Translator: CinderTL
After the graduation ceremony, each person embarked on a brand new life path.
Mu Qing, shouldering her backpack, set off for the front lines of combat.
Lin Ran joined the Tiger Soul Research Institute, beginning his research into art magic.
At this time, Wang Jinsheng arrived at the Scarlet Research Institute to launch a research project aimed at deciphering the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice.
Feng Qi also continued on his path of relentless self-improvement.
Yet they all shared a common ideal: to strive for humanity's rise.
New World, Eastern Region, Northern Sector.
North of Winterfrost City lay the supply zone.
Here, snow fell perpetually, burying everything under thick blankets of white.
Yet, a small supply town stood amidst the snow.
Though called a supply zone, each was actually a frontline in the war against Domain Invasion and a base for the major domain combat teams.
All facilities within the city served the combat teams, and both within and without the walls, advanced weaponry was deployed in vast quantities.
Through the swirling snow, a transport plane slowly landed on the runway, guided by traffic lights.
Moments later, Mu Qing, her oversized pack slung over her shoulders, pushed her luggage into the supply town.
She glanced down at the "New World" map in her hand, then headed straight for the northern part of the supply zone.
The "New World" was the name given to this world after the Cataclysm, divided into four major regions: East, South, West, and North, plus a Central region.
The Eastern District was further subdivided into six cities: Galaxy City in the west, Star City in the south, Future City in the center, Victory City in the east, Old Day City in the northeast, and Winterfrost City in the north.
Each city had its own unique developmental characteristics.
Separated by the Domain Fields, the cities operated independently, resembling pre-Cataclysm allied nations.
Despite their apparent independence, the cities maintained exceptionally close ties.
Whenever one city faced a Domain Field invasion, others would dispatch forces to provide support.
For example, Star City once aided Future City, and to this day, Future City retains a memorial cemetery for the Star City volunteer soldiers.
The highest authority in each city rests with a council composed of representatives from the major institutions, including research institutes and military departments.
Simultaneously, the six major cities in the eastern region of the new world jointly established a United Research Institute, a United Military Department, and the Eastern District Supreme Council to coordinate with city alliances in other regions of the new world.
Though appearing as fragmented human factions, they were in reality deeply interconnected.
Everyone understood the principle that "when lips are cold, teeth will freeze"—that is, when one falls, the others are vulnerable.
Years of mutual support had further strengthened the bonds between these cities.
For ordinary citizens, traveling between cities felt no different than pre-Cataclysm inter-provincial travel. The cities also shared databases and interconnected networks.
The supreme councils of each city had strict regulations: any act that threatened the relationships between them would be severely punished.
Moments later, Mu Qing, pushing her luggage, arrived at her destination.
The towering building resembled a clenched fist, with a metal plaque at its center bearing the inscription "Warband Recruitment Office."
Brushing the snow from her clothes, Mu Qing stepped inside, her backpack larger than herself.
The recruitment hall was vast and filled with domain warriors in standard-issue gear. Some of their armor still bore the blood of domain creatures, unwashed.
As the city's central hub, the recruitment hall served two main functions:
First, it recruited new members.
Academy graduates had two ways to join a domain combat team: either by being actively invited by a team, or by filling out an application at the recruitment hall and waiting for a team with vacancies to select them.
Mu Qing chose the latter.
Having maintained a low profile at Star City Academy, her abilities were known only to her classmates. No domain combat teams had extended her an invitation before graduation.
Second, domain combat teams accepted missions here.
Major institutes with material needs or mission requests would submit them to the recruitment hall's management office. After registration, these missions would be displayed on the central screen, along with their corresponding rewards.
Mu Qing scanned the hall before approaching the recruitment registration desk. She took a form and pen from the staff member and began filling out her personal details.
After submitting the form, she settled into a chair in the hall, placing her backpack beside her.
Opening the backpack, she found various snacks and compressed energy bars.
These provisions were farewell gifts from Yang Xiaoxin and others, given before she left, lest she go hungry while traveling.
Looking at the food, Mu Qing smiled and grabbed a bag of snacks, devouring them with gusto.
Half an hour later, when she hoisted her backpack again, a third of the food was gone.
Feeling the weight on her shoulders grow lighter, a hint of worry crossed her face.
If she finished these provisions without finding a domain combat team to take her in, she'd have to eat nothing but air.
Next, she stood before the recruitment hall's main screen, waiting for her assignment.
After hours of waiting, her name finally appeared on the screen:
Mu Qing - Star City Academy Combat Department Graduate - Assigned to Snow Wolf Domain Battle Group - Please report to the Snow Wolf Battle Group Recruitment Office. Contact: 1852...
Seeing that she had found a place, she couldn't help but pump her fist in the air.
She pulled out her phone and dialed the number.
When the call connected, she politely spoke first:
"Hello, this is Mu Qing."
"Ah, Mu Qing, right? Come to report to Snow Wolf. We're located at 156 North Street in the supply district."
"Understood. I'll be right there."
After hanging up, she turned and walked out of the recruitment hall. She pulled out a map and headed in the direction of North Street.
An hour later, she arrived at North Street.
This area was a cluster of manor-style buildings.
Each manor gate displayed its address and the domain combat team it belonged to. This region served as the base for the domain combat teams stationed here.
After some searching, she found the manor marked "Snow Wolf Battle Group (C-class Battle Group)".
A woman in a fur coat was already waiting at the gate.
Her face lit up with a sweet smile as she saw Mu Qing approach.
"Mu Qing?"
"That's me. Hello, senior," Mu Qing replied with a respectful nod.
"Come in. The group leader is here today. You can explain your abilities in detail, and we'll arrange your position in the team."
Following the woman into the manor, Mu Qing curiously looked around.
The manor grounds were filled with lush vegetation, now completely buried under a blanket of white snow. Further inside, a frozen pond lay still, its surface a sheet of ice. In the distance, one could see rows of independent buildings belonging to the battle group's members.
Military vehicles, each adorned with a Snow Wolf emblem, were parked in front of every building.
As they walked, the woman explained the origins of the Snow Wolf Domain Battle Group. The group had originally been formed by graduates of Class Eight of the 48th Combat Class at Winterfrost Academy. During their final Domain Field combat training, they had worked together to kill a Snow Wolf and brought it back to the academy. After graduation, they established the battle group, naming it after their first domain creature kill.
Today, the Snow Wolf Domain Battle Group had seen eight group leaders. Though not renowned for their military achievements, the members had forged their C-class battle group status through blood and sacrifice.
The woman led Mu Qing to the rear of the manor, where a plaque hung on a building: "Snow Wolf Council Hall." Shaking the snow from her uniform, she pushed open the thick wooden door alongside the woman and entered the building.
The air inside was immediately warm, illuminated by amber light. A fire crackled in the hearth.
In the smoke-filled main hall, dozens of people sat in a circle, deep in discussion.
"Group Leader, the new recruit has reported in! Ready for duty!" shouted the woman leading the way.
The clamor in the hall abruptly ceased. A burly man with a scar on his left cheek rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on Mu Qing.
A smile spread across his face.
"Come sit. Let's start with an introduction."
Unfazed, Mu Qing walked over to the sofa, set down her luggage, and sat down.
Under the collective gaze of the group, she began her introduction:
"My name is Mu Qing. I graduated from Combat Class Three at Star City Academy. It's an honor to join the Snow Wolf Domain Battle Group..."
The group leader cut her off before she could finish.
"Too formal. Since you're joining our family, get straight to the point. Don't be shy—just say what's on your mind."
"That's right! We're family now. No need for formalities," the others chimed in, their voices rising in a chorus of encouragement.
Seeing their warm, smiling faces, Mu Qing felt her reserve melt away. A genuine smile appeared on her lips as she frankly explained her reasons for joining the domain combat team.
After listening to her account, the others began introducing themselves.
"I'm Tuo Yan, the current leader of the Snow Wolf Battle Group. The person who picked you up earlier was Ye Yiqian, our group's secretary, who handles recruitment and task assignment..."
The members being introduced would smile and nod at Mu Qing.
"Some of our members are currently out on a mission. We'll introduce them to you when they return."
Tuo Yan smiled at Mu Qing and said, "Now, tell us about your abilities and strengths. That way, I can assign you a suitable role in the team."
Without hesitation, Mu Qing replied, "My abilities lie in close-quarters combat. I possess exceptional strength and physical defense, and my injuries heal automatically in a short time. I'd like a position as a frontline combatant."
When they heard Mu Qing claim such formidable close-quarters combat skills and her desire for a frontline position, the group couldn't help but shake their heads. Group leader Tuo Yan said, "Mu Qing, you've just graduated and lack practical combat experience. It's best to start with logistics."
(End of the Chapter)
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