Ling Chen's face still held a gentle and humble smile. He picked up his wine glass, slowly stood up, and his gaze calmly swept over the captains.
"Thank you for your kindness, Captains."
Ling Chen's voice was clear and calm, carrying "sincere" gratitude.
"Captain Bloodwolf, Captain Night Owl, Captain The Boulder, Captain Rifting Wind… you are all well-known elites within the Guild! To gain your favor, Lin Chen is overwhelmed."
He paused, his gaze turning to a relatively quiet squad in the corner of the booth.
That squad had only a few people, just five.
The captain was a middle-aged man wearing a faded gray combat uniform, his face weathered, and his eyes as steady as The Boulder.
His name was Old K, and he was the captain of the "Ashes Squad."
The Ashes Squad was not well-known within the Guild; their strength was upper-middle. They were known for their stability and high completion rate, but they had never participated in top-tier missions.
"However…"
Ling Chen's voice rang out again, with a perfectly appropriate hint of… apology and… honesty.
"Lin Chen is new here and knows nothing about Shengjing's rules, the Guild's operations, or the dangers of the Outer Domain. I only have brute strength but no experience. Rashly joining a top-tier team, I'm afraid… I won't just be unhelpful, but will also drag down all of you seniors."
His gaze fell on Old K, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Captain Old K, I heard that the Ashes Squad is steady in its style, rich in experience, and especially good at guiding newcomers to familiarize themselves with the Outer Domain environment and Guild rules. I wonder… does your team still need manpower? Lin Chen… wants to learn from the basics. I wonder… if I have this honor?"
"What?!"
"Ashes Squad?"
"Old K?"
"Brother Lin Chen! Are you mistaken?"
"How can the Ashes Squad compare to us?"
Ling Chen's words were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake! Instantly, they stirred up a thousand waves! Everyone was stunned!
They looked at Ling Chen in disbelief! Then they looked at the inconspicuous Ashes Squad in the corner!
Ignoring the top-tier teams! To choose an… upper-middle… Ashes Squad?!
What… what kind of move is this?!
The faces of Captain Bloodwolf, Captain Night Owl, and the other top-tier team captains instantly turned a bit ugly! They felt slighted! And played!
Old K was also stunned! The hand holding his wine glass paused slightly!
A hint of… unbelievable… astonishment flashed in his eyes, which were as steady as The Boulder.
He had never expected that this rising star, who had shone brightly in the arena, was highly praised by Vice President, and was being fought over by all the top-tier teams, would actually choose their Ashes Squad?!
"Brother Lin Chen… are you… are you sure?" Old K's voice was a little hoarse with uncertainty.
"Absolutely sure." Ling Chen smiled and nodded, his tone sincere.
"A tall building starts from the ground. Lin Chen doesn't want to aim too high. I just want to be down-to-earth, follow experienced seniors, start from the most basic tasks, and learn step by step. I believe… the Ashes Squad… is the most suitable choice for me."
His words were sincere! His attitude was firm! There was no pretense whatsoever!
Humble! Practical! Neither arrogant nor impatient!
At this moment! Everyone understood Ling Chen's choice! He wasn't looking down on the top-tier teams!
Rather… he truly understood… the importance of accumulation and foundation!
This mindset! This composure! Even made those top-tier team captains who were initially somewhat displeased… couldn't help but… secretly nod! And feel admiration!
Associate Chairman Tieshan's eyes burst forth with an even brighter light!
He stroked his beard, nodded slightly, and a gratified smile appeared on his face.
"Good! What a down-to-earth person! Step by step! Little friend Lin Chen! Your choice… has made this old man… see you in a new light! Old K!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan looked at Old K: "The Ashes Squad has really found a treasure this time! Take good care of Lin Chen! Don't let down his trust!"
"Yes! Vice President!"
Old K stood up abruptly! His face showed excitement and a hint of being overwhelmed with favor! He picked up his wine glass and solemnly said to Ling Chen:
"Brother Lin Chen! Welcome to the Ashes Squad! I, Old K… on behalf of all the team members… toast you! From now on… we are brothers! We share blessings! We share hardships!"
"To Brother Lin Chen!"
"Welcome!"
The other members of the Ashes Squad also stood up excitedly! They all raised their glasses! Their gazes towards Ling Chen were full of excitement and… gratitude!
Lin Chen's joining! Would undoubtedly greatly enhance their squad's strength and reputation!
"To Captain Old K! To all brothers!" Ling Chen smiled and raised his glass, clinking glasses with Old K and the members of the Ashes Squad one by one! His demeanor was humble! Without any pretense!
The atmosphere at the booth became lively again! Although the captains of the top-tier teams felt some regret, they couldn't help but admire Ling Chen's choice and mindset! They all raised their glasses to congratulate him!
Leimeng even burst out laughing! Patting Old K on the shoulder! Saying that the Ashes Squad had struck gold!
Glasses clinked! The atmosphere was harmonious!
Ling Chen held his wine glass, his deep dark eyes flickering slightly under the hazy lights.
The Soul Jade Physique's cold will clearly perceived everything around him. Joining the Ashes Squad… was his well-thought-out choice!
While top-tier teams indeed had abundant resources, a prominent tree attracts the wind! Their internal relationships were complex! Easy to expose! And the Ashes Squad… was of medium strength! Steady in its style! Simple in its members!
It was precisely… the best springboard for him to… blend in discreetly! Familiarize himself with the rules! And develop secretly!
However, just then!
Buzz—!!!
An extremely sharp! Piercing! Long wail, like an air raid siren! Unexpectedly tore through the noisy music and laughter in the bar! Resounding throughout the entire Shengjing Underground City!
Alarm! Level Two Combat Alert!
Instantly!
All the lights in the bar flickered violently! Then all turned a blinding orange-yellow!
On the huge holographic screen!
The advertisements and mission information that were originally playing instantly disappeared!
Replaced by a huge! Constantly flashing Xuan Niao Guard emblem! Below the emblem! A line of cold! Huge text clearly appeared!
【Level Two Combat Alert!】
【Large-scale mutated beast tide detected! Currently impacting the Shengjing Outer Domain defense line!】
【Energy Level: High-Risk (Controllable)!】
【Threat Source: East, South directions!】
【All Xuan Niao Guard personnel! Hunter Guild combat personnel! Proceed to designated assembly areas according to the plan!】
【Repeat! Level Two Combat Alert! All combat personnel! Assemble immediately!】
As the alarm sounded! The clamor in the bar… instantly… paused for a moment!
Unlike the panic one might imagine! After a brief silence, the bar quickly resumed a tense but orderly atmosphere!
"Damn it! Here we go again!"
"This time it's the east and south?"
"High-Risk? Quite a scale!"
"Old rules! Time to work, time to work!"
"Hurry up! Go to the Guild for assembly!"
The bounty hunters put down their wine glasses one after another! The drunkenness on their faces instantly vanished!
Replaced by a familiar solemnity and the professionalism of quickly getting into action! They quickly stood up! Organized their equipment! Their movements were nimble! Without any delay!
Clearly… they were already… accustomed to such sudden alarms!
The bald giant Leimeng slammed the table!
"Damn it! These beasts! They really know how to pick a time! I haven't had enough to drink yet!"
He cursed as he stood up, but his eyes were sharp as knives!
"Brothers! Back to the Guild! Grab your gear!"
"Yes! Captain!"
"Let's go!"
The members of the Violent Bear Squad immediately responded! Their movements swift!
Associate Chairman Tieshan also put down his teacup, a hint of solemnity on his vigorous face, but no panic. He quickly checked the encrypted message that popped up on his wrist communicator, his voice steady and powerful:
"Alarm confirmed! East, South directions! High-risk beast tide! Execute according to the pre-planned defense protocol!"
His gaze swept over everyone in the booth!
"All squads! Return to the Guild Hall immediately! According to your respective groupings! Proceed to your designated defense zones! No delays!"
"Yes! Vice President!"
Everyone responded in unison! Their voices filled with fighting spirit!
Associate Chairman Tieshan's gaze finally fell on Ling Chen and Old K!
"Old K! Lin Chen! Ashes Squad! You are assigned to the Third Reserve Team! Proceed immediately to Layer B7 'Iron Wall' Fortress! Assist in defense! Lin Chen! This is your first actual combat! Stay close to Old K! Be careful!"
"Yes! Vice President!"
Old K immediately stood up, his face showing the composure of one weathered by experience! "Ashes Squad! Assemble!"
"Understood! Vice President! Captain Old K!"
Ling Chen also quickly stood up, his deep dark eyes calm and unruffled, but the Soul Jade Physique's cold will instantly began to operate at high speed!
Beast tide?!
It just so happened that he also wanted to see what a local beast tide in the Holy Scripture was like.