Volume One, Chapter 8: The Family Meeting

"What did you say?" Lu Jing asked, wiping a splash of blood from his face.

"Nothing, I didn't say anything," Cao Peng replied with a fawning smile.

Lu Jing didn't give it another thought and turned back to continue slaying the demonic beasts.

Meanwhile, Cao Peng couldn't help but think to himself, *Damn, I actually felt scared. What a pathetic disgrace I am.*

"Last one."

After severing the head of the final Phantom Rat, Lu Jing collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.

"Not bad, kid."

Leaning on his spear, Cao Peng stood shakily and gave him a thumbs-up.

Lu Jing tilted his head proudly but said nothing, as he lacked the strength even to speak.

"Ten-minute break, then we clear the battlefield."

According to regulations, all slain demonic beasts belonged to the squad.

"Understood."

The group spoke in unison.

Then began the harvesting process: slicing open skulls and extracting beast crystals. Lu Jing, however, added an extra step—he quietly absorbed the bloodline power from within the beasts.

Before long, the other team members returned; the battlefield had been cleared. There were seven of them in total.

Lu Jing led them over to meet the others.

"Let me introduce him. This is Lu Jing, a reserve member of the Yan Sha squad."

After this battle, the others truly recognized his strength from the bottom of their hearts.

The members behind him introduced themselves one by one.

A burly man in battle armor went first. "He Wei, Level 3 of the Fourth Awakening. The captain and I are responsible for the vanguard. Just call me Butcher."

A man with a hint of green in his hair smiled and said, "Lin Xin, Level 1 of the Fourth Awakening. I handle mid-line support and manage the team's finances."

A cold, stunning beauty dressed in fitted leather gear spoke in a detached tone: "Mid-line group, Ye Lan, Level 9 of the Third Awakening."

Another, more reticent person spoke last: "Zhao Jian, Level 5 of the Fourth Awakening."

Cao Peng grinned and said, "Cao Peng, rear guard, Level 2 of the Fourth Awakening."

Lu Jing looked at them with a serious expression. "Lu Jing, reserve team, Level 1 of the Second Awakening."

"You've reached the Second Awakening?"

Even the usually calm Zhao Yuxuan looked surprised.

Lu Jing nodded. "Yes, after this battle, I’ve ascended to the Second Awakening."

"That fast?"

Lu Jing nodded with a smile.

"This speed is heaven-defying," Lin Xin said, rubbing his chin and eyeing him up and down.

Lu Jing just smiled without answering.

With a cheating artifact in his hands, he was naturally playing the game on easy mode, though it was also true that the lower the level, the less spiritual energy required to upgrade.

"The six hundred and sixty-six beast crystals obtained this time will be converted into spirit stones by Lin Xin. One Level 4 Octagonal Thunder Rock Snake crystal will be given to Ye Lan for her awakening upgrade; the rest will be split equally among everyone. As for the carcasses, we’ll leave them to the military. Does anyone have any objections?"

"None."

"Split equally? I don't think I should," Lu Jing said. He knew his role in the team was still too small; taking an equal share would mean taking advantage of them.

"Objection overruled," Zhao Yuxuan said, flatly rejecting his proposal.

"That's right, that's right. Don't be shy, little brother. If we're talking about hitching a ride, aren't we all riding on the captain's coattails? We're all one team; there's no need to be so distant," Lin Xin said, draping an arm over his shoulder.

"Don't worry, everyone here isn't the type to nitpick over trifles," Cao Peng added.

"Alright then."

Seeing this, Lu Jing found it difficult to refuse further. He would tuck this kindness into his heart and remember to repay it later.

"This is for you." Zhao Yuxuan tossed him a spatial converter.

"This..." Lu Jing felt even more embarrassed and quickly tried to refuse. "Captain, this is too expensive."

Zhao Yuxuan shook his head. "Don't worry, this is one I used before. Take it and use it for now; when you can afford a new one later, you can just return it to me."

Lu Jing smiled and accepted it. "Thank you, Captain."

Zhao Yuxuan nodded. "Keep using the battle armor and Falling Leaf Blade you have for now. We’ll look into getting you proper gear later."

"Understood."

Lu Jing did not refuse; after all, he was currently in no position to do so.

On the way back, Cao Peng looked at Lu Jing from the transport vehicle. "I never imagined our Yan Sha squad would recruit a kid who hasn't even graduated from high school as a reserve."

"What, did you have other candidates?"

"Of course. As the number one squad in Wu City, there are many spirit-users who want to join us."

"Are you a spirit-user too?"

"No," Cao Peng waved his hand. "But besides me, they all are."

Lu Jing widened his eyes slightly. He hadn't realized the background of the Yan Sha squad was so impressive. That begged the question: how did Cao Peng manage to join? Most members of the Yan Sha squad were twenty-four or twenty-five years old; even the youngest, Ye Lan, was only twenty-three, having just graduated from Wu City University.

A group of youths like this, and they were the strongest squad in Wu City. Truly, heroes emerge from the young.

"Your future is still vast. Keep at it." Cao Peng had shed his usual flippancy, his expression turning serious.

In the front row, Zhao Yuxuan lowered his eyes upon hearing this, lost in thought.

Thinking back on that, Lu Jing finally realized he was filling someone else's spot.

When Lu Jing returned home, covered in filth, he terrified his parents.

"Were you in a fight?"

"Where are you hurt?"

His mother pulled him over, looking him up and down.

"I'm fine, just a few scratches."

Although he wore combat gear, once the suit was breached, he inevitably sustained some injuries.

"Old Lu, go get the safflower oil!"

"No, no, Mom and Dad, I have something to tell you."

"Alright."

"Mom, Dad, I've joined the Yan Sha squad."

"Huh?!"

Lu Jing dropped the bomb without any preamble.

"Is that the Yan Sha, the one?" His mother’s eyes were filled with excitement.

"Yes."

Lu Jing then covered his ears.

"Ah..."

A piercing, high-pitched soprano shriek echoed through the room. Indeed, Mrs. Lu was a die-hard fan of Captain Zhao Yuxuan.

Nowadays, those old celebrities and singers had all but vanished, and people no longer looked their way. Today, it was the warriors who were revered—after all, every one of them was a hero who risked their life!

"Can you get an autograph? The kind with a dedication?" His mother looked at him with stars in her eyes.

Lu Jing felt a headache coming on. "Mom, is that the point?"

"Wife, I'm getting jealous," his father said, patting his mother's hand pitifully. "Do you really adore that little boy that much?"

"Oh, goodness, I'm just appreciating him. My heart is only for you."

...

Lu Jing felt conflicted. Did these parents of his even have a conscience?

"Dad, I'm still right here." Seeing the two of them about to get mushy again, Lu Jing interrupted them.

His father gave him an annoyed glare.

"Have you really decided?" his father asked, looking at him properly for once.

"Yes. After all, some things have to be done."

"To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. Son, are you truly prepared?"

Lu Jing nodded. "Don't worry, I value my life very much."

"Then go do it. As parents, we have no right to interfere with your thoughts. If you want to do it, then go. But remember, you only have one life. When it's time to run, you run." His mother held Lu Jing's hand, speaking with deep sincerity.

"Mom, don't worry."

"Alright, go wash up and get some rest. Look at you, your legs are trembling from exhaustion."

"Mm."

His parents didn't ask how he had awakened early, and he didn't intend to tell them. This became an unspoken understanding between them.