I Have Infinite Skill Points

Lu Zhao gently removed Wang Lan's shoulder insignia and picked up the brand-new Lieutenant insignia from the tray, personally pinning it onto Wang Lan.

"You are our meritorious officer, and also a hero of humankind. I hope you remain humble and strive for further achievements. The future belongs to young people like you."

"Yes, your subordinate will not disappoint your instructions, Director."

"You may leave."

Wang Lan kept his face tight as he saluted and had just walked off the stage.

"DING! Military rank page activated. Congratulations to the host for being promoted to Lieutenant. Reward: 5,000 experience points, 500 skill points."

What followed was naturally the toasting celebration. As the main character of the banquet, Wang Lan was inevitably the target of many.

"Esteemed brothers and sisters... I am still a student; I can't drink alcohol," Wang Lan said with a full-faced apologetic smile.

"You're already over sixteen years old; a little drink won't hurt."

"Exactly! We are coming over to toast you. You must drink, or else it's disrespectful."

"Can I switch to beer?"

"No! How can a soldier not know how to drink? It is proper to practice in moderation."

"My alcohol tolerance is incredibly poor; I'll pass out after just one cup... Brothers and sisters, please have mercy..."

"Bullying a kid like this, have you no shame..." Zeng Xiaomo, dressed in red, slowly approached with a glass of champagne.

"You're just bullying Wang Lan because he's young. Even if he can drink, he can't handle so many people. So, I, as a representative of the women of Tianjian Bureau, will toast Wang Lan as a gesture of congratulations."

Wang Lan listened to Zeng Xiaomo's voice; it was very familiar. The last time he saw Zeng Xiaomo, she was on a mission wearing a mask.

Seeing Wang Lan's expression, Zeng Xiaomo gave a flirtatious smile. "Wang Lan, don't you recognize your big sister? You used to be so sweet-talking."

"You're Sister Zeng? No wonder the voice is familiar. With such beauty, why did you wear a mask back then? Sister Zeng, allow me to offer you a drink. As your junior, I dare not decline."

"At that time, without Sister Zeng's timely rescue, I would have died at the hands of a Demon Soldier. I won't say much to express my gratitude. Sister Zeng, please."

Wang Lan lifted his glass and gulped it down in one go.

That was 58-degree baijiu he just drank like water, shocking all the surrounding comrades who were cheering him on; their eyes went wide.

"You call that not knowing how to drink?"

"Good! I told you our little junior brother could drink, but he was just pretending. Just now, he said he couldn't, that he didn't know how to drink. But look now, downing three 'liangs' of strong liquor in one go. We soldiers all know how to drink!"

"Exactly! Downing it in one gulp without his face flushing or his breath catching. What a capacity!"

Zeng Xiaomo smiled and also drained the champagne in her hand.

"Wang Lan, you..." Suddenly, Zeng Xiaomo noticed that something was off about Wang Lan. Why did his face turn so pale all of a sudden?

At that moment, Wang Lan opened his mouth slightly and exhaled a breath of alcohol, which lingered above his head like a Soul Out of Body, forming a mist. Then, with a rigid smile, Wang Lan fell backward motionless.

"Oh no! Wang Lan, are you alright?"

"Little junior brother..."

Xu Shiyun checked Wang Lan's forehead and took his pulse, a mocking smile appearing on his face. "Truly out after just one cup. A man of his word. I respect that."

"HAHAHA..."

Laughter erupted.

At Director Lu Zhao's table, Wang Qianfeng and ten other top officials watched the commotion surrounding Wang Lan with smiling eyes.

"It's been a long time since our bureau has been this happy..."

"Indeed, Director. It's rare to win such a great victory, uplifting and gratifying. We should be happy," Li Weixin said with a beaming smile. Suddenly, the phone in his pocket began to ring.

Li Weixin gave Lu Zhao an apologetic smile and took out his phone, placing it to his ear. "What's the matter?"

Three seconds later, the smile on Li Weixin's face froze, and a fierce anger appeared in his eyes.

"What did you say? How is Lige? I understand..."

"Weixin, what happened?" Lu Zhao put down his chopsticks and asked gravely.

"Something happened to Lige and the others; there was a severe explosion on-site. Lige is unconscious, and Skinny Monkey and the rest... I'm afraid it's more bad news than good."

As the words fell, Wang Qianfeng and the others immediately stood up.

"Qianfeng, Weixin, MingXue, handle this promptly. Where is Lige now?"

"The National Defense Hospital."

"Is his life in danger?"

"Severe burns across a large area of his body. He hasn't yet passed the critical phase for survival."

"Qianfeng, have Wang Lan go and treat him. His Medical Star Martial Technique is most suited for these injuries."

Wang Qianfeng quickly approached Wang Lan, who, although propped up in his seat, was still unconscious. Wang Qianfeng came close and struck Wang Lan's lower abdomen.

Before long, Wang Lan's face was covered in sweat, exuding a strong smell of alcohol.

"UGH—" Wang Lan moaned unconsciously and slowly opened his eyes. "Where am I...?"

"Awake? If you're awake, come with me."

Wang Lan instantly sobered up. Though still a bit unsteady on his feet, he quickly stood and followed Wang Qianfeng out. In an instant, the whole banquet quieted down. Many people witnessed the hurried departure of the high-ranking officials, whispering inquiries about what had happened.

In Wang Qianfeng's car, Wang Lan was taken to the National Defense Hospital. Hit by the cold wind, Wang Lan completely sobered up.

Upon arriving at the intensive care unit, Lige was in a terrible state. He suffered burns over large areas of his body, all tightly bandaged. Inside the ward, a very intellectual-looking female doctor was inserting monitoring equipment all over Lige.

The pain of being scorched all over the body was many times worse than that of a wound. Luckily, Lige was in a coma and didn't feel the torment.

"Wang Lan, begin treatment."

"Yes! But Director Wang, I need three Soul Beads for such a large area; without them, it can't be done."

Wang Qianfeng gave Wang Lan a deep look, then ordered someone to bring over five Soul Beads.

Wang Lan approached Lige's sickbed and reached out to tear off the bandages on Lige's body. Suddenly, a hand pressed down on his. "What are you doing?"

"Mrs. Jiang, Wang Lan is a Medical Star Martial expert from our Tianjian Bureau. His Medical Star Martial Technique has miraculous effects on injuries."

"Lige's main injuries are skin scorch wounds; his bandages are smeared with special effective medicine. Try treating the wounds on his face first. If it works, I will help you remove the bandages. These bandages are Lige's lifeline right now; I cannot take the risk."

Mrs. Jiang's tone carried a special concern for Lige, as if... as if Mrs. Jiang knew Lige.

Wang Lan nodded. Mrs. Jiang's caution was not unfounded. She quickly unraveled the bandages on Lige's face. Lige's face was terrifying, a bloody mess resembling a freshly served steak. With such injuries, an ordinary person would have died long ago.

Wang Lan placed his hand on Lige's forehead. Star Power surged, and the flesh on the forehead quickly scabbed over. Suddenly, Wang Lan looked up in surprise. His Star Power was spreading like overflowing water, quickly flowing down from the forehead.

Normally, when Wang Lan treated others, it was through his palm. Wherever the palm touched, that area would receive healing from the Healing Star Power. But this time, Wang Lan's Star Power could easily flow to the entirety of Lige's body.

But in just an instant, Wang Lan understood. For Healing Star Martial Arts, the epidermis was actually one whole. Whether you touched the skin on the hand or elsewhere, skin was skin; touching it anywhere was the same.

With the consumption of Wang Lan's Star Power, he calmly took out a Soul Bead and absorbed Star Power. Under Wang Lan's treatment, Lige's tightly bandaged body visibly swelled.

"What... What's happening?" Mrs. Jiang nervously asked.

"Don't worry, Dr. Jiang. This is the thick scab peeling away from his body, creating a bulge. It's like an egg forming a shell around it."

The Star Power used to treat Lige actually required only one Soul Bead for Wang Lan. He asked for three mainly because he believed one shouldn't lose out in a deal. Moreover, since he wasn't pleased with Lige, these three Soul Beads would naturally be deducted from Lige's share. Five Soul Beads—that was a windfall! Since such a high price had already been paid, of course, he had to treat Lige well. As Lige had extensive skin scorch wounds, Wang Lan chose not to mend but to renew. His Star Power completely forged a new skin for Lige, ensuring not even old scars would remain.

"It's done!" Wang Lan stopped, picked up a towel, and wiped his sweat. "After a while, just peel off the scabs on his body, and once he wakes up, he'll be lively and energetic again."

Mrs. Jiang's eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at Wang Lan, as if all this was challenging her understanding.

She had seen Medical Star Martial Techniques before. Powerful Medical Star Martial Techniques, she had seen them too. If Wang Lan were a Star Sea Stage Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior, Mrs. Jiang wouldn't find it strange. But the Star Energy Fluctuation Wang Lan exhibited was at the Star Shine Stage! Weren't Star Shine Stage Medical Star Martial Techniques only capable of stopping bleeding? Weren't they just able to stabilize injuries and prevent them from worsening? Since when did Star Shine Stage Medical Star Martial Warriors become so powerful? Is this still a Medical Star Martial Technique? This is practically rebirth! In just a few minutes, someone gravely injured and on the brink of death was revived?

The sight of Mrs. Jiang looking as if she'd seen a ghost was quite satisfying for Wang Qianfeng.

"It's okay now. You can go back," Wang Qianfeng said lightly after seeing Wang Lan finish the treatment.

"Yes, your subordinate takes his leave. By the way... is there a problem on Chang Yu's side?"

"We still aren't clear on that, but it's likely."

Wang Lan saluted and took his leave, then went straight to Eastern Heaven Gate by subway.

Having returned home, Wang Lan couldn't wait to open the system. A new page had appeared on the system's interface: the Promotion Page. At that moment, the icon of the Lieutenant insignia in the second slot had lit up, while the first slot remained dim.

"I've already been promoted to Lieutenant, so why isn't the Second Lieutenant icon lit up? System, can't you be a bit more intelligent, like Xiao Ai?"

"Wang Lan, are you complimenting me?" Xiao Ai's voice resonated within the room.

"Don't flatter yourself. Order me some takeout."

"Wang Lan, didn't you eat enough at the banquet you just returned from? Although you are a Star Martial Warrior, overeating can still cause significant harm to your body..."

"I only had one sip of wine, and even that was forced out of me! What do you think I ate, air? Go on, the usual."

"Understood."

Wang Lan looked at the first dim icon, contemplating asking Director Wang for a Second Lieutenant's insignia some other day. Without the Second Lieutenant rank, it felt as if life wasn't complete. He probably wouldn't refuse.

The Jade Country's military rank system has three tiers and twelve levels. Junior officers range from Second Lieutenant to Captain, while field officers are from Major to Senior Colonel.

Although, nominally, field officers were mid-level, even they commanded over a thousand soldiers. A Senior Colonel, especially, in a regular military corps, held command over special units such as armored corps, artillery corps, or even missile corps.

Upon promotion to First Lieutenant, he had received five hundred skill points. Now, all three of Wang Lan's Star Martial Skills were at the silver peak. Star Cloud Sword Dance was at Silver 8; after adding one hundred points, it advanced to Silver 9.

He allocated the remaining four hundred points entirely to Inch Strength Fist, boosting it to Silver 7.

He couldn't simply discard the ancient martial art of Inch Strength just because he now possessed Star Martial Skills. Although the power of Inch Strength might not be as strong as Flame Sword or as agile as Star Cloud Sword Dance, Inch Strength possessed characteristics that Star Martial Skills did not. It doesn't consume Star Power. Although it uses Star Power, it doesn't deplete it. The utilization of Star Power merely enhances the body's strength and increases speed, but the force of the punch still comes from technique and terrifying power.

After completing all this, Wang Lan contentedly took a bath and lay in bed to sleep. As he closed his eyes, his mind speculated about what exactly had occurred that led to Lige and his squad's total annihilation.

"Director Wang, the investigation is clear," Xu Shiyun reported to Wang Qianfeng. "Tonight, Lige and his squad attempted to capture Chang Yu, but they underestimated his methods. In the end, Chang Yu self-detonated, and all members of Lige's squad perished in the explosion except for Lige himself."

"Attempt to capture? We never issued an order for his capture," Wang Qianfeng said nonchalantly, tapping on the desk.

"What else is there to guess? It's obvious Lige was overzealous for merit. Today was the celebration banquet for Wang Lan's promotion and award. Lige has nearly gone mad over his own promotion for the past two years. Just when he was about to get promoted, Wang Lan got ahead of him. Feeling disgruntled, Lige thought he'd gain back some face by scoring another achievement, never expecting to try to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it. Chang Yu was our only lead in tracking the Magical Martial Artists. Lige's reckless pursuit for merit caused us to completely lose this lead. This time, not only is promotion out of the question, he might even face a military tribunal."

"Don't jump to conclusions," Wang Qianfeng warned sharply. "Although Lige is ambitious, he has integrity. He wouldn't violate his principles just for the sake of achievement. I think there's more to this than meets the eye..."

"Who knows?"

"Let's wait for the Law Enforcement Department's interrogation results."

"Director Wang, what should we do next?"

"Gather all of Chang Yu's connections, especially everything from the past six months—every move Chang Yu has made. Collect as much as possible. Hopefully, we'll find something."

"Lige, you're saying that Chang Yu suddenly realized she was being monitored, then started packing to leave, and under those circumstances, you decided to capture her? Then why didn't you request permission before the capture?"

"Chang Yu moved quickly! From the moment we realized she was about to flee to when she walked out her door was less than a minute. There was no time. If we'd requested permission, she might have already been gone. That's why I ordered the immediate capture."

"Who can corroborate this?" He MingXue's penetrating gaze stabbed right into Lige's heart.