Free Web NovelChapter 205: Chapter 134: The Patrol Department’s Recommendation (Part 2)
An ancient, yellowed book of black magic and a metal sphere.
Both were spoils from the old mage of the God-Worshiping Church, but even now, he still hadn’t figured out what the sphere was.
He took out the book of magic and flipped through it again.
[Spiritual Power Enhancement Potion: Can accelerate a mage’s meditative practice. Long-term consumption can strengthen one’s Spiritual Power...]
"As expected."
A glint in his eye, Lu Chao recalled this potion.
The book of magic described its effects but didn’t provide a specific formula.
Judging by its effects, it was likely at least a mid-tier potion.
’I’ve heard that some exceptionally talented Alchemists, after mastering the knowledge of Superpower Potions, might be able to create new formulas on their own.’
Lu Chao closed the book of magic, his thoughts turning to his ’Flow State’ talent.
’I wonder if I could develop a related potion formula myself after I redeem the knowledge for a few more beginner and intermediate Superpower Potions.’
The thought flashed through his mind before he dismissed it.
His gaze subconsciously shifted to the metal sphere at his side. It was pitch-black, with several golden lines crisscrossing its surface.
On an impulse, Lu Chao picked it up and held it in the palm of his right hand.
Whenever he activated Rock Hide and gathered Martial Arts Power on the surface of his body, the object would slowly absorb his Martial Arts Power at a constant rate.
The process wasn’t uninterruptible; he could stop it at will by retracting his power.
He had reached this conclusion after numerous attempts over the past half-month. Although he didn’t know what the object was, he still spent a little time studying it every day.
And yet, even now...
Although the amount of power it absorbed each time was limited, this had been happening for over twenty days, and the total amount it had siphoned was now considerable.
Despite all this, the metal sphere showed no reaction.
’I’ll try again.’
Breaking through to the Elite Level had given Lu Chao a newfound confidence, and his curiosity about the object grew.
’What exactly is this thing, and what does it do? Why would that old mage from the Church have kept it on his person?’
He immediately activated Rock Hide and gripped the metal sphere with all his might.
One ton of force. One and a half. Two...
He even used his Stacked Force Fist, but the metal sphere remained completely immobile, without so much as a scratch.
What’s more,
It started absorbing his Martial Arts Power again.
"Hm?"
His eyes darted. Lu Chao noticed something different.
’The rate at which the metal sphere absorbs Martial Arts Power... it seems to have gotten faster.’
’Is it because I broke through to the Elite Level?’ he guessed. After all, his Martial Arts Power was now much denser than before, superior in both quantity and quality.
However,
Lu Chao quickly tried several more times, but the results were the same.
Aside from the fact that the constant rate of absorption for his Martial Arts Power was now faster, he made no other discoveries.
Resigned, Lu Chao set it down.
He wasn’t too disappointed, though.
In a way, this indirectly confirmed his suspicion that the metal sphere had a remarkable origin.
The simple fact that its material was durable enough to be unmoved by an Elite Level already placed it far beyond the realm of ordinary steel.
’No rush.’
’One day, I’ll figure out where it came from.’
With a determined glint in his eyes, Lu Chao locked the cabinet.
After putting everything away, he heard voices from outside the window discussing the dojo challenge.
His expression was calm as he slowly recalled his power, letting the energy inside him settle.
After changing into his Patrol Department uniform, he quickly left the house.
...
CLOMP! CLOMP!
Inside the Second Branch of the Patrol Department.
Lu Chao strode straight toward the captain’s office.
Seeing him, the patrol officers lining the corridor instinctively stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with admiration as they called out to him warmly.
"Brother Lu."
"Brother Lu, you’re here?"
"You must be looking for Captain Yang, Brother Lu."
Lu Chao smiled and nodded in response to their respectful and friendly greetings.
He knew why everyone was so enthusiastic. After all, yesterday’s dojo challenge had made the front page of the Ring Daily. Now, most of the Patrol Department knew he had reached the Elite Level.
"Holy crap, Captain, you’re incredible."
Chen Xiao, dressed in his Patrol Department uniform, followed behind him, his face a mask of envy and admiration. He was still stuck at the 39-point Life Energy threshold, just short of a breakthrough.
"The Elite Level... That’s the *Elite Level* we’re talking about."
"You have no idea. Those sons of bitches from Squad Two don’t even dare to show their faces anymore. They’re deliberately avoiding us now..."
He was gloating, feeling a satisfying sense of vindication, genuinely happy for Lu Chao.
He knew exactly what the Elite Level meant.
Some captains weren’t even at the Elite Level, but anyone who reached the Elite Level was guaranteed to become a captain.
Not to mention, Lu Chao was so young. He might even trigger the department’s special talent protocols and be fast-tracked for promotion.
"That’s our captain for you."
Xiong Cheng and Fang Xu, who were waiting nearby, had similar expressions, their faces flushed with excitement and admiration.
Fang Xu, in particular, felt more certain than ever that staying in Squad Three had been the right decision.
"You guys..."
Lu Chao gave a resigned smile. He had expected their reactions, but he hadn’t realized the news would cause such a stir throughout the Patrol Department.
Amidst their chatter, he made his way to the third floor and arrived at the door to Yang Wangtao’s office.
Chen Xiao tactfully led the other two away.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Captain?"
Although the office door was open, Lu Chao still knocked lightly as a sign of respect.
Yang Wangtao was sitting behind his desk reviewing a report. When he saw Lu Chao arrive, his eyes lit up with a flash of admiration.
He nodded, put down the report, and stood up, gesturing for him to come in.
"Elite Level. Good job."
He clapped Lu Chao firmly on the shoulder, looking him up and down. For a man as composed as him, it was rare to see such a broad smile.
The two had been through the dangerous ordeal of taking down Qiu Shan and his crew together, forging a bond far closer than the one he had with others.
"It’s all thanks to your guidance, Captain. I couldn’t have done it otherwise."
"Enough of that. No need for modesty in front of me..." Yang Wangtao chuckled. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, his expression turned serious, and he closed the office door.
Once the noise from outside had faded and the room was quiet.
He turned back to Lu Chao and said in a low voice, "I’ll be straight with you. Vice Director Liu already knows you’ve reached the Elite Level."
"Oh?"
Lu Chao wasn’t surprised, but then Yang Wangtao added, "Vice Director Liu said he wants to meet you in person."
Lu Chao’s eyes narrowed. Now *that* was unexpected.
The Patrol Department was a behemoth in Ring City, an enforcement agency that no dojo could ever hope to match.
There were only two vice directors in total, which spoke volumes about their power.
’The Elite Level is strong,’ Lu Chao thought, ’but it shouldn’t be enough to make Vice Director Liu take such a personal interest, should it?’
"It seems you don’t understand."
Seeing that Lu Chao didn’t grasp the implications, Yang Wangtao shook his head with a smile. He had Lu Chao take a seat on the office sofa, then sat down across from him and asked pointedly, "You’re only twenty, right?"
"That’s right."
Lu Chao nodded, briefly searching his memory.
According to the original owner’s memories, this body had just turned twenty this month.
"Hm?"
A thought sparked in his mind, and a guess began to form.
Yang Wangtao nodded gently. "See? You get it now, don’t you?"
"Youth is an asset, and it also represents potential."
Yang Wangtao prepared two cups of hot tea and said, "Your rate of progress, at least here in Ring City, is one of the fastest. It’s exceptionally rare."
"And according to regulations, the Patrol Department generally has two ways of handling a gifted fighter like you."
Lu Chao’s breathing steadied as he recalled Instructor Luo’s warning from yesterday.
He didn’t speak, but waited quietly for the captain to explain.
"The first path is a recommendation from the Patrol Department branch to the Inner School of Yao Capital Academy."
Yang Wangtao’s square-jawed face was stern as he said in a low voice, "That’s a place dedicated to training Superpower Users. There are only a few dozen spots available each year. You’d receive personal instruction from Superpower Level instructors for three years, which would greatly increase your chances of breaking through to the Superpower Level."
"After graduating, whether you successfully break through or not, you can take up a high-level position in a local Patrol Department, the Superpower Bureau, or other key agencies."
Lu Chao was surprised. He’d never heard of this kind of arrangement within the Patrol Department.
But before he could respond,
"However, that path..."
Yang Wangtao shook his head, a look of both indignation and helplessness on his face.
"It was easier in the past."
"These days, with the ever-growing influence of the mega-corporations, that path has become increasingly difficult to take."
It clicked for Lu Chao. He understood now, thinking of people like Ruan Hui and Mei Ning.
Local aristocratic families, mega-corporation shareholders... those were the people who could undoubtedly influence the so-called recommendation spots.
For the first time, he finally understood why someone like Ruan Hui, despite his extraordinary family background, insisted on holding a position in the Patrol Department.
At the same time, he also realized,
Why he had never heard of these recommendations before.
