The Hundred Battles Dynasty, with a population of billions and boundless territory.

Outside the imperial city, a vast grassland stretches out. In the center of the grassland, stands a magnificent military encampment of five armies.

In the grasslands, there was a basin, barren and desolate, with not a single blade of grass.

A gigantic stone pillar rose from the earth, piercing the clouds, as if it were about to break through the heavens.

A young man, handsome and strong, was tied beneath a massive stone pillar, bare-chested.

"Hehehe, Luo Zheng, you lowly wretch from a peasant family, don't know your place! Just give the first prize of the martial arts competition to Young Master Xiao Han, and everything would be fine, wouldn't it? You make us waste our effort to bring you out of the camp!"

A burst of laughter erupted, followed by a whistling sound that cut through the air.

Slap!

A steel whip, lashed fiercely against the handsome youth's back, tearing a long gash in his skin. Blood welled up like a spring, flowing onto the stone pillar behind him.

The terrible wound, the scorching pain, twisted the years from his face.

But in his eyes, there was a deep-seated unwillingness to give up.

This year, the name Luo Zhen.

He had a head of thick, black hair and eyes as dark and shiny as ink. His handsome face was sculpted with sharp features, giving him an air of maturity. You wouldn't believe he was only fourteen years old.

"What's wrong with coming from a poor family? Why should I give away the hard-earned Yuanyandan to Xiao Han!"

"And what about you, pampered children of wealthy families? Your abilities are nothing special! You're still wagging your tails before Xiao Han and not even stronger than this humble son?"

Luo Zheng let out a cold snort, his star-like eyes fixed on the three people before him, a hint of disdain curling at the corners of his mouth, "You're nothing but lapdogs. Puh!"

Three men standing before Luozheng were furious, their faces flushed red with anger.

Zhou Qi, clutching his whip tightly, trembled with rage. He was infuriated to be mocked by Luo Zheng, a commoner whose abilities were far inferior to his own. "You lowly wretch from a poor family," Zhou Qi roared, "I'll kill you! See if you dare speak again!"

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Zhou Qihuai lashed out with his whip, striking Luo Zheng mercilessly. Numerous welts covered Luo Zheng's...

"Hmph, a lackey is still a lackey, can't even be spoken to? Zhou Qi, I will remember today's grudge!"

Being whipped repeatedly, Luo Zheng felt excruciating pain, every strike like a knife twisting in his flesh. He gritted his teeth, his eyes hardening with resolve.

"You lowly wretch, you still want to live?" Zhou Qi stopped his long whip mid-air, a ferocious smile contorting his face as he pointed at the ground. "Hmph, look at what's on the ground yourself!"

"Wolf droppings!"

Luo Zheng looked down and saw the ground covered in black feces. He instantly knew something was wrong and his face turned pale.

"Good, this is the Ironback Wolf den. Every night, hundreds or even thousands of Ironback Wolves come here. By then, you'll be gnawed to the bone, hahaha!"

Zhou Qi laughed wildly, his face becoming even more sinister. He said: "But don't worry, we won't let you die without a proper burial. Lord Xiao Han, stay here for the night. Tomorrow we'll come back and collect your remains, then return to the main camp and report to the leader that you escaped the camp and encountered a pack of wolves who left you with nothing but bones!"

"Oh dear, the crime of desertion! I heard that this is a serious offense, punishable by having one's family destroyed! It's like treason against the emperor!"

"Luo Zheng, the five armies are not a place for someone of your lowly status to enter. Since you managed to sneak in, you will listen to us and be our slave, or else you will only have death!"

Two other men, grinning mischievously, stared at Luo Zheng.

"You bunch of shameless bastards, you actually want to frame me and harm my family! I will make you pay tenfold for this!"

Staring intently at the three people before him, Luo Zheng's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched tightly, emitting a cracking sound. His heart was filled with fury and shock: "That damn Xiao Han, not only did he steal my credit but also falsely accused me of being a deserter. This way, I can't just save my father, but will also implicate my mother and sister!"

In the Hundred Battles Dynasty, desertion is tantamount to the grave sin of treason!

All deserters shall be executed, and their families will also be punished. Male members of the family will be exiled and serve as slaves for life. Their women will be demoted, and all their descendants will be forever banned from improving their status.

This Xiao Han, how vicious!

"Hehehe, tenfold revenge? Too bad you'll never have the chance in this lifetime. You wretch, just accept your fate!"

Zhou Qi made a move, his strength increased, he swung the long whip with a crackle and snap, as sharp as a blade.

The scars on Luo Zheng's body were increasing, and finally, he could no longer hold on. He fainted.

"Hmph, let's go. Let this bastard fend for himself here!" The three of them, including Zhou Qi, left with a sneer.

Luo Zheng, is an apprentice soldier of the dynasty's five armies.

The Hundred Battles Dynasty Five Armies is a gathering place for geniuses of all ages!

Formerly, only the offspring of aristocratic families and prominent officials were cultivated within its walls.

A month ago, Luozhen broke the norm and, as a child from a humble background, stood out among many talented youngsters from prominent families, joining the Canglang Camp.

Three days ago, all five armies held a full-scale military drill.

This martial arts competition boasts abundant rewards. Those who distinguish themselves in battle may even receive a reward of one Yùn Yuán Dān.

Yunyuan Pill, a top-grade elixir among common elixirs, is an invaluable treasure.

In the martial arts competition, Luo Zheng risked his life and achieved the first merit. The reward of Yin Yuan Dan undoubtedly belongs to him.

But because of this, Luo Zheng also attracted the attention of Xiao Han, a noble descendant, who demanded that he relinquish his first achievement.

Xiao Han, a valiant soldier from the Wolf Fang Camp, came from the esteemed Xiao clan. His father was even a general in the Hundred Battles Dynasty. In the camp, he had always been domineering and arrogant. After Luo Zheng outright refused him, he dispatched his confidants to secretly capture Luo Zheng and bring him out of the camp, tying him up to this stone pillar.

To kill Luo Zheng and steal the Yunyuan Pill!

"I can't die, I won't accept my fate…"

At this moment, Luo Zheng, who had fainted, suddenly let out a murmur of unwillingness.

The wounds on his body continuously oozed, however, they didn't seep into the ground but were instead absorbed by the massive stone pillar behind him.

This stone pillar, like a demonic fiend, constantly devours, incredibly eerie!

(Editor in charge：stephen king novels)