Bright Sword: Starting from Obtaining the Equipment Slot

Wei Dayong frowned, thinking it was something like ammunition again.

We've already captured quite a few weapons and ammunition along the way, so one more box wouldn't be surprising.

Hou Yue, however, seemed to have discovered a treasure and couldn't wait to open the wooden box.

Inside, there was a layer of straw, and underneath the straw, various porcelain and jade artifacts were neatly stacked—it was actually a box of antiques!

Just as Wei Dayong was about to speak, his gaze was suddenly drawn to an object in the corner of the box.

It was a gourd-shaped pendant, about the size of a palm, entirely crimson, decorated with gilded patterns, and emitting a faint red glow.

This light...

Wei Dayong's heart suddenly raced.

He immediately closed his eyes and focused his mind on the equipment menu in his head.

The six slots remained arranged as before. The Suihou Pearl on the right emitted a blue light, while the grayish slot on the left was now faintly shimmering with a red light, seemingly responding to the gourd ornament outside.

However, apart from the right-hand position, the other five positions are still grayed out.

This ornament is actually an item that can activate equipment.

It's really hard to find a place to break through the iron shoes, and it takes no effort to get it!

"Company Commander, this thing... seems a bit strange!" Following his company commander's gaze, Hou Yue carefully picked up the gourd ornament and handed it to Wei Dayong.

Wei Dayong took the gourd, its surface smooth and warm to the touch.

In his mind, the red light on the left side of the equipment bar was flashing more intensely, but it was never fully activated.

"Good stuff!" Wei Dayong opened his eyes, a rare smile spreading across his face. "Hou Yue, you've done a great job this time!"

He turned to Ma Feng beside him and said, "Ma Feng, this box is under the direct custody of the company headquarters. You keep it safe and no one is allowed to touch it."

Ma Feng nodded, took the wooden box, and carefully hoisted it onto his shoulder.

Without further delay, Wei Dayong ordered, "Everyone, hurry up and clean up the battlefield, take everything usable, and then retreat back to the valley immediately!"

The soldiers sprang into action, collecting weapons and moving supplies.

In less than half an hour, the battlefield was cleared, and the troops retreated along the gully towards the valley.

As dawn broke, the team finally arrived at the valley.

The valley was already bustling with activity. Zhou Huaiyuan's second platoon and Lao Wu's logistics platoon had been waiting there for a long time, along with the rescued prisoners of war, who were all standing by in high spirits.

"Company Commander!" Zhou Huaiyuan greeted Wei Dayong as soon as he saw him return. "Our second platoon has successfully completed the mission of luring the enemy."

Wei Dayong nodded and patted Zhou Huaiyuan on the shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work."

Old Wu also came over to report on the logistics situation: "Battalion Commander, the supplies have all been put in place, and the wounded have all been bandaged up."

Wei Dayong glanced at the crowd and, seeing that everyone was there, breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Seeing that it was already past midnight, he quickly told everyone to rest, and didn't forget to call Wang Xiao to his side so that he could continue to listen to the bugle call that he was leading the Independent Company to victory.

He made up his mind that this kid was a bit slippery and needed to be further nurtured.

The next day at noon, a whistle rang out in the valley to signal assembly.

Wei Dayong stood on a large rock, looking down at the densely packed soldiers below, cleared his throat and said, "Brothers, I have gathered you all here today to discuss a few things."

The crowd quieted down, and all eyes were on Wei Dayong.

"We won a great victory in this battle! We not only rescued more than two hundred compatriots, but also annihilated a Japanese company and captured a large amount of weapons, equipment, and supplies!"

The soldiers cheered.

Wei Dayong waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet: "However, we also paid a price."

His voice lowered: "In this battle, nine of our brothers sacrificed their lives, and twenty-four others were wounded. They sacrificed themselves to fight the Japanese and to save our compatriots. We must not forget them."

A solemn atmosphere filled the valley.

Wei Dayong paused for a moment, then continued, "However, our team has also grown. Now, we have 367 brothers, so calling it an independent company is no longer appropriate."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "I hereby announce that, from today onwards, the Jinxi Anti-Japanese National Salvation Independent Company is officially reorganized into the Jinxi Anti-Japanese Assault Battalion!"

The cheers erupted again, even more enthusiastic than before.

Wei Dayong raised his hand to quell the noise, and continued to announce the appointments: "I, Wei Dayong, am appointed as the battalion commander of the assault battalion."

Wang Xiao was appointed as deputy battalion commander and concurrently as company commander of the First Company; Ma Fenghuai was appointed as deputy company commander of the First Company.

Zhou Huaiyuan was appointed as the company commander of the Second Company; Fu Zhuo was appointed as the deputy company commander of the Second Company.

Hou Yue was appointed as the company commander of the Third Company; Wang Lecheng was appointed as the deputy company commander of the Third Company.

Old Wu is the platoon leader of the logistics platoon.

Ma Feng was appointed squad leader of the guard platoon; Zhou Wenxu was appointed staff officer of the battalion headquarters!

Those whose names were called stepped forward, saluted, and loudly replied, "Yes, sir!"

Looking at the ever-growing team in front of him, Wei Dayong felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Just then, he suddenly felt a strange movement in his mind.

He subconsciously closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the equipment bar.

The previously gray area on the left hand suddenly lit up!

The red light emanated from the left hand, contrasting beautifully with the blue light emanating from the right hand.

Wei Dayong was shocked. Could it be that... the activation conditions of the equipment slot are related to the size of the troops?

Previously, when the independent company only had a little over a hundred people, only the right-hand position was activated; now that the team has expanded to more than three hundred people and become a battalion-level unit, the left-hand position has also been activated.

It seems we'll have to thoroughly verify this hypothesis next time the military is upgraded.

Wei Dayong suppressed his excitement, opened his eyes, and said to Wang Xiao, "Wang Xiao, I'm entrusting the reorganization of the troops to you. Get the organization of the three companies straight as soon as possible."

"Yes, Battalion Commander!" Wang Xiao saluted.

Wei Dayong turned to Ma Feng and said, "Ma Feng, bring me that box of things from yesterday."

Ma Feng nodded and turned to get the wooden box.

Wei Dayong found a secluded spot and waited for Ma Feng to bring the box over. He then had Ma Feng guard the outside while he opened the box and took out the bright red and gilded gourd.

The moment the gourd touched my hand, a cold, mechanical voice immediately echoed in my mind:

"Equipable item detected: Crimson and Gilded Gourd. Equip?"

Wei Dayong chose "yes" without hesitation.

A beam of red light surged from the gourd and flowed into Wei Dayong's body along his arm.

The gourd also disappeared.

In his mind, the red light on the left side of the equipment slot instantly became dazzling, and the phantom of the gourd appeared on the left side, echoing the Suihou Pearl on the right side.

At the same time, a series of notification sounds rang in Wei Dayong's mind:

[Equipment successful! Left-hand equipment slot activated!]

[Gained Skill: Become Stronger with Breathing (Beginner) - With each breath, slightly increases the host's physical attributes.]

[Acquired Skill: Universe in a Gourd (To be unlocked) - Allows you to carry a personal space measuring three meters in length, width, and height.]

[Skill Upgrade: Observant (Beginner → Intermediate) - Increases the viewing range to five kilometers.]

[Unlocked Skill: Autumn Cicada's Foresight - Can detect hostility and danger.]

[Equipping two pieces of equipment increases physical attributes by 20%.]

Wei Dayong felt a warm current surge from his limbs and bones, filling him with strength.

He picked up a stone at random and, with all his might, was able to crush it!

Within 50 meters, he can easily run in under four seconds!

He felt the explosive power contained in his muscles, which was much stronger than before!

Moreover, he could clearly feel that his physical fitness was steadily improving at a slow but steady pace.

This skill that makes you stronger just by breathing is practically a divine skill to me!

Wei Dayong put away the gourd with satisfaction and walked out of the secluded spot.

As soon as they returned to the campsite, Wang Xiao greeted them with a worried look on his face: "Battalion Commander, there's something I need to report to you."

"Speak," Wei Dayong said.

"Our assault battalion has over three hundred men, and the valley is already overcrowded. Moreover, the conditions here are rudimentary, and it's difficult to care for the wounded," Wang Xiao said. "Staying here long-term isn't a solution either."

Wei Dayong nodded; Wang Xiao's words made sense.

He looked around, his gaze falling on the distant mountains, and fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he looked up, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes: "You're right, it's time to find a better place. I do have a good idea of ​​one!"

Wang Xiao's eyes lit up: "What's on your mind, Battalion Commander?"