High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 368: The Seventh Star Realm

A stocky man of about thirty-five or thirty-six named Chen Wu grinned at Xu Wuyi. "Let’s watch each other’s backs."

Xu Wuyi nodded. "We’ll have each other’s backs."

The barracks were more spartan than he had imagined, but they had all the necessary facilities.

Two military cots, two lockers, a small table, and a private restroom in the corner.

Xu Wuyi set down his gear and quickly made his bed.

Chen Wu asked while unpacking his things, "Xu Wuyi... that name sounds familiar. Aren’t you the one who won the youth championship recently?"

"That’s me."

"Whoa!" Chen Wu’s eyes lit up. "So it is! Impressive. Winning the championship in your second year, and now you’ve come all the way out here to be stationed."

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Bro, for a Genius like you... the academy was willing to let you leave?"

"I requested it myself," Xu Wuyi said.

"You’ve got guts." Chen Wu gave him a thumbs-up. "But this place isn’t the ring. The Star Beasts fight to the death. Be careful."

"Thanks for the warning."

「Half an hour later, at the command post.」

Zhao Tieshan stood before a massive holographic sand table. It clearly displayed the terrain along each section of the defensive line, the locations of the outposts, and the known Star Beast activity zones.

"Over the next fifteen days, the overall situation in the defense zone will be stable, but harassment from small groups of Star Beasts will be frequent." Zhao Tieshan’s finger tapped the western side of the sand table. "This is especially true for the ’Gray Rock Hills’ area. We’ve recently detected multiple signs of ’Ironclaw Wolf Pack’ activity, with pack sizes ranging from thirty to fifty. They show a tendency of approaching the defensive line."

"All squads are to rotate patrols. If you discover a wolf pack, report it immediately. Do not engage without authorization."

"Furthermore—" He paused, his gaze shifting to the Fifth Squad, which included Xu Wuyi. "Command has just received an order. We need to dispatch an elite squad to the ’Red Iron Mine Area’ for a garrison mission."

Zhou Heng frowned slightly. "The Red Iron Mine Area? Isn’t there a permanent mining team stationed there?"

"The permanent mining team was attacked by a ’Cavern Spider Swarm’ last week. They took over fifty percent casualties, and the mine’s defenses are now wide open," Zhao Tieshan said gravely. "But the military command urgently needs a batch of high-purity red iron. The deadline is five days."

"Command has decided that the Fifth Squad will be responsible for escorting three engineers and two mining mechs to the mine. You will then be stationed there for three days to ensure the completion of the mining operation."

Zhou Heng’s expression soured.

The escort mission sounded simple, but the Red Iron Mine Area was a good eighty kilometers from the defensive line, and the route passed through two high-danger zones.

Moreover, being garrisoned at the mine for three days meant they would spend nearly half of their fifteen-day tour of duty outside the main defensive line.

"Deputy Commander Zhao, our squad just took on a new member. We haven’t developed our synergy yet. Would another squad be more suitable?" Zhou Heng tried to reason.

Zhao Tieshan shot him a look. "This is an order. With Xu Wuyi, the Fifth Squad’s overall combat strength is sufficient. Besides, this mission offers bonus merits, calculated at double the wartime rate."

Zhou Heng fell silent.

The bonus merits were certainly enticing. At double the rate, each person stood to gain at least an extra five hundred merits from this one mission.

"When do we depart?"

"Early tomorrow morning. Spend today familiarizing yourselves with the defensive line, inspecting your gear, and preparing for departure."

...

Back in the barracks, Zhou Heng called a squad meeting.

Besides Zhou Heng and Xu Wuyi, the other four squad members were Chen Wu (Level 36, Shield Warrior), Zhang Yuan (Level 35, Archer), Li Hongwei (Level 36, Agility-type), and Wang Hai (Level 37, Heavy Weapons).

"You all heard the briefing." Zhou Heng’s face was stern. "The Red Iron Mine Area is far away, the journey is dangerous, and we have to stand guard there for three days. Anyone who doesn’t want to go can request a transfer now. I won’t force you."

No one said a word.

Chen Wu grinned. "We’re already here, Captain. What’s there to be scared of? And besides, double merits."

Zhang Yuan, polishing his composite bow, said flatly, "I have no problem with it."

Li Hongwei and Wang Hai also nodded their assent.

Zhou Heng looked at Xu Wuyi. "Brother Xu, what about you? You’re a student, so by rights, you can opt out of a high-risk mission like this."

"I’m in," Xu Wuyi answered decisively.

’He had come to the Star Realm for real combat experience and resources. The mining mission was time-consuming, but the double merits made it more than worth it.’

’Besides, there was bound to be combat during the escort and garrison duties—exactly what he needed.’

"Good." Zhou Heng nodded. "Next, let’s assign roles. Chen Wu, Wang Hai, you’re responsible for protecting the engineers and the mechs. Zhang Yuan, Hongwei, you’re on watch and reconnaissance. Xu Wuyi, you and I will act as the main assault force to handle any emergencies."

"Understood."

"Now, head to the armory and draw extra supplies. Everyone take two extra days’ worth of rations and water. Ammunition and Energy blocks are to be issued at one and a half times the standard loadout."

...

At dusk, Xu Wuyi stood atop a watchtower on the defensive wall, gazing into the depths of the Star Realm.

Beneath a dark red sky, the wasteland stretched endlessly into the distance. Occasionally, the silhouettes of Star Realm creatures could be seen wandering far away.

The wind was strong, carrying grit and a faint, cloying stench.

Chen Wu climbed up and handed him an Energy Bar.

"Have a taste. It’s military-issue special supply. Doesn’t taste like much, but it’ll fill you up."

Xu Wuyi took it, tore open the wrapper, and took a bite. The texture was coarse, but it was packed with a surprising amount of Energy.

"First time in the Star Realm?" Chen Wu asked, leaning against the crenelated wall.

"I’ve done missions in the Star Realm before, but I’ve never been to the Seventh Star Realm."

"The Seventh Star Realm is one of the better ones," Chen Wu said, gazing into the distance. "At least the terrain is pretty normal. Some of the other Star Realms are outrageous—abnormal Gravity, toxic air... you have to activate your shield just to take a few steps."

Xu Wuyi listened in silence.

"It’s not easy here, though," Chen Wu sighed. "The Star Beasts are numerous, and they’re getting smarter. They used to just brainlessly charge the defensive line. Now they’ve learned hit-and-run tactics, specifically targeting our weak points."

"Are the Ironclaw Wolf packs that much trouble?"

"Big trouble." Chen Wu’s expression was grave. "A single Ironclaw Wolf isn’t strong, only about equivalent to a Level 30 Martial Artist. But they’re pack animals, moving in groups of dozens or even hundreds, and they have perfect coordination. Once they surround you, they can just wear you down to death."

He looked at Xu Wuyi. "Be careful on the road tomorrow, especially when passing through ’Black Wind Canyon’ and the ’Forest of Withered Bones.’ The Ironclaw Wolves frequent those areas."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

...

The night passed without incident.

At six the next morning, the Fifth Squad was geared up and ready.

The three engineers were all middle-aged men in their forties, wearing heavy protective suits and looking nervous.

The two mining mechs stood about five meters tall. They resembled upright crabs, their front-mounted drills and mechanical arms glinting coldly.

After confirming everyone was in position, Zhou Heng sent a departure request to the command post.

"Fifth Squad, Mission Number ST-775, escort duty. Moving out now!"

The side gate of the outpost opened slowly.

The squad formed a diamond formation, shielding the engineers and mechs in the center as they marched out from behind the defensive line.

The wasteland wind immediately blasted them, thick with sand and dust.