Official Backing

Inside the cabin, Captain Tianpeng gazed through the porthole, his eyes sweeping over the area around Hongfu Restaurant and the nearby Abyss Beast Nest, both illuminated by the searchlights below.

"Captain, something's definitely wrong."

The voice of his deputy, Pojun, 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 Abyss Beast in sight. There's no way those beasts' sense of smell and perception could have missed all the people inside the building. They've already gathered into a sizable pack, yet they're only daring to huddle beside their nest and howl. They're keeping their distance. This is way too unusual."

Tianpeng fell silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking. "Mm. It must have something to do with that Staff Officer Lin."

They had all watched Lin Yi's combat videos. As combat personnel, they had a clear understanding of the young man's abilities.

Even so, seeing with their own eyes how a single person had cowed an entire pack of Abyss Beasts was still astonishing.

"He's turned this place into a safe zone." Tianpeng paused, then continued in a more relaxed tone. "But that's a good thing. It saves us the trouble of wasting precious ammunition to drive off the pack. Prepare to execute the second contact plan!"

"Understood!"

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

"Leigong, Qianli, take the high ground and establish a defensive position. Focus on monitoring the pack's movements near the nest!" Shanying ordered decisively.

"Leigong, acknowledged!"

"Qianli, acknowledged!"

The cabin door opened, and two fast-roping lines were thrown down.

Two fully equipped special forces soldiers swiftly rappelled down the ropes, landing on the hotel roof with precision and without a sound.

The moment they touched down, they immediately spread out into tactical positions. One quickly set up a sniper rifle and trained its high-powered scope on the restless pack in the distance. 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. Agitation is increasing, but it hasn't moved toward us! Repeat, it has not moved toward us!"

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

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

"Kuimu, acknowledged!"

"Yinghuo, acknowledged!"

The helicopter shifted position slightly, hovering over the open space in front of Hongfu Restaurant's main entrance.

Two more fast-roping lines descended, and the other two soldiers, Kuimu and Yinghuo, quickly rappelled to the ground.

With their backs to each other and their weapons aimed in opposite directions, the two advanced one ahead of the other, covering each other as they entered the pitch-black lobby on the first floor.

After a brief silence, the comms crackled again.

"First floor secure! No signs of Abyss Beast activity! The spiral staircase leading to the second floor inside the lobby has been completely blocked off. We found a rope ladder leading to the second floor. Armed civilians with crude melee weapons are gathered by it. They appear agitated and are watching us, but we haven't detected any threat! Repeat, no threat detected!"

"Copy. Hold your positions and watch the entrances," Tianpeng ordered. The last of his doubts finally faded.

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

"Understood!"

"Equipment is in working order!"

Soon, the armed helicopter slowly descended, finally landing steadily in the open space in front of Hongfu Restaurant.

The cabin door opened, and Tianpeng was the first to leap down, carrying a silver-white metal case.

Bailong, a burly warrant officer with dark skin, followed close behind with Captain Ren. The two of them were responsible for carrying equipment such as the portable generator and military radio.

Kuimu and Yinghuo, who had gone inside to scout the first floor, also hurried out to help carry the remaining equipment.

Tianpeng, meanwhile, strode into the first-floor lobby of Hongfu Restaurant with the case in hand, his gaze calm and composed. He switched on his helmet light and looked around.

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

Two people stood beneath the rope ladder.

One was a solidly built, middle-aged man with a resolute face. His stance still bore traces of military training. The other was the main subject of the video—and the person they had come to find—Lin Yi.

He looked like an ordinary young man, with a hint of bookishness about him. But there was none of the excitement someone his age should have felt at seeing special forces. He simply watched them calmly.

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

Watching these well-equipped soldiers move with such speed, Zhou Jianjun was especially moved when he noticed their shoulder and sleeve insignia. His lips trembled slightly as he stammered, "C-Comrades, have you come to rescue us?"

Tianpeng turned his attention from Lin Yi to Zhou Jianjun and gave him a crisp salute. His voice was steady and strong. "Hello, comrade. We've been ordered to carry out a special mission. We're not here to conduct a large-scale rescue and evacuation, but rest assured, other teams will arrive soon and carry out rescues in order."

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

But Tianpeng's next words immediately drew everyone's attention away from their disappointment.

"The order for this mission came directly from the Supreme Command Center, from Chief Li Zhenguo."

The Supreme Command Center! Chief Li Zhenguo!

A flurry of barely suppressed whispers broke out on the second floor. Zhou Jianjun's eyes widened, and even Lin Yi's brow shifted almost imperceptibly.

Tianpeng paid no mind to their shock. His gaze settled on Lin Yi again, and his tone grew especially solemn. "You're Comrade Lin Yi, correct?"

Lin Yi nodded slightly.

"I am."

Tianpeng saluted him again. This time, the salute was for Lin Yi.

"Comrade Lin Yi! On behalf of the countless soldiers on the front lines, I want to thank you! Your combat videos and instructional videos have provided us with invaluable intelligence and new ideas. The Source Energy Guidance Technique training experience you shared is of even greater significance!"

Lin Yi accepted his thanks calmly and returned the salute. His voice remained even. "You're too kind. I only did what I could, both to save myself and to help as many people as possible."

Tianpeng's expression grew 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 exceptional talent and foresight in Source Energy cultivation, as well as your immense contributions to the nation, the Supreme Command, after urgent deliberation, has decided to appoint you as a special technical adviser to the General Staff, with the rank of major. We'd like to formally ask whether you're willing to accept."

A major! An adviser to the General Staff!

Another round of gasps broke out on the second floor.

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

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

An eighteen-year-old major?

Lin Yi was also a little surprised. It wasn't the rank of major that astonished him. He had dealt with the General Staff for so many years and knew that its personnel were at least majors.

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

Judging by the timing, the order had probably been issued not long after the video reached the Supreme Command Center.

They really do act fast. If I get the chance, I should meet him and see what kind of person he is.

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

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

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

"Second." Tianpeng continued without any surprise in his voice. "If you're not willing to leave this place for now, the Command Headquarters will fully respect 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 the equipment to ensure that you can remain in contact with the General Staff."

He paused, then raised his voice.

"Your rank and position will remain valid. The Supreme Command will recognize and support all your actions and research related to Abyss 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. The situation here is still unstable, so I need to stay."

His reason was simple and direct.

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

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

"Staff Officer Lin."

Tianpeng changed how he addressed him, his tone formal.

"Given your talent and outstanding contributions to the study of the Source Energy Guidance Technique, the Supreme Command has specially approved these research materials for your personal use. The Command encourages you to continue exploring and conducting more in-depth research in the field of Source Energy."

Lin Yi's interest stirred. He reached out and undid the case's latches.

Click.

The lid sprang open.

In an instant, a soft, dense glow lit up his face, drawing everyone's gaze from upstairs as well.

Inside the case, shock-absorbing foam had been carefully divided into slots, each one neatly packed with Spirit Radiance Crystals—three full rows of them.