When Xia Xueqin and Xia Dong, mother and daughter, accompanied Ren Xiaoyao to the training ground, the fourth-year students and the teachers attending the graduation ceremony had already arrived.
In the morning light, the statue of Jiang Zhan slowly emanated brilliance. All the fourth-year students were wearing the combat suits of the Martial Department, lined with soft armor. Their eyes held reluctance, but more so, pride.
After today, they would bid farewell to campus and become true warriors!
Besides the fourth-year students, many first, second, and third-year students were also present outside the training ground, having specifically come to witness the graduation ceremony.
Swish, swish, swish...
As Ren Xiaoyao and the other two arrived, all the teachers and students invariably turned their gaze towards Ren Xiaoyao, their eyes filled with admiration.
Ren Xiaoyao was not only the dean of Donghai Martial Arts Academy but also commanded immense prestige within the Dragon Country Martial Department and the martial arts community.
Furthermore, all the teachers and students present had watched the martial arts combat competition at the Global Martial Arts Conference.
On that day, Ren Xiaoyao had fought with his life on the line for the dignity of the Dragon Country Martial Department and the honor of the martial arts world. He was severely injured by his opponent, and if not for Li Lianyi's presence and timely medical treatment, he would likely have died on the stage.
Although Ren Xiaoyao lost that battle, he earned the admiration of the entire Dragon Country martial arts community!
Swish, swish, swish...
Later, as Ren Xiaoyao walked to the front of the student formations and stood in the central position, the fourth-year students, clad in their combat suits, almost simultaneously raised their right arms, clenched their right fists, and placed them over their hearts, saluting Ren Xiaoyao and the other teachers.
Upon witnessing this scene, Ren Xiaoyao, Xia Xueqin, and other school leaders and teachers immediately returned the salute.
"Students, today we are here to hold your graduation ceremony. The academy attaches great importance to your graduation ceremony, especially Dean Ren. His body has not yet fully recovered and requires him to go into seclusion, but he insisted on attending your graduation ceremony before doing so..."
The Director of Academic Affairs of Donghai Martial Arts Academy, who was presiding over the graduation ceremony, stepped forward, channeled his energy, and spoke in a clear voice that echoed through the training ground, lingering for a long time, its effect better than any microphone and sound system.
"Thank you, Dean!"
Upon hearing the Director of Academic Affairs, the students were deeply moved and expressed their sincere gratitude to Ren Xiaoyao.
"Next, we proceed to the first item of the graduation ceremony – let us welcome Dean Ren's address with thunderous applause!"
After the students' voices subsided, the Director of Academic Affairs spoke again.
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Instantly, a wave of overwhelming applause erupted in the training ground.
Whether it was the graduating fourth-year students, the first, second, and third-year students watching from the sidelines, or even the school leaders and teachers beside Ren Xiaoyao, everyone applauded vigorously, as if they wanted to clap their hands to pieces.
Amidst the deafening applause, Ren Xiaoyao took two steps forward and then gestured with his hand.
Gradually, the applause subsided, and all eyes fell on Ren Xiaoyao's face.
In the morning light, they could clearly see that Ren Xiaoyao's complexion was not as ruddy as before, and his body appeared somewhat weak. However, just as he had always been when standing on the training ground, he was energetic, and his posture was as straight as a spear!
He had not been defeated by the tragedy of the Global Martial Arts Conference and remained the steadfast pillar of Donghai Martial Arts Academy!
Ren Xiaoyao's gaze swept across the faces of the students in their combat suits, and then he began his graduation ceremony address.
"Dear students, faculty, and friends:
Today is a joyous occasion! The moment you put on your combat suits and entered the training ground, you have officially graduated. On behalf of the school, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and express my gratitude to all the diligent faculty and staff!
I vaguely recall the scene four years ago when you first enrolled and stood here. Back then, you were green, lively, and still just children.
Over the past four years, you have kept in mind the school motto, 'Time waits for no one, protect our home and country.' In the excellent atmosphere of 'comparing, learning, and surpassing,' you have diligently cultivated, gradually mastered various martial arts techniques, and honed your skills. In the academic environment of pursuing truth and exploring martial arts, you have been tempered, shaping the excellent qualities of independent thinking and active minds.
Before the graduation ceremony, some teachers asked me what message I would like to give you. I have been thinking about it these past few days, and now I will share it with you – 'Be the vanguards!'
First, dare to be the first; act, and put it into practice; strive to achieve yourselves, to become more outstanding and powerful, and to contribute to repelling extraterrestrial enemies and winning the war.
This is your mission, and it is also the mission of Donghai Martial Arts Academy!
Dear students, you are a fortunate generation.
You have grown up in an era of peace and enjoyed tranquility.
And all of this is because the vanguards bore the heavy burden and marched forward, exchanging their heads and blood for this!
Especially twelve years ago, the vanguards, led by Jiang Zhan, fought valiantly in the ancient city of Loulan, repelled the extraterrestrial enemies, and brought twelve precious years of peace to the Dragon Country and this world!
Now, the extraterrestrial enemies have returned, and the war has reignited!
In this battle, we have no retreat.
Victory means that our descendants will enjoy peace and tranquility, just as you did.
Defeat means that the Dragon Country will be devastated, and perhaps even this world will cease to exist!
This is a war that determines the survival of the Dragon Country, and it is also a war that determines the fate of humanity!
I believe that from the moment you step out of campus, you will strive with all your might to win this war, just like those vanguards of the past!
You will prove in the war of blood and fire that you are true warriors, that you are excellent students of Donghai Martial Arts Academy!
Finally, I hope you remember that your alma mater will always be your strongest support and your eternal harbor. Feel free to visit home often."
As his words fell, Ren Xiaoyao trembled slightly as he raised his right arm, clenched his right fist, and placed it over his heart, saluting all the graduates.
"Be the vanguards!"
"Time waits for no one, protect our home and country!"
After listening to Ren Xiaoyao's address and seeing him tremble as he saluted, the students' eyes reddened. They shouted Ren Xiaoyao's message and the school motto of Donghai Martial Arts Academy, returning his salute.
In an instant, the entire training ground was filled with a tragic yet passionate atmosphere.
Ren Xiaoyao lowered his arm, his eyes moist, and took two steps back.
"Earlier, in his address, Dean Ren gave you the message 'Be the vanguards.' In fact, some of you are already doing so. You all know who she is, right?"
The Director of Academic Affairs stepped forward, continuing to preside over the graduation ceremony in an interactive manner.
"Huangfu Weixia!"
As the Director of Academic Affairs' words fell, almost all the teachers and students invariably turned their gaze towards Huangfu Weixia, with the students loudly calling out her name.
"That's right, it's Huangfu Weixia. Before her graduation, she relied on her formidable strength to be selected for the Zhanlong Guardian Squad of the Eastern Region Army, becoming a member of it. She has undergone the baptism of combat and has now grown into a One-star War God!"
The Director of Academic Affairs also turned his gaze towards Huangfu Weixia, his words filled with pride.
"Next, please invite Huangfu Weixia to the stage to share her combat experiences in the Zhanlong Guardian Squad."
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Instantly, the thunderous applause erupted again. The faculty and staff of Donghai Martial Arts Academy, led by Ren Xiaoyao, as well as the students, all applauded vigorously, welcoming Huangfu Weixia to the stage.
Amidst the deafening applause, Huangfu Weixia stepped out of the formation, walked forward a few steps, and then bowed deeply to Ren Xiaoyao and the others.
After doing so, she turned to face her classmates:
"Earlier, each of us was moved by Dean Ren's heartfelt address. As Dean Ren said, we are a fortunate generation, living in an era of peace, but in reality, this era, this world, is not peaceful!
Our peace and tranquility are only because someone is bearing the heavy burden for us!
Those people are the vanguards that Dean Ren spoke of."
Earlier, the Director said I am also a vanguard, but that's not true.
I joined the Zhanlong Guardian Squad and participated in two battles, but I was just an observer. The combat was carried out by my comrades.
In fact, if it weren't for the captain, Teacher Wuming, whom you all respect, saving me at a critical moment, I would have died in battle!
I am not a vanguard; I have only entered the workforce a few months earlier than you. Like you, I will become a guardian of the new era!"
Huangfu Weixia stood at the front of the formation and spoke slowly, her voice clear and her demeanor very humble.
Hearing the girl's words, and looking at her upright figure, the faculty members, led by Ren Xiaoyao, secretly marveled in their hearts. Huangfu Weixia had grown, transforming from a martial arts prodigy into a true warrior!
"Weixia, don't be too modest. We have all seen the combat videos from Putuo Temple. You weren't just an observer; you were fighting desperately against the enemy. Please share your combat experiences and feelings with your classmates."
The Director of Academic Affairs said to Huangfu Weixia, while marveling in his heart.
"Director, I believe others are more suitable to share these!"
Huangfu Weixia turned around and said to the Director of Academic Affairs.
"Who?"
The Director of Academic Affairs blurted out the question.
The other faculty members and students also looked at Huangfu Weixia with confusion.
Among this graduating class, only Huangfu Weixia had participated in combat. Who else was more qualified than her?
"My comrades."
Huangfu Weixia looked up and pointed towards the distant sky.
Swish, swish, swish...
Instantly, everyone followed Huangfu Weixia's gaze.
The next moment.
Everyone in the entire venue clearly saw a military helicopter, like a soaring falcon, roaring towards the training ground!
...