348: Elite core personnel? Even so!

The streak of light formed by the Blood Fiend Incarnation tore through the sky, sweeping over mountains and rivers at an incredible speed.

Soon, Chen Nian had crossed thousands of kilometers and returned to the skies above Donghai City.

He restrained his aura and landed steadily in front of the Donghai City Psionic Bureau headquarters building.

As soon as he landed, Chen Nian felt that the atmosphere today was a bit different.

The surrounding Spiritual Energy Bureau staff, Special Agents, logistics personnel, and even the guards standing sentry at the door...

Their gazes all focused on him in unison.

In those eyes, there was intense admiration and uncontrollable excitement.

It was a shock as if seeing a legend descend, coupled with a near-fanatical reverence.

Although Chen Nian usually attracted many glances and greetings when entering and leaving the headquarters...

Everyone showed great respect to this "Special Commissioner Chen" who had repeatedly performed miraculous feats.

But today, the concentration and intensity of this scrutiny seemed exceptionally high, overt, and undisguised.

"That's... Special Commissioner Chen!"

"Oh my God, it really is Special Commissioner Chen back!"

"Holy crap, I'm seeing the real Special Commissioner Chen!"

Whispers rose and fell one after another.

Everyone's eyes were focused on him, their faces filled with indescribable excitement, admiration, and awe.

However, Chen Nian didn't pay it too much mind.

He walked straight toward the internal passage of the headquarters building, intending to grab a meal at the cafeteria first before returning to his dormitory to rest.

However, the moment he stepped into the headquarters cafeteria, the atmosphere became even more off.

The instant he stepped in, the entire cafeteria seemed to have been hit by a mute button.

The noisy conversations and clattering of utensils came to an abrupt halt.

Following that was an even more intense and direct baptism of gazes!

Those looks didn't seem like they were looking at a colleague or a superior.

It was clearly the look of fanatical groupies seeing their long-awaited idol!

Their faces were written with excitement, curiosity, and worship.

Some even had flushed cheeks, their breathing quickening slightly.

"It really is Special Commissioner Chen!"

"My God, he's even more handsome up close!"

"I heard he single-handedly took down the Lord of Curses' nest. Too strong!"

"That was an Abyssal Evil God, and he just crushed it like that!"

“Senior Chen is simply the guardian deity of our Dragon Country!”

Discussions surged like a tide, quickly filling the entire cafeteria.

Some bold young Special Agents even stood up directly, waving toward Chen Nian with faces full of excitement.

Chen Nian was startled.

What was wrong with these guys today?

While it was usually somewhat like this, it had never been this exaggerated.

Just as Chen Nian was puzzled, a steady voice came from outside the crowd.

"Everyone, calm down! Maintain order!"

Director Qin Shan appeared, leading Secretary Sun Li and several high-ranking officers, walking over quickly.

They had obviously received news of Chen Nian's return and came specifically to resolve the situation.

"Everyone, return to your seats!"

"Special Commissioner Chen has just returned from a major mission and needs rest. Do not disturb him!"

Qin Shan's voice carried authority, instantly calming the excited crowd significantly.

Qin Shan walked to Chen Nian's side and said with an apologetic expression:

"Sorry, Special Commissioner Chen, this was due to my poor management."

"However, we have some matters we'd like to discuss with you. I wonder if you have the time?"

Hearing this, Chen Nian was a bit puzzled: "What matters?"

"Let's discuss the specifics in your office." Qin Shan made a gesture of invitation. "Please follow me."

Under the escort of Qin Shan and Sun Li...

Chen Nian escaped the crowd and arrived at his exclusive office located on the top floor of the headquarters building.

It was a spacious and modern room with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire scenery of Donghai City.

At this moment, several people were already waiting in the office.

Seeing Chen Nian enter, they all stood up in unison, their eyes similarly filled with excitement and reverence.

"Special Commissioner Chen, let me introduce you."

Qin Shan took a step forward and pointed to a middle-aged man standing at the front, wearing a military uniform with a general's star on his shoulder:

"This is the newly appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Donghai War Zone by the General Bureau, General Lin Zhenjun. He will be fully responsible for the defensive coordination of Donghai City and its surrounding areas."

Lin Zhenjun looked to be around fifty years old, with a resolute face and sharp eyes—clearly a veteran of many battles.

But at this moment, the look this general gave Chen Nian was filled with undisguised admiration and respect.

"Special Commissioner Chen, I've long heard of your great name!" Lin Zhenjun stepped forward and gave a solemn military salute. "I have already heard of your achievements in Soul Burial Valley."

"Wiping out an Evil God's nest with the power of one person—such a feat is enough to be recorded in history!"

"On behalf of all the soldiers of the Donghai War Zone, I pay you my highest respects!"

Chen Nian nodded and said modestly: "General Lin is too kind. It was just part of my duty."

Qin Shan then introduced the others:

"This is Professor Wang Yuan, a Senior tactical advisor newly dispatched by the General Bureau. He is an authoritative expert in the field of Abyss energy research and countermeasures."

"This is Dr. Zhao Ying, the chief engineer of the Psionic Equipment R&D Department. She will be responsible for creating a new generation of combat equipment for subsequent Abyss operations."

"This is Lin Zhiming, the captain of the Special Operations Team directly under the General Bureau. He will lead an elite squad stationed in Donghai, ready for your deployment at any time."

At first glance, these individuals were all top talents in their respective fields, with steady temperaments and professional competence.

But at this moment, their eyes all sparkled with the light of excitement as they looked at Chen Nian.

Professor Wang Yuan held a tablet computer and said excitedly:

"Senior Chen, we have preliminarily analyzed your energy data during combat. It's simply incredible!"

"That kind of delicate control over energy and burst intensity has completely exceeded the scope of existing theoretical models!"

Dr. Zhao Ying also pushed her glasses, a fanatical light flashing in her eyes:

"Special Commissioner Chen, I have already designed several preliminary equipment plans based on your past combat videos."

"When you have time, I would like to personally measure your physical data to ensure the equipment's adaptability and functionality reach the optimum level!"

"I wonder what you think?"

Captain Lin Zhiming stood tall, his voice booming and his eyes full of worship:

"Special Commissioner Chen, the thirty-six members of the Special Operations Team are on standby at all times!"

"As long as we can follow you to learn and fight, even if it's just doing odd jobs, it will be the honor of our lives!"

Chen Nian looked at these elite backbones before him, who were full of worship and not much different from the agents earlier.

He was momentarily caught between laughter and tears.

Seeing this, Director Qin Shan hurriedly explained:

"Special Commissioner Chen, it's like this."

"In view of your recent outstanding performance and the increasingly severe Abyss threat, the General Bureau has decided to increase the resource allocation to the Donghai City Psionic Bureau."

"According to the General Bureau's intentions, they plan to build the Donghai City Psionic Bureau into a 'Frontline Command Center' and a 'Special Operations Talent Training Base' for dealing with the Abyss threat."

"So they have dispatched more top talents and elite forces from various fields."

"On one hand, it is to assist you in handling the increasingly heavy workload, and on the other, it is to give them an opportunity to learn from you and grow."

Hearing this, Chen Nian suddenly understood.

So that was it.

No wonder he saw many unfamiliar faces in the Spiritual Energy Bureau today, and their performance was unprecedentedly enthusiastic.

As the core figure here, he naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.

Chen Nian nodded to the group and said in a calm tone:

"You are all too kind. Since the General Bureau has made such arrangements, I will have to trouble you all in the future."

"I am a rather casual person; in terms of work, let's just coordinate with each other."

"Yes! Special Commissioner Chen!" the group responded in unison, their tones incredibly respectful.

Qin Shan said at the right time:

"Alright, Special Commissioner Chen just got back and must be tired. Let's let him rest first. We will discuss the specific work arrangements in detail tomorrow."

"Right, right, right. Senior Chen, please rest first!"

"We won't disturb you anymore!"

The group spoke hurriedly and then respectfully withdrew from the office.

The office finally became quiet.

Chen Nian felt a bit emotional.

This treatment was indeed a bit exaggerated.

However, he didn't think much of it. He turned and left the office, heading back toward the cafeteria.

He hadn't eaten yet.