Chapter 307 - 28: The Person Behind the Corporate Giant

「That afternoon.」

Lu Chao changed into a clean, neat standard uniform and, accompanied by Yao Jin, went to the branch chief’s office on the top floor.

CLICK.

As the door opened, he glanced inside.

The room was quite spacious. A leather desk sat with its back to a floor-to-ceiling window, with chairs placed in front of and behind it. To one side was a separate sofa area, and a few potted green plants added a touch of life to the corners.

There was nothing particularly eye-catching about the room.

The gray floor tiles had a matte finish. The branch chief, who also served as the leader of the First Team, was a serious middle-aged man named Li Junyi. Lu Chao had seen him a few times before. Dressed in a dark standard uniform, he was currently sitting in the sofa area, facing the main entrance.

However, his gaze froze as he focused on another person in the sofa area.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face as he spotted an unexpected figure.

The man was dressed in a sharp black suit, his hair styled in a neat side part. He looked to be around thirty, with a calm and peaceful expression.

Even Li Junyi, a Superpower Level expert at the Exploration Level, sat ramrod straight before him, having personally brewed him a cup of hot tea.

"Surprised?"

The man in black smiled faintly and turned to look at him.

Their eyes met. Lu Chao paused for a moment before respectfully cupping his fist. "Mr. Ji."

The man was none other than Ji Lixian, the envoy from Yao Capital who had overseen Lu Chao’s exceptional promotion assessment.

He was the descendant of a Starlight Hero, the peerless expert Master Ge had once called the fastest man in the Alliance Country.

"You know Mr. Ji?"

Yao Jin sounded surprised. She could tell from their exchange that this was not their first meeting.

And yet, one was from the Rhombus Ring City Circle, while the other was one of the most influential figures in the entire Alliance Country. No one would have ever connected the two.

"Heh."

He chuckled, as if sensing her confusion. Ji Lixian smiled placidly and said, "I was the one who personally witnessed Brother Lu’s promotion assessment."

"Speaking of which, Xiaoyao..."

He took a sip of his hot tea and teased, "I didn’t expect your luck to be so good."

The moment he finished speaking, Yao Jin’s face grew flushed. She instantly knew he had found out about her swapping team captains.

With an awkward laugh, her confusion vanished, and she hurried forward to offer an explanation.

As she spoke, Lu Chao also stepped forward, greeting Branch Chief Li Junyi and listening as they reminisced.

"Mr. Ji used to be the head instructor at the Yao City Headquarters’ elite training camp."

"In fact, it was thanks to his guidance that I was able to successfully break through to the Superpower Level."

Yao Jin explained their shared past in a low voice, her ponytail swishing gently.

Then, at a gesture from Li Junyi, the two took a seat to the side of the sofa area.

’So that’s the connection,’ Lu Chao thought, relieved. He wasn’t too surprised by the revelation.

’Whether in terms of power or status, Mr. Ji was more than qualified to guide these Superpower Team leaders with their distinguished backgrounds.’

"Come to think of it, it’s only been half a year since we last parted ways."

Ji Lixian’s tone was calm as he sat across the tea table. He looked at Lu Chao again and remarked with a hint of wonder, "I thought that even though you’re a late bloomer with exceptional aptitude, you would still need to spend some more time consolidating your foundation at the Elite Level."

"I never expected that in a mere six months, you would have already overcome that hurdle and successfully broken through."

The admiration in his eyes was unconcealed. Such talent was already on par with the top elites cultivated within the Headquarters.

Beside them, Branch Chief Li Junyi also nodded in approval, a smile gracing his lips.

"It’s all thanks to Leader Yao’s daily guidance and support. I couldn’t have succeeded without her," Lu Chao said with a smile. His tone was sincere, and he had mentioned Yao Jin on purpose.

’It cost him nothing, just a few words to do her a favor. He didn’t mind repaying her in this small way.’

Hearing this, Yao Jin was taken aback for a moment before she understood. Her gaze softened as she looked at Lu Chao, a hint of gratitude in her eyes.

"Heh."

Ji Lixian chuckled, but didn’t call him out on it.

Instead, he looked Lu Chao up and down and nodded. "Not bad. Your foundation is solid, and your aura is very stable."

"Now that you’ve reached the Limit-Breaking Level... the Alliance Country is in great need of elite talents like yourself. Do you have any plans for what comes next?"

At his well-intentioned question, both Yao Jin and Li Junyi turned to Lu Chao with looks of anticipation.

Those who reached the Superpower Level were not required to stay in the Superpower Bureau, especially if they hadn’t been trained by the Headquarters and weren’t bound by its strict contracts.

The Patrol Department and City Defense Department were both good alternatives.

Additionally, some mid- to large-sized corporations offered equally generous compensation, and it wasn’t unheard of for people to choose that path willingly.

In response, Lu Chao thought for a moment before replying with a smile. "I’ve only achieved what I have today thanks to the protection of the Superpower Bureau and the support of my fellow team members. If it’s possible for me to stay, that would be for the best."

This was a decision he had made after careful consideration upon reaching the Superpower Level.

’Throughout the entire Alliance Country, the Superpower Bureau is the most powerful armed organization, a clear tier above even the Patrol Department.’

’He needs that backing, especially with the Biotechnology Company and the Elder Families still after him.’

’Besides, rumored items like energy mineral essence and other primary resources were only available through the internal quotas of a major power like this; you can’t just buy them on the outside.’

As soon as Lu Chao finished, Li Junyi’s expression softened, and Yao Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

Ji Lixian also smiled and nodded, then turned his head to ask, "Old Li, your division isn’t at full strength yet, is it?"

"Haha, that’s right."

"I was already planning on putting together a Fifth Superpower Team. As it happens, there’s no one more suitable for the position of Fifth Team Leader than Captain Lu."

Li Junyi naturally understood his colleague’s intent and finalized the decision on the spot, giving Lu Chao a good-natured nod.