If I made you a special forces soldier, would you become a terrestrial god?

In the first rays of dawn, the Kunlun Division's special aircraft formation, like a flock of giant black birds, pierced the vast sky and landed steadily on the dedicated runway of the Kunlun base. As the soldiers stepped off the gangway and their feet touched this familiar ground once more, a profound sense of exhaustion washed over them. This exhaustion stemmed not only from more than half a month of continuous fighting, but also, more profoundly, from the mental strain of witnessing countless separations and deaths. Yet, beneath this heaviness, an indescribable sense of belonging and reflection emerged, along with a resilience born of rebirth.

Inside the base, the logistics personnel were already prepared, with steaming meals and drinking water laid out on the long table. The aroma of food filling the air contrasted sharply with the smells of mud, blood, and acridity they were used to in the disaster area. In an instant, a long-lost warmth welled up in their hearts, as if pulling them back from the brink of hell to the real world.

Su Chen walked at the very front of the group. Although his steps were somewhat heavy, his back remained as upright as a mountain and as steady as a pine tree. Du Feifei and Long Xiaoyun followed closely behind, their faces also bearing the marks of travel, their brows showing fatigue, yet unable to conceal the determination and relief forged in the experience of the mission.

"Commander, everything is arranged." Miao Zhiyuan's voice came through, carrying his characteristic shrewdness and competence, as well as the satisfaction of successfully completing the mission. "The wounded have been sent to the medical station for a full check-up, and all the soldiers have moved into their barracks in an orderly manner."

Su Chen nodded slightly. He took a deep breath, feeling the unique spiritual energy filling the air of the Kunlun Base. This was their training ground, their home, and the source of their power. The surrounding spiritual energy seemed to wash away the fatigue and dust clinging to them, gradually bringing their minds and bodies back to tranquility.

After a short rest, Su Chen summoned all the top officers, as well as Long Xiaoyun and Du Feifei, to the conference room for a brief debriefing.

"You've all worked hard on this mission." Su Chen's voice was deep, his tone a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Everywhere his gaze fell, the eyes of each person shone with a profound and restrained wisdom born from experiencing both great sorrow and joy. "We saved countless lives and witnessed so much of the brilliance of humanity. For the past two weeks, you have been more than just rescuers; you have been cultivators walking in the mortal world."

He looked around, his gaze lingering on each person for a moment. "Tell me, what are your individual insights?" Su Chen asked directly.

Gao Dazhuang spoke first, his voice more steady and deep than usual, even a little hoarse. "Commander, I used to believe that strength was for attacking, a means to defeat the enemy. But after experiencing this calamity firsthand, I truly understand that the greatest meaning of strength lies in protection. Protecting those weak and helpless lives, protecting this land beneath our feet." As he spoke, he clenched his fist, his understanding penetrating to the bone.

Lei Kaihua then spoke up, his tone deep and thoughtful: "In the past, cultivation was only about breaking through realms, pursuing faster speed and stronger power. Only now do I understand that no matter how fast one's cultivation improves, if one has not truly witnessed birth, aging, sickness, and death, and has not personally experienced the trials of the mortal world, then everything is just a castle in the air, with an unstable foundation. The tempering of one's state of mind is the most important thing."

Liang Sanxi, with an indescribable emotion, said, "I witnessed that teacher using his frail body to give his student a chance at life; I also saw the mother protecting her infant even in death. That selfless love that transcends life and death is more powerful and more awe-inspiring than any martial arts technique. What we Kunlun need to learn is far more than just improving our martial arts skills; it is how to become a person with great love and courage."

Jin Kailai added, "The human heart is fragile and can collapse in the face of disaster, but at the same time, it is also the most resilient. During the post-disaster resettlement process, I realized that the most difficult part was not providing material supplies, but how to rebuild the faith of the survivors, let them see hope, and get back on their feet. This requires more wisdom and patience than opening up lifelines, and it also tests a person's breadth of mind and vision."

Du Feifei and Long Xiaoyun also shared their experiences and insights. Du Feifei said that each time she saved lives in the ruins, she gained a deeper understanding of the fragility and resilience of life. While medicine can prolong life and heal wounds, the reverence and compassion for life are the best healing, capable of fundamentally comforting the heart. Long Xiaoyun said that she saw too many desperate eyes in the ruins, eyes that, with the help of the Kunlun warriors, rekindled the flame of hope. This made her clearly feel that the significance of Kunlun's existence was far greater and more sublime than she had imagined.

Su Chen listened quietly. Everyone's words confirmed his judgment before the mission began, just as he had expected. What he saw was a group of warriors who had truly grown up; their "Dao Hearts" had become more harmonious and indestructible after this ordeal.

"Very good." Su Chen nodded, a relieved smile on his face. "During this rescue operation, although you restrained some of your strength to avoid overexposure, the elevation of your mindset has already led to a qualitative transformation in your strength. I sense that each of you has reached a higher level, as if you could break free from your cocoons at any moment."

He paused, his tone becoming serious and expectant: "Now, I'm giving you three days. You will engage in deep seclusion to thoroughly digest the insights gained from this mission, integrating them into your true power. I want you to achieve this breakthrough in the shortest possible time!"

"Three days from now, I will once again provide you with special instruction." Su Chen's gaze swept over each of you, carrying an undeniable air of authority and confidence. "This time, I will comprehensively enhance your cultivation, helping you achieve a double leap in both your mental state and physical strength!"

Hearing Su Chen's words, everyone was invigorated, their eyes blazing with fervor. They knew all too well what "special tutoring" meant; it wasn't ordinary guidance, but rather a master using extraordinary methods to directly enlighten them and boost their cultivation. A surge of inner energy rekindled within them, a yearning for power, for breakthroughs, and for a stronger future.

After the meeting, Su Chen returned to his office. He could clearly feel the surging yet restrained power within him. It was a powerful force that had reached its peak but remained unassuming.

"System, open the personal attributes panel," he silently recited in his mind, his voice calm and firm.

[Host: Su Chen]

[Realm: Peak Foundation Establishment (Bottleneck Loosening)]

[Technique: Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Technique (Third Level Perfected)... (All techniques have been integrated)]

Experience Points Balance: 2,898,500

He gazed at the words "Peak of Foundation Establishment (Bottleneck Loosening)," a glint of light flashing in his deep eyes. This mortal trial was not only a tempering for the Kunlun warriors, but also, for Su Chen, an opportunity to comprehend the Dao and break through his own limitations. The joys and sorrows, birth, aging, sickness, and death of humankind, and all living beings, are all part of the workings of the Dao. To personally participate in them, to save lives with supreme divine powers, and to experience natural disasters with a mortal body—this made Su Chen's Dao heart more harmonious and unobstructed. The barrier leading to the Golden Core Path had become tangible. It was not just a barrier, but a door; with a gentle push, one could see a wider world.

He closed his eyes, and a vast divine sense spread out once more. He could feel powerful yet profound fluctuations of true energy throughout the entire Kunlun base. The soldiers were in their respective barracks, digesting what they had gained; their strength was brewing for a new burst, like new buds about to break through the soil.

However, Su Chen also knew that this rare peace was only temporary. The disaster relief efforts had inadvertently exposed the extraordinary capabilities of the Kunlun troops to the international spotlight, attracting countless eyes and ears. The United States and its potential enemies would not let this go unpunished. He could foresee that even more severe challenges would follow in the near future.

"Pandora Project... Area 51..." Su Chen murmured softly, these terms painting another picture in his mind.

That was a new challenge, and also the mission that the Kunlun Division would inevitably face in the next stage. The sharp edge of Kunlun will eventually point to the distance, cutting off all shadows that threaten China.