The anti-riot vehicle stopped in the compound of the Martial Arts Bureau. After alighting, everyone saw a young man in his thirties wearing the combat uniform of a squadron leader from the Investigation Brigade.
"Hahaha, He Feng, I knew the First Intermediate Martial Arts Academy would have you leading the team. I specifically requested you and your squad from the captain to join my squadron," the newcomer said warmly, pulling He Feng's arm.
He Feng introduced everyone, "Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Li Wenyan, our direct leader for this operation. Wenyan and I were classmates at the First Intermediate Martial Arts Academy, and we are both students of Dean Li."
Then, Li Wenyan greeted everyone, "Hello, junior brothers and sisters. I am Li Wenyan, squadron leader of the Third Squadron, Investigation Brigade. You will all be integrated into the Third Squadron under my command for this operation. During the operation, you must obey orders and not act on your own. In private, you can call me 'senior brother'; there's no need to be so formal."
"Now, I'll give all junior brothers and sisters 30 minutes to rest and prepare. Then we'll head to the mission location. The specific mission details will be discussed in the vehicle." After speaking, Li Wenyan had someone lead the students to the lounge.
"He Feng, the captain specifically instructed me to prioritize safety. Is there anything different about this batch of students?" Li Wenyan asked He Feng.
"If I had to say what's different, it's the talent and the background. Don't be fooled by their highest being Bronze Peak and lowest being Bronze Initial. They all possess combat power that can contend with a higher rank. Their backgrounds are even more terrifying. Here, read this and destroy it afterward," he said, handing Li Wenyan a piece of paper.
Zhang Lingxiu: 17 years old, Bronze Peak, can contend with Silver Initial. The youngest daughter of Lord Zhenlei, Zhang Zhen.
Xiao Hanyi: 16 years old, Bronze Peak, has a record of killing Silver Initial. The personal disciple of the Assassin King, Xiao Wuhen.
Jiang Zheng: 16 years old, Bronze Middle Tier, possesses combat power that contends with a higher rank. The grandson of the Sixth Group Army Commander, Jiang Zhongtian. What's most terrifying about this kid isn't his combat strength, but his strategy, command, and analysis.
He Dazhuang: 16 years old, Bronze Middle Tier. Direct descendant of the He family outside the pass. I don't need to elaborate on how formidable the He family is, right? His father is He Kuang, the 'Northeast Tiger,' currently aiming to reach the Lord-level realm.
An Ya: 15 years old, Bronze Middle Tier. Granddaughter of the divine doctor An Taiping, her ability is healing.
Bai Qing: 15 years old, Bronze Middle Tier. Direct descendant of the Bai family, a formation master.
Yang Tingting: 15 years old, Bronze Middle Tier. Direct descendant of the Yang family, an illusionist.
Zhang Cong: 16 years old, Bronze High Tier. Son of the Diamond-level expert Shui Gui, Zhang Lang. His underwater combat skills need no further mention, right?
Leng Shan: 16 years old, Bronze High Tier. Son of the Diamond-level expert Hunter King, Leng Feng. Tracking, counter-tracking, setting traps, and wilderness survival – he's inherited it all from his father.
Lin Zhan: 14 years old. Just two days ago, he was Bronze Middle Tier. His maternal grandfather is Lord Xunfeng, Ouyang Chengshan. His paternal grandfather is Lin Tian, and his father is Lin Shanhe. He has awakened the Lin family's Overlord Blade technique and is also a Beast Tamer. His combat power is unknown.
"Hiss, these kids are too terrifying," Li Wenyan gasped, his voice filled with shock. "Many of them should have been promoted to advanced martial arts academies long ago. Why are they still here? And Lin Zhan, what's the deal with his unknown combat power?" Li Wenyan crumbled the paper into dust.
"Everything was arranged by the higher-ups for Dean Li to cultivate them. But it's not hard to guess that in 30 years, each of these children will be a pillar of humanity, the future of humanity," He Feng mused. "As for Lin Zhan, I don't need to tell you how terrifying the Overlord Blade is. His first spirit beast is the Golden Dragon Python, the offspring of Linglong and Jin Jiao. He's never revealed his second spirit beast, but given his scheming personality and family resources, it should be quite something. Do you know what they call him in class? They call him Lin Lao Hei. That should tell you how cunning this kid is."
Li Wenyan gave a wry smile. "With these ancestors around, our task is already heavy enough. These scumbags from the Ten Thousand Races Church have caused a massive hemorrhage. The four major agricultural production zones in the suburbs have been attacked. Our mission is to Farm No. 10 in the northern agricultural production zone. All 287 people were killed."
He Feng analyzed, "We probably won't encounter Platinum-level or high-level Golden experts. After all, the main targets of the Ten Thousand Races Church are the high-level martial arts academies, the First Intermediate Martial Arts Academy, and these three spatial rifts in Xiangshan. And looking at the more than a dozen attacked locations, most are in the suburbs, designed to lure your Investigation Brigade away. The Golden-level experts at each attacked location probably won't exceed two. I'm worried about the opponent having a large number of Silver-level martial artists, as most of your team members and my students are Bronze-level."
"Alas, He Feng, you also know that humanity's main strength is defending on the various battlefields against the myriad races. Our rear has always been short-handed. We can only take it one step at a time. My brother and I will risk our lives to ensure these children are safe."
"Alright, assemble, prepare to depart."
The Third Squadron, with its 100 members, and the 10 students including Lin Zhan quickly assembled and formed ranks before boarding three armed personnel carriers.
"Everyone, pay attention. I will now outline our main mission for this operation. Farm No. 10 in the northern agricultural production zone was attacked by the Ten Thousand Races Church. All 287 people were killed. As Farm No. 10 is close to the suburban forest park, the higher authorities suspect that the attackers from the Ten Thousand Races Church have fled into the forest. Our mission is to find and annihilate all the attackers. Squads 1 to 6 will be led by me, responsible for searching for traces of the Ten Thousand Races Church and pursuing the attackers. Third Squadron Squads 7 to 10, along with the students from the Intermediate Martial Arts Academy, will be led by Teacher He Feng, serving as a rapid response force. They will act upon a signal and be responsible for support," Li Wenyan briefed everyone on the mission.
Four hours later. The three anti-riot vehicles arrived at the attacked Farm No. 10 in the northern agricultural production zone. After alighting, everyone formed ranks.
"Squads one and two, search towards the forest park. Be cautious and do not venture too deep into the forest. Report immediately if any trace is found. The rest will remain on standby and rest here."
"Wait a moment," He Feng interjected. "Let Lin Zhan, Leng Shan, and Xiao Hanyi go as well. Leng Shan will be responsible for searching. Lin Zhan, release Xiao Jin; the forest is the domain of spirit beasts. Xiao Hanyi will be responsible for vigilance. Be sure to prioritize safety."
"Yes," the three replied and headed towards the forest park with the first and second squads.
A group of twenty-three people followed the tracks to the edge of the forest park. The two squad leaders called Lin Zhan and the other two to the side. "It seems the enemy made no effort to conceal their tracks; they intended to lure us all into the forest for an ambush. We will lead our teams 2000 meters into the forest for reconnaissance. You three will return to report the situation to the squadron leader." The two squad leaders assigned the task this way, fearing that the three might encounter unexpected trouble.
"Two captains, this assignment is too dangerous for you. I suggest you send one team member back to report the situation, and then you two captains lead your teams forward for reconnaissance, but don't proceed too quickly. We three will advance from the left flank. We will form a pincer formation, ensuring that even if we are discovered, we can send a signal immediately. Moreover, with you in front, the enemy won't immediately target us three Bronze 'scraps' – they are after our main force," Lin Zhan suggested to the two squad leaders.