On the other side.
Under Xu Feng's guidance, Gu Xing arrived at a well-decorated meeting room.
After signaling Liu Li to wait outside, Gu Xing pushed the door open and entered.
As soon as he entered, his gaze was immediately drawn to the dark blue figure seated at the head of the table.
City Lord Xia Xiu stood respectfully to the side.
This detail made Gu Xing instantly aware that this extraordinary middle-aged man was far above the city lord in terms of status.
Seeing Gu Xing enter the room, Xia Xiu immediately stood up to introduce:
"Student Gu Xing, this is the chief of the Southern Military Region, Wei Yuan!"
Wei Yuan?!
Gu Xing's pupils slightly constricted.
This name in Longxia Country was renowned—
A Monarch Level Beast Master, the pillar of the Southern Battle Zone, truly capable of turning the tide in national crises.
"Greetings to the City Lord and the Chief."
Regaining his composure, Gu Xing respectfully saluted each of them.
Wei Yuan nodded slightly, his deep eyes scrutinizing Gu Xing, and said gently:
"Student Gu Xing, congratulations on obtaining an SSS-class potential rating in the newbie trial."
"Thank you, Chief. However, I suppose the Chief called me here for another matter."
Seeing Xia Xiu standing to the side like a transparent figure, Gu Xing understood that the one who truly wanted to see him...
Should be this chief of the Southern Military Region, Wei Yuan!
Yet he couldn't fathom why a military area chief would take the initiative to meet him.
Though he excelled in the newbie trial.
A genius that hasn't matured isn't truly a genius.
Witnessing Gu Xing's composed demeanor, a hint of admiration flashed in Wei Yuan's eyes.
When he received the news of Gu Xing's SSS-class rating midway, his first reaction was skepticism.
After all, in Longxia Country, talents of this level were incredibly rare.
For a border town like Lin Yuan City to produce an SSS-class rated genius was nearly impossible.
He initially thought this talent achieved the SSS-class rating through some "trick."
But seeing Gu Xing's guardian beast in person dispelled that thought instantly.
The aura emanating from that guardian beast had clearly surpassed the Epic Level!
With a Legendary Level guardian beast, obtaining an SSS-class rating was only logical.
"Student Gu Xing, I do have a favor to ask."
Wei Yuan said, his gaze lightly sweeping towards Xia Xiu.
The city lord immediately understood, respectfully exiting the room, yet his mind was tumultuous...
What kind of secret could exclude even him, the lord of a city?
As the door closed, Wei Yuan waved his hand gently, and a light blue screen rippled like water waves, enveloping them.
"This is..." Gu Xing's pupils shrank slightly.
"A basic application of Domain Power, which you will understand upon reaching Commander Level."
"This is mainly to ensure our conversation isn't overheard."
Gu Xing focused on the fluctuating energy barrier before him, his expression growing solemn.
To make a Monarch Level Beast Master treat matters so cautiously, even resorting to Domain Power for isolation...
It must be extraordinary!
Possibly concerning the fate of Longxia Country!
"Student Gu Xing, you should know the Alternate Space is another world merging with Blue Star."
"Every country is building defenses in the Alternate Space, providing safe training environments for Low Tier Beast Masters."
Gu Xing nodded; this piece of history was already recorded in the textbooks.
"But Longxia Country's defense construction lags behind other countries." Wei Yuan suddenly changed the topic, "Do you know why?"
Gu Xing furrowed his brow, thinking: "Is it because... the defense construction isn't going smoothly?"
"Exactly!!!"
Wei Yuan's fingers sketched out a map on a light screen in the void, "Three years ago, we discovered a gigantic Land of Trial at a critical location."
On the light screen, a scarlet dot was right at the defense hub.
"Normally, discovering a Land of Trial is a good thing."
"But this Land of Trial is located at the most crucial node of our defenses."
"Without overcoming this Land of Trial, the defense will always have a gap, through which those demon race creatures can invade at any time."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xing couldn't help but look up at Wei Yuan.
"But it seems like I can't help much!"
Wei Yuan raised his hand to interrupt, tapping the void lightly, a three-dimensional projection unfolded instantly.
The projection clearly marked the various areas of the Land of Trial, most of which were shown in green, indicating "completed," whereas only the core area blinked with a glaring red light.
"Other trial areas of different levels have been fully conquered by our forces."
"Only this final place—"
He pointed at the patch of red light, "Requires Awakening Tier Five and below, in teams of three to challenge."
The projection magnified suddenly, showing detailed data of the area:
[Difficulty Level: Abyssal Level]
The Land of Trial is a special secret realm within the Alternate Space, and those who pass it can gain rich rewards.
According to difficulty, Longxia Country officially classifies them into five levels.
Common, Hard, Nightmare, Hell, and at the top—Abyss!
"I need you," Wei Yuan stared into Gu Xing's eyes, "to team up with two other SSS-class talents and complete this ultimate challenge, helping Longxia Country build its defense!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Xing finally understood.
Why would a military area chief personally seek out a newbie beast master in the awakening stage.
As he absorbed this information, Wei Yuan misunderstood his hesitation.
"The trial is indeed risky. So as long as you participate, you will qualify to select one item from the Southern Military Region's treasury."
Wei Yuan said while raising his hand to unfold a light screen,
Countless virtual shadows of rare materials swirled on the screen.
Gu Xing glanced up casually, but his gaze was instantly drawn to one material.
Light Crystal?!
A whole piece of Light Crystal?!
"Chief Wei!" Gu Xing's voice trembled slightly, "Does the military treasury... contain a whole piece of Light Crystal?"
He didn't expect to find the first material needed for cultivating Liu Li here.
Wei Yuan's eyes flashed with surprise, his fingertips lightly touched to enlarge the projection of that crystal:
"It seems this item is very important to you?"
Gu Xing nodded.
"Alright, as long as you agree to participate in the trial, whether you fail or succeed, it's yours."
"Deal!"
Gu Xing agreed without hesitation.
He had initially intended to accept such tasks for the country, and now the "Light Crystal" was purely a pleasant surprise.
As Wei Yuan saw Gu Xing agree, he let out a sigh of relief.
He had pledged to complete the entire defense line construction this year.
If he hadn't encountered Gu Xing, he would have thought there's no way to accomplish it this year.
It wasn't that they hadn't dispatched talents to participate in trials before, but even SS-class potential talents couldn't break through half the progress.
Thus he could only madly search within Longxia Country for talents with SSS-level potential.
Now, he's finally found one!!
"Time waits for no one; let's set off now. Each day delayed, the defense gap may claim more lives of Longxia Beast Masters."
...
...