That evening, the Dragon Country Martial Department officially announced its decision to form five guardian teams, sparking shock and heated discussion throughout the Dragon Country martial arts community.
On one hand, extraterrestrial enemies had descended once again, with new landing locations even appearing in densely populated areas. Faced with this situation, both Martial Department members and martial artists from various martial arts sects and forces were worried about further extraterrestrial enemy descents and new landing sites. The Martial Department's decision led everyone to believe their anxieties might be realized.
On the other hand, they all understood that the guardian teams established at the Martial Department level were of extremely high caliber, and they were all curious about the composition of these five teams—who would become members of the guardian teams?
Among them, whether Jiang Wuming would join a guardian team became the focus of heated debate among martial artists, even leading to arguments and fierce exchanges on the Dragon Country sub-forum of the Divine Net.
It wasn't just the Divine Net forum; the internal forums of the Yanjing and Donghai Martial Academies were also abuzz with activity. Students from both martial academies were eager to know the conditions for joining a guardian team, with some even expressing a strong desire to join and defend their country.
On the Donghai Martial Academy forum, discussions about Jiang Wuming were ubiquitous.
"Do you think Teacher Wuming will join a guardian team?"
"Teacher Wuming has killed extraterrestrial enemies in the Loulan Ancient City and Su City; he will definitely join a guardian team!"
"Although I really hope Teacher Wuming can continue to come back and teach us, I believe a guardian team is more suitable for Teacher Wuming than being a teacher at Donghai Martial Academy!"
"I'm not sure if Teacher Wuming will join a guardian team, but I'm certain that if he does, the guardian team he joins will absolutely be the most formidable one!"
"That's a statement of the obvious!"
...
In the morning, Xia Dong saw the discussions on the Donghai Martial Academy forum and immediately found Xia Xueqin.
"Mom, did you see Brother Wuming in Su City yesterday?" Xia Dong asked.
"I did," Xia Xueqin replied.
"Do you know if Brother Wuming will join a guardian team?" Xia Dong continued, her pretty face filled with anticipation.
"He has already agreed to join the guardian team of the Eastern Domain Army. The Eastern Domain Army has not yet announced this news, so don't tell anyone."
Xia Xueqin did not hide anything but reminded Xia Dong not to spread the word. Then, sensing the anticipation on Xia Dong's face, she felt something was off. "Why are you asking this?"
"Mom, I want to join a guardian team too!" Xia Dong said excitedly.
"No," Xia Xueqin refused outright.
"Why?" Xia Dong's smile stiffened.
"You're too young, still a child," Xia Xueqin said.
"I'm not young!"
Xia Dong responded indignantly, then, as if to prove her point, she deliberately straightened her posture, her chest already showing signs of budding womanhood.
"You're only twelve years old, how are you not young? Guardian teams have very high standards, and your strength is too weak to meet the requirements."
Xia Xueqin spoke, noticing the young girl's excitement turn into grievance and disappointment. She then comforted her:
"I know you want to join a guardian team because you want to fight alongside your Brother Wuming. Cultivate diligently, and when you grow up and become stronger, you can fulfill this wish!"
"Hmph!"
Xia Dong left indignantly, then thinking that 'Big Bear' had the chance to fight alongside Jiang Wuming, she felt even more wronged.
Donghai Martial Academy, girls' dormitory.
Like Xia Dong, Huangfu Weixia had also browsed the Divine Net forum and the internal forum of Donghai Martial Academy.
"Will he join a guardian team?"
After reading the discussion threads about Jiang Wuming, Huangfu Weixia couldn't help but ask herself this question in her heart.
There was no answer.
Huangfu Weixia instinctively picked up her phone, intending to send Jiang Wuming a Dragon Message to ask him.
However—
When she opened Dragon Message and saw her chat history with Jiang Wuming, she hesitated.
Because the chat history was from a long time ago.
Ever since Jiang Wuming attended the Li family's birthday celebration, she hadn't contacted Jiang Wuming via Dragon Message again. And before that, she had pestered Jiang Wuming like a shadow, occasionally sending tempting photos mischievously. For example, when taking a medicinal bath, enveloped in mist, she would sit in the bathtub, her delicate body hazy, and take a selfie.
Memories like smoke, Huangfu Weixia went through the chat history one by one. The excitement and enthusiasm on her face disappeared, replaced by a look of loneliness. Although she had heard about Jiang Wuming breaking off the engagement at the Li family, she had also heard that the Li family and Li Lianyi were unconcerned about the matter. Furthermore, there were rumors that Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi were still in contact and even dating. Li Lianyi had specifically joined the Dragon Country delegation for the Global Martial Arts Conference as a member of the medical team for Jiang Wuming. These rumors made her feel disheartened and unable to muster the courage to continue pestering Jiang Wuming as she had before.
At this moment, those once beautiful chat records were like a basin of ice water, extinguishing the fire burning in her heart—the desire to fight alongside Jiang Wuming!
Should she ask him?
What if he didn't join a guardian team?
What if he joined a guardian team but didn't tell me due to secrecy regulations? Wouldn't that be awkward? Even if he joined a guardian team, I might not be able to join either?
Thoughts one after another surfaced in Huangfu Weixia's mind, shaking her resolve.
Huangfu Weixia, you just want to fight alongside him, what is there to worry about? Moreover, even if you still like him, as long as he's not married, you can continue to pursue him. What kind of person are you, being so timid and hesitant? Huangfu Weixia, when did you become so shortsighted? Where has the passionate and frank Huangfu Weixia gone?!
Soon, other voices echoed in Huangfu Weixia's heart.
"Hoo..."
As these voices sounded, Huangfu Weixia took a deep breath. The confused and hesitant expression on her face instantly disappeared, replaced by determination!
With a determined look, she held her phone, intending to send Jiang Wuming a voice message.
However—
Just then, her phone suddenly vibrated. A call came in, and the caller ID showed Teacher Wuming!
Huh?
The sudden call startled Huangfu Weixia, and she almost dropped her phone. Her first reaction was, did she see wrong? With suspicion, she widened her eyes and looked closely, finding that she was not mistaken. It was indeed a call from Jiang Wuming. Then, she excitedly and nervously answered the phone: "Wu... Teacher Wuming!"
"Weixia, do you know about the Martial Department forming guardian teams?" Jiang Wuming asked.
"I know. Teacher Wuming, are you participating?" Huangfu Weixia first answered Jiang Wuming, then asked subconsciously.
"I have agreed to join the guardian team of the Eastern Domain Army with its commander, Qin Yuanzheng. I'm calling you to invite you to join the Eastern Domain Army's guardian team. Are you willing?" Jiang Wuming explained the purpose of his call and extended the invitation.
"Willing, I'm willing, I'm willing!!"
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Weixia was first stunned, then trembled with excitement, her voice quivering. Just moments ago, she was still hesitating and struggling whether to call Jiang Wuming to ask about joining a guardian team and express her desire to fight alongside him. And now, Jiang Wuming called and invited her to join a guardian team together... It felt like a teenage girl agonizing over how to interact with her crush, only for the boy to suddenly confess. The happiness came too suddenly!
...