Lu Jingheng... What Exactly Are You Trying to Do?

At 9:00 a. m. the following morning, Luo Li promptly pushed open the heavy door of the third conference room at the guild headquarters.

The atmosphere in the conference room was much as he had imagined—serious, somber, and even carrying a subtle sense of oppression.

At one end of the oval-shaped table sat three members of the investigation team, dressed in high-ranking guild uniforms.

In the center is an elderly man with gray hair and sharp, eagle-like eyes; his shoulder insignia indicate that he is a lieutenant general and chief tactical advisor.

On the left is a middle-aged woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a thick stack of documents in front of her; she is likely a tactical analysis expert.

On the right was a burly man with a deep, composed aura, slightly bulging temples, and a gaze that swept over with an almost tangible intensity; he was undoubtedly a high-ranking combat advisor.

Deacon Wang sat near the door, nodding slightly to Luo Li, his expression still serious.

"Luo Li, please sit down."

The elderly man in the center, Advisor Chen, spoke with a steady yet authoritative voice, pointing to the empty seat opposite the long table.

Luo Li sat down as instructed, her back straight, her gaze calmly meeting the scrutiny of the three investigators.

He made a point of wearing a clean, casual outfit today, neither too formal to appear guilty nor too casual to be disrespectful.

"Regarding Mission A-021, and your solo kill of the A-rank vampire ' Earl Shadowwing,' we need your most detailed and truthful account."

Advisor Chen got straight to the point, without any pleasantries.

"Every detail could affect the guild's final assessment of this incident, and a reassessment of your individual abilities. Do you understand?"

"Clear."

Luo Li nodded, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"Alright, let's begin. Let's start with the helicopter being attacked." Advisor Chen gestured for them to begin.

Luo Li took a deep breath and began to recount her story, following the script she had "rehearsed" with Lu Jingheng the day before, combined with her own real experiences.

He spoke at a steady pace and with clear logic.

When talking about the plane crash, he emphasized the anticipation brought about by his [Super-Speed Reaction], and how he was lucky enough to land in a relatively buffer zone, his tone carrying a just-right hint of lingering fear.

When discussing his battle with Earl Shadowwing, he focused on the impact of the canyon's complex terrain and energy interference field on both sides. He emphasized Earl Shadowwing's potential injuries from the plane crash and his underestimation of him, as well as how he used his "family heirloom sword" to counter dark energy and seize that fleeting opportunity in a desperate situation.

He deliberately downplayed his initiative and explosive power in combat, attributing the kills more to "environment," "luck," and "weapon characteristics."

When the analysts pressed him for details about certain energy collisions, he cleverly brushed them off with excuses such as "I was under a lot of mental stress at the time, Remembrance is a bit hazy" and "The energy interference was too strong, and my perception was unclear," but the core logic remained consistent.

When the combat advisor showed great interest in his "family heirloom sword," Luo Li, following Lu Jingheng's advice, frankly acknowledged its special nature, but emphasized that it required the Luo family bloodline and a unique breathing technique to initially activate, and that it was no different from scrap metal to others. He also implied that this was a family secret and could not be revealed in detail.

His attitude was candid, yet it carried a hint of uncertainty and wishful thinking that a young person should have about their "feat," perfectly fitting the persona of a "lucky and promising B-level ability user."

The entire presentation lasted for more than an hour.

The three investigators frequently interrupted, asking all sorts of sharp and even tricky questions in an attempt to find loopholes or contradictions in Luo Li's words.

But Luo Li's preparations were far too thorough.

Lu Jingheng anticipated all the potential points of contention and prepared reasonable explanations for them.

Given his strong mental fortitude and solid acting skills, the whole process turned out to be surprisingly safe.

"... That concludes the entire mission process."

Luo Li finished her statement, picked up the water glass in front of her, took a sip, and moistened her slightly dry throat.

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

The three investigators exchanged views in hushed tones, flipping through the documents in their hands.

Deacon Wang looked at Luo Li, a hint of surprise and... relief flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Luo Li to be so calm and collected when facing the headquarters investigation team, presenting his case in a clear and logical manner with almost no obvious flaws.

Advisor Chen raised his head, his sharp gaze falling on Luo Li again, and slowly said, "Your statement is basically logically consistent. Regarding the killing of Earl Shadowwing, the guild's technical department has also preliminarily confirmed his death through analysis of the residual energy spectrum in the canyon."

He paused, his tone softening slightly. "Luo Li, regardless of the process, independently killing an A-level vampire is an indisputable achievement."

This proves your potential, courage, and... luck. The guild acknowledges this.

Hearing this, Luo Li finally felt relieved.

You passed!

"Based on your achievements and performance in this mission, and after review by the guild headquarters, it has been decided to reassess your ability level."

"Issue," Advisor Chen announced formally.

"Your original C+ level ability [Deep Information Perception and Traceback] has been upgraded to B+ level. You are also awarded the 'Level 3 Combat Hero' medal, 10,000 contribution points, and have unlocked A-level mission privileges and related resource exchange eligibility."

B+ Rank! Level 3 Combat Hero! 10,000 Contribution Points! Level A Permissions!

Even though Luo Li was mentally prepared, her heart still raced a little when she heard about the generous reward.

This is even better than he expected!

"Thank you for the guild's recognition!"

Luo Li stood up and said solemnly.

Advisor Chen nodded, and then added meaningfully, "Young people have great potential, but remember to avoid arrogance and impetuosity, and to lay a solid foundation."

I hope you can make good use of this power and make greater contributions to Longxia and to humanity.

"Yes! I understand!"

As Luo Li left the conference room, Deacon Wang followed him out, patted Luo Li on the shoulder, and a rare smile appeared on his face, "Good lad, well done! Advisor Chen is known for his strictness, and you managed to get him to find no major faults. Impressive!"

He lowered his voice. "That's great! A B+ rank, and a B+ rank with an independent record of killing an A rank! From now on, your influence in the guild will be significantly different. Do a good job!"

"Thank you very much, Deacon Wang," Luo Li said sincerely.

"Alright, go to the resource office to update your level and claim your rewards. Oh, by the way..."

As if remembering something, Deacon Wang, "That researcher Lu Jingheng, are you still in contact with him?"

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained impassive. "Occasionally. What's wrong?"

"Headquarters is taking his speculations about 'spatial rifts' very seriously and has set up a special investigation team. He may be transferred to the headquarters research institute."

This kid has the makings of a researcher, he's just a bit unlucky.

Deacon Wang said casually.

Luo Li nodded without asking any further questions.

After parting ways with Deacon Wang, Luo Li went to the Resources Department to complete the formalities. Looking at the updated [B+ level] mark on her identity card and the surge in contribution points, she felt extremely pleased.

This was a huge profit!

Not only did it resolve the issue of identity concerns, but it also brought tangible benefits and a higher starting point.

That Lu Jingheng... really helped a lot.

He took out his phone, about to send Lu Jingheng a message to express his gratitude, when the other party called first.

"Mr. Luo Li, congratulations." Lu Jingheng's gentle voice came, as if he already knew the result.

"You're very well-informed." Luo Li smiled. "Thanks a lot this time."

"You're too kind. I only offered a tiny bit of assistance," Lu Jingheng said modestly, then changed the subject, his tone carrying just the right amount of embarrassment. "However... there's something I might need to trouble you with."

"What is it?" Luo Li asked.

"Regarding my previous exploration team... the guild and research institute hope I can provide more details about the last known location and encounter of my missing teammates, in order to facilitate subsequent search and rescue and assessment."

However, I'm not very familiar with the terrain around Jiangcheng, so my description might not be accurate enough...

He paused, then tentatively asked, "Would it be convenient for you to accompany me again to the area near where our exploration team was attacked? Just pointing out the general location is enough. Of course, we won't enter any dangerous areas."

Is this another location identification?

Luo Li raised an eyebrow slightly.

Last time it was Howling Wind Canyon, this time it's the site of the exploration team's attack?

This Lu Jingheng always seems to have some reasonable excuse for needing him to accompany him to certain specific locations.

Is it a coincidence, or...?

Luo Li's inner alarm bells rang slightly, but her tone remained unchanged. "Approximately where is it?"

"On the outskirts of the ' Withered Bone Forest ' in the west of the city, not far from the safe zone, the danger level is assessed as only Level C."

Lu Jingheng immediately replied that the location was indeed not dangerous.

The Withered Bone Forest... Luo Li knew that place. It was a hilly area with sparse vegetation due to some kind of mineral radiation. Occasionally, low-level vampires and mutated beasts would appear, but it was nothing to B-level ability users.

He hesitated for a moment.

From a sentimental standpoint, Lu Jingheng had just done him a great favor, so it seemed difficult to refuse this small request.

For his own sake, he also wanted to see what Lu Jingheng was really up to.

Instead of passively guessing, it's better to take the initiative to reach out.

"Okay, when?"

Luo Li agreed.

"That's great! Thank you! Is tomorrow afternoon convenient for you?" Lu Jingheng's voice was filled with gratitude.

"Can."

After agreeing on the time and place, Luo Li hung up the call.

He looked out the window at the crowds coming and going at the guild headquarters, his gaze slightly narrowed.

Lu Jingheng...

What exactly do you want to do?

He put his phone away and stopped thinking about it.

Ultimately, strength is what matters.

He is currently a B+ level ability user on the surface, but secretly possesses the [Spacetime] Path and the evolved Enma. As long as he doesn't recklessly intrude into the lair of an S-level vampire, he can protect himself more than enough.

It wouldn't hurt to investigate Lu Jingheng's background.

The most important thing right now is to get home quickly, tell Castorice the good news, and then celebrate properly!

Thinking of Castorice, Luo Li's lips unconsciously curled into a smile.

He left the guild headquarters with light steps, Homeward Heart Like an Arrow.

Leveling up, receiving rewards, and earning contribution points... these are certainly exciting things.

But compared to the surprise, pride, and joy that might appear in Castorice's purple eyes upon hearing the news...

All of this seems less important now.

The direction of home, the lights are welcoming.