funbook-pk Chapter 382: The Interview
Chapter 382: The Interview
Xu Wuyi nodded in admission. "Your saber Intention is purer and more condensed. Its offensive power surpasses my own."
He was telling the truth.
On the surface, their last exchange seemed to be a draw, but in reality, Hong Nianyi’s saber Intention was more focused and penetrating.
In a true life-or-death battle, he would likely have had to pay a much greater price to receive that blow.
But this was already enough.
Hong Nianyi looked at Xu Wuyi, a smile appearing on her face again. This time, the smile held a bit more genuine ease and approval.
"That’s enough," she said. "With your Realm of Great Success in Heart Image and the foundation you’ve built with the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace, your actual combat strength is already considerable. Besides... you only used a defensive posture just now."
She didn’t spell it out, but her meaning was obvious: Xu Wuyi still had the offensive power of his Golden Crow left unused.
"Welcome to the ’Revenge Action’ squad." Hong Nianyi formally extended her hand.
Xu Wuyi took it. "It’s my honor."
Their hands met and parted in a single, brief clasp.
Hong Nianyi turned and walked to the stone lamp, took a small data chip from beside its base, and tossed it to Xu Wuyi.
"This is the basic information on the two members we’ve confirmed so far. Take a look." She sat back down on the stone stool herself. "Also, three other people have applied and are currently being screened. Since you’ve joined, you can ’interview’ them with me in a bit."
Xu Wuyi caught the chip and accessed it with his consciousness.
A stream of data unfolded before his eyes, revealing two brief text introductions and virtual images.
[Chen Yuan, Male, 38 years old, Life Energy Level 39.7, Spiritual Strength 38.2. Former Elite Scout of the Federation’s Seventh Reconnaissance Corps, became a freelance explorer after retiring. Specialties: Stealth, intelligence gathering, survival in hazardous environments. Heart Image Prototype: Shadow Crow (focus on Stealth, Perception). Note: Has entered Celestial Wolf Civilization-controlled territory three times on reconnaissance missions and survived.]
[Lin Jue, Female, 35 years old, Life Energy Level 39.4, Spiritual Strength 39.8. Graduate of the Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy’s Applied Runes Department, former demolitions expert at the Federation Military Industrial Research Institute, later resigned for personal reasons. Specialties: Design and creation of explosives, deployment of Rune traps, cracking Star Energy devices. Heart Image Prototype: Precision Scale (focus on Analysis, Control). Note: Participated in the design of the third-generation "Rift Shock Bomb."]
The files on both individuals were brief, but packed with information.
Chen Yuan was an experienced veteran skilled in operating behind enemy lines; Lin Jue was a technical expert who could provide the specialized support needed for sabotage operations.
Moreover, both had Heart Image Prototypes and were close to Level 40, guaranteeing their combat effectiveness.
"I contacted Chen Yuan through my old connections in the corps. His younger brother died in a border conflict with the Celestial Wolf Civilization last year." Hong Nianyi’s calm voice drifted over. "As for Lin Jue... her father was one of the victims of the ’Fall of Black Rock Star’ fifteen years ago. Half the reason she studies demolitions is for revenge."
Xu Wuyi silently committed this information to memory.
"Do they know the risks of this mission?" he asked.
"They know," Hong Nianyi said lightly. "When I contacted them, my first sentence was, ’It’s almost certain death, and you might not come back.’ They both replied with just three words—’Count me in.’"
The light of the stone lamp flickered faintly.
Xu Wuyi closed the file and looked up at Hong Nianyi. "What about the other three applicants?"
"They’re already in the waiting area." Hong Nianyi stood up. "Let’s go. We need to meet them. For the last spot, we need to pick the most suitable person."
As she spoke, she waved her hand, tearing open a gate of light in the empty air.
Beyond the gate was a simple, pure white space, like a standard virtual conference room. Three figures were already waiting there.
Xu Wuyi followed Hong Nianyi and stepped through the gate of light.
...
The virtual conference room was pure white.
Three figures stood in the center. Seeing Hong Nianyi and Xu Wuyi enter, their gazes shot over in unison.
On the left was a short, stout middle-aged man wearing a dark gray combat vest, his bare arms tattooed with the totem of some kind of Star Beast.
A scar ran diagonally across his face from his brow bone to his jaw. His gaze was steady, yet held a hint of appraisal.
In the middle was a tall, thin woman, around forty years old. She wore a simple tactical jacket, her hair was cut very short, and she was fiddling with a silver Rune Square in her hand.
She appeared somewhat nonchalant, but Xu Wuyi could sense the precision and vigilance within her spiritual fluctuations.
On the right was the youngest-looking of the three, a man who appeared to be in his early thirties. His face was average, the kind you would lose in a crowd.
His posture was relaxed, hands shoved in his pockets, but Xu Wuyi noticed his feet were always angled for the easiest exertion of force.
"Introductions." Hong Nianyi walked up to the three, her voice returning to its usual calmness. "I am Hong Nianyi, the organizer of this operation. This is Xu Wuyi, a confirmed member of the team."
Her gaze swept across the three. "From left to right: Zhang Meng, 41 years old, Life Energy Level 39.3, Heart Image Prototype ’Rock Turtle,’ specializing in defense and positional warfare."
The stout man nodded at the two of them but said nothing.
"In the middle, we have Li Wei, 38 years old, Life Energy Level 39.1, Heart Image Prototype ’Thousand Mechanisms,’ specializing in device manipulation and Rune applications."
The tall, thin woman stopped fiddling with the Rune Square and gave Hong Nianyi a slight nod.
"On the right, Wang Mo, 35 years old, Life Energy Level 38.9, Heart Image Prototype ’Hidden Shadow,’ specializing in stealth and assassination."
The young man offered a faint smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Hong Nianyi dispensed with the pleasantries and cut straight to the point. "You are already aware of the nature of this mission. We will infiltrate the Celestial Wolf Four Star Realm to destroy key resource points. There will be no official support, and the survival rate is extremely low."
"We are still short one person. I need to know what makes you think you’re qualified for the job."
The conference room was silent for a few seconds.
Zhang Meng was the first to speak, his voice coarse. "I’ve been on seven Star Realm missions, three of them deep in enemy-occupied territory, and I made it back alive. My Rock Turtle Heart Image isn’t great for offense, but its defense is top-tier among those at my level. If we run into real danger, I can buy you time to retreat."
He was very direct, not exaggerating his combat power, but instead emphasizing the point that he could "buy time."
Li Wei spoke next, her tone calm. "I have studied the Celestial Wolf Civilization’s resource point defense systems. Their core mining areas rely mostly on automated Rune Arrays and mechanical guards, and those... I’m good at cracking. I might not be your equal in a direct fight, but when it comes to destroying facilities, I can be of greater use."
Wang Mo spoke last, his voice soft. "I can get in, and I can get out. I’ve infiltrated Werewolf Race strongholds three times for reconnaissance without being detected. If you need someone to scout ahead, case a location, or carry out a key assassination, I’m your man."
All three made valid points and showcased their own value.
But Xu Wuyi could sense Hong Nianyi’s brow furrow slightly.