arena Competition, holding their breath as they waited for him to announce the first name.
"The first teammate I wish to select is Tang Qin, ranked tenth in the New Recruit Arena Competition!"
Although she had already known Han Lang's choice, Tang Qin walked onto the stage with a heart full of emotion under the gaze of everyone, standing proudly behind Han Lang.
Upon seeing Tang Qin, everyone began to discuss again.
"Why is it a girl? Could Brother Han Lang have something going on with her?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? We are all cultivators; what are you filling your heads with!"
"Exactly! Although Tang Qin's strength is only around the early stage of Foundation Establishment, achieving tenth place in the arena competition proves her strength is not to be underestimated!"
"Precisely! Let's see who Brother Han Lang chooses as his second teammate!"
The discussions abruptly ceased. Han Lang looked at the list again and loudly announced.
"The second teammate I wish to select is Ma Long, ranked seventh in the New Recruit Arena Competition!"
Hearing his name, Ma Long walked onto the stage with pride mixed with a hint of shyness, excitedly high-fived Han Lang, and then obediently stood behind Han Lang, next to Tang Qin.
"The third teammate I wish to select is Tang Geng, ranked fourth in the New Recruit Arena Competition!"
Tang Geng smiled faintly, walked onto the stage with a calm demeanor, exchanged a slight glance with Han Lang, and nodded. He then moved to Ma Long's side, receiving a forceful fist bump from Ma Long.
"The last teammate I wish to select..."
Han Lang paused at this point.
He had not yet decided on this last spot.
He had originally planned to discuss it with Ma Long and the other two after the arena competition ended.
However, given the current situation and the high spirits of everyone, it was not convenient for him to turn and communicate openly with Ma Long and the other two.
Helplessly,
He could only keep flipping through the list, hoping to find a new recruit on the roster whose name he had heard and whose character was generally good, to become his teammate.
However, this action of his reignited everyone's passion.
"Look quickly, look! Brother Han Lang seems to have no clear idea for the last spot!"
"Yes! This means we all have a chance!"
"I hope Lady Luck favors me and my name appears before Brother Han Lang!"
"What is Lady Luck? We cultivators don't believe in that. It's better to pray to the Supreme Lord Laozi!"
While filled with anticipation, everyone made light-hearted jokes.
Han Lang, however, was genuinely experiencing indecision.
Because he had not paid attention to the other arenas during the competition, he was unfamiliar with others.
Therefore, after a long time of choosing, he still hadn't found a name he wanted.
Just as he was growing anxious, Han Lang's peripheral vision caught sight of Zhao Wu in the crowd, looking indignant.
At this moment, Zhao Wu was sulking because Han Lang had become the champion of the New Recruit Arena Competition and was enjoying the highest honor of a new recruit.
Seeing this, Han Lang found it somewhat amusing, and at the same time, he made up his mind, a plan forming in his mind.
"After the minor incident with Sima Tu, I saw the broad-mindedness and tolerance of the special forces from Commander Song and Battalion Commander Su. I am deeply moved!"
"Here, we should put aside past grievances, help each other, be tolerant of each other, and jointly defend our great nation of Xia!"
"Therefore, I have decided! For the last teammate, I will choose a comrade who has always misunderstood me deeply, and even harbored some hostility towards me!"
"He is Zhao Wu, the third-place finisher in the New Recruit Arena Competition!"