Swallowing the Stars: The Birth of a Cosmic God King

Back home, Shen Yao burst into tears.

"Brother Ning..."

Yan Ning gently put his arm around her and let her lean on his shoulder: "What's wrong?"

"They...they said that about you."

"You're clearly not like that. You cultivate every day; you work harder than anyone else..."

"Silly girl."

Yan Ning wiped away her tears. "They are all veterans who shed blood for this base city. What's wrong with letting them say a few words? It's not like I'll lose a piece of my flesh."

Shen Yao looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed: "But...but about the conscription order, was what that senior said true?"

Yan Ning remained silent for a moment.

it is true.

Given his circumstances, it's highly likely that a recall order will be issued.

"don’t worry."

"Based on my record of merit, I am eligible for two exemptions from conscription. Two exemptions should be enough for me to make some preparations."

Shen Yao was still uneasy: "What... what if we use up both exemptions?"

Yan Ning smiled and said, "The mobilization time for the two recruitments combined will take at least three or four months."

If the problem can't be resolved after such a long time, then the entire Nanjiang base city probably won't last much longer.

The news of the strange activity of the monsters in the north gave Yan Ning a bad feeling.

But at least for now, he doesn't need to tell Shen Yao about these concerns.

My buddy's already dead, if he can't even handle this little problem, wouldn't that be a disgrace to transmigrators?

"Just relax and focus on your pregnancy. No matter what, everything will be fine once the baby is born."

Shen Yao buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled: "Promise me you'll take good care of yourself."

I promise you.

......

Three days later, the conscription order arrived as scheduled.

[Martial artist Yan Ning, ID NX-0721, is currently facing a large-scale gathering of beasts outside the Nanjiang Base City. To ensure the safety of the base city, it is necessary to regularly clear out the surrounding threatening areas.]

According to the "Martial Artist Recruitment Management Regulations," you have been included in this mobilization list. Please report to the Martial Artist Management Office in Nanjiang Base City within seven days.

Current number of exemptions: 2

[Exemption]

Yan Ning stared at the words on the holographic screen for a long time without moving.

The news said this was a normal gathering of animals, but is it really just a normal seasonal migration?

Yan Ning took a deep breath and pressed the confirmation button.

Exemption successful

[Remaining exemptions: 1]

The screen went out.

Yan Ning closed his eyes, feeling the increasingly solid spiritual power in his sea of ​​consciousness.

There is still a distance to go before reaching the third-tier mental master level.

About 70% of the hidden injuries to the body have also been repaired.

He needs time.

It will take at least another month.

......

A month passed quietly in the midst of cultivation.

There is an increasing amount of news online.

Although the defense line near Nanjiang base city remains solid and the daily lives of the people have not been significantly affected, an inexplicable sense of unease is slowly spreading like fog.

"Have you heard? The second draft is coming."

"Those martial arts school people ran faster than anyone else, so the information must be true."

"What's there to be afraid of? Since the establishment of Nanjiang Base City, not a single monster has been able to break through the defense line."

People were talking about it everywhere—in martial arts schools, on forums, and in the stairwells of the martial arts community.

But most people still choose to believe that the canopy is still there, the defenses are still there, and life can go on as usual.

......

Martial Arts Community, underground training level.

now.

In the 30-square-meter training room, nine dark gold throwing knives were rapidly flying through the air.

The blade rotates, intersects, dives, and turns back.

Sometimes they gather like bees returning to their nest, and sometimes they scatter like a flock of startled birds.

"Chaotic Dance of Stars" in "Fragments of Meteorite Ink: 36 Basic Techniques" is the first hurdle for those who want to master it.

Yan Ning sat cross-legged in the center of the training room, his eyes slightly closed, his ten fingers trembling slightly on his knees.

His mental power spread out like a spider web, firmly locking onto the nine throwing knives.

The trajectory, speed, and angle of each throwing knife need to be accurate to the millimeter.

The slightest carelessness could result in blades colliding and total defeat.

When he first started practicing, Yan Ning couldn't even control three handles at the same time. His mental power was like a kite with a broken string, going about its own business haphazardly.

But now.

"combine!"

Yan Ning gave a low shout.

The nine throwing knives suddenly accelerated, drawing nine arcs in the air, and almost simultaneously struck the alloy target at the end of the training room.

"Clang clang clang clang—"

The dense clanging of metal made the walls tremble.

Nine sparks burst forth almost simultaneously, leaving nine dents of equal depth on the target.

Yan Ning opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

[Basic 36 Forms - Mastery]

[Current mental energy output efficiency: 3 times that of regular combat power]

"three times…"

He muttered to himself, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

In battles between martial artists of the same level, the difference in combat power is usually only one to two times.

However, the "Controller" secret technique of a mentalist can unleash several times the destructive power of limited mental energy through exquisite manipulation.

A threefold increase.

This means that his mental power at the third level of apprenticeship can unleash destructive power close to that of the peak of the fourth level of apprenticeship!

The fourth level of apprentice corresponds to the junior warrior!

"Even without these 36 moves, with my current strength as a mentalist, I am strong enough to fight against a junior warrior."

Adding this 3x increase…

With a thought, Yan Ning summoned nine throwing knives that hovered in front of him, their tips pointing outwards in a fan shape.

"Dealing with intermediate-level warriors is no problem, and even if we encounter beast-level monsters in the wild, we have the ability to handle them."

Beast General level, corresponding to Human Warrior level.

However, within the same level, monsters, with their powerful physiques and innate fighting instincts, often have the upper hand over humans.

If a mid-level warrior encounters a mid-level beast general, it would be quite an achievement if he could escape unscathed.

Yan Ning's mention of mediation implies that he not only has the ability to protect himself, but also the ability to fight.

This confidence comes from his identity as a spiritual practitioner, as well as from his month-long dedication regardless of the cost.

Fifteen vials of nerve-nourishing medicine, 7.5 million.

Two bottles of crystal dust, eight million.

Vitality Essence, seven doses, seven million.

In addition, the various supplements bought for Shen Yao, the cost of prenatal checkups, the rent for the training room... the numbers in the account decreased sharply.

"There's still ten million left in the account..."

Yan Ning looked at the communicator on his wrist and felt some pressure.

Ten million sounds like a lot, but it can only buy two large apartments in Nanjiang Base City.

For a martial artist, this amount of money is simply not enough to withstand the losses.

A single A7 series alloy throwing knife costs two to three million.

If he were to switch to an A7, a complete set would cost over 20 million, which he simply cannot afford right now.

The only option is to replace it with an A6 series throwing knife.

"Once this storm passes, I'll have to apply for permission to hunt monsters. I can't just sit around and do nothing."

Yan Ning stood up and stretched his limbs.

In the past month, his physical body has also been recovering rapidly.

Thanks to the guiding techniques in the "Fragment of Meteorite Ink" and the costless use of repairing potions, his damaged meridians have been 90% repaired.

Genetic energy functions smoothly.

His physical condition is also approaching its peak level.

"In another month or two, I should be fully recovered."

"At that time, with both physical combat general level and mental combat general level, we might not be unable to put up a fight even if we encounter a high-level beast general."

at this time.

The communication watch popped up another message:

[The gathering density of beasts on the outskirts of Nanjiang Base City continues to rise. All martial artists are advised to be prepared to respond to any summons.]

Respond immediately.

Not seven days, not three days, but anytime.

This means that the pressure on the front lines is much greater than the outside world knows.

Yan Ning looked at the message and felt a sense of urgency.