Divine Seal: Infinitely stack Q, protecting light and reincarnation.

At the end of the hills, the plain stretches to the horizon, and a magnificent city stands in the center of the plain.

The city walls stand tall, built of gray-white boulders, gleaming with a cold, hard luster in the midday sun.

Banners fluttered atop the city walls, the flags of the six great temples towering high and majestic, far larger than the other flags.

But many more flags bear various family crests and merchant guild logos, showcasing the city's complexity and prosperity.

Xingxun City is the capital of Southeast Province, only 300 miles away from the Southeast Fortress. It is the most important material transfer station and troop replenishment point on the front line, as well as the core hub of the entire Southeast War Zone.

Even before we got close to the city gate, the clamor was already overwhelming.

Carriages and horses rumbled along the road, and merchant caravans came and went in an endless stream.

Trucks loaded with grain, medicinal herbs, and ore lined up in a long queue and slowly entered the city under the inspection of the guards.

Many adventurers and mercenaries dressed in various armors came and went, most of them covered in dust, their faces bearing the marks of fatigue and sharpness unique to the front lines.

Qi Tian followed the flow of people toward the city gate.

His attire was inconspicuous in the crowd—coarse cloth clothes, an old backpack, the only eye-catching thing being the wooden sword hanging at his waist. But in this border city, even children might carry wooden swords around to play, and no one would give him a second glance.

"Entrance fee: two copper coins!"

The soldiers at the city gate shouted mechanically, their gaze sweeping over Qi Tian, ​​lingering on his face for a moment, "Kid, first time in Starseeking City?"

Qi Tian nodded and took out two polished copper coins from his pocket and handed them over.

"What are you here for? To find relatives? To find work?"

The soldier asked casual questions as he registered the information.

This is a routine check. As a major military town, Xingxun City keeps simple records of all people entering the city.

Qi Tian paused for a second, then raised his head, his eyes deliberately revealing a resolute determination, as if he were making a desperate gamble.

"join the army."

The soldier paused for a moment, his pen still in his hand.

He looked Qi Tian up and down, noticing the boy's thin frame and faded clothes, before finally fixing his gaze on the wooden sword, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Joining the army? How old are you?"

"Fifteen!" Qi Tian gave a more suitable age.

"fifteen……"

The soldier shook his head. "He's a bit young, but it's not impossible. However, kid, I have to remind you, the front lines are not child's play."

"The demons won't show mercy just because you're young. Last year, 20% of the new recruits suffered casualties in their first three months."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "You don't look like you come from a wealthy family. If you're just looking for a meal, many workshops and chambers of commerce in the city are hiring. Although you earn less, it's a stable job."

This was a well-intentioned reminder, and Qi Tian could sense the sincerity in the soldier's words.

He bowed slightly and said solemnly, "Thank you, elder brother, but I want to do my part for humanity!"

Seeing the unwavering light in the boy's eyes, the soldier sighed and stopped trying to persuade him.

"Good lad, you have ambition! Alright, head straight into the city to the central square, there's a recruitment office there."

"Today happens to be the monthly open recruitment day, and you've made it in time."

Thank you.

Qi Tian passed through the city gate and entered the interior of Xingxun City.

The noise instantly amplified tenfold.

Shops line both sides of the wide stone-paved street.

The clanging of hammers echoed from the blacksmith's shop, the weapons racks gleamed with cold light, the aroma of herbs wafted from the entrance of the apothecary, and many stalls were set up directly on the street, selling all kinds of "spoils of war" brought back from the front lines—demon teeth, claws, horns, and some strange items whose uses were unclear.

Pedestrians were shoulder to shoulder.

Squads of knights in full armor rode by, mages in robes hurried by, and there were many more ordinary soldiers, mercenaries, merchants, porters... The city was like a huge, never-ending war machine, and everyone was a cog in it.

Qi Tian followed the flow of people to the central square.

It's even more lively here than at the city gate.

A row of simple wooden sheds was erected on the north side of the square, with a huge wooden sign in front of each shed bearing eye-catching words painted in red:

[Southeast Theater Command Frontline Corps - New Recruitment Office]

A long queue formed in front of the stall.

At a glance, there were at least a hundred people.

These people were of varying ages, ranging from teenagers of fifteen or sixteen to middle-aged men in their thirties or forties.

Most of them were dressed simply, their expressions a mixture of tension, anticipation, numbness, and a hint of uncertainty about the future.

Qi Tian silently walked to the end of the line, observing the people in front of him.

The assessment process is very simple: register your name, age, and place of origin.

Then, they went to the open space next to them to conduct basic tests—lifting stone weights to test strength and attacking targets to test spiritual power intensity (the spiritual power test for warriors focuses more on explosive power and destructive power).

Finally, there was a simple sparring session with a veteran to assess combat awareness and basic skills.

Those who pass will be given an iron recruit badge on the spot and informed of the assembly time and location.

Those who fail can only leave disappointed.

The procession moved forward slowly.

"Next! Name?"

"Wang Tiezhu!"

"age?"

"nineteen!"

"Place of origin?"

"Wangjia Village, West Suburbs of Xingxun City!"

"Go over there for the test!"

Lin Feng saw the burly young man named Wang Tiezhu walk up to the stone lock.

There were three pairs of stone locks there, labeled "100 jin", "150 jin" and "200 jin" respectively.

Wang Tiezhu took a deep breath, grabbed the 150-pound stone lock, let out a low roar, and barely managed to lift it above his head. He held on for three breaths, his face turning bright red.

"Pass! Spiritual power test!"

Wang Tiezhu walked to a standing wooden target with a light blue crystal plate inlaid on it.

He assumed a horse stance, concentrated his spiritual power, and slammed his fist into the crystal plate.

The crystal plate lit up slightly, and blurry patterns appeared on its surface before settling at a mark of 135.

"Second-tier, Level 4, Pass! Practical application!"

An old soldier wearing leather armor and with scars on his face stepped forward, carrying an unsharpened training sword.

The two fought within the designated area. After ten moves, Wang Tiezhu's weapon was knocked out, but the veteran nodded.

"Not bad, you have some basic farming skills. Go over there and get your nameplate!"

Wang Tiezhu excitedly ran to the registration desk and received a metal plaque engraved with a number.

The procession continued forward.

Some succeed, and some fail.

A skinny boy couldn't even lift a 100-pound stone weight and was immediately told to quit.

A middle-aged man met the strength requirement, but his spiritual power test only reached level one. His movements were stiff during actual combat, so he was also eliminated.

Finally, it was Qi Tian's turn.

A middle-aged military officer, dressed in standard light armor, sat at the registration desk with a serious expression.

He looked up at Qi Tian, ​​his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly—too young, and too frail.

"Name?"

"Raymond Lam!"

Qi Tian gave the alias he had already thought of.

The character "林" (Lin) represents vitality and energy; "峰" (Feng) signifies courage in scaling new heights and unwavering perseverance.

"age?"

"fifteen!"

The officer paused again, his pen still in his hand.

He looked up at Lin Feng intently: "Fifteen? Kid, do you even know what the front lines are?"

"I know!" Qi Tian's answer was simple.

The officer stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly weighing his options.