C5 Dynasty!

"Who says there are no enemies? You think this Desolate Ancient Land is nothing but barren wasteland?" Battalion Commander Chen's voice was heavy as he questioned Lin Yan.

"No, no, no... There are, there are... ancient tribes and beasts," Lin Yan quickly responded, his head bowed, a nervous smile on his face.

"These ancient tribes and beasts might be the stuff of legends, but that doesn't mean they're not real. A century ago, warriors in this border region reported sightings of ancient tribes. The Great Duan Dynasty established the West Military Region here to guard against their invasion, and even the Heavenly Imperial Dynasty lent its support."

Battalion Commander Chen pulled out his pipe, gazing into the desert shrouded in nightfall.

"The Heavenly Imperial Dynasty? That's a Rank Two Dynasty in the West Sky Region, and they offered aid to the Great Duan?"

"That's right. If a power like the Heavenly Imperial Dynasty takes it seriously, there's got to be something in the Desolate Ancient Land that poses a threat to a Rank Two Dynasty."

"No wonder! This place isn't as safe as Boss Hee thought," Lin Yan murmured.

With a swift motion, Battalion Commander Chen slapped him on the back. "You think you're here to take shelter? Safe? You're a soldier, tasked with protecting this borderland. But it's true, there haven't been any incidents here for a century. Serve ten years, and you can retire to your hometown with a tidy sum. Marry a sturdy wife, start a family, and your decade here won't have been in vain."

Taking a deep drag from his pipe, Battalion Commander Chen's eyes grew distant. Thirteen years he'd been here, and Lin Yan couldn't fathom why he hadn't yet returned home. But he didn't pry; everyone has their secrets. Just as they kept quiet about Boss Hee's disappearance, Chen had his reasons for staying in the Desolate Ancient Land.

After a brief rest, Lin Yan was back at it, shadowboxing by the campfire. "Power within power, energy within strength! If only I had the qualifications to awaken my Martial Vein, my potential would surely surpass my own."

Battalion Commander Chen watched Lin Yan closely. If there was even the slightest chance Lin Yan could awaken his Martial Vein, he'd share all his knowledge. But it wasn't to be.

The year flew by for Lin Yan and his brothers. Monkey and Doggie had fully integrated into the military life, and Lao Ma, with his exceptional wit, had earned the respect of the higher-ups and was promoted to captain.

Lin Yan had grown up a lot over the year. His once frail body now rippled with muscle. At dusk, after dinner, he was out training by the barracks.

"Ho! Ha!"

His upper body bare, skin a deep bronze in the sunset's glow, Lin Yan looked striking. Each punch was thrown with the ferocity of a dragon or tiger, bursting with energy.

"Kid, catch!" Monkey yelled, hurling a thick branch toward Lin Yan. His eyes narrowed, muscles tensing like coiled serpents, and with a fierce punch, he split the wood clean in two.

"Not bad at all, hahaha," Monkey laughed, clapping Lin Yan on the shoulder. "With the way we've come together, brothers, we could leave this place and still live well on the outside."

The monkey said with a grin that he had undergone the most significant change over the past year. Once the skinniest among them, he now stood nearly 1.8 meters tall and boasted the strongest physique of the four. In terms of combat prowess, he ranked at the top among the ordinary soldiers in the barracks.

"I wonder where the boss is now. He'd be thrilled to know how well we brothers are doing," Lin Yan mused, wiping sweat from his forehead and flashing a guileless smile. As he and the monkey were about to head to the river for a wash, a frantic voice erupted from behind.

"Monkey, Lin Yan, it's bad news! Doggie's in trouble!"

It was Lao Ma, gasping for breath as he sprinted from the barracks.

"What happened to Doggie?"

Lin Yan's grip on Lao Ma's arm was so strong it caused him a twinge of pain. Realizing his own overzealousness, Lin Yan quickly released him.

"A cave emerged last night in the Western Desolate Ancient Land. Monkey's team went to scout it out, but none returned. Battalion Commander Chen fears it might be the work of outsiders. Those who went in probably won't make it back out."

Lao Ma was doubled over, hands on his knees, struggling for air after his long run.

"Impossible, lead us there now!"

Without hesitation, Monkey hoisted Lao Ma onto his back and, with Lin Yan, dashed toward the indicated location.

The cave's site had always been tranquil. Lin Yan was supposed to patrol there, but after assessing the risks in Doggie's area as higher, he had requested Battalion Commander Chen to switch their assignments. He never imagined today's turn of events.

Lin Yan and Monkey raced on, Monkey's speed barely hindered by the weight of Lao Ma. In under half an hour, they reached the cave's location.

Where there had once been a massive Stone Mountain, smoothed by windswept sands, now stood a towering cave over ten meters high. The cave exuded an eerie, ancient chill, as if it had existed for eons rather than a mere day, simultaneously invoking fear and curiosity.

Battalion Commander Chen and his troops were already stationed outside the cave, holding position without orders to advance. The cave radiated a daunting presence that might not unsettle an ordinary person untouched by martial training. But to Battalion Commander Chen, a Martial Pulse Stage warrior with two opened channels, the aura was alarmingly palpable.

"Let me in! Why are you blocking me?"

Lin Yan bellowed, standing less than a hundred meters from the cave's maw, as Monkey and Lao Ma tried to restrain him. Lin Yan's defiance was a breach of military discipline, necessitating their intervention.

"Lin Yan, get a hold of yourself!"

Battalion Commander Chen approached and landed a heavy punch on Lin Yan's face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Do you even remember who you are? You're a seasoned soldier of one year. Have you not shed that reckless streak yet?"

Battalion Commander Chen's shout echoed as he glared at Lin Yan. The disappearance of a patrol squad into the cave had him on edge, his concern palpable.