Chapter 939 - Abyss
Long Yuxue said, “Such a tunnel appeared in the Endless Mountains. At first, it was tiny and the location was isolated, so nobody noticed that it existed. However, with the passage of time, the tunnel increased in size. The creatures from the other world started coming into our Douluo Continent. We dubbed them ‘abyssal creatures’.”
Tang Wulin’s pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoints. “What you’re saying is, the creatures I’ve encountered during my assessment actually exist? Those are the abyssal creatures you’ve mentioned?”
Long Yuxue replied, “You’re smart. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. When the abyssal creatures began coming into the Endless Mountains in great throngs six thousand three hundred years ago and started their migration, there was a great disaster. Because it took place in the secluded western location of the continent where the population is sparse and also the blackout on information by the Federation, there were only a handful of people who knew about it.
“The purpose of the abyssal creatures is destroying and devouring. They will consume all living things, whether they’re animals or plants. Like locusts, they leave behind a barren land wherever they go. They are filled with madness. In just a short amount of time, all life in the Endless Mountains disappeared.
“Fortunately, at that time, the Federation’s technology already developed to a certain extent, and they found out about the invasion early on. That’s how the disaster didn’t spread to the inner parts of the continent. The Federation had practically mobilized two-thirds of its armies to eradicate these abyssal creatures. With the combined efforts of Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Battle God Hall, in cooperation with the eleven mecha regiments, and countless fixed soul ammunitions, they eventually managed to push the abyssal creatures back into the tunnel.
“In the battle, more than two hundred people died. The Tang Sect Douluo Hall Hall Master had died during a fight with an abyssal creature’s plane king. Four of the Shrek Seven Monsters of that generation had died. Ten of the Battle God Hall’s eighteen battle gods had died. Three of the Four Great Spiriters of the Spirit Pagoda had died. Of the three main and deputy hall masters, one had died while the other was gravely injured. It is said that the battle was absolutely horrifying.”
Tang Wulin gasped. He could tell how powerful these four organizations were from their current strengths. According to Long Yuxue, the Title Douluos who participated in the battle must have numbered more than thirty. Also, when he counted the years, he calculated that battle armor would have developed during that period in time. Although it was not as powerful as modern battle armor, it would not have been far inferior. If even the Tang Sect’s Douluo Hall’s Hall Master died in the battle, he could only imagine how powerful the abyssal creatures were. When he thought about Mo Mei, whom he had encountered in the virtual world, Tang Wulin’s heart could not help but feel heavy.
“Our seniors’ blood wasn’t spilled in vain. The abyssal creatures were pushed back to their original plane. Five of the seven emperor-ranked abyssal creatures had died in that battle. The leader of the Seven Abyss Emperors was also gravely injured under the combined might of that generation’s Tang Sect Douluo Hall’s Master, Shrek Academy’s Sea God Pavilion’s Master, and the leader of the Shrek Seven Monsters. Countless abyssal creatures were killed. After that, the seniors had forcibly sealed the abyss’s tunnel. They weren’t able to seal it completely, but abyssal creatures above the rank of King would find it difficult to pass through the tunnel. The Blood God Army was also formed during that time by the four organizations. It only had one objective, and that was to guard the tunnel, to never let the abyssal creatures reach the continent again.
“We have absolutely no idea where the abyssal creatures live, but we know they’re extremely powerful. For example, Mo Mei, whom you’ve encountered, can be regarded as a lord-ranked abyssal creature. The colossal Ba An is only of header-rank. Throughout these six thousand years, the abyssal creatures have always wanted to invade our world. That’s why they kept attacking the seal while we’re protecting it with all our might.”
Tang Wulin said, “So the military gallantry that’s been mentioned can only be earned by battling the abyssal creatures?”
“That’s right,” Long Yuxue continued, “The cavern you saw in the assessment was modeled after the abyss’s cave. The scenario created is also highly similar. In the cave, we’d be under the effects of the spatial tunnel’s shockwave and our martial souls will be greatly weakened. It’s not that we’ll be unable to use them, but it’s basically the same thing. This is why you could not use your soul power during the assessment. The spatial shielding device created by our current technology only allows soul masters to use their martial souls for a short amount of time.”
Tang Wulin nodded. “I see, so that’s why. In other words, after my special training, I’ll begin fighting abyssal creatures? The more abyssal creatures I kill, the more military gallantry I can accumulate?”
Long Yuxue nodded. “In theory, yes. But you’re in the Secret Service, that’s slightly different from the combat unit.”
Tang Wulin said, “Senior officer, then can I be moved to the combat unit? I’d like to fight on the front lines.”
When she saw Tang Wulin’s fighting spirit ablaze, Long Yuxue raised her brows slightly. As a female soldier, she did not admire guys who merely had handsome looks, but those that were responsible and strong warriors.
Without a doubt, Tang Wulin had all these qualities. During the assessment, all fights were not very different from the real world, especially when he fought Mo Mei in the end. Mo Mei’s speed did not even allow him time to think. It was under those conditions that Tang Wulin was still able to protect her with his own body. The endurance of his will to fight was apparent.
That was why Long Yuxue did not doubt what Tang Wulin had said.
“No, you’re mistaken. Compared to the combat unit, we have more opportunities of coming into contact with abyssal creatures. Do you know what our responsibilities are?” asked Long Yuxue.
Tang Wulin shook his head. He was at a loss.
Long Yuxue continued, “Our main job is to carry out various missions. The other day when you saw me standing guard outside the barracks, I was substituting for one of my friends. Under normal circumstances, that’s not our usual job requirement. Our most important task is scouting, to provide information and samples for the research institute.
“The combat unit has to take turns in fighting the abyssal creatures, and also resupply the unit, among other responsibilities. Moreover, it’s not every day that there’ll be abyssal creatures venturing over here. The main mission of the combat unit is to guard the abyss tunnel and not let a single abyssal creature pass. We, the Secret Service, are different. Our duty is to gather intelligence. We’ll enter the place closest to the spatial tunnel and might even go onto the abyss’s plane obtain more information about the abyssal creatures and their living conditions. If we discover a new species and bring back samples of it, it’s a very important achievement. Hence, if you want to be promoted quickly, it’ll be most suitable for you to stay with the Secret Service for now.”
Tang Wulin asked with some curiosity, “Why do you say ‘for now’?”
Long Yuxue replied, “Up to certain ranks, personal military gallantry is very important. But when you climb high enough in the ranks, especially above the rank of a lieutenant colonel, your leadership ability will also be considered as your merits. It’s because the higher ranking officers must have the ability to command or it’ll be impossible for you to be promoted to a higher rank. Even if you are, you’ll only be like a foreign official in the army. You won’t be able to directly command a unit. Take Jiang Wuyue, for example. He was from the Secret Service. He only transferred to the combat unit after he was promoted to major. He spent two years to be commissioned as an officer, hence he accumulated military gallantry at a quick pace. If I ate like you did yesterday, I wouldn’t be able to pay.”
Tang Wulin squinted his eyes slightly and said, “You’re saying that I better stay in the Secret Service until I’m a major before I transfer to the combat unit?”