Chapter 107

The next day, the lingering scent of the New Year had not yet faded.

Jiang Xia, Wang Teng, and Ye Lingxi walked through the gates of the Demon Suppression Army, wearing crisp uniform jackets, their captain’s shoulder insignias glinting faintly in the morning sun.

“Tch, never thought I’d end up here—officially reporting to the Demon Suppression Army like a proper officer.”

Wang Teng puffed out his belly, trying to look more imposing, but his voice ruined the effect.

“Old Xia, Itachi think we’ll get assigned to which department? Hope it’s one with light duties and good perks…”

Jiang Xia, walking ahead, didn’t turn around as he swiped his ID card through the gate: “Itachi’ll find everything in your dreams. Probably field operations.”

Ye Lingxi, walking beside Jiang Xia, spoke calmly: “Given our ratings and strength, the fastest odds are for the Rapid Response Unit or forming an independent tactical squad.”

Indeed, after completing the tedious enrollment procedures at personnel, the major in charge confirmed their details and said directly:

“Senior Colonel Jiang Xia, Colonel Ye Lingxi, Colonel Wang Teng, per headquarters orders, Itachi three will serve as core personnel to form a new independent tactical squad, codename 【Eagle】. Here are your orders.”

The officer handed each of them a file: “The squad’s initial strength is seven. Besides Itachi three, the other four members will be selected from among other top graduates, or Itachi may recommend and apply for transfers.”

“The squad reports directly to the General Staff Department and will execute high-difficulty, high-mobility special missions.”

“Independent squad! 【Eagle】! That codename’s badass!” Wang Teng rubbed his hands excitedly. “Old Xia, does this count as a promotion and fortune boost—uh, I mean, does this count as hitting life’s peak?”

Jiang Xia ignored Wang Teng’s antics, studying the documents closely: “What are the criteria and deadlines for personnel selection?”

“Itachi set the criteria. Submit your report, and we’ll coordinate.”

“Timeline: complete initial formation within a week, achieve combat readiness within two weeks.”

“Your base and logistical support are already prepared—in a standalone building in the headquarters’ west zone,” the officer replied. “Any other questions?”

“None. Thank Itachi.” Jiang Xia tucked the files away.

Outside personnel, Wang Teng immediately began calculating: “Seven people—we’re three, need four more.”

“Ling Zhantian’s a must—he’s tough and durable! Wang Shichen can’t be left out—he’s sharp, and his spatial ability could save us in a pinch! That’s five already…”

Ye Lingxi added: “We also need a reliable heavy weapons specialist or long-range sniper, plus a professional battlefield information and electronic warfare expert.”

“Our previous setup was lacking in these areas.”

Jiang Xia nodded, already having someone in mind: “For heavy weapons, I think Lei Lie from Class B is good—ranked twenty-first on the Top Talent List, with a dual lightning-fire affinity; after breaking through to Wang Hou, his lightning-fire coverage is enormous.”

“For information specialist… Su Xiaorou leans toward healing; Akatsuki Jia’s Akatsuki Yue is more specialized in this.”

“Her 【Data Stream】 ability is perfect for battlefield data processing. Though she’s only at Wu Zong peak, her ability is uniquely valuable.”

“Akatsuki Yue? That girl who always carries a tablet and talks like a robot?”

Wang Teng scratched his head. “Is she even capable? Seems like she’s got no presence at all.”

“Her value isn’t in frontline combat,” Jiang Xia explained.

“With her and Wang Shichen, our battlefield transparency will be near-total. That’s settled—I’ll submit the request.”

Jiang Xia’s request was approved quickly.

Ling Zhantian and Wang Shichen arrived without hesitation upon receiving their orders.

Lei Lie was a massive, tower-like man who, upon hearing he could join Jiang Xia’s squad, roared with excitement and pounded his chest, vowing his strength.

Akatsuki Yue, by contrast, was quiet. She wore black-rimmed glasses and carried a tactical pack brimming with electronic gear. Upon meeting Jiang Xia, she merely adjusted her glasses and said calmly:

“Commander Jiang, my equipment requires a dedicated, electromagnetic-shielded server room and a stable power interface.”

Jiang Xia pointed to a designated area beneath the building: “Already prepared. Check if anything’s missing.”

Akatsuki Yue went downstairs, toured the space, and returned with a rare hint of satisfaction: “Meets standards. I’ll have the squad’s communications, reconnaissance, and electronic countermeasures systems fully operational within twenty-four hours.”

A week later, all seven members of 【Eagle】 squad were in place and began intensive integration training.

In the training ground, explosions and shouts echoed nonstop.

“Three o’clock left—three simulated Wang Jie gargoyles, extremely fast! Lei Lie, area suppression! Ling Zhantian, hold the front! Wang Shichen, prepare spatial distortion to limit their evasion!”

Jiang Xia’s voice came clearly through the squad’s encrypted channel.

“Got it! Try this!” Lei Lie hefted a specially designed spirit-energy explosive rifle.

He fired—the dense barrage of lightning and fire instantly covered the designated zone, shattering two gargoyles diving down.

Ling Zhantian roared, manifesting his Battle God Form, and smashed the lone survivor into the ground with a single punch.

Wang Shichen pressed his hands outward—the space around the gargoyle instantly thickened, slowing its movements by more than a full beat.

“Target eliminated.” Ye Lingxi’s cold voice rang out as her ice crystal longbow dissolved. “Long-range threats neutralized.”

“Interference signals blocked. No anomalous energy readings within three kilometers,” Akatsuki Yue’s voice came through the channel, backgrounded by streams of scrolling data.

Wang Teng swung his enlarged Soul Devouring Scythe, unleashing a gray-black blade aura that split the last struggling gargoyle apart. He chuckled smugly.

“Perfect coordination! Fatty feels we’re ready to take on Catastrophic-level threats now!”

Jiang Xia relaxed his combat stance and smiled: “Don’t get cocky. Catastrophic and near-Catastrophic are entirely different tiers. But our basic coordination is solid.”

At that moment, Jiang Xia and Akatsuki Yue’s personal terminals simultaneously emitted urgent beeps—the screens lit up with a mission brief marked “URGENT” and “TOP SECRET.”

“Looks like rest time’s over,” Jiang Xia opened the brief, scanned it quickly, and frowned slightly.

Wang Teng leaned over: “What’s the mission? Big job again?”

“Check your terminal,” Jiang Xia shared the brief to the squad channel.

【URGENT MISSION: INVESTIGATION AND ERADICATION】

【INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: Tianji Pavilion tip, cross-verified with Night Watcher internal archives】

【TARGET: Remnant forces of the Demon God Cult operating within Shanhai Pass’s jurisdiction (suspected area: Disha Pass). This organization has clashed with us repeatedly—uses bizarre methods, excels in spiritual manipulation and flesh sacrifice, and has unclear ties to certain aberrant beasts.】

【MISSION OBJECTIVES: 1. Determine location, size, and leader identity of their base. 2. Acquire evidence of collusion with forces beyond the pass.】

【DANGER LEVEL: HIGH (Confirmed Wang Hou-level combatant present; suspected undisclosed trump card)】

【MISSION AUTHORIZATION: Use necessary force permitted; may request support from Disha Pass Demon Suppression Army detachment.】

“Demon God Cult?!”

Wang Teng jumped up at the name. “Those damn ghosts won’t leave us alone—always pulling off sacrifices and terror attacks behind our backs!”

“Even Zhao Laoshi got crippled by them—and now they’ve slithered all the way to Shanhai Pass?!”

Ling Zhantian clenched his fists until they cracked: “Perfect. New grudges and old ones—let’s settle them all. My fists have been itching for this!”