Squad 049

"It really isn't conventional spiritual energy..." Chen Guan pondered in his heart. "It's more like a manifestation of rules?"

He recalled Dean Situ Ming's words. Perhaps this gray energy was a power unique to him, a thorny path full of unknowns and completely different from traditional spiritual energy.

After exploring for a while, Chen Guan felt mentally exhausted. Manipulating the gray energy seemed to consume more mental strength than he had imagined.

He stopped his attempts and turned his attention to the 11,257 Popularity Points.

With over ten thousand points, he could do a lot of things.

First, he looked at the Power Surge talent fragment he had noticed before. Unfortunately, the shop hadn't refreshed yet, so it seemed he had to wait.

He browsed through the other options.

Attribute points? His strength was sufficient for now, and his stamina was decent enough. Agility was an obvious weakness. Although his spirit was high at 15.3, manipulating the gray energy seemed very draining, so the more the better. However, attribute points became more expensive later on. Once a single stat exceeded 10 points, the price had already started to rise. He was in no rush to upgrade them for now.

Skills? The Breath Concealment Technique at 2,500 points was still worth considering. Basic Meditation could be redeemed now, which might help stabilize his mental strength and gray energy. There were also some more advanced physical combat or weapon skills, but they were quite pricey and could easily drain all his savings in an instant.

Items? He still had two uses left on his defensive shield, so he didn't need it for the time being. As for attacks, his scythe was still sufficient, and he wouldn't need to consider upgrading it before reaching Tier 2.

After thinking for a long time, Chen Guan made a decision.

"Redeem Breath Concealment Technique."

"Redeem Basic Meditation (White)."

Sys quickly replied, "Redemption successful! Remaining Popularity Points: 8,257."

"The skills have been integrated into the host's consciousness."

Techniques on how to conceal his aura and even his vital signs, along with a more systematic and effective basic meditation method, flooded into his mind.

The Breath Concealment Technique, combined with the natural isolating effect of his gray energy, might produce unexpected results. Meanwhile, Basic Meditation could help him better stabilize and restore his mental strength, laying the foundation for exploring the gray energy.

Chen Guan had evidently already treated the gray energy as a key focus for cultivation.

Next, he looked at the attribute points.

"Increase Agility to 3."

"Redemption successful! Remaining Popularity Points: 6,757."

Chen Guan decided to save the rest for now.

After dealing with all this, a deep wave of exhaustion finally overwhelmed him completely. His injuries, along with the subtle adjustments brought about by the recent attribute upgrades and skill integrations, all required his body to adapt.

He closed his eyes and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.

He slept for a full day and night.

When he woke up again, he felt that his physical condition had mostly recovered. The healing effects of the medical center were outstanding, and combined with his own supernatural ability, his external wounds had already scabbed over, and his internal injuries were mostly healed.

Just as he finished washing up and changed into clean clothes, An Changqing and Su Yuehe knocked and entered.

The two of them also looked much better. An Changqing had changed into a clean academy uniform, exuding a gentle temperament with no trace of yesterday's bloody battle to the death. Su Yuehe wore an elegant dress; her eyes were still slightly red, but her spirits seemed fine.

"Classmate Chen Guan, how are you feeling?" An Changqing asked with concern.

"Much better, thank you," Chen Guan nodded.

"Thanks to you for this mission," An Changqing said seriously. "Not only did you save Yuehe, but at the final moment... Anyway, Yuehe and I will remember this favor."

An Changqing had already learned from Su Yuehe about Chen Guan coming back from the dead. Coupled with his strange power, An Changqing was now firmly convinced that Chen Guan was a hidden expert.

In his view, Chen Guan was probably also a Mythological-type ability user. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so well-rounded, possessing the characteristics of both Enhancement-type and Life-type abilities at the same time.

Su Yuehe also nodded vigorously, looking at Chen Guan with eyes full of gratitude.

No matter what, she would remember this life-saving grace.

"It was just my duty, don't mention it." Chen Guan waved his hand, changing the subject. "Have the mission rewards been distributed?"

"We just received the notification." An Changqing pulled up his terminal. "The final rating is S-rank. The rewards are as follows: 200 basic points, and 900 extra reward points, totaling 1,100 points that have already been issued. There are 500 contribution points per person, and one B-rank resource redemption privilege. As for the Wolf King's monster core and materials, according to our previous agreement, the three of us will split their value equally. I'll handle the sale."

1,100 points, 500 contribution points, and a B-rank privilege. Chen Guan felt satisfied.

Contribution points were harder to obtain than regular points and had broader uses, allowing one to redeem special resources or privileges that couldn't be bought with regular points. This was likely the academy's compensation due to the unexpected accident during the mission.

Chen Guan nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."

This way, he would get a total of 1,100 points from this mission, plus 500 contribution points and a B-rank redemption privilege. For him, this haul was basically striking it rich.

"Also," An Changqing paused, looking slightly serious.

"Classmate Chen Guan, after this mission, Yuehe and I both agree that you are fully qualified to be our trusted companion. We have a long-term squad aimed at exploring ruins and secret realms outside of the academy's curriculum to obtain rarer resources and training opportunities. I wonder if you are interested in joining?"

A long-term squad? Exploring ruins and secret realms?

Chen Guan's heart stirred. This was undoubtedly a great opportunity to gain more screen time, Popularity Points, actual combat experience, and rare resources.

Moreover, teaming up with An Changqing and Su Yuehe guaranteed safety and a high success rate. Not to mention, both of them had solid characters and strength, which put him at ease. There was absolutely no reason to refuse.

"I'm very interested," Chen Guan accepted without hesitation.

An Changqing smiled. "Then, welcome to the Four-Nine Squad." He extended his hand.

Chen Guan reached out and shook it, asking curiously, "Why is it called the Four-Nine Squad?"

An Changqing explained, "The Great Dao encompasses fifty, Heaven derives forty-nine, and humanity escapes as the one. Therefore, it's called the Four-Nine Squad."

"I see." Chen Guan nodded, then asked, "May I ask who else is in it?"

"Currently, besides Yuehe and me, the only squad members are Long Ao and you," An Changqing said frankly. "Although Long Ao has an aloof personality, his strength is unquestionable. He clearly distinguishes between gratitude and grudges, making him a companion you can trust with your back. Originally, we also wanted to invite Zhao Qingyin. She has excellent strength and character, but she seems to have other plans and hasn't responded to me yet."

Long Ao? Chen Guan was slightly surprised, but it also made sense.

Given Long Ao's personality of pursuing ultimate power, An Changqing was probably the only kind of person he would look up to and be willing to cooperate with.

However, since the live comments had mentioned that Long Ao would become a villain in the future, did that mean... there would be a falling-out drama later on?