Chapter 274 - 13: Cattle and Sheep Form Herds, Fierce Beasts Walk Alone

"However,"

Lu Chao stepped closer and patted the other man’s shoulder.

"If you hear anything, let me know immediately."

"This is a score we, the Fifth Squad, will settle together."

As Lu Chao finished speaking, Gao Hu’s expression was complex. He finally understood that Lu Chao had transferred him back to ensure he got proper rest.

He expressed his thanks gratefully and nodded emphatically.

All his dissatisfaction vanished. He quickly gave his promise, then turned and strode away.

TAP TAP TAP TAP!

"Wang Dali! Sun Yang! On Captain Lu’s command, move out with me!"

His voice was booming, practically brimming with excitement.

The hurried footsteps of the squad members following him seemed to thrum with excitement. The group of figures quickly departed.

Faintly, his spiritual perception, enhanced by the Fixed Star Observation Method, gave him feedback.

Trust, gratitude, approval...

Lu Chao stood in his office, watching them leave.

The feelings of the Fifth Squad members echoed in his mind. Their respect for him had risen to a new level.

He wasn’t surprised.

He turned to look out the window, his gaze falling upon the high city walls in the distance, the tributary of the Red River that cut through the urban districts, and the guard posts along its banks.

As for the matter of revenge for Zheng City’s former captain...

He hadn’t been lying earlier.

Both professionally and personally, he genuinely admired such an outstanding peer and had no objections to avenging him.

Moreover.

He didn’t care about the gossip outside.

But obtaining more resources—like a sufficient supply of Senior-Level Nutritional Potions or more time in the gravity room—undoubtedly required greater merits and contributions.

His strength was his foundation, and the Fifth Squad were his right and left arms in the Superpower Bureau.

Only by seizing this opportunity to win over the squad completely could he capitalize on all of this, fueling his own growth and accelerating his rise in power.

’Superpower Level.’

A thought flashed through his mind, his goal crystal clear.

He would use the Superpower Bureau as a platform to reach the Superpower Level as soon as possible, and from there, become one of the true core members of the Bureau.

Only then would he have enough power to protect himself from the Biotechnology Company and gain the backing to act without fear.

...

In the time that followed, Lu Chao meticulously balanced his time between squad missions, his theoretical studies to become an Alchemist, and his own Martial Arts cultivation.

Rock Martial Skill, the fourth layer of the Golden Stone Skill, Thunder Extreme Secret Skill, Roaming Dragon Steps...

Before he knew it, more than half a month had passed.

[Life Energy: 93→95!]

[Potential Progress: 82%]

Standing inside a tram car, Lu Chao, dressed in a loose gray hoodie, took the opportunity to glance at his panel.

His Life Energy had quietly risen by another two points, and his Potential Progress had grown accordingly.

He had already used the Advanced Nutritional Resources provided by the Superpower Bureau. He had also privately brewed three or four mid-level potions, which he sold to the Hunter Guild for cash. With that money, he bought a serving of Celestial Brocade Bone-Strengthening Ointment from the Superpower Bureau’s intranet at a thirty percent discount.

It had taken two portions of Advanced Nutritional Resources, on top of many other expenses, just to make this much progress.

’Still, developing a resistance to the potions is a real problem,’ he thought. ’Next time, I’ll have to find a way to get a different type of Senior-Level Potion.’

A glint in his eye, Lu Chao was beginning to truly appreciate how difficult it was to advance at the Elite Level.

And this was with the help of his [Devouring Growth] talent, which boosted his nutrient absorption. Anyone else would likely still be stuck at a standstill.

Thinking of this, the sense of urgency he felt had not dissipated in the slightest.

Subconsciously, Lu Chao felt his pocket.

’Dark Pearl Secret Skill.’

Four Golden Stone dark pearls were hidden inside, and he could feel a subtle, invisible connection to them.

Before he knew it, by leveraging his [Flow State] talent and his foundation in the Needle Throwing Skill, he had gradually mastered the Dark Pearl Secret Skill.

He was still a bit rough with it, but for the most part, he had it down. It was enough to serve as a hidden ace for self-defense.

’The so-called Qi Flame detonation is actually a process where I use my own qi as a primer, leaving a special ’switch’ inside the dark pearl that disrupts its balance.’

’Once I throw it, I can use the vibrations from my force-projection technique to interfere with that residual trace of qi, shattering the Qi Flame’s equilibrium and causing it to detonate.’

Even while on the move, he made the most of his time, reviewing and consolidating the results of his past training.

Finally, the tram arrived at the station.

Lu Chao pushed aside his thoughts, wove through the bustling crowd, and headed straight for the nearby Storm Club.

His Roaming Dragon Steps was still a ways off from mastery, and some aspects of its training required conditions only available here, so he still made time to come once or twice a week.

"Hm?"

However, as he reached the club’s entrance, Lu Chao’s gaze hardened as he looked inside.

The many disciples in the main hall had all stopped their training and were gathered around the central ring. He even spotted Ge Hongfeng’s figure among them.

Above the murmur of the crowd, the sounds of a fierce battle erupted from the ring.

Lu Chao frowned and looked over.

He quickly realized the atmosphere was tense, as if they were facing a formidable foe.