Chapter 24: "The Crucible of Ground Camps"

Master Ren's commanding presence filled the dais as he addressed the eleven recruits who had completed their three years of foundation training. His booming voice echoed through the training grounds.

"I announce hereby that three years of foundation teaching has finished," Master Ren declared. "You guys will be sent to the ground camps."

He scanned the group and noted the remarkable progress they had made. Among them was Li Shan, who had mastered all five elemental disciplines.

Master Ren's expression grew serious. "Did you think it's enough?" he asked rhetorically. "It was never enough! Even if you've mastered all the elements and surpassed your fellow recruits in the training cave, you're still simple ants compared to the monsters out there."

His tone darkened. "Before becoming full-fledged mystique masters, you must be tested with blood—a trial that will separate the weak from the strong."

Master Ren emphasized the gravity of their upcoming trials. "If you don't survive a battle against the monster race, you'll never truly understand what I've been trying to teach you. But, ultimately, it doesn't matter. The moment you encounter a monster, you will comprehend."

"In the ground camps, you will experience the extermination and sealing of monsters," he continued. "If you can endure the challenges of the next year, then those who remain will have earned the right to call themselves mystique masters."

After his solemn speech, Master Ren led the recruits through the city lord's mansion. Waiting for them were horse-drawn carts that would transport them to the camps. Before embarking on their journey, Master Ren had one last order: the recruits' eyes were to be blindfolded.

In the darkness, Master Ren's voice resonated one final time. "In the next step, I will not be there to guide you. You are entering the place where we harness our main combat power, a place filled with skilled professionals who will impart their knowledge and experiences to you."

He concluded with a reminder of their greatest strength. "Remember, humans are not equal to monsters. Our advantage lies in our ability to work together as a team. I hope you don't forget that."

With those words echoing in their minds, the recruits embarked on the next leg of their journey, ready to face the challenges and trials that awaited them in the ground camps.

My apologies for the oversight. With his eyes still securely bound, Li Shan relied solely on his heightened sense of hearing as he entered the bustling city. The sounds of urban life enveloped him, creating a vivid auditory tapestry of the city's heartbeat. The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves, the shouts of vendors, and the cries of children playing all painted a bustling portrait in his mind.

As Li Shan and the other recruits left the city behind, the rough, bumpy road ahead became a tactile reminder of their journey. He could feel the vibrations of the wagon wheels against the uneven terrain, and the subtle shifts in the carriage's movements beneath him. The fresh, country air carried with it the earthy scent of fields and forests, enhancing Li Shan's sensory experience.

Beyond the city's walls, his sense of smell was greeted by the natural fragrances of the countryside. The gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze, the soft chirping of birds, and the distant neighs of horses in the fields all contributed to the serene symphony of the rural landscape.

After a day of travel, Li Shan and the other recruits reached their destination—the camp that would be their new home for the next year. As they disembarked from their wagons.

As the recruits heard the woman's voice instructing them to open their eyes, they did so cautiously, one by one. What greeted them was a breathtaking sight—a majestic mountain rising before them. While not the tallest peak, it possessed its own unique charm. Unlike the protective walls of the city they had left behind, there was no such barrier here. Instead, the Seal Keeper Bureau had established its camp on the mountain itself, relying on its elevated position for defense.

The camp sprawled across the mountainside, with structures like mansions and a sturdy iron smithy perched at varying heights. The strategic placement of these buildings gave the Seal Keepers a significant advantage. The mountain, with its natural incline and towering presence, effectively acted as a formidable wall of defense. To conquer this place, one would have to either scale the mountain or send soldiers on a perilous journey along the narrow path leading to it—both options fraught with danger and uncertainty.

The woman leading the recruits had a curvaceous figure that was evident even beneath her Seal Keeper uniform. Her face, like those of the veiled men around her, was concealed by a veil. She wasted no time in issuing her orders. "Follow me," she commanded, and the recruits obediently trailed behind her.

After half an hour of climbing the steep, narrow path that was the only route up the mountain, they reached a grand manor. The walls of the mansion were punctuated with numerous openings, each one housing a hidden ballista—a clear indication of the camp's formidable defenses.

Approaching the imposing black iron door of the manor, it swung open from within, revealing two more veiled men who appeared to have been responsible for its movement. The woman leading the recruits paid them no heed and continued walking, prompting the recruits to follow suit.

As they progressed along the winding path, Li Shan couldn't help but notice the strategic layout of the camp. There appeared to be only one central route leading up the mountain, and at key points along the way, buildings were positioned strategically. For instance, after passing the mansion, the path narrowed once more, channeling them towards another structure. This building seemed to serve as the living quarters for the veiled men. In the distance, Li Shan also observed plumes of black smoke rising from the mountaintop—a sign that the camp's iron smiths were hard at work, continuously fortifying the defenses against any potential intrusion.

As they made their way further up the mountain, nearing the peak where the iron smiths were busy at work, the woman in charge issued orders to a group of veiled men. "Equip them with the standard Veiled Man uniform," she directed, her gaze then falling on Gao, who possessed a robust and imposing physique. "And let Mumbai know that he needs to come here. We have someone of unusual size."

Gao furrowed his brows at the mention of his size, to which Li Shan couldn't help but jest, "Look on the bright side, Gao. You're probably the biggest person in this entire fort."

The remark elicited laughter among the recruits, though Gao merely rolled his eyes in response.

Except for Gao, who was taken elsewhere, the rest of the recruits were ushered into one of the forges. Inside, they were greeted by the sight of a wide array of weapons and armor. The armor worn by the members of the Seal Keeper Bureau was particularly distinctive. It covered all the vital points of the body, ensuring maximum protection, while the joints were left unencumbered to allow for flexibility in combat.

The armor itself was a work of craftsmanship. It was forged from a dark, durable metal that seemed impervious to damage. Underneath the metal plates, a layer of black fabric added an element of elegance and sophistication to the otherwise utilitarian gear. It was a testament to the fusion of function and aesthetics that the Seal Keeper Bureau prided itself on.

The woman leading them offered an explanation, her tone patient but firm. "These are the minimum requirements for armor that might help you survive an encounter with a monster. There have been complaints about the thickness of the iron plates on the armor, but they are not meant to withstand direct blows."

Li Shan's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but inquire further. "Can this armor protect against a mortal-level threat?"

The woman's expression shifted to one of surprise. "A mortal-level threat could easily cut through this armor, and it wouldn't pose much of a challenge to them."

Li Shan pondered her response and asked, "Then what's the purpose of this armor?"

The woman clarified, "This armor isn't designed to withstand a direct assault from a monster. Its main purpose is to increase your chances of survival in the face of indirect attacks. Monsters often have powerful bodies that can create shockwaves or shatter stones and buildings around them. These shattered objects can become deadly projectiles, and your armor is meant to protect your vital organs from such attacks. In our line of work, it's often indirect attacks that prove to be the most dangerous, and this armor is tailored for that purpose."

Li Shan couldn't help but swallow hard as he absorbed the woman's words. "It appears that the survival rate for new recruits is quite low," he remarked with a hint of trepidation.

The woman paid no mind to Li Shan's comment and proceeded to instruct the recruits to don their armor. She then left the room, leaving the recruits to follow her orders. They exchanged glances for a brief moment before each one began the process of equipping their armor. It took them about half an hour to ensure that every piece was in place.

After a while, the woman returned, carrying a chest filled with black silk veils that the veiled men typically wore. She gestured for the recruits to take one each

The woman began explaining the properties of the veils to the recruits. "These veils are inscribed with special sigils that grant you the ability to see into the unseen planes. This means you'll be able to perceive ghosts and spirits, entities that are typically harmless and lack the capability to evolve on their own. However, there are unorthodox methods that some humans employ to control these ghosts and spirits. Our duties may involve restraining or even executing individuals who employ such methods. This is why we wear these veils, to protect ourselves from potential attacks by those who seek to wield these beings for their own purposes."

Li Shan carefully picked up one of the dark veils, feeling the fabric's smooth texture under his fingertips. As he brought it closer to his face, he noticed the fine embroidery of the sigils, intricately woven into the fabric. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, he draped the veil over his head, allowing it to settle gently across his face.The fabric of the veil felt surprisingly soft and cool against his face, as though it was designed to be both protective and comfortable.

The moment the veil touched his skin, he experienced a peculiar sensation, as if a thin shroud had enveloped his perception. It was a subtle shift, like a new layer of sight beyond his natural vision. The world around him appeared unchanged, yet he could sense something more, a faint presence in the periphery of his awareness.