The experts present, though unfamiliar with "Ling Shi," perked up at the mention of energy. Specialists in energy and radiation immediately vied for the stone.
"Let us study this Ling Shi!" an energy expert declared.
"No, no, this Ling Shi is best studied by us!" countered a radiation expert.
Observing their squabble, Su Han interjected, "Stop arguing. Let the radiation experts examine this Ling Shi first for any radiation. There will be more Ling Shi in the future, and you will all have ample opportunity to study them then."
Su Han's words silenced the other experts, and the radiation specialists happily took the Ling Shi away.
Subsequently, everyone dispersed to resume their respective duties.
Chu Shi departed with a stack of data memory cards for analysis.
He Guizang, seeing others leave, was also preparing to return to the military camp when a Lieutenant Colonel approached him.
"Major He Guizang, I am here to escort you to your new quarters. Starting today, you will undergo new training."
He Guizang was bewildered. He was merely a Private First Class. Why was this Lieutenant Colonel addressing him as a Major?
"Major? Lieutenant Colonel, are you mistaken? I am only a Private First Class!" He Guizang protested.
The Lieutenant Colonel replied, "That is correct. From the moment you became the eighth member of the Special Operations Team, you were appointed Major. From now on, you are not only part of the military but also the headquarters of the Otherworld Development Department. The Dragon Country military will be responsible for your training, while the Otherworld Development Department headquarters will handle other aspects. Major He Guizang, please follow me to the training grounds now! Your training project for tonight is the use of the energy cannon. During this period, your primary focus will be on improving your shooting accuracy!"
He Guizang felt a surge of happiness. After all, he had been promoted. Simply by becoming a member of the Special Operations Team, he had been fast-tracked from Private First Class to Major.
With excitement, He Guizang followed the Lieutenant Colonel to the training grounds.
Upon arriving, He Guizang saw Ye Fan already engaged in training.
He Guizang quickly greeted him, "Major Ye Fan!"
Since they were currently at the Dragon Country headquarters in the Dinosaur World, He Guizang naturally addressed Ye Fan by his military rank.
Ye Fan glanced at He Guizang and said, "He Guizang, you can just call me by my name. We are teammates now. You are also a Major, so there's no superior-subordinate relationship between us."
He Guizang humbly replied, "I've been promoted to Major so suddenly, I'm still a bit unaccustomed to it!"
Ye Fan explained, "The higher-ups are doing this to facilitate better cooperation among teammates. By the way, He Guizang, do you have any plans after retirement?"
He Guizang quickly responded, "Retirement? Just retire? I haven't thought that far ahead!"
Ye Fan elaborated, "Yes, I've been thinking about retirement. I intend to focus entirely on working for the Otherworld Development Department, which requires me to retire from the military. It's difficult to manage both effectively."
He Guizang suddenly understood. "So that's how it is. Ye Fan, you want to dedicate yourself to the Otherworld Development Department!"
Ye Fan nodded. "Exactly. We can't hold high positions in both. Look at Colonel Chu Shi. He has completely relinquished his military duties and is now solely focused on the Otherworld Development Department. He is already ranked third within the department, after Vice Minister Su Han and Minister Li Chengfu. Once Vice Minister Su Han becomes the official Minister, Chu Shi will undoubtedly become Vice Minister. If we remain in the military, we'll be stuck as Majors forever."
Hearing this, He Guizang understood that Ye Fan was contemplating his future. Upon reflection, it made perfect sense. After all, within the Dragon Country military, it was impossible to grant Ye Fan the rank of General. Ye Fan's choice to prioritize the Otherworld Development Department over the military was indeed the correct one.
He Guizang immediately began to consider his own situation, realizing he might face similar dilemmas in the near future.
At this moment, the Lieutenant Colonel who had brought He Guizang said, "Alright, Major Ye Fan, don't try to undermine Major He Guizang's morale. Now, Major He Guizang, let's begin your practice!"
A staff member nearby handed He Guizang a newly manufactured energy cannon.
He Guizang held the energy cannon.
This energy cannon was lighter than the one he had used in World 4, though its exterior appeared identical. The barrel was also quite large, with a diameter of five centimeters. This large diameter was designed to accommodate various lenses, which were intended to aid in aiming the energy blasts.
He Guizang aimed the energy cannon at a target and fired.
The energy projectile that shot out was completely different from what He Guizang had expected. The projectile was small, akin to a bullet. It left only a tiny hole in the target.
The energy cannons he had used in World 4 were heavier, and the projectiles they fired were much larger. An energy cannon from World 4 could have obliterated this target with a single shot.
Ye Fan seemed to notice He Guizang's confusion and explained, "He Guizang, the energy cannons here at the training grounds are different from the ones we used in World 4. The ones in World 4 were equipped with larger batteries and had higher power output. The cannon you are using now is a de-powered version."
He Guizang questioned, "Then, practicing with this energy cannon won't be the same as using the ones from World 4, will it?"
Ye Fan replied, "Yes, for this particular issue, you should ask the training instructor next to you."
The training instructor interjected, "No need to worry. We will provide training with all types of energy cannons here. Today, we are using a lightweight energy cannon, but you will also practice with the larger energy cannons you used in World 4. We will cover all of them."
He Guizang was relieved to hear that all types of energy cannons would be covered. Under the instructor's guidance, he began his practice.
Under the instructor's tutelage, He Guizang's energy cannon shooting skills gradually improved.
That evening, the instructor did not have He Guizang train for too long, allowing him to rest after only two hours.
The following day, the eight members of the Special Operations Team entered World 4 once more.