Once the snake eye appeared on the interface, it rapidly receded. A triangular area then ford around it, with a selection category at each corner.
At the sa ti, a slithering sound erged, involuntarily bringing to mind the image of a slick snake’s body moving through a cave.
Chen Chuan took a look. In the very center was the Sect Introduction, flanked by Purchase Items and Category Search.
The categories were quite clear. He first checked the Sect Introduction, which contained a general overview of the Secret Snake Sect.
The Secret Snake Sect was founded in the old era. Upon entering the new one, it was among the first sects to rapidly embrace new ideas, discard old traditions, and actively integrate with the powers of the Upper Layer.
For this reason, it wasn’t branded a Cult like many conservative sects. Even those that have survived to this day can only lurk in dark corners.
The Secret Snake Sect wasn’t a tightly-knit group. Its structure was extrely loose, and it placed no significant restrictions on followers outside its core. It was now more like a corporation masquerading as a sect.
Ordinary people only needed to register and pay an annual fee to beco mbers. The only benefits were being able to claim affiliation with the Secret Snake Sect and purchase discounted services from them.
Since the Secret Snake Sect only provided an internal trading platform for most of its outer mbers, with no mandatory requirents or restrictions, other mbers wouldn’t intervene if soone got into trouble. Of course, things were different if you were willing to pay.
Since this was just a rough introduction, Chen Chuan only skimd it before moving on to the Purchase Items.
There was a wide variety of items. In addition to their self-developed Implants sold to the public, there was also private fighting instruction and training. They even offered the foundational enhancent services he was looking for.
However, the prices were just as steep—even more expensive than the courses offered within Wuyi Academy. The only difference was the inclusion of so of the Secret Snake Sect’s special services.
What set it apart was that the Secret Snake Sect accepted forms of paynt other than money, such as agreeing to participate in their Implant experints, taking part in so of their service projects, or completing commissions for the sect.
He tried to view the specifics but found that he first needed to pay a security deposit and speak in detail with a contact person. The information wasn’t listed publicly, so he skipped it for the ti being.
As he continued to scroll, he discovered that the Secret Snake Sect was constantly acquiring certain special items. If soone could gather these items, the sect would pay in cash or provide one of its services in return. A list of these items followed.
Since none of the items were labeled and only a single picture was provided for each, Chen Chuan couldn’t identify what they were. He could only make out that so of them looked like special Mutated Organizations. However, his gaze involuntarily froze when he saw one particular item.
He had seen this item before.
It was a mass that resembled shattered rubble, dark red in color with a faint glow. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the very thing he and Ren Xiaotian had retrieved during their first trip to Jiaoshan.
’Even the Secret Snake Sect is trying to acquire this. Looks like it’s more valuable than I imagined.’ However, the quantity required in exchange for a service was substantial.
He thought for a mont. ’This could be a backup plan.’
After reviewing the services one by one, he found a special category: the Secret Snake Sect was recruiting Fighters for a project. Compensation was offered either in cash or as credit toward their services.
He read the details. The Secret Snake Sect had its own bio-cultivation facility and was currently raising a type of Water Snake for a special purpose. They needed Fighters to spend ti with the creature. The description warned that the project was extrely dangerous and required signing a liability waiver beforehand.
After reading the details, he mulled it over. ’I’ll keep this in mind as another backup plan.’
After browsing through everything, he logged out. Although he hadn’t found exactly what he was looking for, he had made so discoveries. Even if he chose nothing, he could still use this as an alternative information platform.
Although his goal was the Third Limit, he didn’t feel the need to rush. ’Haste makes waste,’ especially in situations like this. There were so things he could only learn for certain after the academy’s term began.
As for Teacher Wu, Chen Chuan thought for a mont before sending a reply: "Teacher Wu, thank you for telling all of this. I am very grateful. However, after careful consideration, I don’t believe your techniques are a good fit for . Therefore, I must regretfully decline your kind offer."
After parting with Chen Chuan and returning to his residence, Teacher Wu was very satisfied with his earlier performance.
’He understood these students perfectly. A commoner from out of town, suddenly dropped into Central City... The shock and awe of it all, seeing things he’d never even imagined, would be overwhelming.’
’But then cos the harsh reality: the invisible, omnipresent barriers of Central City and the prohibitively expensive services. He’s bound to feel lost and desperate.’
’Even though the student I t today appeared calm and mature, he must be churning with anxiety inside. Add to that the half-true, half-false story I fed him, and his anxiety will be maxed out. It won’t be long before he reaches out to himself.’
As he was changing his clothes, his Realm Token suddenly chid with a notification. He couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the ssage. But an instant later, his expression changed drastically. The muscles in his face contorted into a hideous snarl, and his fingers began to tremble.
’He couldn’t fathom it. How, after everything he’d said, could the student still reject his "kind" offer? Wasn’t he afraid of being targeted by vested interests? Or was he planning on taking that other path? Or could it be that this student had so unexpected backing?’
He couldn’t figure it out. But he had gone to too much trouble to find such a perfect target; he would never give up on him.
’If words won’t work, then I’ll have to resort to other ans.’
His expression quickly smoothed into a calm mask. He glanced at the calendar. There were still about ten days before the term began. He had ti. He said slowly, "You will return to the correct path."
For the next few days, Chen Chuan trained in his dorm room.
Wubei was busy organizing the data from the Golden Shrimp Team’s commissions. Because the Golden Shrimp Team never kept separate files for their "abnormal" jobs, instead mixing them in with regular commissions, it was taking him so ti to sort through everything.
However, Chen Chuan wasn’t planning to take another commission so quickly. The Golden Shrimp Team had just vanished. If he imdiately stepped in to seamlessly take over the "abnormal" commissions, any discerning person would suspect a connection, even without proof. He decided to lie low for a while.
On his day off around the middle of the month, he called his family again. He had also been planning to contact Cheng Zitong, but before he had the chance, Cheng Zitong called him.
"Xiaochuan, how are you? Have you gotten used to Central City after being there a few days?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I’m adjusting fine. It’s just that prices in Central City are a bit steep. It looks like I’ll have to pay for each course at the academy, so my expenses are likely to be high."
Cheng Zitong said, "That’s right. That’s why I told you to save up more money, or it wouldn’t be enough. If you’re really in a bind, just let know, and I’ll see what I can do."
Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Teacher." He thought for a mont before adding, "It’s just... I’ve heard so things. The situation at the main campus seems a bit complicated."
"I know a little about the situation at the main campus." Cheng Zitong chuckled. "Xiaochuan, don’t rush into things, and don’t listen to the rumors flying around. Just be patient. We can discuss everything after the term starts."
Chen Chuan felt a slight stir in his heart. He nodded and said, "I understand, Teacher."
"Good. I have faith in you. Rember to call if anything cos up."
"Okay, Teacher."
After hanging up, Chen Chuan returned to his daily fighting practice. The day passed uneventfully. After dinner, just as he was about to check the news on a fringe channel, a ssage suddenly arrived on his contact interface. It was from Teacher Wu again.
After a mont’s thought, he accepted the call. "Teacher Wu, what can I do for you?"
Teacher Wu said, "Chen, I would like to et with you again."
Chen Chuan said, "I’m sorry, Teacher Wu, but I believe I’ve already made my position clear. I do not intend to learn your Fighting Skills."
"No, it’s not about that."
Teacher Wu’s voice sounded dejected. "I respect your choice. It’s just... I’m planning to leave the academy when the term starts, and I have so things that will be of no use to anymore. I’d like to give them to you."
"So of it is dicine that you students will need, and I also have my course summaries and personal notes from over the years. This is my life’s work. Even though you don’t intend to train in the thods I prepared for you, I still think you’re the most promising student I’ve ever seen. Maybe these things can be of so use to you."
Chen Chuan fell silent for a mont before replying, "Where shall we et, Teacher?"
"Tonight at eight. I’ll send you the address. I hope you can make it."
"Alright, I’ll be there."
After ending the call, Chen Chuan’s mind raced. ’I’ve seen his file. Teacher Wu is a Third Limit Fighter. Even if he can’t stay at the academy, there’s no way his situation is as pitiful as he makes it out to be.’
’And that location...’
He walked over to the map on his desk and examined the address Teacher Wu had sent. At the sa ti, he contacted Wubei. "Brother Wu, can you look this place up for ?"
Wubei replied cheerfully, "No problem."
A mont later, Wubei sent over a topographical map of the area. It was an open space on the outskirts of Hongsheng District. The surroundings were desolate, with hardly any residential buildings. There was only a single two-story wooden house on a small hill, which was the exact location Teacher Wu had provided.
The first ti he saw the location, a gut feeling struck Chen Chuan: ’Teacher Wu is going to make a move on .’ He didn’t know where the idea ca from or what reason the man could possibly have, but the feeling was unshakable.
Nevertheless, he decided to keep the appointnt.
’Because if my intuition was correct, and I don’t go, Teacher Wu—if he’s truly set on —will undoubtedly find other ways to target . A Third Limit individual with malicious intent, operating in the shadows, would be incredibly difficult to handle. It’s better to face the threat head-on than to try and evade it.’
Chen Chuan’s gaze fell upon the Snow Monarch Blade resting on its rack. ’Killing Jing Li and his n last ti wasn’t much of a challenge. The twenty-four-hour convergence is almost here.’
’This ti, I might be able to reach my goal.’
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