Tiered weapons were extremely rare. Su Chen had yet to see one at the academy, let alone a Tier 2 item.
The Azure Iron Chain coiled around him, speeding up and slowing down at will. Compared to a Rope Master's ropes, it could move faster and with greater flexibility.
But [Mystic Art Control] did not end there. Su Chen stretched out his arm, and the azure iron chain suddenly burst apart, turning into finer metal threads that wrapped around his arm and gradually condensed into an azure-gold "bracer" covering his forearm and hand.
The toughness of a Tier 2 item far surpassed ordinary steel. It looked unremarkable, but its defensive power was certainly impressive.
After playing with it for a while longer, Su Chen discovered that he could split the chain into roughly ten metal wires, but coordinating them all at once was difficult. In battle, he could control at most one or two.
"If I pull them taut and combine them with my speed, their killing power should be considerable..." Countless applications surfaced in his mind, but such precise use also drained his mental power quickly.
As for [Spirit Spike], there was no target, so it was difficult to test its exact effects.
Having successfully become a Mystic Artificer, with two top-tier professions under his belt, Su Chen's strength and methods had both improved. He felt much more at ease.
Qi Chuan and Jiang He remained like thorns lodged in his heart. The two had been silent lately, but he did not believe the matter had simply passed.
"Rest first..." Su Chen rubbed his brow. He would be joining the city patrol tomorrow, and after undergoing the Whispering Trial and all those experiments, he was exhausted.
"Idiot! How did I end up with a son like you? You volunteered for city patrol?"
Bang!
Zhou Xian slammed his palm onto the table in fury. His already imposing face grew even more sinister, as if he wanted to stuff the fool before him back where he came from.
Zhou Zong's expression darkened as he said in a low voice, "The City Lord encouraged people to volunteer for city patrol..."
"Don't try to fool me with that!" Zhou Xian flew into a rage, his eyes wide with anger. "I told you to find a way to pursue Bai Fengxi. Who told you to resort to schemes? Competing with a drifter for a woman—is that something glorious? It only proves your incompetence!"
Zhou Zong's expression shifted as he muttered, "I didn't think you still cared whether your son lived or died. I thought the only thing in your eyes was the City Lord's position."
"Zhang Hengyu knocked me unconscious twice and stole everything on me, yet you ignored it. Is it because his father is the City Lord?"
"I told you, it wasn't Zhang Hengyu." Zhou Xian suppressed his anger.
"If it wasn't him, who else has that ability and that nerve?" Zhou Zong was resentful as well. "Could it have been that thief? Instead of finding a way to escape, he stole the potions off me?"
"Enough!" Zhou Xian's face twitched as he strode forward. Zhou Zong felt a flicker of fear and retreated a step.
Zhou Xian lowered his voice somewhat and said gravely, "Tomorrow, I'll see you off. I'll have Hu Xiang keep an eye on you. You be careful too."
"It's not my first time on city patrol." Zhou Zong was unconcerned. "Besides, a powerful Professional passed through a few days ago. What danger could there be nearby?"
"Powerful Professionals deter those cunning bastards..." Zhou Xian said coldly. "But the mindless mutated creatures nearby will only become more irritable. They're dangerous!"
Zhou Zong froze, clearly not having considered that.
"And once you leave the city, behave yourself. Stop keeping your eyes on that drifter." Zhou Xian stared at his foolish son.
"Why?" Zhou Zong did not understand.
"Don't ask why!" Zhou Xian snapped impatiently. "Just listen!"
Zhou Zong left unwillingly. Zhou Xian's expression flickered uncertainly. Should I put it on him? It really is a good opportunity, but...
Early that morning, the plaza outside Southwind Academy's gates was already crowded, filled with endless discussion.
Afraid that something might go wrong, Su Chen arrived early and looked over the City Patrol Guard squad before him.
Their armor covered far more of their bodies than the Inspection Guard's, black and cold. The weapons hanging at their waists were also more refined.
There were only fifty or sixty people at a rough estimate, but their murderous aura bore down on everyone, making the air feel oppressive.
The Inspection Department, Patrol Department, and Exploration Department were Southwind City's three major armed institutions.
The Inspection Department was responsible for the city itself, while the Patrol Department handled routine security.
The Exploration Department was the most mysterious. It was responsible for exploring the most dangerous places outside the city, as well as ruins.
They reported directly to the City Lord. It was said that every one of them was an elite Professional, including Tier 2 and even Tier 3 Professionals.
"City patrol is starting again... Heh, the City Patrol Guard's equipment has been upgraded again?"
"They got lucky this time. A powerful Professional just passed through." Quite a few people were envious.
"It's not that simple..." Some older-looking students shook their heads, sorrow seemingly lingering in their eyes.
There were rarely casualties during city patrols because the requirements were greatly reduced. Ordinary patrols had to travel at least five to ten kilometers beyond the city, while students only needed to go about three kilometers out. The danger was already quite low.
But there was always the possibility of an accident.
The City Patrol Guard leader at the front stood motionless like a statue, his face cold and rigid.
Before long, the crowd parted down the middle as someone familiar arrived.
"Old Bai?" Su Chen was slightly surprised. The newcomer was Bai Fengxi, her expression indifferent and her demeanor aloof.
"She's leaving the city too?" Su Chen had not expected it. He muttered, "She's older than me."
City patrol groups were organized once every three months. He should have been assigned to the next group, but had been moved up to this one.
More people arrived one after another, both men and women. Su Chen did not know most of them, and most wore anxious, uneasy expressions.
They soon began talking with people they knew, instinctively clustering together into small groups. Some tried speaking to Bai Fengxi, but received no response.
"Su Chen?" Bai Fengxi spotted Su Chen slipping into the crowd and was equally surprised.
Seeing the usually frosty young woman take the initiative to speak to someone, many people turned their attention toward Su Chen.
He was rather handsome, but he was not one of the academy's prominent figures.
"Him? Isn't he Teacher Jiang He's pretty boy?"
"He looks even more handsome in person than in the recording..."
Someone recognized him, and hushed discussions began.
Su Chen was speechless. He did not know whether it was an illusion, but the City Patrol Guard leader seemed to have looked at him too.
Did Jiang He really have that much influence?
"Excuse me..." Someone else entered, instantly drawing even more attention.
The weather was not hot, yet this girl was dressed rather revealingly. Her carefully tailored clothes outlined her graceful curves, and everyone's gazes rose and fell with her movements.
Even Su Chen glanced twice, admiring her exceptional assets.
"Ah, Sister Bai..." Her face lit up with delight as she jogged toward Bai Fengxi.
Su Chen clearly saw the girl's eyes sweep over him, but she had no intention of greeting him and instead leaned close to Bai Fengxi.
"Tch..." Su Chen stepped aside, putting a little more distance between himself and the two.
"Ah, Brother Zhou..." the exceptionally endowed girl called out again, raising a hand to wave.
"This guy is here too?" Su Chen saw Zhou Zong approaching through the crowd and was even more surprised.
"Zhou Zong? Why is he here too? I remember he already went out once a year ago, in the same group as me." People in the crowd discussed it, and Su Chen's eyes flickered.
Zhou Zong hesitated, but still walked toward Bai Fengxi. The last time she had told him to get lost twice had clearly left a shadow on him.
"Time's up. Roll call!"
Suddenly, the City Patrol Guard leader shouted. His sharp gaze silenced everyone as he took out a list and quickly finished checking attendance. No one dared neglect it. Everyone had arrived, and their total number was roughly equal to that of the City Patrol Guard.
Everyone carried packs containing tents, food, and other supplies.
"Move out." He was concise, arranging them into formation. The City Patrol Guard took positions in front and behind, sandwiching the students in the middle.
"Hold it..."
Before they could even leave the academy, the Inspection Guard at the gates stopped them. "Routine inspection."
Hu Xiang frowned deeply at the man before him. "Inspect what?"
"No comment." The other man was expressionless.
"We have orders to patrol outside the city."
"We have orders to inspect everyone leaving the academy."
"Ding Cripple, we just came in and have been waiting in the plaza under your nose the entire time. You still want to inspect us? Are you saying you're blind, or are you targeting me?" Hu Xiang knew the man as well, and his tone was hostile.
The City Patrol Guards behind him stepped forward in unison.
Ding Cripple nodded seriously. "I need to inspect you."
For a moment, the atmosphere stiffened, and some students who had come to watch gathered closer.
Where there were people, there was conflict. Even the three major armed institutions had their own hierarchy of disdain. The Inspection Department, responsible for security within the city, undoubtedly occupied the bottom rung.
"Captain Ding!"
A deep voice came from behind. A middle-aged man had appeared at some point.
"Vice Principal Zhou?" Ding Cripple looked at the newcomer.
"City patrol is routine business. Don't delay them," Zhou Xian said quietly.
"But Minister Yuan said..." Ding Cripple hesitated.
"Traces were found over there. Minister Yuan is investigating and cannot come in time. I came because I was afraid there would be friction between you..." Zhou Xian pondered for a moment. "How about this? Don't inspect the City Patrol Guard. So many eyes are watching in broad daylight; there should be no issue."
"Inspect the students instead. Don't take too long. Just make sure none of them are disguised."
Ding Cripple's expression shifted. He looked again at the cold-faced Hu Xiang, then nodded helplessly.
This time, Hu Xiang did not stop them. The Inspection Guards stepped forward and checked them one by one, then opened the transparent barrier temporarily covering the entire academy and let them leave.
"Captain Hu, I'll be counting on you this time." Outside the academy, Zhou Xian spoke warmly with Hu Xiang.
Among the students, everyone's gazes repeatedly swept over Zhou Zong.
Zhou Zong savored the envy, jealousy, and resentment in those looks. Then he glanced at the silent Su Chen and could not help but sneer inwardly.
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