Eternal Life: My Lifespan Increases Daily

Chapter 718: Chapter 466: Year-End Selection! (Double-Length) (Part 2)

In the next moment, he took the two along with Su Qingqing, transforming into a stream of light heading towards the city outskirts.

His speed was exceedingly fast, and the two, caught in the distant end, felt their minds blank. Before they could gather their thoughts, they found themselves atop a high cliff.

With feet on the thick snow, moments later, their distant souls seemed to have just caught up.

The two regained their senses.

Lv Yuchen gasping for breath murmured, ”Brother Wang, honestly, I feel a bit weak in the knees, almost unable to stand.”

This wasn’t like flying in an airplane; even a rocket couldn’t be this fast.

Having always lived on the ground, hardly even jumping around, Lv Yuchen felt this first heavenly journey was quite awful.

Luckily, he wasn’t excessively frightened to the point of breaking down; his face was just a little pale.

Compared to him, Wang Wenyu wasn’t much better off, raising his hand to press down on his weak knees, unable to suppress a dry chuckle.

Despite also being a Martial Artist, what he had seen in the martial arts school was worlds apart from Song Changming.

After recovering, Lv Yuchen’s attention quickly settled on the surroundings.

He saw majestic and mighty figures, similar to them, standing at the cliff top, or floating in the sky, fiercely impressive.

”These are true Martial Arts Powerhouses!” Wang Wenyu sighed deeply.

Although he had been employed in the Marshal’s Cabinet for half a year, most of the time, he dealt only with paperwork. Such an opportunity to see so many high-level generals happened only this once.

”Greetings, Marshal!”

At this moment, all the Generals, upon Song Changming’s appearance, respectfully saluted, restraining their respective aura.

”Hmm.” Song Changming glanced at them; the seventy-eight Little Flag Masters from the list had gathered here, including familiar faces like Yang Zhen, Xu Yuan, Tang Le Mountain, and Hu Fanyi.

”There’s no time to lose, let’s start.”

Song Changming didn’t waste words, directly giving the order.

”Yes.” A group of Military Department officials standing on the high cliff rose to the sky, making final arrangements and deployments.

The remaining Inspectors from the Prince’s Mansion were responsible for watching the battle, recording the entire Grand Marshal selection process, and bringing it back to the Mansion for documentation.

Soon, the Grand Marshal selection began.

Among the seventy-eight candidates, all meeting various conditions, the final allocation of four Grand Marshal positions was determined by individual Martial Tao battle power.

Unlike Song Changming’s previous session, this time to save time, four duels were simultaneously conducted.

Undoubtedly, these battle scenes became more intense; after all, all were Little Flag Masters with the qualification for selection, their Martial Arts Cultivation at least reached through eight Martial Veins.

”So strong...” Wang Wenyu stood without moving, seemingly unable to sense the cold climate of the high cliff, only feeling a broadened horizon, gaining new insights into these fly-to-sky Martial Arts Powerhouses.

Lv Yuchen was even more wide-eyed, witnessing a world of power he hadn’t encountered before.

He had heard the greatness of Martial Artists but never observed them closely as now.

”So this is why one mighty General is worth more than a million trained soldiers!”

Lv Yuchen recalled the words spoken by an old gentleman in the private school and finally had a firsthand experience.

These words referred to the extremely powerful Generals in the army, capable of turning the tide with their prowess, being ever so precious.

”But without a foundation of millions of well-trained soldiers, it’s difficult to cultivate a true military powerhouse...” Lv Yuchen then reflected.

Talent needs discovery, a supportive growth environment, and a step-by-step cultivation and promotion process over time and resources, not an overnight achievement.

It’s not to say that those soldiers lacking in Martial skills are useless; after all, the basic principle is that many Generals emerge from these trained soldiers, rising step by step.

Having a million well-trained soldiers first lays the groundwork for the emergence of one strong General after another.

Song Changming glancing at Lv Yuchen and Wang Wenyu, whom he brought along, saw the thoughtful expressions on their faces, knowing he was not wrong in bringing them.

If the two had narrow views, limited by recognition and worldly perspective, even with intelligence, they would merely be two elite administrators.

Lv Yuchen previously spoke accurately; Song Changming was not content with training them solely as administrative talents.

If he could, he hoped the two could alleviate his burdens beyond the Marshal’s Cabinet work, and not just confine themselves within the Military Department’s duties.

He wants to thoroughly cultivate them as his own, like Personal Guards Rongjiang, Song Ping’an, Su Qingqing, trusting them with significant responsibilities.

Of course, these things need to happen gradually, requiring time for cultivation, unable to be rushed.

Buzz!

In the field, Yang Zhen shouted loudly, his spear moving like a dragon, Gang Qi surging wildly, knocking a Little Flag Master opponent to the ground, causing snowflakes to burst around.

”Accept my thanks.”

After the Military Department officials announced the outcome, Yang Zhen calmly cupped his hand as a gesture, retreating to the side to rest.

It must be said, compared to the first time participating in the Grand Marshal selection and ending as a runner, Yang Zhen’s strength had vastly improved.

Especially his military spear technique, now infinitely close to Perfection, its power tremendous.

Observing the cycle, Song Changming acknowledged that if there were only one or two vacant Grand Marshal spots, even three, Yang Zhen would likely end as a runner once more.

But with four available positions, Song Changming felt Yang Zhen might genuinely contest for a seat.

After all, in terms of strength, those among the Little Flag Masters evidently surpassing Yang Zhen include only Tang Le Mountain, who reached Innate Perfection Realm, and Prince Cui’s son, Little Prince Hu Fanyi.

The last one wielding Thunder’s Fury was Xu Yuan.

Yang Zhen held little competitive edge facing these three but held real potential for the remaining position.

After one round, the number halved.

Wang Wenyu stood aside, energized, feeling thrilled, yet expressing slight regret.

”Brother Lv, unbeknownst to you, years ago I aspired to wander the world wielding a sword, deeply enthralled by striking down enemies, or serving a lifetime in military glory, but alas destiny drew limits, being a Martial Artist was never in my fate.”

”A scholar can artistically express youthful spirit, exuding flair, Brother Wang need not lament.” Lv Yuchen stated lightly.

He admired these powerhouses yet did not share Wang Wenyu’s envy or lament.

Since childhood, he was weak, impoverished, uninterested in wielding weapons, but if he found a compelling article or borrowed a fantastic classic to read, he would tirelessly savor it.

His life path diverged from Wang Wenyu’s, unable to empathize.

”True indeed.” Wang Wenyu nodded, agreeing with Lv Yuchen.

Boom!

The sky filled with blinding pale lightning, almost illuminating the snow-falling sky, nearly glancing to blind people.

”Xu Yuan’s Thunder’s Fury is almost too unfair, compared to before, it seems even mightier!”

”That opponent’s unlucky, stumbling into such a Living Yama, seeing smoke rising, I’m guessing his flesh is near cooked from the electrical shock...”

”You mock him, tying ten of you together, you’d be roasted alike outside and tender inside.”

”Hm, aren’t you the same?”

”...”

Xu Yuan easily won his second round again, drawing many comments.

In mid-air, Xu Yuan turned his head, glancing at the high cliff, seeing the leisurely Song Changming, grinning widely.

Among Song Changming’s old acquaintances, Xu Yuan counted among the few who, even as a Grand Marshal, didn’t develop awe towards him.

Privately, Xu Yuan remained forthright, treating him like a brother, identifying as a friend.

In response, Song Changming was unconcerned, feeling this was quite nice.

Seeing Xu Yuan glance towards him, Song Changming couldn’t help but smile, gently clapping hands, acknowledging his performance.

After Xu Yuan retreated, the next group saw Tang Le Mountain and Hu Fanyi both stepping out, each facing their opponent without collision.

Their reappearance drew the majority of attention.

One was openly recognized within the Military Department as the top combat Little Flag Master, while the other was Prince Cui’s son.

Comparing the two, determining superiority was momentarily challenging.

Yet, a duel between them today seemed inevitable, determining the result through battle.

...