It was good that he passed the test. However, Tang Wulin was feeling a little upset that he had revealed his bloodline soul ring abilities too soon. He felt speechless about the situation now, although the feeling had been exhilarating during the battle earlier. Being pressured was actually helpful to his combat experience. He found it satisfying especially after his Golden Dragon Spear pierced through Ba An's body to absorb its special energy.
At that moment, he felt the elevation of his body similar to the situation where he had consumed nutritious food. It had been a long time since he felt this way after his physical quality was elevated. Unfortunately, it was just a simulation. It would be nice to have this kind of creature in the real world. He would then have found a way to continue elevating his body's strength.
He recalled the battle earlier and analyzed the lesson and experience gained as he followed closely behind the major. They passed through the barracks.
Soon, the major brought him back to the place he was at in the beginning. He met the first lieutenant once again.
"Is the test completed? It took longer than usual, didn't it? Has he passed?" the first lieutenant asked smilingly.
The major nodded. "He passed."
Tang Wulin noticed that they were not addressing each other's military rank during their conversation.
"Which rank did he pass?" the first lieutenant asked out of curiosity.
The major shook his head. "I don't know. We'll have to wait for the higher authorities to decide. It's very high."
"Very high?" The first lieutenant knew the major very well. Not many people in the entire Blood God Army obtained a good appraisal from her. She could only imagine the kind of shock the major underwent with this extremely good-looking youth.
"Please make arrangements for him to receive his gear. Assign him to the special service temporarily while we await the specific assignment after we carry out an evaluation of him," said the major.
"Sure. Do you wish to show him the barracks first, now that he's a member of the Blood God Army?" the first lieutenant asked smilingly.
The major hesitated for a moment. At the end, she relented. "Sure. I'll wait for him outside. Please help to register him."
The major turned around and walked outside upon saying that. She had only taken two steps when she suddenly stopped and turned around to address Tang Wulin, "My name is Long Yuxue." As soon as she said that, she strode out of the room.
Long Yuxue sounded like a name with a story.
"Do you think her name sounds pleasant?" the first lieutenant asked with a smile on her face.
"Pleasant indeed!"
The first lieutenant spoke in jest, "She's still single. You need to put in more effort."
Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment. He could not help laughing. "Are you trying to matchmake us?"
The first lieutenant sighed. "I've no choice. What can I do when I only have a daughter?"
Daughter? Tang Wulin was startled. The major Long Yuxue seemed different now, quite unlike the person he met earlier.
"She looks like her father. I bet you sensed that our relationship earlier was a little odd. It's actually quite normal. We're at the barracks, so we address each other by our military ranks during work hours. On the other hand, she's my daughter naturally during the break times. Alright, we shall register you now. Your personal particulars have already been obtained from the recommendation letter and keyed into the system. Tang Wulin from Shrek Academy, an inner court student. Is that correct?"
"Yes." Tang Wulin nodded.
The first lieutenant spoke, "Age. Twenty-one years? What's your soul power cultivation base? I need your latest data."
"About rank-58. It has been some time since I've tested mine," Tang Wulin spoke frankly.
The first lieutenant praised him. "You're truly worthy of your title as a student of Shrek Academy. How about your battle armor? What is its name?"
Tang Wulin answered, "Dragon Moon."
"Two-word battle armor?" The first lieutenant's body shuddered a little. She now understood her daughter's marked attention toward this youth. Again, she reminded Tang Wulin that her daughter was single because of Long Yuxue's interest in him. Long Yuxue had told Tang Wulin her name! The first lieutenant had never witnessed her daughter behaving in such a way before.
"Hmm." Tang Wulin nodded.
After the registration, the first lieutenant procured a few sets of military uniforms and passed them to Tang Wulin. She gave him two sets of standard uniforms and two sets of thick winter uniforms. That was all he received.
"Ma'am, will I be given any weapons?" Tang Wulin asked out of curiosity.
The first lieutenant shook her head. "No. No one is allowed to reap without sowing in the Blood God Army. You'll need to work hard to gain powerful weapons and a higher military rank. Only your military merit can be used to exchange for the things you need here."
Military merit? By carrying out missions? During peacetime, it was not that easy to accumulate military merit. Tang Wulin did not think that the Holy Spirit Cult's group of evil soul masters would stay in a place with such poor living conditions.
"You'll find out later. Go, she's waiting for you outside," said the first lieutenant with a knowing smile.
Tang Wulin smiled. "Ma'am, I have a girlfriend."
The first lieutenant was stunned for a moment before she shrugged. "It's alright. Anything is possible before marriage."
Tang Wulin did not speak anymore. He feebly thumped his right fist against his chest which was the Blood God Army's military salute. He then kept the uniforms in his storage ring before he walked out.
Long Yuxue continued to wait outside. Her expression was still as cold as before. She called out when she saw Tang Wulin. "Follow me. I'll take you to your quarters and give you a briefing on the barracks."
The weather outside was still cold, but it hardly affected Tang Wulin.
"You must first understand the restricted locations. The building over there is the army's command post, so one doesn't enter the place without an impending mission unless one is summoned by the superior. There's also the building over there. That's the weapon's warehouse, another restricted zone. Hence, you're not allowed to enter at will. This is the barracks and that's the training area over there. Normally, it's also the location with the most people. It's equipped with all sorts of the Federation's most advanced training devices. You're allowed to head over there and use it anytime. However, you must be dressed in your military uniform that has your identity tag. Without your military uniform, it's difficult to go anywhere."
Long Yuxue explained the situation in the barracks to Tang Wulin in detail.
"Ma'am, I have a question. Am I allowed to leave the barracks at will?" Tang Wulin asked.
Long Yuxue stopped walking. "Leave the barracks? Why do you want to do that?"
Tang Wulin said, "Oh, nothing. Just go for a walk."
Long Yuxue spoke indifferently, "There's no leave of absence for you before you achieve the rank of a major. A major's rank or above will entitle you to a day's leave per week to go outside, but you must hand in all your military hardware before you go out, including your mecha. You can only rely on your own ability while you're outside."
"Oh."
Tang Wulin was not overly concerned about this. Although it was a little difficult to reach the Fire Basin in a day without using his martial soul or battle armor, it was not impossible. He would just fly there.
However, it might take a while before he could be a major!
According to his knowledge of the army, he should be a third-class private when he enrolled in the army. He would then be promoted to a second-class private, and finally to a first-class private under a soldier's ranking. They were all considered a private's rank.
Thereafter, it would be second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, and then major.
In other words, he was five to six ranks away from this person before him.
"Promotions within the military are quite easy during the early stage. I don't think it's difficult for you judging by your combat ability. However, you must first undergo special training for a month. This is required for all the new recruits. The training lasts for a month which gives you time to learn about the Blood God Army as well as what you should do as a member of the Blood God Army."
Tang Wulin could not help asking, "Ma'am, may I ask how long it took you to be promoted to a major?"
Long Yuxue raised her brows ever so slightly. "Don't reach for what is beyond your grasp. I think you can do it faster than me, but remember not to be taken in by greed. The Blood God Army sacrificed the most in this respect over the years. The special training that follows a month later will cover such matters."
"I understand." Four years he could not leave Gu Yuena in the Fire Basin for four years. Tang Wulin was even more depressed that his soul communicator had lost its signal at present. In other words, there was utterly no way he could get in touch with Gu Yuena right now.
"Are you in a rush to leave?" Long Yuxue could tell from the change in Tang Wulin's expression.
Tang Wulin said, "Not really. I hope to improve myself as soon as I can." Of course, he would not mention that he had a girlfriend waiting outside since this would violate the rules of the army.
Long Yuxue brought Tang Wulin to a barrack. The barrack was extremely clean on the inside with metallic finishings all over. However, he noticed that the temperature rose as soon as he entered the inner area of the barrack. It felt warm and comfortable for him.
"This is your room. Everyone here is given a single room, and it'll be in accordance with your rank. You're a new recruit which is the lowest rank. When you're promoted to a lieutenant, there'll be adjustments later. The same goes for the promotion to a major. There will be an evaluation of your test later today. So, you'll begin your special training for new recruits tomorrow. Take a rest first."