48: Arrival in Beijing! A steel fortress suspended 10,000 meters in the air!

“The specific competition format for the hidden dragon ranking changes every year. The Capital Headquarters likes to spring surprises, so the detailed rules will only be announced after we arrive in the Capital.”

“The only thing we can confirm now is that the competition is divided into team events and individual events.”

“Furthermore, spots for the individual events need to be earned through the results of the team events.”

Hearing this, Liu Yan, Mo Chen, and Shi Lei’s expressions all grew serious.

The Jiangcheng Branch Bureau’s team this time was, at best, a second-tier team.

In previous years, their goal had always been to secure a decent ranking in the team events, something like “guaranteeing top eight, striving for top four.”

As for individual events?

That was a stage prepared for the top geniuses from the Capital Headquarters and other powerful Branch Bureaus.

They didn’t even dare to dream about it.

Su Wanqing seemed to see through their thoughts.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“However, this year is different.”

Her gaze turned to Lin Yuan, who was rubbing his thunderfall battle staff against his shoulder.

“Our strength has made a qualitative leap.”

Su Wanqing took a deep breath and proposed a groundbreaking battle plan.

“Therefore, I propose we change our original tactical objective.”

“For this ‘hidden dragon ranking,’ our team event goal is only one thing—”

“Assist Lin Yuan with all our might, no matter the cost!”

“Help him win the individual event championship!”

As soon as these words were uttered,

Liu Yan and the other two were all stunned.

Centering on Lin Yuan?

Assisting him with all their might?

This was completely contrary to their previous plan of a steady, solid tactic with Su Wanqing and Liu Yan as dual cores!

This was practically a huge gamble!

Putting all the hopes of the entire Jiangcheng Branch Bureau on a D-rank newcomer!

Mo Chen, who had been silent, was the first to speak.

“From a data analysis perspective, this plan has extremely high feasibility.”

“Lin Yuan’s instantaneous explosive power has already surpassed the C-rank Intermediate range, reaching C-rank Peak or even higher. His speed is also overwhelming.”

“Our weakness is uneven overall strength. His strength is possessing absolute power that can decide the outcome with one strike.”

“Instead of pursuing mediocre victory, it’s better to concentrate all resources to create a… monster that cannot be limited by tactics.”

Mo Chen’s analysis made Shi Lei nod his head as well.

He struggled to stand up and said in a muffled voice,

“I have no objections.”

“He’s stronger than me, much stronger. I concede.”

This tower-like strongman had a simple mindset.

Whoever’s fist was harder, that’s who he’d listen to.

Now, everyone’s gaze was focused on Liu Yan.

Liu Yan’s face turned pale, then flushed.

She was unwilling.

She was originally the team’s vice-captain, the attacking core second only to Su Wanqing!

Now, she was to be relegated to a support role? To be a foil for the person she disliked the most?

But… she recalled the destructive thunder prison from earlier, and the Palm Thunder that had whizzed past her cheek.

She had to admit that she and Lin Yuan were no longer on the same level.

After a long while,

Liu Yan, like a deflated ball, squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.

“I… agree.”

“Very good.” Su Wanqing nodded.

“Then, from now on, we are a brand new team.”

“Shi Lei, your task is frontal defense, creating an output environment for Lin Yuan.”

“Mo Chen, your task is weakening and control, limiting the enemy’s core, clearing obstacles for Lin Yuan.”

“Liu Yan, your task is to use speed for harassment and support, filling the gaps in Lin Yuan’s attacks.”

“And I will be responsible for overall control, always ready to support him with the strongest power.”

“Does anyone have any questions?”

“No!” Shi Lei and Mo Chen answered in unison.

Liu Yan also bit her lip and nodded.

Just at this moment of unprecedented team unity,

a discordant voice rang out.

“Um…”

Lin Yuan scratched his head, a characteristic smile on his face.

“I’m truly flattered that everyone thinks so highly of me.”

“However…”

He rubbed his fingers, grinning as he looked at Liu Yan.

“Captain Liu, you see, the tactics are set, and everyone has agreed.”

“About that… three thousand contribution points, can we settle that first?”

“Pfft—”

Shi Lei, who had just managed to stand steadily, stumbled and almost knelt down again.

Mo Chen’s poker face also couldn’t help but twitch.

How exactly was this guy’s brain wired?

Liu Yan’s chest heaved violently, the anger she had just suppressed flared up to her head again!

She glared fiercely at Lin Yuan; if looks could kill, Lin Yuan would have been cut into a thousand pieces by now.

She opened her agent terminal and furiously tapped on it.

“Beep!”

Lin Yuan’s terminal emitted a pleasant notification sound.

“Received transfer: 3000 contribution points. From: Liu Yan.”

The smile on Lin Yuan’s face immediately brightened tenfold.

“Captain Liu is generous! From now on, we’re family! Just say the word if you need anything!”

Liu Yan: “…”

She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn’t be able to resist violating regulations and committing murder right there… Time passed.

In a flash, it was a week later, the day before the competition.

A special transport plane belonging to the Dragon Shield Bureau was flying steadily at an altitude of ten thousand meters.

Inside the cabin.

After a week of working together, the team’s atmosphere had undergone subtle changes.

Lin Yuan, Mo Chen, and Shi Lei were gathered together, playing ‘Fight the Landlord.’

“A pair of threes!” Lin Yuan threw out two cards.

“Can’t beat that.” Shi Lei scratched his head.

“Logical analysis, the cards in your hand are most likely a straight.” Mo Chen analyzed calmly, “So I choose to pass.”

“Hehe, Spring!” Lin Yuan threw out all the cards in his hand, then skillfully pulled a pile of energy bars from the table in front of the two.

During the training over the past few days, Lin Yuan had fully utilized his natural sociability and shamelessness, becoming very close with these two teammates.

On the other side,

Liu Yan sat in the corner, staring intently at Lin Yuan, who was sitting next to Su Wanqing.

Her eyes were filled with resentment.

This week, she had finally understood.

Su Wanqing was simply too good to this Lin Yuan!

He had free access to all sorts of information, priority for training resources, and even her tone of voice was a hundred times gentler towards him than towards them!

How was this a captain and team member relationship?

This was clearly… Jealousy distorted Liu Yan’s face.

Just then,

“Buzz—”

Soft lights illuminated the cabin, and an announcement sounded.

“Attention, the transport plane is about to arrive at the Capital Headquarters of the Dragon Shield Bureau. Please prepare for landing.”

“We’re here!”

Shi Lei was the first to excitedly stand up and press against the porthole.

Mo Chen and Liu Yan also instinctively looked out the window.

The next second,

gasps echoed throughout the cabin.

Below,

a colossal, indescribable complex of buildings appeared above the clouds.

It wasn’t a city, but a… steel fortress suspended in mid-air!

Countless silver-white towers, hundreds of meters high, pierced the sky like Sharp Swords, connected by shimmering energy conduits.

Further away was a vast training ground, where phantom images of giant beasts roared and soaring sword lights flickered.

Countless powerful figures moved through the complex like hummingbirds.

The entire Dragon Shield Bureau Headquarters was like a futuristic city from a sci-fi movie, full of majesty and power!

“Oh my god…” Shi Lei stared, dumbfounded, “This… this is the Headquarters? It’s too extravagant!”

“At least five sets of A-rank anti-gravity matrices are deployed beneath the building complex. The energy core… cannot be detected, its level is too high.” Mo Chen’s analysis also carried a hint of shock.

Even Liu Yan, who had been sulking, was awestruck by the sight before her.

Lin Yuan also clicked his tongue.

Good heavens.

How many substations must this place have?

If he could live here, wouldn’t he be able to eat buffets every day?

Just as everyone was immersed in this shock,

only one person behaved differently.

Su Wanqing quietly looked at the familiar sky fortress outside the window, her face devoid of any excitement or longing.

Her brows were slightly furrowed.

On her usually cold face, a rare trace of… indescribable complexity and unease was revealed.