Aurelius hurriedly arrived at the deployment station. As he arrived, he observed familiar people: Jake, Lana, and Chris. Noticing them, Aurelius walked towards them.
Sensing someone arriving, Jake turned to look. Seeing it was Aurelius, Jake smiled and asked, "Aurelius, I thought you were leaving for the Trial of Lust."
Seeing Aurelius, Lana and Chris also smiled and greeted him. Aurelius smiled back at them and looked at Jake, saying, "Well, I was about to leave, but I suddenly received a notification about the emergency. So I returned. Do you know what led to the emergence of 5-tier abominations in a 4-tier battlefield?"
Chris responded, "I have no idea, man. There must be something going on or some loophole that the abominations took advantage of."
Lana continued, saying, "I heard some news that the 5-tier abominations are able to control the 4-tier and below abominations to fight like us humans."
Jake finally said, "It doesn't matter. 5-tier abominations are not fully developed in regards to intelligence. Even though fighting them will be a headache, we can surely win. Now that you're here, we can team up and fight them together again."
Aurelius nodded and asked, "Do you know when the teleportation formation will be ready?"
Just as Chris was about to reply, a First Lieutenant soldier arrived before them and said, "Mr. Aurelius, Mr. Jake, Ms. Lana, and Mr. Chris, you all have been summoned by Major Luther. Please come with me."
Understanding the summons, Aurelius and the others became serious and thought, "The matter must be more serious than we imagined."
First Lieutenant Santhosh brought Aurelius and the others towards the teleportation gate, seeing Aurelius and other in confusion he replied "In case of Emergency, we can use teleportation gate to travel to any where in the battlefield, in our case, we can travel directly towards Major office"
Aurelius and others nodded in understanding, after entering the teleportation gate in few second they arrived to major office.
After Aurelius and the others arrived, they noticed that Major Luther's office was an impressive space that reflected his high rank and the importance of his role.
The room was large but not overly so, designed to be both functional and authoritative. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, giving the room a serious, almost regal feel. On the left wall were several bookshelves filled with military texts, tactical manuals, and historical records, showing the Major's dedication to knowledge and strategy. Interspersed among the books were various awards, medals, and framed certificates, showcasing his achievements over the years.
Directly opposite the door, behind a massive oak desk, hung a large, detailed map of the southern battlefield. The map was annotated with colored pins and strings, showing current troop positions, enemy locations, and critical points of interest. This map was clearly a central tool in Major Luther's planning and decision-making.
The desk itself was meticulously organized, with neatly stacked files, a state-of-the-art communication console, and a holographic projector for displaying battlefield simulations. A nameplate reading "Major Luther" sat prominently at the front of the desk.
To the right of the desk, a large window offered a view of the bustling base outside. Heavy curtains, currently pulled back, framed the window, allowing natural light to fill the room. Below the window, a row of potted plants added a touch of greenery to the otherwise serious environment, suggesting a small attempt to balance the harshness of military life with a bit of nature. Major Luther stood in front of the window, looking out towards the southern battlefield.
In front of the desk were several sturdy, high-backed chairs for visitors. These chairs were upholstered in dark leather, contrasting with the lighter wood of the desk and floor.
To the right side of the room, there was a small conference area with a round table and several chairs, used for informal discussions or briefings with small groups of officers. A coffee machine and a water dispenser stood nearby, offering refreshments for long strategy sessions.
The moment Aurelius and the others arrived, Major Luther turned around. He had 5th level cultivation and walked toward them in an imposing manner. He said, "You must be Aurelius, Jake, Lana, and Chris. I have heard a lot about you and your achievements over the past 4000 years."
Aurelius and the others responded politely and were then taken to the small conference hall.
In the small conference room, Aurelius, Jake, Chris, and Lana sat on one side of the table, while Major Luther sat on the other.
Major Luther looked at them and said, "You all must have heard about the emergency, right?"
Aurelius and the others nodded but didn't comment.
Seeing their nods, Major Luther continued, "What you read in the war notice isn't the full story. You know from the emergency message that three 5-tier abominations were spotted in our battlefield. The truth is, there are more than three. Including those, we've identified one high-level 5-tier abomination and one peak-level 5-tier abomination."
"Due to the unstable space, cultivators higher than the 5th level can't enter the battlefield. We've requested help from 5th level cultivators, but the request was denied. Other battlefields, from 5-tier to 9-tier, are also facing breakouts of higher realm abominations, so all cultivators are too busy to aid us right now."
"So, we have to handle this ourselves. I've reviewed the reports. Lana and Chris, both of you have reached 4th level perfection in your cultivation realm, comprehended knife and spear Qi respectively, and reached peak earth-level soul energy refinement. Theoretically, you can fight initial 5-tier abominations. I need both of you to help in killing the two initial 5-tier abominations."
Chris and Lana became nervous upon hearing this, but they knew they had no choice. Everyone in the battlefield is considered a soldier and must follow the commands of higher-ranking soldiers in emergencies. Not obeying would lead to being blacklisted from all battlefields.
Seeing their nervousness, Major Luther added, "You don't have to be nervous. I'm not sending you alone. Each of you will be aided by 15 4th level cultivators to help you kill the abominations."
Hearing this, both Lana and Chris sighed in relief. With 15 peak 4th level cultivators each, they could ask them to hold the abominations in place and kill them. Though they might be injured, it was much better than fighting alone.
Major Luther then looked at Jake. "Jake, I've heard about your achievements from the 1st tier battlefield to the 4th tier battlefield. In every battle, you've accomplished the peak of what a person can achieve."
"According to the latest report, you've reached perfection in every realm, peak heaven-level soul energy refinement, and peak sword Qi realm. Our statistics show you have the battle level of a mid-5th level cultivator. I'll assign you 50 peak 4th level cultivators to assist. Can you take down the mid-5th tier abomination?"
Jake pondered for a moment, then responded, "Okay, Major, I'll do it."
Major Luther nodded, satisfied with his response, and then turned to Aurelius, his expression growing more serious. Sensing this, Aurelius straightened his back and looked intently at the Major.
"Aurelius, I've reviewed your profile. You've already completed two trials of the Lord of the Underworld and earned the Supreme Knight Honour Medal in the 2nd tier battlefield. In the 4th tier battlefield, you've reached the perfection of the 4th level, peak origin-level soul energy refinement, and even achieved sword intent, a realm for 6th level cultivators."
The Major continued, "Aurelius, I have two paths for you: taking on either the high 5-tier abomination or the peak 5-tier abomination."
"I can't leave the battlefield, or I would take on the peak 5-tier abomination myself. My captains, who have mid-level 5th level cultivation, can only manage the high 5-tier abomination with the help of other soldiers. To take down the peak, we'd have to sacrifice many soldiers."
"I've read the statistics about your battle ability. According to the report, you can fight a peak 5th level cultivator. I hope you'll take the second path."
"I know you're walking the path of royalty, and I can't force or command you against your wishes. The battlefield isn't as important for those on the path of royalty compared to warriors."
Then Major Luther stood up, bowed, and said, "But as the Major of the 4th tier battlefield, I request your help."
Aurelius thought deeply before standing up and saying, "Major, I will fight the peak 5-tier abomination."
Major Luther, feeling a burden lift from his shoulders, said, "You all don't have to worry. If you complete the mission, the Imperial Army Headquarters will send awards for your achievements."
The Major then commanded First Lieutenant Santhosh to take Aurelius and the others to the armory to get their armor and then to the Alchemy Hall to receive 5-tier healing pills.
First Lieutenant Santhosh led Aurelius, Jake, Lana, and Chris to the armory. The armory was a vast, fortified building, filled with rows of glistening armor and weapons forged from the finest 5-tier ores. These ores, known for their exceptional durability and magical properties, included Adamantite, Mythril, and Orichalcum.
As they entered, the blacksmiths and armorers paused their work, recognizing the importance of their new visitors. Lieutenant Santhosh guided them to a section reserved for high-ranking soldiers and cultivators.
"Choose your armor and weapons carefully," Santhosh advised. "These will be your lifeline in the battle to come."
Aurelius approached a display of armors. He chose a set crafted from Orichalcum, a rare ore that shone with a golden hue and was known for its balance of strength and lightweight properties. The chest plate was intricately designed with engravings of ancient runes, offering both protection and a boost in magical resistance. The pauldrons were sleek yet robust, and the greaves provided excellent mobility without sacrificing defense. Aurelius picked up a matching sword, its blade shimmering with a faint blue glow, indicating its enchantment with elemental magic.
Jake, on the other hand, was drawn to an Adamantite armor set. The black metal was famed for its unyielding toughness. His armor was heavier, with reinforced plates covering the chest, arms, and legs, giving him the look of an impenetrable fortress. The helm had a visor that could be lowered to protect his face without hindering his vision. Jake also selected an Adamantite sword, its blade etched with symbols that glowed red, signifying its fire affinity.
Lana walked to a section displaying lighter armors. She chose a set made from Mythril, renowned for its unparalleled lightness and strength. The armor was elegant, designed to offer maximum flexibility. The breastplate was slender but sturdy, and the gauntlets and boots were crafted to enhance agility. Her armor had a silvery sheen, reflecting light in a dazzling array of colors. Lana picked a pair of Mythril knives, their edges razor-sharp and perfectly balanced for swift, precise strikes.
Chris examined the armors before selecting another set of Adamantite gear. His armor, like Jake's, was built for heavy combat but tailored for his spear-wielding fighting style. The chest piece and shoulder guards were broad and sturdy, with additional reinforcement on the forearms and thighs. His helm had a crest reminiscent of ancient warriors. Chris chose a spear made from Adamantite, its long shaft carved with runic patterns, and the spearhead glinted with a deadly sharp edge, enhanced by magical runes for added piercing power.
After donning their new armor and equipping themselves with their chosen weapons, they followed Santhosh to the Alchemy Hall. The hall was a place of wonder, filled with the scent of herbs and the glow of potions stored in crystalline vials.
The chief alchemist greeted them, "You must be the warriors heading to face the abominations. We've prepared the finest 5-tier healing pills for you."
Each pill was encased in a small, intricately decorated box, indicating its potency and the care taken in its creation. The pills were a deep emerald green, known for their ability to rapidly heal even the most grievous wounds and restore energy.
Aurelius, Jake, Lana, and Chris each took a box, feeling a sense of readiness and determination.
As they left the Alchemy Hall, they knew the weight of the battle ahead. Clad in their powerful new armor and armed with potent weapons and healing pills, they were prepared to face the formidable challenge that awaited them.