Chapter 257 - 6: New Funding and Martial Skill

"Peak Elite Level."

Looking at the stats on the panel before him.

Lu Chao stood on the balcony, his eyes bright as he quickly assessed the situation.

This must be the feedback from mastering Crimson Fire. The increase in spiritual power simultaneously boosted his Life Energy as well.

’My Martial Arts Power has increased by another third, and my base strength is approaching two tons.’

’My explosive speed, nerve response, endurance... everything has improved by twenty to thirty percent.’

As he carefully sensed the changes, Lu Chao quickly adapted to his body’s transformation, gradually mastering the power that came with his breakthrough.

Without even realizing it, he had already stepped into the final stage before the Superpower Level.

He had originally thought it might take longer, as he could feel that the development of his Life Energy had slowed down compared to when he was in Ring City.

It wasn’t because he had been slacking in his training.

First, he had just taken over the Fifth Squad and needed to familiarize himself with many of its affairs. Additionally, a backlog of documents required his signature and review, which took up some of his time.

Second, and most importantly.

’Advanced Nutritional Resources...’

A glint in his eye, Lu Chao knew this was the real reason the growth of his Life Energy had slowed.

Since coming to Red Maple, he no longer had anyone sponsoring his resources.

And while the Superpower Bureau’s compensation was certainly good, maintaining the bodily functions of an Elite Level individual was inherently a huge expense.

The monthly stipend of one serving of Advanced Nutritional Resources was clearly not enough for someone who wanted to rapidly increase their strength.

Not to mention the high-level energy intake required for his Potential Progress.

’I have to find a way to get more sponsorship.’

’Or I could make money through pharmaceutics and buy Advanced Nutritional Resources from the internal network at a thirty-percent discount.’

Several ideas popped into his head; Lu Chao wasn’t without a plan.

He just hadn’t had time to prepare before due to squad-related matters.

He temporarily pushed these thoughts aside and began to perceive the effects of his mastered Crimson Fire.

His Spiritual Power had increased by at least forty to fifty percent.

Not only did this proportionally increase the duration he could activate his [Flow State] talent, but his five senses, resistance to mental attacks, and other aspects had also been enhanced by several tenths.

In addition, the effectiveness of his Thunder Sound Skill had probably also increased by twenty to thirty percent.

His eyes brightened as Lu Chao understood the key factor.

Sonic Martial Skills required one to fuse them with their own aura to intimidate enemies, and to a certain extent, one’s spiritual will was the very foundation of that aura.

Moreover, this wasn’t even the most important change.

It was the subtle feeling that had surfaced in his heart.

Slightly narrowing his eyes, Lu Chao looked over at the adjacent balcony.

Zhao Yuanqing had just finished his bodyweight training and was now flipping through a text on the Superpower Knowledge of prosthetic maintenance theory.

At one point, their eyes met by chance. Lu Chao’s heart stirred as he inexplicably sensed a vague emotional fluctuation.

Admiration, gratitude, appreciation...

Aided by the visualization of Crimson Fire’s full sun, he could subtly perceive some of Zhao Yuanqing’s mental and emotional state toward him.

Although it was still indistinct, just a vague impression.

But a thought flashed through Lu Chao’s mind, and he realized the crucial point.

’Goodwill and malice.’

As long as someone was within range of his five senses and held a certain degree of good or ill will toward him, he could vaguely perceive it.

To a certain extent, he could even see through potential betrayals or hidden malice and killing intent.

This was something that most Martial Skills and even ordinary Superpower Level experts couldn’t do, and its significance was self-evident.

’Let’s test it.’

Nodding to himself, Lu Chao quickly began to experiment.

The maximum range for this emotion-sensing was about ten meters in all directions. The closer the target, the better the perception; the farther away, the vaguer it became.

’With this, I have another trump card to avoid close-range assassinations.’

As he gradually adapted to this new power, Lu Chao withdrew his focus, and a bright light flashed in his eyes.

Then, remembering his earlier plans, he quickly got up, returned to his bedroom, and pulled open the storage cabinet in the corner.

He first habitually took out the small metal sphere.

Although he still didn’t know its specific origin, he had made it a daily habit to infuse it with a portion of his Martial Arts Power.

While doing so, Lu Chao also took out the letters that Master Luo had given him.

One was for visiting a mid-to-high-level executive at the [Hunter Guild], which could potentially open up a new channel for resources.

The other was related to a large, local Martial Arts dojo in Red Maple. With the accompanying token, he could have a Superpower Level Martial Artist there teach him a Mid-Level Martial Skill of the Body Technique variety. It would also grant him the right to ask for that Martial Artist’s help one time.

He had been too busy with Superpower Bureau matters over the past month to find the time.

But now that he needed resources, it was the perfect opportunity to pay them a visit and see how things went.

After a moment of thought, Lu Chao delayed no longer.

After tidying up the room, he took the letters and the token.

He quickly strode out of his home and left the apartment building.

...

「An hour later.」

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows as Lu Chao walked out of a third-floor reception room in the [Hunter Guild] building.

A middle-aged woman with wavy hair sat behind a tea table inside the room, watching him leave. She instructed a secretarial assistant to escort him downstairs.

As he walked, Lu Chao looked at the black business card in his hand and strode across the bright floor tiles, surprised that things had gone so smoothly.

[Hunter Guild]

[Red Maple Branch No. 4 Manager: You Qiulin]

This was Master Luo’s old acquaintance at the Hunter Guild. She was a high-level executive at the Satellite City No. 4 Hunter Guild, specifically in charge of the guild’s logistics.

After he arrived, stated his purpose, and handed over the letter and token, the matter of resource sponsorship was essentially settled.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Lu. Manager You always keeps her word."

"Our guild sponsors a number of talented fighters every year. From now on, I’ll have someone deliver a monthly serving of Advanced Nutritional Resources to you."