Official Backing

Inside the cabin, Captain Tianpeng looked through the window, his gaze sweeping over the area around Hongfu Tower and the Abyss Beast Nest below, both illuminated by the searchlights.

"Captain, something's definitely wrong."

Deputy Pojun's voice came through the internal comms, tinged with disbelief.

"There's a huge area around the target location, and it's completely clear. Not a single Abyssal Beast. There's no way those animals failed to sense all the living people inside the building. They've already gathered into a sizable pack, yet they're only daring to huddle beside the nest and howl from this far away... It's far too strange."

Tianpeng was silent for a few seconds before he finally spoke. "Yes... I suppose it has something to do with that Staff Officer Lin."

They had all watched Lin Yi's combat footage, and as combat personnel, they had a clear understanding of the young man's strength.

Even so, seeing with their own eyes how one person had intimidated an entire pack of Abyssal Beasts was still shocking.

"He... turned this place into a safe zone." Tianpeng paused, then continued in a more relaxed tone. "But that works in our favor. It saves us the trouble of wasting precious ammunition to drive off the pack... Get ready. We're executing the second contact plan!"

"Understood!"

At Tianpeng's command, the armed helicopter first flew over the roof of Hongfu Tower and hovered there.

"Leigong, Qianli, secure the high ground and establish a defensive position. Keep a close eye on the pack near the nest!" Mountain Eagle ordered decisively.

"Leigong, understood!"

"Qianli, understood!"

The cabin door opened, and two fast-roping lines were tossed out.

Two fully armed special forces soldiers quickly rappelled down, landing on the hotel roof with precision and barely a sound.

The moment they touched down, the two spread out into tactical positions. One swiftly set up a sniper rifle and trained its high-powered scope on the agitated pack in the distance, while the other held a rifle and warily scanned the roof's other exits and the surrounding area.

"Roof secure! No abnormalities detected! The pack remains at its original gathering point. Their agitation is increasing, but they aren't moving toward us! Repeat, they aren't moving toward us!"

The calm report from the sniper, Qianli, came through to everyone.

"Copy. Stay alert." Tianpeng replied, then issued another order. "Kuimu, Yinghuo, scout the first floor and report once you've confirmed it's safe!"

"Kuimu, understood!"

"Yinghuo, understood!"

The helicopter adjusted its position slightly and hovered above the open space in front of Hongfu Tower's main entrance.

Two more fast-roping lines dropped, and two additional team members, Kuimu and Yinghuo, quickly rappelled down.

Back to back, they pointed their rifles in different directions. Moving one behind the other, they covered each other as they entered the dark First Floor Hall.

After a brief silence, the comms crackled again.

"First floor secure! No signs of Abyssal Beast activity! The spiral staircase inside the hall leading to the second floor has been completely blocked. We found a rope ladder leading up to the second floor. There are armed civilians with crude melee weapons at the ladder. They appear agitated and are watching us, but we've detected no signs of hostility! Repeat, no signs of a threat!"

"Copy. Hold your positions and keep watch over the entrances."

Tianpeng gave the order, his last trace of doubt fading.

"Bailong, prepare to land. Captain Ren, check the equipment," Tianpeng said to the remaining personnel in the cabin.

"Understood!"

"Equipment is in good condition!"

Soon, the armed helicopter slowly descended, finally touching down steadily in the open space in front of Hongfu Tower.

The cabin door opened, and Tianpeng leaped out first, carrying a silver metal case.

The man codenamed Bailong was a sturdy warrant officer with dark skin. He and Captain Ren followed close behind, responsible for carrying the portable generator, Military Radio, and other equipment.

Kuimu and Yinghuo, who had entered the first floor to scout earlier, also hurried out of the building to help carry the remaining equipment.

Tianpeng, meanwhile, strode into the First Floor Hall with the case in hand. He switched on his Helmet Lamp and surveyed the room.

Several heads crowded around the opening on the second floor. They were all young, their faces filled with excitement as they whispered among themselves.

Two people stood below the rope ladder.

One was a stocky, middle-aged man with a resolute face. His stance still hinted at a military background. The other was none other than the star of the videos and the target of their visit, Lin Yi.

He looked like an ordinary young man, with a faintly scholarly air about him. But his eyes held none of the excitement one might expect from someone his age upon seeing special forces. He simply watched them calmly.

That composure, far beyond his years, made Tianpeng think even more highly of him.

Watching these well-equipped soldiers move with such speed—especially when he saw the insignia on their shoulders and sleeves—Zhou Jianjun's lips trembled with excitement. "C-Comrades, are you here to rescue us?"

Tianpeng turned his gaze from Lin Yi to Zhou Jianjun, first giving him a crisp military salute. His voice was steady and firm. "Hello, comrade. We've been sent on a special mission, not to carry out a large-scale rescue and evacuation. But don't worry. Other teams will come to rescue you in turn soon."

A flicker of disappointment instantly crossed Zhou Jianjun's face, as well as those of the people upstairs who had been listening intently.

But Tianpeng's next words immediately drew everyone's attention, leaving them no time to dwell on their disappointment.

"We were dispatched directly by Commander Li Zhenguo of the Supreme Command Center."

The Supreme Command Center! Commander Li Zhenguo!

An uproar of hushed discussion broke out on the second floor. Zhou Jianjun's eyes widened, and even Lin Yi's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Tianpeng paid no heed to their shock. His gaze settled on Lin Yi again, and his tone grew especially solemn. "You must be Comrade Lin Yi?"

Lin Yi nodded slightly.

"That's me."

Tianpeng saluted again, this time to Lin Yi.

"Comrade Lin Yi! On behalf of the countless soldiers on the Frontline, I thank you! Your combat footage and instructional videos have provided us with extremely valuable intelligence and entirely new ideas. The Source Energy Guidance Technique training methods you shared are even more significant!"

Lin Yi accepted his thanks calmly and returned the salute. His voice remained composed. "You're giving me too much credit. I only did what I could, both to save myself and to help more people."

Tianpeng's expression grew even more serious. He took a sealed document envelope from his waist and offered it to Lin Yi with both hands.

"Comrade Lin Yi, in view of your outstanding talent in Source Energy cultivation, your exceptional foresight, and your immense contributions to the country, the Supreme Command has held urgent discussions and decided to make an exceptional appointment: Special Technical Staff of the General Staff Department, with the rank of Major! We'd now like to formally ask whether you're willing to accept."

Major! Staff at the General Staff!

Another wave of exclamations rose from the second floor.

Chen Yu's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Li Jie pinched himself hard, while Zhou Yuxuan froze with his hand halfway to his glasses.

Zhou Jianjun stared blankly at his nephew, as if seeing him for the first time.

An eighteen-year-old Major?

Lin Yi was also a little surprised, though not by the rank of Major itself. He'd dealt with the General Staff for many years and knew that its personnel were at least Majors.

What surprised him more was how quickly the Supreme Command Center had responded.

Working backward from the timing, they must have issued the order not long after the Supreme Command Center saw the video.

They certainly act fast... I should meet him sometime and see what kind of person he is...

Before, Lin Yi had only thought that Li Zhenguo lived up to his reputation. Now he was genuinely curious about him.

Tianpeng had no idea that the kid standing opposite him was regarding the Supreme Commander as an equal. He continued, "You have two options. First, if you agree, you can return with us to Capital Base immediately and take up a post at Supreme Command. Your knowledge and abilities will be put to use on a much broader stage."

He paused to watch Lin Yi's reaction, but all he saw was that same unfathomable calm.

"Second..." Tianpeng continued, unsurprised, "if you're not willing to leave this place right now, Supreme Command fully respects your personal choice..."

He turned to introduce the female officer beside him. "This is Captain Ren Yinuo from the communications department. She's an excellent communications specialist. She'll stay here along with this equipment to ensure you can remain in contact with the General Staff."

He paused, then raised his voice.

"Your rank and appointment will remain in effect. Supreme Command will recognize and support all your work and research related to Abyssal Beasts and Source Energy."

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Lin Yi.

Lin Yi answered almost without hesitation, his voice calm.

"I choose the second option. Things here are still unstable. I need to stay."

His reasoning was simple and direct.

Tianpeng seemed to have expected this answer. More precisely, the General Staff had anticipated this choice when they sent him and his team. He nodded solemnly. "Understood! I'll report your decision to Supreme Command."

Finally, Tianpeng placed the silver metal case he'd been carrying in front of Lin Yi with great care.

"Staff Officer Lin..."

Tianpeng had changed how he addressed Lin Yi, his tone now formal.

"Based on your talent and outstanding contributions to your research on the Source Energy Guidance Technique, Supreme Command has specially authorized these research materials for your personal use. The Command encourages you to continue exploring and researching the field of Source Energy in greater depth."

Lin Yi's interest stirred, and he reached out to undo the latches on the case.

Click.

The lid lifted.

At once, a soft, brilliant glow illuminated his face and drew everyone upstairs to look.

Inside, shock-absorbing foam had been carefully cut into rows of compartments, each neatly packed with Spirit Shine Crystals. There were three full rows.