Chapter 702 - 53: New Team Member

After the banquet ended, the Federation representatives began to file out of the hall.

However, one of the Federation representatives was apparently delayed by something. It wasn’t until half an hour later that he emerged from the hall with several attendants.

In front of the hall, a man who had been waiting for a long time walked up to greet him, extending both hands. "Mr. Chi, welcome to Jibei Dao."

Mr. Chi shook his hand and said, "I bring greetings from our leader. Regarding the previous matter, he expresses his gratitude for how your branch handled it. As I was leaving, he specifically instructed me to apologize for the trouble we caused you."

The man replied respectfully, "It was our duty."

Mr. Chi reached back, and an aide immediately placed an object in his hand, which he then passed to the man before him.

"A token of our leader’s gratitude."

The man immediately took it with both hands and bowed slightly. "Your leader is too kind," he said. "If there is anything our Jibei Dao Branch can do, please do not hesitate to ask. We will fully cooperate."

Mr. Chi said, "Besides conveying our leader’s apologies and greetings, there is one other matter." He paused before continuing, "According to reliable intelligence and analysis, it is highly likely that what is internationally known as a Strell Class—that is, a Third Level Lost Object—will appear."

The man couldn’t help but be taken aback, his expression clearly shifting.

Internationally, Lost Objects are divided into five levels. The Fifth Level has a certain degree of research and reference value. The Fourth Level has high potential for application and can significantly help advance a company’s biotechnology.

But when it comes to the Third Level, the Strell Class, every past appearance has led to breakthrough technological advancements. Its strategic value is immeasurable.

The appearance of such an item would undoubtedly attract the attention of every nation.

’He couldn’t help but think about the impending arrival of the Lynx Federation’s diplomatic corps. ’Although there’s no definite proof, this delegation is probably also here for this item.’ he thought.

He asked, "What do you need us to do?"

Mr. Chi glanced at his watch. "I have another meeting shortly. As for the specifics, I will communicate with our colleagues at the branch after the meeting."

The man immediately said, "Then we await your arrival."

Mr. Chi shook his hand in farewell, then led his attendants down the wide steps and into a long, armored vehicle waiting below. The vehicle started, drove across the plaza toward a prearranged conference hall, with a convoy of armed security vehicles following close behind.

Ten minutes later, the convoy arrived in front of the conference hall arranged for them in White Bird District. The area had already been cleared and had undergone a comprehensive security check. Dozens of Domain-jamming organisms were positioned at various points to ensure no Domain surveillance could break through.

At the top of the steps, elite security personnel from the Federation were lined up on both sides. Their people had already taken full control of the area.

When Mr. Chi entered the conference hall, the other ten or so Federation representatives were already present. One of them said, "Mr. Chi, we were just waiting for you."

Mr. Chi apologized and took his seat.

The head of the Federation delegation was Osbert Gowden from the Ocean Life Company. He was around sixty years old, dressed in a dark gray gentleman’s suit, with thick silver hair and a beard. His eyes were deep and discerning, and very fine Implant etchings were visible on his cheeks and neck.

Once Mr. Chi was seated, the conference room doors were closed from the outside. Osbert Gowden began, "Everyone is here, so let’s go over what we know so far."

"The appearance of a Strell Class is enough to alter a portion of the current technological landscape. Even if we can’t obtain this Lost Object, we absolutely cannot allow it to fall smoothly into the hands of the Dashun Government."

"Our primary mission is to acquire detailed geographical data on the Jibei Dao Merging Land."

"We have already communicated with numerous company representatives and high-level executives in Jibei Dao Central City. They will provide us with some exploration data, and the City Council will also offer us a certain degree of assistance."

But even the Jibei Dao City Council wouldn’t leak all of their important information. It’s not that they are particularly loyal to Dashun; it’s that they know how valuable the Lost Object is. They have their own agendas.

A representative spoke up. "We can’t get the official data. Perhaps we can find a way through individuals. According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, the person most familiar with the Jibei Dao Merging Land, who has the most comprehensive knowledge, is a man named Chen Bitong."

"He was a long-time member of the Pioneer Teams and ventured deep into the Merging Land. A great deal of past information was provided by the pioneer squad he led."

"However, according to official Dashun news, he was sacrificed several months ago while holding back the Old Dynasty’s army. Many of the Pioneer Team members from that time now hold high-ranking positions in military and critical departments. They will not be able to help us."

"But we’ve learned that Chen Bitong had a capable assistant who was with him for a long time. This person is currently a fugitive for allegedly violating Dashun law. It’s highly likely he possesses detailed information on the Merging Land."

"Furthermore, Chen Bitong himself left behind a young son, who might also know something about this."

Osbert rapped his knuckles on the table, making a THUMP-THUMP sound. "Then our next step is to find these two people!"

Around noon, the airship Snow Goose returned to a Po Tower in Ji Yang District and docked.

After disembarking from the airship with the Snow Monarch Blade, Chen Chuan checked the messages sent to his Lower Realm Token.

Most of the messages were from personnel at the Processing Bureau.

For the past two days, technicians had been monitoring Lianwei Zhongyu, sending him reports on their every move.

A few items required his attention. For example, Lianwei Zhongyu had submitted an application to the Defense Department to re-enter the Merging Land for joint defense operations.

This was something every company had to participate in. Regardless of the conflicts between nations and corporations, they were all outwardly united in the general struggle against the Outer World. This was a duty for any company established in Central City, and in return, they enjoyed the right to conduct business there.

However, because of Lianwei Zhongyu’s involvement in transporting the fission bodies, the Defense Department had previously closed this channel to them, stripping them of both their duty and their rights.

But through their maneuvering with the City Council, the Defense Department had already relented on this matter. The Administrative Affairs Hall might be able to delay it, but it could no longer stop the process.

After all, participating in the campaign against the Outer World was a universally recognized principle and difficult to obstruct.

In the following messages, he saw that Lianwei Zhongyu was trying to contact the Elephant Gang, with whom they had previously collaborated, apparently intending to bring them back under their control as a subordinate force.

’The Elephant Gang...’

He thought for a moment, then tapped his Lower Realm Token and contacted Tu Nai, who was now the leader of the Elephant Gang. Once the call connected, he said, "Mr. Tu, this is Chen Chuan."

Tu Nai’s voice came through: "Manager Chen, what can I do for you?"

Chen Chuan said, "I’ve received word that people from Lianwei Zhongyu are trying to contact you. I don’t want to see you cooperating with them in any way."

"Done!" Tu Nai agreed without a second thought. "I won’t cooperate with them."

Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Tu, thank you for your cooperation."

Tu Nai replied at once, "It’s the least I can do. Not only have you helped me and Xiaoxin, Manager Chen, but even if that weren’t the case, the fact that you’d reach out to us personally about this gives the Elephant Gang a great deal of face."

After ending the call, Chen Chuan read the next message. It was an analysis based on Lianwei Zhongyu’s communications and the personnel they had contacted.

Analysts within the Bureau believed that Lianwei Zhongyu intended to compete for a portion of the business left behind by the Ferris Wheel Company.

’If I’m going to suppress Lianwei Zhongyu, then I absolutely can’t let them get their hands on that business in the Outer Ocean,’ he thought.

While he was still thinking, a call signal came through on his Realm Token. Seeing it was from Chang Dong, he immediately accepted the call. "Mr. Chang?"

Chang Dong said, "Manager Chen, the new team member assigned to us by the higher-ups has arrived. But there’s a situation that I think you need to be aware of and handle."

Chen Chuan responded immediately, "Alright, I’m on my way."

He walked out of the Po Tower, took the armored car that had come to pick him up back to his residence in Wuding District, and then drove the Gard Car that Pan Xiaode had someone return earlier toward Hongsheng District.

He drove faster this time, arriving at the open ground in front of their station in just over half an hour. From a distance, he could see that in the past few days, Chang Dong had someone erect a simple prefabricated building there.

Chang Dong was currently standing on the open ground with a woman who looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

He got out of the car and walked toward the two of them. Chang Dong and the woman came forward to meet him. "Let me introduce you," Chang Dong said. "This is Gao Yanjun, the new team member assigned to us from above."

"Gao, this is Manager Chen. He is the temporary head of our branch until it’s officially established."

Gao Yanjun extended her hand. "Manager Chen, hello."

Chen Chuan shook her hand while sizing her up. The new team member wore decorative glasses and was dressed like a typical corporate administrative employee, with long, wavy hair, a black uniform, and high heels. Although she was quite beautiful, her expression and tone were very serious.

She was a formidable Fighter. Though only at the Second Limit, her fundamentals were clearly exceptionally solid.

Chang Dong said, "Gao is exceptionally skilled in records management, intelligence analysis, and administrative affairs. She’s also a combat nutrition specialist and medic. With her help, there are many things I won’t have to worry about anymore."

Chen Chuan nodded. "Mr. Chang, you mentioned there was a situation I should know about?"

Chang Dong glanced at Gao Yanjun and said, "Gao, why don’t you tell him."

Gao Yanjun spoke in a calm, unhurried tone. "Manager Chen, on my way here, I discovered that someone was following me."

"Based on my judgment, it was a Third Limit Fighter. And the techniques they used looked very similar to a Secret Transmission from our Pure Sect."

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