Chapter 706 - 57: The Big Picture

Weiguang District, Bishu Street.

This was a residential area for military families, where Chen Xiaojin had always lived. The security level was high, and Central City placed great importance on the area, meticulously inspecting all incoming and outgoing vehicles and personnel.

Around three in the afternoon, an extended, armored private vehicle arrived at the street entrance. After presenting and scanning its credentials at the gate, a guard saluted solemnly, raised the barricade, and allowed the vehicle to pass.

Chen Chuan sat in the car, looking outside. Both sides of the road were lined with ginkgo trees. It was autumn, and the golden leaves swirled and danced in the gentle breeze.

At the end of the road, a grove of red maples appeared. Through the gaps between the trunks, he could see a green lawn where many children from the military families’ district were playing and running around.

The vehicle then turned left and drove slowly for another two hundred meters. In a corner of the lawn, he saw Chen Xiaojin practicing his punches and kicks alone. In front of him were several sturdy Puppets and other training equipment.

He said, "Stop here."

The car stopped. An attendant hurried out to open the door for him. He stepped out of the vehicle, told the other personnel to wait, and walked toward the lawn by himself.

Chen Xiaojin was training with intense focus, going through his routine again and again until he was drenched in sweat. It was only when he was about to get some water that he noticed Chen Chuan standing nearby. He froze for a moment, then his expression brightened with joy. He ran up to Chen Chuan, hesitated, and then called out, "Teacher Chen?"

Chen Chuan didn’t correct the title. He said, "Things have been complicated in Central City lately. Teacher Lu said someone might be staking you out, so you shouldn’t go to the Fighting Hall for now. Just train at home."

Chen Xiaojin lowered his head. After a moment, he looked up. "Does this have something to do with him?"

Chen Chuan said, "It’s hard to say right now. I’ll investigate and find out as soon as I can." He reached into his pocket, took out a small, sealed packet, and handed it to Chen Xiaojin. "Eat this."

Chen Xiaojin took it. Seeing what looked like a seed inside, he opened the packet, grabbed a cup of water, and swallowed it down. Wiping his mouth, he asked, "Teacher Chen, what is this?"

Chen Chuan said, "An Enlightenment Seed. There’s a fifty-percent chance it will increase your potential, but it’s also possible that nothing will happen."

Its effects weren’t immediate; it would take some time for them to manifest.

He had taken one before but hadn’t noticed any effect on himself. However, after trying it, he confirmed it had no side effects, which was why he decided to give it to others.

He gave one to Chen Xiaojin, and he planned to give one to each of his old friends and classmates as well. Whether or not their potential would be enhanced was up to them.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaojin was immediately eager to test it out.

Chen Chuan smiled. "It takes time. You won’t feel anything right now. I was watching you practice just now. A few details in your form are off and need adjustment. Let me show you."

He beckoned Chen Xiaojin closer, then held his shoulder and pointed out a few spots, correcting the flaws in how he exerted his power.

Lu Fang was a good teacher and paid close attention to many details. But unlike Chen Chuan, he couldn’t observe the movements of a Mutated Organization in depth, so some of his teachings inevitably created a lack of coordination.

In truth, this was usually unavoidable and would accompany a Fighter throughout their life, requiring them to slowly realize and correct it through constant practice and refinement.

But by correcting it for him now, Chen Chuan could help him avoid many pitfalls.

After following his advice, Chen Xiaojin practiced again and found that certain movements were indeed smoother, and his strikes carried more power. Crucially, training this way wasn’t tiring at all. The deeper he got into the movements, the more his Mutated Organization cooperated, as if it also knew this was beneficial for it.

After watching him practice for a while, Chen Chuan said, "For this kind of training, don’t do more than fifty repetitions a day for now. Stop if you get out of breath. Once you feel you can handle it with ease, you can gradually increase the count. And remember to have a conditioner treat you afterward."

He spent the afternoon instructing Chen Xiaojin and had dinner with him there. Chen Xiaojin was ecstatic and seemed reluctant to see him go when he walked him out.

After leaving, Chen Chuan immediately contacted Wubei. "Brother Wu, what’s the situation?"

Wubei said, "I’ve already checked. There were indeed Resonators and armed personnel staking out and monitoring Chen Xiaojin, but they retreated as soon as the Processing Bureau’s convoy appeared. I tried to track them but failed. Their techniques are very advanced, and the Resonance Nest they’re using is better than ours. My gut feeling is they’re from one of the corporations."

’Corporations, huh...’

Chen Chuan was lost in thought. "Brother Wu, keep an eye on this area. If anyone comes to visit Xiaojin or contacts him to go out, be sure to let me know."

"You got it."

Chen Chuan didn’t plan on assigning more manpower. The security level in the military families’ district was high enough. As long as Xiaojin didn’t go out on his own, there wouldn’t be any problems.

After returning to Wuyi Academy in the private vehicle, he continued his daily routine of going out to cultivate, gradually enhancing his Spiritual Power. Upon returning, he would spar with Hong Fu while patiently waiting for news from Huang Weiyi.

Several days later, he went to the Processing Bureau early in the morning for a managers’ meeting. As expected, the topic was how to deal with the Federation delegation and the Lynx Federation diplomatic team, which was due to arrive in two days.

Director Wu said, "The Federation is demanding compensation from us, claiming we sabotaged their business cooperation with the Ferris Wheel Company. They’ve also sent a legal team to sue the Administrative Affairs Hall and the Processing Bureau. But this is just a pretext for them to linger here.

"We are almost certain that the Federation’s target is the Lost Object in the Merging Land.

"Previously, wherever a breach appeared in the World Ring, a Lost Object would inevitably be born. Now, word has leaked that a Third-Grade Lost Object might have appeared.

"In the past, the appearance of such a Lost Object has had the potential to change the balance of power in a region, so the army in the Merging Land has already been deployed and is conducting a search.

"However, the Old Imperial Family must have gotten the news as well. They’ve dispatched a Cavalry Army, and we’ve clashed with them several times. We’re currently in a standoff, with only small teams sent out to search the surrounding area.

"The Defense Department has already transferred capable personnel from the rear to reinforce them, and our Processing Bureau has also dispatched people to provide support. However, the armed personnel brought by the Federation this time will definitely get involved soon.

"We can be sure that the Federation delegation includes a number of relatively elite armed personnel. They can’t enter the Merging Land directly themselves, but they will use armed personnel from various corporations to go in their stead.

"We can hold them up with red tape for a while, but not for long. According to the treaty established during the Great Alliance Period, all nations and corporations are obligated to help seal breaches in the World Ring and have the right to share and research any resulting Lost Objects. They will definitely use this treaty to legitimize their actions."

Manager Wen scoffed. "So they have no obligation when it’s time to seal the breach, but they have every right when it’s time to share the Lost Object. What a fine plan."

Director Wu said, "That’s why we absolutely cannot let this thing fall into the Federation’s hands. And once the Lynx Federation’s diplomatic team arrives in Jibei Dao, we will have even more adversaries to deal with, and the situation will become even more severe."

He looked at Manager Han. "Manager Han, you’ve been in contact with the Federation. After dealing with them for so many days, have you been able to determine the identities of the armed personnel they’ve brought in?"

Manager Han said, "It’s still unclear. I’m still trying to find out. The Federation is keeping a tight lid on information about their personnel, and they’re spreading a lot of disinformation right now. I need more time to sift through it and confirm."

Director Wu stared at him for a moment before saying in a low voice, "I need the details as soon as possible. I hope you can move faster." He paused, then added, "I know this isn’t easy. If you encounter any problems you can’t solve, bring them up early. The Bureau will do its best to cooperate."

Manager Wen also looked over, smiled, and said, "Manager Han, need any help? Just say the word."

Manager Han said flatly, "No." He looked up. "I would hope the Bureau could grant me broader authority."

Director Wu considered this for a moment. "I’ll discuss it with the other directors after the meeting." He then turned to Manager Wen. "Manager Wen, your upcoming task is also very important."

Manager Wen’s smile vanished, and he nodded seriously.

After covering these matters, Director Wu finally turned to Chen Chuan. "Lianwei Zhongyu is also a high priority. Manager Chen, that corporation’s armed forces are very powerful. They won’t sit this out. You must find a way to keep them contained."

Chen Chuan said seriously, "Director Wu, I understand."

Director Wu mentioned a few more points of caution before concluding the meeting.

After the director left, Chen Chuan also started to walk out of the conference room. Just then, a voice called out from behind, "Manager Chen." It was Manager Han who had stopped him.

Chen Chuan stopped, turned, and looked at him. "Manager Han, can I help you?"

Manager Han walked up to him. "Manager Chen, you’ve recently placed all of Lianwei Zhongyu under surveillance. But from what I’ve gathered, the only Lianwei Zhongyu personnel currently in Central City are their regular security forces. There’s no need for comprehensive surveillance. An Shield’s resources aren’t meant to be used like that."

Chen Chuan looked at him and said, "I’m sorry, Manager Han, but you have your mission, and I have mine. I don’t need to justify my actions to you."

Manager Han frowned. "When carrying out a mission, you must consider the bigger picture. The Federation is the top priority right now. We need more resources to focus on them. A corporation like Lianwei Zhongyu can be put on the back burner."

Chen Chuan’s tone was placid as he replied, "Manager Han, you’re overthinking it. The so-called bigger picture is something for Director Wu and the others to worry about."

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