NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19: This Isn't So Bad
"Vice Captain Zhao, Team 0527 just completed two point-based tasks."
"Currently, they already have 350 points."
"Got it, understood. I'll start calling the captains right now and have them scramble for point-based tasks starting tomorrow."
Xiao Bei put down the phone, looking at Team 0527, which was still ranked last, and the 350 points behind it, sighing.
"Captain Han Zhen, sorry about this. I'm just following orders; don't hold it against me."
———
[In Deep Blue City, a standalone villa]
After a busy day, Han Zhen and Xia Youwei returned here to find Li Shutong already waiting for them.
Dinner was already prepared, and they chatted while eating.
"I've already heard about your conflict with Zhao Hu, the vice captain of the Deep Blue City Guardians." Li Shutong brought it up directly and asked, "Do you need my help?"
Han Zhen shook his head.
In these two short days of interaction, Li Shutong had already figured out Han Zhen's personality.
Seeing him shake his head, Li Shutong didn't press further.
"The Guardians organization has quite a few issues. They've taken on the name of 'Guardians of the City' but haven't truly protected it." Han Zhen thought for a moment before speaking.
Even after just one day of reporting in, he had already seen the empty reception hall and neglected district offices left unmanaged for half a year.
Not to mention higher-ups like Zhao Hu, who abused their power to suppress dissidents.
While others might not have the ability to bring these issues to light, Han Zhen could.
Hearing this, Li Shutong set down his chopsticks.
"'Guardians of the City'—those words were chosen by a few of us old guys back then. Now that I think about it, it's already been seventy or eighty years. Time really flies."
"When an organization grows large, there will inevitably be all kinds of different voices, just like how the human body sometimes develops abnormalities that need to be removed promptly."
"Unfortunately, with external threats unresolved, there's no time to address internal troubles. Over the years, we've been busy dealing with the insect calamities, while the 'roots' within have slowly begun to rot."
Judging by Li Shutong's tone, he was clearly aware of the internal problems within the Guardians.
In fact, the issue seemed to be even bigger than Han Zhen had imagined.
"When the roots have rotted through, even removing them won't cure the disease. What's needed is a blazing fire to bring rebirth."
"That's also why I initially chose you."
Han Zhen was taken aback. "Teacher wants me to be that fire?"
"Fire can burn away deadwood and dispel darkness. But fire can also be extinguished at any moment. As I've said before, the path ahead is yours to choose."
Li Shutong picked up his chopsticks again, placing a piece of meat into Xia Youwei's bowl, and continued.
"Let's talk about something happier."
"The big gift sent by Fifth Brother has already arrived at the Longevity Company. In about ten days, you can extract the energy and produce breakthrough potions."
For a spirit contract master and their contracted spirit to advance to the next stage, they must continuously absorb spiritual energy.
Only when enough spiritual energy accumulates can they break through to the next stage.
Spiritual energy exists in the world, but it is relatively sparse, making advancement extremely slow.
At this point, materials from slain insect creatures and rare treasures containing abundant spiritual energy reveal their value.
The Longevity Company specializes in extracting spiritual energy and producing breakthrough potions.
A single breakthrough potion sells for an extremely high price, and you still have to provide the materials yourself—truly a profit-maximizing business.
Because of this, the Longevity Company has risen to become one of the five major corporations towering over all nations.
"For this round of spiritual energy extraction, the Longevity Company waived the fee as a favor to me."
"However, for second-tier, third-tier, and higher-tier breakthrough potions in the future, you'll have to find a way yourselves."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Han Zhen and Xia Youwei exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.
Li Shutong waved his hand dismissively.
"Teacher, how can I break through to the next stage of the Eight Extremes Fist?" Han Zhen seized the opportunity to ask.
He had tried countless times yesterday. But every time he infused spiritual energy into it, he failed.
He could clearly sense the location of the second extremity, so why couldn't he break through?
"To break through the Eight Extremes, remember four words," Li Shutong said, raising four fingers.
"Between life and death."
"Between life and death?"
"Exactly. Have you seen the 'qi' surrounding your body after opening an extremity?"
"That 'qi' is generated between life and death. Only when it reaches a certain threshold can the next extremity's lock be broken."
As Li Shutong explained, he extended his left hand. In his once-empty palm, a cluster of white qi began to gather.
The qi grew denser and larger, eventually rising into the air, bigger than their dining table!
The sheer magnitude of this "qi" made it hard to imagine how many life-and-death experiences Li Shutong must have endured.
"I understand now," Han Zhen said earnestly.
"Alright, you've had a long day. Rest early. I won't be staying here tonight, so feel free to... do whatever you two lovebirds want."
"Don't complain that your teacher lacks tact, okay?"
Suddenly changing the topic, Li Shutong's words made Xia Youwei's face instantly flush bright red.
After dinner, the two returned to their room one after the other.
Hearing the sound of water flowing from the shower, Han Zhen's mind wandered, imagining streams cascading down from lofty peaks, flowing through mountain ravines, and pooling in hidden valleys.
He slapped his forehead to snap out of it.
Wrapped in a bathrobe, Xia Youwei emerged from the bathroom. Already possessing beauty on par with a campus queen, her "out-of-the-bath" look made her even more mesmerizing.
Noticing Han Zhen staring at her, she bashfully buried her head in her bathrobe like an ostrich.
Completely forgetting that her long, fair legs were still fully exposed.
"This villa is so white—no, I mean, so big. No, I mean spacious. I'll go find another room..."
"Teacher said all the other rooms are locked," Xia Youwei reminded him.
"Then I'll sleep on the floor; it's nice and cool, hahaha!"
Han Zhen, who wouldn't flinch when killing a third-tier insect, suddenly seemed a bit timid in this situation.
"No way! You're sleeping on the bed tonight."
Xia Youwei was so angry she forgot to feel embarrassed. She pointed at the double bed, then realized what she had just said.
"T-That's because I carefully prepared those sheets and blankets. You can't disrespect my hard work, hmph!"
Her flimsy excuse gave her a bit of confidence.
"I fall asleep instantly once I lie down, I swear!"
"Enough nonsense! Get over here!"
Before Han Zhen could protest, Xia Youwei yanked him onto the soft bed with a firm pull.
This was the second time they had been this close.
Freshly bathed, Xia Youwei smelled fragrant, with a faint, sweet scent unique to her.
Her heartbeat quickened, and her breathing became uneven.
Scenes from curious things she'd watched in the past began flashing uncontrollably in her mind.
She closed her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly, like a budding flower ready to bloom.
Two minutes later, a soft snore came from beside her.
Xia Youwei opened her eyes angrily.
'He actually fell asleep?'
Just as she clenched her fists, ready to teach this insensitive guy a lesson, Han Zhen instinctively turned in his sleep, pulling Xia Youwei into his arms.
Feeling his steady breathing and unique scent, her irritation gradually subsided.
"This... isn't so bad," she murmured with a soft smile, wrapping her arms around him in return.
The two fell asleep holding each other.
[A/N: The protagonist isn't incompetent—just biding his time. 😉]
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