While Shao Qi's martial prowess might not rank as the world's best, it could easily secure second place. How could all the veterans amongst them fall here?

Zhou You couldn't recall how he made it back. Sun Lu was being interrogated by a group. When they learned of the nature of the entities that had visited the Life Base, everyone fell silent.

They increasingly accepted the likelihood that Shao Qi and his team were no longer alive.

"Damn it! We should've taken out that Jiang bastard from the start!"

"It's my fault. I should've been with the boss that day. Even if we faced danger, dying together would've been better than..." Zhuo Hao wept, cradling his head in despair. Zhou You sat quietly beside him, his expression unchanged, and no one dared approach him.

The atmosphere was thick with sorrow.

Yet, despite the grief, life goes on, tasks need completion. With matters on both sides settled, it was time for the team to head back.

Zhou You looked up and inquired, "What happens after we return?"

Naturally, they would hold a grand funeral for the fallen. A nation's marshal dying in the line of duty, especially for the defense of the homeland, would necessitate an exceptionally grand ceremony.

Zhou You sneered, "I'm staying right here; you all can go back." He had delivered the necessary news and handed over Sun Lu for continued interrogation. He wouldn’t leave.

"Brother Zhou, don't you want to hold a grand funeral for the boss?"

"Just a broken blade, is there any concrete evidence of Shao Qi's death?" Zhou You shouted, his eyes red with rage, "What's that damn funeral got to do with me?"

Zhuo Hao tightly embraced him and after a moment whispered, "Brother Zhou, let's go back. Think of the old man. If the boss is truly gone, he might not cope."

Those words acted like a switch, pulling Zhou You back from his distraught state. With unsteady steps, he headed towards the aircraft.

The Life Base wouldn’t end here. Perhaps soon, someone would return to rebuild. Its strategic position as the gateway to the northwest might prompt the nation to station more troops.

And that scorched earth might one day transform back into lush grasslands. People would remember the fierce battle and the irreplaceable individuals who died.

Shao Qi entered the Wei River Base with the convoy. This base, nestled in what was once the Loess Plateau, was dotted with low-rise buildings, with residents living in adobe houses, leading a simple and peaceful agrarian life.

Liu Kai and his team proceeded to sell their spoils of war, dividing the proceeds based on contributions. The rewards from this expedition were substantial, enough for a comfortable life for a while.

The exploration teams here were laid-back, resting once they had enough earnings. The martial arts spirit wasn't dominant; it felt like they were somewhat disconnected from the rest of society.

"Have you heard? Marshal Shao has indeed fallen in battle, along with three colonels, right outside the Life Base."

"The news is everywhere. Who wouldn't know? It's a shame; Marshal Shao was so young."

"Ah, no one knows what kind of adversary they faced. I've heard that Marshal Shao made a split-second decision to detonate a new type of bomb, taking the enemy down with him."

"An enemy even Marshal Shao couldn't defeat must be terrifying. Word is that the Life Base was attacked by tens of thousands in a mutated beast tide, driven there by the enemy. Anyone who can control such creatures must be incredibly powerful."

"Poor old Mr. Shao has to endure the sorrow of a white-haired man burying a black-haired one. Now only a little granddaughter remains in the family. In ancient times, the Shao family would be honored as heroes to the last."

"Enough of that. I've seen online that there's a memorial initiative. They're crowdfunding to rebuild the Life Base. Marshal Shao died defending it; we owe it to him to see it reborn."

"I heard Mr. Zhou donated all his savings, a whopping over seven million points. And he'll inherit all of Marshal Shao's estate; I can't even fathom how vast that might be."

"Well, to people at their level, those points probably feel like grains of sand. I'm sure whatever he gives away, he can earn back in no time."

Liu Kai and the others looked dazed upon hearing this news. How did everything change so dramatically while they were away?

Someone voiced their concern, "Weishui Base isn't far from the Life Base. Could we be the next target?"

Liu Kai felt uneasy, "Weishui is just a small base, its survival owed to its strategic location and the scarcity of mutated beasts nearby. If we were attacked, I doubt we could hold out until reinforcements arrive."

Shao Qi reassured them casually, "Don't worry. Weishui Base isn't a primary target, and the nation will soon station troops in the northwest. They won't let the enemy breach our borders easily."

Liu Kai and the others looked at him in surprise, "How do you know that?"

Shao Qi coughed lightly and calmly replied, "It's a deduction. The Life Base is the gateway to the northwest; such an essential point wouldn't be left unguarded."

"That makes sense... Oh, by the way, I heard the Martial Arts Association is organizing a competition. Each base will have preliminary rounds, and Weishui Base will send its top fifty to Dawn City for the finals."

"Instead of that, one might as well venture out more. The competition sounds great, but how feasible is it?"

"Hmph, if you can stand out, you'll get to work in Dawn City, reputedly the safest base worldwide. Who wouldn't want to go?"

"You'd need the skills to be chosen. With only fifty slots for the entire base, I bet the military will take half. Maybe only our captain here has a shot."

Listening to his teammates argue, Liu Kai remained silent but drove straight to the registration point, insisting everyone sign up, saying, "If you don't register, you're a coward!"

He casually asked Shao Qi, "Brother Zhou, are you signing up?"

Shao Qi gave a wry smile and shook his head, "With current condition, what could possibly compete with?"