After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Chen spoke softly, "How many members does the Dragon Tooth Elite Squad reserve team have now?"

"Nearly five hundred," Zhang Zijian replied softly.

Jiang Chen nodded, "Have them come out with me. In three months, I can't guarantee that even three hundred of them will return, but I can assure you, when they do come back, even if the entire Dragon Tooth Elite Squad were to leave Long Ya, they would still retain the title of the ultimate special combat unit within the Dragon Tooth Special Combat Team!"

"Good!" Zhang Zijian's eyes lit up, full of gratitude, "Thank you, Chief Instructor Jiang, thank you!"

Zhang Zijian was very clear about the sacrifice Jiang Chen would have to make to keep his promise. When Chen Jiantao and others had returned, he had asked them how they were trained and how they improved outside. When he heard that they consumed Elixirs like meals, he guessed that there was an Alchemist behind Jiang Chen.

This matter was classified as the highest secret within the Flame Dragon Kingdom, only known to a few people with good relations to Jiang Chen and the highest-ranking elders.

Hearing Jiang Chen's promise, Long Tianxing's insides turned green with regret. He deeply regretted why he wasn't the first to have met Jiang Chen. If he had met him first, it would have been the Flying Eagle Special Combat Squadron that benefited from Jiang Chen's wholehearted support.

However, Long Tianxing also understood that he couldn't compete with Zhang Zijian. From Elder Shen, Shen Xiangtian's father, to Shen Xiangtian, to the Dragon Tooth warriors, the bond between Jiang Chen and Long Ya had become deeply ingrained. It was not something he could shake. Long Tianxing could only secretly envy Zhang Zijian in his heart!

"No time to waste, let's set out now!" Jiang Chen said quietly.

"Good!" Zhang Zijian nodded vigorously and, along with Long Tianxing, escorted Jiang Chen out of the office.

"Let's also hurry to Jincheng, this matter needs to be decided by Old Master Song in a meeting!" Once Jiang Chen had left, Long Tianxing turned to Zhang Zijian.

Zhang Zijian nodded, and they too left the office.

After Jiang Chen and his company left the office building, they immediately called together the warriors from the Dragon Tooth Elite Squad and the reserve team.

"Gentlemen, coming up, I will take you outside for intense actual combat training. I want everyone to understand that in this upcoming actual combat training, we may suffer many casualties and deaths."

Jiang Chen looked at the more than six hundred warriors before him and spoke gravely:

"If anyone is reluctant to go, I won't force you. But I promise, if you survive the three months of actual combat training, your strength will definitely undergo an earth-shattering transformation!"

"We're going out!"

"Finally, we can fight alongside the Chief Instructor again!"

"Great! We've been looking forward to going out for combat!"

"Haha, this time we must take down that guy An Long!"

The warriors of the elite unit called out excitedly one by one, and the warriors of the reserve team also shone with eager eyes at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen smiled slightly and brought his hand down in a whisking motion.

The excited crowd instantly fell silent, each of them looking at Jiang Chen with burning eyes.

"Everyone will put down your weapons and change into civilian clothing!" Jiang Chen shouted.

"Yes!" The warriors answered in unison and turned to run towards the armory and the barracks.

"This time, I wonder how many people I can bring back," Jiang Chen mused as he watched the excited warriors sprint away.

Shen Xiangtian's expression turned solemn as he placed a hand on Jiang Chen's shoulder and whispered, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. In war, where is there no death? You're right, this world has many strong people that we don't understand, and we can only defend our country better by constantly becoming stronger."

Jiang Chen nodded solemnly and made a series of arrangements on his phone.

When the group assembled again, the more than six hundred warriors had all changed into civilian clothing. Jiang Chen led them to Jinhai, took a ship from Jinhai's foreign trade wharf out to sea, and then headed to the Northern Alliance first to meet with Xuan Long and the others.

...

Night fell quietly upon a certain spot in Jincheng, where a modest-sized conference room hosted a gathering of old men.

Any one of these elders, if pulled aside, could cause a place to tremble with a mere stomp of their foot.

At the head of the conference table sat an old man dressed in formal attire, the grandfather of Song Wanqiu, Old Master Song.

To the side of Old Master Song sat an old man in military uniform adorned with four golden stars, who appeared somewhat sleepy, sitting there.

On the left side of the conference table sat two elders, the same ones who had watched the battle between Jiang Chen and Cangben Wuzang from the opposite side.

At this time, these two were dressed in green and black robes respectively, leaning back in their chairs with expressions of helplessness.

They were both heads of a certain department, called here in the middle of the night, feeling somewhat dissatisfied in their hearts, as their department was not one to be easily disturbed.

On the right side of the table sat Long Tianxing and Zhang Zijian.

At this moment, Long Tianxing and Zhang Zijian were anxiously watching Old Master Song without blinking.

"Commander Long, I want to know why you applied for such high-level protection for that kid Jiang Chen!" Old Master Song turned his head towards Long Tianxing.

Long Tianxing replied respectfully, "Old Master Song, you are aware of the contributions Instructor Jiang has made to the troops. When we needed to eradicate the traitor, Instructor Jiang didn't hesitate to agree, and most importantly, he noticed Elder Qing and Elder Hei during his battle with Cangben Wuzang!"

"What?"

"You mean he noticed our presence?!"

Elder Qing and Elder Hei suddenly sat up straight, staring intently at Long Tianxing, while the old man with the four golden stars abruptly opened his half-closed eyes, a dazzling sharpness flashing in them.

"Yes, he noticed your presence. I suspect he has already touched upon that barrier!" Long Tianxing nodded solemnly.

Elder Qing and Elder Hei exchanged glances, then both turned to look at the old man with the four stars.

Old Master Song also turned his gaze toward the old man with the four stars, who had the most authority on this matter.

"Being able to detect Elder Qing and Elder Hei indicates he has indeed touched that barrier. Unexpectedly, he has more potential than we thought!"

A profound look appeared in the old man with the four stars' eyes. He turned to Elder Qing and Elder Hei, "Elder Qing, Elder Hei, this time when he goes to the Southern Country, he will definitely come into contact with 'those people.' You two should secretly travel to the Southern Country and observe from nearby. If he encounters those old folks, lend him a hand. If not, then there's no need for you to intervene. Just see if he's a suitable candidate to join us."

"Yes!" Elder Qing and Elder Hei nodded respectfully.

"If he can, perhaps he will be able to take my place," the old man with the four stars murmured, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

"Elder Long!"

"Ancestor!"

Everyone cried out in surprise, their eyes reflecting a complexity of emotions.

"Little Tian Xing, I had hoped Jian Fei could wait for me, but unfortunately, I cannot wait for him. I have a feeling that I have at most, three more years. Three years from now will mark my time limit. Moreover, if I exert my full strength, I'm afraid I will have only one month left after taking action."

As they gazed upon the old man who had dedicated his life to the Flame Dragon Kingdom, a deep respect filled the eyes of Old Master Song and the others.

This old man was the Guardian God of the Flame Dragon Kingdom, Long Zhentian!

A man who had protected the Flame Dragon Kingdom since its founding, a legendary elder who allowed the kingdom to develop boldly and without fear—a divine shield!

In Long Zhentian's eyes, there was a glint of reluctance and anticipation as he slowly said:

"I hope that Jiang Chen won't disappoint me!"

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