Chapter 2585

He still has a long way to go before becoming a true squad leader.

But most squads start from this level of combat power.

Newly formed squads are inevitably weaker—that's no problem.

Regardless, this is definitely a good thing.

After all, as a squad leader, Su Qin can recruit more members and issue orders to them.

Moreover, this is a superior order; legally speaking, all normal squad members must obey it.

Although Zhao Chi thinks it's not very useful.

But it's undeniable that an elevated status is still a good thing.

Su Qin was also very happy.

After all, to her, this was a form of recognition.

But her deeper thought was that she could now better assist Zhao Chi.

An elevated status would make future tasks easier.

At this moment, Li Ruanyu had already taken the stage to award Su Qin.

Their relationship had become extremely close.

Li Ruanyu smiled lightly: "Congratulations, Su Qin. You're impressive—now you can form your own squad. I heard you often team up with Lu Yi and Wei Li? If they're willing, they can join your squad."

Su Qin happily replied: "Great, thank you, Ruanyu-jie. I'll ask for their opinions."

Li Ruanyu nodded: "Go back and let Zhao Chi reward you properly—let's chat tonight~"

"Mm, okay."

After Li Ruanyu stepped down, Su Qin returned to her seat amid applause.

Awards below the rank of company commander don't require speeches.

Only now did the commendations fully end.

Zhao Chi did not go onstage.

He had strengthened Ren Yunchuan, Li Ruanyu, and Shangguan Ting's female soldiers, then summoned a bone dragon for battle.

But the problem was… his contribution was low, accounting for only 2.7% of the combined combat contributions across several battles—truly negligible.

After all, merely reinforcing soldiers can't compare to the kills achieved by several lords.

The bone dragon's use was more like a decoy and tank—like a lone warrior diving into enemy lines to draw brief attention and drain their spiritual power.

But the enemies with tens of millions of combat power were brought down by Li Ruanyu and the others with single slashes and axe blows.

Zhao Chi's 2.7% contribution was already quite a lot.

But with only 2.7%, he still couldn't earn a dedicated commendation.

Of course.

This was only on the surface.

Behind the scenes, his contribution was the greatest.

Li Ruanyu's outfits and equipment were all made by him—no need to elaborate.

The credit for eliminating the several external beasts… only Li Ruanyu and Shangguan Ting knew, but Zhao Chi forbade them from speaking of it.

Moreover, after rescuing Shangguan Ting, she was able to bring two company-sized reinforcements.

And with Shangguan Ting herself joining, Li Ruanyu could win battles swiftly, enabling rapid support for Ren Yunchuan, Shen Jiyun, and other lords.

Overall, Zhao Chi's contribution was the greatest.

But only Li Ruanyu, Shangguan Ting, and Su Qin knew.

But it didn't matter.

As long as these few most important women knew, it was enough.

Zhao Chi was like a shadowy manipulator—unremarkable to the eye, yet already quietly influencing countless events.

And his capabilities were still expanding further.

Zhao Chi was still in an incomplete state.

In another month, the eagle would spread its wings, the tiger would descend the mountain.

Zhao Chi wasn't in a hurry.

Jiang Chen descended from the stage.

Yao Feng stepped onto the stage again: "Our military supply exchange point is also being established and is expected to open to the public tonight—exact timing is still undetermined, but Daoshihou Society will notify everyone via the system, after which you may exchange your contribution points for needed items."

This was Shu Bei Town; its military supply depot naturally could not be open to the White Tiger Regiment.

Just as when you visit relatives, even though you're family, you can't just take their money or supplies.

So the White Tiger Regiment still needed to establish its own military supply depot for exclusive exchange of military materials.

But setting this up takes time.

After all, it involves arrays and systems—this isn't something that can begin immediately.

After Yao Feng delivered a few concluding remarks, the assembly finally ended.

At the very moment it ended, Zhao Chi received a system message.

It was also a mass broadcast.

【Congratulations, you have received the "Jiao Ya Town Evacuation Battle Medal (100 Contribution Points)" and "Individual Third-Class Honor Medal (100 Contribution Points)"—claim them at the Biyu Company.】

【Congratulations, due to your outstanding performance, your rank has been promoted to "Second Lieutenant"—keep up the good work.】

Zhao Chi could not receive a dedicated award, but rewards for his performance were still given.

But such awards certainly didn't warrant an onstage presentation.

Most lords received individual honor medals, mostly third-class or commemorative ones.

But all the lords received the Combat Evacuation Medal.

Upon receiving the medal, they also received corresponding Contribution Points.

A total of 200 points; for an ordinary lord, that was enough to exchange for quite a few supplies.

But for Zhao Chi, it was better than nothing.

Besides these, due to accumulated merit, Zhao Chi had naturally been promoted to Second Lieutenant.

This situation was a bit strange.

After all, he had previously been a Sergeant.

To be promoted to Second Lieutenant, there was still the rank of Staff Sergeant in between.

Perhaps... Li Ruanyu helped him skip a rank?

It probably wasn't...

But more likely, at the year-end conference that was interrupted last time, Zhao Chi was already about to be promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Before the award ceremony even began, the meeting was interrupted by a werewolf invasion.

So this time, perhaps the previous promotion was added on, resulting in a Tier Two double promotion for Zhao Chi.

But... rising from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant didn't raise his status much.

But it didn't matter.

Among his three wives, two were Major Generals and one was a Lieutenant Colonel.

He could practically walk sideways; his current identity was utterly irrelevant.

What he needed to do now wasn't use his identity to do anything, but to finish his work as soon as possible.

"Zhao Chi, did you receive the commendation notice?" Su Qin asked in a low voice.

"Mm, I received it."

"Everything I received this time can be given to you; go exchange it later."

Su Qin knew Zhao Chi hadn't received the honor he deserved, so she felt a bit indignant on his behalf, but there was nothing she could do now.

She could only "compensate" Zhao Chi in this way.

Zhao Chi smiled: "Good, but actually, if I have money, I can buy all these things anyway; it just adds a bit more cost, so it doesn't matter."

Su Qin nodded: "That's true..."

Soon, the commendation conference ended completely.

The lords departed one after another.