Divine Seal: Infinitely stack Q, protecting light and reincarnation.

On the training ground, Qi Tian's swords trajectories almost perfectly overlapped with each thrust.

Each time he retracted his sword, the angle of his arm retraction was precise.

Even the coordination of breathing and exertion tends to reach a certain extreme stability through repeated repetition.

"this……"

The clerk hesitated and said, "The movements are very standard, but they seem... too standard? As if they've practiced them thousands of times."

"He hasn't practiced."

The centurion shook his head, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "It's control. This kid is deliberately controlling his every move, to the point of being almost instinctive."

"Look at the people next to him—"

The clerk looked at the other recruits, whose movements were either stiff, sloppy, or excessive, a stark contrast to Qi Tian's strangely steady movements.

"Either they are exceptionally gifted, with a natural and strong control over their bodies."

The centurion said in a low voice, "Either... his demonstrated strength is far beyond the second rank."

The clerk's heart skipped a beat: "Does the centurion mean he's hiding his strength? But why?"

"Who knows?"

The centurion looked away. "Perhaps he's in trouble and wants to avoid it, or perhaps it's for some other reason."

"But as long as he doesn't harm the military camp, violate military discipline, or hide his strength... sometimes it's actually a good thing."

"Since it's all about fighting demons anyway, as long as nothing goes wrong, it's fine!"

He paused, then instructed the clerk: "Write down his name, mark him 'under observation,' and after the training period, assign him directly to the front lines, to... the Blood Blade Battalion."

The clerk's hand trembled, and ink almost dripped onto the register:

"The Bloodblade Battalion? Centurions, that's..."

"It is precisely because of its high casualty rate that we need these 'hidden' seedlings."

The centurion turned and left, saying, "We'll find out what he's made of once he's on the front lines."

------

Fifteen days later, basic training ended ahead of schedule.

Not everyone had completed the training, but the situation at the southeast fortress front was critical. An urgent military order arrived, requiring the recruit camp to immediately send two hundred men to fill the gaps at the front.

Qi Tian was included in the first batch of personnel to go to the front line because of his "stable and excellent" performance during training.

Three days later, outside the south gate of Xingxun City.

Two hundred new recruits stood in formation, most of them with a youthful and nervous look on their faces.

They changed into standard leather armor, with iron swords hanging at their waists and simple packs on their backs.

Ahead, ten large horse-drawn carriages covered with tarpaulins were ready, and standing beside them were twenty veterans in light armor, exuding a sharp and capable aura—they were the escort team and also the guard team.

Qi Tian stood in the queue, his gaze calm.

His leather armor was a bit too big, and his iron sword was the most basic kind, with some parts of the blade not even sharpened, but it was enough.

"Board the vehicle!"

The escort team leader gave the order.

The recruits silently climbed onto the carriage.

Twenty people were crammed into each vehicle, leaving almost no room to move around.

Qi Tian found a seat on the side, leaned against the car floor, and closed his eyes.

The carriage began to move, its wheels making a monotonous sound as they rolled over the stone pavement.

The carriage was filled with the smells of sweat, leather, and a faint sense of fear.

Some people sobbed softly, some gripped their weapons so tightly their knuckles turned white, and some repeatedly checked their armor.

A boy who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old stood beside Qi Tian, ​​his lips trembling as he murmured, "I...I don't want to die..."

Qi Tian didn't open his eyes, but gently patted the boy's shoulder.

The boy turned his head and looked at this peer who was younger than him but unusually calm. Suddenly, he found some courage and nodded vigorously.

The convoy drove out of Starseeker City and into the wilderness.

The road became bumpy, and the carriage shook violently.

The scenery along the way changed from farmland to hills, and then to wasteland.

A faint smell of burning and the stench of demon blood began to fill the air.

Two days later, in the evening.

The carriage finally came to a stop.

"Everyone off the bus! Line up!"

Qi Tian jumped off the carriage, and the sight before him made his pupils shrink slightly.

A colossal city, beyond description, stood in the twilight.

The city wall is over fifty meters high and is entirely built of dark blue giant stone blocks. Its surface is covered with marks from knife cuts, axe blows, fires, and lightning strikes. In some places, you can even see dark red, indelible bloodstains.

Arrow towers lined the city walls, while massive crossbows and catapults crouched like silent behemoths behind the crenellations.

Further away, faint spiritual light swirled above the city walls—that was the giant defensive array covering the entire city, continuously operating.

The Southeast Fortress is the Temple Alliance's strongest shield in the southeast and also the sharpest blade inserted into the demonic territory.

The smells in the air were even more complex: gunpowder smoke, blood, herbs, rotting matter, and a nauseating sweet and fishy odor unique to demons.

"New recruits of the T-shaped battalion! Assemble here!"

A middle-aged officer in blood-red armor stood not far away, his voice like the scraping of iron.

He had three hideous claw marks on his face, running from his left forehead to his right lower jaw, and one of his eyes was a cloudy grayish-white, clearly indicating that he was blind.

But when his remaining eye swept over the recruits, his gaze was as sharp as a knife.

Qi Tian lined up with the crowd and stood in formation.

"I am Zhao Meng, the captain of the third battalion of the Blood Blade Battalion."

The one-eyed officer's voice wasn't loud, but it drowned out all the noise: "From today onwards, you are members of the Bloodblade Battalion. The rules of the Bloodblade Battalion are simple—obey orders, kill the enemy, or die."

He paused, his single eye sweeping over each young, fearful face: "I know you're afraid. That's good. But remember, here, those who fear death are often the first to die. Turn your fear into the strength to grip your sword hilts. There are thirty of you now; a month from now, no more than twenty will still be standing here."

The stark warning of death elicited a series of suppressed gasps from the recruits.

"Now, assign squads."

Zhao Meng picked up the roster and said, "Those whose names are called, step forward. Wang Tiezhu, Li Ergou, Sun Xiaohu... you ten, go to the first squad."

"Lin Feng, Zhou Ming, Wu Daniu... you ten, go to the second squad."

Qi Tian stepped forward and stood in his designated position.

There were nine other people with him, including the trembling boy in the carriage—his name was Zhou Ming.

"Second squad leader, step forward!" Zhao Meng shouted.

A lean man with a scar on his face strode out.

He looked to be around thirty years old, with a calm demeanor. Instead of a standard iron sword, he wore a curved blade with a dark red, blood-red sheen at his waist.

"Captain Chen Ping greets the Battalion Commander!" the man bowed.

"Chen Ping, these ten new recruits are in your hands."

Zhao Meng pointed at Qi Tian and the others, "The old rule applies. First, they'll act as guards to familiarize themselves with the battlefield. Don't let them die too quickly, but don't overprotect them either."

"clear!"

Chen Ping turned around, his gaze sweeping over the ten newcomers, lingering for a moment on Lin Feng's face, before waving his hand, "Come with me."