Chapter 162
Chapter 162: The God Slayer
"And the list of those heading to Eerie Island..."
The moment those words fell, the entire atmosphere snapped to a breaking point.
Whether it was the Iron Wall Squad or the Shadow trio, everyone instinctively sat up straight.
Because for all of them, this was absolutely the most pressing matter at hand!
Especially Shadow—she, who had always maintained an icy expression, now had eyes full of barely-contained urgency.
In the deepest sealed memories from the end of the trial, though she couldn't remember the Dragon God's face—
The soul-piercing transmission the Dragon God had sent her, she would remember forever.
That was her only hope for staying alive!
She had to go to Eerie Island!
But...
The current Blade Squad was nothing more than a squad in name only—a hollow shell.
By convention, a squad in such a state had absolutely no chance of being selected for a mission like this!
"Commander, I..."
Shadow urgently tried to speak up and request the mission.
However, Wu Chunlan had long since seen through her intentions and cut off her words.
"Don't be hasty. First listen to Commander Wan read out the Central Base's orders."
Beside her, Wan Changzheng's expression was grave as he picked up the document on the table bearing a top-secret red seal.
"First, the punishments and commendations for Blade Squad."
"Blade Squad's original captain, Liu Ruyan."
"During this trial, she was derelict in her duties, careless in her command, and acted unilaterally, indirectly resulting in the deaths of squad members Iron Bull and Liu Feng!"
"Although she made timely corrections at the final moment and led the squad to claim victory!"
"As captain, she failed to fulfill her responsibilities of protecting her squad members and coordinating the overall situation!"
"By Central Base's decision, rewards and punishments shall be clearly distinguished!"
"Effective immediately, Liu Ruyan is stripped of her position as Blade Squad captain! Demoted to ordinary member!"
"In light of her combat record of participating in the kill of an S-Grade Boss, she is awarded 2 S-Grade Equipment Vouchers!"
"She may bring the vouchers to the Supreme Vault at the Central Base and select any S-Grade equipment she desires!"
Upon hearing this verdict, everyone couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
Especially Luo Kun—he'd originally harbored a belly full of fury toward Liu Ruyan. But upon hearing the severity of this demotion, the anger in his chest dissipated like smoke in an instant.
Being publicly stripped of the captain's position—that was an utterly humiliating stain!
Liu Ruyan sat in her seat, her complexion alternating between pale and flushed.
She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, breathing heavily several times in rapid succession.
Given her proud temperament, under normal circumstances she would have flipped the table long ago.
But right now she endured.
After all, the dead must be respected, and military orders are absolute.
Besides...
Those were 2 S-Grade Equipment Vouchers redeemable at the Supreme Vault for any item she chose!
This was actually a massive gain!
After passing the equipment vouchers to Liu Ruyan, Wan Changzheng's gaze shifted to Luo Kun as he continued reading aloud.
"Blade Squad's original vice-captain, Luo Kun!"
"Performed excellently during the trial, with accurate combat judgment."
"But! Due to insufficiently decisive action!"
"Failed to take forceful measures in time to stop Captain Liu Ruyan's erroneous commands."
"Rewards and punishments equally distinguished!"
"Effective immediately, Luo Kun is transferred out of Blade Squad and officially appointed as the new captain of the Iron Wall Squad!"
"Awarded 2 S-Grade Equipment Vouchers!"
"What the—?!"
The moment those words landed, the entire room was stunned!
Especially the current Iron Wall Squad captain, Xin An—he was completely petrified on the spot.
Sitting beside him, Hu Xiaoxiao whispered with a grin:
"Hehe, Captain, you've been laid off. You've lost your job, you know!"
Luo Kun was also left completely bewildered as he stood and accepted the equipment vouchers.
He rubbed the back of his head, his expression awkward.
He'd always felt that the Iron Wall Squad people were pretty decent—their members were all sensible, and they were a pleasure to talk to.
But he never would have imagined that he'd end up snatching Xin An's position right out from under him!
How could he not feel terrible about this!
On the other side, Zhao Yan laughed and clapped Xin An on the shoulder, shooting him a series of meaningful looks.
"You fool, don't look so miserable—just keep listening!"
Wan Changzheng continued reading.
"Blade Squad member Shadow performed nearly flawlessly during the trial, beyond reproach!"
"She stepped in to stop the argument between the captain and vice-captain in time! Brought them back on track!"
"However, due to her own strong personal request, her position remains unchanged, and she retains her identity as a Blade Squad member."
"By special Central Base approval, she is awarded 2 S-Grade Equipment Vouchers!"
"Next, orders for Iron Wall Squad and related personnel!"
"Original Iron Wall Squad captain Xin An, due to strategic deployment issues, is effective immediately transferred out of Iron Wall Squad."
"Formally cross-assigned to serve as vice-captain of Blade Squad!"
"Awarded 1 S-Grade Equipment Voucher!"
"Non-roster temporary member, Zhao Yan!"
"Fought bravely and boldly during the trial, performed exceptionally brilliantly! Combined with his early record of..."
"Having served as Blade Squad's vice-captain, by special Central Base approval..."
"Effective immediately, veteran Zhao Yan officially rejoins his unit!"
"Returns to Blade Squad and serves as Blade Squad's new captain! Awarded 1 S-Grade Equipment Voucher!"
"At the same time, Zhao Yan will lead the newly reorganized Blade Squad!"
"Representing Huaxia, they will proceed to Eerie Island to carry out a top-secret mission!"
"Iron Wall Squad's remaining members retain their positions, each awarded 1 S-Grade Equipment Voucher! Reading complete!"
Clap clap clap clap!!
As Wan Changzheng closed the document, a wave of thunderous applause erupted instantly!
Both Xin An and Zhao Yan, the 2 people most directly affected, were completely dumbstruck!
Especially Zhao Yan—the old man was shaking all over with excitement.
He was a veteran who'd been put out to pasture with half a foot in the grave.
He never in his wildest dreams imagined that he would live to return to the front line, let alone become the captain of the ace squad!
The Iron Wall Squad members all offered their sincere congratulations.
"Congratulations, Advisor Zhao! Congratulations on Vice-Captain Xin An's promotion!"
After all, Blade Squad was the publicly recognized vanguard blade of the entire army.
As long as they didn't die, there was a very strong probability of eventually entering the Dragon Squad!
This was truly a meteoric rise!
Luo Kun was also furiously clapping in the crowd, his hands clapping red.
The guilt over stealing someone else's spot vanished in an instant—right now he was happier than if he'd just gotten married!
'This is amazing!'
'As long as I never have to be in the same squad as that brainless Liu Ruyan again, I'll do anything!'
'Once the meeting's over, I absolutely must head to the logistics department and buy 2 strings of 100,000-firecracker Red Earth crackers!'
'Hang them at my dorm entrance and set them off to drive away all this bad luck!'
Luo Kun screamed inwardly with wild abandon.
However, just as everyone was basking in the joy of promotions and rewards—
Hu Xiaoxiao counted on her fingers, realized something was off, and shouted out loud:
"Wait! Commander! Something's wrong!"
"Zhao Yan is captain, Xin An is vice-captain, plus Shadow and Liu Ruyan..."
"This brand-new Blade Squad only has 4 people all told!"
"Where's the 5th spot?"
The moment those words landed, silence fell.
Where was the 5th member?
Just as everyone was puzzled and confused, Wu Chunlan, who had said nothing until now, suddenly revealed a smile.
"Xiaoxiao, your observation skills are as sharp as ever."
Wu Chunlan interlaced her fingers, her tone turning grave.
"After this Boss battle, the Sky Screen airdropped the Scarecrow Boss to Eagle Nation."
"The Central Base's Think Tank has reassessed the global situation and determined that the danger rating of Eerie Island must be significantly raised!"
"Sending a young squad there is nothing but sending them to their deaths."
"So the Central Base has decided to insert a special 5th member into Blade Squad."
"Do you remember the person you saw when you came in?"
Wu Chunlan smiled faintly.
"Wh...what?!"
Boom!!
The 4 members of Blade Squad wore expressions of utter disbelief!
"Commander! You mean... Elder Yue Tian?! He's going to Eerie Island with us?!"
Xin An's voice cracked.
A Central Base elder. Huaxia's top-tier combat power.
The Interrogator Yue Tian—was actually going to step in and serve as their squad member?!
And at this moment, the one hit hardest of all was Liu Ruyan, sitting in the corner!
Her mind was working at full speed, calculating the current hierarchy within the squad.
Captain Zhao Yan—a venerable, seasoned daredevil senior. Not to be provoked!
Vice-Captain Xin An—a steady, capable rising commander, Zhao Yan's confidant. Not to be provoked!
Member Shadow—a veteran with seniority on her side. Not to be provoked!
The 5th member, Yue Tian—a Central Base elder, a living King of Hell!
Even less to be provoked!
When all was calculated, Liu Ruyan discovered in horror...
The herself who had once stood at the top, issuing orders to everyone—
In this brand-new squad, had become the bottom rung!
A total, thorough errand girl!
"Nooooo!!"
Liu Ruyan let out a wail of absolute despair in the depths of her heart!
And just then...
Six o'clock arrived, and the Sky Screen's voice rang out on schedule.
【Long time no see, warriors struggling to survive!】
【Welcome to Day 7!】
【In this short span of one week, we have witnessed all manner of people, and countless interesting stories have unfolded.】
【Some have fought hard to survive in desperate straits, showcasing the resilience of humanity...】
【Some have brewed conspiracies in the shadows, scheming to overturn the rules...】
【And of course, there are those...】
【Who bully the weak by relying on their absurd strength, not even bothering to keep up appearances—tearing through everything wherever they go!】
【For this egregious conduct! This Sky Screen expresses its stern condemnation!】
【As for punishment... that won't be necessary.】
【After all, doing so would make this Sky Screen seem somewhat impolite.】
【Alright, enough chatter—let's take a look at Day 6's rankings!】
…
【1st Place: No Words Needed (Huaxia Nation)】
【Location: Eerie Island (S-Grade)】
【Combat Record: Killed Seattle Mercy Hospital Director (Special-Grade) x 1, killed Ghost Doctor (B-Grade) x 64, killed Supervisor (C-Grade) x 86, killed Ghost Nurse (C-Grade) x 69.】
【Score: ??? (Sky Screen: Already given up, please don't tag)】
…
【2nd Place: Muraguchi Kazusu (Sakura Nation)】
【Location: Eerie Island (S-Grade)】
【Combat Record: Killed Ghost Captain (A-Grade) x 1】
【Score: 10,000】
…
【3rd Place: Morishita Corporal (Sakura Nation)】
【Location: Eerie Island (S-Grade)】
【Combat Record: Killed Ghost Gunner (C-Grade) x 4】
【Score: 6,000】
…
【4th Place: Still-Gotta-Age-Before-Eating】
【Location: Polar Ice Wastes (A-Grade)】
【Combat Record: Killed Frost Sub-Dragon·Juvenile (B-Grade) x 1】
【Score: 5,000】
…
【5th Place: Needs-A-Bit-More-Roasting】
【Location: Polar Ice Wastes (A-Grade)】
【Combat Record: Killed Coo-Coo Penguin (C-Grade) x 3】
【Score: 4,500】
…
At this moment, in the ruins of the Scholar's Dojo.
Jiang Nan sat atop a stone pillar at the highest point of the dojo.
Honestly speaking, this seemed to be one of the rare occasions since he'd transmigrated here that he was actually listening to the Sky Screen talk so attentively.
Looking at the top-ranked data on the leaderboard overhead and that particular broadcast line, Jiang Nan innocently rubbed his chin.
‘This broken thing...’
‘Why does it feel like every word is taking a jab at me?’
‘Whatever. I'm such a kind and low-profile person—it definitely couldn't be talking about me. Probably just a coincidence.’
Jiang Nan shrugged and tossed the Sky Screen's condemnation out of his mind.
What he was more concerned about right now were the rewards being distributed.
Whoosh!
Space tore open!
A peerless long spear, dark crimson all over, its shaft coiled by countless tiny black chains—
Carrying a murderous aura, it materialized before Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan's eyes lit up. The instant he reached out and gripped the shaft, a torrent of information surged into his mind.
God-Slaying Spear
【Item】: God-Slaying Spear
【Type】: Cursed Weapon
【Grade】: S-Grade
【Function·Incineration of Silence】: Can burn souls as fuel, dealing true damage to targets!
Ignores all physical defenses, destroying the opponent's physical body from the root!
Note: This Cursed Weapon's standard numerical grade is S.
Its final grade and burst power depend on the quantity and quality of souls burned!
No upper limit!
【Information】: A Cursed Weapon forged by a certain legendary human artificer of the ancient Savage Realm.
【Message from the Artificer】: As long as you burn enough, and the fuel runs hot enough, even some high-and-mighty divine being—
I can run you through with a single spear! Bwahaha!
Oh right, a friendly reminder by the way!
I never said...
That it has to be your own soul burning!
Aren't other people's souls the ones that burn brightest?!