Chapter 644: Becoming a Five‑Star Divine General, the Teachers

When Jiang Chen finished the 20th run of the Instance, his storage space officially declared itself full.

Besides his own items, the storage was packed with equipment and materials.

Just the Tian Shan set alone amounted to a full 80 pieces.

As for whether a complete same‑attribute set could be assembled, Jiang Chen was only busy grinding and never even looked.

Having no choice, Jiang Chen had to abandon the thought of grinding further and prepared to head back.

At that moment the Instance vortex lit up, and waves of spatial disturbance rippled out.

A group of people teleported out from inside.

Their attire was uniform; they were exactly the batch Jiang Chen had seen earlier while climbing the mountain.

Jiang Chen guessed they must be former soldiers; their movements were overly coordinated, and they exuded a distinctive aura that even a Blue Leaf Guild team could not match.

After the group emerged, there was a two‑second freeze before their vision cleared.

Upon seeing Jiang Chen, they instantly became alert.

Each acted swiftly, forming a battle formation.

This confirmed Jiang Chen's suspicion even more: these people truly were ex‑military.

Other things can deceive, but this instinctive emergency response cannot be faked.

Jiang Chen smiled, signaling that they need not be nervous; he meant no harm.

The leader strode like a dragon and tiger, took two or three steps to Jiang Chen, and asked in a deep voice, "May I ask, are you Divine General Jiang?"

Jiang Chen chuckled, took out his Military Badge and wore it.

The Military Badge was a dazzling purple, its five stars piercing the eyes.

After seeing it clearly, the person jumped in fright, expression exaggerated and unhinged, shouting loudly, "Five‑Star Divine General!"

A gust of wind happened to blow in, the icy blast filling his mouth with shocking cold, making him cough incessantly.

He stifled his cough and saluted Jiang Chen, "Honored to see Divine General Jiang!"

Jiang Chen smiled, "No need for that; I'm merely a titular Divine General, holding no post in the army."

"Are you the army's Instance‑clearing team?"

The man shouted, "We are the Shenlong Empire's Grand Army, 8th Military District, Instance‑clearing team, 3rd squad. I am the Team Leader, Qi Tiezhu!"

Jiang Chen chuckled, "Hmm, you're decent. How was the haul this time?"

The man hesitated, "Reporting to Divine General, I cannot say."

The army has its own rules; many things cannot be spoken of without permission.

Although Jiang Chen is a Five‑Star Divine General, it's only a title; his status is high, yet he holds no actual position or authority.

Jiang Chen said, "Alright, stay safe. If you're capable, you could try opening several passages. Monsters will increase, but the loot can double."

Qi Tiezhu replied, "But opening two passages is too dangerous."

Jiang Chen's gaze swept over the crowd; not only were their actions synchronized, their aura was uniformly aligned.

They are all Level 80 Elite Professionals.

The people who came out of the army need no explanation for their combat cohesion.

Under Jiang Chen's stare, each straightened up, unleashing their strongest Essence Qi Spirit.

This is a Five‑Star Divine General, after all.

A truly great figure.

Jiang Chen was extremely satisfied with them; despite being Level 80 and Elite Professionals, none showed any arrogance.

Jiang Chen said, "I think as long as you cooperate seamlessly, opening two passages simultaneously should be fine."

Qi Tiezhu replied, "Our level is indeed sufficient, but our gear still lacks; if each brother could obtain a full set of Quasi‑Mythic‑grade Equipment, perhaps there's a chance."

The equipment they farmed might not even rotate to them.

It must pass through Upper Layer allocation before landing in the right hands.

This is the army.

Jiang Chen thought for a moment, "Our meeting is fate. I have some equipment obtained from the Instance; you may all pick and see if anything fits."

As he spoke, Jiang Chen pulled out about eighty pieces of Mythic‑level Equipment.

In an instant, the ground was covered with equipment, dense and piled higher than a small hill.

The accumulated snow was crushed, and the pure white icy world suddenly burst with colors.

Everyone stared dumbfounded; that's what it means for equipment to pile up like a mountain.

This is it.

Qi Tiezhu jumped again in fright, "Divine General Jiang, all your gear came from the Instance? How long have you been grinding the Instance?"

Jiang Chen replied, "Only half a day, several pieces each time, very fast."

Qi Tiezhu was stunned; all the soldiers gaped in shock, speechless.

What does 'one piece at a time, very fast' mean?

What does 'only half a day' even mean?

They need nearly a full day per run to obtain about ten pieces of Quasi‑Mythic‑grade Equipment.

Then they must wait ten days for the Instance cooldown to finish before a second run.

In a 24‑person squad, not everyone can possess a high‑grade Cooldown Talisman.

With the gear before them, they'd need to run it eighty times. At ten days per run, that's at least 800 days—over three years.

They'd have to toil for three years, yet Jiang Chen did it in only half a day.

Comparing oneself to others truly makes one furious.

Qi Tiezhu was convinced; under a great name there is no hollow warrior.

No matter what Jiang Chen's level is, their strength is truly real.

The reason Jiang Chen is willing to give them equipment is that they belong to the Eighth Military Region.

The Eighth Military Region has another name: Fortress No. 8.

That is the faction of Hong Jishi and Li Xueru; anything that comes from Fortress No. 8 is entirely their trusted subordinates.

So, these are our own people.

In Hong Shen Courtyard, the former tranquility has already returned.

Li Xueru, Hong Jishi, and Ao Hongchen sat together, drinking tea.

Li Xueru and Hong Jishi's promotions were completed half a day ago.

They smoothly reached the 96th level, the law entered their bodies, merging with their Skills.

From then on, they can command the law, and the power of their Skills surged.

What they must do next is to fuse more of the law into their Skills, which not only amplifies the Skills' power but also strengthens themselves.

As the amount of law they can command grows, its intensity continuously rises; eventually, upon comprehending the true essence of the law, they can begin to master it.

Once they reach this stage, they become Half-step Super Gods.

Ao Hongchen said, "Xiao Chen has been out for a long time, and we don't know when he'll return."

Hong Jishi, sipping tea, said, "The kid says the Third Transcendence doesn't concern us, and we have no idea what he's up to."

Li Xueru chuckled, "No need to worry about Xiao Chen; his Third Transcendence will definitely be fine, with that person present."

Ao Hongchen sighed, "I truly didn't expect Xiao Chen could even have a conversation with that person."

Hong Jishi said, "Indeed, previously among the All-Human Race, only Half-step Super Gods were qualified to converse with that person. Even though we have reached the 96th level, we still lack the qualification."

Ao Hongchen recalled his past overconfidence in challenging Antares; now, thinking back, merely surviving a single life is already decent.

Li Xueru's eyebrows twitched, "Xiao Chen has returned."

A few showed surprised smiles; after his words fell, a spatial disturbance came from outside the courtyard.

Someone teleported here.

Only a handful of the All-Human Race are qualified to teleport directly to Hong Shen Courtyard.

They sensed Jiang Chen's aura and all displayed shocked expressions.

Li Xueru whispered, "Xiao Chen has already completed the Third Transcendence, and…"

Ao Hongchen, equally perceptive, said, "And he's very strong; I feel he's stronger than a typical Divine-level."

"How exactly did Xiao Chen complete the Third Transcendence, and what methods did that person employ?"

"That person's methods are beyond what you or I can imagine. If Xiao Chen doesn't speak later, you shouldn't ask."

"Understood!"

They are all seasoned and shrewd; each knows exactly which questions may be asked and which should not.

Jiang Chen, too, hasn't been back to Hong Shen Courtyard for a long time, and his eyes carry a hint of nostalgia.

Having traveled recently, he has witnessed a broader sky, yet returning to this small place still makes him feel warmth.

Since his grandmother passed, his sister has also embarked on her own path.

This is the warmest place in his memory.

"Teacher, I have returned." Seeing three familiar figures, Jiang Chen respectfully greeted them.

He went up to serve tea to the three teachers.

These three teachers treat him sincerely, with no selfish motives.

Li Xueru said nothing; Jiang Chen's safe return is enough.

Ao Hongchen laughed, "Not bad, not bad; Xiao Chen not only completed the Third Transcendence, but also made great progress in strength."

Hong Jishi also laughed loudly, "Kid, you truly haven't disappointed me."

Mid‑sentence, he suddenly leapt up, "How did you become a Five-Star Divine General!"

Li Xueru only then noticed the Military Badge on Jiang Chen's shoulder and said softly, "Xiao Chen, have a sip of tea and speak slowly."

To become a Five-Star Divine General must have involved a great battle.

We still don't know what Jiang Chen went through.

Although Jiang Chen's combat power can't be measured by level, he is only at the 74th level.

Facing a Divine-level Strongman, saying there's no pressure at all would be unbelievable even to a ghost.