Chapter 40 Promotion to Vice Commander
"There are traces of high-temperature scorching and carbonization on the bones. It's not as simple as a flame breath; it looks more like... the residue of some extremely high-level flame domain or secret technique." Another girl with a cold temperament spoke up; she was the perception and elemental analysis expert of the team.
"This Minister Zhang's strength is truly unfathomable."
Nangong Shuo spoke with heartfelt admiration. He took the initiative to walk toward Zhang Fan and reached out to shake his hand. "Minister Zhang, I am Nangong Shuo from Xijing Martial Arts University. I have long admired you. May I ask if the flame secret technique you just displayed is the legendary 'Dragon-Elephant' lineage?"
Seeing the other party's polite attitude, Zhang Fan nodded and responded simply, "Brother Nangong has a keen eye. It is indeed a rudimentary application of the Dragon-Elephant lineage. Please excuse my clumsy display."
"Minister Zhang, you are too modest." Nangong Shuo smiled and began to discuss with Zhang Fan. The more they discussed, the more shocked he became at the depth of Zhang Fan's understanding of the essence of the Dragon-Elephant lineage's cultivation techniques.
After all, Zhang Fan was already at the Ninth Grade Perfection. Any casual insight he revealed was enough for Nangong Shuo to ponder for a long time.
At this moment, Su Wan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surprise in her heart, and walked in front of Zhang Fan.
"Zhang Fan... Minister." She said, "I really... didn't expect it to be you."
Zhang Fan looked at her, his gaze calm. "Classmate Su Wan, long time no see."
Su Wan thought for a moment and took out her latest model communicator. "Can... can I add your contact information? Perhaps we can look out for each other in the future and exchange insights on martial arts."
Zhang Fan pondered for a moment, nodded, and also took out his standard-issue Martial Artists Alliance communicator.
"The crisis in Songjiang City has been resolved, and we need to return to school to report back as soon as possible," Nangong Shuo said with a smile.
After some brief pleasantries, the group said their goodbyes.
Su Wan also boarded the helicopter with the others.
Looking through the porthole, the shock in Su Wan's eyes slowly faded, replaced by a kind of ignited, almost overflowing curiosity and desire to explore.
"Zhang Fan..."
"From a corpse-collecting team, to an Alliance Branch Minister who single-handedly slew a Lord-level..."
"In such a short time, how did you manage to do it? You are from the same year as me, yet your strength has become so powerful!"
...
Huahai City, Martial Artists Alliance, Regional Command Headquarters.
Minister Zhu Chi had a trace of lingering worry locked between his brows.
"The support from Xijing Martial Arts University should have arrived by now, but even so, if they face a real Lord-level, even if they can win, it will inevitably be a pyrrhic victory..."
He muttered to himself, his mood heavy.
A Lord-level Ferocious Beast is a disaster that can easily destroy a small or medium-sized city. Every encirclement campaign means huge sacrifices.
"That kid Zhang Fan... having him responsible for stalling and maneuvering, I fear he has already given his all, and might even be seriously injured..." Zhu Chi rubbed his temples, feeling very exhausted. Why were the appearances of Ferocious Beast tide rifts becoming more and more frequent recently?
Zhang Fan was also a rising star he thought highly of. If he were to be seriously injured or perish because of this, it would be a huge loss.
Just then, the office door was pushed open violently, and the secretary rushed in, almost in a state of excitement.
"Min... Minister! An urgent telegram from Songjiang City! Good news!"
Zhu Chi's heart skipped a beat. He snatched the electronic battle report and scanned it rapidly.
A few seconds later, the anxiety and worry on his face instantly froze, his pupils contracted violently, and his breathing even stalled for a moment.
[Crisis resolved. The Lord-level Ferocious Beast has been killed single-handedly. Killer: Qinggang City Branch Minister, Zhang Fan. Process: Head-on assault, killed single-handedly. Our casualties: None. By the time the Xijing Martial Arts University support team arrived, the battle was already over.]
"Killed single-handedly?! Killed a Lord-level single-handedly?! Without damage?!" Zhu Chi read it three times over.
Although the good news was delightful, but... how is this possible?!
Zhu Chi could not believe it at first.
He had estimated Zhang Fan's strength to be roughly between the peak of the Eighth Grade and the threshold of the Ninth Grade. Being able to maneuver around a Lord-level was already heaven-defying.
Slay it alone? And without damage?
After a brief moment of extreme astonishment came a wild joy like a volcanic eruption! Because from the detailed battle report that followed, Zhu Chi saw the combat process recorded from a distance by Chen Guodong.
"Haha! Hahaha! Good! Good lad! What a Zhang Fan!"
Zhu Chi bounced up from his seat, and in his excitement, slammed the table hard, leaving a shallow palm print on the hard alloy desk!
He laughed out loud, his face flushed, and the previous gloom was swept away!
"Slaying a Lord-level alone! Without damage! This strength is definitely at the top level of the Ninth Grade! Perhaps... Zhang Fan has already touched the threshold of the 'Super Ninth Grade'!"
He paced excitedly in the office, his eyes shining.
Although he had many elites under his command, most were guarding critical "Dungeons" or strategic locations everywhere. The mobile forces he could deploy had always been stretched thin.
Zhang Fan's sudden emergence and the display of such terrifying strength was definitely huge good news.
"To have such a talent serving as a Branch Minister in Qinggang City is too much of a waste! I must increase his responsibilities and place him in a more critical position!"
Zhu Chi calmed down immediately, his brain working at high speed, starting to think about how to adjust Zhang Fan's position to maximize his strategic value.
"I absolutely cannot waste this talent!"
...
Xijing Martial Arts University, inside Su Wan's independent villa.
She sat in front of the light screen, holding her breath and concentrating, carefully reviewing all the battle reports since Zhang Fan's sudden emergence.
From his initial display of talent in Songjiang City, resolving crisis after crisis of beast tides; to his powerful assumption of office in Qinggang City, rectifying the situation, and consecutively slaying strong enemies; and finally this time, single-handedly suppressing and killing a Lord-level Ferocious Beast...
One after another, each feat was so brilliant that it was staggering! The speed of his growth was unimaginably fast!
The more Su Wan read, the brighter the light in her beautiful eyes became. Her initial shock was gradually replaced by deep appreciation, admiration, and even a hint of infatuation that she herself had not yet realized.
"So... he was already this powerful."
She whispered to herself, her fingertips tracing Zhang Fan's calm ID photo on the light screen. "Every step he has taken has been so solid, so astonishing..."
...
Huahai City Command Headquarters, Minister Zhu Chi's office.
Zhang Fan arrived upon invitation.
"Zhang Fan, sit." Zhu Chi was all smiles, personally pouring a cup of tea for Zhang Fan, his attitude so cordial that the secretary on the side was secretly tongue-tied.
"I have read your battle report in detail. Well done! You have achieved great merit for our Huahai Theater of Operations!"
"Minister, you are too kind; it was my duty," Zhang Fan replied.
Zhu Chi nodded and stopped beating around the bush. He said seriously, "In view of your ability to turn the tide this time, and the outstanding strength and sense of responsibility you have demonstrated, the Command Headquarters has decided after deliberation to officially appoint you as Deputy Commander of the Huahai City Martial Artists Alliance Command Headquarters!"
Deputy Commander! This was a high position with real power, with a status only below a few people like Zhu Chi. The resources he could mobilize and command were far beyond that of a city Branch Minister!
"The point is, you are appointed to oversee all defense affairs for the five satellite cities of Huahai City: Qinggang City, Songjiang City, Linyuan City, Jiangbei City, and Nanshan City!"