114: Chapter 114 This is an easy question.

Ye Fei leaned against the bedside, this question like a tangled mess of hemp, winding around her heart.

She replayed the eighteen years of her life in her mind like a movie.

Her father was an ordinary Professional in the military's logistics department, responsible for transporting supplies.

Her mother was a veterinarian at a community pet hospital, vaccinating cats and dogs every day.

Her family background was clean and unremarkable.

She had gone through school step-by-step since childhood; aside from being quite popular with small animals, there was nothing unusual.

Since she gained awareness and memory, she had never left the Safe Zone, let alone gone Outside the Border to see any ferocious beasts.

"It doesn't make sense... why would those monsters that only know how to kill be afraid of me?"

Ye Fei was completely baffled.

Just then, Chen Xi's calm and profound face surfaced in her mind again.

"The only explanation..."

"When I was saving that girl just now, Chen Xi saw that scene!"

"He... perhaps... saw something I don't know about!"

"He knows the secret I'm carrying!"

At this thought, Ye Fei's heart began to pound wildly.

If Chen Xi really knew the reason, then joining Nirvana was her only chance to solve the mystery of her origins.

What's more...

Ye Fei glanced at the "Wild Grass Battle Team" on her interface, which now existed in name only.

Two teammates were hospitalized with serious injuries and would likely have to take a year off and repeat a grade. This team was, in fact, disbanded.

If she stayed here, she would be a loner with no team, a heavily injured summoned beast, and an uncertain future.

In this state, joining another team was her inevitable choice.

However, with no combat power to speak of, what team would want her?

But on the other hand, the strongest freshman battle team had extended an olive branch.

It was an opportunity to go Outside the Border, obtain top-tier resources, and even solve her secrets.

Was this even a choice?

No, this was a freebie.

Ye Fei took a deep breath, the confusion in her eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by a sense of resolve.

She extended her finger and found the red button on that fractured team interface.

[Leave Team]

*Beep.*

With a soft sound, Ye Fei looked at the "No Team" status behind her name and let out a long breath.

She stood up, walked to the window, looked toward the Administration Building, and clenched her fists.

"Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock... Room 301."

"Chen Xi, I hope the answer you give me is worth this gamble."

...

The next morning, Stronghold Room 301.

This place used to be the Stronghold of the school's top battle team, "Night Curtain," but it had now been renamed "Nirvana."

Chen Xi sat on the leather sofa.

He quietly watched the closed mahogany door, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

He was waiting.

Although he had left Ye Fei with that seemingly cool silhouette yesterday, appearing full of confidence...

...in reality, he also felt a sliver of uncertainty.

After all, for an ordinary student who had long been at the bottom and was used to following the rules, being suddenly pulled into the center of a vortex like a "champion battle team" or "missions Outside the Border"...

...the first reaction was often fear and avoidance, rather than excitement.

Just then.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

A slightly hesitant and light knocking sound rang out.

The corners of Chen Xi's mouth curled up.

She's here?

He stood up, adjusted his collar, walked over, and opened the door.

Outside the door stood a red-haired girl.

Ye Fei wasn't wearing yesterday's combat-ready leather outfit; instead, she had changed into a simple white T-shirt and jeans.

That signature wavy red hair was casually tied back, looking a bit messy.

There were slight dark circles under her eyes; she clearly hadn't slept well last night.

Seeing the door open, Ye Fei instinctively shrank her neck, her eyes darting away, appearing very constrained and distant.

"Um... Captain Chen Xi, I... may I come in?"

She didn't even dare to look Chen Xi in the eye. Even though she had dared to face two ferocious beasts alone yesterday.

But facing this most popular and influential figure in the entire school, she still felt an instinctive pressure.

Chen Xi smiled slightly, stepped aside to make a path, and made a "please" gesture.

"Of course, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Come in."

Ye Fei nodded and cautiously stepped over the threshold.

The moment she stepped into Room 301, her footsteps halted.

Spacious.

It was far too spacious.

The space was over a hundred square meters, covered with a thick, soft carpet.

A huge projection screen hung on the wall, and the view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was incredibly open.

In contrast, the Stronghold of the "Wild Grass Battle Team" where Ye Fei was before was merely a small cubicle of about a dozen square meters.

"This..."

Ye Fei couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration, her eyes wandering around, her tone filled with envy and shock.

"Is this... the Stronghold of an elite battle team?"

"It's too big... countless times larger than our previous place."

In this moment, she truly felt what a class divide meant.

At Jiangcheng University, strength was everything. The strong possessed all the resources.

While the weak could only survive in the cracks.

Chen Xi closed the door. Seeing Ye Fei's surprised look, he didn't mock her; instead, his heart settled.

Having desires was a good thing.

Whether it was a thirst for power or a longing for a better material environment, both were driving forces for a person to move forward.

"Take a seat."

Chen Xi pointed to the sofa in the center.

"Coffee or tea?"

"Ah, no... no need, just plain water is fine."

Ye Fei hurriedly waved her hands and walked over to the sofa awkwardly.

She only dared to sit on the edge, her hands placed properly on her knees.

Chen Xi didn't force the issue. He poured her a glass of warm water and then sat down opposite her.

The two sat face-to-face, separated by a marble coffee table.

The air was quiet for a few seconds.

Chen Xi looked at Ye Fei's conflicted expression and was the first to break the silence.

"Since you were willing to show up here today, it means... you've already made your decision, right?"

Ye Fei's body stiffened, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

She looked up at Chen Xi for a moment, then quickly lowered her head again.

She first nodded, then immediately shook her head.

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"What's this? Is that a yes or a no? Or do you... have decision-making anxiety?"

"No... it's not that."

Ye Fei took a deep breath.

Then she looked up and met Chen Xi's eyes directly.

"Mainly... I really want to know, why did you choose me?"

"Yesterday, your Nirvana Battle Team won the championship. There must be many experts, even hidden class Professionals, applying to join your team, right?"

Ye Fei's voice trembled slightly, carrying a deep sense of inferiority.

"And me? I'm just an ordinary Beast Tamer, and my level is only Lv.15. My summoned beast, Little Si, was also seriously injured yesterday. In the short term, I have almost no combat power."

"To put it bluntly... for a top-tier team like Nirvana, I'm just a burden. My utility to the team is almost zero."

"What are you after?"

This was the part Ye Fei could not figure out.

She didn't believe in free lunches, unless there was a hook hidden inside.