Chapter 367: Accidentally Exposing the Truth

Over the next day, all teams that had made agreements with Summer Chasing Smoke arrived one after another.

Just as previously speculated, as the only two A-rank teams among the hired groups, Brocade Dragon Jade Pavilion and Iron Rose were the last to arrive.

By the time they reached the camp on the tenth floor, it was almost nightfall.

According to the agreement, everyone was supposed to gather on the tenth floor by the seventh day. These two A-rank teams arrived right at the deadline—any later and there might not have been anyone left waiting for them.

The leaders of both teams seemed to understand this well. Upon reaching the camp, their commanders and vice captains went directly to the large central tent to meet with Xu Xiayan without even resting first, while the rest of their members were assigned to rest areas.

The members of Azure Mercury had also rested for about half a day when they received a notification from one of Summer Chasing Smoke’s team members.

“Commanders and vice captains of all teams, please proceed to the central tent for a meeting.”

Hearing this, Su Ming and Chi Qian immediately exchanged glances and stood up.

“Commander.”

“Sister Qianqian.”

Mu Yan, Feng Qing’er, and Tong Xinyao also instinctively rose to their feet.

Su Ming looked at everyone.

“Wait here for us,” Su Ming said with a slight smile.

“It’s fine,” Chi Qian added. “Captain Xu is probably going to formally explain the mission details to us now. We’ll share them with you when we return.”

That was exactly the case.

Given the immense importance of this matter—concerning the very future of the Base City—the confidentiality of an SS-rank mission like this was crucial to prevent unnecessary panic and unease.

Because of this, even now, Su Ming and the others still didn’t know the specific details of this SS-rank mission.

Now, it was finally time for the revelation.

If they didn’t learn the details now, the mission couldn’t proceed any further.

Mu Yan and the others naturally understood this and remained silent, simply sitting back down.

“Wait for our return.”

After saying this, Su Ming was the first to step out of the tent.

Chi Qian followed wordlessly.

Led by the messenger, the two made their way to the large central tent of the camp and entered.

The interior was spacious, with a large wooden table—apparently freshly made—placed in the center to serve as a conference table, arranged in a circular formation.

Around the round table, seats were neatly arranged, and many people were already seated.

The commanders and vice captains of various teams had all arrived, sitting around the round table while whispering among themselves as they waited for the meeting to begin.

Among them, Xu Xiayan and Wang Di were also present, seated in the main positions at the far end.

It was worth noting that among those present, only the commanders seemed to have seats, while the vice captains stood beside their commanders like the most loyal followers.

For example, Wang Di stood beside Xu Xiayan, who was seated in the main position, though his attitude was less about reverence and more about adoration.

Similarly, representatives from Brocade Dragon Jade Pavilion and Iron Rose—their vice captains Qiao Zhi and Zhu Yun—were also standing.Qiao Zhi was standing beside a middle-aged man who bore at least a ninety percent resemblance to him, making it immediately obvious they were twins.

Although the man shared a striking likeness with Qiao Zhi, unlike Qiao Zhi’s young master temperament, his expression was steady and calm, with dark, profound eyes that seemed unfathomable.

Standing beside this man, Qiao Zhi appeared timid and somewhat fearful, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor when he had confronted Su Ming face-to-face—it was as if he were a completely different person.

“Is that the Commander of the Brocade Dragon Jade Pavilion, the elder brother of the Qiao Family siblings, Qiao Liang?”

Su Ming studied him for a moment.

It was clear that Qiao Liang was far more capable than Qiao Zhi; his aura alone was something Qiao Zhi couldn’t compare to.

As the only Six-Star Professional in the Brocade Dragon Jade Pavilion, leading numerous Upper-Rank Professionals, Qiao Liang exuded an air of authority.

Su Ming’s Spirit Sense told him that this Qiao Liang was no ordinary individual.

“In terms of pure strength, this Qiao Liang might even surpass Xu Xiayan and Chi Qian.”

Su Ming came to this realization.

As for Zhu Yun of the Iron Rose, the collateral branch of the Zhu Family who was said to regard Chi Qian as her rival, she was now standing respectfully beside someone.

That person had fair skin and striking looks, with an exceptionally tall, model-like figure. Not only did she possess a pair of Heaven-Defying long legs, but she was also the tallest woman present, standing at least 177 centimeters tall.

Her height even surpassed that of some men in the room, causing many of them to shrink back, hesitant to sit near her.

Coupled with her expressionless face and a faint chill she emitted, she gave off an aloof, unapproachable vibe, making her seem difficult to get along with. Many people present didn’t dare to look at her for long, making her one of the most prominent figures in the room.

“That’s the Commander of the Iron Rose, the Young Miss of the Zhu Family, Zhu Qian…”

Beside him, Chi Qian’s low murmur drifted into Su Ming’s ears, as if she were speaking to herself.

Clearly, Chi Qian had also noticed this Zhu Qian.

She was a Six-Star Professional just like Chi Qian, and both were commanders of teams that exclusively recruited female Professionals, sharing many similarities.

The difference lay in their backgrounds: Chi Qian had risen through her own efforts, while Zhu Qian had a powerful backing, having been personally trained by her grandfather, the pinnacle of the family, and grown up under the guidance of a Seven-Star Professional—a true Genius.

Xu Xiayan had mentioned that, in terms of combat technique Rank, Zhu Qian was the strongest in the room, and even in all of Tianfeng City, she was the foremost expert in combat techniques aside from the Seven-Star Professionals.

If Qiao Liang gave off an impression of being unfathomable, then Zhu Qian radiated a visible, palpable strength. Merely sharing the same space with her gave one the feeling of being intimidated.

“This person is very likely stronger than Xu Xiayan and Chi Qian as well.”

Su Ming sighed inwardly.

It couldn’t be helped—Chi Qian had only recently been promoted to Six-Star, and Xu Xiayan had only succeeded in her promotion about a year ago. Falling short of these two was only natural.Especially Qiao Liang, who was approaching forty, was the oldest among the Six-Star Professionals. As a veteran Six-Star Professional who had been promoted for many years, it was understandable that he was stronger than Chi Qian, Xu Xiayan, Zhu Qian, and others.

Of course…

“He still can’t threaten me.”

Su Ming curled the corners of his lips slightly, leading Chi Qian as he walked in.

While Su Ming observed the people in the room, they were also observing him.

“Is that the Commander of ‘Azure Mercury,’ the rumored new Sorcerer?”

“Indeed, he’s unreasonably young.”

“Judging by his appearance, he’s not even twenty, is he?”

“Probably, among everyone here, he’s the only Lower-Rank Professional.”

Many team Commanders and Vice Captains were observing Su Ming. Some were full of curiosity, some were full of disdain, and some couldn’t help but show jealousy when they saw the famously legendary woman, Chi Qian, following closely behind him.

“Big brother, that’s him.”

Qiao Zhi also lowered his voice and spoke to Qiao Liang like this.

“Young Miss, that’s Su Ming.”

Zhu Yun was also speaking to Zhu Qian.

This made both of them focus their attention on Su Ming.

“A new Sorcerer… huh?”

Qiao Liang narrowed his eyes.

“Su Ming…”

Zhu Qian, on the other hand, furrowed her brows, lost in thought.

Even Xu Xiayan was staring at Su Ming, who appeared completely normal, muttering to herself.

“This little brother really is hiding his strength.”

Xu Xiayan finally confirmed this.

Although both Xu Qianqian and Chi Qian had previously indicated this to her, since Xu Xiayan hadn’t personally witnessed Su Ming display his strength, she could only remain half-convinced.

Now, however, she no longer doubted it.

The reason was simple.

“The demonic aura on this tenth floor is so intense that even ordinary Professionals can’t withstand it.”

As mentioned before, without at least Three-Star level strength, even a Professional would likely go insane under the influence of the demonic aura upon arriving here.

Even at the Three-Star level, it was still somewhat dangerous.

The members of ‘Summer Chasing Smoke’ had already arrived on the tenth floor in advance and had been here for at least a day and a night, so Xu Xiayan knew very well how much the demonic aura here affected humans.

Among ‘Summer Chasing Smoke,’ even some of the weaker Three-Star Professionals had become somewhat impulsive and irritable after staying on this tenth floor for a day and a night, clearly affected mentally. Xu Xiayan had forcibly ordered them to rest and not participate in the upcoming operations.

And Su Ming?

He appeared completely normal, composed, and even quite relaxed.

What did this indicate?

It indicated that this kid’s strength couldn’t possibly be as recorded—just One-Star.

“This kid must have at least Three-Star level strength, and even be among the top tier of Three-Stars.”

Otherwise, Su Ming wouldn’t be so relaxed.

Moreover, this kid might not just be a Lower-Rank Professional.

“An Upper-Rank Professional at eighteen… huh?”

Xu Xiayan couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m looking forward to this kid’s performance now.”

While thinking this, Xu Xiayan also glanced at Qiao Liang and Zhu Qian.Seeing that the only two people in the entire venue who clearly possessed strength surpassing her own were both intently watching Su Ming, Xu Xiayan knew they must have noticed his hidden abilities.

If they couldn’t even detect such obvious anomalies, they wouldn’t have reached their current positions today.

“Things are getting interesting.”

Xu Xiayan smiled charmingly.

Unaware that he had somewhat exposed his capabilities, Su Ming, under the gaze of numerous eyes, led Chi Qian to an empty seat and sat down.

Chi Qian stood beside Su Ming like a beautiful guard, radiating an impressive aura.

Afterward, people continued to arrive one after another until all seats were filled.

Only when every seat was occupied did Xu Xiayan rise to her feet.

7017k

(End of Chapter)