The city of Qínzhīguāng stretched beneath us like a jewel in the valley. Towers of polished stone, banners fluttering in the wind, and the constant hum of disciplined activity greeted us as we approached the central barracks. It had been a full year since Alex and I were inducted into the Qin Empire army, yet today felt different. Today, we were summoned not for training, but for a mission that would test the limits of everything we had learned.
The barracks were vast, each hall lined with recruits and soldiers at attention. The air hummed with anticipation, and whispers of recent skirmishes against rogue bandits reached our ears. A sense of purpose settled over me as Alex and I followed the guards to the command room.
Inside, Captain Lin Mei awaited, standing with poise and authority. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, fell on us immediately. The room was thick with tension, the weight of her presence enough to make any soldier straighten instinctively.
"Alaric Vardar, Alex Vardar," she began, her voice commanding yet calm, "your service over the past year has not gone unnoticed. You are being tasked with wiping out a 4-star bandit stronghold hidden deep within the forests of the Qin Empire. This is not a mission for ordinary soldiers. Success will demand every ounce of strength, strategy, and coordination you possess."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "4-star… that's no small operation."
I nodded, already running calculations in my mind. The Qin Empire stronghold ranking system was precise:
1-star: At least one Purple Blood Realm or Void Realm cultivator in charge
2-star: At least one True Spirit or Mystic Realm in command
3-star: At least one Desolate Lord or Ethel Realm in charge
4-star: At least one Sacred Lord or Cosmos Lord in command
5-star: At least one Monarch Realm or Origin Realm expert
6-star: Sage Realm expert
7-star: Saint King in charge
8-star: Celestial Emperor in charge
9-star: Martial Supreme or Supreme Magus
A 4-star stronghold meant a Sacred Lord at the 9th layer and a Cosmos Lord at the peak layer were at its helm. Supporting them were three Desolate Lords — one at the 9th, one at the peak 8th layer, and another at mid 8th — as well as two Ethereal Lords at peak level. The underlings included ten True Spirit Realm cultivators, ten Mystic Realm, 100 Purple Blood Realm, and 30 Void Realm soldiers.
I inhaled deeply. "They've stacked this stronghold to the teeth," I murmured to Alex. "We'll have to stop holding back."
Alex's expression hardened. "No more half-measures. If they've reached this level, we need to surpass it. We'll have to fight at our maximum potential — and train the squad to do the same."
Captain Lin Mei handed us the dossier. Maps, patrol schedules, terrain details, supply caches, and known troop formations were outlined meticulously. The stronghold itself was hidden deep within a dense forest, flanked by mountains on one side and a river cutting through the other. The approaches were treacherous; any misstep could spell disaster.
"You have three months to complete this mission," Captain Lin Mei continued. "Three months to plan, train, and execute. Failure is not an option. The bandits of this level threaten not only civilians but the stability of the surrounding provinces. Take your squad and prepare. You leave at dawn."
I looked at Alex, feeling the weight of the task ahead. "Three months… we can't waste a single day," I said quietly. "We need to push ourselves and the squad beyond anything they've experienced before."
Alex nodded. "This isn't just about victory. This is a test of endurance, strength, and strategy. If we can clear this stronghold, it will prove that we are capable of facing threats even at the empire's highest levels."
The rest of the day was spent strategizing and assessing our squad. We analyzed their abilities, their potential, and where they had yet to break their limits. Every member would need to operate at their peak. Every tactical maneuver would be planned.
That night, as I gazed over the lights of Qínzhīguāng, I felt a familiar fire ignite within me. The past year had built our foundation, but now the real test had begun. A 4-star stronghold was more than a challenge — it was a war waiting to happen, and only the strongest would survive.
Alex stirred beside me, leaning against the wall of our shared room in the barracks. "Are we ready for this?" he asked.
I clenched my fists, mana humming beneath my skin. "We'll be ready. Not just us — the squad, the army… we'll all rise to this. And by the time this stronghold falls, they'll know the names of the Vardar brothers and their squad."
The mission was clear. The deadline was set. And the forest, teeming with danger, awaited our arrival.