Chapter 244 - 240: What a Cunning Fox...
Six Tower.
An emaciated, white-haired old man was slowly walking toward the assembly hall accompanied by Zhao Futu. Following behind them were Yi Yu and the other members of the Thirteenth Bureau.
“President Zhao, long time no see. You are still full of energy. Unlike an ordinary person like me, who is nearing the end of his life…”
The white-haired old man was slightly hunched. Compared to the towering figure of Zhao Futu, he looked even more fragile. But there was no hint of disdain in Zhao Futu’s eyes. He smiled, “Director Wang, you are still fond of joking. Who in the entire Federation would dare to belittle you-an ‘ordinary person’?”
Wang Jian, the director of the Thirteenth Bureau, was also its founder. Although he lacked Talent, he managed the vast Thirteenth Bureau effectively and there was a trend of gradually replacing the Beast Master Association.
Perhaps his combat power was zero, but when it came to tactics, probably few people in the entire Federation had better ones.
Upon hearing Zhao Futu’s words, Wang Jian laughed, “It’s all thanks to everyone’s face. In a few years, when I am buried in the soil, I won’t be useful anymore. Then, the work of the Thirteenth Bureau will need President Zhao’s care.”
Zhao Futu glanced at Yi Yu, who was closely following Wang Jian, and said, “President Wang, haven’t you already found a successor? Perhaps it will be our Association who needs help in the future.”
“President Zhao jests. You could easily hold your office for several more decades given your current stamina. And hasn’t your Association also found a successor?”
The two exchanged a smile and stepped into the assembly hall.
The news about joining forces with the Thirteenth Bureau for the joint examination had already informed all the trainees. Therefore, Bai Qiucha and others were waiting early. Seeing the Beastmasters from the Thirteenth Bureau following Wang Jian, they all showed their eagerness for battle.
Wang Jian looked around, looked at Bai Qiucha and others who were full of vigor, and said, “The special training of the Beast Master Association is still booming with talent as before. The Legends of the Federation in the future might emerge from here.”
Zhao Futu smiled and said, “Far from it, they still have a long way to go…” Looking at the two people who were going on about their business, Zhou Yan, who wanted to regain confidence in this competition, could hardly help himself.
“How long are these two going to talk? Let’s start already.”
Xiao Yuan gave a faint smile upon hearing these words and said, “Wait. These two can talk. Without a few hours, they can’t stop. And haven’t you noticed that not everyone has arrived yet?”
Hearing these words, Zhou Yan was stunned. She looked around and only then did she realize that Bai Qi was not there.
“Where is Bai Qi? Didn’t anyone notify him?”
Bai Qiucha sighed bitterly, and said, “I have notified him. But this guy is not picking up my calls and there was no response when I knocked on his dorm door. He must be asleep.”
This guy, he lacks discipline! I will go and tear his dormitory door down now.” Upon hearing these words, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but complain. Before she could move, she was stopped by Lu Qing who said, “Today is just a meeting, and there is no substantive assessment. There is no need to bother him.”
Hearing Lu Qing’s words, Zhou Yan was immediately surprised and said, “Qinger, are you crazy? Don’t you dislike Bai Qi the most?”
Lu Qing adjusted her glasses and said, “I never said I had a problem with Bai Qi. It’s just purely academic competition. And Bai Qi is indeed better than me.” After Lu Qing said this, not only Zhou Yan, but also Xiao Yuan, Li Mu, and others who knew Lu Qing inside out were all a bit surprised.
Has that Lu Qing, who always looked down on anyone as a slacker, changed?
‘Well, Qinger, why don’t you change back to your previous self? I’m not used to you being this humble.”
Looking at Lu Qing, who looked indifferent, with absolutely no pretense, Zhou Yan was a bit uncomfortable. But Lu Qing had no intent of answering, she turnedherheadandstartedreadingabook.
After witnessing Bai Qi’s many research achievements firsthand, she had completely understood the gap between herself and Bai Qi, and how naive her attitude was towards Bai Qi.
The correct approach to someone better than you is to keep pursuing.
So, after Bai Qi left that day, Lu Qing sent an apology message through the badge. However, for some reason, Bai Qi did not respond.
Seeing Lu Qing like this, Zhou Yan also seemed to understand. Thinking about her state after being defeated by Bai Qi, she was instantly ashamed.
So what if she lost? She wasn’t the only one who lost. She could always win back later.
With this thought, Zhou Yan immediately regained her usual enthusiasm for battle. She even planned to directly challenge Bai Qi as soon as he appeared.
Just then, Wang Jian seemed to finally remember Bai Qi, the young man who was always on Yi Yu’s lips. He looked around and said, “Why didn’t I see Bai Qi?
I even need to thank him for bringing the Black Sky Meeh. The Thirteenth Bureau has benefited greatly this time.”
Zhao Futu shook his head and said, “Director Wang, you are too polite. Bai Qi must still be asleep now. You know, young people, their lifestyles are always somewhat irregular.”
True, young people nowadays are full of energy. When they get busy, they forget to rest. It’s quite normal to oversleep.”
As soon as these two influential figures said these words, all the Beastmasters from both the Thirteenth Bureau and the Association fell silent.
The two big bosses, are you sure your consciences don’t hurt when you say these words? Who was it that abided by punctuality for all activities? Wasn’t it you?
Director Wang is too partial. I was only two seconds late last time and I was deducted half a month’s allowance on the spot. But when it comes to Bai Qi, it becomes normal?”
Seeing Wang Jian’s nonchalant attitude, Tang Miao couldn’t help but purse his lips. Wang Huai comforted him with a bitter smile, “It’s normal, if you were as good at making trouble as Bai Qi, Director Wang would probably not care about you.”
“I’ll pass then.”
Tangmiao couldn’t help but stick out his tongue as he heard that, saying, “Three core patents, I would never be able to research those, even if you beat me to death.”
Bang!
Just then, the door to the assembly hall suddenly opened. All eyes turned at the noise, shockingly discovering that the newcomer was none other than Bai Qi. “This guy, he really just woke up.”
Seeing Bai Qi’s sleepy-eyed appearance, whether they were from the Association or the Thirteenth Bureau, the young Beastmasters were all somewhat speechless.
This was after all a large-scale exchange activity between outstanding Beastmasters from two major departments – couldn’t he be a bit more serious about it?
However, it was obvious that Bai Qi was oblivious to this. His gaze quickly swept over the team from the Thirteenth Bureau, and he quickly found Yi Yu’s location.
“Minister Yi, what you promised me last time…”
Bai Qi was cut off mid-sentence when he realized that he was being stared at by nearly a hundred eyes. Among them were big shots like Zhao Futu. He immediately reacted, cleared his throat and said, “Minister Yi, long time no see.”
“Yes, long time no see.”
Yi Yu smiled lightly, looked up and down at Bai Qi, and said, “Bai Qi, have you been researching any new patents?”
Well, wasn’t she simply assuming that it was about patents?
Everyone was surprised once again, but after looking at Bai Qi, they felt that it seemed pretty fitting.
Over these two weeks, Bai Qi was immersed in his own world without paying too much attention, but the outside world was already swept up in a wave of excitement because of his research. The top search list was almost entirely filled with information about Bai Qi.
The emergence of Rune Tier 2 Evolution prompts another surge in the Undead Department Beastmasters.”
Behind the talented Bai Qi, is there anyone pulling the strings?”
“The owner of three core patents, when will Bai Qi top the Federation Rich List?”
Although the third patent wasn’t clearly mentioned, it didn’t prevent Bai Qi from becoming nationally known in the Federation. Coupled with the Zhuge family’s behind-the-scenes push, Bai Qi had already become a leader among the new generation.????? n
Hearing Yi Yu’s words, Bai Qi shook his head somewhat helplessly and said, Minister Yi, you think too highly of me. I’m just a student. I just overslept because I stayed up too late reading yesterday.”
“Hahaha… as expected, all success has its reasons. It seems like we at the Thirteenth Bureau will have to strengthen our theoretical studies later.”
Wang Jian laughed heartily at that, whereas Tangmiao and the others all looked bitter. They stared at Bai Qi with resentful faces.
This guy, he managed to give them trouble even from a different department. Feeling those murderous gazes, Bai Qi pulled his neck in a little bit in disappointment, and quickly returned to the Special Training team.
“Since everyone is here, shall we start now?”
Zhao Futu looked at Wang Jian. Wang Jian also nodded and said, “President
Zhao, please take the trouble to announce the competition details.”
“Well then, I will just say a few words.”
Zhao Futu stepped forward and said, “The main purpose of this joint competition between the Thirteenth Bureau and the Association’s Special Training is to select outstanding talents and assign them to more appropriate positions.”
“President Wang and I will decide on your assignments based on your performance in this competition. Also, it’s a crucial test for the members of the Special Training program to enter the Six Towers.”
“So, make sure to perform well.”
Despite this brief introduction, the spirits of everyone present fluctuated again. There was a similar notification before departure from the Thirteenth Bureau, not to mention the Association. It actually involved their stay in the Thirteenth Bureau as well as their relocations.
Simply put, what kind of training they would receive in the future largely depended on this competition.
Seeing everyone taking the competition seriously, Zhao Futu nodded in satisfaction and continued, “This exam is divided into two broad categories: theoretical and practical. We will calculate a comprehensive ranking based on the final scores.”
“As for the rewards, you students from the Special Training program should be very clear.”
The moment Zhao Futu spoke, the hearts of the students in the Special Training group thumped. After seeing the reward chart displayed behind Zhao Futu, it indeed verified their bad premonition.
“For this reward, we will give the Special Training integral award in advance based on the ranking. However, it’s only applicable to the top three students.” As he was saying this, Zhao Futu looked at Bai Qi and others, and said, “So, if you don’t want your rewards to be taken away, please make a great effort.”’ Looking at Zhao Futu with a smirk that didn’t match his age and status, Bai Qi couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his eyes.
This rule was obviously targeting him, forcing him to take first place, wasn’t it? No wonder he was the president of the Association, he was indeed a cunning old fox…