45: It's like a gift of contribution points being handed to you; you'd be a fool not to take them!

The next day.

Jiangcheng Branch Bureau of the Dragon Shield Bureau, sub-level three, gravity training room.

Lin Yuan and Su Wanqing stood side-by-side outside the door.

"The hidden dragon ranking grand competition is divided into team competitions and individual competitions."

Su Wanqing looked at the data on her terminal while giving Lin Yuan "pre-job training."

"Our Jiangcheng Branch Bureau's goal this time is to secure a top eight position and strive for top four."

"Your four teammates, including me, are all skilled C-rank Intermediates."

"Remember, once you're inside, speak less and observe more. They..."

Before she could finish, Lin Yuan had already nodded absentmindedly.

"Got it, got it."

In his mind, there was only one thing now.

The heavenly thunder fragment!

Compared to it, teammates, competitions, everything else was insignificant.

As long as he could get that thing, never mind if his teammates were C-rank Intermediate; even if they were S-rank, he would dare to go meet them.

Su Wanqing looked at his expression and knew he hadn't heard a single word.

She sighed helplessly and pressed her hand against the access control panel.

"Beep—"

The door opened.

The training room was enormous.

The internal walls and floor were made of special energy-absorbing materials.

At this moment, in the center of the room, three figures were engaged in a fierce confrontation!

"Boom!"

A burly man, two meters tall, crossed his arms over his chest.

His arms were covered in a thick layer of rock armor.

Opposite him, a figure moved like a ghost, with wind blades wrapped around her fingertips, constantly leaving scratches on his body.

It was that crazy woman, Liu Yan.

And on the edge of the battlefield, a third person stood quietly.

He wore a training uniform, had a delicate face, and a calm demeanor, as if he were an outsider.

But every time he raised his hand, a ripple would appear in the air.

When that ripple swept past, Liu Yan's attacks would become even more ferocious, while the iron tower strongman's movements would slow by half a beat.

Lin Yuan's brow furrowed slightly.

Interesting.

He activated Electromagnetic Induction.

The energy flow of the three became incredibly clear in his mind.

Liu Yan, C-rank Intermediate, Wind-element ability user. Her energy surged endlessly, full of aggression.

That iron tower strongman, C-rank Intermediate, Earth-element ability user, his energy was as heavy as a mountain, with astonishing defensive power.

And that quietest man... Lin Yuan was momentarily stunned when his perception landed on him.

He couldn't perceive any elemental attributes.

No wind, thunder, electricity, nor gold, wood, water, fire, or earth.

It was a very peculiar energy fluctuation.

Invisible, intangible, yet truly present.

Special-element!

Lin Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

This was the first time he had personally witnessed a legendary Special-element ability user.

Just then.

The three people in the field seemed to have noticed the movement at the door.

Three gazes, all at once, shot over.

When Liu Yan saw Su Wanqing standing at the door, she subconsciously wanted to show a smile.

But when her gaze swept to Lin Yuan, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Su Wanqing.

That smile instantly froze.

"What are you doing here?"

Liu Yan's voice was like the biting wind of winter.

She walked directly in front of Lin Yuan and demanded.

"This is the training room for the 'hidden dragon ranking' preparatory team."

"What right does a D-Class Peak have to stand here?"

The smell of gunpowder instantly filled the air.

The iron tower strongman scratched his head, greeting Su Wanqing and Lin Yuan in a booming voice.

"Captain Su, Brother Lin."

He seemed a bit at a loss in this situation.

Meanwhile, the delicate-looking Special-element man pushed up his non-existent glasses on his nose.

He calmly looked at Lin Yuan and spoke in a tone like a report analysis.

"What Liu Yan said has some truth to it."

"Lin Yuan, I've seen your data. D-Class Peak, you've killed C-rank Intermediate warriors despite being lower ranked."

"In terms of achievements alone, you are excellent."

His tone shifted.

"However, the 'hidden dragon ranking' tests not only individual strength but also teamwork, endurance, and overall team strength."

"Your energy level is a major weakness. In a C-rank Intermediate intensity battlefield, your energy will quickly deplete, making you a weak point for the team."

"From the perspective of rational team configuration, you are indeed not suitable for our team."

His words were very objective, without any personal emotion mixed in.

But this kind of rational negation can sometimes be more hurtful than direct mockery.

Su Wanqing's face darkened.

"Mo Chen, Liu Yan, he is Director Zhou's recommendation."

"Are you questioning Director Zhou's decision?"

She stepped forward, blocking Lin Yuan.

A chill began to spread through the training room.

However.

A hand gently rested on her shoulder.

It was Lin Yuan.

He shook his head at Su Wanqing, then stepped out from behind her, a smile on his face.

"No, no, Beauty Su, don't be angry."

"It's not worth it for such a small matter."

He looked at the displeased Liu Yan and the poker-faced man named Mo Chen.

"Actually, I also think I'm not suitable."

Lin Yuan spread his hands, looking innocent.

"I didn't want to participate in any competition in the first place. Fighting and killing is so tiring and dangerous."

"Who knew Director Zhou insisted I come, saying it was an opportunity for me to show my abilities."

He sighed, his expression as helpless as could be.

"Or... Captain Liu Yan, why don't you talk to Director Zhou?"

"Just tell him I'm not up to the task and ask him to replace me?"

"Pfft—"

The iron tower strongman beside him couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Liu Yan's face flushed.

She was utterly choked by Lin Yuan's words.

Talk to Director Zhou?

Did she dare?

Wouldn't that be openly telling everyone that she, Liu Yan, was using her position for personal revenge and ostracizing a newcomer?

This scoundrel!

He was using Director Zhou as a shield!

"Good! Very good!"

Liu Yan laughed in extreme anger, and the airflow around her became turbulent.

"Since it's Director Zhou's decision, I have nothing to say!"

"However, the Dragon Shield Bureau has always been a place where strength speaks!"

"You want to join us? You can!"

She pointed her finger directly at Lin Yuan's nose.

"Let's fight!"

"Let me see just how capable this genius, favored by Director Zhou, really is!"

Mo Chen, beside her, calmly echoed.

"I agree."

"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."

"Using a battle to assess your combat ability is the most direct and fairest way."

Su Wanqing's brows furrowed, and she was about to speak to stop them.

But Lin Yuan's voice rang out first.

"Fight?"

He stroked his chin, his expression becoming playful.

"Alright."

He nodded.

"However..."

His tone shifted, and he rubbed his fingers together, revealing a shrewd smile.

"Just fighting like this, how boring is that?"

"If we're going to fight, there should be some stakes, right?"

Stakes?

Liu Yan was taken aback.

"What stakes do you want?"

Lin Yuan chuckled, saying the line he liked best.

"How about we bet some contribution points?"