Contact

Once the snake eye appeared on the interface, it rapidly receded, and a triangular zone formed around it, with an option category at each corner. At the same time, a rustling sound echoed out, evoking the unsettling image of slick snake bodies slithering through a cave. Chen Chuan looked it over. In the dead center was an introduction to the cult, flanked on the left and right by purchase items and category searches. The layout was clear enough. He first checked the cult introduction, which provided a general overview of the Secret Snake Cult. Founded in the Old Era, the Secret Snake Cult was one of the sects that had swiftly embraced novelties upon entering the New Era, shedding old traditions and actively integrating into upper-echelon powers. Because of this, unlike many conservative sects, it had not been branded an evil cult—sects that, even if they survived today, could only skulk in shadowy corners. The Secret Snake Cult was not a tight-knit religious organization; its structure was remarkably loose, imposing few real restrictions on members outside the core. Nowadays, it was more like a corporation wrapped in the skin of a cult. Ordinary people needed only to register and pay an annual fee to become members. The perk was that they could call themselves Secret Snake Cult members in public and purchase discounted services from the cult. Since the cult merely provided an internal trading platform for most peripheral members without imposing strict demands or restraints, no fellow members would stick their necks out if trouble arose—unless, of course, someone was willing to pay. As this was only a broad overview, Chen Chuan skimmed through it and moved on to the purchase listings. There was plenty on offer. Beyond their proprietary implants sold openly to the public, there was private combat instruction and training, and even the foundation-strengthening advancement services he was looking for. However, the prices were steep—even more expensive than the courses offered within Wuyi Academy—though they did include some services unique to the Secret Snake Cult. The difference was that the Secret Snake Cult accepted more than just money. They also accepted alternative forms of payment, such as agreeing to participate in implant trials, taking part in certain service projects, or completing commissions for the cult. He tried checking the details, but found that seeing them required posting a deposit and discussing terms with a liaison; they weren't listed openly on the front page, so he skipped them for now. Scrolling further down, he noticed that the Secret Snake Cult had an ongoing bounty on certain special items. Anyone who gathered them could receive cash or redeem them for a service. Below was a list of items. Because none of them had descriptions—only single images—Chen Chuan couldn't identify what most of them were, only that some resembled special mutated tissues. Yet when his eyes fell on one particular item, his gaze hitched. He had seen this before. It looked like a chunk of crushed rubble, dark red and faintly glowing. If he wasn't mistaken, this was the very item he and Ren Xiaotian had retrieved on their first trip to Mount Jiao. To think even the Secret Snake Cult was buying this. It seemed far more valuable than he had imagined. Still, the quantity required to redeem a service was quite substantial. He gave it some thought; this could be kept as a backup option. After checking the services one by one, he discovered a special category at the bottom: the Secret Snake Cult was recruiting fighters for a project, offering payment in cash or equivalent services. Looking into the details, he found that the cult had its own bio-breeding grounds, where they were raising a species of water snake for a specific purpose. Fighters were needed to spend time in close quarters with them. The notice warned that the project was extremely dangerous, requiring participants to sign a liability waiver in advance. After reading through the specifics, he considered it and made a mental note of it as another backup option. Having browsed through everything, he exited the interface. Though he hadn't found exactly what he wanted, it wasn't a wasted effort. Even if he chose nothing, it could still serve as an alternative information hub. Although his goal was the third limit, he didn't feel any need to rush blindly. Haste only invited blunders at times like this, and certain matters wouldn't become clear until the academy term officially began. As for Instructor Wu, Chen Chuan deliberated briefly before sending a reply: *Instructor Wu, thank you for informing me of these matters; I am truly grateful. However, after careful consideration, I feel your technique is not suited for me, so I must respectfully decline your kind offer.* *** After parting ways with Chen Chuan and returning to his residence, Instructor Wu felt thoroughly pleased with his performance. He understood students like this all too well. A commoner student from the provinces, suddenly plunged into Center City, was bound to be profoundly overwhelmed and shaken by sights he had never witnessed before. And following hard on the heels of that wonder was the reality he had to face: Center City's pervasive, invisible boundaries, alongside services with price tags that made one balk. Anyone in his shoes would feel lost and cornered. Even though the student he met today appeared calm and mature on the surface, his heart was surely fraught with unease. Layer on the half-truths Wu had fed him today, and his anxiety would undoubtedly peak. It wouldn't be long before the boy reached out on his own initiative. Just as he was changing clothes, a prompt appeared in his boundary credential indicating an incoming message. He couldn't help but smile as he glanced at it—only for his expression to abruptly twist. The muscles of his face contorted into something vicious and grotesque, and his fingers began to tremble. He couldn't fathom it. He had laid it all out so plainly, yet this student had actually chosen to reject his goodwill! Was the boy not afraid of being targeted by corporate interests? Or did he intend to walk that path anyway? Or did this student possess some unexpected background? He couldn't make sense of it, but after finally finding such a suitable target, there was no way he would let it slip away. If words couldn't persuade him, then there was only one thing left to do. His expression soon smoothed over into tranquility. He turned his eyes toward the calendar. There were still ten-odd days before classes started. He still had time. "You will return to the right path," he murmured slowly. *** Over the next few days, Chen Chuan trained in his dormitory. Wu Bei was sorting through the data recovered from the Golden Shrimp team's commissions. Because Golden Shrimp had never kept separate files for abnormal commissions—mixing them in with regular ones—reorganizing everything took time. Chen Chuan wasn't planning on taking another commission so soon anyway. The Golden Shrimp commission team had only just vanished; if someone stepped in immediately to pick up abnormal commissions without missing a beat, anyone with eyes would connect the dots, even without hard evidence. Thus, he decided to hold off for a while. When the mid-month rest day arrived, he phoned home again. He had planned to call Cheng Zitong as well, but before he could dial, Cheng Zitong called him first. "Little Chuan, how is it? You've been in Center City for a few days now—settling in all right?" Chen Chuan replied, "I'm doing fine, though prices in Center City are quite steep. It looks like every course at the academy requires payment as well, so future expenses will likely add up." Cheng Zitong said, "That's how it is. That's why I told you to save up more, otherwise you might run short. If you really find yourself in a bind, let me know, and I'll figure something out for you." "Thank you, Teacher," Chen Chuan said. After a brief pause, he added, "It's just that I've heard some rumors. Things at the Main Academy seem rather complicated." "I know a bit about the Main Academy's situation as well." Cheng Zitong chuckled. "Little Chuan, don't rush, and don't listen to wild rumors floating around out there. Keep your head down and wait until the term starts before worrying about anything." Chen Chuan felt a slight stir within. Nodding, he said, "Understood, Teacher." "Good. I trust you. If anything comes up, remember to call me." "Will do, Teacher." After hanging up, Chen Chuan returned to his daily combat training. The day slipped by, and after dinner, just as he was about to check the news on the Fringe Channel, a message flashed across his contact interface. It was from Instructor Wu once again. After a moment's thought, he accepted the call. "Instructor Wu, is something the matter?" Instructor Wu said, "Student Chen, I'd like to meet with you again." Chen Chuan replied, "I'm sorry, Instructor Wu, but I've already made myself clear. I don't intend to study your combat technique." "No, it's not about that." Instructor Wu's voice sounded somewhat dejected. "I respect your choice. It's just that when the term begins, I plan to leave the academy. I have some things that will be of no use to me anymore, and I want to entrust them to you. "Some are medicinal supplies students need, along with summaries of my courses over the years and personal insights I've gathered. These materials represent my life's work. Even if you don't intend to train in what I prepared for you, I believe you are the most promising student I have ever met. Perhaps they will be of some use to you." Chen Chuan was silent for a moment before asking, "Instructor, where would you like to meet?" "Tonight at eight. I'll send you the address. I really hope you can make it." "All right, I'll be there." Once the call ended, Chen Chuan turned the matter over in his mind. He had reviewed the records: Instructor Wu was a third limit fighter. Even if he couldn't stay at the academy, there was no way his circumstances were as pathetic as he claimed. And then there was the location... He walked over to the map on his desk, examined the address Instructor Wu had sent, and contacted Wu Bei. "Brother Wu, could you look into this place for me?" Wu Bei readily agreed. "No problem." A short while later, Wu Bei sent over a topographical map of the area. It was an empty plot on the fringes of Hongsheng District, surrounded by desolate wasteland with almost no residences nearby. On a low hill stood a two-story wooden house, and the address Instructor Wu had provided pointed right to it. The moment he laid eyes on the location, Chen Chuan had an instinctive feeling: Instructor Wu intended to make a move on him. He didn't know where the suspicion sprang from, nor why the man would do such a thing, but the premonition was unmistakable. Even so, he intended to go. Because if his gut was right and he refused to go, once Instructor Wu set his sights on him, the man would surely find other ways to strike. A third limit fighter harboring malice from the shadows was exceedingly dangerous to deal with. Rather than trying to avoid it, confronting it head-on was the better choice. Chen Chuan looked toward the Xuejun Saber resting on its stand. Killing Jing Li and his men hadn't posed much difficulty, leaving him just shy of reaching the full twenty-four hours of synchronization. This time, perhaps he could use this opportunity to achieve that goal.