Gu Castle Fortress’s training grounds.
Cold winds gusted repeatedly.
Eighteen Transcendents from the Investigation Corps engaged in combat drills; their physiques were formidable enough to withstand the biting cold, with several still removing their upper garments, baring their torsos.
They paired up and contested through body techniques without using their "abilities."
The ground was whipped by fierce winds, not from the cold, but from the air currents caused by their high-speed movements.
"These individuals are truly elite."
Zou Hai stood atop the high platform of Gu Castle, observing the nearby drills, and remarked softly, "They are mostly Third-Order Transcendents, and at the very least possess the strength close to breaking through to the Deep Sea Sixth Layer. Zhong Yuan has this time handed over half of the core members of the second team to Yuan Yuan."
This lineup was indeed astonishing.
Lin Lin silently watched this scene.
His expression showed little fluctuation.
"However... it is likely an arrangement by the Lord of the Legion."
Vice Officer Zou continued talking to himself, muttering, "Perhaps the Lord of the Legion had planned this labyrinth mission long ago."
Upon reflection, Yuan Yuan took such an elite group—who entered Gu Castle Fortress without showing any intention to leave—and soon after, the Lord of the Legion personally made a call to arrange the twenty-second task for "Labyrinth 38."
Zou Hai asked earnestly, "Quasi-General, are you sure that kid should also be joining the ’labyrinth mission’?"
There was another figure.
Unlike the eighteen Transcendents... he was alone, watching the regular exercises of the Investigation Corps and not partnering up with anyone for practice.
Nor did Yuan Yuan, the officer responsible for the training, spare him another glance.
He was the "guest from East Continent" who had journeyed a long way to Gu Castle Fortress, unable to fit in or join the Investigation Corps.
Gu Shen didn’t feel awkward.
He sat on the high wall beside the training fields, dangling his legs, quietly nibbling on rye bread in the wind... Today’s breakfast tasted good. Vice Officer Zou had specially heated it for him; the initially tough bread had softened and, with butter applied, could be considered of fine taste.
He observed every move of the Transcendents from the Investigation Corps.
Simultaneously observing nine battles.
He had to admit that the Transcendents from North Continent excelled in body techniques compared to those from East Continent by a significant margin... There was a reason these men were dubbed "elite."
Among the eighteen Transcendents led by Yuan Yuan, fourteen were Third-Order.
The remaining four also possessed strength around Deep Sea Sixth Layer.
However, this time heading north from Gu Castle, did they need to bring so many Transcendents? If he remembered correctly, only six members were in Hong Zhong’s elite team, and without clear knowledge of the route, deploying so many Transcendents from the Investigation Corps might not be beneficial.
A stern voice rang out amidst the wind and snow.
The people engaged in the drills, hearing this call, promptly halted.
Yuan Yuan looked toward the far distance where cold winds howled, seeing a silver-haired woman approaching; he quickly bowed in greeting.
All members of the Investigation Corps, led by the deputy team leader, bowed in unison.
The presence of this great personage, an Angel Envoy of Her Majesty the Empress, was considered a great honor.
Aluel’s expression was clearly displeased as she frowned and reproached, "You should be aware, Mr. Xiao Gu... is also part of the mission. As the leader of this mission’s action team, how can you allow him to be all alone?"
Yuan Yuan looked toward the high wall.
He sighed resignedly and said, "Lord Aluel... our regular training sessions, I fear, aren’t suitable for Mr. Xiao Gu."
The arrival of the young guest from East Continent had already spread throughout Gu Castle.
This young guest had also received special consideration from the Quasi-General.
After witnessing the fireworks show that danced between the barrages from the Source Energy Cannon, the garrison at Gu Castle had come to recognize the capabilities of this young guest... This so-called consideration came partly out of respect for Her Majesty the Empress, and partly because of the young man’s courageous spirit.
However, the Investigation Corps didn’t care for such things...
"There’s no precedent in North Continent for inserting outsiders into the exploration teams; the members of this elite team are seasoned veterans, perfectly harmonious with each other. To adjust and coordinate with a newcomer in just a few days is beyond feasible."
"Lord Aluel, frankly, I also cannot comprehend the command of the Lord of the Legion," he calmly stated. "I presume Mr. Xiao Gu is here as a technician to join the investigation team. Therefore, as long as we can ensure his safety during this mission... it should suffice to fulfill the orders of the Lord of the Legion."
"As for these regular training sessions..."
Yuan Yuan stated slowly, "Mr. Xiao Gu doesn’t need to participate. I fear my men might accidentally injure him."
Throughout, Yuan Yuan did not lower his voice.
His voice drifted across the training ground.
And reached the nearby high wall.
He had deliberately let everyone hear this.
Zou Hai narrowed his eyes, murmuring lowly, "Is this kid... provoking us?"
His expression became somewhat worried, "But Yuan Yuan indeed has the prerogative to speak thus."
The level of Gu Shen’s body techniques was probably just that of an ordinary Deep Sea Seventh Layer.
Having tamed the vicious dog under Lord Lin Lin’s command, this young man must possess strong spiritual power.