The sun was higher than before, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, creating golden patches on the floor.
Seeing Cao Dan's worried expression, Liu Yi said in a deep voice, "You don't need to worry about the Xie family besieging Kuang Weiwei. Commissioner Liu has already given the order, and the commendation order should have reached the front lines by now."
Hearing this, Cao Dan breathed a sigh of relief.
But he quickly thought of another problem.
"If I go to the Personnel Bureau this time, who will take over the Independent Platoon?" Cao Dan asked.
Cao Dan knew that the Independent Platoon was originally established by the Xie family out of respect for Liu He.
It was a special unit, essentially only affiliated with the Twelfth Reclamation Regiment.
Now that Cao Dan was being transferred, the future of the Independent Platoon was uncertain.
"This is a matter for the legion; you don't need to worry about it personally," Liu Yi said indifferently, not caring about these rank-and-file soldiers.
"How can I not worry about it? I must finish what I start," Cao Dan said in a deep voice.
"These brothers in the Independent Platoon were all recruited by me one by one. Now I've failed in my duty and been punished, and I'm just leaving. What will become of them? How will I face the military from now on?"
He paused, then continued, "Please, sir, make proper arrangements for them."
"Cao Dan, don't be presumptuous." Liu Yi's face darkened, his voice growing cold. "Commissioner Liu admires you. Because of you, he mobilized at least two Silver-level hunter families. He's a magnanimous leader, but you should also understand his difficulties." "
There are thousands upon thousands of soldiers in the army. How can we take care of everyone?"
The wind outside the window gradually subsided, and the curtains stopped swaying.
"A drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude." Cao Dan was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Liu Yi's arm. "
Cao Dan dares not forget Commissioner Liu's kindness, but my subordinates are all good soldiers. Which one of them doesn't have more than ten years of military service? They all serve under Commissioner Liu, working for Maral Town. Please take care of them, sir."
Liu Yi saw that Cao Dan was covered in wounds, but his eyes were resolute, and his words were firm. He couldn't help but be moved.
After a brief standoff, Liu Yi sighed. "There are too many people; we'll have to break them up and integrate them into other teams."
"Not enough," Cao Dan shook his head.
"Cao Dan, you mustn't be ungrateful!" Liu Yi's voice rose again, a flash of anger in his eyes.
"The Independent Platoon is being disbanded. How will our previous military merits be settled?" Cao Dan continued, completely ignoring Liu Yi's anger. "I think this is too unfair to them. Although I come from a shantytown, I don't want to see anyone denied even the chance to try."
He took a deep breath and stated his true request: "I hope they can receive a professional's inheritance."
"Cao Dan, are you crazy!" Liu Yi grabbed Cao Dan's arm and scolded, "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"
A professional's inheritance is one of the most precious resources in this world.
In the wasteland, knowledge is power, and the knowledge of professionals is the power of power.
Every professional's inheritance is priceless and firmly controlled by various families and forces.
Ordinary soldiers only have two ways to obtain a professional's inheritance: either make great contributions and exchange them for military merits. They either rely on their qualifications or the recommendation of powerful figures to join a faction and become its vassals.
"The online officer exchange platform has a military merit exchange catalog," Liu Yi said. "This is the fastest way for them to acquire professional knowledge."
"Military merit doesn't count, how do we exchange for inheritance?" Cao Dan grabbed Liu Yi's arm, which he was trying to pull away, and gritted his teeth.
"I've checked the relevant regulations of Maral Town. As long as there's authorization from a member of the Supreme Committee, professional knowledge below the intermediate level can be passed down within a small circle."
Cao Dan's voice grew increasingly firm: "The Independent Platoon has 48 people, which is exactly within the 50-person limit, so it meets the regulations. There's no need to go to the Intellectual Property Office. Over the years, I've worked my way up, and I have several low-level professional inheritances. As long as Committee Member Liu approves..."
Liu Yi was stunned.
He hadn't expected Cao Dan to have studied the regulations so thoroughly, even finding a legal way.
Moreover, Cao Dan's willingness to offer his inheritance shocked him even more.
In this world, inheritance is a trump card, a guarantee of strength; few people are willing to share their inheritance with others.
...
Leaving the hospital, Liu Yi's thoughts drifted.
The sunlight outside was dazzling, and he couldn't help but squint.
The streets were bustling with people, all busy with their tasks.
There were soldiers in uniform, workers in overalls, and he looked towards the outer areas further away, where many ragged residents were busy at work…
Liu Yi didn't know what he was thinking, that he had actually agreed to Cao Dan's request.
"What's wrong with me?" he muttered to himself.
But how should he tell Liu He about this? "
A low-ranking officer passing on professional skills to rank-and-file soldiers, this is truly an exception.
If this precedent is set, morale in the army will be unstable. "
The more Liu Yi thought about it, the more his head ached.
…
Forest Control Center, the highest leader's office.
Liu Yi knocked on the door.
"Come in." Liu He's voice came from inside.
Liu Yi pushed the door open and saw Liu He sitting upright in a chair, holding a walnut-sized monster crystal core in each hand.
The crystal core emitted a faint glow, and rich life energy was drawn from the crystal core and absorbed into Liu He's body.
Liu He was enveloped in a hazy blue light, like an immortal.
"So long?" Liu He opened his eyes and looked at Liu Yi. "Is something wrong with the Xie family?"
"No," Liu Yi shook his head. "The military order was given, and there's been no movement by now. The Xie family must have withdrawn."
He paused, then continued, "But what about Cao Dan..."
Liu Yi relayed Cao Dan's exact words to Liu He.
A strange light flashed in Liu He's eyes after hearing this.
He put down the crystal core in his hand, and the azure light gradually dissipated.
"Summon Cao Dan."
...
D District Reclamation Area, rear area, defense forces.
Kuang Weiwei's camp, tea room.
The tea room was elegantly decorated, with several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls and a soft carpet on the floor.
A small stove sat in the center, with a teapot on it, the water boiling and making a "bubbling" sound.
Two women sat on either side of the stove.
Charcoal burned in the stove, emitting the unique aroma of oak.
Kuang Weiwei handed the tea to Zhu Hanhong, smiling, and said, "Sister Zhu, don't worry, Cao Dan is very lucky."
This was the first time Zhu Hanhong had met Kuang Weiwei.
Of course, Zhu Hanhong knew that Cao Dan had such a woman outside.
If it weren't for Kuang Weiwei's intervention to release the mental energy binding them, they would probably have had a lot more trouble.
Zhu Hanhong picked up her teacup, took a sip, and looked at the other woman.
Kuang Weiwei was wearing a military uniform, but it couldn't hide her beauty.
She held the teacup, her legs slightly bent, her posture elegant.
At her feet lay a small beast, its body golden, its fur smooth and shiny, as if cast from gold.
The beast had its eyes closed, seemingly asleep, but occasionally it would twitch its ears, clearly alert to the surrounding movements.
The two women chatted casually, the atmosphere quite harmonious.
Just then, Zhu Hanhong's officer terminal suddenly rang.
She looked down, and the screen displayed a few words:
[Don't worry, I'll pick you up after I've finished here.]
Almost simultaneously, Kuang Weiwei's officer terminal also rang.
She picked it up and glanced at it; the screen displayed:
[Weiwei, thank you.] "Here's the mecha for you. We'll meet again soon."
Needless to say, this was a message from Cao Dan.
The two women reacted differently upon seeing the message.
Zhu Hanhong smiled, the worry in his eyes finally dissipating.
Kuang Weiwei did the same.
"Looks like he's alright," Zhu Hanhong breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes," Kuang Weiwei nodded, "I knew it, he's incredibly lucky."
The two women exchanged a smile.
In the corridor of the hospital, Cao Dan, dressed in a clean military uniform—sent by Liu Yi—was walking slowly.
Although his injuries hadn't fully healed, he was at least able to move normally.
He took out his officer's terminal and sent messages to Zhu Hanhong and Kuang Weiwei to let them know he was safe. On the walls along the corridor hung propaganda posters
about survival rules in the wasteland world,
including slogans like "Beware of Mutant Creatures," "Save Every Drop of Water," and "Unity is Strength." Cao Dan walked slowly, partly because his body hadn't fully recovered, and partly because he was contemplating what he would face next. Liu He wanted to see him—what did that mean? Was it to give him a new mission? Or to hold him accountable? Or because of the request he had made to Liu Yi earlier? Whatever the reason, he had to face it. Soon, he arrived at the main building of the Forest Control Center. The five-story building, its exterior constructed of high-strength gray concrete incorporating special alloys, exuded a sturdy and austere presence. The flag of Maral Town fluttered atop the building, its color particularly vibrant in the setting sun. Cao Dan entered the building and took the elevator to Liu He's office floor. The corridor was quiet, only the echo of his footsteps reverberating. He reached the office door, his hand just raised to knock. "Come in," came Liu He's voice from inside. Cao Dan hesitated for a moment, then pushed open the door. He had just looked at Liu He, one foot still inside, when suddenly, his consciousness seemed to be pulled away, and the whole world changed. Liu He sat in a liver-colored chair, slowly turning his head, two balls of azure flame suddenly leaping from his eyes. The flames danced within their sockets like living beings, radiating a terrifying pressure. "What is this?" Cao Dan was startled. The next second, his consciousness was completely pulled into another world. A world filled with azure flames. The sky was blue, the earth was blue, even the air was blue. In the center of this world stood a colossal figure. The figure was hundreds of meters tall, its entire body wreathed in blue flames, like a fire giant. Dragons constantly swirled around it, weaving through the flames and emitting roars. "What...what is this?" Cao Dan was speechless with shock. Although he couldn't see the face clearly, Cao Dan could sense that it was Liu He. The fire giant stood tall and imposing, reaching out a hand. A blue dragon shadow immediately flew out from its body, circling its arm and spiraling upwards. "Roar!!!" The dragon's roar resounded through the heavens and earth, making Cao Dan see stars. The dragon shadow grew larger and larger, lunging towards Cao Dan's back. Cao Dan instinctively turned around. Behind him, he saw a gigantic, faceless white face that had appeared out of nowhere. The white face was over ten meters tall, without features, only a huge mouth, open, ready to devour Cao Dan. "This is...left behind by that white-robed man!" Cao Dan instantly understood. When Liu Yi rescued him, he hastily dealt with the methods left behind by the Silver-level hunter, but not completely, leaving remnants in his consciousness. The azure dragon head directly covered his face and bit off the faceless white face. "Ah!!!" The faceless white face let out a shrill scream, the sound like fingernails scraping glass, sending chills down one's spine. The dragon head did not pause at all, biting down hard. "Bang!" In an instant, the faceless white face shattered into countless fragments emitting white light, dissipating in the air. "Roar!!!" Another dragon roar, and the flying dragon shadows moved quickly, opening their mouths to swallow all the white light. Cao Dan came back to his senses and found himself still standing at the door, maintaining the posture he had just taken when he entered. Only a layer of fine sweat was running down his neck, and his clothes were soaked. He raised his hand to touch the back of his neck, his hand was full of sweat. "Just now... what exactly happened?" he wondered to himself. Looking at Liu He again, he saw that Liu He's expression was normal, reviewing documents, as if nothing had just happened. "Cao Dan, please sit down." Liu He put away his pen, placed a document aside, and looked up at Cao Dan. His eyes were normal, showing no abnormality. "Thank you for your help, sir." Cao Dan quickly saluted and sat down on the sofa. However, he hadn't fully recovered from the strange experience, and his heart was still pounding. "Sir, was that faceless giant face a Silver-rank hunter's technique?" Cao Dan asked subconsciously. "Yes, that's right." Liu He nodded. "Was that a psychic's technique?" Cao Dan continued to ask. In his understanding, only a psychic could leave an illusion in one's mind. "No, it was a martial artist's technique." Liu He said calmly. "What?" Cao Dan exclaimed in astonishment, "Leaving an illusion in one's mind, isn't that a psychic's technique?"
"Not so," Liu He shook his head. "Martial artists can also inflict mental attacks. The path of martial arts extends from body to mind, and the method of internal energy progresses from form to the Dao."
Upon hearing this, Cao Dan immediately recalled the contents of the *King of Soldiers' Manual*.
The third part of the *King of Soldiers' Manual*, "Six Essentials of Using Qi," discussed six advanced uses of internal energy in martial arts.
The most basic skill in controlling internal energy is called "Form Use," such as transforming energy into blades, armor, ropes, or wings.
It can be strong enough to split mountains and shatter rocks, or soft enough to wrap around fingers.
This stage corresponds to beginner and intermediate martial artists. Simply put, it is the use of controlling and changing the physical form of internal energy; the off-body fluctuation is an example of this.
The second stage of using internal energy is called "Substance Use," which is the transformation of energy properties and the change of material state.
This means moving beyond ordinary physical form changes and achieving a change in attributes.
At this stage, the attributes of internal energy vary depending on individual characteristics.
For example, internal energy can be transformed into metal energy, which, when condensed, is incomparably sharp; or into fire energy, which, when scorched, can melt iron and smelt gold...
This stage still corresponds to intermediate martial artists, but the strength of intermediate martial artists at this stage far surpasses that of martial artists who cannot yet master the changes in the attributes of their internal energy.
The next application of internal energy is even more powerful, called "Image Application," also known as "Transformation of Image."
It imitates the myriad phenomena of heaven and earth, and reflects the mutual generation and restraint of all things.
Thinking of this, Cao Dan asked, "What you said, sir, is that martial artists can make mental attacks, or is it the transformation of internal energy into image?"
"That's right." Liu He nodded approvingly, "It seems that your cultivation of the 'King of Soldiers' Technique' is quite good."
After saying that, he raised his hand, revealing his palm.
A dark blue dragon shadow was seen swimming in his palm, as if it were alive, lifelike.
The dragon shadow was only as thick as a finger, but the pressure it emitted made Cao Dan feel suffocated.
Liu He casually pointed.
In Cao Dan's vision, a ferocious dragon face suddenly appeared.
The dragon's face seemed to emerge from the void, its bluish-black scales shimmering with a metallic sheen, and its eyes, like two enormous lanterns, emitted an eerie green light.
As his perspective widened, Cao Dan felt himself shrinking infinitely, while the bluish-black dragon face magnified infinitely.
Finally, the dragon face filled his entire field of vision, like the entire starry sky pressing down on him.
Faced with this strange phenomenon, he was utterly powerless to resist, unable even to twitch a finger.
In an instant, the dragon face vanished.
But the oppressive feeling remained, making it difficult for Cao Dan to breathe, his internal energy stagnating and unable to circulate.
"This is your inner energy manifestation, sir," Cao Dan said, catching his breath. "It's incredible."
He paused, then asked, "How can one cultivate to master this manifestation?"
"Cultivating the manifestation is difficult, but not impossible," Liu He smiled. "Practice step by step. After reaching the intermediate level of martial arts, a martial artist can attempt to manifest their inner energy. However, whether one can succeed depends on the individual. Some achieve enlightenment in a single day, while others never make any progress in their entire lives."
"My lord is wise and powerful, and I am foolish. I hope you can guide me," Cao Dan said respectfully.
"You have already embarked on the path of manifestation," Liu He said. "Moreover, your inner energy manifestation can be even faster, but you don't seem to want this opportunity."
"My lord, I am willing!" Cao Dan quickly replied.
Being able to quickly master the inner energy manifestation was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Then hurry up and get in," Liu He said. "After joining the Personnel Bureau, its members have one opportunity to use the Inner Room every year. You submit the report, I'll approve the slip, and it can be done today."
"But sir, what about my brothers..." Cao Dan hesitated.
"Can I understand that I'm giving you benefits, and you're making demands instead?" Liu He suddenly said coldly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
"I wouldn't dare!" Cao Dan immediately stood up and said.
The atmosphere in the office suddenly became heavy.
"Hehe." Liu He suddenly laughed, "After background checks, it's not impossible to bestow professional inheritance upon your subordinates."
He changed the subject and continued, "However, the task I'm giving you is going to be even more difficult. Are you prepared?"
A difficult task mentioned by someone like Liu He must be extremely challenging.
Without hesitation, Cao Dan agreed immediately: "Your subordinate will follow your lead."
"Very good." Liu He nodded in satisfaction. "After you take office, go back to the inner city of Maral Town and find Liu Xiao of the Personnel Bureau. You only have one month. Whether you can master the transformation of inner energy into form depends on yourself."
As he spoke, he tore two sheets of paper from his notebook and threw them to Cao Dan.
Cao Dan quickly caught them and looked down.
One was a special permit granted to the entire Independent Platoon for professional inheritance, and the other was a permit to enter the Inner Formation Chamber.
"After you have finished cultivating the transformation of inner energy into form, someone will contact you." Liu He finished speaking, waved his hand, and said, "Go."
"Yes!" Cao Dan was extremely excited. His posture trembled, and he quickly saluted before turning to leave.
After the door closed, the office fell silent again.
Liu He sat in his chair, and suddenly a blue dragon shadow appeared around him.
The dragon shadow spiraled upwards, and finally its head floated on his shoulder, opening its mouth and spitting out a beam of white light.
The white light landed in front of Liu He and immediately transformed into a faceless white snake, writhing and hissing.
"So it's you." Liu He sneered.
Cao Dan walked out of the office and let out a long sigh of relief.
The corridor was unusually quiet. He looked down at the two pieces of paper in his hand: one was a transfer order, and the other was an approval document for entering the Inner Qi Transformation Chamber.
"Inner Qi Transformation..." he murmured.
This was a realm that martial artists dreamed of, and he never expected to have the opportunity to approach it so soon.
He found Liu Yi in the corridor, who was talking to several officers.
"Commander Liu Yi." Cao Dan walked up to him.
"Cao Dan?" Liu Yi turned around. "How did it go? What did Commissioner Liu say?"
"Commander Liu has approved it." Cao Dan lowered his voice. "The matter of bestowing professional inheritance upon all the soldiers of the Independent Platoon."
Liu Yi nodded: "The Political Department will soon conduct background checks on the officers and soldiers of the Independent Platoon. It will be quick, and the results should be available in about three days."
"Three days?" Cao Dan was somewhat surprised. "So fast?"
"This was personally approved by Commissioner Liu. The Political Department dared not neglect it." Liu Yi said. "Don't worry, your brothers will be fine."
"Thank you, sir." Cao Dan said sincerely.
"Don't thank me, thank Commissioner Liu," Liu Yi waved his hand. "Also, be careful yourself. The Bureau of Personnel is a deep and murky place, not as simple as you think."
"I understand," Cao Dan nodded.
It was already evening when they left the government building.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the Forestry Prevention Center buildings, gilding these austere structures with a layer of gold.
The streets were gradually filling with people.
There were staff leaving work, patrolling soldiers, and some vendors setting up stalls.
Cao Dan headed straight for the Muxianglou.
Located in a bustling area of the outer town of Malaer, the Muxianglou stood out prominently in the setting sun.
Cao Dan pushed open the door and entered.
The lobby on the first floor was spacious, with a wooden stage in the center where many dancers were performing.
They wore light gauze dresses and danced gracefully to the music.
Beside the stage, many veiled women were playing musical instruments.
The melodious music and crisp strings complemented the dancers' movements perfectly.
The hall wasn't too crowded yet, with small groups sitting at tables, listening to music, drinking, and eating.
It wasn't until nightfall that it truly came alive. As
soon as Cao Dan entered, before he could find anyone from Muxianglou, Teng Lingxiang approached.
She was still dressed the same: gray hair, dark red eyes, a black ribbon around her neck, and a long, off-the-shoulder dress.
Seeing Cao Dan, she looked surprised: "I thought you wouldn't come for a few more days. I didn't expect your injuries to heal so quickly."
"Almost, almost dead," Cao Dan sighed.
This mission to procure ingredients for the Son of Dawn was a secret task assigned to Cao Dan by Liu He.
Officially, Cao Dan was dismissed for dereliction of duty.
In reality, Cao Dan believed the mission had failed.
Having escaped with his life, he didn't dare mention the mission failure, and Liu He didn't ask.
However, as Liu He's designated contact person for the Son of Dawn, Cao Dan still steeled himself and came to Muxianglou.
Teng Lingxiang led Cao Dan upstairs to a luxurious private room.
Madam Weiran was already waiting.
She wore a long purple dress, breathtakingly beautiful, the hem embroidered with gold patterns, and a large gemstone adorned her chest, shimmering under the lights.
Madam Weiran, with her voluptuous figure, sat gracefully in a chair, rising slightly as Cao Dan entered.
The curves of her chest became even more pronounced, swaying mesmerizingly.
"Commander Cao, please have a seat," she said, gesturing with her hand, her voice soft and alluring.
Cao Dan walked to the sofa and sat down, noticing a storage chip on the coffee table.
"I heard Commander Cao is interested in the Forest Surveillance Bureau's biological weapons," Madam Weiran said with a smile. "This is a complete set of biological weapon data, though an older version. I hope you'll accept it."
Cao Dan's heart skipped a beat.
Biological weapon data—this was valuable.
"Thank you very much," Cao Dan said, picking up the chip and putting it in his pocket.
He had initially wanted to offer some self-reflection, acknowledging his shortcomings in ensuring the supplies during the handover.
However, considering he represented Liu He, he decided against admitting fault and losing face.
Seeing that Cao Dan had accepted the gift, Madam Weiran clapped her hands.
Teng Lingxiang entered carrying a wooden box and placed it on the tea table in front of Cao Dan.
"Commander Cao was attacked by a Silver-level hunter and seriously injured while fighting for the ingredients," Madam Weiran said.
"We feel deeply indebted. This is a Meridian Opening Pill, made by a renowned spiritualist from Dongji City. It's highly beneficial to martial artists; please accept it."
Cao Dan picked up the box, intending to open it, but then stopped himself.
He represented Liu He; how could he open a gift in front of him? It would be beneath him.
"I feel unworthy," Cao Dan said, accepting the box.
"Not at all," Madam Weiran quickly replied, "If Commander Cao hadn't risked his life to stop the raiders, how could we have held out until the two generals arrived and retrieved the ingredients?"
"The two generals?" Cao Dan was taken aback.
How come he didn't know?
Liu He and Liu Yi hadn't told him either.
Upon hearing this, Madam Weiran thought she had been disrespectful to Madam Liu, and quickly explained, "It was Weiran who was being presumptuous. With General Liu Chuai in front, the colonel from the Xie family naturally dared not address him as a general."
"A senior colonel from the Xie family?" Cao Dan thought to himself, "Could it be Xie Xunyi?"
Within the military, there's an unwritten rule that a senior colonel with the strength of a silver-level hunter is equivalent to a brigadier general.
Of course, the brigadier general rank doesn't exist in the Maral Town army.
Below major general is senior colonel.
Cao Dan felt his information seemed to be on a different wavelength from the beautiful woman before him.
"I hope Commander Cao will put in a good word for you with Commissioner Liu He in the future," Madam Wei Ran personally offered, serving a cup of tea.
"Of course, of course," Cao Dan readily agreed.
...
After leaving the Muxiang Tower, it was completely dark.
The streetlights illuminated the street.
A maglev car was parked on the side of the road, its body black and without any markings.
The window rolled down, revealing Liu Yi's face.
Liu Yi's voice came through the built-in channel: "The special plane has arrived. Commissioner Liu has arranged for you to board immediately and report to the Inner City Personnel Bureau."
Cao Dan immediately got into the car and asked, "Sir, why so fast?"
"You really don't know how lucky you are," Liu Yi said irritably. "Do you know that the Image Room in the Personnel Bureau isn't something just anyone can use? It's a strategic resource, and only a handful of people can use it each year."
"I understand," Cao Dan nodded.
He took out a storage chip from his pocket and handed it to Liu Yi: "Please pass these on to my family member, Zhu Han Hong. Inside are the professional inheritances and personal cultivation insights I've collected over the years."
He paused and continued, "Don't worry, they're all basic inheritances, nothing else."
"I understand," Liu Yi took the chip and nodded.
Soon, the two arrived at the Forest Control Center's airport.
The airport was located on the north side of the Forest Control Center, on a wide open lawn.
A small, long, narrow spaceship was parked on the lawn.
The spaceship was entirely silver-white, with a streamlined shape that looked incredibly futuristic.
Blue dragon patterns, the Liu family crest, were painted on its hull.
"Go up yourself," Liu Yi said, pointing to the hatch.
"Yes, sir," Cao Dan nodded, turning to walk towards the spaceship.
The hatch slowly opened, revealing soft lighting inside.
Cao Dan took a deep breath and stepped inside.
This was his first time riding a spaceship in the wasteland.
The interior wasn't large, probably only accommodating a dozen or so people.
But it was luxuriously decorated, with walls upholstered in soft leather and thick carpets on the floor.
The seats were genuine leather and very comfortable.
Each seat had a small screen for watching movies or looking up information.
Cao Dan found a window seat, fastened his seatbelt, and sat down.
"Welcome aboard the Liu family's private jet," a mechanical voice announced. "This journey is estimated to take thirty minutes. Please fasten your seatbelt and have a pleasant trip."
"Buzz!!"
The spaceship's engines started, emitting a deep hum.
Then, the spaceship slowly ascended.
Cao Dan looked down through the window.
The forest control center's buildings gradually shrank, eventually becoming tiny dots.
The spaceship first passed through the Bone-Chilling Forest.
That vast forest resembled a black ocean in the night, its towering trees like giant pillars supporting the sky.
Occasionally, luminous creatures could be seen flitting through the trees like fireflies.
Next came the Wasteland.
It was a desolate land, the ground cracked and barren.
Occasionally, the ruins of abandoned buildings could be seen, remnants of an old era.
Mutant creatures roamed the wasteland, their eyes gleaming with an eerie green light in the night.
Then came the shantytown of the outer city of Maral.
It was a dense cluster of makeshift houses, like an anthill.
Most of the houses were built of planks and sheet metal, looking dilapidated.
The streets were narrow and filthy, littered with garbage and sewage.
Yet, even in such an environment, countless people still lived here.
Finally, the spaceship flew over the inner city.
The inner city presented a stark contrast to the outer city.
Here, the buildings were tall and orderly, and the streets were wide and clean.
Everywhere was illuminated, making the entire inner city as bright as day.
Skyscrapers stood side by side, their glass curtain walls reflecting the lights like giant jewels.
Maglev vehicles moved back and forth on the streets in perfect order.
People, dressed in elegant clothes, strolled leisurely along the streets.
This was the true center of power.
After being cleared by ground troops, the spaceship slowly landed on a helipad in the inner city.
The helipad was large, with many spaceships of various sizes, all private ships belonging to prominent families.
The hatch opened, and Cao Dan stepped out.
A cool night breeze blew in.
As soon as he stepped off the gangway, he found four or five men and women waiting for him.
They were all impeccably dressed, exuding an air of wealth and power.
The leader was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a black, ornate robe with a dragon pattern embroidered on the collar, exuding an air of nobility.
However, the look in his eyes as he glanced at Cao Dan was hostile.
"Who are you?" the young man said coldly. "How dare you ride on my Liu family's airship?"
Cao Dan's heart sank, but he maintained a calm facade: "I am Cao Dan, a Grand Captain under Liu He, ordered to return to the city."
"Ordered by my third brother?" the young man sneered. "What proof do you have?"
Cao Dan was about to pull out a document in Liu He's own handwriting when he saw the young man's lips curl into a slight smile.
That smile held a hint of smugness.
Alarm bells rang in Cao Dan's mind.
If he produced Liu He's handwritten document, the other party might accuse him of forgery and arrest him.
Even if Liu He intervened, that would be a matter for later.
Thinking this, Cao Dan suddenly stopped and turned to leave.
"Stop!" The young man's expression changed when he saw Cao Dan about to leave.
He hadn't expected this old man from the shantytown to be so vigilant.
"Men!" he said coldly, "Take him down!"
Armed men patrolling nearby immediately approached and, without a word, surrounded Cao Dan.
These men, dressed in black combat uniforms and carrying stun guns, were highly trained.
Before Cao Dan could move, they had already formed a circle around him, trapping him in the center.
Cao Dan knew he'd been set up.
He calmly scanned his surroundings, quickly considering his options.
These armed men were professionals, quite skilled.
If he fought them head-on, he might not win.
Moreover, this was the inner city, Liu's territory. If things escalated, it would be detrimental to him.
"I am a subordinate of Committee Member Liu He," Cao Dan said in a deep voice. "Are you sure you want to make a move?" "
A subordinate of Committee Member Liu He?" the leading young man sneered. "Then you need to investigate even more thoroughly. What if you're an imposter?"
He waved his hand: "Take him down!"
The armed men immediately stepped forward, preparing to arrest Cao Dan.
A night breeze blew across the helipad, carrying the distinctive scent of grass and trees characteristic of the inner city.
Armed men surrounded Cao Dan, their stun guns glowing blue in the darkness.
Cao Dan stood motionless, his thoughts churning.
His trip was semi-secret.
Besides Liu He and Liu Yi, no one else knew about the arrangements.
Even if someone leaked the news of Cao Dan's arrival in the inner city, the information could only come from Liu He and Liu Yi.
Liu He wouldn't do that.
Liu Yi shouldn't either, but these people blocking his way were from the Liu family.
The Liu family, the most powerful family in Maral Town, was unfathomable.
Someone like Cao Dan had no way of knowing their inner workings.
Cao Dan didn't intend to delve into this matter; it would be pointless and might even unearth a bunch of messy affairs, entangle him in something else entirely.
The most important thing now was to report for duty and enter the Inner City.
He remembered Liu He saying that once he arrived in the inner city, he should find Liu Xiao of the Bureau of Personnel.
Without a second thought, Cao Dan's wrist glowed with a deep blue mechanical light. His officer's terminal automatically lit up, displaying a communication page and dialing Liu Xiao's channel.
Before the armed personnel could move, Cao Dan calmly raised his wrist.
"This is Liu Xiao,"
he said in a deep, authoritative voice.
"This is Cao Dan," Cao Dan said calmly into his wrist. "I'm at the East District's No. 1 helipad. I'm in a bit of trouble."
Upon hearing this, the voice on the other end of the communication suddenly rose, "Who dares to obstruct the Personnel Bureau's work in the inner city?"
Cao Dan remained unfazed and continued reporting, "The leader is dressed in fine clothes, with a dragon pattern on his uniform."
"Insolence! Tell him to come over here and obey!"
The voice echoed through the terminal, circling the open area of the helipad.
The young man from the Liu family, who was in the lead, had obviously heard it too, and his expression immediately changed, a hint of unease appearing on his brow.
Behind him, a woman with long, purple-streaked hair approached him coldly and whispered, "Brother Shu, just do it. The patrols nearby have all been replaced by my family's men. No one saw anything here."
Liu Shu frowned, about to speak.
Liu Xiao's voice boomed from the other end of the communicator, even louder than before, "Why hasn't this little brat arrived yet! Activate video communication!"
"Yes, sir." Cao Dan glanced at Liu Shu, raised his wrist, and placed his fingers on the screen, making a gesture to activate a video call.
This seemingly casual action was noticed by Liu Shu, whose expression instantly changed. Without hesitation, he turned and left.
The men and women following him were stunned. They exchanged glances, then looked at Cao Dan, and finally followed Liu Shu back.
The woman with purple-streaked hair pouted and reluctantly waved to the group of armed personnel behind her. The armed personnel immediately dispersed.
The helipad returned to silence, save for the low hum of the spaceship's engines cooling down in the distance.
Cao Dan spoke into the terminal, "Sir, they've dispersed."
"I've sent you the location. Hurry up and come to the bureau," Liu Xiao urged, his tone utterly unfriendly.
"Yes, sir."
Cao Dan shut down the communication and, following the location, headed towards the Bureau of Personnel.
...
The Bureau of Personnel was located on the east side of the inner city, occupying a secluded area.
A towering red wall could be seen in the distance, its thick bricks and somber color conveying a sense of antiquity.
As Cao Dan approached, he realized the wall was five or six meters high, its top fitted with a row of sensors. Every few steps, a rotating surveillance camera hung at the corner, providing a complete view.
On either side of the wall were irregularly shaped patches of green lawn. This grass wasn't ordinary; the edges of its leaves shimmered slightly, like some genetically modified variety, its color a deep, almost dark green, gleaming with a cold, eerie light in the night.
In front of the gate was a large, open expanse of white marble bricks, the cracks between the bricks so clean that not a speck of dust could be seen, as if someone swept it daily.
Reaching the gate, the view suddenly opened up.
Inside was a large complex of buildings, with blue glazed tiles and pale yellow walls, exuding a dignified and composed air under the lights.
Several magnetically powered vehicles were parked in front of the gate, their designs understated, all uniformly black and dark gray, lacking any family crests, but their sleek lines suggested considerable value.
Surprisingly, there were very few people coming and going; only a few occasionally entered or exited through the gate, their steps hurried, their expressions solemn, their eyes fixed straight ahead.
Cao Dan stopped at the gatekeeper's station and showed his officer's terminal.
The gatekeeper, a middle-aged man with an expressionless face, took the terminal, glanced at it, and then pointed to the identity verification station beside him without speaking.
The verification station was a vertical scanning device, entirely silver-white, about two meters high, with densely packed sensor dots embedded in its surface.
Cao Dan walked up, and two blue beams of light slowly swept over him from head to toe, pausing for about three seconds. A line of green characters appeared on the terminal:
[Identity verified – Cao Dan, Senior Captain]
The door slowly opened.
Stepping inside, the atmosphere abruptly changed.
Outside, the night breeze carried the scent of grass and trees, and the distant clamor of the city drifted in.
Inside, there was nothing.
The corridor was extremely wide, over four meters high, with long, cool white light strips embedded in the ceiling, providing even, shadowless illumination that clearly showed the walls.
The walls were all made of high-strength cement, appearing ordinary, but upon closer inspection, the surface was inlaid with a layer of fine, bluish-black metal wires, woven into a mesh structure almost invisible to the naked eye.
The metal wires shimmered subtly under the light, like fish scales swimming in deep water.
Every room on either side of the corridor was tightly shut, not a sound escaping through the cracks.
Occasionally, one could see various numbers on the doors, but no names or descriptions; if one wasn't familiar with the area, they would have no idea what lay inside.
The entire corridor was deserted.
Footsteps echoed clearly on the floor, sounding both empty and oppressive.
Following Liu Xiao's directions, Cao Dan took the internal elevator to the top floor and headed towards the far east end.
At the end of the corridor stood a heavy wooden door with a plaque:
[Office of the Director of the Personnel Bureau].
Cao Dan was stunned.
The Director?
The middle-aged man who had been cursing on the phone was actually the highest-ranking official in the Personnel Bureau?
He straightened his uniform and knocked.
"Come in." He
pushed the door open.
The office was spacious and clean, simply furnished, without any unnecessary decorations.
Bookshelves stood against the wall, filled with various documents and materials, each stack neatly arranged, not a single one out of place.
On the desk were only a terminal screen, a pen holder, and several documents being reviewed.
A middle-aged man sat behind the desk, his face refined, wearing black-rimmed glasses, a white shirt with a neat collar and rolled-up cuffs.
A military uniform jacket hung on a rack beside him, bearing the epaulettes of a major general.
The roaring voice on the phone earlier had actually come from this man.
"This humble servant, Cao Dan, greets the Director." Cao Dan stood at attention, saluted, and handed over Liu He's handwritten letter.
Liu Xiao took it, glanced at it briefly, and without examining it closely, handed it back to Cao Dan, saying in a deep voice, "You are Cao Dan."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you immediately activate visual communication when someone tried to stop you?" Liu Xiao raised his eyes, his gaze behind his glasses calm but scrutinizing.
"This humble servant didn't have time," Cao Dan quickly replied.
"You're a mechanic, using a communication device, isn't it a bit too late?" Liu Xiao glanced at him, a glint of light reflecting off his glasses. His voice wasn't loud, but it grew increasingly cold and stern. "Afraid of running into someone from the Liu family, making things difficult?"
Cao Dan stood at attention, saluted, and said nothing more.
Liu Xiao looked at him for a moment, then looked away and snorted coldly:
"The Civil Service Bureau isn't that complicated."
He picked up the remote control and pointed it at the ceiling.
A projection fell from the ceiling, the image clear:
a young man was being held by two law enforcement officers in black uniforms, repeatedly shouting into the body camera:
"Second Uncle, spare me! Spare me!"
The face was none other than Liu Shu, who had blocked his way on the tarmac.
"This idiot." Liu Xiao pressed the remote control again, and the projection turned off.
He put down the remote control, looked at Cao Dan, and his tone returned to calm: "Once you're in the Personnel Bureau, you must follow the rules here. If you encounter such useless people again, arrest them on the spot. If anyone dares to obstruct you, notify the Officer Supervision Department of the Personnel Bureau directly."
"Yes, Director." "
Liu He told me about your situation, and I've arranged for the Organization Department to handle your onboarding procedures." Liu Xiao paused, "The most urgent matter is your application for the use of the Inner Image Room. There are several people ahead of you in the queue."
As he said this, his eyes lowered slightly, looking at Cao Dan, without continuing.
That silence seemed to be waiting for a reaction.
Cao Dan, startled by this look, quickly spoke: "Director, how much longer do I have to wait?"
"At least three weeks." Liu Xiao said expressionlessly.
"Commissioner Liu He wrote a letter instructing me to use the Inner Image Room immediately after reporting for duty." Cao Dan stood up, saluted again, his voice not loud, but clear and firm.
Liu Xiao didn't speak, just quietly looked at him.
After a moment, a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Alright, that's how it should be," he said. "You have to fight for what's yours. Don't wait until next time before you even arrive to call me. The Personnel Bureau can't afford that kind of
embarrassment." Liu Xiao paused, glancing at Cao Dan's collar, where bandages were faintly visible. "I heard you're injured?"
"Yes, Director."
"Then there's nothing we can do. You have to go even if you're injured. Your qualification for the Inner Elephant Chamber has been approved, but whether you can use it immediately depends on your ability."
Cao Dan was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Whoever wins gets to use it first." Liu Xiao's voice was calm to the point of indifference. "You're a newcomer, and as the director, I'm giving
you a heads-up. There were two people who applied today: one is a member of a Standing Committee family, and the other is a direct descendant of a family with three Silver-level hunters." He raised his eyes. "The Inner Elephant Chamber is an extremely important resource in Maral Town. You saw it when you got off the spaceship, right? Everyone's scrambling to use it."
Cao Dan thought for a moment and said, "You mean, those people were all after the Inner Elephant Chamber?"
"Otherwise," Liu Xiao said calmly. "Get ready. The Inner Image Room opens at 8 PM. Go queue up now."
With that, he picked up his communicator and dialed an internal number: "Come to my office."
A moment later, a young man in a black suit knocked and entered, his expression efficient and his steps steady:
"Director, you called me."
"This is Cao Dan, a new recruit," Liu Xiao said. "Take him there."
"Yes," the young man responded, turning to Cao Dan and extending a hand in a gesture of invitation. "Please follow me."
Cao Dan followed, leaving the office and stepping back into the corridor.
The footsteps echoed between the dark metal walls.
Cao Dan didn't speak, but his mind was already racing.
A member of a Standing Committee family, a direct descendant of a Silver-level hunter family.
Either one of them would be a difficult case.
He glanced down at the terminal on his wrist; the screen displayed the time:
[19:41]
Nineteen minutes until 8 PM
The young man walked ahead at a leisurely pace, introducing himself as he went.
This young man was named Ling Jiao, the deputy director of the Organization Department of the Personnel Bureau. He came from the Ling family, a prominent family of the inner city's standing committee members, though he was a collateral branch.
Because Liu Xiao had personally arranged this, he was quite enthusiastic, introducing Cao Dan to the various aspects of the Personnel Bureau along the way.
The Personnel Bureau's main responsibilities were the selection, evaluation, and reward/punishment of military personnel. It had many sub-functions, such as the Inner Image Room, a strategic resource directly under its jurisdiction.
Military merit verification, rank promotion, and officer transfers all had to go through this department, making it a powerful department, but it had always maintained a low profile.
Along the way, Cao Dan passed a huge testing ground. Glass partitions separated the inside from the outside. Inside, the lights were bright, and many young people could be seen conducting various tests.
Some were facing off in front of high-voltage induction panels, some were running back and forth with sensors strapped to their bodies, and others were sitting at tables, detecting internal energy output on instruments, with data jumping in real time on the panels.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: twk.com (for finding good books in Taiwan, visit Taiwan Novel Network). It's super convenient!)
] "This is the reserve list test for military officers," Ling Jiao explained. "It mainly tests people with potential in the army or the inner city. Those who pass the test will be given priority for promotion and resource allocation."
Cao Dan glanced at it, said nothing, and followed.
Further on, the corridor began to slope downwards, the light strips on both sides turned a cold blue, and the dark blue-black metal wires on the walls became denser, making the corridor feel airtight.
Reaching the elevator, Ling Jiao swiped her card, and the elevator doors slowly opened.
The space inside wasn't large, only enough for four or five people to stand, but the material was extremely thick; the door panels were as thick as an adult man's arm, with a ring of shock-absorbing rubber sealing strips around the edges.
The elevator descended, not quickly, but you could feel it constantly going down, and it seemed to take a long time.
Cao Dan glanced at the panel; the number of underground floors was continuously increasing.
When the elevator stopped and the doors opened, a blast of cold air hit him.
Stepping out of the elevator, a breathtaking view unfolded before him.
A transparent glass walkway suspended in mid-air, flanked by black rock walls, with rows of cold white lights embedded in the ceiling, illuminating the entire underground cavity.
Below him lay a vast underground facility.
The walkway was over ten meters high; looking down, the ground was paved with a dark black alloy material, its sheen dull and muted.
The area was divided into different zones by several transparent partitions, with a massive wind wall at the far end, within which white air circulated, creating a stable wind pressure environment.
A woman dressed in yellow was putting on blue weighted clothing and walking towards the wind wall.
The weighted clothing was tightly wrapped, with pressurized structures on her shoulders, back, waist, and legs, indicating its considerable weight.
As she stepped into the wind wall, the airflow immediately lifted her clothes and hair, but she steadied herself and began to run through the wind pressure.
A glint of blue light flashed in Cao Dan's eyes. Talent: [A Gentleman's Pursuit].
[Name]: Shen Jianting
[Race]: Human
[Lifespan]: 34/126 years
[Internal Qi]: 39.23
[Constitution]: 15.31
…
He withdrew his gaze and swept to the other side. A woman in red was adjusting her posture in front of the data panel, her movements steady, her aura restrained.
[Name]: Ren Jiayi
[Race]: Human
[Lifespan]: 29/99 years
[Internal Qi]: 51.23
[Constitution]: 21.31
Cao Dan sighed inwardly.
These people have such high attributes. Any one of them, thrown into the pioneering legion, would at least be a regimental officer.
"These people aren't all going to use the Inner Image Chamber, are they?" Cao Dan asked, tilting his head.
"Of course not, these people aren't qualified yet," Ling Jiao laughed.
"They are all outstanding disciples from various units or families in the inner city, here to test their mastery of the purity and nature of their internal qi." If you meet the requirements, you can fill out an application to use the Inner Image Room. Every quarter, the Inner Image Room will draw lots based on the application forms, and the top ten people will be eligible to use it. The higher the ranking, the longer the usage period. "
How long can the first place use it?"
"One week." Ling Jiao blurted out, "But just being eligible is useless, you still have to wait in line. There's only one Inner Image Room, and it can only be used by one person at a time. The current number is already several years in advance."
"Several years in advance?" Cao Dan frowned, "Ten people per quarter, so theoretically it shouldn't be several years in advance."
"Because some people don't have to wait in line, don't have to take the test or apply." Ling Jiao glanced at him and smiled, "By the way, how long is your usage period for the Inner Image Room this time?"
"One month."
"Oh, one..." Ling Jiao stopped mid-sentence and turned around, "How long did you say?"
"One month." Cao Dan said calmly.
Ling Jiao scrutinized Cao Dan carefully, from head to toe, and then from toe to head.
Ling Jiao came from a family of Standing Committee members and worked in the Personnel Bureau; he had seen many people and was quite worldly.
But this was the first time he had ever seen someone suddenly granted a month's use of the Inner Image Chamber.
Even the son of a Standing Committee member couldn't be more impressive.
"No wonder Liu Shu and his gang wanted to ambush you," Ling Jiao said thoughtfully.
"Who is he?" Cao Dan asked.
"Don't you know Liu Shu? He's a direct descendant of the Liu family, ranked eleventh, a well-known young master in the inner city," Ling Jiao said. "He used the Inner Image Chamber once last year, but I heard he failed, unable to cultivate inner energy into a physical form. He's applying again this year, but I guess his application hasn't been approved yet. Then he heard you were here, and that's why..."
Upon hearing this, Cao Dan suddenly understood everything, thinking to himself: "So that's how it is.
No wonder there were people blocking the way as soon as I got off the spaceship.
A month's use of the Inner Image Chamber—who wouldn't be envious?
" The walkway was almost at its end when a heavy protective barrier appeared before them. Ling Jiao stopped, saying, "We're almost there. Once we get here, I can't go in either."
Just then, footsteps came from another direction.
A tall figure walked in from a side path, her steps light, followed by two guards, one tall and one short.
Cao Dan glanced over.
It was a young woman with a pretty face, but her eyes held a hint of cold detachment.
Her long, soft, light blue hair hung naturally, and her clear blue eyes were bright and lively, with slightly upturned corners, carrying a touch of untamed spirit.
She wore a short white top paired with a matching pleated skirt, a silver-gray mechanical-looking waist ornament, silver-white protective gear on her arms and legs, and translucent blue wing-like decorations extending from her shoulders, trembling slightly with her movements, like part of some kind of light combat equipment.
Upon seeing her, Ling Jiao immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply, his politeness exceeding all others: "Greetings, Sister Lingbo."
Cao Dan stood to the side, his gaze fixed on her, his expression calm.
Lingbo remained composed, but the two guards behind her paused, their eyes scrutinizing Cao Dan.
"It's Brother Ling Jiao," the woman's voice was charming, with a youthful crispness, "Are you going to the Inner Image Room?" "
Of course not, it's my colleague who needs to use the Inner Image Room," Ling Jiao introduced, "This was personally arranged by Committee Member Liu He."
"Liu He." Upon hearing the name, Lingbo
's eyes flickered slightly, and she gave Cao Dan a few more glances. The two guards behind her also subtly dropped their scrutinizing postures.
"Is it today too?" Lingbo asked again to confirm.
Before Lingbo could answer, Cao Dan stepped forward and said calmly, "That's right."
Lingbo glanced at him and said, "Good."
The two walked side by side toward the protective barrier ahead, while the other three remained outside.
Cao Dan activated his talent [A Gentleman's Pursuit] again, a flash of blue light appearing in his eyes.
[Name]: Ling Bo
[Race]: Human
[Lifespan]: 21/99 years
[Internal Energy]: 69.23
[Constitution]: 27.31
[Occupation]: Intermediate Martial Artist
[Talent]: Abundant Martial Arts (She possesses terrifying talent in understanding, learning, integrating, and innovating martial arts. She can quickly grasp the essence of any martial art and apply it to her own system. Her internal energy growth and physical conditioning efficiency far exceed that of ordinary people, with almost no bottlenecks.)
[Specialties]: Master of Close Combat; Heart of Martial Arts; Inner Vision; Killing Intent Perception
[Skills]: Dragon Breath (LV9); Dragon Martial Fist (LV7); King of Soldiers Technique (LV5); Comet Fist (LV7)...
[Overall Evaluation]: B-rank (She proved that even without genetic modification or awakened superpowers, one can still climb to the pinnacle of martial arts with only the purest human will and talent.)
Cao Dan's heart sank after reading this.
Twenty-one years old, intermediate martial artist, internal energy 69 points, overall evaluation B-rank.
This was the true value of the direct descendants of the inner city committee members of Maral Town.
His eyes were opened once again.
Passing through the protective barrier, the space before him suddenly widened considerably.
It was a vast underground cavity, the rock walls reinforced and coated with a layer of black alloy, isolating moisture and sound.
The floor was paved with a black alloy, smooth as a mirror, making no sound when stepped on.
Above, a dense array of lights illuminated the entire cavity with a cool white glow, casting no shadows.
Several guards in black uniforms stood ramrod straight outside a heavy door, weapons in hand, their gazes fixed straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to the approaching figure.
The door itself was quite substantial, entirely of metal, its surface engraved with intricate patterns, and its edges edged with a ring of glowing blue conductive wires.
Not far away, there was a folding chair and a small table. A middle-aged man sat there, a pot of tea in front of him, a book in his hand, his expression relaxed, as if passing the time.
But that relaxation itself carried a heavy sense of oppression, like a tiger dozing in the sunlight.
Cao Dan glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.
Opposite them, someone else had already arrived.
The young man in black had an ordinary face and plain features; he wasn't particularly eye-catching standing there, but his back was extremely straight, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, and he was as still as a knife stuck in the ground.
In comparison, he was even more reserved than Ling Bo.
Cao Dan looked at him a few more times.
Ling Bo also saw him, her expression not changing much, her tone nonchalant: "Ye Chu, I didn't expect it to be you from the Ye family. It seems Ye Huan is no match for you."
Ye Chu turned her head, nodded to Ling Bo, and said modestly, "Just lucky."
"Hypocritical." Ling Bo spoke quickly, without a trace of politeness.
Ye Chu wasn't annoyed, her gaze shifting to Cao Dan, pausing slightly: "And this gentleman is?"
"I don't know him," Ling Bo said, "but he was recommended by Liu He."
"Recommended by Committee Member Liu He." "Ye Chu repeated, his expression becoming more serious. He slightly cupped his hands in greeting, "Then your strength must be extraordinary. My name is Ye Chu. What is your surname?"
"No need for formalities. My surname is Cao, and my given name is Dan," Cao Dan replied calmly.
The three sized each other up, and for a moment, silence fell.
Not far away, the middle-aged man put down his book, lit a cigarette, and turned to look at them, smoke lazily drifting from the corner of his mouth: "What did you three discuss? If there's no plan, let's stick to the old method: draw lots and fight."
Ye Chu bowed to the middle-aged man, then looked at Ling Bo and Cao Dan, and said, "I see that Brother Cao Dan is injured, and I don't want to take advantage of that. How about this, Miss Ling Bo and I will fight first, and the winner will then fight Cao Dan, how about that?"
The middle-aged man exhaled a puff of smoke and didn't speak, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Ling Bo glanced at Ye Chu, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said in a playful, young lady's tone, "Then let's begin."
As soon as she finished speaking, she took three steps back with the speed of the wind, and with that increased distance, her entire aura changed.
She raised her hand, the blue wing-like decorations slightly unfurling, and a faint dragon-shaped inner energy rose along her arm, condensing into a point at her fingertips.
Ye Chu took a deep breath and silently circulated her inner energy.
Cao Dan stepped aside, leaning against the rock wall, his gaze steady as he looked towards the center of the arena.