Chapter 251: Contact
Chapter 251: Contact
As the snake eye appeared on the interface, it quickly retreated, and a triangular area emerged around it, with a selection category at each corner.
Simultaneously, a rustling sound echoed, reminiscent of the slick snake's body slithering in the cave.
Chen Chuan took a glance; the central position displayed the sect's introduction, with purchase options and category queries on either side.
The categories were quite clear, and he first reviewed the sect's introduction, which provided an overview of the Serpent Sect.
The Serpent Sect was founded in the old era and, upon entering the new era, quickly embraced new ideas, discarding old traditions, and actively integrated itself with the upper echelons of power, becoming one of the sects favored by the elite.
As a result, unlike many conservative sects branded as heretical, those sects, even if they survived to this day, could only hide in shadowy corners.
The Serpent Sect was not a tightly-knit group but rather a loosely structured organization with little constraint on its followers beyond the core. Nowadays, it resembles a company wearing the sect's skin.
Ordinary people need only register and pay an annual fee to become sect members. The difference is that those who claim to be members of the Serpent Sect can purchase discounted services from the sect.
The Serpent Sect merely provides an internal trading platform for most peripheral members, without compulsory requirements or constraints. Therefore, members won't take action for each other in times of need, unless they are willing to pay, in which case it's a different matter.
Since the introduction was only a general overview, Chen Chuan skimmed through it and moved on to the purchase options.
There were many items here, including the publicly sold self-developed implants and private combat instruction and training. Even the service he was interested in, which helped enhance foundational abilities, was available.
However, the price was equally steep, more expensive than the teaching courses offered within the Wu Yi Academy, with the addition of some unique Serpent Sect services.
The difference was that the Serpent Sect accepted not only monetary payments but also other forms, such as agreeing to join the Serpent Sect's implant trials or participating in the sect's service projects and fulfilling the sect's commissions.
He tried to view the details but found that specific content required a deposit and direct communication with the contact person, not openly listed outside. So, for now, he skipped it.
As he scrolled further, he discovered that the Serpent Sect had been acquiring various special items. If one could collect these items, the sect would pay in cash or provide a service in return. Following this, a series of items were listed, but without any labels, Chen Chuan couldn't discern what they were, only recognizing some as seemingly unique mutated tissues. However, upon seeing one particular item, his gaze paused.
He had seen this item before.
It was a pile of shattered rubble-like material, dark red in color, with a faint glow. If he remembered correctly, he and Ren Xiaotian had brought this very item on their first visit to Jiao Mountain.
Even the Serpent Sect was acquiring this item; its value seemed greater than imagined. However, the quantity required to fulfill a service was also substantial.
After some thought, he decided to list this as a backup option.
After reviewing each service, he discovered a special category at the end: the Serpent Sect was recruiting fighters for a project, offering payment in cash or equivalent services.
He examined the details; the Serpent Sect had its biological cultivation field, currently cultivating a special type of water snake. Fighters were required to interact with these snakes for a period, and the sect emphasized the project's inherent danger, necessitating the signing of a liability waiver beforehand.
After considering the specifics, he decided to note this down as another backup option.
Having reviewed everything, he exited the interface. Although he didn't find what he wanted, he still gained some insights. Even if he chose nothing, he could use this as an alternative information platform.
While he aimed for the Third Limit, he saw no need for haste. In such situations, rushing often led to mistakes; some matters required waiting until the start of the school year for clarity.
As for Mr. Wu, after some deliberation, Chen Chuan sent a reply: "Mr. Wu, thank you for sharing this information. I am very grateful, but after careful consideration, I feel I am not suited to learn your techniques. So, I can only politely decline your kind offer."
After parting ways with Chen Chuan, Mr. Wu was pleased with his performance.
He understood these students well. An outsider and a civilian student, upon suddenly arriving in Central City, would undoubtedly be overwhelmed and awestruck by all the things they had never encountered before.
However, what followed was the invisible boundaries of Central City and the dauntingly expensive services, which would surely leave them feeling lost and embarrassed.
Even though the student he met today appeared calm and mature, his heart was undoubtedly filled with anxiety. Additionally, the half-truths and half-lies he spoke would surely heighten his anxiety, and it wouldn't be long before he contacted Mr. Wu again.
As he changed clothes, his Boundary Vessel suddenly notified him of an incoming contact. He smiled, glanced at the message, and his face contorted into a terrifying grimace, his fingers trembling.
Chen Chuan couldn't understand it for the life of him. He had already spoken so frankly, yet this student still chose to decline his offer. Wasn't the student afraid of being targeted by the interested parties? Or was he planning to take that path? Or perhaps this student had an unexpected background.
He couldn't comprehend it, but it had been so difficult to find such a suitable target, and he was determined not to give up.
Since he couldn't convince the student with words, he had no choice but to take another approach.
His expression soon calmed down as he turned to look at the calendar. There were still about ten days until the start of school, and he had time. He spoke slowly, "You'll find your way back to the right path."
For the next few days, Chen Chuan spent his time training in the dormitory.
Wu Bei was busy organizing the data obtained from the Golden Shrimp Team's commission. Since the Golden Shrimp Team never created separate files for their unusual commissions, but instead mixed them with other assignments, so it took some time to reorganize everything.
However, he didn't plan to take on the next commission so soon. The Golden Shrimp Team had just disappeared, and immediately after, someone from the unusual commission side stepped up to seamlessly continue the work. Even without evidence, it was clear to anyone with a keen eye that the two were connected. So, he decided to wait for a while before taking on another assignment.
In the middle of the month, during a holiday, he made a phone call home. He had intended to contact Cheng Zitong as well, but before he could, Cheng Zitong called him first.
"Little Chuan, how are you? Have you gotten used to living in the Central City yet?"
Chen Chuan replied, "There's nothing I'm not used to. It's just that the prices in the Central City are a bit high. It seems like every course at the school requires additional purchases, so I might need to spend more in the future."
Cheng Zitong said, "That's why I asked you to save up some money. Otherwise, it might not be enough. If you're short on funds, let me know, and I'll think of a way to help."
"Thank you, Teacher," Chen Chuan said. After a moment of thought, he added, "But I've heard some things. The situation at the headquarters seems a bit complicated."
"I know a little about what's going on at headquarters," Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "Little Chuan, don't be hasty. Don't listen to the rumors going around. Keep calm, and we'll talk about everything after school starts."
Chen Chuan's heart stirred slightly, and he nodded, "I understand, Teacher."
"Yes, I trust you, Little Chuan. If there's anything, give me a call."
"Okay, Teacher."
After hanging up the call, Chen Chuan returned to his daily combat training. The day passed, and after dinner, he was about to turn on the Edge Channel to watch the news when a message suddenly appeared on the communication interface. It was from Teacher Wu.
After a moment's thought, Chen Chuan accepted the call and asked, "Teacher Wu, is there something?"
Teacher Wu said, "Student Chen, I'd like to meet you again."
"I'm sorry, Teacher Wu," Chen Chuan replied, "I've already made it clear to you that I don't intend to follow you and learn your combat techniques."
"No, it's not about that," Teacher Wu's tone was somewhat dejected. "I respect your choice. But I'm planning to leave the academy after the start of school, and some things will be of no use to me. I want to entrust them to you."
Chen Chuan remained silent for a moment before responding, "Teacher, where do you want to meet?"
"Tonight at 8 o'clock. I'll send you the address. I hope you can make it."
"Okay, I'll be there."
After ending the call, Chen Chuan's thoughts turned. From the information he had seen, Teacher Wu was a Third Limit Combatant. Even if he couldn't stay at the school, his situation wouldn't be as dire as he made it sound.
And then there was the location...
He walked over to the map on the desk and looked at the address Teacher Wu had sent. At the same time, he contacted Wu Bei, "Little Brother Wu, can you check this place for me?"
Wu Bei readily agreed, "No problem."
Soon after, Wu Bei sent him the location, which was an empty lot on the outskirts of the Hongsheng District. It was a desolate area with almost no residences. There was only a two-story wooden house on a small hill. The location Teacher Wu provided was right there.
Upon seeing the location, Chen Chuan had an intuition that Teacher Wu wanted to make a move against him. He didn't know where this thought came from or what reason the other party might have, but he had this feeling.
However, he decided to keep the appointment.
If things were as he sensed, and if he didn't go this time, Teacher Wu might find other ways to target him if he had ill intentions. A Third Limit Combatant acting covertly with malicious intent would be extremely difficult to deal with. Rather than avoiding the situation, he chose to face it head-on.
Chen Chuan looked at the Snow Lady Sword on the rack. The last time he killed Jing Li and the others, it hadn't been difficult. He was just a little short of the twenty-four-hour mark.
This time, perhaps he could achieve his goal.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
