Rewards

Chapter 35: Rewards

Before long, Lu Su returned to the Secret Realm Entrance.

Zhao Chang and Old Liu followed closely behind, landing behind Lu Su.

The three of them looked at one another in silence.

They had never imagined that such a simple reconnaissance mission would ultimately cost Zhou Yi and Xiang Yan their lives in this secret realm.

Old Liu forced himself to pull himself together and said, "I'll go speak to the Association official in charge later."

Then he growled bitterly under his breath, "Heh, counterattack Blue Star? I want these Demons to pay for Old Zhou and the others with their lives!"

Lu Su and Zhao Chang silently nodded. They had uncovered such crucial intelligence; they did not believe the Association would fail to act.

After leaving the secret realm, Old Liu immediately set off to find the person in charge of the Black Flag Secret Realm.

Lu Su and Zhao Chang exchanged a glance and followed him.

Before long, the three arrived at the official's office.

Bang!

The sound of the door opening startled the official, who had been working.

He looked up, saw Old Liu and Zhao Chang, and said in confusion, "Didn't you only go in half a day ago? Why are you already back?"

Then he glanced behind the three of them. When he did not see anyone else, he blurted out, "Where are Zhou Yi and Xiang Yan? Are they still in the secret realm?"

At those words, Old Liu gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "The Demons in the secret realm are plotting a counterattack!"

"Our cover was blown. Zhou Yi and Xiang Yan stayed behind to cover our retreat."

Upon hearing Old Liu's words, the official rose to his feet in a daze.

After a long while, he finally said, "You know the Association's current situation. Other than increasing the base's defenses and reporting this upward, there's nothing I can do."

After the Demon's Nest riot, the Card Master Association was severely short-handed. Most Card Masters had been transferred to guard the area around the Demon's Nest.

At those words, rage surged into Old Liu's heart. He slammed his hand on the table. "Then Old Zhou and the others died for nothing?!"

He had never expected Zhou Yi's sacrifice to lead to this outcome.

The official merely looked at him quietly and said nothing.

After a moment of silence, Old Liu lowered his voice. "Sorry. I lost my temper."

Old Liu understood that this was not something the official could decide. Aside from helping report it, there was nothing else he could do. Losing his temper here was pointless.

"But to thank you for bringing back this intelligence, I can give you some rewards on behalf of the Association first," the official said after considering the dejected trio for a moment.

As he spoke, he took a booklet from a nearby bookshelf and placed it on the desk before him.

"No amount of rewards can bring the Captain and the others back."

Zhao Chang's tired voice sounded. He had lowered his head, concealing his expression.

If he could, he would rather forgo these rewards in exchange for Zhou Yi and Xiang Yan's return.

Meanwhile, Lu Su stepped forward expressionlessly and began flipping through the booklet on the desk.

Biological Materials: Ghoul King (Gold), Koga Ninja (Gold), Flesh Demon - Speed Specialization (Gold)

Item Materials: Universal Rubber (Gold), Nameless Demonic Blade (Gold), Type-2 Biological Armor (Gold)

The booklet contained pictures of Bronze Grade materials.

At that moment, Zhao Chang, standing behind Lu Su, watched him browse the booklet as though no one else were present and could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.

But Zhao Chang could understand Lu Su. After all, he had only temporarily joined their squad for practical training. Besides, they were the ones who had dragged Lu Su into such a dangerous situation.

If Lu Su did not want to continue getting involved, Zhao Chang could not blame him.

What was more, if Lu Su had not killed Moji, given the situation at the scene, none of them might have made it out alive.

Thus, he held no resentment toward Lu Su. Instead, he felt somewhat grateful.

"I want this one. Thank you." Lu Su's voice interrupted Zhao Chang's thoughts as he pointed at the Universal Rubber (Gold) in the booklet and spoke to the official.

"Certainly. Please register first. The material will be delivered to your residence afterward," the official said with a smile.

In his view, Lu Su had set a good example. After all, no one wanted to make things so grim and mournful.

Besides, Card Masters died in secret realms every day. Even Diamond Grade Card Masters had died during the Demon's Nest riot years ago. What, was Zhou Yi, a mere Bronze Grade Card Master, not allowed to die?

After registering, Lu Su turned to Zhao Chang and Old Liu. "Then I'll be heading back first. I'm a little tired."

With that, Lu Su ignored their reactions and walked toward the door.

As he passed them, Zhao Chang's low voice reached his ears. "Xiao Luo, I wish you a bright future. Don't let the Captain's sacrifice be in vain."

Those were Zhao Chang's sincere words. He could understand Lu Su not avenging Zhou Yi. After all, they had known each other for less than a day.

Lu Su paused, his calm face revealing none of his emotions, then continued toward the door.

At that moment, Old Liu sneered and deliberately said loudly, "Old Zhou must have been blind."

In his view, Lu Su should at least have made his stance clear.

Yet here he was, choosing his reward and preparing to leave without a care, completely selfish and self-serving.

But before he could finish, Zhao Chang grabbed him.

Old Liu glanced at Zhao Chang, swallowed the venomous words on his tongue, snorted coldly, and said no more.

Lu Su stopped by the door with his back to them. His faint voice drifted from his lips. "I will avenge Brother Zhou."

Perhaps because he had spoken too softly, Zhao Chang did not hear him clearly. He turned toward Lu Su's back in confusion. "What?"

"I said, I will avenge Brother Zhou!"

At last, the two behind Lu Su heard him clearly and felt the resolve in his words.

Zhao Chang froze in astonishment for a moment, but in the end, a faint smile appeared on his face.

Whether Lu Su would truly avenge Zhou Yi in the end or not, at least at this moment, Zhao Chang was certain that Lu Su meant it.

After saying that, Lu Su paid no attention to the reactions of the two behind him and simply strode resolutely out the door.

At that moment, Lu Su felt his Spiritual Power finally cross the threshold of Bronze Grade.

That meant he could now create Bronze Grade cards.

Revenge had never been empty talk.

He believed he had the strength for it.

Outside the base, Lu Su stared blankly at the sky.

This was the first time he had witnessed the death of someone he knew.

Not to mention that Zhou Yi had died covering their retreat.

He would not say that without Zhou Yi, he would never have ended up in that situation.

From the moment he entered the secret realm, he had already prepared himself mentally.

After all, his daily studies had long taught him that anything could happen in a secret realm. This day was bound to come sooner or later.

Lu Su simply had not expected it to come so soon.

After sorting through his complicated emotions, Lu Su summoned Pidgeot and flew home.

He was going home to create his first Bronze Grade card.