After Ling Lan arrived on the surface, she lead Li Lanfeng and Li Shiyu back to the Azure Central Scout Academy.
"What's the situation down there?" Li Lanfeng asked.
"It was as expected, everyone important has escaped through another exit, and they destroyed the exit after they left." Ling Lan replied in a concise manner. Then, she asked, "Have they all arrive?" She originally wanted to just spectate in the backlines, but now it seemed like she actually had a chance to benefit off this altercation.
"Everyone's here, and they're all getting ready to let loose," smiled Li Lanfeng.
"Tell them to come to this set of coordinates," Ling Lan sent Li Lanfeng the coordinates Little Four had given her to let him arrange everything immediately."This is a great chance to get military merits but…, the opponents are very strong, so tell them to be careful." There was also something Ling Lan hadn't mentioned yet, and it was the fact that they were going to fight fake domain realm masters. Qi Long, Luo Lang and Xie Yi, who were all stuck at the optimal peak Great Perfection of Qi-Jin for a long time, would definitely benefit from fighting with these fake domain masters.
Ling Lan was currently too strong to be their sparring partner so she could no longer spar with them to help improve. It was even possible that sparring with her would actually be detrimental to their physical skills' progress. If by any chance she pressured them too hard, forcing Qi Long and the others walk down Qiao Ting's path, then it wouldn't be the best for them as they wouldn't advance naturally to the domain stage. This was why Ling Lan would only watch on as Qi Long and the others become frustrated at the fact that they were stuck at the optimal peak Great Perfection of Qi-Jin.
She originally thought that she could only wait for her comrades to naturally advance to the domain stage, but she didn't think that the mission she randomly received allowed her to see an opportunity, the fake domain realm masters. Fake domain realm masters only had a quarter of the power of a real domain realm masters. These fake domain realm master could defeat Qi-Jin experts, but because of their flaws in their domain, they wouldn't be able to outrightly dominate them. Thus, this was Qi Long and the others' opportunity. As long as they could endure the pressure of fighting against a fake domain realm master, they would be able to understand the concept of a domain
Once they gain an understanding and break through their Qi-Jin's barriers, they would not be too far off from advancing to the domain stage. This was why she asked Li Lanfeng to get Qi Long, Luo Lang and Xie Yi to come here as soon as possible.
Li Lanfeng immediately notified their three comrades who had waited for a long time!
"Oh yeah, the military headquarters is also sending their people here." Li Lanfeng told Ling Lan the information he had received.
"Who?" Ling Lan's heart dropped. Is her father coming out again…"Someone we're very familiar with. Staff Officer He, He Xuyang!" Li Lanfeng cracked a smile. He and Han Jijyun had battled with He Xuyang a few times for some clan resources. Both sides had wins and losses. Every time He Xuyang saw the two of them, his head would suffer from painful headaches. Li Lanfeng hoped that he didn't hate them too much.
Ling Lan smirked. "Looks like the 23rd Division also wants to reap benefits from this mission."
"Since this mission was given to you accidentally, General Ling Xiao would definitely not give up on such a good opportunity," Li Lanfeng said softly. "The 23rd Division is a new division. All of its achievements are not noteworthy. If they want to gain more say in the military, then they must have achievements that the military can not dismiss easily, and this mission is very important for the military so…"
"If that's the case, then we're not enough!" Ling Lan only wanted Qi Long and the other two to benefit, and she didn't think as far as Ling Xiao. Now that she thought about it, with just a few of them, they probably wouldn't be able to completely take over everything.
"Don't worry, there are a few domain realm masters from the 23rd Division who are coming with Staff Officer He…" Li Lanfeng didn't think that General Ling Xiao would be so daring that he would disregard the military's order to gather, and instead order the domain realm masters under him to wait for a chance to strike.
"You either don't do it or take the bigger pot!" Ling Lan immediately understood what Ling Xiao was planning. If the 23rd Division's domain realm masters obeyed the military's orders to gather for this mission, they would only be awarded with the standard amount of military merit upon successful completion. If they weren't successful… the 23rd Division, a division with very few resources, wouldn't be able to afford to spare these domain realm masters. Of course, if Ling Xiao discovered that other force joined in, completely reversing the situation, he would order his generals to help out in the time of crisis. Then, the amount of merits awarded would be very different.
Of course, if the military's domain realm masters could handle this mission by themselves, Ling Xiao would give up the merits of this mission. It was just as Ling Lan had said, Ling Xiao was either going to do it and not want anything, or do it and take the bigger pot to reap more benefits.
"My father isn't as perfect as you think." Ling Lan gave a friendly reminder to Li Lanfeng. She thought of how the people see Ling Xiao as the perfect soldier, the face of justice. She couldn't help but sigh. Only she knew that Ling Xiao also had his own agenda and was definitely not as perfect as people thought.
"I know, that's why I admire General Ling Xiao!" Li Lanfeng replied earnestly. If Ling Xiao was a real saint, Li Lanfeng wouldn't be admiring him that much.
Right at that moment, the military had already taken control of the entire academy area. There were only a few fake domain realm masters from the unknown organization who were still fighting with the military. Ling Lan predicted that soon, the military would finish the battle and attack the headquarters in the forest.
While everyone's attention was on the domain realm masters in the battle, Ling Lan led Li Lanfeng and Li Shiyu out of the Azure Central Academy silently and went towards the direction the higher-ups of the organization retreated towards.
Qi Long's group of three had already reached the location where the coordinates their Boss had given them were indicating, but this location was quite close to where the retreating organization was currently at, so Ling Lan didn't want Qi Long and the other to fight them head on without waiting for her first.
In order to make sure no one notices them, Ling Lan's gathering spot was a remote path with lush trees on both sides, where elders would only pass by in the morning.
When Ling Lan appeared, Qi Long instantly excitedly called out, "Boss!"
"Is everything ready?" Ling Lan asked.
"Of course!" Qi Long cracked his knuckles. Luo Lang was also excited and his face heat up until it was a beautiful blush red color, making Ling Lan understand what it really meant to be blindingly beautiful. Xie Yi on the other hand, just stood there calmly. Although he didn't say anything, one could still tell from his clenched fists that his fighting spirit was at its peak.
"Regiment Commander Ling, it's been a long time!" He Xuyang who was awkwardly standing beside Qi Long, and was thinking that Ling Lan would greet him first, said in dismay.
'Young Master Lan, how could you ignore me?' He Xuyang cried on the inside.
"Staff Officer He, it has indeed been a long time. Your body seems to be stronger than before!" Ling Lan said nonchalantly.
What does Young Master Lan mean by that? He Xuyang thought about the meaning behind Ling Lan's words. Then, he saw a few domain realm masters' lips moving slightly, as if they were trying to endure something. He suddenly realized… Sh*t, Young Master Lan is saying he is fat!
"Regiment Commander Ling!" Staff Officer He felt hurt. He looked at Ling Lan with a depressed expression as if to blame Ling Lan for his sadness. Him becoming fat was because Ling Xiao threw him most of his work, thus not allowing him to have the time to exercise.
"What are the orders?" Ling Lan ignored He Xuyang's expression and asked coldly.
Not fun at all. He Xuyang replied with disinterest, "The general gave us an order. Everything is under Regiment Commander Ling's command."
After hearing that, the domain realm masters that came with He Xuyang had confused expressions on their faces. They originally thought that He Xuyang, the Staff Officer, would be the one commanding them. They didn't think that it was actually going to be this young mecha clan regiment commander.
However, those who were sent out by Ling Xiao were all Ling Xiao's confidants, so the domain realm masters didn't have any gripe with the decision. If General Ling Xiao made the decision, then he definitely must have his reasons.
Ling Lan didn't decline and immediately explained the situation to the domain realm masters. After hearing that the enemy might have titled domain realm masters in their group, the domain realm masters all had serious expressions on their faces.
One of them said, "If they still have titled domain realm masters, then we probably won't be able to handle it."
When it comes to the domain stage, the difference in domain strength could not be overcome with numbers.
"It's alright, if there are any titled domain realm masters, I can handle them!" Ling Lan said calmly.
Ling Lan's words made the domain realm masters widen their eyes. They knew that the person in front of them was definitely not a dumb and naive youngster if Ling Xiao trusted him. He wouldn't joke with them about that as his life was on the line too. Thus his words meant that he could definitely hold control of the situation. Could this very young man be a domain realm master? And also reached the level of being a titled domain realm master?
He Xuyang was satisfied. Before coming here, he was informed that Young Master Lan had already reached the capabilities of a titled domain realm master, which had frightened him greatly. Now, there were finally people who were also frightened by that fact.
"Indeed, Regiment Commander Ling already has the strength of a titled domain realm master." He Xuyang made certain of their guesses.
Ling Lan looked at He Xuyang. It seemed that He Xuyang managed to get past Ling Xiao's test and finally acquired Ling Xiao's trust…
"Since everyone is clear on the mission, let's move out!" Right as Ling Lan finished speaking, she completely disappeared.
The domain realm masters looked at each other. Just then, they felt Ling Lan's domain energy. Shockingly, this young regiment commander was already a domain realm master. After mulling over that, they followed suit and also disappeared.
"Staff Officer He, we're leaving now." Qi Long and the other two waved towards He Xuyang, and also left the scene.
Right as Li Lanfeng was about to follow them, Li Shiyu grabbed him.
"It's too dangerous there!" Li Mulan had only reached peak stage of Qi-Jin so he was not fit to join them.
Li Lanfeng slowly pushed away Li Shiyu's hand and softly said, "If I back out now, then I would never be able to follow them in my lifetime."
Li Shiyu wanted to say more, but Li Lanfeng didn't give him another chance, and he left without hesitation.
Li Shiyu stomped his feet and bit his lip before he followed behind his eldest cousin brother. He couldn't just watch silently as his eldest cousin brother put himself in danger. Domain battles were not something they could participate in.