Human Corridor Defense Line, Merit Hall.
General Hu Jiatian stood up, his tone somewhat somber, "This Beast Tide was much more formidable than any minor skirmish we have seen before, and it caught everyone, including myself, by surprise.
We can say that if it weren’t for the timely arrival of our Hua Xia reinforcement team, our defense line might still be in the midst of battle now, and the outcome would be hard to predict..."
Hearing this, everyone who had arrived to provide support today instinctively puffed out their chests.
The danger they had witnessed today was just as General Hu had said, if they hadn’t arrived in time, the consequences for the defense line would have been unpredictable.
Fang Chong had a premonition that he should be entitled to the Star Guardian Rank internationally and was still very much looking forward to it.
The voice of Hu Jiatian continued, "But this time, our Guardian Army suffered heavy casualties, with the number of fallen officers and soldiers reaching three thousand six hundred and twenty-one.
They dedicated their lives to the Human Corridor Defense Line, true to humanity, true to Earth. We will not forget them, nor will we forget their families.
Now, let’s observe a ten-minute moment of silence for these brave warriors who fell defending human safety on the Human Corridor Defense Line."
After speaking, Hu Jiatian stood up, removed his cap, and bowed his head in silence.
Everyone stood up and began to observe a moment of silence with bowed heads.
Although these events occurred every few days on the Human Corridor Defense Line, the hearts of everyone present were still heavy.
Because everyone knew that maybe next time, they too could become one of those being mourned.
Here, during the silence, nobody was perfunctory; each person sincerely bid farewell to their former comrades-in-arms. In their hearts, they all hoped that when their time came, others would also bid them farewell with the same sincerity.
After ten minutes, Hu Jiatian said aloud, "Please be seated."
Once everyone was seated, Hu Jiatian spoke again, "Because our brave warriors on the Human Corridor Defense Line spend every day amidst danger, the merits we earn are definitely not delayed overnight.
If our warriors had to wait until the next night to receive their merit rewards, that would be a failing and incapability on our part as administrators. Now, please allow our first wartime Commander Zheng Fang to present the awards."
Warm applause erupted.
The merits of the battlefield were all recorded by monitoring equipment.
After the battle ended, the automated merit-calculating computers would complete the tally of military merits, which was virtually never wrong, with any errors being extremely minor.
Zheng Fang stood up, his voice even more passionate, "I want to say thank you first, as the wartime Commander, I have seen too much danger on the Human Corridor Defense Line and fought countless times against Fierce Beasts.
The situation today was one I had never encountered before; at that time, I couldn’t think of a better solution. Even if we had detonated a nuclear bomb and perished with those beasts, it still would not have been enough to stop them.
If today it wasn’t for the support of over three hundred strong members from our Hua Xia, just as General Hu said, our defense line would have been in jeopardy.
So, I not only want to thank all the Guardians of the defense line but also want to say thank you to the warriors who came to support us today."
After finishing, Zheng Fang bowed,
and warm applause resounded once again.
Once the applause subsided, Zheng Fang continued, "After the thanks, my feelings are more of joy and relief because we have successors.
Several promising young talents appeared on the defense line today, it was they who turned the tide of the battle and enabled us to repel the Beast Tide.
Next, please allow me to confer upon these outstanding young people the honors that they deserve."
Everyone looked at Zheng Fang with anticipation, they all wanted to know who were the young prodigies that Zheng Fang spoke of.
"The person who achieved the highest combat record in resisting the Beast Tide is from Yiling City, invited by the Security Department——Qu Yi——————"
As Zheng Fang called out Qu Yi’s name, he intentionally dragged out the sound.
This instantly caused the atmosphere in the room to become fervent, with a thunderous round of applause.
"Qu Yi, in a short period of time, used Martial Technique to slay four hundred and ninety-one Genetic Beasts, saving three hundred and thirteen people.
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Because of her unstoppable offensive, she led us all to thoroughly dismantle the scheme of these Genetic Beasts, successfully holding the Human Corridor Defense Line.
I declare, Qu Yi is awarded the international Star Guardian Rank, at the rank of two stars, along with three essence stones, one million Alliance coins, and a Star Steel Blade as her rewards."
Hearing this reward, everyone showed a look of envy, wondering who this Qu Yi was, for the reward seemed too generous.
One million Alliance coins were equivalent to financial freedom. What couldn’t you buy with that?
But this was merely the least valuable item amongst the stack of rewards.
Don’t think of a two-star rank as low; up to now, the highest Star Rank on the Human Corridor Defense Line was but four stars, held by only one person. The majority of those awarded had only one-star ranks.
The Star Guardian Rank was the hardest to obtain.
A two-star rank, its value was simply immeasurable. Anyone who possessed a Star Guardian Rank, especially at two stars, could go to any country without any need for formalities.
Of course, now in the era when Genetic Beasts run rampant, the significance of visas and passports has diminished considerably.
In any place, no matter the country, those with Star Guardian Rank are always given priority reception, and they receive individualized attention.
All hotels around the world offer free accommodation to those with Star Guardian Rank. Any healthcare institution cannot charge those with Star Guardian Rank and must give them priority over others.
These are just the material benefits; the true privilege is the high status of Star Guardian Rank holders.
Holding a Star Guardian Rank is not merely a pass, it is an honor, and wherever they go, they are a respected presence.
Furthermore, there are vitality stones, which money alone cannot buy. Unless you’re willing to pay several times the price, you might have a chance to purchase a few.
Cold weapons made of Star Steel, this material was synthesized only after Earth’s environmental mutations; the production process of a single blade is incredibly complex.
Experts understand that the method of refining Star Steel is nothing like any technique on Earth, it originates from an alien metallurgy.
A Star Steel Blade, that is truly capable of cutting through iron as if it were mud, and that’s no exaggeration.
Qu Yi’s achievements are probably still slightly short of the international two-Star Rank, but Zheng Fang’s reward is also meant to encourage the youth.
"Qu Yi, come forward to receive your honor," Wang Qiusheng said excitedly.
This time, Qu Yi indeed brought glory to the Security Department; her battle has made Hua Xia Security Department famous worldwide.
Yes, Qu Yi must be brought into the Security Department, preferably offered a position as head of a local Security Department.
Wang Qiusheng was already considering if it was possible to promote the injured Zong Han to the headquarters of the Security Department and then to have Qu Yi come to the Pu Hai Security Department as Chief.
In this era, seniority is irrelevant, what matters is your ability.
Under the gaze of everyone present, Qu Yi approached with slight trepidation.
Having gone through the slaughter of Genetic Beasts, she had grown a lot and was no longer that girl who panicked at the slightest issue.
"Is that her? I know her, she participated in the Blue Star Ten Great Colleges admission assessments."
"Yes, yes, I’ve seen her too…"
As Qu Yi stepped forward, people who recognized her started to talk.
"How impressive, logically, she should be older than us but she looks even younger than us," Fang Chong couldn’t help but remark.
"She is younger than you, alright," Guo Qingrong responded, feeling helpless.
When he was called to inquire about Fang Chong, Ai Xi, and others, Wang Qiusheng was also there discussing Qu Yi’s information.
"Thank you for coming to our human corridor defense line and contributing to the protection of humanity. Now, we invite you to represent the support team and say a few words."
Zheng Fang greatly valued Qu Yi; after awarding her the rank medal and prizes, he gave her a military salute and then stepped to the side.
Qu Yi received her prizes and medal and stood before the microphone. Not sure what to say at first, she hesitated before speaking,
"I am here to thank my mentor, Ding Huan. Without Master Ding Huan, there would be no Qu Yi, and certainly none of my current achievements.
I only have one request, that the Genetic Alliance withdraw the warrant for my mentor. Otherwise, I will leave here to go to the Genetic Alliance headquarters and reason with them."
Having said her piece, Qu Yi calmly returned to her seat.
She was speaking the truth; if the Genetic Alliance continued the manhunt for Ding Huan, she would confront the Genetic Alliance with her Wind Blade Skill.
Today’s battle made her realize the strength of what Ding Huan had taught her and gave her the confidence to go and argue her point.
"Good," Zheng Fang took the microphone and said the word ’good’, then fell silent.
A full minute passed before Zheng Fang continued, "I’ve heard that Ding Huan has also trained three students who ranked in the top five during the Blue Star Ten Great Colleges assessments.
I can imagine what a remarkable person Ding Huan must be. Such a person, to be wanted.
Today, I, Zheng Fang, on behalf of all the officers and Guardians of the human corridor defense line, tell those powers seeking Ding Huan, if they do not withdraw their warrant for Teacher Ding Huan, they will be the enemy of all the officers and defenders of the human corridor defense line."
Thunderous applause erupted, and although Zheng Fang did not name names, everyone there knew he referred to the Genetic Alliance.
There were members of the Genetic Alliance in this hall, including those who had come to support the defense line. Hearing Zheng Fang’s words, they could only remain silent.
"Fang Chong, Qu Yi’s also a student trained by Master Ding Huan?" Lv Zi, who was sitting behind Fang Chong, leaned over to ask urgently.
"I don’t know either, but it looks like Qu Yi is our senior sister now," Fang Chong replied.
"Could also be a junior sister," Lv Zi retorted.
Fang Chong chuckled, "Can you beat Qu Yi? If you can’t, then she’s your senior sister."
Lv Zi was at a loss for words, but at that moment, Zheng Fang’s voice came again, "Next, please welcome Fang Chong and Ai Xi to the stage to receive their awards,
Ai Xi and Fang Chong acted in concert with Qu Yi, also breaking the Fierce Beast’s conspiracy. Together they killed three hundred and twenty-one beasts and saved two hundred and one people…"