Chapter 128: Lottery Can't Earn as Fast as Collecting Rent
"A Magical Martial Artist? How would you know about Magical Martial Artists? You're just a student!"
Wang Lan hadn't expected Wu Changfeng to be unfazed by the mention of a Magical Martial Artist, but rather shocked that he himself knew about them.
"I... am a special operative of the Tianjian Bureau! It's perfectly logical and reasonable for me to know about Magical Martial Artists," Wang Lan replied, choosing his words carefully, his tone as even as possible to avoid provoking the man before him, who had a penchant for transforming and streaking at a moment's notice.
But Wang Lan had miscalculated.
"BANG!" Wu Changfeng slammed his hand on the table. "What? You joined the Tianjian Bureau? The Tianjian Bureau dares to poach someone from our Martial Arts Corps?"
"Wait a minute!" Wang Lan raised his hand.
"When did I become a member of the Martial Arts Corps?"
"Someone the Martial Arts Corps has its eye on! Is there a problem with that?" Wu Changfeng narrowed his eyes slightly, scanning Wang Lan back and forth as if reading a barcode. "That's not right! Kid, with your qualifications, how could the Tianjian Bureau possibly notice you?
The Tianjian Bureau claims to recruit only the elite. They require splendid achievements, rock-solid qualifications, or a recommendation letter penned by a powerful individual at the Galaxy Stage or above. Otherwise, those below the Star Cloud Stage shouldn't even think about it.
You only awakened as a Star Martial Warrior a few days ago. How could the Tianjian Bureau let you join? Just the year before last, that kid Ren Xingwu couldn't even get his application approved when he wanted to transfer to the Tianjian Bureau. You, kid... where do you get the gall?"
"Wu, I don't like hearing that," Wang Lan pouted slightly, a touch of disdain in his voice. Back then, Wang Qianfeng had to coax and threaten me into joining. Why do you make me sound so worthless?
"Have you ever been on a real battlefield? Not a trial field with docile Exotic Beasts and detailed maps, but a real battlefield where enemies can appear at any time. Have you achieved anything on a battlefield?"
"I have the Phoenix Form," Wang Lan replied coldly.
"Uh... have you reached the Star Cloud Stage? And at least possess top-tier strength within the Star Cloud Stage?"
"I have the Phoenix Form."
"You... you don't have any real internship experience; you're still a student. You haven't even attended university or undergone military training. You haven't met even the most basic requirements of the Tianjian Bureau, have you?"
"I have the Phoenix Form!"
"Can you say anything else besides that? Is that your only reason?"
Wu Changfeng hopped in frustration. Why can't you understand my intentions? We in the Martial Arts Corps have considered you a sure catch for ages! The plan was to let you mature for another couple of years, maybe go to university or something. Damn it, the Tianjian Bureau moves too fast! Did they pick the peach before it was ripe? No, the Tianjian Bureau definitely broke the rules. I must report this!
"Is this reason not enough?"
"Enough, my ass! Tell me, what's wrong with the Martial Arts Corps that you'd run off to the Tianjian Bureau? Huh? Have we brothers not treated you well enough, or is our Corps Leader an outsider to you?"
"That's not what I mean... It's just that joining the military is inconvenient, isn't it? I still have to attend school. If I join the military, won't my studies be neglected? The Tianjian Bureau is great. I have a nominal position there, so I don't need to go to work and can still attend school as usual. Plus, the Tianjian Bureau has branches all over the country. In the future, wherever I go, I can check in with the local Tianjian Bureau..."
"The Tianjian Bureau sweet-talked you, didn't they? How is joining the military inconvenient? Don't you know about military registration? Besides, we soldiers can even study abroad. How could you not attend school?
Wait a minute! You haven't really been fooled, have you? That won't do. I have to talk to our Corps Leader about this. We can't let the Tianjian Bureau snatch away a talent like you."
"No, joining the Tianjian Bureau was my own choice. Wait, I almost forgot the important matter."
"Your affiliation *is* the important matter!"
"Is my affiliation more important than the issue with the Magical Martial Artists? Are you sure?" Wang Lan blinked at Wu Changfeng, who backed down under Wang Lan's gaze.
"You tell me."
Wang Lan took out a blue potion from his backpack. "We've already obtained reliable intelligence. The appearance of Magical Martial Artists is linked to Demon Clan spies, and a potion is what triggers their transformation.
Until now, we hadn't obtained a sample of the potion. We unexpectedly obtained this sample during our training in the intermediate trial field. This is the potion for Magical Martial Artists.
I'm telling you this so you'll be vigilant during security checks. If you find this potion, detain the person immediately."
"Got it. I'll pass the message on immediately. Stay right here. This business with you isn't over. Wait until I've briefed the others, then we'll continue this discussion," Wu Changfeng said, turning to leave. "Get Old One and Old Six for a meeting..."
Stay put? He had to be joking.
The moment Wu Changfeng wasn't looking, Wang Lan zipped out of the office with a WHOOSH, disappearing in a few flashes.
Back at the entrance, Jiang Xinyu and the others were also emerging one by one around the same time. In terms of gains, Xie Sisi benefited the most. With so many Soul Beads absorbed at once, she, who had just broken through to the early Star Shine Stage, unexpectedly broke through again to the mid-to-late Star Shine Stage, nearly catching up to Wang Lan's cultivation level.
Although Xu Xiangwen and Gong Feiyu didn't reach the middle stage, they were only a step away.
Having just broken through, the limiters on their Star Power were still very stable. Never mind three thousand Soul Beads; even five thousand would hardly be enough to trigger two consecutive breakthroughs.
The only thing they couldn't accept was that Wang Lan had absorbed three thousand Soul Beads yet still hadn't broken through to the Star Cloud Stage.
Sensing a hint of disdain in Xu Xiangwen's gaze, Wang Lan knew this guy was probably itching for a beating again.
Can I help it? My breakthrough method is different from yours; I'm frustrated too!
Besides, Wang Lan wasn't short on skill points; he was short on experience points.
The Star Martial Warrior Competition had propelled him to Star Shine Five. After this trip to the trial field, his experience bar was only at eighty percent for Star Shine Five. Star Shine Five required fifty thousand experience points, and Star Shine Six would need sixty thousand... Thinking about these astronomical figures, Wang Lan wanted to wail.
He had gained three thousand skill points. He allocated one thousand to his Phoenix Form. Adding these to the nearly three thousand skill points he'd earned before, he upgraded several Basic Skills to silver nine and still had three thousand skill points remaining.
This trip to the trial field had made Wang Lan thoroughly rich.
After exiting the trial field with Jiang Xinyu and the others, Wang Lan quickly got into his car and started the engine.
Just as he was about to shift gears, the car phone rang.
"Xinyu, what's up?"
"What's going on with you? Why do I get the feeling you're running for your life?"
"Whoa, you're too perceptive! How did you even notice that?" Wang Lan broke out in a cold sweat; he had indeed been thinking of making a quick getaway.
"Lanzi, have you forgotten that Xinyu can reproduce a painting perfectly after just one look? Her eye for detail is like a camera," Gong Feiyu's voice came through the phone.
"Actually, it's nothing. Didn't I run into some acquaintances this time? They were just too enthusiastic. If I hadn't left quickly, I would have had a hard time getting away today."
"Are you sure you haven't done anything bad?"
"Do I look like that kind of person?"
"Never mind that, where are we hanging out tonight?" Xu Xiangwen asked urgently. After every joint operation, they would pick a place to eat, drink, and have fun.
"How about we switch to Eastern Heaven Gate this time?" Gong Feiyu asked.
"Fine! If we stay out late, we can crash at Wang Lan's place. He's got plenty of rooms."
"Agreed!"
"Everyone go home and freshen up. We'll meet at six o'clock this evening at Eastern Heaven Gate, Suzhou Central Plaza."
"I…" Xie Sisi's hesitant voice came through the phone.
"No refusals! Be there on time. And no, I'm not taking you home; you're coming straight to my place. I have plenty of clothes. It's settled!"
VROOOM—
The engines roared. Four cars sped onto the opposite highway, vanishing over the horizon in an instant.
Wang Lan didn't go home but drove directly to the Tianjian Bureau headquarters in Suzhou City.
Upon reaching the seventh-floor Intelligence Department, Wang Lan first went to the assistant's office by the entrance. "Is Director Wang in today? Is he available?"
"Little Junior Brother, you haven't been here in a while! Director Wang is in his office; you can go right in."
A long time? Wang Lan calculated; it had been less than two months.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"Come in!"
Wang Lan entered the office. Wang Qianfeng was at his desk writing. He briefly glanced up at Wang Lan without much concern. "Well, look who it is. Did the sun rise in the west today? What brings you to the bureau? Don't tell me you've found some important intelligence again?"
Wang Lan walked to the desk and stood at attention.
"Director Wang, I've confiscated a vial of Demonic Transformation Potion and have come to turn it in."
SNAP—
Just like that, a sheet of calligraphy practice was ruined.
Wang Qianfeng looked up, staring intently at Wang Lan. His eyes seemed to ask, Are you messing with me?
Wang Qianfeng's earlier remarks had just been casual teasing. Everyone knew Wang Lan had been busy with school for the past month or so. He had just finished his final exams, and the holidays had only started a few days ago. Where would he find the time to uncover any clues?
He was merely grumbling that Wang Lan never visited the Tianjian Bureau unless he had specific business, acting as if he weren't part of the Bureau at all. He hadn't expected Wang Lan to actually live by the principle of "never visiting a temple without a cause."
"What did you say? You confiscated a Demonic Transformation Potion? Where did you confiscate it from? What trouble have you stirred up this time? Why don't I know anything about it?"
Wang Qianfeng fired off a rapid series of three questions.
Wang Lan took the blue potion out of his pocket. "This should be the Demonic Transformation Potion. On the third day of the winter vacation, my classmates and I went to the intermediate trial field."
As Wang Lan recounted the events, Wang Qianfeng's expression became increasingly strange, then almost mournful.
Is this kid even human? The first time he went to the primary trial field, he discovered a Demon Clan base and their conspiracy. The second time he entered a trial field, a Magical Martial Artist practically delivered themselves to him, and he even managed to seize the Demonic Transformation Potion! The importance of the Demonic Transformation Potion is self-evident; it's the most vital clue to understanding the origin of Magical Martial Artists. Headquarters in the Imperial Capital issued an order to find the source of the Magical Martial Artists at all costs and eliminate them completely. That order came down a week ago. I've sent out all my best agents, and so far, not a single one has reported any progress. And now, you just casually hand me the Demonic Transformation Potion? Am I supposed to be surprised? Or just shocked speechless?
"You must be one of destiny's chosen, aren't you? With luck like yours, it's a shame you don't buy lottery tickets…" After a long moment, Wang Qianfeng finally let out a sigh full of complex emotions.
"Director Wang, you're joking. Why would I buy lottery tickets? Collecting rent is much faster money."
These words... they make me want to kill someone! What am I supposed to do?
Still, deep down, I have to agree with Director Wang. I really have been chosen by destiny. Isn't the system in my mind called the Destiny System?