Chapter 155: The General's Test

"A few magic crystals are nothing; I can certainly afford them. From now on, you must learn to obey. Without my command, you are absolutely forbidden to reveal your true form in front of others."

"Understood, Master."

The reason the Dragon Python became so obedient was partly because Xu Yang's strength was overwhelming; in its current state, it was utterly incapable of resisting him.

On the other hand, the Dragon Python's ultimate goal was to awaken its true dragon blood through bloodline atavism. Even the smallest, most diluted trace would represent a qualitative transformation.

Now that it had latched onto Xu Yang, this "little snake" had no intention of letting go easily.

"Let's go," Xu Yang said, giving his companions a look. Then, he soared into the sky on his sword and flew out of the Beast Mountain Range.

"My goodness! They, those few people, really did it?""Only four individuals, yet they managed to bring back an entire Warhawk Raid Squad from the heart of the Beast Mountain Range, completely unharmed! Such young talents are truly rare!""They are indeed the pride of Saint Soul Academy! With such brilliant minds, the future of the Yuan Yang Empire is limitless!"

Among the reservists, everyone was utterly dumbfounded to see the two girls leading and protecting the Warhawk team on their return. They were all discussing Xu Yang's group enthusiastically. Even General Hu was stunned, staring at the newcomers in shock.

"General, the mission is complete. Please award us our military service medals!" Ling Qingshu said, holding out her hand. This girl had always been straightforward and disliked beating around the bush. Since they were there for the medals, she wanted to get straight to the point.

However, General Hu naturally had other thoughts. Having encountered such exceptional talents, he realized that if he could recruit them, his chances of becoming a chief general in the Yuan Yang Empire would undoubtedly increase.

"No need to rush. Your situation is special because you're being directly awarded military titles of Level Three or higher from the reserves. This requires approval by a personal order from our Great General Tuoba."

"My heavens, this is so troublesome?" Ling Qingshu frowned, growing a little impatient. As the sect leader of the Sky Mystical Sect for so long, her temper was no longer that of an ordinary young girl. If she were acting in her true capacity, she would have long since burst into the Saint Soul Academy's library. Why bother with all this effort? She wasn't as meticulous as Xu Yang.

"Oh, by the way, where are your two companions? Why didn't they return with you?"

"Well, General..." The Warhawk leader explained what had happened, and many of the surrounding soldiers, who had been watching the commotion, were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out."What! You're saying these students can kill high-level magic beasts?"

Bai Lianxue quickly stepped forward, clearing her throat, and offered an explanation. This helped smooth things over. If their achievements, which didn't match their apparent strength, were truly exposed, it would certainly arouse suspicion.

"General, we're back!" As Xu Yang and Ling Yao approached, the surrounding soldiers looked at them with admiration, as if they were heroes.

"Truly deserving of the title 'young heroes'!""They're practically demon-slaying prodigies, ha ha ha!"

Xu Yang walked calmly and confidently through these praises, showing no ripple of emotion on his face. This composed demeanor made General Hu, who had observed countless people, ponder a few more things.

"Congratulations! You've completed this rescue mission. I will fulfill my promise to you. Please follow me!"

Xu Yang hadn't thought much of it at first, but when he realized that General Hu was leading the four of them into the general's grand tent, he felt that something was amiss.

"Please wait a moment, all four of you. Our Great General Tuoba wishes to meet you." General Hu said before walking out of the tent. Xu Yang's expression also grew cold.

"Just to get a military medal, is it really this much trouble?""No, it's likely this general wants to recruit us to serve under him. It's nothing major," Bai Lianxue said, remaining relatively optimistic as she reassured Ling Qingshu. Ling Yao, meanwhile, was comparatively calm. This girl now focused on cultivating whenever she had a moment, trying to awaken her sword heart as soon as possible.

*Whoosh!*In a sudden instant, an incredibly chilling arrow of light pierced through the tent and shot towards the four of them.

"Watch out!" Xu Yang stamped his foot, and a dazzling barrier of spiritual energy shielded all four of them.

"Power of the Grotto-Heaven Realm!" Xu Yang muttered. Ling Qingshu was about to draw her sword and go on a rampage, but Xu Yang decisively stopped her.

"It's fine. Let's wait and see; don't be impulsive." Several waves of arrows continued to shoot into the tent, all blocked one by one by Xu Yang's passive defense, yet they never revealed a higher level of underlying power.

*Clap, clap...*A round of applause gradually echoed, and the tent was forcefully torn apart from the outside. The tall, bearded general who had been standing before them approached with a beaming smile.

"As expected, heroes emerge from the young generation! All of you are exchange students from Saint Soul Academy, yet you possess astonishing cultivation talent. What just happened was my test of you, nothing more. It was to ensure you weren't foreign spies. But based on your reactions and instincts, your identities are clean."

Xu Yang slightly cupped his hands to General Tuoba: "May I ask, General, are the border troubles of the Yuan Yang Empire very severe recently? Is such vigilance truly necessary?"

"Ha ha ha, it's not that severe. However, if the army is infested with corrupt elements, it will ultimately be unsafe. I hope the four of you can understand. To be frank, I lack reliable centurions and captains under my command. I wonder if you..."

"I apologize, General Tuoba, but I'm afraid we'll have to disappoint you. We have just enrolled in the academy. Even if we intend to serve the empire, it would only be after completing our studies. There will be ample opportunities in the future; perhaps we'll have a chance to cooperate then."

Xu Yang's refusal was neither arrogant nor humble. He respectfully saved the general's face while subtly shutting down the proposition, which indeed made General Tuoba smile helplessly.

"Very well. Since your studies are your priority and you're not in a hurry to achieve fame and fortune, I won't say more. Guards!"A guard presented four military service tokens, each engraved with one of their aliases. From then on, Xu Yang and his three companions had their first "stepping stone" to enter the academy's library.

As they were leaving, the small Dragon Python in Xu Yang's pocket poked its head out, catching General Tuoba's attention.

"Hmm? Young man, wait a moment. May I ask about your snake?"Xu Yang didn't hide anything: "General, the academy will be holding combat competitions soon, so I simply caught a magic beast to use as my battle pet. Is there a problem?"

General Tuoba smiled and shook his head, allowing Xu Yang and the others to depart on their own.

"General!" General Hu approached General Tuoba, awaiting his orders.

Tuoba's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Saint Soul Academy is a vital institution of the empire, and the stance of these outstanding students is quite important. Go and relay a message to the academy. Tell them to pay more attention to these students. I have a feeling that they are not as simple as they seem."

"Yes, General!"