Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The rank of a spirit body can occasionally mutate during inheritance. For example, in the Lu family, previous generations had B-level sword spirit bodies, but Lu Yang suddenly awakened an A-level sword, which was certainly something to celebrate.

On the other hand, the Sun family, known for their high-level psychics, suddenly produced a C-level psychic. This was especially disappointing given that Sun Fushan had been expected to be S-level for the first sixteen years of his life. It's easy to imagine how disheartened, embarrassed, and guilty he must have felt after awakening, unable to face his family, classmates, and friends.

Xu Qiao could understand why Sun Fushan stuttered and why he chose to work as a librarian.

However, revealing this secret would not negatively impact him; it was more about emotional sharing with his teammates.

Showing one's inner scars to others requires immense courage and trust—trust that his teammates won't change their attitude towards him because of his identity, or mock him for being the lowest among many high-level turtles.

Xu Qiao privately messaged Meng Li: "What do you think?"

Meng Li: "If it were just me, I wouldn't mind bringing him along."

Xu Qiao: "I'm willing to trust him too, not only because of his character and sincerity but also because of Vice Marshal Sun Dagui."

The strongest individual in Southeast Base is undoubtedly Marshal Lin, with his S-level phoenix spirit body. However, the most beloved and trusted person among the residents is Vice Marshal Sun Dagui.

Both marshals are around eighty years old this year, making them the third generation of the base's chief and vice marshals.

During Sun Dagui's forty-year tenure, Southeast Base has faced two major beast waves. Despite the valiant efforts of the guards and high-level psychic mercenaries, the sheer number of mutant creatures overwhelmed them, and some beasts broke through the base's walls and protective shields, rushing towards the residential areas.

From the outer rings to the center, nearly ten million ordinary people and low-level E and D psychics lived there, including all the children who had yet to come of age.

In times of crisis, a massive turtle shell covered the entire third ring, providing impenetrable S-level defense against the beast wave.

This was Sun Dagui's spirit body.

The giant turtle stood firm like a mountain, enduring as long as the beast wave persisted until humanity turned the tide.

While Marshal Lin and the frontline psychics were the main combatants, it was Sun Dagui's S-level protection that gave the millions of residents peace of mind.

The second beast wave occurred when Xu Qiao was five years old. Her grandfather and father were both called to battle, leaving her in the care of Aunt Lu.

Aunt Lu sat by the balcony window, holding the sleeping Lu Yang in one arm and Xu Qiao in the other, anxiously watching the battle outside.

Living in the second ring, they could hear the beasts' roars from outside the base and see the flying beasts repeatedly attacking the protective shield, as well as the human counterattack.

As she watched, a massive black object suddenly enveloped everything, like nightfall.

Five-year-old Xu Qiao shrank into Aunt Lu's embrace out of fear.

But Aunt Lu smiled, comforting her, "Don't be afraid. This is our Vice Marshal. With him here, no beast can get in."

Almost all the children who experienced that beast wave heard similar words, and "Vice Marshal will protect us" became deeply ingrained in their minds.

Growing up, Xu Qiao learned more about the Vice Marshal through various reports. She knew he was a man of integrity among the elite and kind-hearted towards ordinary people. The Sun family members also inherited his temperament, adhering to the principle of protecting the base and all its weak.

Meng Li: "So we should bring him along?"

Xu Qiao: "Next time. Let's wait for Qinchi to return and ask him what he thinks."

If they brought Sun Fushan this time, would Qinchi think they had revealed the secret of their upgraded spirit bodies?

They were all teammates, but at this moment, Qinchi held far more weight in Xu Qiao's heart. If Qinchi opposed sharing the secret with Sun Fushan, she would comply.

At that moment, Qinchi privately messaged her: "It's fine to bring him along. In case Meng Li gets entangled by a beast, the captain can take charge of your defense."

Xu Qiao: "Are you back at the base?"

He had only left this morning, saying it would be a three-day mission.

Qinchi: "The Second School is wealthy and installed temporary signal devices in the danger zones. This allows students to support each other and ensures instructors can contact the base for assistance in emergencies."

Even C-level danger zones can have S-level beasts, so A-level danger zones are even more complex. The military school must prepare for all contingencies.

Xu Qiao: "But aren't you worried he might reveal it intentionally or unintentionally?"

Qinchi: "Don't forget, I also have connections with S-level powerhouses. Just focus on practicing your psychic abilities and stay safe."

Xu Qiao smiled and sent a screenshot of his message to Meng Li.

Meng Li: "Okay."

With Sun Fushan around, Xu Qiao's safety would be better ensured, since her B-level healing ability couldn't be used in combat.

The base switched to summer hours in May, with the aircraft scheduled to depart at 5 AM and leave the danger zone at 5 PM.

Sun Fushan cherished this opportunity to go "earn extra money" with his teammates. He left the central area early, picked up Meng Li from the eastern district, and drove to Ping'an Community, parking in front of Building 5 at four o'clock.

Xu Qiao had just washed her face and messaged her teammates to wait three minutes while she changed into her C-level combat suit.

Walking out of her bedroom, she saw Lu Yang standing gloomily in the hallway.

As she walked out, she said, "Once you receive systematic psychic training, you can join us for field experience during winter and summer breaks. Going now, even though you're an A-level psychic, would only cause trouble."

Lu Yang understood, which is why he couldn't insist and could only send her off with a sullen face.

Xu Qiao: "Don't worry. Right now, I can still act like your big sister. By the time you have winter break, you might not even want to go to a C-level danger zone anymore."

Many military school students form their own teams for field experience. Xu Qiao believed Lu Yang would find more suitable temporary or long-term teammates at The Second School.

Lu Yang: "Wherever you go, I'll go. I can do A-level missions with other teammates and then join you for C-level missions."

Xu Qiao laughed: "Sure, see you tonight, future A-level bodyguard."

Closing the door, Xu Qiao walked briskly to meet her teammates.

Sun Fushan drove the car, while Meng Li sat in the back seat.

As soon as Xu Qiao got in, Sun Fushan handed her a boxed meal: "B-breakfast."

While he had been very enthusiastic typing out his feelings in the group chat, now that they were face to face, Sun Fushan's chubby white cheeks turned red again, just like when he had picked up Meng Li.

Xu Qiao smiled and said, "I drank some nutrient liquid before leaving home. Let's save this for lunch. By the way, you're out on another mission so soon. Is your family okay with it?"

Judging from the high-grade combat armor and weapons Sun Fushan casually brought along, although he was the lowest-ranking turtle spirit in the Sun family, they still cared deeply about this little turtle and did not look down on him or abandon him.

Sun Fushan looked at his wristband and typed quickly: "At first, they weren't too comfortable with it. Later, my grandfather said I should go ahead and see what I can do."

Like the children of the Lin family, the descendants of the Sun family enter the military directly after graduation. He was allowed to find his own job due to his unique personality; otherwise, even as a C-rank, he would have had to join the military.

Xu Qiao: "Alright, let's get going. We can talk more once we've parked."

Sun Fushan breathed a sigh of relief.

The three of them left early and boarded the aircraft half an hour earlier than scheduled, choosing a seat close to the hatch.

An older and arrogant mercenary saw their young faces and immediately recognized them as rookies. He rudely asked them to move to another spot.

Meng Li gave him a cold glance and released part of her spirit form—the sharp tail of her fire scorpion, which was so red it was almost black and gleamed with a deadly sheen.

Sun Fushan, emboldened by her presence, warned sternly: "The stinger is poisonous!"

The older mercenary had already retreated several steps, terrified by the tail stinger. His lips trembled, but he didn't dare say anything harsh and obediently followed his teammates to find another seat.

Meng Li disliked trouble and did not retract the tail stinger. It remained upright behind her, pointing at any mercenary who passed nearby until they hurried away.

Sun Fushan admired it greatly: "T-that's so cool!"

The praised tail stinger turned to face away from him.

Xu Qiao waved to divert Sun Fushan's attention and sent him a message: "After our last mission, did you mention us to your family?"

Sun Fushan: "When we first formed the team, my eldest brother briefly checked your records. After I returned safely, I asked him to help exchange materials for the mother lizard. He complimented us, saying we did well, and didn't ask anything else."

Xu Qiao teased him: "Our most capable teammate Qin isn't here. Aren't you afraid you won't make it back if there's danger?"

Although Fire Element abilities are strong offensive powers and generally considered superior to Wind abilities of the same rank, Qinchi's use of his abilities was simply extraordinary, even surpassing Meng Li.

Sun Fushan: "If you all are brave enough, then so am I."

He also wanted to join the military, especially after overcoming his psychological barriers and being able to confidently display his C-rank abilities in front of those who knew his identity.

Xu Qiao smiled and shook hands with him.

Sun Fushan: "By the way, what big secret did you mention?"

Xu Qiao: "You'll know when we get there."

At exactly five o'clock, the aircraft took off and landed an hour later in a C-rank safe zone west of the Southeast Base.

Radiating outward from the Southeast Base, numerous safe zones of different ranks were distributed around it.

Recently, graduates were undergoing practical training exercises, and major military academies had reserved some safe zones exclusively for their students, prohibiting mercenaries from entering. This made other open safe zones more crowded than usual.

A large gathering of ability users often meant an increased likelihood of trouble. Last night, Sun Fushan carefully selected a less popular open safe zone and took on a small team mission. They could earn contribution points and credits by killing enough targets, and it didn't matter if they didn't kill enough since they were all here to improve their skills.

Avoiding other ability users who landed at the same time, Sun Fushan released an off-road vehicle and pointed to a mountainous area on the map: "This way?"

Both teammates nodded.

When getting into the car, Xu Qiao sat in the passenger seat to assist Sun Fushan in observing the road conditions.

Meng Li sat in the back seat, ready to respond to any attacks from behind or the sides.

After driving for only ten minutes, a C-rank mutant cat suddenly leaped out from behind a collapsed wall toward the off-road vehicle.

Sun Fushan, fully aware of Meng Li's capabilities, continued driving without hesitation.

However, he heard Xu Qiao say, "I'll handle it."

Sun Fushan turned his head and saw a water arrow fly from above, piercing the mutant cat's neck.

With a thud, the mutant cat fell to the side of the road.

Still in awe of Xu Qiao's water ability, Sun Fushan saw a wind blade appear and strike the mutant cat's head.

Sun Fushan: "..."

If not for the blood splattering gruesomely, he might have thought Qin was also here!

If it wasn't Qinchi, was someone trying to steal the loot?

Sun Fushan quickly braked, causing Meng Li to lose control, and the wind blade veered off and dissipated upon touching the ground.

Eyeing the vigilant captain, Meng Li opened the car door expressionlessly, a dagger dropping from her sleeve and spinning lightly in her palm.

Watching her extract the crystal core, no other mercenaries appeared. Confused, Sun Fushan turned to Xu Qiao: "Whose wind was that?"

Xu Qiao smiled brightly: "It was Meng Li's. That's our secret."