Chapter 344: Core Area, Refreshing Cognition

"Look, my house is right there!"

Zheng Xuelan stuck her head out of the helicopter, pointing at a villa with a garden below.

"When I was a kid I moved here with my dad, so you could say I grew up in the military district."

Lu Jing tilted his head; it seemed Zheng Xuelan's father wasn't ordinary—at least an officer of the same rank as Situjun.

But since she has an official father, why would she still put herself forward?

After a brief thought, Lu Jing figured it out.

Fundamentally, seeking strength and avoiding weakness is human nature, especially in this Martial Way world.

Even the Martial God sends his granddaughter here, let alone the daughter of an ordinary officer.

And setting aside Martial Way prowess and talent, Lu Jing's looks are one in ten thousand.

Although a Martial Artist's cultivation eventually strengthens the body, there's no difference in figure and temperament.

But someone as good‑looking as Lu Jing is truly rare.

"Lu Jing, let's go down."

Zheng Xuelan broke Lu Jing's thoughts, waved at him, and then jumped from the helicopter first.

Lu Jing followed closely; a hundred meters is a safe altitude for Martial Artists of their Realm.

Boom—

The two landed steadily on the ground.

"Let's walk the rest of the way; the Core Area doesn't allow helicopters in."

Zheng Xuelan explained to Lu Jing.

Walking along, Lu Jing saw many groups of people approaching, of varied ages, but their Blood Qi was generally strong.

It was like a military compound on Earth; children living here receive Martial Way resources far beyond the ordinary.

Five minutes later, Zheng Xuelan led Lu Jing to a tall, magnificent building.

"We've arrived; this is the place to certify General Stars."

Zheng Xuelan introduced.

The building covers a huge area, filled everywhere with high‑tech smart devices.

Automatic doors kept opening and closing, with a heavy flow of people.

Martial Artists emerging from here are at least at the Martial Master Realm.

Even if Situjun were tossed here, no one would give him a second glance.

Such a scene can only be seen at a military district headquarters.

"Zheng Xuelan has arrived."

As Zheng Xuelan and Lu Jing entered the gate, several middle‑aged men in combat suits turned to look.

"Who's that young man, and why is Zheng Xuelan so respectful to her?"

The leading man, a Martial Lord (early stage), stubbed out his cigarette and walked toward Zheng Xuelan's position.

"Zheng Xuelan, is the support mission over? Why are you back so early?"

"Team Leader Li, long time no see!"

Zheng Xuelan smiled and greeted the man, "The mission went smoothly, so I returned early. Did you just finish a mission as well?"

"Yeah, not long ago a front line was tight, and higher‑ups sent us over to help..."

After a brief chat, the man turned his gaze to Lu Jing.

At that moment, Lu Jing was looking around with a curious expression.

"Who's this young brother?"

The man examined Lu Jing a few times and asked, "Could he be a newcomer to your squad?"

"No, our captain is actually eager for him to join our squad."

Zheng Xuelan smiled.

"Oh, oh."

The man was a bit surprised; from Zheng Xuelan's words he couldn't tell, but the young man was probably a playboy.

"We have other matters, let's talk another day."

Zheng Xuelan ended the conversation and led Lu Jing inside.

Lu Jing asked, "What did you mean by joining the squad earlier?"

"I belong to the Heavenly Elite Squad led by Ji Tianzong; the headquarters formed many similar units to support battlefields more quickly."

Zheng Xuelan explained, "The members of these units are mostly outstanding talents rated as General Stars, like our captain Ji Tianzong, who is a Level 9 General Star!"

"General Stars have ranks? After I'm rated a General Star, must I choose a unit to join?"

"Yes, General Stars enjoy higher benefits but also must fulfill their obligations."

"Alright then."

Lu Jing nodded and said nothing more.

Sure enough, there was no free pie falling from the sky; Lu Jing had come hoping to freeload General Star benefits, but it seems he still has to contribute first, just on a different battlefield.

The two continued toward the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, the view instantly opened up.

What caught the eye were a dozen windows, each with staff seated behind it.

"To certify a General Star, you must first apply at the first‑floor window; Commander Xia has already pre‑registered you, just a quick sign‑up is needed."

Zheng Xuelan tugged Lu Jing's sleeve and headed to the window, "The second floor is where squads hand over missions; later I'll collect this mission's reward, you can come with me to take a look."

"Okay."

Lu Jing nodded.

He walked to a window, where the staff inside was an elderly man with white hair.

The old man sat upright, dressed in a military district employee's uniform, and upon seeing Lu Jing approach, he proactively asked, "Hello, what business would you like to handle?"

"I am here to certify a General Star."

"Alright, we need you to present a document stamped with the official seal, as well as your identification."

The elder's attitude was pleasant, his speech neither fast nor slow.

"A document stamped with the official seal—what is that?"

Lu Jing frowned; he currently had no documents at all.

Behind him, Zheng Xuelan quickly explained for Lu Jing: "It's like this—he was recommended by Commander Xia; you should have received a notice, right?"

"Oh!"

The elder's dim yellow eyes instantly brightened, and he sprang up from his seat.

"Received, we got the notice; so the person Commander Xia mentioned is you!"

The elder respectfully stepped out of the window, smiling, and said, "The paperwork doesn't need further review, but the subsequent certification process still needs to be done; follow me here to certify your strength."

Lu Jing nodded, preparing to follow the elder away, when Zheng Xuelan suddenly came close.

"May I go with him?"

"You may."

The elder agreed outright.

"Come, this way."

The elder led the way ahead, turning his head back every two steps, his smile never fading.

After a minute, he stopped at the doorway of a room at the end of the first floor.

"This is it; you can go straight in."

Having said that, he proactively opened the door for Lu Jing.

After Lu Jing and the other entered, the elder's smiling expression finally relaxed a bit.

Huh—

"Killed a Lord-level Aberrant Beast at eighteen—that's terrifying power; no wonder Commander Xia personally recommended him..."

The elder had been here for over a decade and had seen countless General Stars.

But there were virtually none as young as Lu Jing, let alone someone whose strength is absurdly high!

This refreshed his understanding; no wonder he was so shocked.

Imagine: other General Stars are middle‑aged men in their thirties or forties, and one day a stronger one appears, only eighteen years old...