Chapter 51: Underground Hall, Reward of Cultivation Method

Descending dozens of steps, they reached the underground level.

"Team Zhou!"

"Sister Zhou."

"Commander Zhang, everyone."

In the underground tunnel, a group of people was waiting.

Zhou Bing greeted them and introduced Tang Wen and Tang Tang.

"We've heard! Young Tang, despite his age, managed to kill an Awakened. His future is boundless!"

"It was luck, thanks to Sister Bing and the captains who wore him down."

Killing an Awakened, defeating six in a row, thwarting the Black Mountain Camp!

Tang Wen's deeds had already spread among the guards.

Everyone now knew he was this year's recruit, and it was said that the three commanders had argued over him, with Commander Zhao eventually pulling him into the first team.

Behind Commander Zhang was a group of red-armored soldiers, eyeing Tang Wen with curiosity but more so with defiance.

An outsider from the outer city had outshone the elite of the elite!

Of course, they were not convinced.

Noticing the arrogance in their eyes, Tang Wen smiled and followed Zhou Bing deeper into the tunnel.

The tunnel was wide, about three to four meters high, with a faint airflow inside, not stuffy at all.

Tang Wen was curious.

Zhou Bing shook her head, "I only know there are a few disguised air vents that look like wells."

Yet, as she extended her hand, a breeze passed through her fingertips.

This ventilation effect was probably not achievable with just a few air vents.

Turning a corner, Tang Wen asked again, "Why were those people wearing red armor? I've never seen red armor in the Guard Barracks."

"They are the Guards, not the regular soldiers."

Tang Wen nodded thoughtfully.

Zhou Bing, carrying a kerosene lamp on her spear, led the way. After the fourth turn, the space ahead suddenly opened up.

An underground plaza, brightly lit.

Even Tang Tang, without night vision, could see the walls a hundred meters away at a glance.

"This?" Tang Tang's eyes widened, staring unblinkingly.

The plaza was circular.

The surrounding walls had a ring of fireplaces carved out, with transparent glass installed outside.

From the fireplaces, many chimneys extended upwards.

This avoided heavy smoke and didn't consume the underground air by burning.

Building fireplaces was nothing, but to have such heat-resistant glass?

Also, if the air was being sent down from above, it must be quite challenging, right?

Tang Wen was slightly surprised; the civilization level of this world was truly a mystery.

"The design is ingenious."

Zhou Bing rarely smiled, "I was also amazed when I first saw it."

Tang Tang was shocked, "How much foxtail millet could the coal burned in a day be exchanged for?"

The other two fell silent for a moment.

Zhou Bing then said, "Our camp has a coal mine, and besides, it's not like this every day."

A maid-like figure approached, "Team Zhou, Tang Wen, Tang Tang, right? This way."

She led the three to another exit of the plaza, and turning a corner, a row of underground stone houses appeared before them.

"Room 001, there are two rooms inside." The maid handed over two keys.

She also informed them where to eat, bathe, and where the toilets were, etc.

Only after the three had no more questions did she turn and leave.

Room 001 was close to the plaza.

Opening the door, the room was simple, with a wall in the middle and a bed on each side.

Fortunately, the beds were large enough for two people to sleep comfortably.

Just as Tang Wen was hesitating whether to put the bundle directly on the ground, there was a knock on the door.

It was the maid from earlier, accompanied by two red-armored guards, who brought in two wooden cabinets, three chairs, and a table.

After everything was arranged, clothes were put away, and the bed was made, Tang Tang managed to hide the family's silver in the room.

The three of them went out and headed to the canteen.

Dozens of square tables were occupied by many people, most of whom were red-armored guards.

"Tang Wen! Over here!" The tall Zhang Lin waved familiarly.

Tang Wen?

All the diners turned their heads in unison.

Two women and one man.

Everyone recognized Zhou Bing; she had become even more beautiful.

Hmm, so this handsome young man is Tang Wen?

So young?

Is he the one who killed an Awakened in a direct confrontation?

A hint of doubt inevitably appeared in everyone's eyes.

"I knew you and Team Zhou would come too! Hello, um, are you the girl who sells Meat Buns?"

The three of them sat at the empty table next to Zhang Lin, who naturally struck up a conversation.

"I'm Tang Wen's sister, Tang Tang."

The maid brought over several basins of food.

Looking at the basins the size of washbasins, Tang Tang was both surprised and relieved: they provide enough food here! That could save a lot of grain!

Stewed pork with potatoes, pork ribs with radish, a full basin of foxtail millet rice, and three clean wooden bowls.

Seeing such generous portions on every table, Tang Wen asked the question he had been wanting to ask: "Is there a farm in the inner city?"

"Yes, in a valley outside the city, even farther than the foxtail millet fields. All the cut weeds and millet bran are used to raise pigs and sheep. However, these pigs and sheep are usually only supplied to the Guard Barracks, the hunting camp, and here."

It was An Lei who answered.

Tang Wen smiled at her.

Zhang Lin was very surprised; after knowing her for so many years, this was the first time he had heard An Lei speak so much in one go.

"Have some ribs." Zhou Bing glanced at her and picked up a piece of rib, placing it on Tang Wen's plate.

"Mm, okay."

After the meal, the group became much more familiar with each other.

After eating, they walked back to the stone house together.

In the empty corridor, Zhang Lin whispered, "Brother Tang, you should be careful. Those guards know you killed an Awakened. They're not convinced and are looking for a chance to challenge you."

"Oh? Really?" Tang Wen's eyes flashed: Are free sparring partners coming again?

From Zhang Lin's incessant chatter, he learned a lot of information.

For example, the person who guided their training in the underground square was a General Xia.

He was very experienced and old, said to be a predecessor of General Zhou.

Those who came to the underground from the hunting camp were all potential talents in the camp. They were favored by the commanders and were expected to become at least Martial Practitioners, if not Martial Masters.

Tang Wen also learned a bit about the origins of the guards.

It was said that they were the children of soldiers trained by Old General Xia since childhood.

The success rate of the guards was even higher than that of the hunting camp. They usually trained in secret and were responsible for guarding the Queen, the General's residence, and some places that ordinary people were not allowed to enter.

The guards' name was indeed fitting.

Their red armor was made by incorporating a rare metal.

It was lighter and stronger, with the only drawback being that the color was too flamboyant and the production was too limited, so it could only be used by the guards.

In the afternoon, Tang Wen and Zhou Bing took a nap in the bedroom.

Tang Tang went to the square and, along with several boys and girls aged 13 or 14, followed a middle-aged female teacher to learn martial arts.

These boys and girls were the children or relatives of the commanders.

The commanders were risking their lives outside, so the camp had to take good care of their families.

Tang Tang was just starting to learn martial arts, but her teacher discovered that her physique was actually the best among the group.

Both her strength and flexibility were excellent, making her a natural talent for martial arts.

Upon learning that she was Tang Wen's older sister, the female teacher couldn't help but show an "I see" expression.

Her younger brother was a genius. It made perfect sense that his older sister was also suited for martial arts.

"Mm!"

In the room, Tang Wen stretched and sat up.

At that moment, Zhou Bing returned from outside and handed Tang Wen a piece of paper: "Take a look at this."

He took it and saw several lines of names written on it: "Tiger Claw Technique, Forest Traversing Leg Technique, Shadowless Divine Fist..."

After reading the first line, Tang Wen looked up in surprise: "Is this a list of Cultivation Methods?"

"Yes, these are the rewards for our mar

tial arts competition. You can choose any six, but it's best not to take too many."

"I understand, too much at once is hard to digest." Tang Wen lowered his head and continued reading.

--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/TLGod

Thanks!