Hunter Guild, Squad Exclusive Training Ground.
This was a semi-enclosed space located below the residential area, not huge in size, but fully equipped.
Alloy walls were covered with energy-absorbing materials, and the floor was paved with wear-resistant and impact-resistant synthetic fibers.
On one side were basic physical training equipment, and on the other was a miniature tactical simulation field augmented by an energy shield, allowing for squad coordination drills.
The air was filled with a faint smell of ozone and metal coolant.
Ling Chen stood in the center of the training ground, his posture tall and straight, wearing the dark grey combat uniform issued by the Guild, with the brand new acting Team Leader's nameplate, engraved with a burning flame shield emblem, pinned to his chest.
His deep black eyes calmly swept over the five figures standing before him—the remaining members of the Ashes Squad.
Tang Yinmeng stood quietly a little behind him, a hint of undetectable vigilance in her molten-gold pupils.
These five people would be Ling Chen's initial team for establishing himself in the Hunter Guild and even accessing the core secrets of Shengjing.
Their expressions varied: curiosity, scrutiny, a subtle hint of defiance, and bewilderment towards their new Team Leader.
With Old K Captain severely injured and unconscious, their former pillar had fallen, and this squad was in a trough of fluctuating morale and impaired strength.
Ling Chen's gaze was like the most precise probe, the Soul Jade Physique's cold will silently evaluating each person.
He needed to quickly grasp the true strength of this squad, understand their abilities, realms, and areas of expertise, and more importantly, assess their value, controllability, and potential for utilization.
"Everyone."
Ling Chen spoke, his voice not loud, but it clearly penetrated the training ground's silence, carrying a steady and magnetic penetrative power.
"I am Lin Chen, appointed by Associate Chairman Tieshan to temporarily serve as the acting Team Leader of the Ashes Squad."
He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over each face.
"Everyone is well aware of what happened to Old K Captain. He paid a huge price to protect the fortress, to protect us. Now, he needs time to recover. And the Ashes Squad cannot remain silent because of this."
His tone gradually took on an undeniable force:
"Associate Chairman Tieshan trusts me and has handed this team over to me. I feel a great sense of responsibility for this trust."
"But the strength of a team has never relied on one person. It relies on every single one of us! On our understanding of each other! On our tacit cooperation! On us uniting as one!"
"I know, I haven't been in the Guild for long, and my qualifications are shallow. Perhaps some of you are thinking: 'Why him?'"
Ling Chen's lips curved into a faint arc, carrying a hint of self-mockery, but his eyes were sharp as knives!
"I don't need you to obey me immediately. But I need you to give me a chance! And give the Ashes Squad a chance! A chance for Old K Captain to see a stronger Ashes Squad when he wakes up!"
He suddenly took a step forward! A heavy, viscous force field, like an invisible Mud Swamp Domain, instantly spread out from him as its center! Enveloping the entire training ground!
Blood Ripple—Blood Pool Meat Forest!
Although the intensity was controlled at the limit of Energy Condensation Stage Lv.1, the precise control and cold oppressive feeling instantly made everyone present feel their breath catch! Their bodies felt as if they had sunk into sticky glue! Their movements became sluggish!
"Strength! Is the only say!"
Ling Chen's voice was cold and clear!
"My ability is 'Mud Swamp Domain', Energy Condensation Stage Lv.1! I specialize in crowd control! Slowing! Defense! At critical moments, I can buy time for the team! Create opportunities! Or trap enemies!"
He slowly retracted the domain! The pressure in the training ground instantly vanished! Everyone involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief! Their gazes towards Ling Chen now held a hint of solemnity and a hint of apprehension!
"Now!"
Ling Chen's gaze swept over everyone again!
"It's your turn! Tell me! Who are you! What power do you possess! What are you good at! The future of the Ashes Squad! Needs the voice of every single one of you!"
A brief silence!
A lean young man with sharp, eagle-like eyes and a crew cut was the first to step forward!
His face carried a hint of wildness and unruliness! He seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Ling Chen's 'show of force' just now!
"Hmph! Crowd control? Sounds good! But don't expect me to hide in the back!"
His voice had a slightly hoarse, magnetic quality! "Codename 'Greyclaw'! Real name Han Feng! Beast Transformation type! Energy Condensation Stage Lv.3! Ability: Shadow Leopard Form!"
Buzz!
His body instantly blurred! As if merging into the shadows! The next moment!
A lithe figure, covered in shadowy, streamlined fur, with bulging muscles and glowing claws, appeared in his place! It was a shadow leopard, nearly two meters tall, exuding a cold killing intent!
"Innate Spirit Skill: Shadow Strike!"
The shadow leopard spoke human words, its voice deep and penetrating!
"Short-range burst! Speed increase of 300%! Comes with a shadow stealth effect! Derivative skills: Shadow Claw Tear (Lv.1)! Shadow Step (Lv.2)! Specializes in: surprise attacks! Assassination! High-speed maneuverability!"
Before he finished speaking! The shadow leopard's figure instantly vanished! Only a faint afterimage remained! The next moment!
He had appeared in front of the target at the other end of the training ground! Sharp claws, with a piercing shriek that tore through the air, slashed fiercely across it!
Three deep, bone-visible claw marks were instantly left on the sturdy alloy target! The entire process was as fast as lightning! Silent!
The shadow leopard's figure flickered, returning to human form, Han Feng's face carrying a hint of arrogance as he looked provocatively at Ling Chen.
A subtle glint of light flashed in Ling Chen's deep black eyes! Shadow Leopard Form! High-speed assault! Shadow stealth!
This was a sharp dagger! Suitable for reconnaissance! Or a critical, fatal blow! Very valuable! But unruly! Needs to be reined in!
"Good speed."
Ling Chen nodded slightly, his tone flat.
"Next."
An exceptionally tall and burly man, almost two meters three, like an iron tower, spoke in a booming voice!
His skin was dark, his muscles bulged like rocks, and just standing there gave off a heavy sense of oppression!
"I…I'm Shi Lei! Codename 'Greyrock'!"
The brawny man's voice was like muffled thunder! "Beast Transformation type! Energy Condensation Stage Lv.2! Ability: Rock Bear Strength!"
Buzz!
His body suddenly expanded by a circle! Rock-like patterns appeared on the surface of his skin!
His muscles became even more bulging! A surge of wild power rushed forth! Although not fully transformed into a beast, his aura was already like a humanoid fierce beast!
"Innate Spirit Skill: The Boulder Body!"
Shi Lei's voice was even deeper!
"Defense increase of 200%! Strength increase of 150%! Pain sensation reduced by 50%! Derivative skills: Earth Stomp! Brute Force Charge! Specializes in: head-on confrontation! Drawing fire! Protecting teammates!"
He suddenly stomped his foot!
Boom—!!!
The entire training ground seemed to shake! The ground let out a dull roar! An invisible shockwave spread out from him as its center!
Although most of it was absorbed by the energy shield, the sense of power was still startling!
A meat shield! An absolute front-line meat shield! Astonishing defense! Powerful strength!
But slow! Poor flexibility! Needs flank protection!
Ling Chen instantly assessed! The Soul Jade Physique's cold will evaluated his defensive strength… Hmm, barely able to withstand ordinary attacks from early Bone Eater Realm… Above average value! Loyalty seems relatively high?
"Good strength."
Ling Chen commented.
"Next."
A tall, cold-faced woman with a neat ponytail stepped forward.
She wore a fitted combat uniform, her eyes calm and unwavering, with faint airflow swirling around her.
"Codename 'Flowing Wind', real name Su Qing."
Her voice was cold and pleasant.
"Elemental type, Energy Condensation Stage Lv.4, Ability: Wind Element Control."
She gently raised her slender fingers!
Buzz—!!!
A whirlwind instantly swirled up in the training ground! Several condensed, almost solid, cyan wind blades gathered at her fingertips! Spinning at high speed! Emitting a piercing hum!
"Innate Spirit Skill: Wind Affinity!"
Su Qing's voice remained calm!
"Wind element control precision increased by 100%! Consumption reduced by 30%! Derivative skills: Wind Blade Cut (Lv.3)! Wind Barrier (Lv.2)! Gale Acceleration (Lv.1)! Specializes in: mid-to-long-range strikes! Area suppression! Group acceleration! Energy shields!"
She flicked her finger!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Three cyan wind blades shot out like arrows from a bowstring! Instantly! Precisely hitting three moving targets in the distance! Cutting smooth cross-sections into the alloy targets!
At the same time! A swirling cyan wind wall instantly formed around her body! Easily deflecting several simulated projectiles!
Ranged output! Crowd control support! Comprehensive abilities! Highest realm! Energy Condensation Stage Lv.4! Good potential! Ling Chen evaluated in his mind!
The Soul Jade Physique's cold will captured the precision of her energy control… Far exceeding her peers! Very valuable! Calm and rational personality! Seems like she can be won over!
"Precise control."
Ling Chen nodded approvingly. "Next."
A somewhat shy, bespectacled young man with a slightly thin build pushed up his glasses and said softly:
"Codename 'Greyshield', real name… Chen Mo. Support type, Energy Condensation Stage Lv.2, Ability: Energy Shield Generation."
He raised both hands! Palms facing each other!
Buzz—!!!
A translucent energy shield, shimmering with a faint golden light, instantly condensed in front of him! Complex energy patterns flowed across the shield's surface! Emitting stable fluctuations!
"Innate Spirit Skill: Resilient Bulwark!"
Chen Mo's voice carried a hint of nervousness!
"Shield strength increased by 50%! Energy consumption reduced by 20%! Derivative skills: Single Shield (Lv.2)! Group Shield (Lv.1)! Shield Repair (Lv.1)! Specializes in: single/group protection! Energy barrier construction! Positional defense!"
With a thought! The faint golden shield instantly split into two smaller shields! Flying towards Han Feng and Shi Lei respectively! Enveloping them! At the same time! He himself maintained a shield!
Pure support! Defensive core! Guarantee of team survival! Extremely valuable! Especially when facing high-intensity firepower or area attacks! Ling Chen instantly realized Chen Mo's importance!
The Soul Jade Physique's cold will evaluated the shield's strength… Hmm, enough to withstand a full-power strike from a peak Energy Condensation Stage! Sustained ability is also good! Weakness: fragile body! Needs key protection! Loyalty seems easy to control?
"Very good defensive ability."
Ling Chen's tone was gentle. "Last one."