Chapter 536: Chapter 295: Stepping into the Fourth Rank, the Frontier Watches the Same Person!
She was once called a "prodigy" and a "top student."
But faced with Qin Shi’s extraordinary performance, she undoubtedly seemed like a rookie, without even the thought of comparing herself to him.
From fiercely battling two Level Three calamity followers, to the attack of the Blood River Typhon, and then reaching White Poplar Barrier City, how much time has passed?
An ordinary person suffering such severe trauma and contamination would be lucky to survive, yet Qin Shi achieved a critical breakthrough while gravely injured.
"I’ve said it before, combat is the best catalyst for evolution."
Qin Shi found it reasonable, as high risk often comes with high rewards.
He felt the surging life force within himself, and a distinctly different powerful fluctuation.
The extraordinary body unfolded its domain, with the platinum blazing sun embodying reality.
The brand of the Blood River Typhon still burned painfully, but under the suppression of his newly born extraordinary body, it was more like a stubborn stone than a deadly tumor, unable to cause direct harm.
"Boss, it’s easy for you to say; if a normal person took risks like you, grass would be three meters high on their grave."
Long Qiuyuan shrugged, feeling as if a top student had imparted his methods, only to hear them say, "Just do more practice problems and work out more, and you can get into the Four National Universities."
"Gather information on the ’Corrupted Sea’ for me."
Qin Shi said, as he stepped into the Fourth Rank of the Specialized Level, his life force seemed to become more resilient, carrying a slight "resistance" to contamination.
Lightly clenching his fist, as the power surged, that clearer sense of "realness" extended outward.
Space was like a fabric being kneaded, revealing layers of fine wrinkles.
"Once I’ve fully ’refined’ the brand of the Blood River Typhon, I will possess even greater power, and... a more fundamental grasp of energy."
Qin Shi’s eyes flickered as he quietly awaited the next hunt, to open the Sixth Great Limit, and once again embrace a new transformation.
...
...
Two days later.
Qin Shi stood on a circular lift, rising slowly from below to reach the highest point of White Poplar Barrier City.
At the moment of transition from darkness to light, a tidal wave of sound outside suddenly crashed over him.
The sound was not like cheers, but more like a kind of substantive pressure, directly striking Qin Shi’s face.
The meticulously organized collar of his military uniform by Long Qiuyuan felt slightly tight at this moment, making him want to loosen it.
"Such fervent emotions."
Through spiritual fluctuations, Qin Shi could truly sense the new soldiers and warriors of White Poplar Barrier City, their hearts were raging like turbulent streams.
Admiration and reverence, longing and aspiration, seemed to become substantial, swiftly infecting others.
Finally converging into a kind of spiritual torrent, crashing forward!
"Boss, this is a live broadcast to all Four Alliances, you can’t deal with it casually."
Long Qiuyuan’s voice came through the earpiece, slightly drifting, drowned in the vast noise.
The surrounding sentry posts one by one lit up their spotlights, like stage lights; the scene below unfolded—
The viewing platform was filled with front-line officers, a dense crowd; below were soldiers arrayed in formation, tens of thousands like one, their powered armor gleaming with a cold metallic sheen under the lights.
Due to the transformation of his domain, the enhancement of perception, Qin Shi could even smell the scent of rust, motor oil, and the ozone unique to the operation of large energy shield generators in the air, mixing into a rough battlefield aroma.
"Sa-lute—!"
A voice with strong penetration power resounded.
Then came the explosive sound of thunder!
It was not thunder, but the colossal sound of tens of thousands of soldiers simultaneously pounding their fists against their chest plates!
The footsteps of new soldiers and veterans were as synchronized as one, shaking the ground.
Qin Shi’s gaze swept over the nearest soldier formation, a familiar face flashed by—Zhao Su, that "comrade" from the Huangquan Training Camp.
Only he didn’t see the ever-present Gao Pao with him.
Was he sacrificed?
Zhao Su seemed to notice Qin Shi’s scrutiny as well, his gaze grew steely, like steel tempered by fire.
At the highest point of the viewing platform, Governor Feng Wuyang stood there.
The deep blue commander’s uniform was exceptionally crisp, with no medals pinned on it, only a small golden dragon head insignia on the left chest, glimmering under the searchlights.
Qin Shi stepped forward, his military boots striking the hardened ground, emitting a clear echo.
He exchanged glances with the other, the eyes of the Heng Province governor were as calm as a frozen lake, revealing no emotions.
"Such strong spirit, nearly unshakable."
The voice of Feng Wuyang came out of the amplification matrix, not loud, but strangely suppressing the clamor below:
"Today’s commendation is not for an individual’s battle achievement."
Feng Wuyang raised his hand, pointing to the massive holographic projection in the sky above the square.
The scene instantly switched to the moment when Qin Shi cleaved the scarlet sky—a platinum stream of light tearing through darkness, piercing everything.
Finally frozen at the moment of the downward slash.
"That slash, truly impressive."
Qin Shi gazed at his own highlight, silently expressing appreciation.
The cheers below surged, like waves crashing against the shore, almost threatening to sweep people away.
The soldiers pounded their chest plates with increasing fervor, creating an even more frenzied roar.
Aide-de-camp with hands cradling a medal box, briskly walked to Feng Wuyang’s side.
Everyone’s eyes, along with countless camera lenses, firmly locked onto the object within that box.
"Lieutenant Qin, step forward to receive your commendation."