128: Chapter 128 Meeting!

Adding it all up, the base reward was close to 40 academic credits.

If the tenfold reward policy was included, that would be a staggering sum of nearly 400 academic credits!

How generous this was!

It was enough to support his cultivation using "tiger elephant bone forging pill" and "qingxin tea" without any reservations for a long time to come!

However, behind generous rewards often lay immense risks.

Qin Yan had calmly analyzed that, with his strength alone, trying to take down a cult hideout with nearly twenty members...

...which included one second-rank middle-stage leader and three second-rank early-stage core members, was an almost impossible task.

Those First Grade Martial Artists might not even be able to break through his defense.

But in a chaotic battle, many ants can kill an elephant.

They could fully engage in harassment, pinning him down, or even forming formations to trap him.

And once he was tied down, the other four Second-Rank Martial Artists would take the opportunity to strike.

He would definitely be exhausted from dealing with them.

Two fists are no match for four hands; the risk of defeat or even death was extremely high.

Moreover, these martial artists who drifted in the dark side of society...

...might have slow realm progression due to limited resources.

But they lived in harsh environments, and their combat experience was often more ruthless and tricky.

Furthermore, they were generally older, giving them enough time to hone their Martial Arts Skill.

If by any chance someone among them reached the Third Stage Middle Level or even high level in Martial Arts Skill...

...and held alloy weapons, they would be fully capable of breaking through his defense.

After weighing everything, Qin Yan ultimately and rationally gave up on this task that seemed tempting but could actually lead to his eternal damnation.

On the other end of the communicator, Wen Ning heard that Qin Yan had not taken the task, but instead of being disappointed...

...a hint of imperceptible joy flashed through her beautiful eyes.

She took a deep breath and said in as steady a tone as possible:

"Qin Yan, about this task... I might be able to provide you with some help."

"Oh?" Qin Yan's tone carried a bit of skepticism upon hearing this.

He knew about Wen Ning's recent situation; through their previous conversations, he learned that after a period of bitter cultivation...

...she had indeed broken through to the Second Grade Bone Forging Realm, shaking off the shackles of the first grade limit.

But so what?

She had only just broken through, so the number of bones she had tempered was likely extremely limited—at most a few—and her blood qi wouldn't have increased much.

Adding her probably wouldn't play a decisive role when facing that organization, the Abyss of the Vast Sea.

On the contrary, she might become a burden because he'd need to look after her, which would be no different from giving away an extra life.

Wen Ning keenly sensed the suspicion in Qin Yan's tone and immediately became a bit anxious.

She had been following and coveting this task for a long time!

Those massive academic credits were an irresistible temptation for her!

She needed these resources so much!

If she didn't work hard to improve, in this month's Monthly Exam...

...her ranking as fifth in the grade would likely not be maintained and would continue to drop!

By then, let alone competing for one of the only five official spots for the National Exchange Competition, even her eligibility as a reserve member would be in jeopardy!

The exchange competition was crucial to her!

As long as she could perform excellently on such a nationally prominent stage and win honor for the school...

...as a participant, she would inevitably receive generous rewards from the school afterward.

Furthermore, before the competition, to ensure good results, the school usually tilted resources toward the confirmed team members.

Providing better pills and higher-level guidance!

All of this was what she, a "poor ghost" lacking family support and short on resources, desperately craved!

"Qin Yan, listen to me, I'm not joking!"

Wen Ning's tone became urgent and serious, "I really have a special method that can help you! Please trust me this once!"

In the subsequent communication, Wen Ning almost exhausted all her efforts.

She even used a pleading tone, pestering Qin Yan relentlessly.

She repeatedly emphasized that she only needed Qin Yan to give her a chance to prove herself in person and would definitely not waste his time.

Finally, under her repeated pleas and guarantees, Qin Yan relented.

Anyway, he was going to the Yangpu District Detective Bureau tomorrow to learn about other tasks, so meeting up wouldn't waste much time.

Besides, what if... Wen Ning really possessed some kind of unexpected auxiliary ability?

Although this possibility seemed slim to him, miracles were never lacking in the martial world.

"Alright, tomorrow morning, let's meet at the entrance of the Yangpu District Detective Bureau."

...

November 21st. Early morning.

Outside the grand and solemn building of the Yangpu District Detective Bureau, Qin Yan arrived on time.

He was still dressed in dark-colored clothing that was easy to move in.

Carrying the "ink trace" long spear wrapped in a cloth bag, his aura was restrained, and his eyes were calm as he waited.

Before long, a slender figure appeared at the corner of the street, walking quickly toward him.

It was indeed Wen Ning.

Today, she wore a light green tracksuit that outlined her graceful figure.

Her long hair was simply tied back, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

The morning sun shone on her, draping her in a soft light.

Her temperament remained as quiet and moving as a hidden orchid in a valley, poised and elegant.

She was like a completely different person from the girl who had been somewhat "pestering" for the task on the communicator last night.

Wen Ning walked up, a slight smile on her face like a lily blooming in the morning: "Have you been waiting long?

Shall we find a place to sit first and chat while we eat? I know a good breakfast shop nearby."

Qin Yan nodded, not objecting.

The two then arrived at a breakfast shop near the Detective Bureau that looked clean and tidy with good business.

Wen Ning was clearly well-prepared.

She skillfully ordered several exquisite breakfast items, filling the small table.

She even specifically ordered a portion of nourishing meat congee and pushed it in front of Qin Yan.

"I said before that I would treat you to a meal to express my gratitude, but I've been busy with cultivation and never found a suitable opportunity.

Today's meal can be considered making up for that one."

Wen Ning raised her clear tea, using it as a substitute for wine, and looked at Qin Yan with a sincere gaze, "Furthermore, I want to solemnly thank you once again.

Last time at the Sanwan Recycling Station, if you hadn't intervened in time and killed Zhang Tu, our team would likely have faced disaster, and my life might have been in danger."

Her autumn-water-like bright eyes clearly reflected Qin Yan's figure; that gratitude did not seem fake.

Qin Yan smiled and said, "Classmate Wen Ning is too polite.

Killing Zhang Tu last time was just a coincidence for me, merely completing my own task.

Even without you all, I would have still acted against him."

He didn't take credit, brushing the matter off lightly.

This attitude made Wen Ning's impression of him even better.

Ten-odd minutes later, Qin Yan finished enjoying this rich and delicious breakfast.

The food entered his stomach, turning into a warm current that nourished his body, making him feel warm all over and very comfortable.

(End of the fourth update~)