The sun had already risen from the horizon, painting the eastern sky with a crimson hue. Most of the morning glow was obscured by the towering, snow-capped mountains, yet some beams still pierced through, illuminating the ancient battlefield of Loulan and reflecting on the faces of all the Loulan soldiers.
Under the morning light, Jiang Wuming, carrying the God-Slaying Blade and the black-armored warrior who led the enemy, walked step by step towards the ancient city's east gate.
The vanguard soldiers followed behind Jiang Wuming. With the exception of Lin Xiao and the unconscious Wang Tuo, everyone was invigorated. The battle banners fluttered at the front of the formation, resembling a victorious army returning in triumph.
In front of the ancient city's east gate, soldiers from the other nine regiments stood like steel spears, forming a massive battle formation.
They, along with Zheng Yuandong, Wu Yong, Ning Feng, and the other nine regimental commanders on the ancient city wall, as well as the four-star War Gods on the two mountains, silently watched Jiang Wuming.
Immediately, before Jiang Wuming could reach the ancient city's east gate, two specially made medical vehicles drove out from the east gate and quickly headed towards the vanguard.
As the specially made medical vehicles brushed past Jiang Wuming, both the drivers and the battle medics from the medical corps could not help but glance at him, their eyes filled with respect.
They had been on standby at the ancient city's east gate and had witnessed Jiang Wuming's first performance on the Loulan battlefield, marveling at it – it was a battle they had never witnessed before!
"Commander Mo, have the injured soldiers of the vanguard board the vehicles. We will treat their wounds."
Soon, the two specially made medical vehicles stopped in front of the vanguard. Several medics alighted and saluted the entire vanguard.
"Lin Xiao, escort the regiment leader to the vehicle, and then accompany him to the Battle Corps camp. All other severely injured personnel should also board the vehicles for treatment!"
Mo Ling returned the salute to the medics and issued the order.
Without a word, Lin Xiao immediately carried Wang Tuo onto the specially made medical vehicle. He looked less like a victorious soldier and more like a deserter.
In fact, it was true.
For him, following behind Jiang Wuming and looking at his back, he felt that the figure he once hated now shone with a sacred radiance.
That radiance fell upon Lin Xiao, making him feel utterly dark, dirty, and insignificant.
Every second he stayed felt like torture!
At the same time, the injured soldiers of the vanguard did not move. They remained standing in formation, as if no one wanted to admit their injuries were severe.
Because, for them, that would be a shameful thing!
The leading medic, seeing this, immediately guessed the thoughts of the injured soldiers of the vanguard. Without a word, he boarded the vehicle with his subordinates.
Then, the two specially made medical vehicles returned the way they came, heading for the medical corps camp.
"I truly never imagined that our soldiers would one day feel ashamed to be injured fighting foreign enemies and be unwilling to accept treatment!"
In the specially made medical vehicle, a slightly older medic couldn't help but sigh.
"It's mainly because our Legion Commander's son is so formidable!"
Upon hearing the old medic's words, another medic replied.
Although the other medics remained silent, their expressions were all in agreement, and they simultaneously looked back at Jiang Wuming's retreating figure.
"—"
Lin Xiao felt dejected.
He had thought that by hiding in the medical vehicle, he could avoid Jiang Wuming, out of sight and out of mind. He never expected that Jiang Wuming's sacred light had already spread throughout the entire ancient city of Loulan, bathing everyone, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Soon, the two specially made medical vehicles returned to the ancient city and drove towards the medical corps camp.
Jiang Wuming, meanwhile, stopped with the vanguard in front of the battle formation outside the ancient city's east gate.
"Reporting, Commander. With Jiang Wuming's assistance, the vanguard has completed the combat mission. Please issue instructions!"
Immediately, before Jiang Wuming could speak, Mo Ling, the Chief of Staff of the vanguard, saluted Zheng Yuandong and Wu Yong on the ancient city wall and reported loudly.
"Hold your positions."
Wu Yong issued the instruction.
"Yes!"
As soon as Wu Yong's voice fell, all the soldiers of the vanguard, including Mo Ling and An Lutou, responded loudly in unison.
Under the morning glow, they stood tall, their chests puffed out, their faces filled with pride!
That pride was not because they had participated in this different kind of battle and achieved a great victory, but because they had undergone the baptism of fire and become true 'soldiers'!
"Wuming, come up."
Wu Yong withdrew his gaze from the entire vanguard and turned his attention back to Jiang Wuming.
"Understood, Uncle Wu."
Hearing Wu Yong's words, Jiang Wuming was somewhat surprised and confused, but he nodded. He then walked alone through the battle formation, entered the ancient city, and ascended the city wall via the passage within.
"Wuming, hand him over to me."
Ning Feng stood at the entrance of the city tower stairs. Seeing Jiang Wuming approaching, he spoke.
"Understood, Uncle Ning."
Jiang Wuming nodded, handed the black-armored warrior to Ning Feng, and then walked to the side of Zheng Yuandong and Wu Yong.
"Does everyone here know who he is?"
Wu Yong first nodded slightly at Jiang Wuming, then swept his gaze across the three thousand Loulan soldiers below the city wall and asked.
"Jiang Wuming!"
"The Legion Commander's son!"
Almost all the soldiers of the Loulan Legion responded, with only these two answers.
As they spoke, their gazes were all fixed on Jiang Wuming, their eyes filled with admiration!
That admiration was not due to Jiang Wuming's identity, but for everything Jiang Wuming had just done!
"It seems everyone knows Wuming's identity and has also witnessed Wuming's battle."
Seeing this, Wu Yong smiled slightly and said, "Next, I will share some things about Wuming that you may not know.
Jiang Wuming, twenty years old, a second-star War God, sixth stage!
He is the youngest second-star War God on record in the global martial arts community!
A few days ago, he represented the Dragon Country delegation in the Global Martial Arts Conference, winning championships in both the genius division and the second-star War God level martial arts competitions. During the competition, with his strength as a second-star War God, sixth stage, he killed an exceptional genius who was a third-star War God, fourth stage, shocking the world!
In this Global Martial Arts Conference, he used two matches to defend the dignity of the Dragon Country martial arts community and earned the Dragon Country delegation a voice in the War God Hall!
On the Divine Net forums, he is hailed as a hero, pride, and future of the Dragon Country martial arts community, an inspiration to almost all young martial artists..."
On the ancient city wall, Wu Yong spoke about Jiang Wuming's deeds with powerful conviction.
Below the ancient city wall, the three thousand Loulan soldiers listened attentively. Their expressions shifted from initial shock to complete admiration!
"Does everyone want to hear Wuming say a few words?"
Wu Yong paused for a moment, then changed his tone and asked.
"Yes!"
The three thousand Loulan soldiers exclaimed in unison, their voices echoing through the heavens.
Hearing this, Wu Yong turned his head and smiled, gesturing to Jiang Wuming.
In an instant, the ancient city of Loulan and the ancient battlefield fell silent. Jiang Wuming became the sole focus of the entire ancient city of Loulan, with everyone's gaze fixed upon him, anticipating him to speak.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Jiang Wuming slowly stepped forward, planted the God-Slaying Blade, known as the Dragon Country's national blade, into the blade stand located between the Loulan Legion's battle flag and war drums, with the tip pointing directly at the battlefield ahead.
What did this mean?
Seeing Jiang Wuming's actions, both Zheng Yuandong and Wu Yong were somewhat bewildered.
The next moment, the answer was revealed.
"In the past, the God-Slaying Blade accompanied my father through a lifetime of battles, forging my father's glorious life!
Later, the God-Slaying Blade was planted on the walls of the ancient city of Loulan, hailed as the Dragon Country's national blade, and became the spirit of Loulan!
Today, with the reappearance of foreign enemies, the God-Slaying Blade has returned to its rightful owner.
In the future, the spirit of Loulan will continue to shine on the battlefield, guiding every Dragon Country soldier to advance bravely, never to be extinguished!"
The youth spoke slowly, saluting solemnly.