"General!"
Le Zheng'en looked up at the man before him, a flicker of helplessness crossing his face. The officer standing there wore a two-bar, four-star colonel's insignia. He stood over two meters tall, with broad shoulders like a mountain. His rough and resolute features, coupled with the flickering fire in his eyes, gave off an aura best described in four words: overwhelming and intimidating. At least, that's how he was viewed within the Southern Army Corps.
"Jinchi, the match is over? Did you make it to the finals?" Le Zheng'en asked.
As for Sima Jinchi, even Le Zheng'en had no good way to deal with him. With his talent, Sima should have been promoted to general long ago—but the man was simply unfit for command. In fact, he held the record for the most reassignments in the Southern Corps. From head of the guards, to instructor, to regimental commander—he had fumbled every single post.
The reason was simple: he was a combat fanatic with no concept of restraint. He often injured comrades in training or sparring. Given that the Southern Army Corps' upper echelon was filled with sons of the great southern families, complaints came in one after another.
So when the Star Battle Network simulation system was introduced, no one was more excited than the soldiers of the Southern Corps—finally, a place where the Mad Saber Demon could let loose without harming actual personnel.
As expected, Sima Jinchi had fought his way into the top four of the tournament. The entire Southern Army had erupted in cheers for him.
He had actually earned plenty of military merit for the corps over the years, but unfortunately caused even more trouble. Amidst the backlash, he'd never been promoted to general and remained a colonel with virtually no authority.
"No, I lost," Sima Jinchi said.
Le Zheng'en raised a brow in surprise. "You lost? Who beat you?"
Sima Jinchi's face was filled with unconcealed excitement. "His name is the Violet-Gold King. General, I'm going to find him. I've finally found the person I've been searching for. That's why I've come—to bid you farewell."
"The person you've been searching for?" Le Zheng'en's eyes lit up. His heart trembled.
No one knew Sima Jinchi's circumstances better than him.
Sima had reached rank 89 Soul Douluo ten years ago. At thirty-five now, he had already possessed the potential to break through to Title Douluo at twenty-five. With his talent, there was no reason he shouldn't have already advanced.
But once he reached rank 89, he plateaued. That's why he trained and fought relentlessly, hoping battle would help him break through.
Unfortunately, nothing worked. For a decade, no amount of effort brought results. Only after he comprehended the essence of the Saber Soul did he sense a mysterious force within his spiritual world—something that seemed to point the way forward.
Le Zheng'en understood this well. The Dragon Slaying Saber martial soul was no weaker than the Holy Angel in quality. With his fanatical training and the comprehension of the Saber Soul, once Sima Jinchi reached Title Douluo, his progress would be exponential—his future limitless.
Now, Sima claimed to have found his path to advancement. How could Le Zheng'en not feel thrilled? This was a breakthrough moment. Once he ascended, Sima Jinchi would surely become a peerless powerhouse.
"When will you leave?" Le Zheng'en asked. He didn't try to stop him. First, because he knew it was futile. Second, because once Sima Jinchi made up his mind, no one could hold him back.
"Right away. That's why I came to ask—you know where he is, right?" Sima Jinchi asked eagerly.
Le Zheng'en didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Will you return?"
Sima Jinchi froze, then scratched his head. "Probably not. Based on what I sensed when I grasped the Saber Soul… once I find him, it seems I'll need to stay by his side."
Le Zheng'en's eyes showed undisguised disappointment. Though Sima was unruly, his personal strength was immense. In the military, he was a symbol of morale. Losing such a warrior was painful.
But the feeling passed quickly. Le Zheng'en nodded. "That kid is still young. I heard of his reputation years ago. Even the name of his martial soul caused quite a stir back then…"
"Go. He's in the Blood God Battalion."
"Blood God Battalion? What's that?" Sima Jinchi clearly had no clue about this military secret.
Le Zheng'en gave him a brief explanation of the battalion's location.
"A place to fight abyssal creatures? That's perfect! Exactly what I wanted. Then I'm off. Goodbye, General!"
He saluted again.
Le Zheng'en nodded. "The Blood God Battalion is filled with strong fighters—especially their legion commander, Mirror Douluo Zhang Huanyun. He's extraordinarily powerful. Once you break through, seek him out for sparring. It'll help your growth immensely."
"Oh? Great! Mirror Douluo Zhang Huanyun… Got it. Thanks, General."
Sima Jinchi strode away. As Le Zheng'en watched him go, he chuckled with a tinge of melancholy. "Zhang Huanyun, you old bastard… Looks like trouble is heading your way. Hmph!"
---
By the time Gu You awakened from meditation, it was already dawn the next day. He exhaled deeply.
The mecha battle semifinals—were about to begin!
Gu You selected his mecha, armed it with his long spear, and entered the Star Battle Network.
But unlike the fervor of the individual semifinals, this time the atmosphere was much more subdued. Though there were cheers, they were far less intense.
The destruction of the previous arena and the massive casualties among spectators had cast a shadow over the entire tournament. While no one actually died in the virtual space, the pain felt was very real—akin to the agony they had once experienced inside the Spirit Ascension Platform.
For the first time since its launch, the Star Battle Network was facing a serious crisis. Complaints flooded the system, and the whole tournament was now tainted with a heavy shadow.
The Federation responded swiftly. They immediately issued clarifications, explaining that the clash between the Violet-Gold King and the Mad Saber Demon had indeed exceeded…
(End of Chapter)
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