"How old is he? Could it be that Heng Province is about to produce another army commander?"

The atmosphere in the staff group was relaxed, and they laughed heartily.

"It's a pity that the Western Front picked up the slack. If it were the Eastern Front, we would have used Lieutenant Qin as the spearhead and charged straight into the Corrupted Sea!"

One analyst lamented.

For an entire intact frontline, a human strong enough to counter the fourth disaster level is an indispensable core.

They are critical for tactical deployment, battlefield allocation, and other important tasks.

"The Eastern Front is farther from the Corrupted Sea; in terms of direct combat pressure, the Western Front is even heavier."

The highest commander, with his gray hair, spoke in a low voice:

"I hope the emergence of Lieutenant Qin can reduce the casualties on the Western Front."

...

...

Tai'an Metropolitan Area.

Located on Old Factory Street, the Nanhuang Daoist School.

"...We must press forward with indomitable will!"

Ren You said excitedly, punching heavily into the air:

"Well said, Junior Brother!"

Zhou Ning, breathless from being relentlessly trained, looked at the broadcast on the television screen.

"Old Qin is really impressive! I haven't even made it to the battlefield, and he's already a First Rank combat hero!"

Zhou Ning's performance in various fields was average. Even with the rapid enhancement of Life Force, he did not meet the recruitment requirements of previous batches.

"I must work hard too! At the very least, I can brag that Old Qin and I are classmates, without being suspected of exaggeration!"

Zhou Ning gritted his teeth and stood up, speaking to Ren You:

"Master Ren, push me harder!"

Ren You nodded, thinking that once the teacher returns, Junior Brother Xiao Qin might reach the First Rank threshold.

That would make him the rightful successor of the Nanhuang Daoist School.

"When will the teacher return to Heng Province's New Star?"

Ren You increased the training volume severely while looking at the empty Nanhuang Daoist School.

Senior Sister Yu and Senior Sister Jian were not there, and Junior Brother Xiao Qin had also gone to the front line.

It felt much colder.

...

...

Central City, that small red building.

Ying Huang sat in a luxurious private lounge, the amber-colored liquid in a crystal glass swaying.

"The Star Sea Medal. Now it's time for the Four National Universities to be ashamed; a lieutenant who repelled the fourth-level disaster's followers and a Scorching Sun likely to enter the Third Rank Domain before adulthood.

But, they don't belong to any of the Four National Universities' academies—what a major failure."

Ying Huang's words gained the butler's approval. The Four National Universities are undoubtedly the crown jewels of Dongxia civilization.

But in the face of the achievements personally won by Qin Shi, even the most brilliant jewels pale in comparison.

After all, the Star Sea Medal shines across the Galaxy, and any outstanding achievement is less dazzling than that eight-pointed star.

Therefore, a scenario where Qin Shi shines brighter and the Four National Universities lose more face is about to occur.

"Thanks to the young master's keen insight, discovering the immense potential of this Nanhuang Daoist School heir early on.

Otherwise, the Ying family would irrationally make an enemy of such a Scorching Sun, inevitably creating trouble."

The butler bent down and said.

"Do you think the Ying family has reconciled with Qin Shi?"

Ying Huang leaned back on the sofa. This small red building, originally Ying Lin's, was completely renovated, removing its splendid grandeur.

"Qin Shi clearly wants to walk the same path as He Lanchan, which the Ying family won't tolerate.

To be precise, those in the Imperial Capital don't want to see another He Lanchan appear."

The butler fell silent immediately; ultimately, the reason the Imperial Capital disliked He Lanchan was simple.

He was too much like his teacher.

Apart from the elders of the Fourth Battle Group and Marshal Qin's confidants, no one would reminisce about that Vice Marshal.

"However, this heir of the Nanhuang Daoist School may not necessarily have to choose that path. He Lanchan and that one had a teacher-student relationship, but Qin Shi has never met He Lanchan, let alone that person."

The butler thought optimistically and said softly:

"Dongxia's new generation of legends and the unstable factors affecting the grand scheme.

Wise people know how to choose."

Ying Huang was noncommittal, placing down the crystal glass:

"Weeds growing from barren soil often don't like to choose the easier path."

...

...

The award ceremony concluded.

Qin Shi was invited to the meeting room, the heavy wooden door isolating the noise of the outside world.

The room was not large, with simple furnishings—only two metal chairs and a tactical table.

Feng Wuyang did not sit; he stood in front of the tactical table, back facing Qin Shi.

The Governor of Heng Province's New Star, his fingers slid across the holographic map.

Following the trajectory of his fingertips, it finally locked onto an area covered by a scarlet marker—that zone seemed to wriggle like a living creature, exuding a sinister aura.

"Do you know where this is?"

Feng Wuyang asked in a deep voice.

"The Corrupted Sea. It is said to be the resting place of the Lord of Gluttony and the hoped-for endpoint of every grand expansion operation..."

Feng Wuyang turned around, his gaze eagle-sharp, piercing the air and landing on Qin Shi.

"Correct. The Corrupted Sea spawns countless clusters of followers, with the Lord of Gluttony's spiritual body sleeping at its core—this Star God's true form coexists with Heng Province, unimaginably vast."

Qin Shi's gaze also fell on the holographic map, only then realizing that the two battlefields on the East-West line were encircling, intending to drive the followers to the Corrupted Sea.

"As the highest existence of the universe, the Lord of Gluttony's spiritual projection forms a highly concentrated pollutant 'nest'—that is, the Corrupted Sea.

If the strides of the grand expansion can reach the Corrupted Sea, even cleanse it, Heng Province could be liberated from layer upon layer of blockade."

Feng Wuyang spoke calmly. He had conducted numerous simulations through the Second Universe, trying to find the correct answer.

"But the Corrupted Sea cannot be breached, with no path to enter it."

Qin Shi had long asked Long Qiuyuan to collect information about the "Corrupted Sea," and he roughly understood it.

The Corrupted Sea is the spiritual projection of the Lord of Gluttony, disallowing any physical entity entry, let alone reaching the core.

"That's right. The Corrupted Sea is the strongest defense line for the followers' group, for no matter how great a victory humanity achieves, they must ultimately stop there and choose to retreat."

Feng Wuyang sighed, deeply regretting these plain words that embodied enormous sacrifice, representing repeated grand expansions that failed to complete success at great cost.

Qin Shi frowned slightly, realizing that this Lord Governor, meeting for the first time, seemed to be a "hawkish militant"?

Sweeping the Corrupted Sea, eradicating threats.

This is a merit every governor in Heng Province's history has wished to accomplish, yet never attempted.

"I want the 'failures' Heng Province has suffered in the past to come to a halt in this war."

Feng Wuyang's mouth moved upward slightly.

"Lieutenant Qin, you are now a banner, with the morale and spirit of the East-West front concentrated on you."

Qin Shi stood upright, his expression calm, the Star Sea Medal on his chest shining brilliantly.

"I want you, at the critical moment, to become the flag leading Heng Province, allowing all warriors to initiate a fearless charge by watching your back."

Feng Wuyang raised his hand, placing it lightly on Qin Shi's shoulder.

Only then did Qin Shi realize that this Governor had not come "in person" to award him, but as a spiritual body of condensed form.

"You might not know, I used to follow the Martial Arts Path, later changing to the Spiritual Ability Path."

Feng Wuyang smiled slightly.

From the Martial Arts Path to the Spiritual Ability Path?

Qin Shi was a bit surprised because this Lord Governor had traversed the endless distance to the White Poplar Barrier City as a spiritual entity.

This extraordinary spiritual level is very close to Manifestation.

This Lord Governor must be so naturally gifted to perfectly transition from the Martial Arts Path to the Spiritual Ability Path and reach the pinnacle.

"All my life's designs are for this battle."

Feng Wuyang withdrew his hand, looking deeply at Qin Shi, filled with complex meanings, expectancy, determination, and a barely detectable... scrutiny.

"If possible, you don't have to rush to erase the Blood River Typhon's brand. It is the Lord of Gluttony's most beloved offspring, capable of entering and leaving the Corrupted Sea.

It bore a mark on you, but conversely, it also serves as a coordinate to the Corrupted Sea."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.