Celestial Human Diagram

Chapter 338 - 69: Pathways

Gao Ming stood up, took a map from a drawer, and spread it flat on the desk between them.

It was a map of Central City, with routes traced on it in red pen.

He said, "Lianwei Zhongyu Company’s main area of operation used to be in the inland regions. They’ve only been established in Jibei Dao Central City for just over a decade.

The company primarily handles overland freight services between the various Central Cities, with some involvement in surrounding cities as well. Secondarily, they provide mercenary and corporate security services.

Although the major corporations now have their own security teams, most are concentrated around their company headquarters. Because competition between corporations is fierce, they sometimes attack each other, so these security teams can’t be easily dispatched elsewhere. As a result, many of the less critical transport services are now outsourced to Lianwei Zhongyu Company.

Zhao Qian, as the head of external affairs, is responsible for coordinating these operations and ensuring their success. For important escort missions, he even participates personally.

Based on Lianwei Zhongyu Company’s publicly available operational records, he basically leaves Central City once every two months.

And once he’s far from Central City, many of the technologies that only work within the city will be significantly weakened, and the company’s security detail will only be at partial strength. If you, Cousin, want to use more direct methods, this is the only opportunity to get close to him.

However, this method is too risky."

Gao Ming warned seriously, "These security escort operations are designed to counter surprise attacks from other corporations. Besides all the necessary equipment, the team often has more than one Third Limit Fighter."

Chen Chuan grunted in agreement. It was indeed no simple matter. Not to mention the possibility of facing multiple Third Limit Fighters, there was also an entire heavily-armed team.

’Considering the team itself is probably equipped to handle Third Limit Fighters, and there are also nigh-impenetrable armored vehicles, the difficulty is far beyond what my current strength can easily handle.’

’Especially if I can’t eliminate everyone at once, my identity will be exposed, so I can’t risk it. If I attack their convoy, regardless of my motive, Lianwei Zhongyu Company is bound to investigate, making things even more complicated.’

’Unless...’

’Unless I reach the Third Limit right now. Then I could give it a try.’

He mulled it over. The first method was safer but full of uncertainty and would take a long time. The second method, however, seemed impossible to achieve right away.

But he actually had another way.

The phantom he had just captured.

’The conditions for using this phantom aren’t actually complex, nor are they hard to meet, but I refuse to sacrifice my own mutated organ.’

’Based on my deductions, this must be some kind of pact forged between the ritual and the phantom. Once the user complies, they’ve already marked themselves as a backup sacrifice. What happened to You Xing was sealed the moment he first performed the ritual.’

’But if I could redefine the terms of the pact, I could kill Zhao Qian from a distance.’

’It’s not impossible. If I’m not mistaken about that old book I got from You Xing... I’ve already taken photos of the ritual pact it described and sent them to Director Lei. I believe I’ll have some answers soon.’

After thinking it over, he said to Gao Ming, "Thanks for all this, Gao Ming. I have an idea, but I can’t confirm it yet. I’ll come find you in a few days."

Gao Ming nodded. "Alright, Cousin. Feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions."

Chen Chuan chatted with him for a few more moments before returning to the Profound Palace Building.

The next few days were calm and uneventful. No one tried to attack him, and Wubei reported that no suspicious individuals had been spotted nearby.

On the first rest day of April, Chen Chuan visited Cao Guiqi again. After they met, the latter led him to a courtyard at the back of the manor.

The residential area of Motie Mountain truly had a wonderful environment. It was surrounded by rare and beautiful flowers and plants. The air was exceptionally fresh upon entering, and the clear, intermittent birdsong made one feel as if they were in a secluded, ancient forest.

After sitting there for a while, Chen Chuan felt his mood become distant and tranquil. Cao Guiqi set down his teacup and dismissed the attendants who had served the tea, leaving only Uncle Ding present. He said, "I heard you had a re-evaluation and reached over eighty percent."

Chen Chuan said, "Yes." The evaluation results were visible to all the academy’s instructors. Although Cao Guiqi wasn’t an instructor at Wuyi, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to find out.

Cao Guiqi gave him an expectant look. "That’s great progress. It seems you adapt well to the medicine and the Radiant Light exposure." He called out, "Uncle Ding, bring that thing over."

Uncle Ding bowed and walked out. A moment later, he returned carrying a potted plant with both hands. The pot was exquisite and unique, its surface as smooth as a mirror, with several colorful, petal-like veins that were quite pleasing to the eye. In it grew a plant with a cluster of white branches that intertwined, weaving into each other, resembling a delicate work of art.

However, the branches were so slender and delicate that one couldn’t help but worry that a gust of wind might snap them, ruining the overall beauty.

Uncle Ding carefully placed the potted plant on the desk.

Cao Guiqi, for his part, rolled up his sleeves, reached out, and pushed it slightly in Chen Chuan’s direction. He said, "I want you to watch it carefully. At the same time, listen and feel, just like when you’re in meditative focus."

Chen Chuan understood. Following his instructions, he cleared his mind of stray thoughts and focused his attention on the plant.

Cao Guiqi waited, slowly sipping his tea and observing them both. After about twenty minutes, he asked, "Are you feeling anything?"

Chen Chuan answered honestly, "No, nothing."

Cao Guiqi hummed in acknowledgment. He glanced at the plant again and waved his hand. Uncle Ding came forward and carried the item away.

Chen Chuan asked, "Senior, what is this?"

Cao Guiqi said, "Its official name is ’Zhu Jue Silver Cage.’ In the old era, it was widely planted in temples and known as ’Wisdom Root’ or ’Divine Grass.’ It’s becoming rarer and rarer now because the Zhu Jue Silver Cage can only grow in pristine environments and requires unique cultivation methods. Not many people possess that knowledge anymore."

He looked at Chen Chuan. "Besides being ornamental and a status symbol, it can also be used to roughly gauge your current progress.

If you were close to the verge of breaking through to the Third Limit, your own Biological Domain would generate a unique field fluctuation. In the words of the old era, it’s called a ’Divine Qi tremor.’ The Zhu Jue Silver Cage is extremely sensitive to this. Your gaze and perception would cause it to bloom for you.

Although it didn’t move much just now, I did notice a few branches at the very top swaying slightly. This means that while your progress is not yet complete, you are not far off.

Don’t ask me for a specific timeline; I can’t give you one. That’s not something the Zhu Jue Silver Cage can do. Everyone’s foundation is different, so their progress is naturally different as well.

But in my opinion, if you can feel yourself constantly improving, then that’s not a bad thing. It means you have great potential and more room for growth than others. So, there’s no need to be impatient. Just maintain your current training rhythm."

Chen Chuan nodded.

Cao Guiqi added, "Remember what I told you last time? No matter how well I teach you, it’s not as good as providing you with more resources. Although you are still growing, this growth phase is actually very short. During this stage, it’s better to have more resources than not enough. I suggest you look for opportunities to strengthen yourself from other places."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said honestly, "I can try to get another Radiant Light exposure opportunity from the Processing Bureau, but I have no leads on the Treasure Ointment."

Cao Guiqi considered it, then said, "Do you know of the Cyan Bag Jade Workshop?"

Chen Chuan replied, "I do. It’s the second-largest company in the country, right behind Celestial Hundred Herbs."

Cao Guiqi said, "The Cyan Bag Jade Workshop is in constant competition with Celestial Hundred Herbs, including in all areas of pharmaceutical research and development. They have a new drug that’s meant to compete directly with the Treasure Ointment produced by Celestial Hundred Herbs, and they’ve been looking for suitable medicine testers.

I know you have a high tolerance for medicines, and you’re always able to fully utilize their effects with seemingly minimal side effects. That’s a talent many would envy. If you’re interested, I can request a batch of the medicine from the Cyan Bag Jade Workshop. It might be able to help you."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment. "Thank you, Senior. I’ll consider it."

Cao Guiqi nodded. "It’s up to you. After all, you know yourself best. I’ll have Uncle Ding give you the information on this drug from the Cyan Bag Jade Workshop later. If you’re interested, just let me know."

Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Senior."

Cao Guiqi grunted in acknowledgment. "There’s also a way to strengthen your muscles, bones, and internal organs—one that’s very accessible to you. You should know of the Secret Snake Sect."

Chen Chuan said, "I do. Tan Wang is a member of the Secret Snake Sect."

Cao Guiqi said, "The Secret Snake Sect is quite ambitious in its commercial ventures. It’s also the most successful of the transformed Old Faiths in Central City. Their business is conducted both above board and underground.

They’ve recently cultivated a special organism that, through certain methods, can strengthen a Fighter’s muscles, bones, internal organs, and tendons. While it can’t compare to Radiant Light exposure, it’s still significantly effective as a supplement. I can write you a letter of recommendation. If you can afford the price, it’s worth considering."

He added with emphasis, "Don’t worry too much about the cost. Get a step ahead, and every step after becomes faster. If you can reach the Third Limit, these initial investments will be nothing."

Chen Chuan said, "I fought Tan Wang before. He’s currently locked up in prison. He’s a member of the Secret Snake Sect, right? Won’t they turn me away because of that?"

Cao Guiqi said, "The Secret Snake Sect is a very loose organization. The customer always comes first.

Even sect members are just considered special customers in the eyes of the true upper echelons. They won’t turn you away just because you had a conflict with one of their members.

The sect’s overall interests outweigh those of any individual. Their reputation in this regard is excellent. If you need it, I can vouch for you."

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