Half a month after the battle at Mount Shunan.
Thanks to meticulous care, Xu Ming had mostly recovered. The bandages had been removed, and he was feeling much more refreshed. Otherwise, these past few days would have been unbearable, even when it came to something as basic as going to the bathroom—it was such a hassle to unwrap the bandages every time.
After the fight with Shen Sheng, Xu Ming not only gained 500 points each in Stamina, Vitality, and Fist Force, but also received an extraordinary reward: the Dao Pattern Eye.
[Dao Pattern Eye: Engraved with the patterns of the Great Dao, this ability allows you to copy an opponent's spells (the complexity of the spells you can replicate depends on your comprehension and cultivation level). You can see the flow of an opponent's spiritual energy and martial true qi, gain 360-degree vision, and slow down and analyze an enemy's movements.
The Dao Pattern Eye can evolve.
Upon evolution, it unlocks new functionalities and unique spells.]
Looking at the Dao Pattern Eye, Xu Ming couldn't help but think of the Sharingan. Could it evolve to the point where he could summon a Susanoo? Or maybe cast a few Amaterasu flames for fun? Honestly, Xu Ming was pretty excited about the possibilities.
Xu Ming decided to test out the Dao Pattern Eye.
When he activated it, a mysterious rune appeared in his eyes, indescribable yet perfectly harmonious with the natural world, as if the Dao itself had casually sketched it.
The Dao Pattern Eye could only last for three minutes. Afterward, Xu Ming was drenched in sweat, his spiritual energy completely drained, and his eyes couldn't open for a full five minutes as they kept tearing up.
Xu Ming realized that to extend the duration of the Dao Pattern Eye, he needed to raise both his Qi Cultivator and Martial Artist levels.
Improving his Qi Cultivator level would naturally enhance the quality and quantity of his spiritual energy.
Advancing as a Martial Artist would strengthen his body, including the durability of his eyes.
It was said that upon reaching the Sea Observation Realm, a Qi Cultivator's spiritual energy would undergo a qualitative transformation. As for Martial Artists, if they reached the Golden Body Realm, their eyes would be as tough as diamonds.
By then, Xu Ming estimated the Dao Pattern Eye could probably last for an hour.
Speaking of the Golden Body Realm, Xu Ming suddenly wondered—if a woman reached that stage, what would happen? Would her entire body become... unyielding?
Unable to help himself, Xu Ming glanced at Wu Yanhan.
"What are you looking at?"
Wu Yanhan immediately felt annoyed, as if Xu Ming's gaze deserved a punch.
"Nothing," Xu Ming quickly turned his head away. Having just recovered, he didn't want to pick a fight with Wu Yanhan.
Three days later, as Xu Ming had mostly healed, the group decided it was time to return to report back to Blood Asura Battalion. However, this time, Guang Yin brought along a little girl.
The girl's name was Hu Tao—a simple, pleasant name that was easy to remember.
Although Guang Yin, at only fourteen, had taken in an eleven-year-old girl, none of them objected.
Hu Tao's background was clean, and she could easily find a place in Blood Asura Battalion, perhaps helping out in the canteen. If not, Guang Yin could always buy a courtyard for her in the southern part of the city near the First Army Camp. With Guang Yin's high salary, he could send money to Hu Tao to support her. She would be able to live independently.
Besides, the families of Blood Asura Battalion members were allowed to place a Blood Asura plaque at their doors, deterring troublemakers. Especially in the imperial capital, the heart of the kingdom, safety was practically guaranteed.
As long as Hu Tao didn't starve, living alone wouldn't be an issue.
Because they had to travel on foot and Hu Tao was too slow, the group of five took turns carrying her as they headed toward Wudu.
Hu Tao had never ridden a horse before, but she felt that these older brothers running at full speed were even faster than horses.
After returning to Wudu, the five of them went to the First Army Camp to report their mission's success.
Each of them earned five military merits.
Military merits served as the "universal currency" of the Wu Kingdom army. They could be exchanged for silver, spirit stones, pills, weapons, and even noble titles. What's more, even if you left Blood Asura Battalion, your military merits remained valid. The only restriction was that they couldn't be transferred to others.
Seeing Xu Ming and the others return, Wang Meng was thrilled. He had heard about the events in Xinpíng County and found it incredible that not a single one of the five had died. It was nothing short of a miracle!
Xiong Haizhi, Li Han, and Guang Yin all felt that they owed their survival to Xu Ming. If not for Xu Ming taking down Shen Sheng—and that inexplicable incident where the Hopping Zombie had suddenly wandered off—the three of them would have been drained of their blood and turned into husks.
The three offered to use their five military merits to get something for Xu Ming, but he declined.
"In moments like that, we're in it together. What's this talk of 'owing' anything?" Xu Ming said. He firmly believed that if the roles were reversed and he was in danger, they would have risked their lives to save him too.
It reminded him of the camaraderie he had seen in his previous life on the Blue Star—brotherhood forged in battle.
However, Guang Yin wasn't so lucky. Wang Meng gave him a fierce scolding.
"Are you out of your mind, thinking about women at your age? You actually brought back an 11-year-old girl! What's this, planning to take a child bride?"
Guang Yin was left speechless under Wang Meng's tirade.
In the end, Guang Yin used two of his military merits to secure Hu Tao a job. She started working with the aunties in the canteen, assisting as a little chef.
Hu Tao quickly settled into her new role. Her canteen became a popular spot, constantly packed with people.
It wasn't because Hu Tao was especially beautiful—she could only be described as slightly above average among ordinary people. But in the army, where females were rare, any girl became the group's treasure. Previously, the "queen" of the canteen had been the aunties; now, it was a little girl. Who wouldn't love that?
Xu Ming and his group soon returned to their regular training schedule.
While they still undertook missions every two months, they found them laughably easy compared to the first one.
Often, Xu Ming would finish the fight with a single punch, or Wu Yanhan with a single kick. Even Guang Yin—whom they used to think of as the weakest—was proving himself to be much stronger.
For instance, when they faced a Tier 3 magical beast, Xiong Haizhi and Li Han could handle it, but it would take them a full quarter-hour of back-and-forth. Guang Yin, however, could dominate the fight from start to finish, defeating it in half that time.
Moreover, Guang Yin's fighting style was strikingly steady and composed. Compared to Xu Ming's and Wu Yanhan's overwhelming, almost unreasonable force, Guang Yin's techniques carried a calm, methodical precision.
It was only then that they realized Guang Yin hadn't passed the entrance exam by selling his butt to the examiner. This kid was genuinely talented! He'd just been too timid before.
Two years passed.
It had been three years since Xu Ming joined Blood Asura Battalion. At the age of thirteen, Xu Ming, alongside the sixteen-year-old Wu Yanhan, broke through to the Heroic Soul Realm.
This was a cause for celebration.
But on that very day, Wang Meng came in with surprising news:
"Xu Ming, you've been reassigned to the imperial palace. His Majesty himself has given the order. Report in three days!"