A World Worth Protecting

Not a single person in the entire Federation knew about the middle-aged black-robed man’s rebirth, not to mention Wang Baole, who was on a cruiser that was landing in a military camp.

The cruiser landed outside the Federation capital. Beneath the misty fog, which seemed like something out of a fairy kingdom, was a lush green land. The water that flowed through the land was sweet and infused heavily with Spirit Qi.

Within the fogged lands were many military camps of varying sizes going about their own businesses. They had few interactions with one another and seemed to function and exist in isolation.

The military camp that the seedlings of the Federation were headed for was called The Nineteenth Camp!

The Nineteenth Camp sat approximately a hundred miles away from the Federation capital. It was built on a less elevated ridge between the mountains, and a small river flowed through the land. On both sides of the river, the lands had been cleared and hundreds of barracks erected. The camp also had the most technologically advanced equipment in the entire Federation, as well as what could be seen as an extremely comprehensive and well-equipped cultivation ground.

There were already many people from the military waiting for them when Wang Baole and company’s cruiser landed. Compared to the eagerness of the hundred seedlings, and their excitement which hadn’t yet died down, those from the military looked stern-faced and stoic.

There was no attempt at niceties after the initial meeting. The military men abandoned the group at a special campsite on the northwest corner of the military camp. The site area was considerable and its facilities comprehensive. However, there were no single-bed rooms. They didn’t have permission to leave the special camp area without approval, and all of them were divided according to their sex into two large barracks.

Having become the Federation’s hundred seedlings, they were proud but also shrewd people. They might not be able to hide their feelings from sight completely, but they kept their thoughts to themselves and chose to accept the military’s arrangements.

Before departing, one of the people from the military swept his eyes in a glance across the group and spoke coolly.

“In the coming week, there will be someone who will teach you the mystic technique, Supernova. In principle, you’re forbidden from sharing the technique with an outsider. However, it’s impossible for the Federation to stop such things from happening. But… should we discover you doing that, no matter who you are, no matter where you come from, you will face execution!”

Wang Baole narrowed his eyes at the words coming from the military and seared it into memory. Many of the hundred seedlings around him though, seemed not to be bothered by what was said.

“Next, return and rest up. You’re not allowed to leave this site. Tomorrow morning, after you’ve received our notification, you are to assemble here within thirty seconds!” The man from the military did not bother with what the Federation seedlings were thinking and turned to leave after finishing what he had said.

Before he left, his eyes seemed to land on Wang Baole unknowingly.

He looking at me? Wang Baole blinked. He felt that he had a certain relationship with the military. While curious, he followed the other male seedlings into their barracks.

The barracks were relatively spacious, and there were more than a hundred beds inside. While sparsely furnished, it was extremely neat. It was painted in blue and white. When standing in the barracks, one could experience the sensation of being comforted and soothed, as well as a sense of discipline and obedience surfacing in their mind.

Everyone soon chose their own beds and began getting to know one another. It was clear that they had become familiar with one another during the selection round. The sound of laughter and conversation grew louder. Soon everyone left their bedside and went over to where others were, greeting and sharing interesting stories.

Only Wang Baole and Kong Dao, the pair who had confirmed placements, seemed to fall to the margins. The rest seemed to unknowingly ostracize and ignore them.

Kong Dao seemed used to such a mode of interaction with others. He was naturally solitary and unaffected by other people’s opinions of him and sat down and crossed his legs, cold and arrogant.

As for Wang Baole, he was naturally friendly. After locating Zhuo Yifan, he started chatting with the rest as well. However, his eyes soon narrowed as he realized while the people seemed civil and polite, they also seemed to be vaguely scornful.

Just as he was considering seriously about whether he should verify his social status within the barracks with the group of people in a friendly, cordial manner, a voice sounded from outside the barracks.

“Baole, are you inside?”

The voice rang out. Seven to eight people walked in from the entrance of the barracks. They were all soldiers from the military camp, and looks of joy appeared on their faces when they spotted Wang Baole.

“It’s you guys!” Wang Baole’s thoughts were brought to an immediate halt. He had looked over and recognized them; they were all soldiers from the stronghold. He rushed over to greet, surprised and happy, gathering them all into a big hug.

Amidst the laughter and the stares of the surrounding hundred seedlings, the soldiers dragged Wang Baole out of the barracks and the campsite, doing away with the restrictions on leaving the special zone and going to their own barracks.

The rule that prevented one from leaving obviously didn’t apply where Wang Baole was concerned. He had received the green light, and even the soldiers guarding the area only threw them a glance. They seemed to have received some notice. Instead of stopping the group, they smiled kindly.

Wang Baole could feel the difference in treatment, and his spirits soared. He didn’t need to guess to know that his relationship with the military had led to that. In fact, he guessed that the Baole Cannon played a huge part in that as well.

On the way, the sound of their laughter and bantering resounded throughout the camp. Wang Baole found out that after the Beast Tide had ended, many soldiers from the seventh primary stronghold had been transferred back to the Federation capital to rest and regroup. That was why they had appeared there.

The mention of the Beast Tide dampened Wang Baole’s mood. He couldn’t help himself, though the joy of reuniting with his friends quickly made him forget the memories of the battle at the stronghold. Many more soldiers became friendlier to Wang Baole as his friends introduced them. Some of the military commanders, especially, seemed to have heard about the Baole Cannon and were really friendly to Wang Baole.

While the other Federation seedlings found out about what had happened and seethed in the injustice of it all, Wang Baole had a sumptuous meal with the soldiers outside. Finally, he patted his tummy and followed the moonlit path back to his own barracks.

When he returned, the rest were mostly sitting cross-legged in meditation. Wang Baole burped and returned to his bed. He sat down cross-legged on his bed, raised an eyebrow at Zhuo Yifan, and flung a chicken drumstick over.

Zhuo Yifan caught the drumstick, an odd look on his face. He hesitated a moment, looked at Wang Baole, then shook his head, smiling. He ate the drumstick.

That’s what I call a good friend! Wang Baole sniggered. He dug out some snacks and passed them over as well. Then, he pulled out a bottle of Ice Spirit Water, took a huge gulp, then shut his eyes and started his meditation.

However, there were too many people in the room. Regardless of how unaware and shameless Wang Baole was, he still found it difficult to immerse himself fulling in his meditation. The best he could do was to retain his five senses and awareness of his physical surroundings while maintaining, to a certain degree, a peak spiritual state.

The night passed.

The next morning, Wang Baole opened his eyes abruptly as the ringing of a bell sounded hurriedly in the air. The others stirred from their meditation and raced outside.

As they dashed out, the female cultivators ran out of their barracks as well. The entire process took less than thirty seconds. Everyone stood on the square.

Almost as soon as they were all assembled, an old man walked over from afar. He had a humpback, and his hands were placed behind his back. He walked over slowly and was followed by two middle-aged men in military uniform.

An aura that far exceeded the Foundation Establishment realm accompanied the elderly man’s arrival and spread out without restraint. An imposing aura pressed down like a giant mountain on Wang Baole and the rest.

They were shaken to the core and struggled to breathe.

It was the same for Wang Baole. He had encountered quite a few Core Formation realm cultivators and could immediately determine that the elder’s cultivation level was, without a doubt, at the Core Formation realm!

The elder arrived before the group. His eyes seemed barely open. He didn’t bother with niceties and spoke hoarsely and in a straightforward manner.

“I am Federation Priest Su Hongfei. I’ve been charged with teaching you the mystic technique. The Supernova is about applying a special frequency while vibrating, and to achieve the full utilization of your entire body’s power and focusing that power on a single point… the ultimate extermination technique!

“Technique is only the first step. The second is your battle intent!

“Remember, Supernova is only possible if the punch has the weight of a battle intent to shatter the stars and crush the heavens behind it!”

“Now, look carefully…” the elder spoke calmly. Then, his eyes suddenly widened. In that instant, they were like two bright burning stars. A vast and overwhelming force surged from his body in sudden waves, like an erupting volcano!

He stepped abruptly to the side that instant and his right hand rose. His entire person was akin to a bow, stretched naturally. Then, his fist flung thundering towards the sky!

The sound of thunder shook the heavens and earth, and loud rumbling exploded in everyone’s ears while blast waves rippled across the entire sky. As the echoes reverberated and traveled back, an enormous whirlpool suddenly appeared in the sky, expanding rapidly. It seemed to possess the power to tear everything apart!

Strong winds appeared out of nowhere. The elder stood in the eye of the winds that spread out in all directions and lashed out, unsteadying Wang Baole and the others. All of them were caught in fear and shock as they could not control themselves as they fell back.

It was as if the elderly man standing before them had suddenly transformed into a vicious, monstrous creature with a desire to swallow everything under the sun!