As expected, Gao Deng stepped forward, his expression devoid of emotion, and stated his opinion, "I oppose..."
Ding Zhou said indifferently, "Obey the command!"
These words seed to hold a strange power over Gao Deng. The rest of his sentence, yet unspoken, died on his lips. He then chanically retreated and returned to his position.
Ding Zhou inwardly shook his head, already resolved to vigorously cultivate his own true loyalists. Gao Deng was powerful, but he had opposed Ding Zhou's opinion in front of everyone twice. Even if Ding Zhou won this ti, it would make others doubt his control and greatly damage his image.
Aviloya had suddenly called Ding Zhou to discuss this rule before they arrived. Aviloya had paid a certain price, and after consideration, Ding Zhou had agreed.
Moreover, Ding Zhou felt he saw the situation very clearly: in fact, among the lower Energy Levels, Gao Deng's subordinates held an advantage over the Special Action Squad.
Chen Gu inwardly sneered. All the preparations he had made were now in vain. It was just as Gong Shuxu had said: even if the sky fell, the Director-General would be there to handle it.
He secretly glanced at Aviloya. The Director-General was as calm as still water, her thoughts inscrutable.
Qing Ruyan continued to explain the rules, "There are a total of 24 regions, and each side selects 12. The competition is divided into three rounds; winning one round grants the first pick of four regions."
Therefore, winning the first round was crucial, as it would allow for the first choice of the three best regions.
Both sides imdiately began discussing which team mbers to send. If they won, they would definitely choose the region where Capital Star was located first. Then, the regions containing prosperous colonial stars were also priority choices.
"I'll do it!" Charles said through gritted teeth, volunteering.
Chen Jixian and Gong Shuxu exchanged glances. Indeed, there was no one more suitable than him.
Actually, there was one more: Marcus. However, now was not the ti for Marcus to act, as it might trigger an adverse transformation.
Soon, both sides had selected their three contestants.
...
In the Bureau of Mystic Security building, although it was nearly ti to get off work, nobody was packing up to go ho.
Everyone sat dutifully at their desks, but very few were actually working. Most were slacking off, waiting for the results.
So were even secretly ssaging technicians they knew, "Hey, hey, hey, set up a live stream from the Ninth Training Ground."
"I don't want the Director-General to personally order my dismissal."
Unable to see what was happening inside the Ninth Training Ground, everyone in the Bureau was itching with curiosity. Even special agents on missions away from the Bureau kept ssaging their friends, "What's happening? Are the results out yet?"
By 5:30 PM, so couldn't hold back any longer. Finding various excuses to leave their workstations, they secretly ran to the door of the Ninth Training Ground to wait.
But the great doors were firmly shut, and not a sound ca from inside.
It wasn't until 6:15 PM, 15 minutes after the workday had ended, that the doors suddenly opened. Ding Zhou walked out with an air of unruffled serenity, leading his Independent Action Squad.
Then the doors closed again.
A good while later, Qing Ruyan erged with the mbers of the Special Action Squad. One look at their faces was enough to know the outco hadn't been good.
Although the final decision on the allocation of jurisdictional regions hadn't been announced, rumors had already started flying wildly within the Bureau building and, as if they had wings, spread beyond its walls:
The Special Action Squad had lost!
Various speculations erupted, many finding it unbelievable, "The Special Action Squad has Chen Gu, and they still lost?"
"What could Chen Gu do? I heard Gao Deng is a Seventh Energy Level. You pit a Fifth Energy Level against a Seventh Energy Level; how could you expect the Fifth to win?"
"Chen Gu lost..." Many were disheartened, "Could this defeat be a blow to such a generational talent, causing him to fall into decline from which he'll never recover?"
Others were indignant, "Deputy Director Ding Zhou won without honor!"
"Whether he won without honor or not, a win is still a win."
...
Inside Training Ground Nine, only Aviloya and Rainbow remained.
It was only in front of Rainbow that Aviloya heaved a soft sigh. "Even if we lost, so be it. Their overall strength was already inferior. My actions were rely to allow them to cling to a sliver of hope. My true purpose wasn't this."
Rainbow asked, "What price did you promise Ding Zhou to get him to agree to these rules?"
The corners of Aviloya's mouth curled into a mysterious smile. "I told him that if he agreed to this rule, the Bureau would provide him with the most critical super-material he needs for his ascension to the Ninth Power Level."
Logically, at Ding Zhou's level, the Bureau should provide all materials necessary for advancent. However, the Bureau of Mystic Security was still in Aviloya's hands, and she had many ways to withhold these materials.
Rainbow was taken aback for a mont, then understood. "You want Ding Zhou to advance!"
"Of course," Aviloya said. "The people behind him value him precisely because he has the qualifications to challenge ; that's why they support him so vehently."
"And the most important reason he has such qualifications is not because he is the First Deputy Director, but because he has the potential to strive for the Ninth Power Level."
"To completely settle this tireso power struggle, I'm simply accelerating this competition to its final stage, allowing him to gather the resources needed for his ascension."
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