Chapter 144: Dragon Blood Phoenix Marrow

Situjun said unhappily: "How could I not know what you're thinking, kid?"

"To let you absorb a bit more nutrient, I specially applied to the higher-ups, but your absorption speed is too terrifying; stock is running low, so we have to leave some for others."

"Stock running low?"

Lu Jing startled, then hurriedly got out of bed: "Come on, Lord Seat, I feel my condition is better than ever!"

Situjun: "......"

A few minutes later, Situjun led Lu Jing out of the military hospital.

At this moment, Lu Jing had already changed out of that thin hospital gown, replaced with a crisp military uniform.

A golden sash hung across his chest, embroidered with a vivid five-clawed golden dragon.

Lu Jing pushed up his military cap, revealing deep-set, three-dimensional features and eyes that sparkled with starlight.

He glanced at Situjun's uniform; though the cuts were the same, their colors and patterns differed.

Lu Jing's shoulder bore only a plain gold dragon-shaped insignia, while Situjun's had several bright, shining stars.

Seeing Lu Jing's confusion, Situjun explained: "You're wearing a temporarily tailored uniform; each Dragon Imperial cohort receives one set. If you want mine like this, you have to officially join the military first."

"I see."

Lu Jing nodded with a smile; along the way, Situjun hadn't stopped urging him to join the military, his ears were practically developing calluses.

He didn't agree, just gave an ambiguous answer: who said a Dragon Imperial New Star must join the military?

Joining isn't out of the question, but he'll wait until after graduating from Martial University and seeing a bigger world before considering it.

As they walked and talked, many soldiers saluted Situjun upon seeing him, and Lu Jing basked in the reflected glory.

Finally, they stopped before a tall building.

Dong Ningxue had been waiting outside for a while; upon seeing Lu Jing in military attire, she first froze, then her eyes lit up.

"Lu Jing, you look pretty sharp in that uniform; why not just join the military when you return to East Chuan Province? I'll make you my aide, how about that?"

"Be your aide?"

Lu Jing chuckled and shook his head: "If you were my aide, I could consider it."

Unexpectedly, Dong Ningxue didn't play by the rules, nodding directly: "Fine, then it's settled!"

Situjun beside them hurriedly pulled Lu Jing forward: "Young people, stop flirting, hurry inside!"

As they pushed the door open, the grand hall gleamed with gold and jade, a hundred-meter-long red-carpeted path appearing beneath their feet.

"This......"

Lu Jing frowned: "Wasn't I supposed to come for the Dragon Blood Phoenix Marrow? Why does this feel like a meeting?"

His gaze swept over; the hall was full of people, including some familiar faces he'd seen in the Cave, such as Fan Kong and that overseer.

The rest mostly wore military uniforms, looking like high-ranking officials.

Everyone's eyes gathered on Lu Jing's face, and the murmuring discussion buzzed throughout the hall.

Among those gazes were envy, jealousy, admiration, and excitement.

"Let's go, let's take our seats."

Dong Ningxue grabbed Lu Jing's arm and pulled him to a front-row seat.

Situjun strode forward like a dragon and tiger, mounting the dais, his eyes that exuded authority without anger scanning the crowd below.

Instantly, the hall's chatter vanished completely; a pin drop could be heard.

"Everyone's here, let's begin the awards ceremony!"

Situjun's voice rang like a bell; even without a microphone, it carried clearly, echoing through the hall.

"First, I want to sincerely apologize to everyone!"

Having said that, Situjun bowed deeply to the audience below.

"Because of certain reasons, this Dragon Imperial election resulted in severe casualties; I cannot shirk responsibility! I accept your criticism and blame, and will take full responsibility for this!"

The audience immediately erupted, many rising to return Situjun's salute.

"What is Situjun's status and realm?"

"He's a Martial Lord powerhouse, and this accident was mainly due to Deep Red's suicide attack—impossible to defend against."

Situjun lowered his hands slightly, signaling everyone to sit: "Alright, the awarding of this Dragon Imperial New Star cohort officially begins now!"

"Lu Jing, come up here!"

Lu Jing rose and walked onto the dais; at Situjun's indication, a ceremony attendant came forward and added another star-shaped badge to his chest.

It was engraved with exquisite relief and bore the words "Dragon Imperial".

After the badge was fastened, thunderous applause erupted from below.

Besides honoring Lu Jing's performance in the Cave, they also named Fan Kong and several other geniuses who had fought Deep Red.

The meeting lasted until noon before it adjourned.

Once most people had left, only Lu Jing, Fan Kong, and a few scattered geniuses remained on the field.

"You few, follow me; the real show is coming up!"

Situjun waved his hand, leading a few people toward a side elevator.

"Lu Jing, keep it up!"

Dong Ningxue didn't follow; she stayed behind cheering Lu Jing on, knowing he was going to absorb the Dragon Blood Phoenix Marrow.

As the elevator descended, Lu Jing's group arrived at the tenth underground level.

Along the way, these geniuses' gazes were fixed on Lu Jing's face, their expressions excited.

Fan Kong also stared at Lu Jing, stepping forward and extending his right hand: "I'm Fan Kong; thanks for your help in the Cave—if not for you, I'd have been killed by that person......"

Lu Jing reached out and shook his hand: "No need to thank me; without you, I might have died too."

He had a good impression of Fan Kong.

While other geniuses were running around in chaos, Fan Kong was the first to turn back and counterattack, and his combat power was astonishing; one person managed to hold down a Grandmaster.

Rather than saying Lu Jing rescued Fan Kong, it's more accurate to say the two cooperated mutually, which allowed them to survive Deep Red's attack.

Without Fan Kong's desperate hold, Lu Jing would have had no chance to kill the Blade Demon.

Crack—

The elevator doors opened, and the group hurried through the narrow corridor.

Both sides of the corridor were lined with tightly shut rooms, filled with various instruments and equipment, looking like a laboratory.

Finally, after five minutes, they arrived in a spacious room.

Several staff members in heavy protective gear stepped forward and bowed to Situjun, "Lord Seat, you've arrived!"

"Hmm, have you prepared everything you were supposed to?"

"Report to Lord Seat, everything is ready!"

Having said that, he showed everyone several large chamber-like devices at the back, filled with red liquid.

"This must be dragon blood inside......"