The perpetually furrowed brows of General Wo La Hu of Africa slowly drew apart. A pleased smile played at the corners of his eyes and mouth.

The African Lion Mobile Armor Squadron. The ace unit within the African Military Region's Mobile Armor Corps. Clara, its captain, was the absolute best pilot in the entire African Military Region's Mobile Armor forces.

Clara. The elite of the elite among the African Mobile Armor forces. Standing at one meter seventy-eight, he wasn't particularly tall for a soldier, yet his skill commanded awe throughout the entire African Mobile Armor division.

General Wo La Hu laughed happily, raising a hand to motion for the soldier, who had been secretly transferred, to take a seat.

Clara sat ramrod straight, hands resting on his knees, maintaining the most formal military posture.

Wo La Hu nodded with satisfaction. Although the African Military Region was comparatively the weakest in the entire Federation, it was no place for a mere novice to act presumptuously.

Wo La Hu turned Clara's resume over again, feeling more certain with every line he read.

Clara: Career soldier. Five years in the service. Runner-up in the New Recruit Competition's Mobile Armor division. Completed multiple missions with outstanding results. In fifteen years, his only defeat came at the hands of an East Asian Mobile Armor pilot named "Brute." Details of the defeat are unknown; Clara has remained tight-lipped about the matter.

"Brute?" Wo La Hu glanced at the timetable. That incident occurred two years ago. His uneasy heart settled once more.

Two years ago? Wo La Hu chuckled. At that time, Qin Fen was still a high school student. This "Brute" couldn't possibly be Qin Fen.

"Clara, I've called you here for a special assignment." Wo La Hu leaned back in his chair and smiled. "In this new recruit competition, East Asia produced a monster."

"A monster?" Clara's smile showed his teeth, which looked even whiter against his skin as black as ink.

"A monster," Wo La Hu emphasized. "A young man, piloting a Lin Ranger, defeated Europe's top new recruit piloting the Galaxy Steel Soul."

"Oh? Is that so?" Clara's dark skin—hardly distinguishable from the surrounding shadows—wrinkled slightly. "The quality of this year's European recruits is that poor?"

Wo La Hu could only manage a wry smile as he shook his head. "Then, using a Crimson Lotus Phantom, he wiped out the entire European New Recruit Mobile Armor Corps. Yes, you don't need to widen your eyes in surprise—he fought the entire European New Recruit Mobile Armor Corps simultaneously."

The disdain on Clara's face vanished quickly. Seeing that Wo La Hu had no intention of stopping, he wisely closed his mouth and continued to listen attentively.

"Next, this recruit used another mobile armor to sweep through the American New Recruit Mobile Armor Corps. Yes, one man against a whole squad. The final outcome: he won." Wo La Hu rubbed his forehead, a hint of bitterness on his face. "Honestly, I wouldn't dare believe such an outcome, but that is the reality."

"He really is a new recruit?" Clara couldn't believe it. Mobile armor wasn't some automated sedan; it wasn't something just anyone could pilot.

A one-on-one victory was not strange. A one-against-many victory? Clara shook his head repeatedly. Who did that young man think he was? Did he imagine himself to be that arrogant East Asian Mobile Armor warrior, "Brute"?

Wo La Hu sighed. "I truly wish he weren't a new recruit, but he is."

"Then why did the General summon me?"

Clara looked at Wo La Hu with confusion. He had assumed he was called to help discern whether the opponent was a new recruit or an established soldier, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Here's the situation." Wo La Hu's dark skin couldn't help but show a flush of red. "That East Asian recruit's next private challenge is set against our African Mobile Armor Corps."

Clara let out an inquisitive "Oh?" and asked, "What does he intend to do? Isn't that a bit too arrogant?"

"Arrogant, yes," Wo La Hu sighed. "But he certainly has the qualifications for it."

"General means?" Clara's eyes suddenly brightened. "To have me defeat him? But I'm no longer a new recruit. Even if I win against him, it won't benefit our African new recruits; on the contrary..."

"That's why," Wo La Hu interrupted Clara. "My idea is this: you infiltrate our African New Recruit Mobile Armor Corps and face that East Asian recruit together. In the final moments, arrange a mutual crippling blow, creating the illusion of a draw. This way..."

Clara nodded continuously. This outcome, while not a victory for the African new recruits, would be far better than the results achieved by the European and American new recruits. Indirectly, it would also highlight the African new recruits without overly inviting suspicion regarding the use of a hidden gunner.

"General," Clara said seriously, "are you certain he is that powerful? If he isn't as strong as you say, what happens if the matter is exposed?"

"Don't worry about it," Wo La Hu waved a hand dismissively. "I've already discussed this matter with the Generals of the American, European, and West Asian teams. They also think Qin Fen is too arrogant. If any trouble arises from this, they will side with me, not East Asia."

Clara nodded again before saying, "Since that is the case, I understand what needs to be done."

"The myth of the monster Qin Fen's winning streak can finally be ended."

Wo La Hu completely relaxed. No matter how brave a new recruit was, they were no match for an experienced veteran. Even the most elite new soldier pales in comparison to an old soldier rich in practical experience.

The very best new recruits often appear as weak as kindergarten children before the most elite veterans.

Wo La Hu stared at Clara's departing back. Even if the African Mobile Armor Corps was the weakest in the Federation, sending out the number one fighter of the African Mobile Armor division signaled that the countdown to Qin Fen's defeat had begun.

The conference room returned to its initial quiet. The conference room in East Asia was similarly silent.

"Mr. Bai," Qin Fen slowly raised his head to look at Bai Sheng. "Thank you for your kind offer, but I have decided not to choose this fully integrated membership."

"Oh?" Bai Sheng was somewhat surprised. Had this young man not understood the immense authority that came with the fully integrated membership? It could undoubtedly be described as the best path to instant ascension to an extraordinary status.

Bearded Zhao's eyes widened, staring fixedly at Qin Fen, looking ready to rush forward and beat Qin Fen up to knock some sense into him.

"Young man, perhaps you do not fully grasp the treatment offered by the full integration into the Saint Martial Hall." Bai Sheng spoke again, explaining, "You can acquire the Body Refinement Pill or similar items, but the Marrow Cleansing Pill and Bone Changing Pill, and others, cannot be bought with mere wealth. As for the more advanced elixirs used to solidify one's foundation and aid breakthroughs, unless you possess immense..." [gap in text] "...it would be difficult even for a gold-tier member to acquire them. The path of martial arts is rarely smooth; sometimes this assistance is indispensable, otherwise, you might remain stuck at one star level for ten years without progress."

Bearded Zhao nodded repeatedly. As a master of martial arts, he clearly understood the immense benefit of these elixirs.

"Furthermore, if you encounter any fatal danger," Bai Sheng smiled faintly, "once a person is dead, they forever lose the chance to reach the pinnacle of martial arts."

"Mr. Bai, I understand everything you've said, but—"

Qin Fen raised his chin and smiled lightly. Bai Sheng suddenly felt that this smile exuded an aggressive heroism, an aura even more stirring to the heart.

"If I accept the protection of the Martial Hall, I should be quite safe." Qin Fen shook his head. "In that state, I would have lost my mettle and courage. A martial artist devoid of mettle and courage—do you think he still has a chance to step onto the absolute peak of martial arts and become a Divine Beast level existence?"

Bai Sheng stared blankly at Qin Fen's pupils, which seemed to be gleaming, while a hint of a mocking smile played on his lips.

Wanting to become a master titled 'Beast'? Bold spirit. Great ambition. Bai Sheng couldn't help but raise his thumb, and the mocking smile widened.

Wanting to become an inheritor titled 'Divine Beast'? Truly the fearlessness of the ignorant. It is good for young people to have great ambitions, but they shouldn't overestimate themselves.

In this world, countless young people just stepping onto the martial path rely on the sharp spirit in their hearts to aspire to become Divine Beast title holders, only to be crushed by the immense pressure in the end.

Bai Sheng had seen too many such young men. In the end, let alone becoming a Divine Beast warrior, they were still far from the Four Constellation masters beneath the Divine Beasts.

Looking at Qin Fen, Bai Sheng suddenly felt as if he saw his younger self. How spirited he once was. How he once aimed to become a Divine Beast title holder.

As he came into deeper contact with martial arts, he realized how vast the martial path was and how difficult it was to become a Divine Beast warrior.

It wasn't something achievable merely through effort. It required a certain amount of opportunity and comprehension.

"Alas," Bai Sheng sighed, shaking his head. "Young man, what you say does have some merit. If you joined the Saint Martial Hall because you feared assassination, perhaps your achievements could be decent. But you would likely fall far short of limitless prospects."

"I still choose the Outer Hall, beginner-level integration," Qin Fen smiled. "The Outer Hall beginner-level integration also has corresponding reward mechanisms, doesn't it? Perhaps I could become a beneficiary of those special clauses; who knows?"

"Special clauses?" A faint sarcasm touched Bai Sheng's lips. Since the Saint Martial Hall established the special clauses, no one had ever managed to qualify. This clause now seemed mostly designed to trick those who were hard to persuade.

Those possessing the potential to become a Divine Beast, even as a beginner-level member of the Saint Martial Hall Outer Hall, could enjoy all the privileges of the Inner Hall.

Potential to become a Divine Beast? Bai Sheng did not believe Qin Fen possessed such potential. At best, he could become a martial arts master ruling over one domain, and that would be quite something.

If anyone had such potential, a young man's figure flashed in Bai Sheng's mind. Among this generation, perhaps Shangguan Chuanqi had such a chance?

"Whatever you wish," Bai Sheng sighed. This era certainly didn't lack young people with martial talent. The Saint Martial Hall never forces anyone. "In that case, when do you plan to join the Saint Martial Hall—after you retire from service, or after this term of the new recruit competition ends?"

Qin Fen shifted his attention to Bearded Zhao's face. "General, if I retire right after finishing the new recruit competition, is that acceptable?"

Bearded Zhao spread his hands in a shrug. "Of course. Being able to join the Saint Martial Hall is an honor for our military department as well."

"Oh." Qin Fen nodded. "Then, regarding the benefits entitled to retired soldiers as stipulated by the Conscription Law, such as those rewards..."

"There are none," Bearded Zhao shook his head. "Voluntary mid-term retirement, even to join the Saint Martial Hall, still breaks military regulations. Although we won't obstruct you, according to the rules, you have violated military discipline, so you won't receive those rewards."

Qin Fen turned his attention back to Bai Sheng's face. "Then, Mr. Bai, if I finish the new recruit competition and choose to retire, will the Saint Martial Hall compensate me for all my losses?"

Bai Sheng smiled. In all his years as an invitation officer, besides one woman spoken of in rumors, this was the first time he had encountered someone so arrogant. He was only aiming for a beginner-level Outer Hall membership yet demanded compensation from the Saint Martial Hall?

"If you choose the full integration, the Saint Martial Hall will compensate you doubly. If you choose the beginner level, the Saint Martial Hall will offer no compensation. Don't forget, there are countless people in this world with piles of money who don't even have the chance to be invited into the Saint Hall." Bai Sheng's face hardened, and all traces of a kind smile vanished from the corners of his eyes.

Qin Fen nodded. This was no different from his own thinking. The Saint Martial Hall was almost a transcendent entity; countless people wished to join it, yet they lacked nothing—not even talented martial artists.

"I understand." Qin Fen refocused his attention on General Zhao's face. "General, I should accumulate quite a bit of military merit from this new recruit competition, right? After the competition, I shouldn't just be an ordinary veteran, should I?"

"Major," Bearded Zhao replied crisply. "Your performance this time was excellent. I will try my best to secure the rank of Major for you."

Major? Bai Sheng's face showed surprise. A Major at eighteen? A Major right after the new recruit phase, and not someone from a military academy, but someone who climbed up from being a genuine grassroots soldier.

Qin Fen was also surprised, unable to close his mouth. He had thought getting a Second Lieutenant or First Lieutenant would be satisfying enough; he never expected General Zhao to offer a Major right off the bat.

"That is the limit," Bearded Zhao sighed. "Your service time is too short. The highest possibility is Major. In the future, unless you earn further meritorious service, you should attend an academy for advanced study, or slowly navigate connections and improve your martial strength to possibly advance further."

He shook his head with a wry smile, realizing General Zhao had misunderstood his meaning, thinking he was complaining about the low rank.

"Then, if I retire normally as a Major..."

"You will receive significant rewards."

"Understood." Qin Fen's gaze instantly became firm. "Mr. Bai, I hope to retire normally."

Bai Sheng still couldn't believe his ears. He scrutinized Qin Fen carefully. How could a man so calculating about money have the strength he demonstrated today? How could someone who sacrifices the immense benefits of the [Saint Martial Hall] for petty personal gains, someone unable to distinguish between the important and the trivial, deliver the kind of punch he did?