"Haha, I didn't say the captain wasn't strong. We were just talking about Captain Shen, and we're too familiar with him, so I just didn't say anything!"
Xiao Yu laughed heartily from his seat.
"If you ask me, the only difference between the captain and Captain Shen is the time. If the captain had joined the Supervision Bureau two years earlier, he might be the captain in that position now!"
"Um, no..."
Chen Zhuo had barely begun to speak when Xu Yu interrupted him.
"Alright, I know my situation well enough, I don't need your flattery!"
"Huh? We're not flattering you! We really think so!" Xiao Yu blurted out instinctively.
"Yes, Captain!" Chen Zhuo nodded in agreement.
The others remained silent, but their gazes were fixed on Xu Yu, clearly conveying the same sentiment.
They genuinely believed their captain was also incredibly capable; if it weren't for him, it was uncertain how many people would still be sitting here!
Even so, Xu Yu felt even more uncomfortable.
Although he himself felt he was no worse than Captain Shen...
Okay, except for the fact that I gained my current strength through that ability!
To be honest, he still doesn't know how the other party cultivated.
How could a B-Class ability, which is only a support-type ability, reach this level?
Judging from the opponent's performance on the battlefield, he would believe it if you said he had an A+-Class ability!
Given the same abilities, but without providing a standard answer and process, he wouldn't dare say that his own abilities would definitely reach the other person's current level.
Apart from that, he really didn't think he was any worse than Captain Shen!
Just like Xiao Yu just said, the only difference between him and Captain Shen is probably time!
Of course, just because he thinks this way doesn't mean he can accept other people's praise with ease.
If it's a compliment or a joke from an acquaintance, that's fine; just joke back!
But sincerely...
He really couldn't adapt; he just felt incredibly awkward.
"I know you're sincere, and I believe you, but... let's continue talking about Captain Shen!"
"Haha, the captain is shy!" Xiao Yu laughed.
There was no response, Xu Yu's lips twitched.
The people nearby chuckled softly upon seeing this.
"Alright, let's stop talking about the captain and get back to Captain Shen!" Zhao Yuan helped steer the conversation back on track.
"Hmm, but where were we?" Chen Zhuo asked.
"You mean Captain Shen is very capable?" Zhao Yuan asked, somewhat uncertainly.
"Yes, that's what you mean!" Xiao Yu nodded.
"But doesn't that need to be said? Does it need to be said that Captain Shen is very capable?" Chen Zhuo asked.
Although he was the one who initially brought up the topic of Captain Shen, he was only shocked by how amazing the other was, rather than saying that he was amazing!
The people around also fell silent.
This certainly seems self-evident!
23 years old, Late Fifth Tier, Rising Sun armband...
Living deep within the Erosion Zone, they deeply understand just how valuable these words truly are.
Let alone placing them in the Plateau Erosion Zone, even within the entire Great Xia, they are extremely rare!
The only drawback might be that the opponent's ability is only B-Class!
But it is precisely because of this that the true value of the other party's current status is highlighted!
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yu said:
"How about we tell you, if you could become the captain or Captain Shen, which one would you choose?"
Why did you drag me into this again?... Xu Yu's lips twitched, but for some reason, she didn't say anything to stop it.
Chen Zhuo's lips twitched as well, but for a different reason.
He looked at Xiao Yu and said:
"You've been reading too many novels! Becoming a captain or Captain Shen, you really do!"
Without speaking, Zhao Yuan and Lu Ning nodded in agreement.
"Just say it! I'm bored anyway, and didn't the captain say we were going to talk about Captain Shen?"
"..."
Xu Yu stood silently to the side, not saying a word.
Just as Chen Zhuo was about to speak up and continue his rebuttal, Zhao Yuan spoke up first.
"It's not impossible!"
Chen Zhuo subconsciously gasped and looked over.
She was about to speak, but before she could, Xiao Yu cut her off.
"Ah! Sister Zhao, what would you choose?" Xiao Yu looked at Zhao Yuan with a slight gleam in his eyes.
The others also looked over with some curiosity.
Zhao Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "If possible, I'd like to be the captain!"
"Hmm? Sister Zhao, why?" Xiao Yu continued to ask.
The others became even more curious.
Looking at the crowd staring at her, Zhao Yuan paused, then suddenly smiled and said:
"Because that way, I can stay in the same team as everyone else!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone around him was stunned for a moment, and then a smile involuntarily appeared on their faces... except for Xiao Yu.
"Ah! Sister Zhao, this is too much of a cheat! How are the others supposed to choose if you do this?!" Xiao Yu cried out in anguish.
But Chen Zhuo completely ignored him, chuckled, and said:
"I also choose to be the captain! Compared to Captain Shen's slightly higher strength and status, becoming the captain is undoubtedly a better choice. After all, I can still be with you guys, even if it takes a little more time!"
"Hateful!"
Xiao Yu said angrily.
Then, seemingly in an attempt to reverse the tide, he skipped over Lu Ning and went straight to the point:
"In that case, I choose to become Captain Shen!"
"Oh?" Chen Zhuo gave a meaningful "oh," "It seems that in your heart, we are not as important as Captain Shen's slightly higher status and strength now!"
Zhao Yuan also looked at Xiao Yu with a smile in her eyes, seemingly waiting to see how he would respond to this tricky question.
Xiao Yu raised his hand and pushed forward, saying firmly:
"No, compared to my current slight advantage in strength and status, everyone else is actually more important to me!"
"Oh? Then why did you choose to be called Captain Shen?" Zhao Yuan asked with amusement.
"Because, that way, I can give everyone special training! Then, I can kick out Han Ling and Zhou Xuan, and I'll find everyone to form a team with me. Then we can all work together to kill the most powerful Calamity Beast, get the best resources, and reach the pinnacle of life together!" Xiao Yu said proudly, raising his hand.
Well, not bad!... Zhao Yuan chuckled inwardly, then continued with amusement:
"Oh? Then you'd better not come looking for me!"
"Huh? Why?" Xiao Yu looked at Zhao Yuan in surprise, not understanding why she wasn't using the special treatment she had.
"I can't handle the missions that Captain Shen is currently undertaking. If you drag me into it, I'm afraid I'll be dead in the mission soon!" Zhao Yuan laughed.
"Ah?!"
Xiao Yu was taken aback; he hadn't actually thought of that. But it was alright; he quickly came up with an alternative.
"It's alright, I can skip the big battle mission and take you hunting after the battle is over! That way, I can both satisfy my craving for Captain Shen and help you out!"
"Thank you so much!" Zhao Yuan said with a smile.
"Hehe, no need, no need, we're all on the same side!" Xiao Yu smiled shyly, as if at this moment, he had truly become Captain Shen.
"But wouldn't that make you unhappy?"
A voice suddenly rang out from the side, and Lu Ning looked at everyone calmly.
Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively looked over, somewhat... confused.
Unhappy?
Xu Yu, too, looked over with slight confusion.
"How could that be? That's Captain Shen! Let me tell you, as long as he survives, Captain Shen will definitely be a pillar of our Great Xia!" Xiao Yu immediately retorted.
"I know, but wouldn't that be unhappy?" Lu Ning nodded.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's eyes widened.
"Huh? Unhappy? How could I be? If I were Captain Shen, with his current conditions, I'd be flying high!"
Chen Zhuo nodded in agreement.
If he really became Captain Shen now—no, he doesn't even need to become Captain Shen, just having that level of rank would make him ecstatic!
However, Lu Ning did not vehemently refute them. He simply looked calmly at everyone and slowly said:
"I understand what you mean, but look at Captain Shen, is he happy now?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene fell silent.
Xiao Yu opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refute, but images of his interaction with Captain Shen flashed through his mind.
You can indeed see the other person smile, but that's when they're facing other soldiers, or when the situation requires it.
When they are truly alone, they seem unable to sense that the other person is even slightly happy.
Or rather, even the smiles they show when needed are palpable to them.
The other person doesn't seem happy at all!
Zhao Yuan suddenly lowered her head, her voice somewhat low.
"Stress...?"