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The aroma of the dishes wafted through the air at the dining table, where Chang Wu savored the food and drink with delight. Even though the liquor in his hand was a cheap bottle bought from a grocery store for just a few bucks, he drank with a blissful expression.
Hua Feifan's Mother glanced at Lu Fei Fan, signaling her intention to inquire about what this Captain was really after. His presence here surely wasn't just for a free meal.
Jiang Wannian, sitting nearby, calmly enjoyed his drink, showing no signs of urgency.
Seeing that they were not in a hurry, Lu Fei Fan decided not to press the matter further. Instead, he joined A Teng, Chang Wu, and even his younger brother in feasting heartily, inviting his mother to join as well. Eventually, Hua Feifan's Mother relented and began to eat.
In this dilapidated courtyard of two Civilian Houses, a small table was laden with a decent spread of dishes. While it wasn't exactly gourmet fare, the simple meals created an atmosphere that was lively and warm.
Jiang Wannian and Chang Wu frequently raised their glasses in camaraderie, while A Teng and Chang Wu ended up drinking so much that they passed out.
What should have been a dinner lasting only an hour or so stretched into over three hours. A Teng and Chang Wu had already collapsed and were helped by Hua Jun Tang into their room to sleep. Hua Feifan's Mother left early, worried about Hua Fei Fan's Dad at the hospital. After finishing up, Hua Jun Tang followed her to the hospital, leaving Lu Fei Fan to deal with the uninvited guests who had come to eat and drink.
Jiang Wannian and Chang Wu remained composed, showing no shame about the meal. Instead, they instructed Lu Fei Fan to clean up afterward. Lu Fei Fan adeptly tidied the table until it was spotless, without a trace of grease left behind. He even quickly brewed some fragrant Tea to offer to the two deities.
The night sky was vast and magnificent, filled with countless stars that stretched endlessly.
Chang Wu set down his empty teacup. Lu Fei Fan intended to refill it for him, but he raised his hand to stop him.
"Half the mountain house awaits the bright moon; a cup of clear tea honors Zhi Yin," Chang Wu recited with a smile, quoting an ancient poem. "I’m just a simple man; a few cups of tea are enough for me—more would be like pouring water into a cow."
Jiang Wannian chuckled and interjected, "Now that's quite unusual—a simple man who can appreciate tea and poetry."
"Haha! I’ve just picked up a few lines from those old generals up top to show off," Chang Wu waved his hand dismissively at Jiang Wannian's teasing.
Lu Fei Fan quietly observed them, not showing any impatience to ask questions.
Chang Wu looked Lu Fei Fan up and down again, nodding in approval as he said, "Not bad, calm and composed. Very good."
Jiang Wannian smiled from the side and interjected, "So, Captain, are you satisfied with the assessment?"
Chang Wu took out a crystal plate and tossed it to Lu Fei Fan. "Try to activate it with your Pulse Energy."
Lu Fei Fan picked up the seemingly ordinary hexagonal crystal plate, which was only about the size of his palm. It didn’t appear to have anything special about it. However, following Chang Wu's instructions, he infused his Pulse Energy into it. To his surprise, the unremarkable crystal plate began to emit a faint glow, intricate crystal patterns swirling around it. They converged into strands of energy that danced about, forming peculiar Pulse Energy Arrays.
This was not particularly surprising; upon sensing its unique formation, Lu Fei Fan decided to try using all of his Pulse Energy.
In an instant, Fu Mai Xi Shu activated. As Jiang Wannian and Chang Wu felt the surge of Pulse Energy, both narrowed their eyes slightly in anticipation.
As Lu Fei Fan continued to pour in his Pulse Energy, the crystal plate's Pulse Energy Array began to activate slowly under the influence of a soft blue hue. Waves of energy rippled across the complex array.
Suddenly, the Pulse Energy crystal plate detached from Lu Fei Fan's hand. Strands of Pulse Energy peeled away from him like drifting beams of light pulling at the crystal plate. When the Pulse Energy fully saturated the energy crystal plate, it erupted with astonishing power, surging forth and coalescing into a vivid spectacle before everyone.
The pure Pulse Energy formed images of various mythical beasts—wolves, tigers, crocodiles, snakes, and even dragons, leopards, whales, and octopuses—many of which Lu Fei Fan had never seen before. They roared at each other before clashing in a fierce battle.
The phenomenon quickly faded away. The strands of Pulse Energy that had been connected to Lu Fei Fan snapped back as well. He stared in astonishment at his hand and then at the now ordinary energy crystal plate that had returned to its previous state as if nothing had happened.
Jiang Wannian and Chang Wu wore expressions of shock; they were still processing what they had just witnessed.
Chang Wu squinted as he reevaluated Lu Fei Fan before retrieving the energy crystal plate and pretending as if nothing had occurred.
Jiang Wannian soon regained his composure and began chatting casually with Chang Wu.
Finally, Chang Wu bid farewell and hurriedly left. For him, the assessment of Lu Fei Fan was no longer the main focus; instead, he was eager to return and understand the phenomenon of the beasts devouring each other that had just occurred.
Watching Chang Wu leave in a flurry, Lu Fei Fan did not stop him. Instead, he poured a cup of tea for Jiang Wannian, the head of the Xuanwu Guild in Jiangnan, feeling a genuine fondness for him.
"Throughout history, there have been very few who could activate such phenomena on the 'Identification Plate.' At least not in the past twenty years within the Free Federation," Jiang Wannian explained.
"Then, Mr. Jiang, can you decipher what the phenomenon I just activated represents?" Lu Fei Fan asked, curious about the implications of the beast devouring each other.
Jiang Wannian shook his head. "I cannot. However... I do know someone who certainly can."
"Oh? Who is it?" Lu Fei Fan asked eagerly.
"My teacher, the Mad Phantom Lion King," Jiang Wannian replied calmly.
Lu Fei Fan was momentarily taken aback. He had heard of the Mad Phantom Lion King’s great name; it was said that he possessed extraordinary abilities and was one of the top powerhouses within the Free Federation. Otherwise, the Xuanwu Guild he founded would not have attracted so many eager members, most of whom were drawn by his formidable reputation.
"Then, may I trouble Mr. Jiang to introduce me to your teacher?" Lu Fei Fan asked cautiously, feeling a bit anxious.
"Sorry," Jiang Wannian said apologetically, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness. "I don't even know where he is right now."
"Ah?" Lu Fei Fan momentarily failed to grasp this. "That’s truly unfortunate."
"My teacher has left the Free Federation," Jiang Wannian continued. "He went on an expedition to explore more dangerous seas beyond the Human World with several seniors. It is said that there are still human strongholds and territories beyond our Free Federation and the Alliance Empire. Since then, we have no idea where he is."
"There are still human strongholds or nations beyond the Free Federation?" This was the first time Lu Fei Fan had heard such a thing. In his education over the past decade or so, he had come to believe that only the Free Federation and the Alliance Empire existed in this sea area as remnants of the Human World. However, Jiang Wannian's words astonished him and completely overturned his understanding of this world.
"Of course, this world is vast beyond measure. Beyond this ocean, there are different human kingdoms or islands that we have yet to explore. Our humanity is so insignificant that we cannot fully explore this boundless sea for now."
"It turns out the outside world is so large. I really am a frog at the bottom of a well," Lu Fei Fan said with a hint of self-deprecation and a touch of disappointment.
"Don't give up. As long as you have the strength, you still have a chance to meet my master. The outside world is so expansive; don't you want to see it?" Jiang Wannian's words stirred something within Lu Fei Fan.
"There are many strong individuals from our sea who have left to explore the outside world. Although I don't know how they are doing now, some have returned and spoken of the vastness of the outside world, filled with many unknown opportunities and adventures."
"Well... if I get the chance, once I become strong enough, I will definitely go see the outside world," Lu Fei Fan envisioned the outside world in his mind, imagining it to be an exciting and expansive place.
"The reason I came to find you is actually to invite you to join my Special Operations Team," Jiang Wannian candidly revealed his purpose. "I plan to set out in six months to search for my master."
"Six months?" Lu Fei Fan was taken aback.
"No, what I mean is for you to join my other Special Operations Team." Jiang Wannian's words made Lu Fei Fan feel somewhat relieved but also a bit disappointed. He had thought he might encounter such good fortune, but then he realized how ridiculous it was; with his weak strength, even if someone brought him along, he would likely be a burden and could easily lose his life.
"Sure, I was just looking for a Special Operations Team to join. Mainly, I want to earn money to pay for my father's treatment," Lu Fei Fan said candidly.
Jiang Wannian nodded and said, "Alright, I'll arrange that. However, you will need to pay thirty percent of your earnings from the Special Operations Team to the guild within three years. Is that acceptable? Of course, joining the guild comes with benefits. I know about your father's situation; I've already commissioned someone to inquire about the Jinwu Holy Blood Pill. If it becomes available, our guild can help you reserve one in advance. It's not difficult for us to book a Jinwu Holy Blood Pill under our guild's name; it’s just that the price will depend on your efforts. If you make outstanding contributions to the guild, we can help cover part of the cost."
Upon hearing these enticing conditions, Lu Fei Fan realized they were far better than when Jiang Wannian had tried to recruit him at the guild before. It was clear that Jiang Wannian had come prepared with sincerity, especially regarding the Jinwu Holy Blood Pill. With its market scarcity, being able to reserve one in advance made things much easier; as long as he saved enough money, he would still be able to buy it.
"Alright, but I want to ask how long can the reservation for the Jinwu Holy Blood Pill be held?" Lu Fei Fan inquired.
"At least three years," Jiang Wannian assured him.
"Alright. I will join your Special Operations Team." Lu Fei Fan thought for a moment; three years was enough for him. He believed he could save enough money to buy the Jinwu Holy Blood Pill within that time.
Seeing Lu Fei Fan's prompt agreement, Jiang Wannian was naturally pleased. He turned to Li Wei, who had been patiently waiting behind him, and requested a Savings Card, which he then handed over.
"This is my personal sponsorship of five million for you. You can't join the Special Operations Team without a complete set of equipment," Jiang Wannian said as he passed it to him.
Lu Fei Fan hesitated for a moment but accepted it. "Thank you, Mr. Jiang. I will definitely pay this back in the future."
Jiang Wannian didn't think much of it; perhaps this amount was insignificant to him, but in the future, it might reveal a person's character and integrity, which was worth it.
"However, Mr. Jiang..."
"Just call me Jiang Ge from now on," Jiang Wannian interrupted him.
"Yes, Jiang Ge." Lu Fei Fan didn't hold back. "It's just that if I were to be conscripted by the Free Federation..."
"You don't need to worry about that. My Special Operations Team doesn't have any mandatory personal requirements. As long as you take leave or complete your conscription with the Free Federation before joining the Special Operations Team in battle, it's all up to you," Jiang Wannian assured him.
Lu Fei Fan nodded, feeling much of his concern dissipate. He had a nagging feeling that Chang Wu wouldn't let him off so easily, and he believed Jiang Wannian had sensed this too, which was why he provided such an explanation.
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