Chapter 146 – There Has Never Been No Cost

Time flew by swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

During these days, all defense lines in Huaming District worked hard to push forward, diligently clearing out the remaining Phantom Demons within the lines, steadily driving the war toward victory.

Su Ming no longer took any unconventional actions but behaved like a dutiful student, consistently following his teammates in their operations.

Over these days, Su Ming either rode Longdan speeding along Huaming District’s various defense lines like a reckless youth, or carried out clearance missions with his teammates, eliminating every Phantom Demon they encountered along the way.

Of course, without anyone noticing, Su Ming secretly collected various Phantom Demon materials scattered across the battlefield, filling his pockets (with crystal chips) and reaping substantial gains.

However, while his harvest was plentiful, Su Ming also discovered that the Phantom Demon Legion he had sent out to gather materials had lost contact one by one.

The reason was simple: they had been eliminated.

Huaming District was now fully engaged in clearing out Phantom Demons. Releasing his Phantom Demon Legion into the wild meant it was hardly surprising if they were encountered and destroyed by Professionals carrying out clearance missions outdoors.

Unless, like Little Hai’er—who, under Xu Qianqian’s arrangements, had infiltrated the official transport channels and was set to be shipped out as a commodity for Bloodline extraction—any Phantom Demons remaining in Huaming District at this time had almost no chance of survival.

Su Ming wasn’t particularly distressed about this.

They were just a group of lower-tier Phantom Demons. Aside from the Scaled Horn Demon Mutant, whose strength could rival a Four-Star Professional in normal conditions, losing the other thirteen Phantom Demons was no great loss.

The only regret was the Scaled Horn Demon Mutant. Through Su Ming’s senses, the Spirit Power spike on it had also vanished.

This indicated that the mutant had either broken free of Su Ming’s 【Demon Binding】 restraint or had died.

To break free from 【Demon Binding】, one needed power far surpassing Su Ming’s.

Unless that Scaled Horn Demon Mutant evolved, it couldn’t achieve this.

As a mutant, that Scaled Horn Demon had long lost the qualification for further evolution.

Therefore, the disappearance of the Spirit Power spike on it could only mean that the creature had died.

“Alright then.”

Su Ming had been considering whether to retrieve the gathered Phantom Demon Legion, but now he didn’t need to think about it anymore.

“It’s just a pity about the Phantom Demon materials they collected. I wonder how much there was.”

This was the only point Su Ming felt somewhat regretful about.

And so, the battle in Huaming District began to enter its final stages.

The defense line where Su Ming was stationed continuously advanced, merging with the forward defense lines one after another.

First with the third defense line.

Then with the second defense line.

Finally, at the frontline of the first defense line, all combat forces of Longyao City assembled for a decisive battle against the remaining, encircled Phantom Demons.

That battle was exceptionally fierce.

From his position in the rear, Su Ming witnessed many truly awe-inspiring scenes.

Advanced Spirit Arts capable of devastating heaven and earth seemed no longer rare, appearing at regular intervals to bombard the entire area, shaking the sky and earth.Upper-Rank Professionals, who were extremely rare in ordinary times, emerged one after another, standing at the forefront. Some engaged in slaughter mode, charging back and forth through the Phantom Demon army, while others confronted Upper-Rank Phantom Demons with earth-shattering, mountain-moving power, battling until the heavens trembled and the sun and moon lost their light.

Su Ming even witnessed a mutated Hazardous Species being slain at all costs by a Six-Star Hunter, its blood staining the sky.

The scene was truly awe-inspiring.

The only thing uncertain was whether to feel relief or regret: although many Hazardous Species led the assault during this opening of the Spirit Demon Abyss Entrance and the Phantom Demon invasion, no Nightmare Species appeared.

Otherwise, it was uncertain whether Longyao City could have secured victory in this war.

It was said that, to prevent the manifestation of Nightmare Species, the Sorcerer Guild had made additional arrangements while using the 【Distant Abyss Gate】 to Seal the Spirit Demon Abyss Entrance.

Perhaps it was thanks to those powerful Sorcerers that the Nightmare Species did not appear.

Naturally, the cost was significant. Not only did the Sorcerer Guild exhaust their reserves of alchemical tools, potions, and weapons, but the President of the Sorcerer Guild—Longyao City’s only Six-Star Sorcerer—reportedly suffered excessive consumption and spiritual damage, forcing him to withdraw from the battlefield.

Unless circumstances change, that Guild President might retire, and Longyao City could lose its only Six-Star Sorcerer.

Beyond that, casualties in other areas were also substantial.

Afterward, Longyao City compiled the casualty figures for this battle:

“One-Star Professionals: 13,876.”

“Two-Star Professionals: 2,559.”

“Three-Star Professionals: 882.”

“Four-Star Professionals: 57.”

“Five-Star Professionals: 8.”

“Six-Star Professionals: 1 (severely injured and retired).”

These were the Professional casualties.

In addition to the Professional casualties, there were military casualties:

“106,477.”

Yes.

In this battle, over 100,000 soldiers died.

Even among the Professionals, more than 10,000 perished.

This included a considerable number of Upper-Rank Professionals.

It taught Su Ming a lesson:

Victory never comes without a price.

But in the end, Longyao City won this war.

From the day the Spirit Demon Abyss Entrance opened until the final Phantom Demon fell under the Professionals’ Sabers, greeted by sky-piercing cheers and victory horns, the war lasted a full eleven days.

On the morning of the eleventh day, Longyao Base City solemnly announced to the public that the war had ended and they had achieved victory.

This war was recorded in history, not only mentioned in Longyao City’s textbooks but also causing a stir in other Base Cities.

The world came to call this war—the 「Huaming Campaign」.

……

Huaming District, Academy District.

As the camp assigned by Longyao City for the use of Demon Hunter Academy students, this district was perfectly preserved and remained untouched by the war that swept through the entire Huaming District.

After eleven days, the district’s gates once again welcomed rows of off-road vehicles and the return of students one by one.The students gathered in the district, exhausted and disheveled. Some were familiar with each other, others were not, yet in this moment, they all felt a sense of camaraderie and greeted one another warmly.

However, beneath this warmth lay the myriad facets of human experience.

Some recalled the eleven-day struggle and, lost in thought, began to weep.

Others felt lingering fear as if they had narrowly escaped death, their mental state far from stable.

Some would never return…

Some had undergone drastic changes in temperament…

Of course, there were positive developments too.

At the very least, after this incident, many couples emerged within the Demon Hunter Academy, and numerous former rivals reconciled with a smile, as if they had matured overnight.

The Academy Dean, Vice Dean, the heads and deputy heads of the Hunter and Sorcerer Departments, along with all the instructors, solemnly welcomed the students and made the following announcement:

“Congratulations on surviving a brutal war.”

“Your efforts and contributions have been seen and remembered by the Academy.”

“We won’t say more than necessary.”

“At this moment, we only want to say: welcome back.”

This declaration triggered another wave of sobbing among the students.

The Dean then stated that to reward all the students who had fought bravely, not only would Longyao City provide contribution points as compensation, but the Academy would also award academic credits, scholarships, and other tangible rewards as recognition.

Even for the students who had sacrificed their lives, the Academy would provide condolence payments, and the Base City had corresponding policies in place.

In short, neither the Academy nor the Base City would forget anyone’s efforts, nor would they withhold any form of recognition.

After announcing these matters, the Dean dismissed the crowd, allowing the students to return to their original rooms to rest.

Su Ming and his group also returned to Suite 404 on the fourth floor of the Dormitory Building, finally having a moment to catch their breath.

……

“Finally, we’re back!”

Lei Hao threw down his luggage the moment he entered the room and collapsed onto the sofa, utterly exhausted.

“Huff!”

Ye Bai also let out a heavy sigh, intending to flop onto another sofa but finding it already occupied.

“We made it back alive, right?”

Jiang Wanyu sprawled unceremoniously on that sofa, burying her face in its soft fur while muttering as if still unable to believe it.

“Yeah, we made it back alive.”

Yao Beibei clung to An Zijin’s arm, her eyes suddenly welling up with tears for some reason.

From Yao Beibei’s red-rimmed eyes, it was clear the girl had already cried once before.

This sensitive girl seemed easily affected—after returning to the Academy District and seeing everyone around her crying, she had joined in.

When the Dean spoke and others cried again, Yao Beibei cried again too.

So, this girl had now cried twice.

“Alright, it’s over now. There, there, don’t be afraid.”

An Zijin comforted Yao Beibei by her side.

Su Ming, carrying a backpack, scanned the room, taking in everyone present.

For Su Ming, these eleven days of war hadn’t been particularly difficult.

For one, during the conflict, he had accomplished his plan—successfully obtaining the Bloodline of a Nightmare Species and Awakening his Vision Mark, greatly enhancing his power.Second, he scavenged the Phantom Demon materials left on the battlefield, earning a considerable number of chips in the process.

Additionally, by never acting as the standout and staying quietly in the rear as an ordinary student, Su Ming truly hadn’t encountered much danger.

The fact that everyone in the squad returned safely, with no one missing, perfectly confirmed this.

However, it wasn’t as if there were no lingering fears at all.

Especially for Jiang Wanyu, who nearly died due to the poison of the Toxic Gel Demon.

Lei Hao and Ye Bai were also not without injuries; if not for Su Ming’s covert support, they might not have returned safely like this.

Yao Beibei had always been somewhat timid, and thrusting her onto the battlefield as a Hunter charging into battle was truly demanding for a freshman who had just enrolled.

Even An Zijin was not without pressure.

When Jiang Wanyu nearly died, she worried all night.

When Yao Beibei went to the frontline to fight alongside Su Ming, she worried all day.

Lei Hao and Ye Bai had also been kind to her, and she was always afraid of holding them back or hearing news of their sacrifice.

Not to mention Su Ming?

What if something happened to Su Ming too?

At this thought, An Zijin’s eyes also reddened involuntarily.

Without a doubt, this time, everyone had many reflections in their hearts.

“I always thought before that even if my grades weren’t outstanding, I could still make a living as a one-star Professional after graduation without disgracing my family,” Lei Hao suddenly said. “But now I feel like I can try to become stronger.”

Lei Hao’s unexpected statement left everyone stunned.

But they weren’t unable to understand.

Having witnessed such a battlefield and so much cruelty and sacrifice, it was only natural to develop such thoughts.

“Me too,” Ye Bai agreed with Lei Hao. “This also made me realize my shortcomings—there are far too many. I must find ways to improve myself.”

As the only member in the squad with no offensive capabilities, only able to assist in combat, it was impossible for Ye Bai not to feel some dissatisfaction.

“Having only supportive abilities isn’t enough. I really need to specialize in offensive Spirit Arts.”

Ye Bai declared this.

As for An Zijin, Jiang Wanyu, and Yao Beibei, there was even less need to mention.

“We owe a lot to the seniors’ care this time.”

“If not for the seniors, we freshmen who just enrolled would surely have faced many dangers, right?”

“R-really… thank you so much!”

The three juniors bowed deeply and earnestly to the three seniors, standing neatly in a row, their attitudes showing utmost sincerity.

Seeing this, even Su Ming couldn’t help but say something.

“Your performance was in no way inferior to that of the senior students, you know?”

Su Ming rarely spoke in such a gentle, comforting tone.

“Yeah, your performance was much better than ours back then.”

“Junior An’s Spirit Power is astonishing—who knows how many Phantom Demons she helped us defeat with her Spirit Arts. Junior Jiang’s alchemical weapons were also incredibly sharp, and many Phantom Demons fell to them. Junior Yao’s senses were sharp, and her monstrous strength was unmatched. Your performance was far better than us ordinary seniors.”Lei Hao and Ye Bai both smiled reassuringly.

An Zijin, Jiang Wanyu, and Yao Beibei immediately exchanged glances, then smiled in unison with a palpable sense of relief.

The atmosphere on-site became exceptionally warm and harmonious.

Squinting as if looking at something dazzling, Su Ming suddenly declared:

“Decided. Let’s have hot pot tonight.”

As soon as he said this, five pairs of hands shot up simultaneously.

“Agreed!”

Everyone responded with excitement and joy.

That evening, the six members of Su Ming’s squad enjoyed a delicious hot pot meal.

Imperceptibly, the relationships and bonds among them grew much closer, cementing their camaraderie in each person’s heart.

(End of Chapter)