Chapter 400 - 200: Both Loyal and Filial, Just Name Your Request
Chapter 400: Chapter 200: Both Loyal and Filial, Just Name Your Request
Meanwhile, in the main auditorium of the Ninghai Province Military Department.
Lin Ye stood in the very center of the stage, his posture ramrod straight.
The thunderous applause and the countless gazes converging on him didn’t cause the slightest ripple in his composure.
His attention was entirely focused on the middle-aged man who was walking toward him step by step from the main seating area below the stage.
The man wore a general’s service uniform, unadorned by any unnecessary accessories, with a wheat ear and two brilliant gold stars on his shoulders.
The rank of Lieutenant General.
He looked to be around fifty, with an ordinary face and a build that was not imposing—in fact, one could even call it somewhat lean.
His face was expressionless and his pace unhurried as he ascended the steps, yet he naturally became the center of the entire auditorium.
He was merely walking calmly, yet all the clamor around him fell silent, as if an invisible aura enveloped the entire space.
His name was Yu Chengguang.
He was the highest-ranking leader at this award ceremony, a true Martial Saint.
The moment the lieutenant general’s gaze met Lin Ye’s, a line of text, red so dark it was almost black and carrying a severe warning, suddenly popped into view!
[Level: ???]
This was the first time the system had ever been completely unable to display a real level!
Immediately after, a series of even more urgent system notifications began to ring frantically in his mind!
[Warning! Extremely powerful adventurer detected approaching!]
[Warning! Target’s level is over 100 levels higher than the host’s! Threat assessment: Extremely fatal!]
[Probability of survival: 0%!]
[Combat recommendation: None]
Lin Ye remembered clearly.
The last time the system had issued such a warning was when he was only Level 1, facing the Level 37 Chen Meng.
Back then, the system had at least given him the advice to flee immediately.
But now, it wasn’t giving any advice at all.
Because running was useless.
A level of "???" meant the target was more than 100 levels higher than him!
His current level was 41. This meant that in the system’s judgment, the seemingly unremarkable middle-aged general before him was, at the very least, a terrifying existence approaching Level 150—or perhaps even higher!
This completely exceeded Lin Ye’s understanding of the system’s level evaluations!
Just then, the lieutenant general named Yu Chengguang reached him.
He stopped, and his seemingly ordinary eyes fell upon Lin Ye.
Lin Ye felt as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart.
Yu Chengguang just stood calmly before him, his eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, held no emotion.
Fortunately, he showed no hint of hostility.
Under the gazes of several thousand people, Yu Chengguang reached out and took two brand-new epaulets representing the rank of major from a velvet tray held by an attendant officer.
He personally took a step forward and neatly affixed them to the shoulders of Lin Ye’s dress uniform.
His movements were unhurried, yet carried an indescribable solemnity.
In the entire hall, only Lin Ye, the top cadet, received the supreme honor of having his rank conferred by the Martial Saint himself.
Next, Yu Chengguang picked up a badge made of pure gold.
The badge was shaped like a towering mountain peak, with a dazzling, burning star rising above its summit.
He steadily pinned this Qiming General Star Badge to Lin Ye’s chest.
After doing all this, Yu Chengguang took half a step back, re-examined the young man before him, and began to speak.
His voice wasn’t loud, yet it echoed clearly in every corner of the auditorium.
"From this day forward, you are a member of the Great Xia military."
"This is an honor, but more importantly, a responsibility."
"I hope you will remember the glory of this day, and never forget that responsibility."
"The future of Great Xia needs young people like you to forge it, to protect it."
Lin Ye straightened his chest.
He raised his right hand in a perfectly standard military salute, his burning gaze meeting Yu Chengguang’s, and his voice was sonorous and forceful, each word ringing with conviction.
"Yes, sir!"
ROAR—!!!
Below the stage, a tidal wave of applause instantly erupted!
A faint smile finally appeared on Yu Chengguang’s face. He nodded, then turned and walked back to his seat.
An officer walked to the front of the stage to conduct the final part of the award ceremony.
"All personnel!"
"Recite the oath!"
On the high stage, the fifteen cadets, including Lin Ye, Dongfang Zhen, and Zhang Daoxuan, all raised their right hands, forming a fist and placing it beside their temples.
"I swear!"
"I will abide by the soldier’s code and take it as my duty to protect Great Xia..."
"To obey orders, strictly observe discipline, be brave and tenacious, and unafraid of sacrifice..."
"I am willing to shed my last drop of blood for Great Xia!"
The oath reverberated, and the hall once again erupted in thunderous applause.
The ceremony ended. All the cadets except for Lin Ye, Dongfang Zhen, and Zhang Daoxuan left the stage, led by their instructors.
At that moment, Yu Chengguang, who had already returned to his seat, spoke again with a hint of a smile.
"Although there’s no official rule, by the tradition of our Ninghai Military District, as the top three cadets, you are all qualified to request some rare resources you desire from the Military Department."
"Come now, speak freely. Make any requests you have."
"As long as it’s within our capabilities, we will do our best to fulfill them."
"Let’s start with the third-place cadet."
All eyes fell on Zhang Daoxuan.
This normally calm Sword Control genius couldn’t help but show a trace of nervousness on his face.
He first cleared his throat, then bowed deeply to the audience below the stage.
"Thank you, Mr. Yin. Thank you to all the instructors for your guidance, and thank you to the Military Department for the honor you have given me."