Chapter 394: Chapter 306: Witch Seal Ritual, Fame Shakes the Army! (Double Length) (Part 2)

He must suppress Song Changming, and this is also the reason he volunteered for the battle!

Both could not finish each other off in one strike, thus they engaged in another bout.

The entire arena echoed with a continuous rumbling sound.

Five minutes later.

"That’s enough." From the main seat, Wang Tianshuang suddenly spoke.

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it reached the two battling with full concentration at the center of the arena, loud and clear.

Wu Feng’s eyes flickered with unwillingness, but finally, he retreated.

The Banner Master’s command was not something he dared to disobey.

Song Changming also retracted the purple-gold intent from his saber, looking towards the person on the main seat.

"You both performed equally well, this match is a draw." Wang Tianshuang continued.

"Yes."

"Yes."

Song Changming and Wu Feng responded together.

Wang Tianshuang clearly noticed that neither of them could get the upper hand; continuing would eventually result in a winner, but only after a long time when one exhausted his strength.

This martial competition aimed at reviewing the soldiers and generals, since their strength level has been discerned, the outcome is of no importance to him.

"Return, Changming." Xing Tiexin said.

"Thank you for going easy on me." Song Changming cupped his fists towards Wu Feng, then decisively left the arena and returned to his position.

Wu Feng said nothing and also returned to his position, this was not the result he wanted.

With no winner between the two, his position in the army would inevitably be shaken after this battle.

In terms of prestige, he might still suppress the newbie Song Changming, who hadn’t been in the army for two full years.

But regarding pure strength, he was no longer the first among the deputy generals; beside him, there was now another name, Song Changming.

Thinking of this, Wu Feng glanced more often at Song Changming across, who looked calm and unperturbed, feeling heavy-hearted, but unable to change this result.

"Change into this." Fu Yuan beside him handed over a set of brand-new armor he had prepared earlier to Song Changming.

At this moment, Song Changming’s clothes were in tatters, not presenting a very good impression sitting in the stands.

"Thank you." Song Changming accepted the armor and changed quickly.

Fu Yuan has a meticulous nature, and he always noticed and attended to various small details, taking care of Song Changming from the recruit training camp up to now.

Encountering such a quality senior in the military right at the start was a lucky event for Song Changming.

"It was indeed beyond my expectation for you to stand equally with Wu Feng, not only did it bring me face, I think even the Banner Master Lord must have already heard your name!"

Xing Tiexin said joyfully, seemingly more pleased than if he had personally made waves, being extremely satisfied with Song Changming’s performance.

"You have boundless prospects, Changming!"

"The General overpraised..." Song Changming responded while resting.

The recent battle consumed him considerably.

Especially the Small Witch Power Seal he invoked with full power, his arm was indeed somewhat overloaded bearing that excessive strength.

Particularly, his bones felt painful now, and if he were to maintain the Witch Seal for a long time, it might risk fracturing, cracking, or even breaking his bones.

"The body is still too weak..."

Regarding this issue, he was well aware that the only cure was to continue to strengthen his physical body to the point of being invulnerable!

Other than that, figuring out how to use the Witch Seal correctly and reasonably was a mandatory course he needed to delve into.

His current use of the Witch Seal was still too limited, especially in actual combat scenarios, and his body needed a longer adaptation process to the Witch Seal.

"There are still many aspects to summarize and optimize..." Song Changming thought to himself.

The intense actual combat helped Song Changming discover many of his problems.

After encouraging Song Changming with a few words, Xing Tiexin started boasting with other commanders.

On the other side, after Song Changming left the arena, other deputy generals finally had a chance to take action, appearing one after another to engage in duels, showcasing their solid strength.

"Fu Yuan, you should also make an appearance." Xing Tiexin suddenly said.

"Yes, General." Fu Yuan nodded, and got up calmly, landing on the arena.

Among dozens of deputy generals, though Fu Yuan’s martial prowess wasn’t the strongest, he was among the top ones.

What was most important is that Fu Yuan, like Xing Tiexin, came from the lowest rank.

While Wu Feng had a small family behind him, the Wu Family, Fu Yuan started as an orphan without father or mother, relying on no one but his own aptitude and persistent effort to achieve what he had today.

Only after gaining Xing Tiexin’s appreciation and support did he rapidly rise, overtaking and surpassing the well-connected family scions among the deputy generals.

Before Song Changming’s appearance, Fu Yuan was the most inspirational figure within the army, admired by countless soldiers!

Moreover, Fu Yuan’s gentle and approachable nature earned him excellent popularity.

When Fu Yuan stepped onto the stage, the cheers he received were the highest among all the deputy generals, something even Wu Feng could not match.

It could be said that Fu Yuan was quite popular.

And Fu Yuan did not disappoint, easily winning three consecutive rounds without the impediments of Wu Feng and Song Changming, and was finally called back by Xing Tiexin.

Once all the deputy generals had competed, the battle concluded.

From the performances, the commanders, and Wang Tianshuang along with several big and small Banner Masters, could distinguish the strong from the weak, having a rough order and assessment in mind.

Among the deputy generals, Wu Feng was still the foremost in individual martial prowess.

However, unlike in the past, Song Changming’s name was now added alongside in prominence.

The two belonged to a t0 level of deputy general fighting strength.

Then came several outstanding talents from noble families, along with Fu Yuan, part of the second tier.

Meanwhile, the other two deputy generals under Xing Tiexin, Zhao Linxin and Tang Qicheng, though both had opened Four Earth Martial Veins, ranked in the third tier in terms of combat strength, slightly weaker than Fu Yuan.

But often, the position of commander depends not only on individual martial valor and ability to command troops and wage war but also on the influence of the family behind.

Sometimes familial influence holds greater sway than the other two.

Zhao Linxin and Tang Qicheng both hailed from top-tier families within the Core City and were cadets of their main houses.

Thus, speaking of their opportunities to become commanders, these two indeed had a higher chance.

After the general’s battle ended, the last segment was a series of formations led by centurions, competing against each other in face-offs.

They wielded specially crafted wooden sabers and wooden spears, ensuring that no accidents would result in casualties during the battle array matches.

This tested which side had the most robust composite combat capability.

Ultimately, the first platoon emerged victorious, receiving commendation from the Banner Master, and the promise of some supportive material rewards.

For the final result of the battle array, Xing Tiexin was not too pleased.

Because the generals could not participate, the composite combat ability of the platoon he was part of was only in the lower-middle of the entire army, not very good.

Fortunately, the promotion of Song Changming, plus Fu Yuan, allowed him to make a mark during the general’s battle.

Otherwise, the results of this year’s martial competition would indeed be unsatisfactory.

Personally, Song Changming, through this martial competition, not only gained great fame within the army but was also appreciated by Banner Master Wang Tianshuang. In future aspirations for promotion to commander, such recognition would be invaluable, providing significant assistance.

Besides that, he also gained tangible benefits.

His welfare and treatment within the army received an upgrade. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

As a newly appointed deputy general, his monthly salary was fifty spirit coins, plus five low-grade spirit crystals regarded as cultivation materials.

This welfare treatment among deputy generals was only considered basic level.

Any newly appointed deputy general would start with this treatment standard.

As his prestige in the army increased and his tenure deepened, or with notable achievements, this basic treatment would naturally improve.

After this martial competition, Song Changming’s outstanding performance brought him his first salary increase.

His monthly salary rose from fifty spirit coins to ninety spirit coins, a considerable increase.

And the cultivation materials changed from originally five low-grade spirit crystals to ten low-grade spirit crystals; additionally, he could receive one low-grade Innate Pill and one low-grade Qi Blood Pill from the Medicine Army Department monthly.

It was well worth his strenuous duel with Wu Feng in the arena.

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