Cultivating to Await the Dawn

Disposal Bureau medical rehabilitation area, Security Room 509. Yang Ling sat propped up in her hospital bed reading a book. By now, her body had mostly recovered, but because she wasn't a fighter, many overly potent medications could not be used on her. Even after ten days, she still had to remain here. Furthermore, because of the mental trauma she had suffered and the enclosed nature of the room, it was unsuitable to use items like biological fields. Reading was the only way she could fill the emptiness in her mind. Just then, she heard the sound of a door opening outside. A moment later, she saw Chen Chuan walk in wearing his supervisor uniform. She set the book aside, sat up straight, and said, "Supervisor Chen." Chen Chuan looked at Yang Ling. Her complexion was much better than before, and the biofilm on her face had been removed, revealing the newly regenerated skin tissue beneath. He glanced at the book beside her hand—it was a collection of urban legends. He took a seat nearby and asked, "Are you interested in this sort of thing?" Yang Ling said softly, "Mm. I like reading them." Chen Chuan nodded. "Have you been practicing the breathing technique as instructed?" Yang Ling nodded. "I've been doing it all along. Thank you, Supervisor Chen. It's very effective—my head doesn't ache anymore." Chen Chuan said, "Regarding the earlier conflict, even though you were also a victim, it's impossible for you to go unpunished. Once you're fully recovered, someone will come to speak with you about it." Yang Ling lowered her head and let out a quiet "Mm." Chen Chuan then asked, "Do you still remember your brother?" Yang Ling answered softly, "I remember him." Chen Chuan did not detect much emotional fluctuation in her voice. Thinking about it, that was only natural. According to information from the Mutual Aid Society, Shen Zheng's younger sister had only been found after being missing for five years; she had apparently wandered off while her family took her out to play on the street. Judging by her age, she had been very young when she disappeared, so her emotional bond with Shen Zheng was not actually that deep. He said, "After you serve your punishment, I plan to take you to meet a few people who were close to your brother. Of course, that depends on your willingness. We'll discuss it when the time comes. For now, focus on recovering, and remember to keep practicing the breathing technique I taught you." With that, he stood up and walked out under Yang Ling's gaze. He said to the head of the medical section, "Go to my office later, pick up two books on urban legends, and bring them to her." The medical head hastily replied, "Understood, Supervisor." After leaving the medical wing, Chen Chuan returned to his office. With the matters here resolved, it was time to touch base with the two members of the local Purist Faction branch. However, there were undoubtedly many eyes on him right now, making it inconvenient to venture too far. So he said, "Andun, block all external fields and connect me to this signal. Ensure there is no eavesdropping throughout." "Andun understands. Connecting communication signal." The connection went through quickly. Chang Dong's agitated voice came through almost immediately: "I saw what happened during the day! Supervisor Chen, did you... did you break through the limit?" If anyone was most mentally prepared for Chen Chuan becoming a martial artist, it was Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun. Chen Chuan had previously received the pure substance and limit-breaking drugs, meaning he had already stood at the threshold. The rest was merely a matter of time—perhaps a bit later, perhaps a bit sooner, but an outcome was inevitable. Yet it seemed to have arrived slightly earlier than anticipated. Chen Chuan said, "Yes. I broke through the limit in the Melded Lands." "Good, good! That's wonderful!" Chang Dong could hardly conceal his surging emotions. Every single martial artist carried immense weight and standing, even within the Purist Faction. But he soon reined in his excitement and tried to maintain a calm tone, saying, "Supervisor Chen, I'll have Yanjun send a telegram to the faction right away to report the confirmed news. Would there be any issue with that?" Chen Chuan answered affirmatively, "No problem." Chang Dong immediately relayed the word to Gao Yanjun, then returned to the line. "Right, Supervisor Chen, it seems Mr. Zhuan also went to the Melded Lands this time." A thought crossed Chen Chuan's mind. Principal Yao had told him that Zhao Zhenye had been injured this time and must have clashed with someone on his way here. Back then, Chen Chuan had deduced that Zhao Zhenye had likely been intercepted by Mr. Zhuan en route, though he didn't know how Mr. Zhuan was doing now. But since headquarters had sent him, they presumably had their reasons. He said, "When I was in the Melded Lands this time, I encountered Zhao Zhenye." Chang Dong's breath hitched. Chen Chuan continued, "According to an evaluation by a senior, Zhao Zhenye's strength is extraordinarily formidable—likely even above the faction's previous estimates. I suspect Mr. Zhuan has already crossed paths with him. As for the specifics, I think we will have to wait until Mr. Zhuan returns." Chang Dong drew in a deep breath and said solemnly, "Supervisor, the moment Mr. Zhuan returns, I'll inform you immediately." Chen Chuan gave an affirmative hum, then added, "Old Chang, I've had an idea recently. I'd like to introduce someone into our Purist Faction, but following the standard evaluation process might take too long." Chang Dong's expression turned slightly grave. He knew that if it were merely an ordinary member, Chen Chuan would have no need to mention it like this. He had to be planning to recommend this person as a core member. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Supervisor Chen, is there anything special about this person?" Chen Chuan said, "I believe he has the potential to become a martial artist." "Oh?" Chang Dong's eyes lit up at first, but then his brow furrowed. "Supervisor Chen, if we bypass the evaluation period, the introducer must act as a guarantor. If anything goes wrong with this member in the future, the guarantor bears tremendous responsibility. Back during Zhao Zhenye's affair, quite a few people were implicated, and several faction rules were rewritten because of it. "Speaking of the potential to become a martial artist, Zhao Zhenye possessed it back then as well, which was precisely why the faction valued him. Yet in the end, he brought catastrophic damage and fallout upon the Purist Faction." Chen Chuan said, "I know. I'll consider it carefully." He was considering bringing Xu Chan into the Purist Faction. In this operation in the Melded Lands, Xu Chan was among the very best of anyone he had met, both in character and capability. The man possessed ample strength; he simply had been unwilling to advance because he refused to sign the agreement, which was why he could not obtain pure substance. However, following this shake-up in the Disposal Bureau, remaining stagnant would no longer be an option even if Xu Chan wanted it to be. In prestige, seniority, and sheer strength, few were more suitable than him. Rather than waiting until he was forced to sign an agreement with the government, it would be better to introduce him into the Purist Faction. And given Xu Chan's strength, once he obtained pure substance, it was extremely likely he would become a martial artist. Still, these were merely his own thoughts for now. Xu Chan's personal inclination was still unknown, so Chen Chuan decided to speak with him again later. After conversing with Chang Dong a bit more, he ended the call. Sitting for a moment, he shut down the field screen in his office, took up the Xuejun Saber, and walked outside. He did not intend to waste the night. Instead, he needed to seize the time to absorb more energy. Relying purely on self-guided mental meditation could replenish it, but only slowly. If he could slash open a fissure leading to the other side as before, that should satisfy his current needs. Although his personal field was now enough to isolate inside from outside, for the sake of prudence, he still decided to take that small airship into the skies above the sea to cultivate. He walked out of the Disposal Bureau. A gust of wind blew across the plaza beneath the night sky, sending the red scarf around his neck fluttering. Ever since Hongfu had attached herself to him, she had always been elusive and faint, seeming like nothing more than an illusion. Yet as he became a martial artist, she had visibly grown far more tangible. This was likely because Hongfu anchored herself to his body. Previously, his level had been insufficient to provide a strong enough anchor, barely sustaining her existence. But now, as he entered the Fourth Limit with unprecedentedly abundant power, Hongfu's strength underwent a fundamental transformation. And Hongfu didn't require him to provide anything deliberately; the field and mental energy radiating from him at all times were already more than enough to sustain her. He found his Jiade car and drove to the port. An hour later, he boarded an airship heading out to sea. He went out purely to cultivate, yet with eyes from all factions fixed on him right now, this single move instantly ratcheted up tension that had only just begun to ease. The martial artist from the Linakes Federation was currently out at sea—could Chen Chuan's move be a deliberate attempt to seek him out? On the National Boulevard west of Center City in Jibei Dao, an extended armored vehicle was traveling toward Center City. Three people sat in the middle and rear compartments. At this moment, someone seated in the middle spoke: "Restrictions on martial artists have been in place since the era of the Grand Alliance; no one may violate them. Power must be kept in check—this is a global consensus. If someone wantonly breaks this, it will incite many other martial artists to follow suit. Mr. Long, what do you say?" Mr. Long appeared to be a man in his forties. Even inside the car, he wore sunglasses and kept a cold, indifferent expression. But at this moment, he suddenly burst into loud laughter. The driver up front flinched, glancing uncomprehendingly into the rearview mirror. The person in the front passenger seat frowned and scolded, "Focus on your driving! Whatever we're saying has nothing to do with you. Do you have no sense?" The driver quickly apologized and focused on driving. After his laughter subsided, Mr. Long's voice turned abruptly chilling: "What you say has some merit, but that's on the premise that no one actively provoked the martial artist. If someone provoked them first, then even if the martial artist strikes, I don't see anything wrong with it—unless that martial artist wantonly destroys everything in sight." "Mr. Long, but we didn't know beforehand that he was a martial artist." Mr. Long laughed out loud again. His laughter had such an eerie, uncanny quality that the driver's hands trembled slightly once more. Once finished, Mr. Long said coldly, "Have you ever reasoned with anyone in the past? Since that's how you operate, why on earth would you think anyone owes you reason?" ... ...