Martial Master

The entire military camp was filled with a bloodthirsty aura, creating a terrifyingly grand atmosphere.

Xiao Zhan stood on the back of the Blood Claw Azure Eagle and shouted, "This is Xiao Zhan; hurry and report!"

"It turns out to be Lord Xiao Zhan," the person said respectfully upon hearing the voice, then rang a warning bell on the watchtower.

Ding ding ding!

The bell rang three times, indicating that an important figure was approaching.

The military camp immediately opened, and a large number of figures walked out.

At this moment, the Blood Claw Azure Eagle carrying Qin Chen and the others also landed in the open space in the center of the camp.

"Subordinate Yan Huai, has seen Lord Lingwu Wang, His Highness the Fourth Prince, Princess Zixun, and Princess Lingshan," the leading man said.

The leader was a burly man in his forties, dressed in black iron armor, with an extraordinary aura. He approached the crowd and respectfully clasped his hands.

As a military officer stationed in the Blood Spirit Pool of the Da Qi Kingdom, this man naturally knew who had come on this journey.

"General Yan Huai, no need for such formalities. The tent has been prepared, right?" Lingwu Wang Xiao Zhan asked.

"Replying to Lord Lingwu Wang, it has already been prepared," Yan Huai responded.

"Mm." Xiao Zhan nodded, "You've worked hard."

Since the Blood Spirit Pool was discovered a hundred years ago, there had been a considerable period of conflict, leading to the deployment of troops from the five countries in the northwest around the Blood Spirit Pool.

Even after the five countries reached an agreement and held the Five Nations Grand Competition, although many stationed troops were withdrawn, some remained.

The purpose of these stationed troops was not only to monitor each other to prevent any violation of the agreement but also to hunt the surrounding blood beasts to prevent them from damaging the Blood Spirit Pool.

Yan Huai was one of the generals guarding the Blood Spirit Pool this time.

Guarding the Blood Spirit Pool was exceedingly arduous, requiring one to deal with blood beasts year-round, which was not only dangerous but also extremely monotonous.

Moreover, once stationed, it lasted at least ten years, with the longest being fifteen or even twenty years, making it a hard task.

Yan Huai's expression was stern as he clasped his hands and said, "This is my duty as a subordinate."

While Yan Huai was communicating with Xiao Zhan, Qin Chen and the others were also observing their surroundings.

They noticed that apart from a large number of soldiers emerging from the surrounding tents, there were also quite a few young people around twenty years old, standing at a distance and pointing at them.

"These few are the geniuses who have entered the Blood Spirit Pool this time for our Da Qi Kingdom?"

"I heard there are four teenagers in their teens who just graduated from the Tianxing Academy; it must be those four. I wonder what the Emperor is thinking."

"Hmph, in the past, the quotas for entering the Blood Spirit Pool were chosen from our talented youths in their early twenties. This time, the Emperor broke the norm and directly gave four spots to a few who just graduated from the Tianxing Academy; it’s simply unfair."

"Haha, unfair? Did you think it was fair before? Spare me; who told us we don't have any background!"

"Exactly. Look closely; among the eight spots this time, there’s the Fourth Prince, Princess Zixun, and Princess Lingshan, all of royal blood. Aside from them, there’s also the legitimate son of the Marquis of Southern Expedition, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Wuan, and the legitimate grandson and grandson of the King of Dingwu. The spots for the Blood Spirit Pool are basically tailored for these noble scions."

"This time is already pretty good; I heard there’s one commoner. In the past, there wasn't even a single commoner."

The crowd murmured in dissatisfaction.

Their voices weren't loud, but given the strengths of those present, many heard the idle gossip.