The many applicants, witnessing the composed demeanor of the Lieutenant General and Zuo Lin, immediately understood the gravity of the situation. In the military, beyond individual competence, a powerful background often dictates the speed at which one's rank can ascend.

Zuo Lin! A man born into the illustrious Zuo family of the military elite. Among the six Five-Star Generals seated on the stage, one was the head of the Zuo family itself! This was a super-clan representing one of the most formidable powers and influences in the current military structure, a force capable of confronting the Serpent King Du Hen head-on in East Asia.

A family wielding such influence held far more than a mere handful of soldiers within the ranks; many generals owed their current status entirely to the promotion and support of the Zuo family. Even Martial Arts Masters, despite their high standing, usually owed their profound cultivation to the unwavering backing of the Zuo family. Filial piety and accumulated favor are immense, especially when the holder of that leverage, Zuo Dongting, also possesses formidable martial power—favor then becomes an even heavier bond.

The Lieutenant General publicly displaying deference to Zuo Lin was not merely a personal declaration; it served as a stark warning and reminder to everyone else. "Those vying for control rights in the Saturn Military Region this time include members of the Zuo family! Even a Lieutenant General, possessing a high military rank and the strength of a Martial Arts Master, must bow before this sheer, overwhelming power! You people had better think clearly."

There was no need for spoken threats. Through mere action, the message of caution and threat was flawlessly transmitted to the assembled group.

Surprise gave way to realization; realization settled into silence.

Watching this display, nearly everyone applying fell silent, swiftly weighing the costs and benefits of their choices. Those who passed the initial screening each possessed some degree of backing, large or small; without such support, they wouldn't even have known about this application process. None of those who passed the initial review were incompetent nobodies. In any other military undertaking, they would be considered exceptional talents.

The silent assembly showed furrowed brows meeting in the center of their foreheads, some even beginning to sweat lightly. This situation demanded crystal-clear assessment. While the interests in Saturn were vast, this confrontation was effectively a declaration of intent against the Zuo family.

Zuo Lin gently rotated his neck, sweeping his gaze over the group, most of whom seemed trapped between retreat and advance. A barely perceptible, confident smile curved his lips. He slowly raised a hand and addressed the six Five-Star Generals: "Distinguished Generals, I wish to state my position here: under no circumstances will I back down this time. If anyone wishes to withdraw, I invite you to consider joining my faction instead. You are all exceptional talents, and Saturn is vast. I cannot possibly handle every detail personally. There will be many key departments requiring leadership; I urge you to join me in forging a glorious future for our Corps!"

Zuo Lin crossed his arms, sitting down slowly with a look of self-assured confidence.

Qin Fen glanced sideways at Zuo Lin. He truly lives up to the title of the military’s rising star, he thought. The implications in those words are almost blatant. He’s clearly suggesting that if others choose to withdraw now and align with him, they can still partake in the spoils once we reach Saturn—at least the Zuo family eats the meat, and the rest of us get the broth.

Of course, Zuo Lin’s unstated subtext was equally clear: the Zuo family is determined to win this; either stand with me or step aside and gain nothing!

After several tense seconds of silence, a Colonel let out a long, resigned sigh. He slowly rose and moved to Zuo Lin’s side, speaking deliberately: "Colonel Zuo Mo possesses extraordinary combat prowess, unique insight, profound strategy, and refined command. I am inferior. As a soldier, my entire focus should be on the interests of the military. Therefore, I must choose to withdraw and join Colonel Zuo Mo’s team; that is the choice a true soldier must make."

Qin Fen’s lips twitched. That sigh sounded resigned, but the theatrical element was slightly overdone. Perhaps ordinary people wouldn't notice, but everyone present, even those who hadn't taken Instructor Hao's psychology course, were seasoned veterans. How could they not detect that this feigned resignation belonged to one of the Zuo family's own?

Qin Fen felt a touch of admiration for Zuo Lin. He first secured a Lieutenant General's endorsement to shock and awe the assembly, then seized the moment to firmly embed the threat within the participants' hardened resolve. As the others began to waver after the initial shock, he brought in a Colonel for the second round of persuasion.

Zuo Lin’s smile held steadfast confidence. The crucial element in such a performance isn't perfect imitation, but sheer execution. Authenticity is secondary. In front of these talents, even the most convincing act risked being seen through, potentially breeding contempt for the Zuo family. An incomplete performance, paradoxically, still functions as a threat. Two successive threats, cloaked in seemingly righteous language, were far more effective at destabilizing resolve.

Another long sigh echoed. Qin Fen knew, without turning around, that this person rising was not Zuo family staff, but someone who had begun to compromise after absorbing the double threat.

Zuo Lin stood to greet the approaching Colonel, maintaining his confident smile, and extended his steady left hand: "Welcome to the fold!"

The left hand? Qin Fen nodded again, his eyes showing increased approval. Shaking hands is traditionally initiated with the right hand, a deeply ingrained habit even for left-handers in formal settings. Zuo Lin extended his left hand. This minute gesture conveyed a message: I am the controller here; even a handshake must conform to my preference.

Sensing Qin Fen's approving gaze, a shadow of dark annoyance crossed Zuo Lin's brow. Being praised felt deeply uncomfortable, like being patronized as a child. Shaking off the pique, Zuo Lin’s face once again blossomed into a confident smile. It was natural for some to defect; aligning with the Zuo family guaranteed a share of the profits.

Two more people stood up. Zuo Lin rose again to shake their hands in turn.

Gradually, people began rising one after another. Qin Fen started to wonder if only the Seventeen-Star Lieutenant General would remain stubbornly seated, refusing to budge.

Du Hen leaned back in his chair, coldly observing those who bowed to the Zuo family one by one. He glanced with his peripheral vision at the composed Zuo Dongting and chuckled softly. This is the Lion, Zuo Dongting! He usually remains dormant, but when he decides to strike, he will be as ferocious as a lion, leaving no chance for anyone to recover!

Clatter! Lin Ling stood up. As the most beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful female soldier in the entire Federation, her every movement commanded attention.

"I choose Qin Fen."

Four simple, calm words, devoid of emotional inflection, emerged from Lin Ling's perfect crimson lips as she moved to stand behind Qin Fen.

The room fell silent again. The remaining unconvinced soldiers now showed far greater hesitation. That's right! Here is Zuo Lin, backed by the colossal Zuo family, but there is also Qin Fen, the rising superstar of both the military and martial worlds, who might very well become the next legend!

Two individuals who had just begun to rise quietly settled back into their seats. This subtle movement did not escape Zuo Lin’s notice. His smile did not fade; instead, it intensified.

Zuo Lin directed a look towards Qin Fen that contained a faint hint of gratitude: Simple warnings and recruitment are definitely not enough! If a few more reckless resistors dare to appear, and if those resistors are utterly crushed—only then, after demonstrating overwhelming power, will those who have already pledged allegiance truly remember and appreciate the Zuo family’s beneficence.

A few individuals began to show expressions of indecision. While the Zuo family was immensely powerful, their very size meant they would swallow the lion’s share of resources and profits. How much would be left for the rest to divide among themselves?

Qin Fen... The uncertain turned their gaze towards him. This young man appeared to lack any massive backing; the absence of a powerful foundation was his weakness, but conversely, it was his greatest strength. Without a colossal entity behind him, any success would translate into an exponentially larger personal share of the spoils.

"I, Colonel Clark, announce my withdrawal and join the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel Qin Fen!"

In the quiet room, the massive, iron-tower-like Black Giant roared these words, as if bolstering his own significant gamble.

Not long after, behind Qin Fen, in addition to the initial Lin Ling and Clark, a female Colonel, Aimeilin, had joined them. Qin Fen didn't need an introduction to know this Colonel’s greatest specialization. It wasn't her Thirteen-Star combat power, but sniping. Qin Fen was certain that if he stripped off Aimeilin's upper uniform now, he would find a distinct red mark across her shoulders. It wasn't a skin blemish, but a special "medal" earned from relentless sniper practice. Qin Fen felt genuine happiness at being able to discern Aimeilin's true skill. Although he hadn't touched sniper equipment recently, this aptitude had not diminished; in fact, as his martial power grew, his skill in sniping had progressed even further.

"Excellent," Zuo Dongting murmured, his venomous brows, laced with white streaks, twitching slightly. "I hadn't expected five people to remain. That's slightly more than we anticipated."

The other five Five-Star Generals nodded in agreement. Zuo Dongting surveyed the remaining Generals and spoke again: "Our goal is to select the final suitable candidate from among four individuals. Therefore, we still have one too many. We must introduce one more small test. The loser this time will be decisively eliminated."

Zuo Dongting’s eyes swept over every applicant in the room, yet Qin Fen felt that eighty percent of Zuo Dongting’s focus was aimed directly at him, as if certain that he would be the one eliminated.

...

Have you read Mobile Storm? This is Skeleton Spirit's next major work following Mobile Storm, Armed Storm! It has already launched!