In the distant forest of the Defense Hospital, a middle-aged man in a black coat slowly removed his hat. He calmly exhaled a thick plu of smoke while watching the aftermath of the clash near the hospital.
"I understand now, brother. Rest in peace!" As his voice faded, rustling leaves fell like colorful butterflies. Amidst the flurry, his silhouette dissolved into butterflies and disappeared.
"For killing an enemy above your level, reward: 1,000 experience points, 50 skill points."
The mont the elite demon—who had appeared suddenly—was killed, a system prompt sounded in Wang Lan’s mind. Concurrently, the ripple effects from the battle outside the ward exploded once again.
Electric arcs flashed, and the wind howled mournfully. Between He MingXue and the wind-attribute demon, it was unclear who had the upper hand. Wind could counter lightning, but He MingXue’s fire attribute could also suppress wind.
Wind possessed its speed, and lightning, too, had its velocity; they exchanged dozens of blows without a clear victor. Once again, they separated after a fierce clash.
"Retreat—" an elite demon bellowed.
No sooner had his voice faded than, just as they were about to make a move, two figures appeared like specters behind the group of demons.
Wang Lan, shrouded in a mist of blood, and Wang Qianfeng, with the mournful howl of the wind flickering around him, blocked the demons’ path in a pincer formation.
Witnessing this, a glint flickered in the demons’ eyes, and they emitted an aura like cold ashes. Suddenly, powerful waves of Star Power surged forth. In that split second, Wang Lan, Wang Qianfeng, and He MingXue attacked.
A triangular head soared into the air, its cyan gemstone shattering like a mirror.
BOOM—
The body of the high-level demon burst open on the spot under the terrifying force of the Star Power.
"For killing an enemy above your level, reward: 1,000 experience points, 50 skill points."
"For annihilating an elite demon spy group, reward: 15,000 experience points, 800 skill points."
At the sound of the two system prompts, a satisfied smile appeared on Wang Lan’s face. This matter was now concluded.
Leaving so people behind to handle the aftermath, the main forces, including Wang Lan, retreated from the hospital in an orderly fashion and returned to the Tianjian Bureau for a post-battle summary and report.
"Although our fishing operation did not successfully lure out the mole hidden within the Tianjian Bureau, overall, it can be considered a complete success. An elite demon spy group has been utterly wiped out within the Defense Hospital."
After explaining the entire operation, Wang Qianfeng publicly presented its conclusion. Upon hearing it, all the brothers involved in the operation revealed knowing smiles.
"MingXue, the mole hiding within the Tianjian Bureau still requires your attention. From now on, raise the secrecy level of internal intelligence within the Tianjian Bureau by one grade. As long as the mole is not eliminated, our intelligence is perpetually at risk of being leaked," Lu Zhao said, smiling, though his tone was stern.
"Director! Based on the results of this operation, we’ve deduced two points. First, the mole must hold a certain position within the Bureau. Otherwise, the Demon Clan wouldn’t be willing to sacrifice an entire spy group to protect them. Second, it’s likely that the mole isn’t a permanent mber of the Bureau. I’ve already conducted a comprehensive investigation of the permanent staff, and no one is suspicious. Therefore, the person of interest must be soone we previously cleared of suspicion. But this scope is too large, and it’s difficult to pinpoint them precisely."
"Therefore, screening internal suspects will be an ongoing and crucial task for you, one you cannot slack off on."
"Yes!"
"WeiXin, do you have anything to say?"
"Director, from this incident, I believe we need to strengthen our internal capabilities. Previously, we were confident that our strength was sufficient to protect Suzhou City. However, judging by the Demon Clan encounters this year, their focus on Suzhou City has exceeded our estimations. Since last October, we’ve achieved victories celebrated nationwide, including the elimination of no fewer than eight high-level demons, all possessing Galaxy Stage capabilities. But are these all the high-level demon spies in Suzhou City? Probably not. It’s more likely there are twice or even three tis as many Demon Clan masters lurking in Suzhou City. Yet, in our Tianjian Bureau, we only have eleven Galaxy Stage combatants and seventeen elite red-uniford captains. We operate in the open, while the Demon Clan operates in the shadows. Such strength is likely insufficient to cope with the increasingly severe situation. Director, shouldn’t we raise this with headquarters?"
"Heh? WeiXin, did you perhaps hear sothing that prompted you to say this?" Lu Zhao suddenly asked with a light chuckle.
"No, not at all!"
"Everyone present here is a pillar of our bureau, individuals who have truly risked their lives against the demons and shed blood for our country. I won’t keep secrets from you all. The Demon Clan is currently restless, and I fear a new war will arrive soon. To face the growing severity of the situation, the Ministry of Defense plans to establish one hundred key Tianjian Bureau departnts. These will be built upon the current structure, forming a strategic defense network across the twenty-four provinces of Jade Country. In tis of dire need, these one hundred Tianjian Bureaus will have the responsibility to operate independently and defend their local areas. They must be able to function flexibly, even if cut off from superior leadership. Jiang Province, being adjacent to Modu City, will receive three of these hundred bureaus. Jin City, as the headquarters of Jiang Province, will definitely secure one spot. Moreover, Jin City’s geographical location perfectly divides Jiang Province and Hui Province. The remaining two spots were initially out of Suzhou City’s reach, but who would have thought our achievents in the past year would be so brilliant? It’s very likely that Suzhou City will beco the reserve headquarters for the Jiangnan defense area of Jiang Province. In such a case, we can support Modu City from the east and assist Zezhou from the south. We can also join forces with our brother cities in Jiangbei to the north and fight shoulder-to-shoulder with Jin City’s headquarters to the west."
"Really?" Even the usually composed Wang Qianfeng’s eyes lit up at this news. "If Suzhou City becos one of those hundred, does that an we’ll have a general here?"
"Hahaha... From a rank perspective, that is indeed the case. And this is just a preliminary step. No one knows what will happen when the war truly ignites. Alright, let’s set these matters aside for now. Whether or not Suzhou City manages to beco one of the hundred, we must still continue to work hard, stay vigilant, and earnestly complete our duties. I expect each departnt to report their achievents to within three days, and I’ll forward them to the Jin City headquarters. Director Zhang will surely be pleased to see Suzhou City earning new comndations. Departnt heads, please stay behind; the rest of you may leave. Oh, and regarding comndations, we’ll proceed with them once we receive a response from above. For today, those involved in the operation are granted three days of leave. You’re free from duty during these three days, but keep your phones on twenty-four hours a day."
"Yes!"
Wang Lan yawned, walked out of the eting room, and checked the ti—it was already past ten. He had taken leave for four days, and tomorrow was Saturday, followed by Sunday. If I’ve taken leave for practically a whole week, one more day won’t matter, right?
Wang Lan decisively decided to skip class. On his way out, he sent a group ssage to Jiang Xinyu and the others.
"Quarantine’s over, let’s hang out tomorrow!"
"Lanzi, you’ve finally been released! What did you do to get locked up for so many days?"
Seeing this reply, Wang Lan’s good mood instantly vanished. Xu Xiangwen, that jerk, knew perfectly well why and still had such a loose mouth. His recomndation report to join the Tianjian Bureau is still sitting on my desk... I’ll let it sit there for another week.
DING-DONG— The notification sound rang again. Wang Lan picked up his phone to see a ssage from Jiang Xinyu. It was incredibly brief, just two words.
"Okay?"
"I’m fine. Aren’t you supposed to be in class right now? Always on your phone, huh?"
"Don’t worry, Lanzi, both my hands are on the table. Totally safe."
"Then how are you typing? Don’t tell you dare to use voice input?"
"With my feet!"
In Wang Lan’s mind, he could instantly picture Xu Xiangwen with his feet on his phone, his toes flying across the screen like nimble fingers, typing out characters at breakneck speed, while his classmates, overco by this biological weapon, were collapsing all around him.
So toxic.
He had just put down his phone when, DING-DONG—
Wang Lan picked up his phone and, after just one glance, almost threw it away in excitent.
"Dear Mr. Wang Lan, the Star Martial Skill you reserved has been matched. Please contact your procurent agent as soon as you see this ssage. Procurent Agent Gong Jian, mobile number 137********."
The mont the red light ahead changed and the green light ca on, Wang Lan, who had originally planned to turn right, decisively chose to go straight. He sped down the road, all the way to the Star Martial Hall. He had already called Gong Jian while in the car, so when Wang Lan’s car pulled up in front of the Star Martial Hall, Gong Jian, dressed sharply in a suit, was already waiting at the door.
So Star Martial Warriors erging from the Star Martial Hall saw Gong Jian. The loud, joyful laughter on their faces suddenly vanished, and they quietly pulled their companions to walk a bit farther away. "Is that Gong Jian from the Star Martial Skill Trading House?"
"The manager of the Star Martial Skill Trading House? Their guardian?" another asked, with a Northeastern accent.
"He’s a formidable person!"
"How so?"
"He’s a guardian of a Star Martial Hall on the sa level as those in the Imperial Capital and Modu City. How formidable do you think that makes him?"
"Star Sea? Damn, a Star Sea Stage warrior ca to Suzhou City to stand guard?"
"He looks like he’s waiting for soone?"
"You must be joking. He’s probably just out to get so sun..."
"Wang Lan, you’re here?" Gong Jian saw Wang Lan approaching and walked up with a warm, welcoming smile.
"Brother Jian, you really made wait. Last ti, for the Crescent Arrow, you got it in just ten days. Why did I have to wait a whole month this ti?" Despite his complaining tone, Wang Lan’s face was filled with eager anticipation.
"Do you think A-grade Star Martial Skills grow on trees, easily obtainable?" Gong Jian said, wrapping an arm around Wang Lan’s shoulder and ushering him inside.
"His younger brother, right?" a flamboyantly dressed female Star Martial Warrior not far away asked excitedly, as if she had spotted prey.
"Most likely. But I guarantee you, if you dare to hit on his younger brother, you might end up dead in the street tomorrow. Flower, don’t be rash."
"Get lost! **, hit on him? That would be love!"
"..."
Gong Jian led Wang Lan into his office, where Wang Lan sat on the sofa.
"Here’s the Star Martial Skill." Gong Jian placed an exquisitely crafted tal box before Wang Lan. "Star Martial Skill, Thunder Snake. It’s an A-grade, thunder-attribute, single-target offensive Star Martial Skill. There are few single-target offensive types among A-grade Star Martial Skills, and you’re blaming for taking too long? Even if a suitable skill is available, what if the owner doesn’t want to sell it to you? Can we just rob them? So skills are family secrets; do you expect them to just hand those over? We had to do a lot of work to get this Thunder Snake, you know?"
"Is the previous owner still alive?"
"Alive!" Gong Jian replied instinctively, then stared at Wang Lan in disbelief. "Damn, you tricked into answering?"
"Not at all. I was just asking casually."
"Rest assured, that guy is part of the International Hunter Organization. He’s not exactly an assassin, but he’s pulled off plenty of dirty, double-crossing deals. Last ti, he hijacked two of our cargo ships in the Soma Strait. Originally... he was slippery and unpredictable, making him hard to catch. Deploying a special operations unit for just two cargo ships didn’t seem worth it. But when the Company Commander heard my report, he went out for a ’stroll’ under the guise of a training exercise. Well, let’s just say he ended up as part of the spoils of war."
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