Chapter 313: The External Student
Chapter 313: The External Student
Inside the Golden Wei Beverage Shop, soothing melodies filled the air, and soft glows illuminated the surroundings. The dazzling light screens and the bustling atmosphere outside seemed distant through the glass walls.
Chen Chuan and Lu Fang sat facing each other, and after the server left, Lu Fang, with a hint of anticipation, asked, "Chen, you called me here today because you've found some leads, right?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I have some clues, but I can't be sure yet. This matter might require further investigation, and it may take some time to get to the truth."
Lu Fang understood completely and sighed, "Chen, you've done a lot. I didn't expect an immediate answer either. Every step in Central City is challenging, and I'm sure you've faced many difficulties too, especially with Zhao Qian standing in the way. I know how difficult it is here..."
Chen Chuan spoke up, "Zhao Qian isn't the problem. He's already dead."
Zhao Qian...
What?
Lu Fang was momentarily stunned, then looked up at him with a hesitant expression. "Chen, did you just say..."
Chen Chuan spoke naturally, "Zhao Qian accompanied the transport convoy but had to return to Central City due to a sudden illness. On his way back, he encountered an unknown force and is confirmed dead."
Lu Fang sat in a daze for a while before snapping back to reality. He gripped his cup tightly and exclaimed with excitement, "Good! He's dead!"
His eyes slightly reddened, and he picked up the hot drink from the table, gulping it down in one go. He placed the cup back on the table with a thud and then breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Chen Chuan, he nodded with emphasis, knowing that there were no coincidences in this world, and this incident was likely Chen Chuan's doing.
This junior had once toppled the Mutual Aid Society, and he could do it again to take down Zhao Qian!
With a mix of emotion and gratitude, Lu Fang said, "Junior, I knew it. What we couldn't do, you made possible. Just like in Yangzhi City, you gave us hope!" He poured another cup of hot drink and toasted Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan also picked up his drink, and they clinked cups in a mutual toast, taking a slow sip.
Lu Fang's emotions stabilized, and he asked with anticipation, "Junior, you mentioned some leads. What do you mean?"
Chen Chuan used the Boundary Token to project the scenes Wu Bei had shown him onto Lu Fang's token. "From the limited information I've gathered, a girl appeared beside Zhao Qian. She looks a bit like Shen Zheng, but the clues are insufficient to confirm."
Lu Fang took a few glances, but instead of being excited by the girl's resemblance to Shen Zheng, he frowned upon seeing her kneeling before Zhao Qian. He seemed calmer than before.
"Junior, can we find her?" Lu Fang asked.
"This scene occurred within Union Vast Control, but she only appeared once, so she's likely not a company employee but more like Zhao Qian's personal affiliate, narrowing down the possibilities," Chen Chuan explained.
He then sent Lu Fang a location, which Wu Bei had also shared earlier.
"Xunfeng Garden Residential Area. There's a private residence of Zhao Qian's here. According to the records, he visits once every two months. Since it's not his official residence, and the owner's name is different, if he has any secrets, they must be hidden here. We can investigate this place."
After reviewing the information, Lu Fang spoke solemnly, "Junior, you've done more than enough. Let me handle this matter from here."
Chen Chuan said, "Places like this usually have special field signals. Intruding without caution will alert the city patrol team. So, when you go, inform me, and I'll find a technician to help you with the field signal issue."
"Okay, I'll listen to you, junior," Lu Fang agreed.
Chen Chuan was relieved. After all, Lu Fang was a Second Limit Fighter, a graduate of Wu Yi Academy, and apart from Third Limit Fighters, few could pose a threat to him.
With the technical issue resolved, the rest would likely be straightforward.
"Junior, we shouldn't delay. I'll go back and make preparations," Lu Fang said.
"Okay," Chen Chuan replied.
"Junior, I'll take my leave first," Lu Fang stood up and said, "I'll settle the bill today." He went to the front desk to pay, then left with a light and quick step.
Chen Chuan looked out the glass window and noticed that Lu Fang's departing figure seemed less burdened than before. Leaning back on the soft chair, he quietly listened to the soothing music.
Half an hour later, Chen Chuan left the shop, crossed the square, and returned to the Mystic Palace Tower. As he entered the lobby, he noticed groups of three to five students gathered, all wearing the Wu Yi Academy uniforms.
He was surprised because most of the younger students from the main campus spent their time training with various teachers, while the older students had mostly joined companies or the government, rarely appearing on campus. The only time he saw many students together was through the Boundary Token.
Many of his classmates, except for Tan Zhi and a few others, he had met through the Boundary Token. He had never witnessed a gathering like this before.
As he observed more closely, he realized that these students all had implants, and immediately understood that they were likely the external students.
A few days ago, he had seen a notice on the academy's platform mentioning that this year's Combat Arena Tournament was about to begin. Even external students were considered official students of Wu Yi, and they were here to receive pre-tournament training. After all, the main campus had the best facilities, venues, and instructors.
These students had been engaged in lively discussions, but as he entered, their voices immediately lowered. Their gazes followed him as he walked by.
The external students had complex feelings towards the official students.
The arena battles they fought were often life-or-death struggles, as only such intense fights could attract more spectators. They lived on the edge, yearning for the superior environment of the official students while also mocking them for hiding in offices, sipping hot drinks, and giving orders.
As Chen Chuan stepped into the elevator and turned around, he watched the two elevator doors slowly close. Just before they fully shut, a hand suddenly reached out and stopped them, and two external students, each standing over two meters tall, entered. They positioned themselves on either side, and fortunately, the elevator was spacious enough to avoid feeling crowded.
Once the doors closed, one of them kept staring at Chen Chuan. After a while, the elevator started to ascend, and a hint of provocation appeared in the student's eyes. "Hey, official student, I've always wanted to know the gap between us. Can you give me a chance?"
Chen Chuan looked at him and said, "We're all classmates. No need to be so polite."
The student's spirits lifted instantly. He flexed his wrist and threw a punch at Chen Chuan, his eyes fixed on his target. Meanwhile, his other hand was hidden below his abdomen. He had intentionally moved closer to find the perfect angle for his attack.
Both of them were second-limit combatants, and in such a confined space, this sudden and rapid assault left Chen Chuan unable to exert his full strength. If he attempted to dodge or block, he would immediately adjust his movements based on his opponent's actions, confident that Chen Chuan wouldn't have any effective countermeasures.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
He wanted to prove that external students were no worse than official students.
However, as this thought crossed his mind, he noticed that Chen Chuan hadn't made any move to block, counterattack, or evade. Instead, unexpectedly, he took a step forward.
As he stepped forward, he also shifted slightly to the side, actively engaging the shoulder of the attacking student. But before the student's punch could fully extend, it met Chen Chuan's shoulder and was pushed back. The force behind the punch was incredibly powerful, lifting the student's feet off the ground and slamming his back against the elevator door.
The other student, seeing this, kicked towards Chen Chuan's back. This wasn't an intentional act of ganging up on him; it was a reflexive response. In the arena, they were teammates, and when one faced a disadvantage, the other would instinctively step in to restrict and attack.
Chen Chuan sidestepped almost as soon as the other student kicked, simultaneously grabbing the attacker's hand and spinning slightly. He dodged the kick and, in the same motion, used the attacker's momentum to fling him towards the back of the elevator.
The kicking student missed his target and stumbled forward, trying to regain his balance. Suddenly, a swift figure appeared before him, and he instinctively raised his hand to block. Immediately, he felt an irresistible force pushing back, and both of them tumbled into a ball, rolling until they hit the back wall of the elevator.
Chen Chuan watched as they quickly got up. He addressed the initial puncher, "Your punches are fast, but you overthink things. Be a bit more decisive, and you'll do great." Then, to the other student, "Your timing for kicks is excellent, but you're too all-or-nothing. Leaving some room for retreat would be better."
Both students were taken aback by his words. Just then, a ding-dong sound rang out as the elevator doors slid open, revealing the 28th floor. Chen Chuan stepped aside to make way.
The two students exchanged glances and stepped out. Once outside, one of them turned back and said, "Cao Rui!"
Chen Chuan nodded, "My name is Chen Chuan." The elevator doors slowly closed.
As the elevator ascended, the other student couldn't help but comment, "Cao Rui, he's really strong." He had noticed that Chen Chuan had only moved one hand, while his other hand holding the sword remained still.
Cao Rui felt a mix of frustration and disappointment. He had performed well in the arena tournament and believed he wasn't far behind the official students. Moreover, his frequent life-or-death battles had led him to think he could surpass official students of similar limits. But the recent encounter had dealt him a significant blow.
The other student sighed, "Official students have access to far more resources."
Cao Rui suddenly headed towards another elevator and pressed the button. The other student was taken aback, "Where are you going?" Cao Rui replied, "You guys go ahead and warm up. I need to keep training."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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