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nUnder their feet was a soft animal fur carpet, and soft music echoed in their ears. The warm lights from the ceiling shone with a soft yellow-white glow. In such an environment, they could all temporarily forget about the tense situation in the outside world.

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nChen Yiming filled his stomach and glanced at Ling Zhongyun, Zhao Shumin, and the others, who were busy socializing.

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nAs powerful external aid called over from the capital, the four of them were highly sought after by countless people. At this moment, there were many people around them, all lined up to share a toast with them.

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nThose in the half-step master realm were considered channels to communicate with those in the master realm. Even if they clearly rejected it, it could not stop the enthusiasm of others.

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nHe sighed to himself. “Fortunately, I had foresight.”

n

nJust as Chen Yiming was about to leave, the woman who had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation went on stage with a microphone.

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nThe woman first introduced herself simply. Her name was Han Qiufeng. Then, she announced that she would perform a song called ‘Tomorrow Will Be Better’.

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nA round of applause rang out in the banquet hall. Most of the people stopped talking and it suddenly became much quieter.

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n‘Tomorrow Will Be Better’ was a song that encouraged people to have a strong will and maintain a positive attitude, never giving up and believing that humans would one day be able to reclaim their lost territory.

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nNot long after this song was released, because it matched the trend of the development of the otherworld, it was already on the verge of becoming popular throughout the Daxia Kingdom. As the composer and singer, Han Qiufeng also became famous.

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nEven though the wilderness was not peaceful recently, she was still invited to sing all over the Daxia Kingdom. This time, Jiangnan province was preparing for the war with the treants, so they invited Han Qiufeng over. After that, she would sing for the military.

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nChen Yiming thought that he could spare five minutes, so he stopped in his tracks and blended into the crowd.

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nFive minutes later, the performance ended. The banquet hall erupted in applause again. Many people had tears in their eyes, and the applause lasted for nearly two minutes before it completely stopped.

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n“They’re all actors,” Chen Yiming muttered.

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nCoupled with the current situation, this song could indeed move the hearts of the ordinary people. However, almost all the people present were from the upper echelons of the military, large factions, and the second generation. How could they be moved so easily?

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nIt had to be known that there was no guarantee that the treants would not continue their invasion. The situation was still not looking good.

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nAt this moment, a young man beside him agreed. “Indeed, they’re all pretending. In the background, they’re doing all kinds of despicable things.”

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nChen Yiming’s expression turned awkward. He didn’t expect someone to hear him.

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nHowever, this was how it was in high society. One had to do a good job on the surface, unless they were like him, who could completely not give anyone face.

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nEven if he kicked them, they would still crawl back and lick his boots.

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nThe young man continued in a low voice, “Although Han Qiufeng is doing well now, the more popular she is, the more people will target her. Now that someone is preparing to set a trap for her, she’s still so stupid that she doesn’t realize it at all.”

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n“Those people just want to sleep with her and obtain the thrill of conquest. In the end, she will probably be sold off and still have to earn money for others.”

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nChen Yiming looked strangely at the young man beside him.

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nThe young man was stunned and explained, “I only received some insider information in advance. I don’t have the ability or power to help her. I just feel that it’s a pity that those dirty things contaminated this song.”

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nChen Yiming understood now. This young man should be one of the second generation who liked music.

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nAt the same time, he was filled with a sense of justice. However, his ability was limited, and he had a certain level of self-awareness. He would not easily get his elders involved.

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nChen Yiming couldn’t help but sigh. “An undeserved reputation is only a burden. Strength is the foundation.”

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nWith that, he left.

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nThe young man felt that he had met someone like him and wanted to interact further with Chen Yiming. However, the other party left without hesitation. He thought about it for a while and didn’t follow him.

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n…

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nChen Yiming left the banquet hall and returned to East Lake City.

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n“Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

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nChen Yiming entered the house and found Father Chen and Mother Chen sitting on the sofa watching television.

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n“You’re back so soon? We thought you were going to be away for a while,” Father Chen said as he looked over.

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nChen Yiming explained, “Things went smoothly.”

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nMother Chen stood up from the sofa and walked over. “Have you eaten? If not, I’ll cook for you now.”

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nChen Yiming patted his stomach and replied, “After things ended, someone treated us to a big meal.”

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nKnowing that her son had already eaten, Mother Chen took out some fruits from the fridge, washed them, peeled them, and placed them on a plate. The family sat on the sofa and watched television, enjoying the rare time together.

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nOn the television, Han Qiufeng was singing ‘Tomorrow Will Be Better’ in the Jiangnan National Square. The audience filled up the venue, and the streets outside the National Square were blocked off.

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nChen Yiming ate a few pieces of apple and asked, “Dad, Mom, do you like this song too?”

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nMother Chen muttered, “It’s your father who likes it. He’s already watched the recording a few times. I even suspect that this old man is thinking of starting an affair.”

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nChen Yiming shut up and continued eating his fruit.

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nFather Chen, who was at the side, explained angrily, “Hmph! This is a form of emotional attachment, do you understand? Back when the Chen family opened the restaurant, we lived the kind of life described in this song.”

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n“If we didn’t persevere, how would we have a son like this now? He might still be learning how to cook from me!”

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nChen Yiming choked and almost spat out the apple he had just swallowed.

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nHis body’s owner had not gained much from his martial arts cultivation and had only left behind some theoretical knowledge. On the other hand, he had relied on the martial arts talent system and a little bit of his own hard work. He did not rely on a persevering spirit or other such things.

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nMother Chen retorted, “Our son relied on his own hard work. You’re just a chef. What else can you do other than cook? How dare you take the credit for it?”

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nFather Chen was speechless and turned back to the television.

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nThe resonance caused by the song was something that those who did not feel it could not understand.

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nIn addition, Mother Chen had a slight misunderstanding. No matter what he said now, it would be wrong. She would be fine after she calmed down tomorrow.

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nChen Yiming had wanted to brag to Father Chen and Mother Chen that Han Qiufeng had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation with him at the banquet. However, seeing the atmosphere at home, he swallowed his words.

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n…

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nThree peaceful days passed just like that. The preparations for war in Jiangnan province did not stop. Everyone from the martial arts experts to the ordinary citizens in the major cities felt the oppressive atmosphere of the approaching war.

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nThe government sent out a large number of retired soldiers to organize schools, institutions, and companies for military training to deal with the war that could break out at any moment.

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nThe streets and alleys were filled with recruitment notices. The existing workshops and factories were all overworked. Countless chimneys emitted black smoke, and a strange smell pervaded the air in the city.

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nIn addition, the factories were undergoing expansion works. Construction sites could be seen everywhere in the suburbs. There was no longer a need to pay attention to whether there was excess capacity. Everything was done in preparation for a possible war.

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nEarly in the morning, by the river,

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nChen Yingying was practicing archery while Chen Yiming sat cross-legged on a large rock to carry out his daily cultivation.

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nAfter adding the Giant Talent, he had obtained a powerful strength, but his body’s improvement had not reached its limit. Every day after his cultivation ended, he could feel that his body had become stronger.

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nHowever, the damage caused by a single punch was too terrifying. He had to think of a way to test and quantify the strength of the attack.

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nOn the other hand, his sister had almost stopped progressing after leaving the otherworld. She could only use her work hard at it and did not dare to slack off at all.

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nWhile he was cultivating, he glanced at Chen Yingying, who was sweating profusely, and muttered, “As expected, this is the difference between people.”

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n“Brother, what did you say?”

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nChen Yingying stopped practicing and rubbed her sore hands.

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n“It’s nothing. I just said that your practice is going well. Keep it up,” Chen Yiming said loudly.

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nChen Yingying nodded and asked, “But why do I feel like I’ve reached a bottleneck? I still can’t do what the teacher taught me.”

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nChen Yiming thought to himself, “Unless you can use the system like me and continuously increase your talent, how can you not reach a bottleneck with your skills?”

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nWith a serious expression, he said in an educating tone, “It’s only been a while since you returned from the otherworld. You don’t have to think too much about the outcome. There’s nothing more important than to focus on your training.”

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nChen Yingying nodded, as if she had learned the truth. She turned around and continued practicing her archery.

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nChen Yiming looked at his sister, who had her back facing him, and shook his head helplessly. It seemed like he had to do something. Perhaps he could secretly learn something from Ling Zhongyun.

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n…

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nAfter lunch, there was still no news from Jiangnan City, which meant that the movements of the treants were still unclear. It was useless to be anxious.

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nChen Yiming had nothing to do at home, so he decided to watch the news.

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nMother Chen pulled Chen Yingying over. His sister had a reluctant expression on her face.

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n“What’s wrong?” Chen Yiming asked in confusion.

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n“Now that the martial arts level certification has added a new component of actual combat assessment, I’m a little worried. Go with her,” Mother Chen said.

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nA combat assessment?

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nDidn’t they just need to exchange a few blows with the tester?

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nWhy should I go?

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nChen Yiming looked at his sister.

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nChen Yingying stammered and explained, “The actual combat assessment has been changed to take place outside the city. I heard that it will be in an area in the wilderness with mutant beasts.”

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nBefore Chen Yiming could speak, Mother Chen grumbled, “Your sister insisted on participating in that combat assessment. She said that if all the students in the class participated, it would be embarrassing if she didn’t. The news said that it is very chaotic outside. How could I be at ease?”

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nChen Yiming turned to look at his sister again. He realized that she had no intention of giving up. Clearly, she didn’t want to be the exception among her classmates.

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n“Chen Yingying is already someone who is about to break through to the warrior realm. Unless she just stands there foolishly, nothing will happen to her,”

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nChen Yiming explained the situation to Mother Chen.

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nThe location of the actual combat assessment was not too far from East Lake City. Coupled with the fact that he was guarding East Lake City, how could the person in charge of the assessment let Chen Yingying encounter any danger?

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nIn fact, this combat assessment was just a formality for his sister. There was a possibility that they would secretly go easy on her.

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nMother Chen was a little angry and said, “It’s better to be safe than sorry. Either you get your sister to give up on the actual combat assessment, or you go with her. Choose one.”

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n“Alright! I’ll go with Chen Yingying,” Chen Yiming agreed helplessly.

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nHe could understand Mother Chen’s thoughts. After all, she was her only daughter, and he was at home all day with nothing to do.

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n…

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nThe next morning, Mother Chen sent Chen Yiming and Chen Yingying to the house door.

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n“If you can’t pass the actual combat assessment, then so be it. Be careful of your own safety,” Mother Chen reminded his sister repeatedly.

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nChen Yingying muttered, “Mom, I understand. I’ll be careful.”

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nThe two of them waved at Mother Chen and walked towards the East Lake Martial Arts Academy.

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nOn the way, Chen Yingying hesitated for a long time before saying in a low voice, “Brother, why don’t you walk around outside? I’ll contact you after I finish the assessment.”

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nThis was not like the last time when she went to the otherworld to train. It was just a simple combat assessment. The reason why they turned the opponent from a tester to a mutant beast was mainly to get rid of those who were not completely prepared for the assessment.

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nIn reality, the mutant beasts that were their opponents were much weaker than the people participating in the assessment. They could pass if they displayed 70% of their strength.

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nAnd she had even killed real creatures from the otherworld. How could she fail the assessment?

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nMoreover, the martial arts teacher had told her in private that the specific procedures and difficulty of the assessment would not be a problem for anyone in the class, even those who were much worse than her.

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nChen Yiming didn’t believe that anything around East Lake City could hurt his sister under his watch. However, seeing how anxious his sister was, he pretended to be stubborn. “No, you only have that little bit of actual combat experience. How am I going to explain it to Mom if you get into trouble?”

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nChen Yingying had a pitiful expression and fell silent.

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nChen Yiming decided not to tease his sister anymore. He said, “I won’t show my face, alright? I’ll just find a random mountain and protect you from afar. If you really mess up, I’ll save you in time.”

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nIn the end, he and his sister reached an agreement for him to only protect her in secret.

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n…

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nA military camp was located two to three kilometers east of East Lake City.

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nThe various heavy weapons around the camp had already been loaded with live ammunition. The muzzles of the cannons were raised high, ready to deal with any unexpected situations.

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nBeside it was a man-made area with a radius of five kilometers. It was surrounded by metal railings, and troops were standing guard at intervals.

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nThere was a small lake, a small forest, and a man-made rock barrier inside. It could simulate the environment in the wilderness where most of the mutant beasts were fighting, and was as realistic as possible.

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nThree large military transport trucks drove over from afar and stopped in front of the military camp.

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nThe door opened and the people who had registered for the combat assessment alighted.

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nThere were nearly 300 people in total, including students and members of the public. They were all led into the military camp by the officers.

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nChen Yiming stood on a mountain a few kilometers away and saw Chen Yingying in the crowd. His sister was walking with a few female classmates, looking excited.

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nHe turned to look at the man-made assessment area and saw that there were aquatic mutant beasts lying in ambush in the small lake. The mutant beasts that came to the shore to drink water were all very careful.

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nThere were also hidden dangers in the forest. There were mutant beasts hiding in the shadows of the forest, waiting to ambush passing prey.

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nChen Yiming sighed. “First, there was a stronghold in the otherworld that needed to be developed. Next, the treants might invade Jiangnan province. The times are changing drastically. Jiangnan province is going all out this time!”

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nIt was impossible for there to be only one assessment point. Maintaining these man-made assessment areas all year round would consume a lot of manpower and resources from the military. Moreover, it was not like they were nurturing new blood in the military, so there was not a lot of benefit to them.

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nChen Yiming thought about it. The Jiangnan provincial government controlled the space-travel passage to the base city. In the long term, they would be able to nurture more talents. These people were indirectly working for the Jiangnan provincial government, so they would be able to earn back their investment in the future.

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