Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 631

Chapter 631

Chapter 631: The Power of Star Division!

Star Division had improved far beyond Lan Jue’s expectations, be it strength, cooperation or discipline . When they were faced with the Bloodiron Khans, it broke into its individual cells to harass and surprise attack the enemy . In this way, they gnawed away at the Bloodiron Khans until they collapsed . If they tried to push the offensive, Star Division focused its strength to turn guerilla strikes into full-on raids .

After experiencing the epiphanies of Lan Qing’s breakthrough, Star Division had undergone another sharp rise in capability . No small number of troops used what they learned to smash through bottlenecks . The number of sixth level Talents was shrinking as they advanced to seventh and eighth . Their equipment only continued to improve, making them a nightmare to contend against .

The strictly disciplined Bloodiron Khans grumbled and quietly nursed their grievances when the games were done . They requested better mechas after finding their own were insufficient . However, there wasn’t anything Lan Qing could do to help them . How did Star Division earn their impressive gear? They took it themselves . Star Division was laden with riches, and was the most affluent military outfit in the East . A national organization with limited government funds couldn’t compete . Star Division’s mechas were custom tailored to suit their soldier’s Disciplines . They were choked full of the best power gems available to enhance those Disciplines . It gave them a nearly insurmountable advantage .

An Lun’s soldiers weren’t alone in their displeasure . Lan Qing was similarly perturbed by the results . He had personally commanded his troops during the second exercise, but the results were the same . There was nothing for it – the difference in equipment and individual ability was too great .

Currently Star Division was so flush with ninth level Adepts that each squad was led by one . These exceptionally talented soldiers were also empowered by their mechas . Even though they weren’t all god-ranked pilots, they were head and shoulders above any normal soldier . Lan Qing had to watch as his own soldiers were cast into disarray by Star Division .

Lan Qing knew that if his solders were as strong individually as his brother’s soldiers, under his command they would have more than a solid chance at victory . For now, however, the chances were simply too remote to entertain . He could have joined in himself and single-handedly turn the tide of battle – but what would be the point? Didn’t Star Division have Paragons of its own? They just weren’t present at the time .

Lan Qing’s final analysis of Star Division was that it was an incomparable Adept fighting force . He secretly admired Skyfire Avenue for taking the risk in its creation and training . Establishing a small army the likes of this took tremendous resources and iron determination! It was no easy feat .

As it turned out, Skyfire Avenue had a singular vision . You couldn’t describe Star Division as a normal mecha division by any stretch . Gathering all these adepts under one banner and giving them the full support of Skyfire Avenue resulted in the fastest creation of a major military installation ever .

Aside from everything else, what normal person could boast being present for the breakthrough of two Paragons? Until recently the occurrences were rare and available only to a select few, and normal humans didn’t benefit at all . By contrast Star Division was proud to find that many of their soldiers gained incredible insights from these experiences . The best of them acquired the most .

Lan Jue was pushed on by the success of his brother . What he didn’t know was that Lan Qing was inspired by adversity as well . Lan Qing yearned for the impossible so that he might overcome it . How else could he have achieved so much at such a young age? Talent alone wasn’t enough . Strength of will and unwavering determination blazed the path .

As Lan Jue listened to the Bartender and Coffee Master’s exulted reports, a strange expression came across his face . An immense surge of pride filled him . So long as they continued on this path, his soldiers would grow in strength and ability . All he had to do was mention the wealth of crystals they’d recovered and morale would skyrocket . Now that it was confirmed their Disciplines were effective against the aliens, it also affirmed that Star Division would be an integral weapon against the invaders when the time came .

“What about the ones we left back on Skyfire?” He asked .

The Coffee Master replied . “They’ve all come around after their insights . That fat disciple of yours seems to have gained the most from it . I could even sense faint waves of protogenia coming from him . It really chaps my ass! Even being by your side for so long, I still can’t even see the realm of protogenia on the horizon . ”

Lan Jue scowled at him . “Enough nonsense, you seem happy enough with where you are not to work hard . You think your potential is somehow inferior to anyone else’s? ‘Fastest Hands Under Heaven’?”

The Bartender sounded curious as he joined in . “What you’re saying isn’t entirely accurate . These days potential isn’t enough . Without grueling work you don’t have a chance . You haven’t seen what the teams do, they’re constantly competing . Not just with others outside of the Division, but among each squad . They’re constantly testing themselves . We know that’s what you want encouraged so we’ve thought up an inter-Division competition . The winning team will be put on the list for the exuvium process, what do you think?”

Lan Jue was taken aback . “How did you think this up?”

This made the Coffee Master chortle . “Our soldiers have too much pent-up energy and nowhere to let it out . We were trying to think of something for them to put their effort toward . It’d be along the same lines as the Great Adept tournament, with them initially separated by brigades . It’d take place in DreamNet, ten on ten . Ace squads would participate too, against two normal squads . We figured it was fairer . In the end the winners are put on exuvium list . ”

Lan Jue laughed . “Excellent idea! But the soldiers in Ace squad are too strong . Even if you broke the squad in half they could still handily defeat a normal squad . Break them up and have them compete as individuals, among one another . At the same time, each squad can elect one person to fight in single battles . We have two competitions going simultaneously, one for teams and one for ace squad members . Brigade commanders can participate in the individual fights as well . Paragons, of course, can’t . Neither can I or the Pharmacist . ”

The Bartender gave an approving thumbs-up . “Much more thorough . So be it, we’ll call this part of their training . Give us half a month to get things in order . ”

Lan Jue nodded . “We can make it a common thing, these competitions . We can use it to inspire them to work harder . The rewards will be different each time . Right now the Avenue isn’t hurting for riches or equipment . ”

The three of them hammered out the remainder of the details . They expected it would cause a fierce competitive spirit to emerge . Of course, safety had to be considered and their training with the Bloodiron Khans would continue . Real life battles weren’t needed anymore, DreamNet was enough of an analogue for real life .

With this in mind, Lan Jue set off to find his brother and suggest the two groups continue to train together . Perhaps leave the Star Division here for a while longer . At any rate it would take time for the East to digest the information they brought, and share it with their colleagues in the West and North .

Predictably, Lan Qing was very busy . But he made a point of carving out some time for his little brother . “What is it? I have a meeting in a little while . ” Lan Qing said, wasting no time .

Lan Jue launched right into it . “I was hoping to keep Star Division here for a little while . I’d like them to continue training with the Bloodiron Khans, I think it’d benefit everyone . We can continue the joint battles in DreamNet, that way we can practice in different terrains and conditions . Get them ready for anything . ”

Lan Qing gave him an accusatory sideways look . “You haven’t won enough? There’s too much difference in individual strength and equipment . It won’t help my people very much to keep getting trounced . It’ll only undermine their morale . ”

Lan Jue grinned at him . “When did you lose faith? If you’re worried about that we can reduce the numbers participating . We can’t downgrade their gear because they used it all throughout their training, it’s a part of their strategy . It’ll take away too much of their effectiveness . ”

A hardness flashed through Lan Qing’s eyes . “You think I can accept this sort of scorn for my people?” Ever since taking command, he never had to ask his opponents to go easy .

Lan Jue shrugged . “Those are the facts . And anyway, you shouldn’t be discouraged . Your men are facing the greatest Adept army in history – the epitome of Skyfire Avenue’s strength! Each soldier is strong on their own, with a mountain of money behind them . Facing a smaller group doesn’t mean you’re losing face . The whole point is mutual improvement, surviving the alien invasion and making them pay for what they’ve done . How does saving face help this?”