5: Chapter 5: Enlistment Assessment! New Rules!

Even Li Mo didn't expect Teacher Cao Yun to change his face so quickly. As expected, this person was nothing but a petty villain!

Zhang Ruxue wore an expression of displeasure. A powerful aura erupted from her body, and Li Mo could even feel a sense of killing intent.

"What do you take The Military for? The enlistment handbook is right here, and he himself has stated he wants to join The Military. Are the words of Starry Sky University just child's play to you?"

Even though Starry Sky University was a top-tier institution in the country, it dared not offend The Military. Teacher Cao Yun was also shaken by the killing intent radiating from Zhang Ruxue.

The front lines were not comparable to the ordinary training at Martial Arts University. Those were arrogant soldiers and fierce generals who had killed their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. They had to face enemies from hostile nations while constantly confronting terrifying exotic beasts. The most brutal scenes at Martial Arts University were nothing more than injuries sustained during arena matches.

However, Teacher Cao Yun did not want to let Li Mo leave just like that, so he said, "A mistake is a mistake! Can't we say we registered the quota incorrectly? Why are people from The Military so overbearing now? Do you just take people away whenever you want?"

"Shouldn't we ask the child his opinion? See if he wants to stay at the university or join The Military?"

Teacher Cao Yun was truly telling lies with his eyes wide open. Just before, he had insisted on expelling Li Mo, but now he was claiming it was the school's mistake.

In Teacher Cao Yun's view, Starry Sky University was a top-tier university with three hundred years of history, and since the beginning of Spirit Awakening, it had been ranked at least in the top three among all Martial Arts Universities in the country. As long as Li Mo wasn't stupid, he wouldn't give up the favorable conditions of Martial Arts University to join The Military. He had absolute confidence in this.

Even Li Mo's Aunt urged him, "Child, listen to the teacher! Quickly apologize to the teacher, Aunt will pay your tuition, and we will continue our studies." Li Mo's Aunt was a simple woman and couldn't see the underlying schemes at all.

But Li Mo understood that the tables had turned! No matter what promises this trash-like university made, Li Mo would never believe a single word. So, Li Mo said slowly, "Aunt, I have decided. I am going to join The Military! There is no point in staying in a place like this!"

Seeing the firm look in Li Mo's eyes, Aunt understood that he had made up his mind, and seeing this, she stopped trying to stop him. Besides, Teacher Cao Yun's previous words about Li Mo being a good-for-nothing with no future had left a bitter taste in her heart. If she hadn't been begging for a favor, given her personality, she would have lashed out at Teacher Cao Yun long ago. No matter what faults her child had, it was not for an outsider to criticize!

Teacher Cao Yun, however, panicked instantly. If it were the previous Li Mo, he could have dismissed him with disdain, but the current Li Mo was completely different. Not to mention anything else, just based on Li Mo's current cultivation realm, if he could stay in Teacher Cao Yun's class, it would at least allow Teacher Cao Yun to receive many rewards from the school.

Teacher Cao Yun said in a panic, "Li Mo, think carefully! The full scholarship we promised you earlier still stands! We will also waive all your tuition fees!"

"Not only that, the school will provide special training tailored specifically for you! This is a benefit that many people would fight tooth and nail to get!"

When it came to talented individuals, Starry Sky University was indeed willing to spend heavily. This was because the feedback received from cultivating a powerful expert was much greater. It was precisely because of this foundation that Starry Sky University had been able to stand tall until now. It was foreseeable that if Li Mo continued to stay at the school, he would receive many unexpected benefits.

However, facing these conditions, Li Mo only left behind two words. "Goodbye!"

Watching Li Mo's retreating figure, Teacher Cao Yun slumped into his chair as if his limbs had suddenly gone weak. He understood very well that he had made an irreparable mistake. Not only had he caused the school to lose a peerless genius, but he might have also offended a future powerhouse!

...

"Child, take this food. I heard that the food in The Military isn't very good."

"And take this money too! I'm by myself, Aunt doesn't need any money."

In front of the train, Aunt gave Li Mo endless instructions, just like a real mother, warming Li Mo's heart. Watching Aunt's hunched back, Li Mo swore that he would make something of himself in The Military and ensure Aunt received the best treatment. After a long time, Aunt finally finished her instructions and tearfully and reluctantly saw Li Mo off.

Li Mo returned to his seat, and even Zhang Ruxue on the side couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Aunt is truly kind."

Li Mo took a bite of the steamed bun Aunt had made and smiled slowly, "Yes, she is my only family left."

The train slowly started, heading towards the front lines thousands of miles away. On the way, Zhang Ruxue suddenly handed Li Mo a form. This was something completely different from the enlistment handbook. Not only did he have to fill in basic information like name, age, and hometown on the form, but more importantly, he had to fill in his talents and so on. Li Mo had never heard of having to fill in one's talents before joining The Military.

"This is..."

Zhang Ruxue answered nonchalantly, "Oh, I forgot to remind you. After deliberation by the higher-ups, starting this year, all new recruits must pass a test assessment before enlistment."

"Recruits who do not pass the assessment can still stay in The Military, but they can only engage in clerical duties such as the cooking squad or communications, and they will not be issued a Recruit Badge, but will be assigned to other units instead."

Over the years, the new recruits entering The Military have basically been of mixed quality. For example, places like Starry Sky University would send students ranked at the bottom of the school to The Military, which actually made it more troublesome for The Military to train them. Every year, there are about forty to fifty thousand new recruits, but fewer than five thousand can be called warriors capable of being trained to go to the front lines! Most of them either collect empty paychecks and slack off, die as soon as they reach the front lines, are cowardly, or there are quite a few deserters. To put an end to this situation, The Military established this enlistment assessment on this basis. This way, those with potential could be screened out. As for the remaining clerical staff, since they aren't awarded military ranks anyway, and the annual military budget is sufficient now, it doesn't matter if they eat a little. The Military's approach is actually quite humane; although it is still a place where the strong are respected, at least it gives the weak some place to stand.

But Li Mo hadn't expected such a change. He had a system newbie task! This task could only be completed by obtaining the Recruit Badge... If Li Mo didn't pass the enlistment assessment, wouldn't he be finished? Perhaps he had been a "useless" person for too long, and Li Mo had forgotten that he was once a genius. Even Zhang Ruxue found Li Mo's slightly worried expression incredible.

"What are you worried about? If even you couldn't pass this kind of assessment with your cultivation realm, then I'm afraid not a single new recruit would be able to officially enlist this year, right?"