Previously, the strongest people Evan Lin had faced from Medicine King Valley were just peak Mystic Arts Adepts. Even when they fought him, they never stood a chance.
But after Master Baiyun of Jinnan emerged from seclusion, claiming to have reached the Life-and-Death Mage realm, he immediately wanted to kill Evan Lin outright.
Back then, if Evan Lin hadn’t been in closed-door training for a few days, he might have had to waste a lot more effort dealing with Master Baiyun. In the end, Master Baiyun died at Evan’s hands, perishing with regret.
However, Master Baiyun had only just stepped into the Life-and-Death Mage realm and never got to show its true power. This made Evan even more curious about what a real Life-and-Death Mage could do.
“If I get the chance, I really should find another Life-and-Death Mage to spar with.”
Evan Lin thought to himself.
After Frank Xu and the others drank the water Evan had made from the Human Pill, each of them started feeling very different.
At first, the pill-water brought a rush of power and warmth, but then came the pain of their meridians almost bursting from the force.
Frank Xu and Blade turned pale, but could still barely stand.
The rest, except for the burly Zack Zhang who looked a bit better, were all writhing on the ground in pain. Still, they gritted their teeth and forced themselves not to cry out.
After a long while—
The pill’s power finally settled in their bodies. Frank and the others slowly opened their eyes to see the bright moon overhead.
The moon hung in the west, and a cool breeze swept by.
“You’re awake? Then get up!”
Hearing the voice, their dazed eyes snapped clear. Everyone instantly scrambled to their feet and stood straight. When they moved their limbs, the bodies that had been numb from long-distance running were now full of energy!
All of them were shocked and overjoyed. When they looked at Evan Lin standing before them, their eyes were filled with nothing but respect!
Evan Lin stood in front of them, glanced over the group, and said coolly, “From now on, I am your instructor.”
“Understood?”
Evan Lin barked out sharply.
“Understood!”
Frank Xu and the others shouted together, their voices ringing out loud and clear.
“Very good.” Evan Lin nodded. “What you just drank will keep helping you rebuild your bodies.”
Right now, you might already feel stronger, but it’s still nowhere near enough. Your weak bodies can’t absorb all that medicinal power yet. Most of it is still dormant inside you. Only by constantly improving yourselves can you keep digesting it and get even stronger.
Evan Lin swept his gaze across their faces one by one.
“We’ll follow every order from the instructor!”
Now, the five standing before Evan Lin had not a shred of doubt or dissatisfaction left in their hearts.
Even if they were slow, they understood that the pill Evan Lin had just given them was priceless. Yet he handed it over without even blinking, making their respect and awe for him run deep.
“From now on, you’re no longer Sharp Knife Frank Xu, no longer Dull Axe Zack Zhang, no longer Butcher Blade Leo Liu, no longer Long Staff Sky Xiao, no longer Piccolo Lance Chen.”
Frank Xu is now First Blade, Zack Zhang is Second Blade, Leo Liu is Third Blade, Sky Xiao is Fourth Blade, and Lance Chen is Fifth Blade.
Evan Lin looked each of them in the eye, his expression cold and indifferent. “You’re members of Knife-Edge Company. That means you have to be true blades—the sharpest part of the knife. From now on, these call signs will follow you. Only when you earn enough honor, when you soak them in enemy blood, will they gain real life!”
Your job is to keep getting stronger, so that when people hear your names, they’ll tremble and fear you! You’ll fight for your country, for your beliefs, and for everything you love—never giving up, even to the death!
Evan Lin’s voice was cold and deep.
Every word carried a hint of killing intent.
Frank Xu and the others trembled slightly. They could feel the powerful fighting spirit in Evan Lin’s words—it made their blood boil!
As Evan Lin spoke, he couldn’t help feeling a little emotional. The oldest of these five was just barely over twenty; most were barely adults.
Evan remembered a saying from his past: ‘Those who offend China, no matter how far, must be punished.’ He used to wonder what kind of courage it took to say something like that. Now, Evan had that courage himself, but he was less impulsive. Training a few sharp blades to fight for the honor of the nation—that was a small dream from his youth, and now he was living it.
“Yes, sir!”
Frank Xu shouted, “I am First Blade Frank Xu of Knife-Edge Company! I swear—I will fight for honor! I’ll soak the name First Blade in the blood of my enemies! I’ll use my life to defend my beliefs and my country! I’ll make sure everyone knows First Blade, and make First Blade the nightmare my enemies can never escape!”
“I will become the sharpest blade! I’ll be the strongest sword of judgment against our enemies!”
Frank Xu roared, full of excitement.
The rest of the group looked invigorated, their eyes burning as they stared at Evan Lin.
This was what it truly felt like to be a soldier ready to shed blood for their country!
In that moment, each of them felt the urge to rush into battle right away.
“Excellent. Next—run one hundred laps!”
Evan Lin nodded and spoke calmly.
“Yes, sir!”
Frank Xu and the others shouted again, lining up in a row and quickly charging onto the track.
They chanted ‘one-two-one’ as they ran, showing no sign of fatigue. Each one was full of vigor, sprinting under the moonlight, pride and excitement glowing on their youthful faces.
Blade stood off to the side. Even though he’d seen blood and death overseas and was numb to life and death, Evan Lin’s words had stirred a young man’s passion in his heart.
“They’re still too weak,” Evan Lin sighed, then smiled. “But I’m confident I can turn them into real blades.”
The Nine Mysteries Immortal Lord dominated his world. Every year, tens of millions tried to become his disciples, but his standards were unimaginably strict.
Evan Lin only needed to give these five a little guidance to turn them into gold. But in his eyes, they weren’t true disciples yet.
“I believe in your strength, Master. But the next team drill and solo combat assessment are coming soon—will there be enough time? And Flying Eagle Company might add another top fighter.” Blade was still a bit worried.
You can’t freeze a river three feet thick in one day—the gap between Frank Xu’s group and Flying Eagle Company is still too wide.
“You’re only looking at Flying Eagle Company right in front of you.”
Evan Lin sneered, shook his head, and stopped himself from saying more. Then he spoke: “Flying Eagle Company isn’t worth worrying about.”
“Don’t worry about it. Tell the Su family not to worry either. Everything will be fine.”
“Flying Eagle Company is just the first whetstone I’ve prepared for them!”