Cosmic-Level Demon God

Perhaps it was this comfortable atmosphere of casual conversation that influenced Ying Huang, softening the inherent sense of distance as a core member of the Nine Surnames.

Making the red-haired, god-like perfect figure of him feel less out of place in Old Factory Street.

"A genius who can realize potential and talent, fully maturing, is rarer than the humble grassroots who journey from the frontier to the core of the Imperial Capital, crossing the barriers set by the Nine Surnames and breaking free from the shackles of family lineage."

Ying Huang shrugged and smiled:

"But with investments, you know, sometimes you have three years of no profit, and when you do, it lasts for three years—quite common. I've gotten used to it."

Qin Shi pretended to be serious and said earnestly:

"I hope I won't make you lose too much."

An interesting fellow.

Watching Qin Shi's departing silhouette, Ying Huang's lips curled up. He sat back down, hesitated a moment, picked up that cup of milk tea, bit the straw, and took a sip.

Then, with an expressionless face, he said:

"Indeed, hard to accept."

The door of the Golden Trident sports car opened, Ying Huang sat in the driver's seat, put on a headset, and Old Li's voice came through:

"Young Master, how did the talk go?"

Ying Huang hit the gas, the engine roared, shooting out of Old Factory Street.

Only in a lockdown area like Heng Province can one enjoy the speed and passion of a gasoline-powered car.

"It went normally. As I expected, there's a latent hostility towards me and the Nine Surnames; or more accurately, he doesn't like the class I stand for.

And an interesting point, he even resists becoming a part of this class, perhaps without realizing it himself.

I'm not sure where such deeply ingrained ideas come from.

But undoubtedly, it's very similar to He Lanchan."

The Golden Trident sports car was like lightning, the roar of the engine like a monster's roar. Ying Huang firmly gripped the steering wheel, calmly saying:

"Simply uncanny."

Old Li remained silent.

"Let's see if he can make a mark during the Great Expansion.

Among the first generation of the Top Ten, 'Kuang Xiao Ao Chong' was the only one from a battle group.

If the Scorching Sun on the Martial Arts Path wishes to shine on the battlefield, it won't be easy.

Cannons and the enemy don't care about martial virtue, only the result matters."

Whoosh!

The Golden Trident disappeared in the dust!

Leaving the constructing and gradually changing Old Factory Street far behind!

...

...

Days passed in the blink of an eye, Qin Shi slowed his cultivation pace; in fact, after reaching the Specialized Level, the energy factors he needed to absorb could no longer be fulfilled by everyday intake.

This was one of the reasons Qin Shi showed a positive attitude towards going to the front line.

The exceptionally stable spatial structure of the Urban Circle prevented him from utilizing his formidable abilities, making him yearn for a change of environment.

These days, Qin Shi properly settled his family matters, with the help of the heads of the Inspection Department and the Education Commission, as well as Qiguang Heng University's goodwill.

Many previously cumbersome issues became incredibly easy.

Qin Shi rarely relaxed his tightly strung nerves, fully resting, no longer strictly following his daily cultivation regimen, content to stay home reading, eating, and having leisurely chats with his eldest sister and little brother.

Occasionally, he even volunteered for grocery shopping, which greatly troubled the paparazzi aiming for bombshell headlines.

Who would care to see the Scorching Sun of a young man carrying two fish, a few kilos of ribs, and a bag of vegetables?

Besides, before they could press the shutter, the operatives from the Inspection Department would swiftly appear, dragging the uninformed paparazzi into a nearby alley for some good education.

Though all was quiet on Qin Shi's front, one must admit that the tense atmosphere of the Great Expansion, like a widespread rainstorm, pushed heavy clouds from the Governor's Mansion to every city.

Emotions, like the flu, are always extremely contagious. Within a few days, Qin Shi noticed the hidden worry in his sister Qin Lan's eyes and the carefree demeanor of his little brother Qin Xiao overshadowed by concern.

Even the most carefree friend Zhou Ning would bring up the situation of Heng Province opening the east and west lines during gatherings.

After dinner, Qin Shi excused himself to go downstairs for some air, sitting in the pavilion of the community, gazing up at the twinkling stars.

By then, it was almost the beginning of autumn, the air full of coolness.

"Might as well respond to the call early."

Qin Shi silently picked up his phone and dialed Chen Ruofu's number.

The next morning, before the sun had risen, a light fog enveloped the streets of Tai'an.

A chauffeur-driven car broke the tranquility, tires skidding to a stop at the community gate.

Qin Shi slung the backpack over his shoulder, lightly packed, and got in.

In the silent dawn, he was heading to the battlefield.

"I still need to trouble you, Brother Holvren, to send me to the conscription office."

The driver, Holvren, smiled. Normally, an ordinary person wouldn't get the luxury of having the chief secretary of the Inspection Department as a driver.

"The minister also mentioned if you want to postpone it a few more days. The opening of the Western Front hasn't been smooth, with 'high wall zones' formed by the pollution areas.

The second batch of pioneers heading there are still in the training camp and haven't set out yet."

Qin Shi shook his head. He didn't want his older sister Qin Xiao and youngest sibling Qin Lan to worry about him; family concern often came with pressure.

Rather than staying in the rear, constantly hearing news from TV and radio, he preferred to head to the battlefield in person and participate.

"The camp you're being dispatched to this time is located in Barrier City, approximately 1,800 kilometers from the Tai'an Region.

It's the first line of defense on the Western Front of the Grand Expansion Movement, with a conflict intensity of about Level 3."

Holvren drove all the way to the outskirts of the city, showing their passes twice along the way. The full-scale launch of the Grand Expansion Movement also placed the Tai'an Region under wartime control.

After traveling about seventy or eighty kilometers, they completely exited the normal activity range of the Tai'an Metropolitan Area.

The destination was a valley, where the official car of the Inspection Department stopped in front of a large wooden gate.

Holvren turned back and said:

"Due to the activation of confidentiality regulations, your identity for the Western Front is now Qin Shi, as in 'to pick up'.

The Inspection Department will collaborate with the Education Commission to release information, claiming you're the last batch participating in the Grand Expansion Movement, currently receiving specialized level special training to prepare for the Star Cup.

They will continue to cover for you with smoke screens until the situation stabilizes, and esotericists belonging to the mixed chaos Great Demon can't cause trouble."

He took out a credential from his chest, which the now-disguised Qin Shi received.

"Additionally, you're coming as a 'connection' to gain prestige, someone from the Qin Family of pioneers.

Minister Chen thinks that instead of being low-key, it's better to be a bit ostentatious to avoid suspicion."

Holvren added.

Qin Shi nodded, not asking further questions.

Old Chen was reliable, someone worth trusting.

He picked up his ever-present Perfect Level Electric Shock Saber, slung his tactical backpack, and swaggered towards the conscription office.

Just by his back, it was clear how cocky he was.

"Getting into character fast."

Holvren's mouth twitched.

A moment later, the official car restarted and left, while Qin Shi, having shown his credentials, began undergoing a physical examination.

"Strip off your clothes."

The female nurse in the medical room of the conscription office said to Qin Shi.

The latter complied expressionlessly.

His confident demeanor, along with his outstanding physique and personal strengths, made the female nurse record and nod repeatedly.

"Not bad, not bad. You're the best of this batch!"

Qin Shi's temple veins popped. He didn't know what aspect of 'best' the nurse was referring to.

After completing the initial examination, confirming no disabilities, injuries, or illness history, with his life force meeting the standard, Qin Shi was assigned to a large room.

There were rows of double-decker iron-framed beds, and according to the conscription office, military trucks would come every three days to pick people up.

Until then, he could only stay here and wasn't allowed to move around or go out unauthorized.

"The battlefield..."

Qin Shi casually chose a lower bunk bed, tossing his tactical backpack onto it.

Fortunately, the conscription office's rules weren't too strict, and they didn't confiscate his phone terminal.

He opened a message sent by Ying Huang.

[Ying Huang: The support team has been positioned, looking forward to your performance.]

[Ying Huang: Inviting you to join the group]

Qin Shi clicked to confirm.

He was then added to the group "Hard-working Livestock Pay Per Day."

The first thing he saw was a long "recruitment notice."

[Looking for temporary artillery buddies!]

[Requirements: Aged between 18 to 25, height above 160cm, physique meeting the standards for the Dongxia Battle Group's vanguard, vision not below 0.8 (or corrected to military standards), proficient in the theory and practice of artillery combat, including but not limited to the following:

1. Mastery of the unified artillery tactics and command language of various battle groups, and operational procedures of common artillery weapon systems (such as Vulcan Cannon, Thunderstorm Self-propelled Artillery, Gonggong Sequence High-Mobility Rocket Artillery System).

2. Familiarity with artillery battalion combat formations, fire coverage strategies, and ballistic analysis.

3. Ability to independently accomplish tasks such as measuring target distance, determining orientation, indicating targets, and formulating fire plans.

4. Proficiency in the application of the following artillery firing modes...

Qin Shi's mouth twitched; the support team provided by Ying Huang didn't seem all that serious.