"The Second Echelon currently has twelve members, including me. We’re all either peak Martial Artists or Innate Martial Artists. You are the thirteenth."
"Also, Master hopes you’ll spend an hour each day at the edge of the Rift to gain some insight."
Xu Wuyi was taken aback. "Insight?"
"Yes." Tang Xiuqi nodded. "The Profound Abyssal Rift is dangerous, but it’s also the best place for the ’manifestation of Rules.’ Spatial tears, energy tides, the primal power contained within Star Beast bloodlines... Experiencing these things up close is beneficial for an Innate Martial Artist’s growth."
"Of course, you must stay within the range of Master’s protection. Don’t get within a hundred meters of the Rift."
Xu Wuyi understood.
’Grandmaster Ren Bai is giving me special treatment.’
"Thank you, Grandmaster Ren. And thank you, Senior Brother Tang," he said solemnly.
"Don’t mention it." A faint smile touched Tang Xiuqi’s lips. "One more expert for the Federation means our defensive line is that much more stable. Go get settled in first. Your accommodations have been arranged. You’ll officially begin your duties tomorrow."
The young Martial Artist stepped forward again and led Xu Wuyi out of the operations room.
The dormitories were on the east side of the fortress, a row of individual single rooms. Though simple, they were clean and tidy, each with a private bathroom and a small space for cultivation.
Xu Wuyi put down his luggage and walked to the window.
From here, he could clearly see the dark red Rift, as well as the white figure standing before it.
Night gradually fell.
Lights flickered on at the outpost, and searchlights on the surrounding walls illuminated the valley as if it were day.
In the darkness, the Rift appeared even more eerie and profound, like an eye staring into the physical world.
Xu Wuyi sat down cross-legged and began his routine cultivation.
He couldn’t stop practicing the Profound Nether Celestial Spear and the Quicksand Step, and he also had to continue nurturing the fire of the Golden Crow Burning Heart. In a place this dangerous, every ounce of strength he gained was another layer of security for his survival.
...
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Xu Wuyi was woken by a notification from his communicator.
It was a summons for the Second Echelon to assemble.
He quickly washed up, changed into his combat uniform, slung the Liaoyuan Long Spear over his back, and headed for the designated assembly point: the training ground in the center of the fortress.
Seven or eight people were already waiting there.
Xu Wuyi’s gaze swept over the group, and he saw a few familiar faces.
Li Shuang stood in a corner, still dressed in a dark combat uniform with her long hair tied up, her aura cool and detached. Sensing Xu Wuyi’s gaze, she gave a slight nod.
She was from Silver Port and often came to stand guard at the Profound Abyssal Rift; it had already become a form of training for her.
Ji Shanhai was also there, talking in a low voice with a burly man. When he saw Xu Wuyi, he smiled and waved.
There were also a few unfamiliar faces, but none of their auras were weak; the lowest among them was Level 38.
"Everyone’s here."
Tang Xiuqi’s voice rang out.
He had appeared at the edge of the Training Ground at some point, with two other Martial Artists behind him.
"This is Xu Wuyi, an Innate Martial Artist who will be joining the Second Echelon starting today." Tang Xiuqi made a simple introduction. "Junior Brother Xu, these are your teammates."
He called out their names one by one:
"Li Shuang, whom you know."
"Ji Shanhai, you know him too."
"Zhao Kun, also a veteran of the team. He’s an Innate Martial Artist who specializes in defense and frontal assaults."
"Su Wen, a peak Martial Artist and a Rune Master. He’s responsible for formation maintenance and support."
A middle-aged man with glasses and a scholarly air smiled and nodded.
"Liu Chengsi, a peak Martial Artist, specializes in scouting and speed."
A lean young man grinned.
"Dai Cen, a heavy-hitter."
"..."
Eleven people, plus Xu Wuyi and Tang Xiuqi, brought the Second Echelon to its full roster of thirteen.
Xu Wuyi also nodded to the group. Many of them were members of the rapid response team he had served with back in Linjiang.
And that made sense, as the original team had been selected from the elites of Dongjiang province.
"Some of you have already witnessed Junior Brother Xu’s abilities," Tang Xiuqi said, looking at the group. "His addition will allow us to handle Beast Tides with greater ease. I hope you will all cooperate well and look out for each other."
"Understood!" the group responded in unison.
"Alright, let’s begin today’s patrol mission." Tang Xiuqi pulled up a light screen. "Su Wen, Liu Chengsi, and Cheng Yuan, you three are responsible for the eastern defensive line. Zhao Kun, Dai Cen, and Luo Xiangwan, the west. Li Shuang, Ji Shanhai, and Xu Wuyi, you’re with me for a routine inspection at the edge of the Rift."
"The rest of you, remain on standby."
With the assignments given, the group quickly dispersed.
Xu Wuyi followed Tang Xiuqi, Li Shuang, and Ji Shanhai through the fortress’s rear gate, heading toward the Rift.
The closer they got, the stronger the Energy Fluctuation became.
The ground was covered in charred scorch marks and deep craters, all left behind from past battles.
About three hundred meters from the Rift, Tang Xiuqi stopped.
"A routine inspection mainly involves observing the energy ripples on the Rift’s surface, recording the fluctuation data, and checking if the rune formations on the ground are damaged," he explained. "Usually, there won’t be any problems, but we have to confirm it every day."
The four of them split up, each responsible for a different area.
Xu Wuyi walked to his designated position and looked up at the Rift.
Observed from up close, the oppressive feeling was even more intense.
The surface of the dark red Rift writhed slowly, like a living creature.
Occasionally, a ripple would appear, spreading from the bottom to the very top—an external manifestation of the energy tides within.
Xu Wuyi tried to extend his Heart Image perception toward it.
But about a hundred meters from the Rift, it was repelled by a chaotic and violent Energy Field.
It was a distorted Force Field created by the collision of Energy from the Star Realm and real space. Unless one could suppress it with absolute power like Grandmaster Ren Bai, it was impossible to penetrate.
"Don’t force it," Tang Xiuqi’s voice came from the side. "Everyone who comes here for the first time tries, but they all fail. Not even Master can fully analyze that Force Field."
Xu Wuyi withdrew his perception and nodded.
He crouched down and inspected the silver runes on the ground.
These runes formed complex arrays, and each one contained the pure Power of Heart Image. They had clearly been laid out by Grandmaster Ren Bai himself.
Xu Wuyi could feel that the runes and the suppressive power on the Rift’s surface shared the same source, resonating with each other to form a complete sealing system.
He carefully inspected the area but found no damage.
"Junior Brother Xu."
Tang Xiuqi walked over, holding a tablet-sized detector. The screen displayed the Rift’s real-time energy readings.
"The data is normal, and the fluctuations are within a controllable range." He turned the screen toward Xu Wuyi. "But based on past experience, this calm period won’t last long. In three days at most, there will be a small-scale surge."
"How large a scale?" Xu Wuyi asked.
"Anywhere from a dozen to over a hundred. They’re mostly ordinary Star Beasts and Commander Level ones," Tang Xiuqi said. "Occasionally, a Great Commander Level beast will be mixed in, but the probability isn’t high."
"Then we..."
"Our Second Echelon’s main task is to handle these routine surges." Tang Xiuqi looked at the Rift. "Unless the number exceeds two hundred, or multiple Great Commander Level beasts appear, there’s no need to disturb Master."
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