Master Wang, the One Everyone Relied On

Sixth day after the Biological Affairs Minister's death.

Fortress, eleventh floor, residential area near Central Ring Park.

It was a little past nine in the evening, Fortress time. Most residents were resting.

Two Upper City Enforcement Team officers were going door to door making inquiries, constantly complaining about this sudden overtime assignment.

"Psionicists are disgusting. They insist on making us look for some Black Storm."

"Wasn't the new Biological Affairs Minister transferred directly from the Psionic Capital? She definitely wants to show some achievements."

"Putting everything else aside, the new minister has a really great figure."

"This household... sigh, let me see. The head of household is Wang Zheng."

Knock, knock knock.

"Coming."

A young man's voice came from inside. The alloy door was quickly pulled open, revealing a young man in a light-colored sweater and loose sweatpants before the Enforcement Team officers.

The officers assessed the man before them. His features were fairly defined, his short hair neat and energetic, and his skin unusually well cared for. His entire person looked clean-cut, with a touch of sunny brightness.

The two Enforcement Team officers divided their work clearly. One examined this "Wang Zheng," while the other looked into the room.

Living alone in a fifteen-square-meter couples' unit?

Probably someone with connections in the Mid-City Security Team.

The Upper City officer's tone became more polite. "Wang Zheng, right? Look over here for a scan... Mm, twenty-four this year. Report your genetic database sequence number."

Wang Jixuan gave him a string of numbers.

The Enforcement Team officer checked them, slowly nodded, and asked again, "Do you live alone?"

"Yes," Wang Jixuan answered with clear eyes.

"Do you know someone named Mu Liang?"

"Mu Liang? Never heard of him."

"Mm." The officer nodded. "He's a major fugitive currently wanted by the Fortress. An E-Class Psionicist, a murderous fiend. He killed hundreds in the Lower City, and we now suspect he fled into the Mid-City. Take a look at this."

A photograph combining Lin Tao's and Mu Liang's facial features was handed to Wang Jixuan.

Having already altered some details of his appearance, Wang Jixuan stared at the photograph carefully for several moments before lightly shaking his head. "I really don't recognize him."

"All right. What do you do for work?"

"I move cargo for the Security Team logistics group." Wang Jixuan shrugged. "I'm currently preparing for the Junior Mechanic exam. In the future, I want to become a professional logistics and supply worker serving the military."

"Oh? You've got ambition! Work hard, young man!"

The Enforcement Team officer patted Wang Jixuan's arm with his white-gloved hand, gave it a squeeze, then smiled and waved.

"Sorry to disturb you. Go back inside and get some rest early, young man."

Was this Daoist just harassed?

He smiled as he shut the alloy door, then pursed his lips.

The Enforcement Team officer who had just touched Wang Jixuan's arm took a device from his pocket and muttered, "Let's go to the next house. Going door to door like this, when are we ever going to finish?"

The two walked to the intersection, turned the corner, and began knocking on other doors.

Wang Jixuan leaned against the door and thought for a moment.

Over the past few days, events had developed in both favorable and unfavorable directions.

The struggle between the military and the 13th Institute continued, with both sides constantly raising the stakes around Fortress No. 76.

As far as he knew, several important matters related to him had already occurred.

First, Kong Nu had been declared the victim of a terrorist attack and was posthumously recognized by 13th Institute Headquarters as a meritorious researcher.

Then, Fortress No. 76 replaced several military commanders and transferred in two heavy-firepower battalions yesterday, seemingly worried that Psionicists would launch a sneak attack here.

The current Fortress military commander was well known to Zhou Zhengde and his mother. He had once served as the guard of the Commander-in-Chief of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.

Afterward, the Psionic Capital of 13th Institute Headquarters assigned a new Biological Affairs Minister named Qin Qin, a female researcher under thirty who had also been Professor Zhuang's student.

Furthermore, when Qin Qin arrived at Fortress 76 yesterday to take up her post, she brought twenty-one Psionicists dispatched by 13th Institute Headquarters.

These Psionicists were all D-Class or above. It was uncertain whether any were above C-Class.

From what Wang Jixuan had learned from Ling Tong, there was an enormous gulf between C-Class Psionicists and B-Class Psionicists, while B-Class Psionicists were relatively close in strength to A-Class Psionicists.

This Researcher Qin Qin ordered the Upper City Enforcement Team to search for Mu Liang the moment she arrived. She may be trouble.

Still, the military's newly transferred heavy-firepower battalions should be enough to deter these Psionicists.

I should keep a low profile for now, stay here a few more days, and leave when the opportunity arises.

Wang Jixuan stretched and casually replaced the Stealth Talisman on himself.

There was also a trivial matter that left Daoist Wang rather helpless.

Although he and Zhou Zhengde were now comrades on the same side, and he had even healed Zhou Zhengde's leg injury, he still could not obtain any Blade Beast-related resources through official channels.

The Blade Beast Blood Wang Jixuan had recently used to make talismans was still purchased secretly in the Lower City while wearing a nano mask.

It was not merely similar to before. It was exactly the same.

Lin Bo had acquired some formula soil from the Wanlijin Gang. After Wei Na carefully inspected it, she confirmed that it was mixed with Blade Beast flesh and blood.

This gave Wang Jixuan the thought of taking a step further in present-day human society.

Where could he find Blade Beast resources?

The war zone front lines.

How could he get to the war zone front lines?

Becoming a soldier did not fit Wang Jixuan's principles. He did not want to take orders from others.

When he had previously helped Ling Tong with conditioning massage, Wang Jixuan had asked her two questions. One concerned Blade Beast combat power, allowing him to gain a preliminary understanding of the Blade Beasts' strength and main classifications.

The other question was what technical professions the front lines needed.

The profession of mechanic entered Wang Jixuan's view.

According to Ling Tong's description, mechanics were indispensable personnel at the front lines, primarily responsible for maintaining mechs of all models.

She had a sixteen-person mechanic team responsible for the routine maintenance of her Mechanical Arm and various equipment.

Wang Jixuan did not ask further. After returning, he began looking up information on mechanics, and then...

He began his journey toward certification.

If this world had cultivation methods, would they also require qualification certificates?

Daoist Wang sighed and returned to his desk.

The day before yesterday, he had been unable to resist and released two-thirds of the spiritual power from those three crystal cores. His cultivation took a small step toward the Spirit Gathering Realm, leaving some spiritual power behind for emergencies.

—If his own mana was depleted in a fight, he could use them to recover quickly.

He had also made a batch of Demon Sealing Talismans, wrapping the crystal cores one by one, then covering them with another layer of Explosion Talismans. If they were discovered during an inspection, he would directly detonate them and leave no evidence behind.

Blade Beasts truly were treasures from head to toe.

Aside from being a little ferocious and a little ugly, their bones, flesh and blood, crystal cores, and even remnant souls could all shine in Daoist Wang's hands.

—Righteous Path cultivators had to remain prepared to eliminate demons and defend the Dao at all times. He had absolutely only read Ancient Texts on wicked soul-refining arts in the Scripture Repository in order to know himself and his enemy, not out of curiosity, and he had never experimented with them.

He crossed his legs, spread open Mechanics: Professional One before him, and began studying diligently, determined to teach himself.

At the same time, he did not forget to absorb spiritual energy.

He wanted to successfully obtain his Junior Mechanic certificate at the same time he stepped into the Spirit Gathering Realm!

After an unknown amount of time, his Spiritual Sense gave a faint twitch.

Just as Daoist Wang was about to recite the Calming Heart Incantation to improve his concentration, he subconsciously turned to look outside the door.

A familiar scent, mixed with unfamiliar perfume.

Ling Tong?

Why had she come again?

Hadn't they agreed that the three people who knew his new identity would not contact him in the near future?

"May I come in?"

Ling Tong spoke softly.

Her outfit today was still simple and comfortable, and she seemed especially fond of Tight Jeans.

Wang Jixuan stepped aside from the doorway, hurriedly gestured for her to enter, and subconsciously glanced outside.

He looked thoroughly suspicious.

Ling Tong examined the room's simple layout. She saw the books and notebooks placed on the desk and briefly glanced at their contents.

"Is something wrong?"

Wang Jixuan asked with a frown.

"Two things." Ling Tong spoke softly. "First, I came to remind you that among the newly arrived Psionicists, there are people with Energy Reactions above C-Class. But you don't need to worry about that. The military has made corresponding arrangements. The other thing is that I want you to do what you did last time."

"Massage?"

"Mm." Ling Tong looked to the side.

She was a little embarrassed.

"I really have felt much better. Over the past few days, I've slept well, my reactions have become much faster, and the dizziness comes less often."

"Sit."

Daoist Wang was quite straightforward as he pulled out the chair.

"I'll pay you."

How about a crate of low-tier Blade Beast Crystal Cores?

Wang Jixuan only smiled and did not ask about it further.

Ling Tong sat upright in the chair. He went to the wardrobe, found a brand-new pair of Tactical Gloves, then turned on the Holographic Music Player and returned behind Ling Tong.

T.E.R's gentle voice accompanied the notes as they drifted through the room.

"Relax. Just treat it like sitting here and taking a nap."

"All right." Ling Tong agreed, closed her eyes, and leaned against the chair back.

Wang Jixuan gently pressed the sides of her neck and slowly worked toward her shoulders. A thread of nearly invisible breath entered Ling Tong's shoulder.

They did not speak much. One gave a massage, while the other rested.

Soon, Ling Tong's head drooped. There was no snoring; she had already fallen into a light sleep.

Wang Jixuan did not stop. He carefully pressed his fingers against the acupuncture points on her head and continued easing her discomfort.

He knew the root cause of Ling Tong's dizziness.

There was a small patch of Stagnant Qi in Ling Tong's brain. It was formless and intangible, likely the mark left behind by the Mental Shock released when a General-Class Blade Beast died.

Wang Jixuan was not strong enough to directly dissolve the mark yet, but he could remove a little each time and help ease her headaches and dizziness.

What kind of story did she have?

Had she lost her arm in battle?

Her Mechanical Arm was actually connected to her spine. Her spine had also been mechanized, along with some of her body's bones.

One's body, hair, and skin were gifts from one's parents. Did her parents agree to her modifying herself?

Apparently, this world did not care about that.

He himself had been taken away by his master at the age of three to cultivate immortality. His master had left his family some money and silver as compensation.

Wang Jixuan's movements became increasingly gentle, and several strange insights arose in his heart.

A kind of entirely new insight he had never experienced before.

Daoist Wang discovered...

It seemed he had been latched onto by the Combat Machine.

Three days after Ling Tong's second massage session, she appeared outside his door again.

It could not really be called being latched onto. After all, every time Major Ling Tong came, she brought payment for the previous massage.

Still, Ling Tong's visits really were becoming more frequent.

At first, she came every two or three days. Later, she came every other day, and after that, every day.

Every day, Wang Jixuan had to set aside Half an Hour. He could not cultivate or study; he had to spend that time giving her massage therapy.

What Daoist Wang found most unbearable was that Ling Tong initially left immediately after each massage, but later began taking a brief nap here.

In less than half a month, after discovering that Wang Jixuan hardly ever used his bed, she simply started taking her afternoon naps here!

Fortunately, Daoist Wang also received corresponding compensation.

A Music Player with better sound quality, a Sofa Chair he could recline or collapse into, a pair of exquisite care gloves...

Wait, were these rewards really for him?

Later, Ling Tong seemed not to know what else to offer as payment, so she brought over items from her collection—two large pieces of High-Tier Blade Beast exoskeleton.

Wang Jixuan smiled brilliantly.

Those two pieces of exoskeleton alone made all the time and mana he had spent recently more than worth it!

However, the most outrageous gift Ling Tong brought him was today's item.

"This is your Admission Ticket." Ling Tong instructed him patiently. "I registered you in advance. The exam is tomorrow at noon, at this address on the Seventh Floor. It's the Junior Mechanic exam, and also..."

Daoist Wang was a little stunned. "What?"

"These are the Exam Questions and Answers. Remember to deliberately get one question wrong. A perfect score will require you to retake the exam."

"This..."

"If you're willing."

Ling Tong strapped on her Mechanical Arm and explained calmly:

"I'm temporarily stationed in C Zone of the Outer Expansion Zone of Fortress 76. I can recruit you into my Logistics Team. I know your abilities are unusual, and you have your own invaluable massage technique, so I'll do my best to compensate you with supplies. When I return to the front lines, I'll recommend you for an easy position in the Upper City of Fortress No. 76... I know this may be a Difficult Request. Conditions in the Outer Expansion Zone are somewhat harsh, and there's also the risk of Blade Beast attacks, but I'll protect you with everything I have..."

"There's a risk of Blade Beast attacks?"

Wang Jixuan asked softly.

Ling Tong nodded lightly. A trace of disappointment appeared in her bright eyes, though her expression remained as calm as always.

"Yes."

"Then I'll consider it."

Wang Jixuan turned around.

He could barely suppress the curl of his lips. He tried to adjust his expression so he would not seem too eager to agree later.

He was a cultivator with a whole heap of unique skills. If others wanted him to do something, naturally they had to beg him.

A faint look of disappointment appeared on Ling Tong's pretty face. "Forget I said anything about this..."

"I'm willing. There's no other way—they're still investigating Black Storm's whereabouts," Wang Jixuan said calmly. "I should go out and hide for a while."

"Then I'll come pick you up tomorrow afternoon. You can get the certificate on the spot after the exam."

"No problem."

"Alright."

Ling Tong nodded calmly, turned, and quickly headed for the door.

Bang!

She looked at the door handle she had torn off and pressed her lips together.

Wang Jixuan said, "It's fine. I can just file a repair request..."

"Sorry for breaking it. Then... see you tomorrow."

"Alright—hey!"

Before Wang Jixuan could speak up, Ling Tong had already used brute force to pull open the alloy door. She picked it up, turned around, fitted it back into the door frame, then lowered her head and hurried away.

Daoist Wang's forehead was covered in black lines.

Luckily, she had not literally made off with the door and had left it behind for him.

Why was her state of mind fluctuating like this?

Just... very unprofessional.