Chapter 146: Decision
Chapter 146: Decision
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed, and it was already mid-May.
In the training hall, Chen Chuan donned a set of green Wu Yi training attire and sat on a soft cushion, using his breath to guide the altered tissue while also regulating his mental state.
During this time, he had been consolidating his progress here and had only returned to school once.
His company had already been notified in advance, citing self-cultivation as the reason and claiming it was a requirement from his instructor. As a Wu Yi student, this was, of course, his top priority, and Ren Su understood this, even sending him several sets of training clothes and some high-quality tea as a thoughtful gesture.
After sitting for about three hours, he slowly calmed his breathing.
He was now gradually experiencing the impact of the secretions from the altered internal organs on his body, which was actually one of the sources of a martial artist's strength. If utilized well, it could also provide more formidable power under certain conditions, so the approach was not to suppress but to self-regulate and subdue.
His previous Spirit Dazing Fist had some connection to this, but at that time, he hadn't cultivated sufficiently resilient altered tissue. Even ordinary people could use this skill, but with stronger altered tissue, the effects would be different.
The simplest example was the alteration used by Dumo the other day, which was one of the methods of self-regulation. However, it was an all-or-nothing approach and not worth learning.
Instead, some records from the old era provided particularly rich experience in this regard, especially religious scriptures, which described it in great detail. Recently, he had been reading materials on this topic, and setting aside the mystical aspects, the techniques for harmonizing the mind and communicating with the inner and outer realms were indeed effective.
However, the most straightforward and brutal method was to use drugs, but once stopped, it could lead to various problems and increased reliance on logistics. Therefore, it was better to master it himself.
After his meditation, he stood up and began practicing the Direct Fist Technique meticulously.
Although it appeared the same on the surface, the internal movement of the altered tissue and bones was no longer the same as before.
The previously altered fascia and skeletal structure, working in conjunction with the altered internal organs, allowed for more subtle adjustments and variations in power with each move. The force exerted in each attack was also more refined.
In actual combat, unless necessary, he would only use the altered tissue to concentrate his power and increase his speed, aiming to swiftly conclude the battle with the enemy, whether in a one-on-one or multiple opponent scenario.
Now, even the same move could unleash several times the power it previously had, mainly due to the enhancements in strength and speed, coupled with the overlap of his second self. This made him significantly stronger than the average person who had just entered the second limit.
If he were to face Ma again, even in her final altered state, he was confident he could end the fight within three moves.
After practicing the Direct Fist Technique, he picked up the Xuejun Sword and began executing sword techniques, aiming to familiarize his altered tissue with the sword movements.
After his training for the day, he took a shower and returned to the second floor, sitting down at the desk. He reached for the briefcase given to him by the examiner and took out the map inside, spreading it across the desk.
His gaze first fell on Yangzhi City, but then he moved it upwards, past Zhuang Mountain, to the northernmost part of the Great Shun territory, a vast and boundless wasteland.
Although Yangzhi City was formed during the Great Exploration period, it couldn't be considered a major city in the Great Shun territory. At the top of the wasteland, on the easternmost point, there was a port city called Hangu City.
Hangu City was not an ordinary city but a military base with an unknown number of troops. It usually communicated with the outside world through the railway that traversed the wasteland and the northern maritime route. It had little interaction with Yangzhi City.
However, Chen Chuan knew that there was a military academy in Hangu City, where his cousin, Nian Qian, had enlisted and was studying. Due to the challenging commute, they could only communicate through telegrams.
But the wasteland wasn't entirely empty; it was filled with fugitives from the mainland, smuggled goods, bandits, members of resistance groups, and wanted criminals.
Some had even escaped from major corporations, possessing certain skills and resources. There were also spies, bounty hunters, and political refugees sent by foreign countries. Additionally, there were mysterious esoteric sects occupying the area.
Some of these groups had formed alliances and established various powers within the wasteland, far surpassing the bandit gangs in Yangzhi City's wilderness.
If not for the distance of over two thousand kilometers between this place and Yangzhi City, along with the lack of water sources and vegetation and the military's deterrence, their influence would have likely reached Yangzhi City by now.
Chen Chuan's examination was set at the edge of this wasteland, a complex and time-consuming endeavor.
In such a place, it was almost impossible to conduct an advance inspection, and there was no one to help him there. Although he seemed to have ample time, a portion of it was allocated for students' preparation and retreat, leaving him with limited time to spare.
After some thought, he decided to spend another half a month consolidating his progress before taking the examination without further delay.
He put away the map, secured the documents in the safe, and headed downstairs, making his way to school.
In less than half an hour, he returned to the academy and parked his car before heading towards the dormitory. As he climbed the stairs, he noticed someone waiting there. Upon seeing him approach, the person's eyes lit up, and they walked over to greet him. "Chen, it's been a while."
Chen recognized her as Senior Min Lan, the same person who had treated him to a meal and tried to recruit him for a commission company. However, he had joined Ren Su's company instead, and she hadn't contacted him since.
"Senior, it has indeed been a while," Chen replied.
Min Lan smiled and said, "Chen, I came here specifically to see you. I won't take up much of your time, just a few minutes. Is that okay?"
Chen wasn't in a rush, and seeing that she had been waiting specifically for him, he knew she must have been searching for him for some time. He hadn't been back for a while, so he said, "In that case, Senior, let's talk by the lake." The male dormitory wasn't suitable for entertaining guests, especially since she had already graduated.
Min Lan readily agreed.
The two of them descended the stairs, crossed the open space in front of the dormitory building, and arrived at the edge of Chunqiu Lake. They walked along the lakeside path.
Min Lan gazed at the lush willow trees and the shimmering lake, and said, "After leaving the academy, I sometimes miss the life here. If you have the ability, you can focus solely on training without all the worries."
After a moment of contemplation, she turned to Chen and said, "I apologize for being so forward, but the company I work for is currently facing a difficult problem, and we're seeking solutions from all directions.
"I won't waste your time, Chen. This problem stems from a significant commission involving several companies. It involves a secretive sect, and we need to obtain something from them. We've sent in numerous people, but each time, they mysteriously disappear or lose contact."
"Last time, our company spent a significant amount to turn one of their members, but she lost contact the same night. The response was truly baffling, and other companies haven't made any progress either. We believe it's not our issue but rather that they possess some kind of ability.
"Considering they're a cult, they might have something beyond our understanding. We've sought experts in this field, but no one has been able to provide a reasonable explanation.
"I know you often deal with monster tales, Chen, and you might have some knowledge in this area. That's why I'm seeking your help. If you can help us solve this, we're willing to offer a reward that will satisfy you."
Chen pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Monster tales are one thing, but cults are another. These two shouldn't be mixed up."
Min Lan's eyes lit up, and she asked, "So, Chen, you do know about cults?"
Chen said, "The Flying Head Monster I dealt with had a historical Flying Head Sect backing it. If you're asking if I know about them, I do have some knowledge, but it's limited. Cults can vary, and unless it's confirmed to be related to monster tales, I can't provide any effective answers."
"I see," Min Lan nodded, deep in thought. "Then we need to first determine the nature of this cult." She extended her hand and shook Chen's, "I apologize for disturbing you, Chen. Regardless, thank you for your help today."
After bidding farewell to Min Lan, Chen changed his mind about returning to the dormitory. Instead, he decided to head towards the administrative building since it was nearby.
Entering the building, he made his way to Cheng Zitong's office and saw that the door was open, with two people talking to him inside. Chen waited outside for a while until the two visitors, who were clearly from another school, left. Then, he stepped into the office.
Cheng Zitong said, "You've been waiting for quite some time?"
"Not too long, I just arrived," Chen replied.
Cheng Zitong shook his head, "Every year, we have these relatives trying to send things to the school. Forget about them, Chen. What brings you here?"
Chen closed the door and said solemnly, "Teacher, I plan to set off by the end of this month."
"So soon?" Cheng Zitong's expression turned serious as he studied Chen. "It seems you've made up your mind. Is there anything you need? I can help you prepare."
"The assessment has restrictions on weapons, what we can carry, and how we deal with opponents," Chen explained. "So, I can only bring the necessary supplies and items for the wilderness."
Cheng Zitong understood this, knowing that many things could be obtained in that area. Without restrictions, the students might come up with all sorts of unexpected ideas. Chen even suspected that there might be hidden examiners watching.
Cheng Zitong thought for a moment and said, "I'll prepare the items for you." He opened a drawer and handed Chen a piece of paper. "This is your travel order. I'm not sure when you'll be back, so I'll use the excuse of taking you out for training. During that time, I won't be at the school either. If you need to call, use this number..."
Cheng Zitong gave Chen a phone number and added, "Before you set off, you can come to the school one more time. But during this period, try to avoid getting involved with others. Ignore anyone who tries to contact you."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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