Setting Up Defenses

The armed motorcade encountered no further ambushes along the way and smoothly entered the Mount Motie Estate. After the security personnel conducted an inspection and confirmed there were no issues, everyone settled in. The security personnel dispersed, establishing patrol posts around the perimeter. Besides the security team brought along, the estate had its own defensive security forces. Combined, the two groups numbered a full eighty personnel—a quite formidable armed force. Yet the estate itself was vast, occupying an entire hilltop. Thus, beyond personnel, it was equipped with a large number of biological weapons, as well as three resonators tasked with countering and disrupting field communications. Electrified barrier netting and fixed firing points had also been installed across the estate, creating what could be considered a tight defense system. Without sufficient manpower and martial might, mounting an attack was out of the question. Not to mention that this was Mount Motie, an enclave where the wealthy and upper class congregated, with extensive patrols and defense personnel already in the surrounding area. Mobilizing a large force here was entirely impossible. Hence, this place was indeed relatively safe. After Chen Chuan arrived, he took a walk all around the estate. Assessing it from... In the end, he reached the conclusion that while this defensive perimeter was sufficient against ordinary people, even... Yet if... When it came to a struggle over succession, it was truly a matter of life and death. Meng Huang would definitely not let the matter rest, and he would surely dispatch even stronger forces next. Chen Chuan did not know what those would be, so the estate's defenses needed reinforcement. As for the specifics of how to arrange them, though he lacked expertise, he had the Disposal Bureau backing him. They could not spare personnel to send over, but they could provide him with professional guidance and advice. Therefore, after contacting them and combining their expertise with his requirements, the bureau promptly promised to send over a set of modification plans shortly. As he walked about the grounds, members of the security team took the initiative to salute him whenever they saw him approach. What ultimately won over people like them was martial might. They had witnessed Chen Chuan's performance in the plaza with their own eyes, and even those who had not seen it had heard about it from their colleagues. At this moment, inside the main residence in the courtyard, Meng Shu also saw this scene. Yan Yi, standing beside her, said, "Miss, this is... "Within an entire team, the presence of such a fighter exists precisely to ensure high-tier martial power. They can ward off surprise assaults by expert combatants while also serving as a countermeasure from within. "With Mr. Chen present, even if he does nothing at all, the team's safety and the level of deterrence both internally and externally are elevated by several tiers." Meng Shu said, "Yet I feel that someone else might not have achieved this degree." Yan Yi agreed, "Yes, that is why we had to secure Mr. Chen. Based on assessments and comparisons, Mr. Chen is the most suitable candidate. It is fortunate that you have such a classmate, Miss. If we can continue cooperating in the future, it will be immensely beneficial to the company's development." Meng Shu said, "That is for the future. It is too early to say right now." Yan Yi said with great confidence, "After what happened today, I have even greater confidence. We..." Just then, a communication chime rang out from her boundary credential. She said, "Mr. Chen is looking for me. He believes there are vulnerabilities in our defensive layout. Miss, I will step away for a moment." Meng Shu nodded gently. After Yan Yi departed, she remained standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside. Yan Yi stepped out of the residence and took an internal tram to a stone pavilion where Chen Chuan was waiting for her. When she arrived, he transferred the document just sent by the Disposal Bureau directly to her. "These need to be implemented as soon as possible. I cannot be certain when Meng Huang will make his move. The sooner you get it done, the safer it will be." Yan Yi answered gravely, "Understood. I will arrange it immediately." She began delegating tasks through her boundary credential at once. Aside from the security team, the estate also had an engineering crew dedicated to maintenance and repairs, and materials had long been prepared, which was sufficient to complete the task independently. Once the arrangements were made, she turned back and said, "Mr. Chen, I managed to obtain some information on that Feng Yaren through certain channels just now. It might be of use to you. "He is an expert from the Outer Ocean Islands. Insiders revealed that he had ties to the Ferris Wheel Company and entered Great Shun through their channels. Meng Huang might have found someone through their connections. If more enemies arrive, they may very well be those Outer Ocean experts again." Chen Chuan turned the thought over. The Ferris Wheel Company was backed by the Outer Ocean Islands, so having this connection was no surprise. It was just that this company always seemed to have a strong presence, almost ubiquitous. He asked, "Does this company also have ties to Convergence Boundary?" Yan Yi said, "In the past, there was little business between them because government regulations prohibited exporting biological components and protective materials to the Outer Ocean Islands. "However, over the past few years, Meng Huang has grown quite close to them. I suspect he privately sold them certain company products forbidden from export in exchange for benefits and support. Thus, it is hardly surprising that he obtained indirect support from Ferris Wheel." Chen Chuan thought for a moment. He felt that if they encountered more enemies, they might not necessarily be people from the Outer Ocean Islands. If Yan Yi could uncover this information, the Disposal Bureau could as well. He surmised that this information might have been deliberately leaked by Meng Huang, likely intending to direct the Disposal Bureau's attention toward the Ferris Wheel Company. After the incident with Feng Yaren, the Disposal Bureau would certainly tighten surveillance there, which might cause them to overlook other areas. He said, "Understood. Please keep me informed promptly if there is any further news, Assistant Yan." Yan Yi said earnestly, "I will..." After concluding the conversation, Chen Chuan returned to his living quarters. He had been assigned to a villa, while on the hilltop higher up was the courtyard residence where Meng Shu stayed. This villa covered a large area and was fully equipped with all kinds of amenities, including an independent training ground, clearly modeled after the academy's private training facilities. Setting the Glass Saber aside, he stripped off his protective suit and began his daily training. Once an afternoon had passed, he showered and emerged in casual attire. He initiated contact with Wu Bei and the resonator squad assigned to him by the Disposal Bureau. After speaking with the Disposal Bureau earlier, subsequent communications had been blocked for a period until a newly generated internal frequency cipher was provided, restoring communication. He needed to ensure an open line to the outside at all times. A communication came through on his boundary credential. Once he connected, Yan Yi's voice sounded: "Mr. Chen, is it convenient right now? I have brought the medicine promised to you." Chen Chuan said, "I have time now." In less than ten minutes, Yan Yi arrived. When the door opened, she personally wheeled in a small cart lined with metal cases. Stopping in the middle of the living room, she said, "This is the special medicine Miss promised to you, Mr. Chen. A three-month allocation up to the end of the year is all here." Chen Chuan glanced at it and asked, "Where does the company get these medicines?" Yan Yi said, "I do not know, because this part remains strictly in Meng Lai's hands. What Miss possesses was also granted by Meng Lai. "Although Meng Huang has ample manpower and controls a great deal of corporate authority, both heirs receive identical medicinal resources. Meng Huang has no more than Miss. "He relies entirely on these to sustain and recruit experts. However, on our side, Miss's intention is that all of this is allocated solely to you, Mr. Chen. "Whether you use it yourself or give it to others, Miss will not interfere." Here she paused. "If I may speak candidly, I personally hope you will use all of it on yourself, Mr. Chen, as an increase in your personal strength benefits our entire team." She bowed slightly and said, "I will not disturb you any longer, Mr. Chen." With that, she took her leave. After she departed, Chen Chuan walked over to the cart and opened one of the cases. Inside lay rows of glass tubes, each filled with a luminescent fluid. It was exceedingly similar to the medicine he had obtained from Youxing. So it really was this. Although there were subtle differences, that might stem from a different source, a different grade, or simply variations in efficacy; he would only know for sure once he used it. However, he had no use for it at the moment. His mutated tissue was still in its growth phase; by his own estimation, it would take roughly another month or so to conclude, and only then would he need these. For now, his primary focus was "concentrating vital essence" and "abiding the changeless mind." He had been continuously restraining the changeless spirit; by now it was virtually stabilized, and from here on he could temper and nurture it gradually. Accumulating vital essence, on the other hand, required taking medication, extracting it from the mutated tissue, and storing it within the heart. In combat, vital essence would be continuously consumed. In particular, certain unique moves required vital essence to execute, vastly amplifying their power. Yet ordinarily, one would not deploy it lightly, for it was equally essential for elevating one's personal foundation. Furthermore, in the event of severe trauma, drawing upon vital essence could accelerate recovery and preserve combat capability. While he was still undisturbed and medicines were abundant, it was the perfect time to commit himself to this next phase of cultivation, striving to make further progress before the next wave of enemies arrived.