Chapter 143

It's clear that everyone is very excited about the opportunity to meet the Commander-in-Chief.

Xu Jintang's attention was diverted, and he turned to look at Song Tianqi, "How much longer until we set off?"

"We have to leave in half an hour, or we might be late!" Song Tianqi replied.

At that moment, Xue Zhongqi also came out of the room.

When are we leaving?

Xu Jintang finished the last sip of his invigorating tea and immediately stood up. "Let's go now."

A few minutes later, Xu Jintang and his group of five arrived at the Federation Command Bureau Center aboard the hover train.

Yan Yuting stood in front of the Command Bureau, peering inside with anticipation.

"It's huge inside, and there are so many guards patrolling. The security is incredibly tight!"

Xue Zhongqi also stood on tiptoe and began to peer inside.

"Of course, this should be the safest place in the entire Federation."

Xu Jintang arrived at the guardhouse by the entrance, raised his hand, and knocked on the window. "Hello."

The window of the guardhouse was opened, and the guard captain on duty leaned out with a serious expression. "What is it?"

"We've come to see the Commander-in-Chief," she said, handing him the Commander-in-Chief's invitation.

The head guard opened the invitation and carefully verified it.

He relaxed and accepted the invitation. "Wait a moment, I'll take you inside."

The head guard pushed open the door and gestured for Xu Jintang and his group of five to enter.

"You five were quite popular a while ago." The head guard's teasing gaze swept over the ghost mask on Xu Jintang's head, his eyes clearly showing interest.

Xu Jintang wanted to be a little more modest.

Before she could even speak, Song Tianqi chimed in, "It's alright, they barely managed to get the 'Most Popular Group of the Year' award, hahaha."

Xu Jintang immediately shut up.

The head guard chuckled and looked at Song Tianqi, "Judging from your voice, you're the Hot Air Balloon with the Vermilion Bird Bloodline ability?"

Song Tianqi got even more excited, immediately straightened his back, and raised his hand to brush the hair behind his ear.

"That's right, it is I."

"To awaken a superpower with the bloodline of a divine beast, his future is limitless," the guard chief continued to praise.

Song Tianqi chuckled and scratched the back of his head.

After walking for about two minutes, a white palace gradually came into view.

Xu Jintang stopped in his tracks.

The head guard also stopped, pointing towards the white palace. "I'll take you this far. The commander-in-chief is waiting for you inside."

Xu Jintang looked up at the opposite side.

The white palace complex is very large. Below the main hall in the center are steps made of white jade, and a human statue is placed to the left of the entrance to the main hall.

The lifelike portrait sculpture depicts Jing Hongyi, the current commander-in-chief.

"Ahem..." Yan Yuting unconsciously lowered her voice, "Squad leader, shall we go in?"

Perhaps it was the solemnity of the palace that affected everyone; Xue Zhongqi and his companions, who were usually noisy, became unusually serious and attentive at this moment.

Xu Jintang nodded, hummed in agreement, and said, "Let's go."

After speaking, she took the lead and stepped onto the stairs, heading towards the main hall entrance.

The others quickly followed.

Upon entering the main hall, the surroundings became even quieter; apart from the sound of the five people's footsteps, everything seemed to have come to a standstill.

I don't know why, but the temperature seemed to drop after I came in.

Xu Jintang subconsciously touched his arm and continued walking forward.

"Hello." A cool male voice suddenly rang out.

Xu Jintang looked up.

A man dressed in white shirt and white pants walked towards them.

He stopped in front of Xu Jintang with a gentle smile on his face. "Greetings, gentlemen. The Commander-in-Chief sent me to escort you inside. This way, please."

The man turned slightly to the side and raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Xu Jintang immediately followed.

The group turned several corners along the corridor and finally arrived at a room.

The man bent down and pushed open the door. "Please come in, everyone."

Xu Jintang stepped into the room.

A faint, calming fragrance filled the room.

Looking up, I saw Jing Hongyi standing with his back to the floor-to-ceiling window in front of him, his broad back reflected on the carpet.

"You're here." Hearing footsteps, Jing Hongyi turned around with a friendly smile on his face.

Xu Jintang bowed slightly, "Hello."

Yan Yuting and the others quickly followed, bowing and saluting together.

"Don't be shy, come, let's sit down and talk." Jing Hongyi reached out to help Xu Jintang up, then waved to the others, gesturing for them to sit down.

Xu Jintang and the other four quickly and obediently sat down.

Song Tianqi and Xue Zhongqi, who were usually mischievous, were now sitting up straight.

Jing Hongyi sat opposite him with his hands on his knees, a gentle smile on his face, but a hidden murderous aura could still be seen from his handsome eyebrows.

"The reason I invited the five of you here is because I recognize your potential. The Federation Command Bureau desperately needs talents like you, and I'd like to ask what your thoughts are. Please feel free to share your ideas with me."

Chapter 143

A silence fell over the room.

Yan Yuting and the others seemed a little reserved and awkward, but in the end they all looked at Xu Jintang.

Jing Hongyi also realized that Xu Jintang was actually the core of this group.

He looked at Xu Jintang, a slight smile appearing on his face, waiting for her answer.

Xu Jintang pondered for a moment, then looked at Jing Hongyi, "What do you mean?"

Jing Hongyi's smile deepened. "Don't be so formal. I'm just curious about your opinions on the future direction of development."

The atmosphere fell silent again.

Yan Yuting quietly nudged Song Tianqi, trying to push him out.

As a result, Song Tianqi sat up straight, not moving an inch, and even reached out to push Xue Zhongqi.

Xue Zhongqi was in a daze when he was suddenly pushed and stumbled, falling off the sofa and landing opposite Jing Hongyi.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Xue Zhongqi quickly stood up straight, his posture ramrod straight. "Report! I plan to focus on my studies first. Specific plans for the future will likely have to wait until after I graduate from military academy."

Jing Hongyi smiled at him and nodded. "Hmm, not bad. Where are the others?"

After someone started, the others visibly relaxed.

Yan Yuting quickly raised his hand, "I want to join the army in the future and protect the peace of the Federation!"

Jing Hongyi's smile widened. "Okay."

After his two teammates finished speaking, Song Tianqi coughed eagerly and then said, "I also want to join the army, go to the battlefield to fight the enemy, and contribute to the Federation!"

Then Jiang Shiyi calmly said, "I'll probably take it one step at a time; I haven't made any particularly specific plans for the future yet."

Jing Hongyi's smile faded slightly, and after a moment's thought, he nodded and smiled at Jiang Shiyi.

Only Xu Jintang remained silent.

All eyes turned to Xu Jintang.

Xu Jintang pursed his lips, pondered for a few seconds, and then said, "I might join the army, but no one can predict the future. I prefer to take it one step at a time."

Jing Hongyi smiled and hummed in agreement, "I understand. You're all still young, so of course you'll feel a little lost about the future. But these aren't big problems. The five of you are among the most outstanding of your peers, and your actions will serve as role models for others in the future."

"I've called you here today because I have a great learning opportunity for you."

Upon hearing this, Song Tianqi and Xue Zhongqi quickly looked up, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Xu Jintang also became interested and looked up.

Jing Hongyi continued, "The Command Bureau recently established a new type of special forces unit, and each battalion is recruiting trainees. If you don't mind, I can help you with introductions. Military academies are currently on holiday, so you have plenty of time."

Yan Yuting's eyes lit up. "What do you mean by 'new type of special forces'?"

"Simply put, it's an experimental army with greater mobility, newer tactics, and fiercer combat power. Considering that the previous military systems were too outdated, this army was formed to absorb more fresh blood, especially young talents like you."

Xu Jintang raised his hand and asked, "Military academy only has a month and a half of vacation time. Is that enough?"

Jing Hongyi smiled and nodded, "Of course. With my introduction, the military won't impose too many restrictions on you."

With this guarantee, everyone became eager to try it out.

Especially the last time we went to the Border Defense Star City, we had to rush back to the military academy before we could do much, which made us all feel regretful that we couldn't have a proper experience.

Song Tianqi was the first to raise his hand, "I want to give it a try!"

Then it was Yan Yuting, "I... want to try too."

After hesitating for a moment, Xue Zhongqi decided to join in the fun, "I'll go too."

Jiang Shiyi, however, did not follow the crowd and directly shook her head to decline, saying, "I already have other plans for my vacation."

"It's alright, there will be other opportunities in the future." Jing Hongyi's smile remained unchanged.

Finally, she smiled and looked at Xu Jintang, asking, "And you?"

Xu Jintang grinned, revealing her white teeth, "I want to try it too."

"I'll contact the military officials right away," Jing Hongyi said gently.

After leaving the Command Bureau center, Xu Jintang opened his arms and breathed in the fresh air with a sense of ease and relaxation.

"I'd always heard that important figures were very serious, but I never expected the Commander-in-Chief to be so approachable," Yan Yuting remarked.

Song Tianqi immediately nodded, "Yes, she seems quite easy to get along with."

Jiang Shiyi didn't participate in their conversation, and for some reason, her expression looked somewhat serious.