"Menglong, you're being a bit reckless!" After Yao Zi left, Meng Dun sighed with worry.

"What's up? Is Meng Dun really that formidable?" Zhang Menglong chuckled.

"Extremely formidable," Meng Dun replied, "The reason why the 404 Legion is the most powerful legion in our Universe Seven is because of their extraordinary overall strength. After a period of training, their recruits can basically achieve an average score of 200-300, with combat power at least 30% stronger than ordinary forces."

"And what about Yao Zi's troops?"

"They utilize an elite training route," Meng Dun said, "He basically pours all resources into a select group of squads, leading to a wide disparity in combat power within his troops. However, in certain battles, he uses those cannon fodder as the main force to attract enemy fire, and the elite squads can often play some unexpected roles."

"Well, that's a bit clever," Zhang Menglong nodded, noting that Yao Zi adopts the elite path by abandoning the majority.

"Moreover, he has secretly established a reserve legion within the universe. This batch of recruits are seasoned individuals nurtured in the reserve legion—talents he found from the forces under his Cosmic Empire—trained from a young age in the crucible of battle, extremely formidable."

"See that young man," Meng Dun pointed to the tall warrior behind Yao Zi, "A warrior of the Cold Blade race. I heard before joining the legion, he served in Yao Zi's civilization army, with stats exceeding 600."

"600, huh? Not bad, almost five to six times the minimum recruitment standards, if he improves a bit more, he could even take on an ordinary Level Six life form."

"Why do you seem completely unperturbed?" Meng Dun curiously looked at Zhang Menglong.

He knew Zhang Menglong and his underling officers were formidable—the strength of Level Six life forms had devastated those Base Cities, yet they attributed the reasons to Zhang Menglong's civilization or organization.

His own men were merely recruited cannon fodder, even within the cannon fodder they were akin to fighter jets, naturally weaker than others, destined to suffer at this tournament.

It was impossible that in just a year, he trained them to be as formidable as his underling Legion Commanders, right?

"Did you give those three under your command special training?" Meng Dun suddenly speculated.

Zhang Menglong's people's lifespans were less than 30 cosmic years; if Zhang Menglong, like Yao Zi, devoted resources to select individuals, perhaps some unique individuals could emerge.

"No," Zhang Menglong shook his head, "Our unit undergoes uniform training without any separate guidance. Honestly, I only learned about the tournament a few days ago."

"Then are they some special race?" Meng Dun eyed the three warriors, seemingly trying to discern something, but to no avail—they appeared the most ordinary throughout the universe.

They were so ordinary that reaching their current Life Level was a miraculous feat. In their civilizations, becoming a Level Three life form was already an extraordinary achievement.

"Don't bother looking," Zhang Menglong said, "They're just random people I pulled from the unit. You guys, introduce yourselves to Legion Commander Meng Dun."

The three stood up, giving Meng Dun a standard Huaxia military salute.

"Reporting to Legion Commander Meng Dun, I'm Olenia, cook from the SRIO-045 division of the IPX-001 legion."

"Reporting to Legion Commander Meng Dun, I'm Dias, logistics worker from the CWP-79 division of the IPX-001 legion."

"Reporting to Legion Commander Meng Dun, I'm Lobian, guard from the IPZ-398 division of the IPX-001 legion."

"Cook? Logistics? Guard?"

Meng Dun's mouth opened slightly in shock.

At the formation of each legion, kitchens and logistics were already established. These people dealt with miscellaneous tasks. Even on the battlefield, these warriors were cannon fodder, yet at least they were Level Five Peak life forms. Such tasks would never fall to them.

Zhang Menglong's men were inherently weaker and fewer, yet he wasted manpower on these tasks; it was utterly incomprehensible!

The funnier part was that these people were cooks and logistics; even symbolically, he should have pulled a couple from the regular troops. But he brought cooks and logistics to this martial arts tournament filled with masters and elites!? Was he trying to show off?

"Whatever, as long as you're happy..." Confused, Meng Dun could only smile awkwardly. It seemed Zhang Menglong really intended to give up. In this case, if he ended up second to last, no one else could take the last place.

"The General is here!"

At this moment, with an overwhelming presence of a level nine life form, Luo Ze finally appeared!

The entire training ground immediately quieted down, especially those Level Five life forms, who trembled under Luo Ze's aura.

A level nine life form, even without deliberately releasing its aura, was difficult for ordinary Level Five life forms to withstand.

At this moment, Meng Dun suddenly noticed the three warriors behind Zhang Menglong remained nonchalant and unaffected, as if not feeling any pressure at all.

"These three have something special!"

...

"Everyone, I'm pleased that you could all gather here today," Luo Ze smiled, "I won't waste words; this tournament was organized to see how your recruits have progressed over the past year and to gauge your troop's combat power. I hope everyone can showcase the style and standard of their units."

The rules for the tournament are very simple—over 7000 contestants paired in groups until the top three winners are determined.

The first match, Legion 103 versus Legion 733, featured closely matched warriors, making for quite an exciting match. All Legion Commanders and warriors watched thoughtfully.

Not only to understand their future opponents but also to learn something from them.

Only Zhang Menglong and his group were nodding off, resting their chins in their hands.

"Dishonoring a soldier's glory."

"If they acted like this on the battlefield, how would they fight?"

The surrounding Legion Commanders cast disdainful glares. In their eyes, Zhang Menglong barely qualified to be a Legion Commander.

The first round featured over 3000 matches. From these, many outstanding warriors emerged, quickly and decisively defeating their opponents. Some even demonstrated powerful battle skills and talent, earning considerable face for their respective legions.

Finally, in the 833rd match, it was Zhang Menglong's team's turn to take the stage.

"Look, isn't that someone from the IPX-001 legion?"

"What bad luck, they're up against the 812 legion, who have one of the top 50 combat strengths."

"It's finally their turn; how long do you think they can last?"

"Hahaha, I bet they might fall to the first move! Maybe they'll surrender immediately."

"Hey, look, Zhang Menglong's guy still has his eyes closed—did he fall asleep?"

"Menglong, are these your troops?" Unlike others, Luo Ze, looking at the warrior, seemed very intrigued, "He seems really sleepy; is there an issue? Should we pause?"

"General, he's fine," Zhang Menglong said, "He's a cook in one of our divisions and stayed up late making midnight snacks for everyone last night. He might be a little tired, but it won't affect the match's outcome, let's start!"