Li Xuancang was assigned to a 5-Man Squad under the jurisdiction of the 5-Man Leader, Zhang Yuan.

After becoming a Combat Soldier, his status and position skyrocketed, and his treatment was worlds apart from before.

In the past, he mostly ate coarse rice and some boiled wild vegetables, and he wasn't always full. Only during wartime could he have a bit of fine rice and a hearty meal.

Now, Li Xuancang had fine rice every meal, occasionally got some meat, and received a monthly salary of one or two silver taels, making others envious.

Following the squad in training and patrols, ten days passed in a flash.

His strength gradually increased, not just in power but also in speed, senses, spirit, endurance... every aspect improved without any weaknesses.

Today, after finishing a day of patrol, Li Xuancang returned to the camp and saw a familiar face.

"Greetings, sir."

Old Du and several conscripts saw Li Xuancang and hurriedly saluted him, their eyes evasive, no longer the carefree demeanor they once had.

Li Xuancang saw the fear in Old Du's eyes and understood immediately.

His identity had changed, and compared to the conscripts who lived in constant uncertainty, they were no longer in the same world.

Understanding this, Li Xuancang nodded lightly and quickly walked away.

It wasn't that he was heartless, but staying would be inappropriate.

After Li Xuancang left, the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

There was a huge gap between conscripts and Combat Soldiers. If they offended a Combat Soldier, even if the soldier killed them, he would only be reprimanded, with no significant consequences.

"Better to be a peaceful dog than a man in chaotic times" was not an empty phrase.

In chaotic times, human life was as cheap as grass, easily taken.

"Wow, Old Du, I didn't expect you to know a Combat Soldier!"

After Li Xuancang walked away, the others dared to speak in low voices.

Their eyes were filled with envy, knowing a soldier was a remarkable feat in their eyes.

"I just spent some time with Mr. Li in the Corvée Laborer Camp, it's not like I really know him."

Old Du hurriedly explained.

He dared not claim any connection with Li Xuancang, nor dared to use his name.

"Is he the one who killed three Barbarians and became a Combat Soldier?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked, their eyes burning with admiration.

Among the hundreds in the Corvée Laborer Camp, only Li Xuancang had achieved the feat of killing three Barbarians and was exceptionally promoted to Combat Soldier. He had become a legend in the camp.

Many people took him as a role model, constantly wishing to be like him, to kill three enemies and become a Combat Soldier.

"Next time, I'll fight desperately, even if it means death."

"Only by becoming a Combat Soldier can we make a name for ourselves. I won't miss another opportunity."

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"This is our only chance to change our fate, worth fighting for."

"…"

Some gritted their teeth and resolved to fight with their lives in the next battle for a brighter future.

Li Xuancang didn't know he had become famous in the Corvée Laborer Camp, and even if he did, he wouldn't care.

Back at the Combat Soldier Camp, Zhang Yuan gathered everyone, his expression heavy.

Once everyone arrived, Zhang Yuan got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"Recently, some squads have been attacked. Camp Commander Wang has ordered night patrols. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin night patrols."

With these words, the atmosphere changed, and several people turned pale.

"This... this..."

Some wanted to speak but were choked by their words, unable to voice their concerns.

Everyone was worried and anxious.

This was a desolate wilderness where beasts often roamed at night, and demons and monsters could also be rampant.

Night patrols were several times more dangerous than during the day, and a moment's carelessness could lead to death.

If the Barbarians acted at night, it would also be a huge threat.

Zhang Yuan's face was also grim, but this was Wang Tianshan's order, and he had to comply.

Wang Tianshan was the ruler of the entire camp, and no one could question his decisions.

Li Xuancang was also worried; what he needed most now was stability, and night patrols disrupted his plans.

Given the situation, Li Xuancang could only go with the flow, being as careful as possible.

Fortunately, his strength was improving daily, surpassing most Combat Soldiers, giving him some ability to protect himself.

Under the sparse moonlight, the night wind blew, and the patrolling soldiers instinctively tightened their clothes.

"Stay alert and be careful."

Li Xuancang and the others were responsible for patrolling an area, and Zhang Yuan's tone was serious, reminding everyone.

The night was fraught with danger, and a moment's negligence could cost lives; there couldn't be the slightest carelessness.

The group patrolled for a long time, nerves taut, and soon more than an hour passed without any abnormalities.

Just when everyone thought nothing would happen tonight and began to relax.

Li Xuancang, with his extraordinary senses, felt a bone-chilling cold wind suddenly sweep in from the dark forest behind.

"Be careful."

Li Xuancang urgently warned, making the others, who were about to relax, tense up immediately.

They gripped their weapons tightly, eyes fixed on the dark surroundings.

"Woo, woo woo..."

The cold wind howled, mixed with a nauseating stench.

"Something's wrong, it's Demonic Aura!"

Zhang Yuan smelled the air, his face changed drastically, and he shouted in a low voice.

This border was the junction of demons and the Human Race. Besides the Barbarians' chaos, the forest demons were the most deadly threat.

The successive battles and the strong scent of blood had long attracted the lurking demonic creatures.

Pairs of ghostly green eyes slowly lit up, like ghostly flames flickering.

In the next moment, several distorted black shadows burst through the dense forest, rushing towards them at high speed.

At night, their vision was obstructed, making it difficult to see the approaching demonic creatures.

Li Xuancang's vision had improved significantly during this time, allowing him to barely make out the appearance of the charging demonic creatures.

Their fur was dirty, fangs exposed, bodies shrouded in a faint black mist, about the size of small calves.

There were eight of them, using the cover of night to launch their attack.

As the demonic creatures approached, Zhang Yuan recognized them and loudly warned the others.

"Be careful, they're Demon Hounds, low-level demonic creatures!"

The group was thrown into chaos, panic-stricken, their bodies trembling with fear.

Demon Hounds were Body Tempering realm demonic creatures, several times more ferocious than ordinary beasts, with sharp claws and teeth, and only cultivators could deal with them.

Ordinary Combat Soldiers were not afraid of Barbarians but were inherently terrified of demons and monsters.

Fear of demons was an instinct engraved in the bones of people during chaotic times.

The Demon Hounds were extremely fast, and their vision was not hindered at night, quickly closing in on the group.

"Defensive formation."

Zhang Yuan, a battle-hardened veteran, knew that panic and disorder were the worst responses. Only by uniting could they have a chance of survival.

The camp wasn't far, and as long as they made a commotion, others would quickly come to their aid. They just needed to hold out for a while to have hope of survival.

"Ah!"

A soldier's eyes widened, body shaking like a sieve. Seeing the Demon Hounds approach, he was scared out of his wits, immediately dropping his torch and weapon, turning to flee.

The sudden turn of events caught the others off guard, making it impossible to form a formation.

"Damn it."

Zhang Yuan was furious, but the Demon Hounds were already upon them, leaving him no time for anger.