Chapter Ten: The Official Signing

Chapter Ten: Official Signing

At the sixth level, the state of the training room improved slightly, indicating that Cedric was now fighting at almost full strength. Yet Xia Zhen managed to withstand such a fierce assault—an astonishing feat. After all, he was facing a late-stage C-level psychic. Before this, Xia Zhen hadn't even been able to detect his own abilities; he was a rookie in every sense.

Chu Yan finally understood: it wasn't the instrument malfunctioning, but rather its detection limit was too low. Xia Zhen's psychic level far exceeded the instrument's upper bound, so it registered nothing. Who would have thought of such a possibility? He almost believed the instrument himself.

The more he considered it, the more admiration he felt for this young man. In the face of universal doubt and a "misdiagnosis" by the instrument, Xia Zhen hadn't lost hope. Instead, he strove to prove himself, trusting in his own worth. This was a heart of uncommon strength and will.

As Chu Yan pondered, the situation in the arena changed again. Xia Zhen could feel his "shield" struggling to resist Cedric's attacks. He tried to counterattack, but splitting his focus made it impossible to concentrate, resulting in his "shield" being shattered.

A bang! Like the sound of a window breaking.

Cedric grew more excited the harder he fought, unleashing beyond his usual limits. He felt his psychic energy flow more smoothly, and he began to let loose. Under the barrage of hundreds of punches, Xia Zhen's protective "shield" shattered. Almost instinctively, Cedric unleashed his signature skill—"Compressed Air Punch!"

He used his psychic power to compress the air, forming a massive bullet-like attack, a powerful offensive technique.

A sharp crack! It was as if Cedric fired a shot at Xia Zhen. The surrounding teammates' faces changed; Chu Yan was shocked, Zhang Ziqi turned pale. They all tried to intervene, but the distance was too great—likely… too late.

In this moment, only Xia Zhen could save himself. Cedric was still lost in his exhilaration, unaware of the possible consequences of his punch.

Life and death… so close…

A ball of compressed air pierced through the remnants of his "shield," shooting straight for his face. In the next second, blood could splatter across the scene.

Time seemed to slow. The swirling ripples stirred by the air bullet were clearly visible. Sweat, shaken from Cedric's arm, exploded into fragments in the air. All of this was captured in Xia Zhen's gaze.

Only by severing it could he be safe!

He must cut it down!

He must sever it!

His mind raced like a nuclear reactor, and a surge of mysterious power came under Xia Zhen's control. With his gaze, he summoned an invisible "blade" and slashed toward the air bullet!

Slash!

Boom!

The air bullet was cleaved in two by the strike, instantly embedding itself in opposite walls, piercing straight through, breaking the sixth-level defense of the training room.

But it was not over.

Xia Zhen's "slash" did not dissipate after splitting the bullet; instead, it swept toward Cedric's head.

"This…" Cedric felt the force of this "blade," not a strike of anger, but a blow forged from pure spirit and will—an unstoppable blade meant to sever all obstacles, whether human or otherwise.

Xia Zhen realized what was happening and tried desperately to retract the terrifying power, but he was still a novice. He didn't know that once unleashed, a full-power strike could not be recalled, and even if it could, he'd be gravely injured.

Still, Xia Zhen tried, so the descending blade slowed, weakened just a bit—but it could not be canceled.

Cedric sensed the threat of death. Though he'd encountered it before, this time he truly felt he might die. He roared and closed his eyes.

A tall, imposing figure blocked his path, like a giant brown bear roaring and swiping its paw. The air before them seemed to cave in; Xia Zhen's invisible blade collided with the paw, the two forces vying, neither prevailing for a moment.

But soon, the paw's strength grew while the blade's power faded, spent from Xia Zhen's attempt to retract it. Had he not tried to weaken it, perhaps it could have exploded with greater force, but now, in bitter defeat, the bear's paw shattered the blade, striking the floor. The training room cracked with a loud snap—a thick fissure spread from the floor to the wall, leaving a giant scar.

"Captain Chu… I'm… sorry…" Xia Zhen steadied his gaze and saw that the person who had blocked his full-force strike was Chu Yan. Moments ago, he'd transformed into a ferocious bear and broke Xia Zhen's blade with a single paw—terrifying strength!

Chu Yan shed his beast form, returning to human shape, and stepped forward to grasp Xia Zhen's hand. "Xia Zhen, on behalf of the Skyblade Squad, I sincerely invite you to join our company."

"Captain Chu, can I really? I…" Xia Zhen was overjoyed. He had thought he'd ruined the interview, but hadn't expected Chu Yan to invite him so readily.

Zhang Ziqi also approached, unabashedly pulling his head into her armpit, pressing half his face against her chest.

"Sister Qi, your… your chest…" Xia Zhen quickly reminded her.

"Huh? You say that's fine? Good! Let's sign the contract today!" Whether pretending ignorance or genuinely unaware, Zhang Ziqi just held Xia Zhen's head to her chest, drawing envious and resentful looks from nearby young men.

Cedric finally recovered. For a moment, he'd truly been frightened, sure he'd die, but thankfully Chu Yan intervened.

"Captain, thanks." Cedric rarely thanked anyone; today was exceptional.

Chu Yan smiled, "This time you've gained a lot. You should soon reach B-level. Keep it up."

"Thank you, Captain." Cedric agreed. After surviving the ordeal, his mindset changed. Problems that had troubled him now resolved themselves. With continued cultivation, advancement was only a matter of time.

The level-one training room was damaged, likely requiring over a hundred thousand bonds for repairs. Chu Yan felt a pang, but knowing they'd gained a treasure for the squad, he thought it well worth the cost.

Blocking Xia Zhen's full-force strike had not been easy. Chu Yan realized Xia Zhen had done his utmost to weaken the blow. While Chu Yan hadn't fought with all his might either, their exchange had already surpassed the limit of a C-level psychic, reaching at least B-level strength—a frightening individual, with a most unusual psychic attribute.

Back in the office, Claire had stepped out. The contract was already drafted on the way in, just needing salary details and signatures.

"Xia Zhen, if you want to think it over, we can delay the signing," Chu Yan offered.

"No, Captain Chu, I want to sign today, lest any complications arise," Xia Zhen replied.

"I feel the same… haha…" Chu Yan was also wary of complications. Xia Zhen, talented in both mind and body, was highly sought after. If some shameless corporation poached him with a million-bond salary, they'd lose out.

"Is a post-tax salary of five hundred thousand bonds acceptable? The company is a bit tight on funds now, but I promise, within three years we'll raise it to a post-tax million annual salary," Chu Yan said before picking up his pen.

Xia Zhen nodded, "Captain Chu, that's fine. If the company faces difficulties, I'm willing to take the legal minimum wage. Growing with the Skyblade Squad is my greatest hope."

"Good. But no need to be so modest; we can afford a five hundred thousand post-tax salary." He filled out the contract—five hundred thousand pre-/post-tax, totaling five hundred thousand bonds. He signed as legal representative, stamped it, and handed Xia Zhen three copies: one for Xia Zhen, one for the Skyblade Squad, and one to be scanned and sent to the Federal Professional Alliance as legal proof.

Xia Zhen took the pen, preparing to sign, when his phone rang. He apologized to Chu Yan, who indicated it was fine.

Xia Zhen answered, put the call on speaker—a gesture that surprised Chu Yan, but also pleased him for Xia Zhen's openness. The caller was Lieutenant Felina.

"Xia Zhen, did you receive the notice for tomorrow's re-examination?"

"Yes, I'll be there on time."

"That's not what I meant. This time, I'll accompany you through the whole process, and I've invited a very influential figure. You won't face doubts from Dias, Dr. Wang, or the others. As long as your re-exam results meet the standard—even by 0.1—I can ensure you enter the special recruitment program."

Chu Yan's expression darkened. He hadn't realized Xia Zhen hadn't cancelled the special recruit process; tomorrow he'd undergo re-examination. Could the Skyblade Squad compete with the military?

Xia Zhen noticed Chu Yan's change in demeanor and quickly understood. He directly refused, "Sorry, Lieutenant Felina. Tomorrow's re-exam is just fulfilling my duty as a federal citizen. It doesn't mean I'm willing to join the military."

"Eh?" Chu Yan could hardly believe it. The military's psychic training was the best in the federation, far superior to their squad. Yet… he refused. If it were him…

Felina was equally incredulous. "Xia Zhen, I know you're upset. Dias was disrespectful, but I hope you'll reconsider. The military's psychic training is unmatched. Over ten years, more than three thousand psychics graduated from the program, many becoming heroes of federation history. They are true psychic warriors, not mere hunters. Even the battle to reclaim Night City will depend on them. Are you really willing to give up a chance at historical glory?"

Chu Yan's body wavered. He too had answered such a call to join the training institution, becoming one of the psychic warriors, once acclaimed as a federation celebrity. Yet, after a serious injury in Night City, his strength declined, unfit for frontline duty. Unwilling to join logistics or the base training department, he retired, gathered friends, and founded the squad and company.

"Thank you for the invitation, Lieutenant, but my mind is made up. Goodbye."

"You… you… you really disappoint me…" Felina nearly sobbed as she hung up.

Xia Zhen set down the phone, returned to the contract, picked up the pen to sign.

"Xia Zhen, if you're just acting out of anger, it's unnecessary. The military's training is indeed superior. Our Skyblade Squad… cannot compare…" Chu Yan rarely admitted weakness, but against the military, he couldn't muster confidence.

Xia Zhen looked at Chu Yan and smiled, "It's not just anger. I admit I'm temperamental and not very tolerant. Captain Dias's arrogance and bullying disgusted me, and I suspect he's not alone in the military. Rather than clashing and being harassed later, it's better not to join. Besides, I think their training style isn't for everyone. Why, after ten years and three million psychics, are there only three thousand warriors? I believe the method isn't ideal. In the Skyblade Squad, I can access more resources, more freedom, and preserve my individuality for better growth. So, Captain Chu, this isn't impulsive—I've thought it through. Unless you don't want me, then I'll leave." With that, he signed, pressed his thumb in red ink, and handed Chu Yan two copies, keeping one himself.

"You really are…" Chu Yan shook his head. Xia Zhen certainly had personality. Though it gave him headaches, he reflected: how many outstanding talents lack personality? Those whose individuality is worn away, no matter their gifts, ultimately fade into the crowd.

Before leaving, Xia Zhen asked with a hint of worry, "Captain Chu, I'm a little concerned. Now that I've signed with the Skyblade Squad, and the contract is uploaded to the Professional Alliance, my information is updated—I'm now an employee. But if tomorrow the military tries to detain me based on my re-exam results, or pressures you to let me go, what will you do?"

"Don't worry, kid! The federation is not the military, and the military is not the federation. If they dare threaten my employee, I'll fight it all the way to the Supreme Court, even to the President. I'll go toe to toe," Chu Yan declared, full of swagger.

"Good. With your word, I'm at ease." Xia Zhen bid farewell.

Standing by the window, Chu Yan watched through tinted glass as Xia Zhen mounted Zhang Ziqi's motorcycle, clinging to her as if terrified. Chu Yan shook his head, thinking the kid was truly extraordinary. Though outwardly unremarkable, he possessed an unyielding spirit within.

"What's wrong, Yan? That kid giving you a headache?" A voluptuous figure pressed against his back, relaxing his tense posture.

"Yeah. He acts out of impulse, yet makes it sound so righteous… Honestly…" Chu Yan shook his head, sighing, at a loss for words.

Claire wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against his chest, "He reminds me of you when you were young."

"What do you mean?" Chu Yan grumbled, slapping Claire's backside.

Claire kissed him, "The same stubborn mule temperament, the same outstanding talent."

Chu Yan grinned, then lifted Claire in his arms…

(To be continued)

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