Alright, let's describe the undercurrents at the celebration banquet and the sudden beast tide alert!
Chapter 14: Undercurrents of Celebration and Sudden Beast Tide
B1 Level of Shengjing Underground City, the 【Undercurrent】 Bar.
Unlike the wild clamor of the Guild Hall, the 【Undercurrent】 Bar at this moment had an atmosphere that, while lively, carried a subtle… celebratory… nuance.
Heavy metal rock still roared, but the red-haired woman furiously strumming on the central stage seemed to have reined in some of her wildness, and the drumbeat carried an uplifting tone.
The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, tobacco, and… a sense of… post-victory… relaxation and… restlessness.
The central, best-view seating area of the bar was currently occupied by a group of burly men. The bald giant Leimeng sat in the main seat like a star surrounded by the moon, with various strong liquors and roasted meats piled in front of him. He was holding a large oak mug and bellowing in a voice like a great bell:
"Drink! All of you, drink! Today! I'm happy! Lin Chen, my brother! You brought honor to our Hunter Guild! You took down those bird-brained Xuan Niao Guard! What a blast! Hahahaha!"
"To Lin Chen, my brother!"
"Cheers!"
"Long live the Hunter Guild!"
The surrounding Bounty Hunters, mostly members of Leimeng's "Violent Bear Squad" and some guild members who had come to join the fun, all raised their mugs! Their faces were filled with excitement and fanaticism! Their gazes were fixed on Ling Chen, who was seated at the side of the booth!
Ling Chen sat calmly beside Leimeng.
He wore a gentle and humble smile on his face, his deep black eyes calm and unruffled under the dim, hazy lights.
Facing everyone's toasts and compliments, he neither refused nor showed off. He simply raised his mug appropriately to acknowledge them, taking a small sip, his movements elegant and composed.
"Lin Chen, my brother! Your Mud Swamp Domain! It's divine!"
A burly man with a scar on his face leaned over, reeking of alcohol.
"That Wind Falcon! He's famously fast among the Xuan Niao Guard! A peak Energy Condensation Stage expert! Yet in front of you, he moved like he was in slow motion! How did you do it?"
"Yeah! Lin Chen, my brother! Share some of your experience!"
"The timing of that domain contraction and condensation! It was too precise!"
Everyone chattered, full of curiosity and admiration.
Ling Chen smiled slightly, put down his mug, and spoke calmly:
"It was just good luck. Wind Falcon's speed is indeed fast, but he relies too much on it, and his attack intentions are too obvious. The Mud Swamp Domain has a limited range, so I could only sense the subtle changes in his energy fluctuations the moment he rushed into the domain and predict his attack trajectory in advance."
"As for contracting the domain… it was a last resort. The larger the range, the more dispersed the force field, so I could only concentrate my power and gamble."
His explanation was reasonable and logical. He neither exaggerated his own abilities nor belittled his opponent. Instead, he emphasized the opponent's advantages and his own "luck" and "helplessness."
Humble! Low-key! Without any arrogance!
"Hahaha! Lin Chen, my brother, you're too modest!"
Leimeng laughed heartily, patting Ling Chen's shoulder.
"This isn't luck! It's strength! It's insight! It's control! I've been fighting for so many years! I can still see through this trick! You, kid! You're full of hidden talents!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan sat on the other side of the booth, holding a cup of clear tea (he never drank alcohol). His deep gaze fell on Ling Chen, and a gentle, approving smile was on his face.
"Young friend Lin Chen, there's no need to be overly modest. On the arena, you remained calm in danger, perceived opportunities, and controlled the overall situation. This temperament, this method, cannot be simply summarized as luck. Given time, you will surely achieve great things! The Guild… needs talent like you!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan's words! They carried immense weight! Like a stabilizing needle in the sea! They instantly quieted the noisy booth a bit!
Everyone looked at Ling Chen! Their eyes filled with envy and… awe! To receive such an evaluation from a Limit Breaking Stage expert and the Vice President of the Guild! What an honor!
"Vice President, you flatter me."
Ling Chen bowed slightly, his posture respectful and humble.
"This junior is new here and knows nothing about the rules of Shengjing, the operations of the Guild, or even the dangers of the outer regions. It was pure luck that I managed to win this time. In the future, I will need to learn more from all the seniors, and I ask Vice President and Big Brother Leimeng for more guidance."
His words were sincere! His attitude was humble! He showed no sign of being carried away by a single victory!
Instead, he actively admitted his shortcomings! He expressed his willingness to learn! This composure! This temperament! It deepened the approval in Associate Chairman Tieshan's eyes! It also made those Bounty Hunters who might have been somewhat jealous feel more convinced!
"Hahahaha! Good! Good! Good!"
Leimeng said "good" three times in a row!
"Just for that attitude of yours! I recognize you as my brother! From now on, in Shengjing! If you need anything, just say the word! I've got your back!"
"Thank you, Big Brother Leimeng!" Ling Chen smiled and raised his mug.
Just then!
Inside the bar! The previously noisy atmosphere… paused slightly!
Only to see… several… teams… dressed differently! But whose aura was clearly more formidable than ordinary Bounty Hunters! And whose equipment was also more refined! Holding their mugs! They walked towards the booth where Ling Chen was seated!
"Lin Chen, my brother! Congratulations on your victory! You've brought glory to our Hunter Guild!"
A middle-aged man wearing dark red leather armor, with a ferocious claw mark on his face and a fierce aura, spoke first! He was the captain of the "Blood Wolf Squad"! A Bone Eater Realm mid-stage expert! He was well-known within the Guild!
"I am Blood Wolf! Are you interested in… joining our squad? The benefits will definitely satisfy you! Crystal cores! Equipment! Mission shares! All negotiable!"
"Blood Wolf! You're quick to act!"
Another tall, thin man with sharp, eagle-like eyes, wearing a black tight-fitting combat suit, also walked over! He was the captain of the "Night Owl Squad"! Also a Bone Eater Realm mid-stage expert! Known for his speed and assassination skills!
"Lin Chen, my brother! Our Night Owl Squad is just missing a control expert like you! Join us! We guarantee you'll quickly accumulate contribution points! And advance to the Bone Eater Realm!"
"Lin Chen, my brother! Don't listen to them! Our 'The Boulder Squad' is the…"
"Our 'Cracked Wind Squad'…"
For a moment! Several top-ranked, powerful elite squad captains in the Bounty Hunter Guild!
All extended invitations to Ling Chen! Offering increasingly generous conditions!
Clearly! Ling Chen's stunning performance in the arena! Had already aroused intense interest from these elite teams! Everyone wanted to bring this endlessly potential control prodigy… under their wing!
The atmosphere at the booth instantly became subtle! Leimeng's expression was a bit unpleasant!
Although he was generous, the "Violent Bear Squad" was only considered mid-to-upper tier within the Guild, incomparable to these top-tier squads.
Associate Chairman Tieshan, on the other hand, held his teacup, watching this scene with interest, seemingly wanting to see how Ling Chen would choose.
Everyone's gaze… once again focused on Ling Chen!
Faced with the enthusiastic recruitment from these top-tier squads! And the generous conditions! How would Ling Chen… choose?