Celestial Human Diagram

Chapter 325 - 56: Cleanup Business

Deep Unexplored District, Lianwei Zhongyu Company Building.

In an office on the thirty-first floor of the company building, Zhao Qian held a glass, slowly savoring its contents as he stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside.

The room was decorated in a contemporary style, filled with the dull reflections of dark metal and ubiquitous fluorescent accents. It was a stark, gray space pierced by intense, brilliant light.

Rainwater streamed down the glass curtain wall, reflecting his silhouette. He was in his early twenties, with a slender frame standing at one-meter-ninety-eight. He wore a perfectly tailored foreign suit, his eyes slightly narrow in his handsome, indifferent face. His hair, dyed a grayish-white, was neatly combed back.

Faint, almost imperceptible hairlines were visible on his cheeks and neck—the marks of an embedded Realm Token.

This custom-made Realm Token, acquired at great expense, had practically fused with his body. It could be repaired by his own tissues, would cause no hindrance when he fought, and even provided an internal shield effective against Resonator attacks.

He stared ahead at a massive, gloomy structure. Compared to the surrounding area, which was saturated with bright neon lights, it was like a void—a dead monster standing tall in the rainy night.

That was the former headquarters of Molan Company. Its outer walls resembled closing flower petals, with long, curved lines extending to a tapered point at the top. He had been there before. Inside was a transit area known as the "Highridge Sky-Ladder," an exclusive passage for the CEO and board members that led directly from the rooftop landing pad to the company’s subterranean levels.

That place had once blazed with a blinding light, but now it was all gone. The Molan of the past had long since withered and fallen. Everything of value inside, including the entire building, had been confiscated by the Dashun Government, while its market share was consumed and carved up by other companies.

In truth, according to files disclosed after the fact, Molan Company’s fate was sealed forty-three years ago. The moment its newly cultivated active Consciousness Body was destroyed, the company was forever barred from joining the ranks of top-tier enterprises.

The subsequent attacks were merely an extension and aftermath of that initial strike. Although Molan Company refused to go down without a fight, struggling desperately to survive, it was ultimately torn apart and devoured.

When he first arrived in Central City, he had noticed Molan Company’s predicament. That was why he joined Lianwei Zhongyu Company early on and secretly transferred a portion of the Zhao Family’s business to Central City. All that remained in Wuyi were the family’s joint ventures with Molan Company—ties that were impossible to sever.

At the time, he hadn’t disclosed Molan Company’s situation to his family. Even in its decline, Molan Company could have easily crushed the Zhao Family. He couldn’t risk speaking up. His only choice was to make preparations in secret and get ashore before the ship sank.

Events proved him right. Because he had cut ties with Molan Company early, he wasn’t dragged down with it. But he was, after all, a member of the Zhao Family. While he had secured some benefits, it had also brought him a certain amount of trouble.

Investigations from the government and inquiries from his own company followed one after another, forcing him to use his connections and money to smooth things over. Dealing with these matters had consumed most of his energy recently. Fortunately, it was almost all settled now.

He rarely had the leisure to be here, enjoying his favorite drink, "Pure Blood." This special beverage made his Mutated Organization more active and kept his mood pleasant.

Just then, an internal message came through his Realm Token.

He accepted it and asked, "What is it?"

"Young Master, a file just came in from the Profound Palace Building. You might want to see it."

"Send it over."

Zhao Qian took a sip from his glass. A student’s file appeared on the light screen before him. He glanced at the name, and his pupils contracted involuntarily.

He remembered very clearly. This was the student who had played a key role in the entire process of destroying the Mutual Aid Association and Molan Company.

On that day, Wei Jun had called him seeking help, but the person he sent was intercepted on the way. What followed was a series of events: the Mutual Aid Association was annihilated, his family and their company were seized by the government, and Molan Company fell.

Afterward, he came to believe this student was likely a pawn of the Dashun Government. Otherwise, it was impossible for him to be so coincidentally involved and to have seemingly pushed the whole affair forward.

He had previously learned that this student had secured a spot at the Central City General Hospital, but he had been busy with his own affairs and had neither the time nor the energy to bother with him.

But now that it was right in front of him, his good mood was instantly ruined.

He read through it line by line, his brow gradually furrowing. When he reached the end, his expression turned ugly. The file showed the assessment for the Third Limit: "Eighty-one percent"!

Eighty-one percent...

’A numerical assessment might not fully represent the real situation, but it guarantees a baseline. At this level, there’s little doubt he can reach the Third Limit.’

’Once he reaches the same level as me, he’ll be capable of many things. If this student believes things aren’t over, or if certain people believe things aren’t over, then...’

He realized he couldn’t just do nothing. Even if he ignored it, could he be sure this student wouldn’t come after him? Would the student believe that he held no ill will toward him?

’Impossible. The fall of the Zhao Family and the Mutual Aid Association has destined that one of us must fall.’

’You extinguish an enemy when they are weak, not wait until they are strong to confront them.’

He was extremely decisive. He immediately used his Realm Token to access the Secret Snake Sect’s platform, navigating to a board only accessible to internal members, and stated his intentions directly.

"I need to request a cleaning service."

He planned to directly hire an assassin from the Secret Snake Sect to eliminate Chen Chuan. It was the simplest and most direct method. Any elaborate, meticulous plan was pointless; it would only give the student time to grow stronger.

An application form immediately appeared on the light screen, and a voice prompted him to fill in the mission target and all known information below.

Zhao Qian immediately filled in the data on Chen Chuan he had just received. However, he hesitated for a moment before deciding not to include his speculations about Chen Chuan’s background.

Once finished, he submitted it.

A moment later, the voice spoke again: "Your submission has been received. Do you have a preferred Cleaner? If not, the platform can recommend one based on your target and financial situation."

Zhao Qian said in a low voice, "I designate the Cleaner ’Ghost Form’ for this job." This particular Cleaner’s methods were strange and brilliant, and most importantly, they had never failed a single mission.

"The platform has accepted your application and has sent a service inquiry to the Cleaner ’Ghost Form.’ You will receive a reply within forty-eight hours. Please wait patiently."

Inside the Profound Palace Building, Chen Chuan rested in his dorm for a day after his second evaluation. This allowed his overexerted Mutated Organization to recover and fully absorb the nutrients from the Treasure Ointment.

The next day, just as he was about to head out, a message arrived from the academy: "Student Chen Chuan, in light of your techniques meeting academy standards during the evaluation, would you like to take the assessment ahead of schedule?"

He thought about it for a moment and declined.

’The assessment results are recorded only once and also involve a rating score. I feel like I still have a lot to learn in terms of technique. I can wait a little longer.’

After leaving the Profound Palace Building, he went to see Teacher Zheng. The moment they met, Teacher Zheng looked him over and said with certainty, "Chen, you’ve improved since last time."

Chen Chuan was a little surprised.

Teacher Zheng smiled. "It’s just a feeling—a Fighter’s intuition. It comes in handy sometimes."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment. ’It must be because I’ve improved again after the fight with Hong Fu. I’ve been making progress constantly these past few days, so I haven’t noticed it as much myself.’

’Come to think of it, Hong Fu is the best training partner. No matter how much you improve or what techniques you use, she can match you. Not only do you not have to worry about injuring her, but she also improves along with you.’

’So the evaluation isn’t just an evaluation; it’s also an excellent training opportunity. It’s just that you only get three of these opportunities after enrolling. It probably consumes some kind of academy resource.’

Teacher Zheng exchanged a few more words with him, then led him to the training grounds where Zheng Tongtong was already waiting. He said, "We’ll start combat training today. You and Tongtong will have a match first. I’ll determine the focus of your next training phase based on your performance."

Chen Chuan nodded in understanding. He drew the Snow Monarch Blade, walked to the center of the grounds, and cupped his fist toward Zheng Tongtong. "Senior, please guide me."

Zheng Tongtong returned the salute and said cheerfully, "Alright. You be careful too, Junior."

Chen Chuan glanced at the blade in Zheng Tongtong’s hands. This time, she was holding a straight-backed saber. ’This must be the type of blade she’s best at using,’ he thought.

’Since this is real combat, Zheng Tongtong won’t just be standing still this time. She should be able to unleash her true strength freely.’

He took a few steps back, nodded at her, and then initiated the attack. He sent his blade forward in a thrust that wasn’t particularly fast; it was mainly a probe.

Zheng Tongtong executed a coiling block, deflecting the blade’s edge. Their swords touched for only an instant before separating. Both of them were holding back their strength; or rather, they only let a portion of their Power show, while another portion remained hidden, ready to be unleashed.

When Teacher Zheng saw this, his eyes lit up. He recognized how Chen Chuan was using his Power: he was dividing his Mutated Organization into two separate sets and alternating between them.

This was the very technique he had been planning to teach Chen Chuan next. That Chen had figured it out on his own before being taught was a pleasant surprise.

But there was a trick to it. It required a corresponding Breathing Technique to restrain and protect the body, as well as specific Power Techniques for the transition.

He could tell that Chen Chuan was currently relying entirely on his superior physical constitution to bear the strain of the Power. This made him very susceptible to injury.

He didn’t intervene. He could stop the training at any moment if a problem arose, and an injury of that level could be quickly healed with medicine. Besides, teaching him after he experienced the consequences would undoubtedly lead to a deeper understanding and a more lasting memory.

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