B1 Level of Shengjing Underground City, west of Dawn Plaza, stood a magnificent building.
Unlike the surrounding shops filled with futuristic technology, this building had a rugged, massive style, cast entirely from dark alloy, its surface etched with ferocious beast-head reliefs and crossed sword insignias.
Above the massive arched doorway hung a giant metal shield emblem with burning crimson flame patterns—the symbol of the Bounty Hunter Guild!
This was the gathering place for all non-official ability users in Shengjing Underground City, a mission release center, and another power that stood on equal footing with the Xuan Niao Guard!
Ling Chen, or rather, “Lin Chen” as registered on his current identity chip, wore a low-key dark grey casual outfit, with a perfectly balanced hint of caution and curiosity of a newcomer on his face.
His deep black eyes calmly swept over the bustling crowd in front of the Guild's main entrance—Bounty Hunters in various combat suits, carrying all sorts of weapons, and radiating energy fluctuations of varying strengths, entering and exiting like beasts returning to their lairs.
The air was filled with the smell of sweat, gunpowder, blood, and a wild, untamed ferocity!
Tang Yinmeng followed him by half a step, having changed into a more fitting beige work pants and jacket; her molten-gold eyes still held a hint of nervousness, but she tried hard to appear calm.
She clutched the corner of her clothes tightly, her palms slightly sweaty.
“Stay close to me.”
Ling Chen's voice was low and calm as he stepped towards the Guild's heavy, impact-scarred alloy door.
On either side of the door stood two guards, like iron towers.
They wore the Guild's standard dark red alloy armor, their muscles bulging, their eyes sharp as eagles, and radiating the powerful aura of the peak Energy Condensation Stage!
Their gazes swept over everyone entering like searchlights.
As Ling Chen approached the door, the guards' eyes instantly locked onto him and Tang Yinmeng behind him.
“New faces?”
The guard on the left spoke in a deep, hoarse voice, like two rocks grinding together.
“Registering? Or taking a mission?”
“Registering.”
Ling Chen's reply was concise, his voice calm and unwavering.
He raised his wrist, revealing the identity chip implanted under his skin, which was currently emitting a faint blue light.
A watch-like device on the guard's wrist instantly lit up, and a scanning beam swept over Ling Chen's wrist.
“Beep!”
“Identity confirmed: Lin Chen. Wandering ability user. Entered C7 District three days ago. Ability: Mud Swamp Domain (Energy Condensation Stage Lv.1).”
A cold, electronic synthetic voice sounded.
The guard's gaze lingered on Ling Chen for a moment, then swept over Tang Yinmeng behind him. “And her?”
“Assistant,” Ling Chen said indifferently.
The guard didn't ask further, simply performed a quick scan on Tang Yinmeng to confirm she wasn't a wanted person, then waved them through.
“Inside, turn right, new registration desk.”
“Thank you.”
Ling Chen nodded slightly and led Tang Yinmeng into the Guild hall.
As soon as they stepped into the hall, a more tumultuous heatwave, mixed with various smells and energy fluctuations, rushed over them!
The hall was extremely spacious, like a giant gladiatorial arena!
The vaulted ceiling was high, with several large holographic screens displaying various bounty missions and Guild announcements.
Around the perimeter were circularly arranged counters, mission boards, equipment stores, and even a few simple medical stations!
In the center of the hall was a huge octagonal arena enclosed by high-strength alloy railings!
Currently, the arena was empty! But around the arena, a dense crowd, highly agitated, roared and screamed!
“If you're gonna fight, fight, don't just stand there yapping!”
“Xuan Niao Guard dogs! Get back to your kennels!”
“Long live the Hunter Guild! Beat them down!”
Deafening roars, curses, and whistles mingled together, forming a turbulent wave of sound that assaulted their eardrums!
Ling Chen's deep black eyes narrowed slightly. The cold will of the Soul Jade Physique instantly pinpointed the source of the conflict!
In the area of the hall closer to the inner registration desk, two groups of people were at loggerheads, the atmosphere extremely tense!
On the left side, there was a large group, dressed in various outfits, but most of them wore the Bounty Hunter Guild's flaming shield emblem on their chests!
Their eyes were fierce, their aura formidable, like a pack of enraged wolves!
Leading them was a bald giant, nearly two meters tall and built like a bear! He wore sleeveless alloy armor, revealing his scarred, thick arms, and carried a gate-sized alloy great axe on his shoulder!
He exuded the pressure of the early Limit Breaking Stage, glaring furiously at the opposite side!
On the right side, there was a relatively smaller group, but their aura was no less imposing! They wore uniform dark blue combat suits!
Their postures were upright, their movements synchronized, and they wore the spreading Xuan Niao emblem on their chests! They were none other than the Xuan Niao Guard! Leading them was a stern-faced young man, lean as a cheetah!
He had two alloy short blades, shimmering with a faint blue light, hanging at his waist! His eyes were sharp as knives! He also exuded the pressure of the early Bone Eater Realm, coldly confronting the bald giant!
In the middle of the two groups, the air seemed to solidify! Invisible energy fields fiercely collided, emitting crackling sounds!
“Lei Hu! Your Xuan Niao Guard's hands are reaching too far!”
The bald giant's voice was like a booming bell, making the hall hum! “The crystal mine in 'Ashen Canyon' was discovered first by our Hunter Guild! What right do you have to interfere?!”
“By strength!”
Lei Hu, the Xuan Niao Guard youth, spoke in a cold voice, devoid of emotion.
“'Ashen Canyon' is located in the Outer Domain Buffer Zone! According to Article 37 of the 'Shengjing Security Regulations', for all unregistered strategic resource points, the Xuan Niao Guard has the right to prioritize exploration and development to prevent them from falling into the hands of mutated beasts or lawless elements!”
He deliberately emphasized the words “lawless elements”, his gaze sweeping over the Bounty Hunters opposite him with undisguised contempt!
“Bullshit!”
The bald giant exploded in rage! He slammed his great axe onto the ground with a dull thud!
“Don't use those damn regulations to suppress us! Who doesn't know you Xuan Niao Guard just want to hog it all! Mines our brothers risked their lives to find, and you want to take them with just a word? Dream on!”
“Exactly! So what if you're the Xuan Niao Guard?!”
“If you're so capable, come and take it!”
“We're not afraid of you!”
The Bounty Hunters behind the bald giant were agitated, drawing their weapons! Their energy fluctuations instantly surged!
“Hmph! A bunch of rabble!”
The Xuan Niao Guard behind Lei Hu were equally unyielding! They gripped their weapons tightly! Energy patterns lit up on their dark blue combat suits! Their synchronized movements exuded a cold, murderous aura, like unsheathed swords!
The conflict was on the verge of erupting!
“Enough!”
A majestic and aged voice sounded, like a grand bell, instantly overpowering all the noise!
From the inner side of the Guild hall, an old man in a dark red robe, with white hair and beard, and a vigorous face, slowly walked out, leaning on a metal staff inlaid with a large crystal core!
Behind him followed several Guild high-ranking officials with stable auras.
The old man's gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the confronting parties! He exuded an aura as heavy and majestic as a mountain! He was indeed a powerhouse of the mid-Limit Breaking Stage, the Vice Guild Master of the Bounty Hunter Guild—Iron Mountain!
“Vice Guild Master Iron Mountain!”
The bald giant's aura slightly receded upon seeing the old man, but his face still showed anger.
“Senior Iron Mountain.”
Lei Hu also bowed slightly, but his eyes remained cold.
“What is all this shouting and yelling? What kind of behavior is this?!”
Iron Mountain's voice carried an undeniable authority!
“Regarding the 'Ashen Canyon' matter, the Guild will negotiate with the Xuan Niao Guard Headquarters! It's not for you to cause trouble here!”
He swept his gaze over Lei Hu: “Captain Lei Hu, take your men! Leave the Guild hall immediately! Otherwise, it will be considered a provocation!”
Lei Hu's expression changed slightly! Faced with the pressure of a Limit Breaking Stage powerhouse, he dared not act rashly!
He gave the bald giant a cold look, a cold curve appearing at the corner of his mouth: “Senior Iron Mountain has given an order, and juniors naturally obey. However…”
He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the agitated Bounty Hunters around him with a hint of provocation: “The Guild and the Xuan Niao Guard have always kept to themselves. But today's matter has caused such a stir, so just let it go? Wouldn't that make us a laughingstock to outsiders?”
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose: “How about we follow the old rules! Arena! Three rounds, two wins! Whichever side wins, the exploration rights to 'Ashen Canyon' go to them! And…”
A malicious smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, “The losing side has to treat all members of the winning side to drinks! How about it?”
In the apocalypse, alcohol was a rare commodity. Now, a bottle of pure grain liquor, even the lowest grade, would sell for a first-tier crystal core!
“Whoosh—!!!”
The entire Guild hall instantly erupted!
“Good!!!”
“Damn right!”
“Lei Hu! You've got guts!”
“We're not afraid of you! Let's fight!”
The Bounty Hunters were like ignited powder kegs, roaring madly! The atmosphere instantly reached a climax!
The bald giant's eyes also burst with fervent fighting spirit! He stomped forward, his great axe pointing directly at Lei Hu!
“Good! Lei Hu! I accept! Whoever chickens out is a grandson!”
Vice Guild Master Iron Mountain frowned slightly, but looking at his agitated subordinates and Lei Hu's aggressive stance, he finally nodded slowly.
“Since both sides agree! Then let's follow the rules! Stop at the point of injury! No lives shall be taken!”
“No problem!”
Lei Hu sneered, his gaze sweeping over the Guild hall, “Our side will be led by me, Lei Hu! Who will your Guild send?”
The bald giant was about to accept the challenge!
“Wait!”
Lei Hu suddenly raised his hand to interrupt! His sharp gaze swept to the entrance of the Guild hall! A playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth!
“Since it's a gamble, it has to be fair! But it's always the same few people fighting, which feels a bit boring. Didn't your Guild just get a new person today?”
His gaze, like a physical entity, instantly locked onto Ling Chen, who had just entered the hall and was about to turn right to the registration desk!
“Lin Chen! Right?”
Lei Hu's voice carried a hint of mockery and undisguised contempt!
“I happened to glance at your registration; Mud Swamp Domain? Energy Condensation Stage Lv.1? Perfect! Our Xuan Niao Guard also just recruited a new person today!”
He stepped aside! Behind him, a young man wearing a brand new Xuan Niao Guard standard combat uniform, with a stern face and eyes sharp as an eagle's, also exuding the aura of the peak Energy Condensation Stage, stepped forward and stood out!
“Xuan Niao Guard Reserve! Wind Falcon! Peak Energy Condensation Stage! Ability: Gale Thrust!”
The young man's voice was cold, carrying the sharp edge of a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger! His gaze, like a hawk's, locked onto Ling Chen, full of provocation!
“According to the rules! The first battle after a new person's registration is the most meaningful!”
Lei Hu's voice resounded throughout the hall!
“Lin Chen! Do you dare to represent your Hunter Guild and fight this first match?!”
“Whoosh—!!!”
Everyone's gaze, like spotlights, instantly focused on Ling Chen!
The bald giant and Vice Guild Master Iron Mountain also frowned! They hadn't expected Lei Hu to pull this stunt!
Using a new person at the peak Energy Condensation Stage to challenge someone who just registered at Energy Condensation Stage Lv.1! This was clearly an insult, a show of dominance!
Tang Yinmeng nervously gripped Ling Chen's sleeve! Her molten-gold eyes were filled with worry!
Ling Chen stood still! His deep black eyes calmly met Wind Falcon's sharp, provocative gaze! And Lei Hu's mocking, contemptuous eyes!
As well as the thousands of gazes in the hall, some curious, some worried, some gloating, some hostile!
There was no trace of panic, anger, or even a ripple on his face!
Only an almost imperceptible upward curve at the corner of his mouth!
That curve carried a hint of playfulness, a hint of mockery, and a hint of cold anticipation!
The cold will of the Soul Jade Physique rapidly calculated in his mind!
In his past life memories, such “newcomer's first battle” gambles between the Guild and the Xuan Niao Guard happened frequently! It was both a display of power and a test!
And this new Xuan Niao Guard named Wind Falcon was fast and had strong explosive force, but his defense was weak, and his combat experience was clearly insufficient!
As for Mud Swamp Domain?
Heh heh.
A hint of cold calculation flashed deep within Ling Chen's deep black eyes!
“Why not?” Ling Chen's calm voice sounded! Not loud, but it clearly cut through the hall's clamor!
He slowly stepped forward! His deep black eyes looked directly towards the arena! The playful curve at the corner of his mouth finally clearly revealed itself!
“It's just that I'm a timid person, and I don't dare to get on stage if the stakes are too small. How about this? Let's raise the stakes!”
Ling Chen smiled faintly, and everyone watched him.
Ling Chen reached out and pointed at Wind Falcon, then at himself.
“You and I, whoever loses gives the winning side 100 second-tier crystal cores!”
The youth's words revealed a faint madness.