Pathways

Gao Ming stood up, took a map from a drawer, and smoothed it out on the table before them. It was a map of Center City, marked with various routes outlined in red pen. He said, "Lianwei Heavy Control Company's main sphere of operations used to be inland. They've only established business here in Jibei Circuit's Center City for a little over a decade. "The company primarily handles overland cargo transport services between different Center Cities, with some routes extending to surrounding satellite cities. On top of that, they provide mercenary and corporate security services. "While the major corporations now have their own security teams, most are stationed strictly around company premises. Because competition among corporations is cutthroat and they occasionally attack one another, those security forces can't easily leave their posts. These days, many transport services that aren't critical are contracted out to Lianwei Heavy Control Company. "Zhao Qian, as the head of external agency operations, is responsible for coordinating and ensuring the success rate of these jobs. Whenever an escort mission is particularly important, he takes part in person. "Based on Lianwei Heavy Control Company's publicly available business records, he leaves Center City roughly once every two months. "Once away from Center City, many of the technological functions that can only operate within it will be drastically degraded, and the company will only have a fraction of its security force on hand. If you want to use more direct methods, Cousin, this is the only window to get close to him. "It's just that this method is far too risky." Gao Ming gave a solemn reminder. "This sort of security escort is designed to counter ambushes from rival corporations. Aside from all the essential heavy gear, there's usually more than one third-limit fighter in the convoy." Chen Chuan hummed in acknowledgment. This truly was no simple matter. Setting aside the third-limit fighters he might have to face, there was an entire heavily armed force to deal with. Considering that the team was likely equipped specifically to handle third-limit combatants and had virtually impenetrable armored vehicles, the difficulty was so extreme that his current strength was nowhere near enough to handle it easily. Moreover, if he couldn't wipe out everyone in one fell swoop, the matter would be exposed, which meant taking that course was out of the question. Launching an attack on a corporate convoy—whether targeted at an individual or for any other reason—was not something Lianwei Heavy Control would let slide. That would only complicate matters further. Unless... Unless he stepped into the third limit right now, in which case it might be worth a try. He weighed his options. The first method was safer, but rife with uncertainties and required a considerable amount of time. The second method seemed unattainable right away. Yet he actually possessed another avenue: The urban legend he had just captured. The requirements for utilizing this urban legend weren't particularly complex, nor were they hard to meet. However, he had no intention of sacrificing his own mutated tissue. According to his deduction, this was some form of pact forged between the user and the urban legend via ritual. Once the user acquiesced, they were effectively designating themselves as a spare sacrifice. What happened to Youxing had been sealed the moment he first performed the ritual. Yet if he could establish an entirely new way to forge the pact, he could eliminate Zhao Qian across distance. This was by no means impossible. If his assessment of that old book recovered from Youxing was correct, it described the original ritual covenant. He had already photographed those pages and sent them to Bureau Director Lei, and he was confident results would come before long. After thinking it through, he said to Gao Ming, "Thanks for the hard work, Gao Ming. I have an idea, but I can't be sure of it yet. I'll come find you again in a few days." Gao Ming nodded. "All right, Cousin. Feel free to contact me whenever you need." Chen Chuan chatted with him a bit longer before returning to the Xuan Palace Building. The next few days passed peacefully. No one came to attack him, and Wu Bei confirmed that no suspicious individuals had appeared in the vicinity. When the first rest day of April arrived, Chen Chuan visited Cao Guixi once again. Upon greeting him, the senior led him to a courtyard situated at the back of the manor. The residential district of Mount Motie truly boasted a splendid environment. The flora surrounding them was rare and magnificent, and the air upon stepping inside was exceptionally fresh. Clear, melodious birdcalls drifted through the air now and then, making one feel as though they were deep within a secluded, tranquil valley. After sitting there for a short while, Chen Chuan felt a quiet serenity settle over his mind. Cao Guixi set down his teacup and dismissed the attendants serving refreshments, leaving only Uncle Ding in the courtyard. "I heard you underwent another evaluation and scored above eighty percent," he said. "Yes," Chen Chuan replied. The evaluation scores were accessible to any academy instructor, and though Cao Guixi wasn't a teacher at Wuyi, finding out was hardly difficult for him. Cao Guixi looked at him with approving anticipation. "Substantial progress. It seems your body takes exceptionally well to the medicine and radiant light exposure." He then instructed, "Uncle Ding, bring that item over." Uncle Ding bowed and stepped out. Moments later, he returned carrying a potted plant in both hands. The pot was exquisite and unique, its surface smooth as a mirror and adorned with elegant colored petal patterns. Planted within was a cluster of pale branches forming an intertwined cage. The slender branches wove together into an enclosure, resembling a delicate work of art. Yet the branches were so frail and delicate that one couldn't help but worry a sudden breeze might snap them, marring the overall beauty. Uncle Ding carefully set the potted plant onto the table. Cao Guixi gathered his sleeve, reached forward, and gently nudged the pot slightly closer to Chen Chuan. "Watch it closely," he said. "Listen carefully, and feel with your senses, just as you would during focused meditation." Chen Chuan understood. Following the instructions, he cast aside stray thoughts and focused his undivided attention onto the plant. Cao Guixi waited quietly, slowly sipping his tea while keeping his gaze on both of them. After patiently waiting for about twenty minutes, he asked, "Did you sense anything?" Chen Chuan answered honestly, "No." Cao Guixi hummed thoughtfully. He cast another glance at the plant and waved a hand, prompting Uncle Ding to step forward and carry it away. Chen Chuan asked, "Senior, what is that?" Cao Guixi said, "Its official name is the 'Zhujue Silver Cage.' During the old era, it was widely cultivated in temples, where it was known as the 'Root of Wisdom' or 'Divine Grass.' Nowadays, it's increasingly rare because the Zhujue Silver Cage can only thrive in pristine environments and demands unique cultivation techniques. Few people possess that knowledge today." He looked toward Chen Chuan. "Aside from serving as an ornament and a symbol of status, it can also be used to roughly gauge your current progress. "If you are drawing close to the verge of breaking through to the third limit, your biological field will undergo a distinctive shift. In the parlance of the old era, it was called a 'quivering of the spirit.' The Zhujue Silver Cage is exceptionally sensitive to this. Your gaze and perception alone would cause it to blossom in response. "Though it showed little reaction just now, I noticed a slight tremor in the topmost branches. That indicates your mastery is not yet complete, but you are not far off. "Don't ask me for an exact timeframe; I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to. That isn't something the Zhujue Silver Cage can determine. Everyone's foundation is different, and so is their rate of progress. "From where I stand, as long as you can feel yourself steadily advancing, this is far from a bad thing. It simply means your potential is vast, giving you a greater ceiling for growth than others. So there is no need to be impatient; maintaining your current training pace will do." Chen Chuan nodded. Cao Guixi continued, "Remember what I told you last time: no matter how well I instruct you, it cannot compare to providing you with more resources. While you are still growing, this developmental window is actually quite brief. During this phase, it is better to have an excess of resources invested than a deficiency. I suggest you look for opportunities to strengthen yourself from other sources." Chen Chuan considered this and answered honestly, "I can try seeking an additional radiant light exposure session from the Disposal Bureau, but as for the precious paste, I have no leads at the moment." Cao Guixi pondered for a moment, then asked, "Are you familiar with the Qingnang Jade Workshop?" Chen Chuan replied, "I am. In this country, it's second only to Tiancong Baicao." Cao Guixi said, "Qingnang Jade Workshop has always competed with Tiancong Baicao across all areas of pharmaceutical research and development. They have a new drug designed specifically to rival the precious paste produced by Tiancong Baicao, and they've been searching for suitable trial candidates. "I know your body has an exceptionally high tolerance and absorption rate for medicine, fully drawing out its efficacy every time while suffering minimal side effects. That is a talent envied by many. If you're interested, I can request a batch of medicine from Qingnang Jade Workshop. It might be of help to you." Chen Chuan weighed the offer and said, "Thank you, Senior. I'll think it over." Cao Guixi nodded. "It's entirely up to you. After all, no one knows your body better than yourself. Later, I'll have Uncle Ding give you the dossier on this drug from Qingnang Jade Workshop. If you decide to go ahead, just let me know." Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Senior." Cao Guixi hummed in acknowledgment. "There is another avenue for conditioning the bones, muscles, and internal organs—one that should be very accessible to you. You're familiar with the Secret Snake Cult, I assume." Chen Chuan replied, "I am. Tan Wang belongs to the Secret Snake Cult." Cao Guixi said, "The Secret Snake Cult possesses considerable commercial ambition and is the most successful traditional cult to have reformed in Center City. Their businesses operate both above board and underground. "They have currently cultivated a special biological organism. Through a specific procedure, it can enhance a fighter's bones, muscles, internal organs, and tendons. While it doesn't match radiant light exposure, it yields remarkable results as a supplement. I can write you a letter of recommendation. If you can afford the price, it's worth considering." He stressed his tone. "Don't fret too much over the expense. One step ahead means staying ahead every step of the way. If you can break into the third limit, none of these upfront investments will amount to anything." Chen Chuan said, "I fought Tan Wang, and he's still locked up in prison. Given that he's a member of the Secret Snake Cult, wouldn't they turn me away at the door because of that?" Cao Guixi said, "The Secret Snake Cult is a very loose organization; clients always come first. "Even sect members are merely seen by the true upper echelon as somewhat special clients. They won't turn you away simply because you had a clash with one of their members. "The cult's collective interests always outweigh the individual's. In that regard, their reputation is solid. If you need it, I can vouch for you."