Chapter 507 - 317: This Advisor Han, a Down-to-Earth Man

"In thirty seconds, a Ghost Fighter can fly over a hundred kilometers and escape any threat."

Han Feng looked at the headband, and understanding dawned on him.

’It seems the higher-ups in East Sea City really spared no expense for this trip to Dragon Abyss. They even brought out this kind of strategic-level equipment for the pilots.’

All his questions were answered. Han Feng nodded. "I understand."

"Good."

Ye Jinghong handed the headband to Liu Zhen. "Later, take this equipment, along with my orders, to Zhao Tianlan of the Ghost Squad."

"Yes, sir!" Liu Zhen quickly accepted.

With the critical mission briefed, Ye Jinghong announced a temporary recess, and the tense atmosphere in the conference room eased.

Gu Jian picked up the glass of water on the table, took a sip, and broke the silence with a smile.

"Speaking of which, Advisor Han just mentioned Broken Star Reef, which reminded me of something."

He looked at everyone, his tone somewhat playful.

"That place has been quite lively recently. I heard the Divine Soul Crystals dug up from that underground palace have miraculous effects."

This topic immediately piqued everyone’s interest.

A burly, bald young man chimed in with a deep, rumbling voice:

"’Miraculous’ is an understatement."

"A friend of mine from Kunlun Holy City told me about this guy who’d been stuck at the Peak of Enlightenment for several years. His Spiritual Power was just over a thousand hertz, and he just couldn’t break through."

"And guess what happened?"

"What happened?" someone next to him asked eagerly.

"He downed two hundred Divine Soul Crystals, and his Spiritual Power shot up to two thousand hertz!"

"He went into seclusion for three days, condensed a Mortal Grade Dharma Seal, and successfully broke through to the Divine Containment Realm!" the bald youth said, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"HISS..." A series of sharp inhales could be heard throughout the conference room.

"I heard about that too," said another young man in red armor.

"Although the effects diminish the more you use them, for people like us whose Spiritual Power is already over three thousand, if we could get our hands on a thousand of them, we could probably still increase it by three to five hundred hertz."

"That’s a tangible increase. It would save several years of hard cultivation."

For a moment, everyone burst into discussion, their words filled with envy and longing for the Divine Soul Crystals.

Han Feng sat in his seat, listening with a smile, but inwardly he was ecstatic.

’The effects are that good? It seems the potential of my Borrowed Path Sword Seeds is even greater than I imagined. If I were to release all three thousand of them...’

He could almost see a vast field of leeks, growing strong and healthy.

"Ahem."

Just as the discussion was heating up, Ye Jinghong interrupted them with a light cough.

"The items may be good, but their origins are unknown." His gaze swept across the room, carrying a hint of a warning.

"Kunlun has made a preliminary confirmation that the creation of those things is inextricably linked to the Children of the Mist."

"Although no users have shown any abnormalities so far, the Speaker has specifically warned that we must be even more cautious at times like these."

"Currently, the stance of the higher-ups in all the major Fortress Cities is more or less the same."

"Ordinary Enlightenment Realm Martial Artists can try using them to collect data."

"But core elites like us are absolutely forbidden from touching them until their condensation principle has been thoroughly researched."

Ye Jinghong’s words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing everyone’s enthusiasm.

"The General is right."

Gu Jian immediately agreed. "The top Rune Masters and biologists in Kunlun Holy City are already working on cracking the principles behind those things."

"Once they’ve figured it out, we can find a way to exchange for the technical data, produce them ourselves, and use them with peace of mind."

Although everyone was a bit reluctant, they knew Ye Jinghong was right and nodded in agreement.

Han Feng chuckled inwardly. ’By the time you guys figure it out, it’ll be too late. By then, the entire market’s supply will belong to me, Boss Han.’

The meeting officially ended, and everyone dispersed to make their final preparations for the operation in three days.

Han Feng, however, did not leave immediately. He walked up to Ye Jinghong and said with a serious expression:

"General Ye, I have an idea."

"Speak."

"I’d like to take these next two days to pilot a fighter and conduct an external patrol along the edge of the Dragon Abyss Boundary Membrane."

Han Feng’s expression was solemn, appearing full of a sense of responsibility.

"For one, I can familiarize myself with the surrounding airspace ahead of time."

"For another, I can also monitor the energy fluctuations of the Dragon Abyss Boundary Membrane in real time. If any unexpected situation arises, I can provide an immediate warning."

His words were righteous and brimming with a collectivist spirit.

Ye Jinghong, Gu Jian, and the others were stunned for a moment. Then, the way they looked at Han Feng changed.

First surprise, then admiration.

In the last few days before Dragon Abyss opened, who wasn’t seizing every second to enter secluded cultivation and adjust their condition?

But this Advisor Han, instead of focusing on his own "progress," had proactively taken on such a tedious and boring patrol mission.

What noble character! What selfless dedication!

"Advisor Han, you..." Gu Jian opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

He suddenly felt that, in trying to test Han Feng earlier, he had been judging a gentleman by his own petty standards.

"Good! Excellent!" Ye Jinghong clapped Han Feng heavily on the shoulder, his face showing undisguised admiration.

"Our Vanguard Corps needs capable and responsible people like you!"

Clearly, he had misunderstood.

He thought this was Han Feng’s way of proactively integrating with the team, expressing his goodwill and value.

For such a dedicated "talent" who was actively trying to join the group, Ye Jinghong naturally welcomed him with open arms.

"However, we can’t let you work for free."

Ye Jinghong said immediately, "The Corps’ rules have always been fair and just. Meritorious service is always rewarded."

"How about this: for every hour you patrol, I’ll record it as a Level B patrol mission and reward you with one thousand Firewood Value. How does that sound?"

Han Feng was overjoyed, but on the surface, he repeatedly waved his hands in refusal.

"General Ye, you’re too kind. This is just part of my duty. How could I ask for a reward?"

The more he refused, the more Ye Jinghong, Gu Jian, and the others felt he was a down-to-earth person and a trustworthy comrade-in-arms.

"You must accept it!" Ye Jinghong’s tone was unquestionable. "These are the rules!"

Seeing this, Han Feng dropped the "politeness" and accepted with a "reluctant" look on his face.

His original plan was just to find an excuse to sneak out to the underground palace at Broken Star Reef to pull a classic switcheroo, swapping his self-made Borrowed Path Sword Seeds for the Children of the Mist’s Divine Soul Crystals.

Now, not only did he have a perfectly legitimate reason, but he was also getting paid for it.

It almost made him feel a little embarrassed.

’Since I’ve accepted the mission, I have to do a good job. I can’t let them think I’m just slacking off,’ Han Feng resolved inwardly.

Under the friendly and admiring gazes of the crowd, Han Feng accepted the patrol mission on his Tinder Terminal right then and there before turning and leaving crisply.

"What an interesting person."

Watching Han Feng’s departing figure, Gu Jian smiled and shook his head.

Ye Jinghong also nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

This Han Feng had strength, was neither arrogant nor impatient, and knew how to consider the bigger picture. He was a true talent.

Perhaps keeping him in the Ghost Shadow Squad as a special advisor was the best arrangement after all.

...