Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1289 - 625_2

After a moment of silence, Fang Cheng inquired coldly, "Do you possess the knowledge?"

A wave of relief washed over the masked man upon hearing Fang Cheng’s response; he felt his life had been half-secured.

"Naturally, I am well-versed in such matters. When it comes to comprehending the intricate mechanics of space-time gateways and gathering intelligence from the Otherworld, I boldly claim to be second to none in the entirety of the East Capital."

Straightening his posture, he then presented his most valuable offering:

"Should you be inclined, I can impart these methods to you. Alternatively, the next time the gateway stabilizes, we could venture inside together, pooling our efforts to harness its resources."

Fang Cheng's eyelids lowered slightly, yet he remained without utterance.

If the man's claims held truth, retaining him indeed presented significant advantages.

After all, Fang Cheng wished to avoid the peril of risking his life with each inter-world transit, contending with the violent spatial distortions.

He also desired to forgo the frustration of entering the Otherworld only to be compelled to withdraw mere hours later, before any substantial actions could be undertaken.

The masked individual, exceptionally skilled at discerning subtle shifts in demeanor,

observed the slight dimming of the golden radiance emanating from Fang Cheng's fist and promptly seized the opportunity:

"I comprehend your objective in participating in the examination for the Special Search Team—to secure an official designation as a cover."

"In truth, concerning this matter, you and I stand on common ground. I would never employ this knowledge to leverage against you."

With that declaration, he interlaced his fingers, tapping the now-completely dulled, diamond-shaped crystal affixed to his chest:

"This specialized armor, known as Reproductive Armor, is intrinsically linked to my vital signs and integrated with a sophisticated micro-computer system."

"Should my heart cease to beat, the system will instantly initiate its highest-level emergency protocol, meticulously recording my final moments and physiological data, transmitting this information in an encrypted format to the central terminal at the Special Search Team Headquarters."

The masked man's gaze conveyed a striking sincerity as he continued, his honesty laid bare:

"Such an eventuality would inevitably expose your covert identity, triggering a thorough investigation."

"At that critical juncture, your eligibility for the examination would not only be revoked but you would also face relentless pursuit from the nation's enforcement agencies."

Having detailed a litany of potential repercussions, he proceeded to propose a solution perfectly tailored to the present circumstances:

"By choosing to keep me alive, I shall utilize my influence in the ensuing investigation to completely expunge tonight's surveillance records for this vicinity and all traces of our conflict."

"Furthermore, as you commence your duties within the Special Search Team, we can establish a system of mutual protection and assistance."

"And finally, one additional consideration."

The masked man slowly rose, meticulously brushing away clinging debris from his thighs:

"The artifacts recovered from the relic hold immense significance. Even if you manage to acquire rare resources within the Otherworld, their illicit disposal on the external black market presents considerable challenges."

"You require an insider, someone within the system with comprehensive knowledge, to facilitate the legitimate acquisition and monetization of these valuable findings."

"In this regard, I represent your most advantageous option."

These interwoven justifications, spanning from technical support and identity concealment to the actualization of mutual benefits, precisely addressed Fang Cheng's immediate concerns.

After a brief period of contemplation, Fang Cheng deliberately withdrew his clenched right fist.

The surging True Qi within him gradually subsided, and the oppressive golden flames that had enveloped him receded back into his body.

"If we are to collaborate, a spirit of cooperation must be demonstrated."

Fang Cheng's voice carried a tone of cold, unyielding resolve, his gaze piercing like a torch as he fixed it upon the masked figure:

"What is the purpose of concealment? If your intentions are genuine, remove the obstruction from your face first."

At these words, the masked man's body tensed almost imperceptibly.

This particular bronze mask served not only as a physical shield but also as his crucial disguise for operating outside legal boundaries in the shadows.

Yet, meeting Fang Cheng's impassive stare, he recognized that any negotiation was futile.

The formidable being before him, likened to a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex, might be logical, but his patience was demonstrably limited.

Consequently, raising both hands, he positioned his thumbs on the concealed latches situated along the sides of the mask's chin.

A soft 'click' echoed as the internal locking mechanism disengaged.

He then pulled the mask away, holding it loosely in his hand.

Revealed was a face characterized by prominent cheekbones, meticulously trimmed stubble, and a firm, square jawline.

The individual appeared to be in his early thirties, with a faint, old scar gracing the corner of his eye.

This subtle mark did little to detract from his appearance; instead, it imparted an aura of seasoned combat experience and a subtle, dangerous intensity.

"Lu Tianming."

Meeting Fang Cheng's gaze directly, he openly divulged his true identity:

"Chief of the Internal Investigation Department, Special Search Team Headquarters. My rank is Special Investigator."

Fang Cheng's eyebrows arched in surprise, and he couldn't refrain from posing a question:

"The Chief of the Internal Investigation Department, acting like a common thief at your own exam site?"

"Searching for a relic entrance is a task the Special Search Team can issue a directive for. A few reconnaissance teams could have easily scoured this forest. Why would you, the Chief, need to sneak around alone all night?"

His tone dripped with undisguised mockery as he voiced his suspicions.

Lu Tianming let out a bitter chuckle. The bruise on the corner of his mouth throbbed painfully, causing him to inhale sharply.

"Finding the relic entrance isn't as simple as you imagine; it's entirely a matter of luck, and sending more people won't guarantee success."

"I came personally to maintain control and prevent unforeseen complications."

"Furthermore, the Special Search Team is far more treacherous than you realize."

His voice dropped, heavy with unspoken burdens:

"Some matters are too intricate to explain comprehensively right now..."

"Woo—woo—"

Before Lu Tianming could finish, piercing sirens suddenly wailed in the distance, cutting short his words.

Two powerful beams of white searchlights sliced through the thick fog, their rays crisscrossing the forest like luminous swords.

The crunch of heavy off-road vehicle tires crushing shrubs accompanied the tearing sounds.

Concise, professional tactical commands drifted on the night wind.

It was evident that a well-equipped, fully armed team was mobilizing and advancing, rapidly closing in on the already chaotic scene.

Lu Tianming's expression shifted drastically as he observed the approaching lights.

"It's the first-line defense convoy from West Mountain's interdiction forces."

Swiftly averting his gaze, his words tumbled out faster:

"I've revealed my true identity as a sign of my sincerity."

"We can discuss the rest another time, or else if they find us here, neither of us will escape reprimand!"

With that, he gave Fang Cheng a meaningful look, then, without awaiting a reply, abruptly turned away.

Mustering his remaining strength, he sprinted towards the darkness away from the searchlights.

In an instant, his form dissolved into the dense fog.

Fang Cheng remained rooted to the spot, gazing at the direction Lu Tianming had vanished, making no move to pursue.

The rumble of the off-road vehicle engines grew louder, their searchlight halos piercing the tree canopy and scattering across the nearby ruins.

The distance was alarmingly short.

Clearly, the recent fierce confrontation had alerted the defense forces of the Special Search Team stationed in the West Mountain Forbidden Area.

Fang Cheng wasted no more time, turning to stride towards the hidden relic entrance several kilometers away.

The mercenary corpses littering the ground and the disarray of the combat zone needed to be meticulously cleaned and concealed before the main forces fully sealed the area.

It was imperative that no one discovered that someone had breached the Golden Light Barrier tonight, thus exposing his secrets.

Fang Cheng propelled himself forward, his legs churning like a ground-skimming arrow, plunging into the deep fog.

As his speed intensified, he distinctly felt a strange transformation occurring within his body.

The wind rushing against him seemed to morph into an unseen upward force.

With a mere tap of his toe on a moss-covered rock, he could effortlessly glide dozens of meters forward.

The sensation of falling diminished significantly, his body growing lighter with each stride.

Eventually, he barely needed to push off the ground, instead borrowing momentum from tree branches or the tips of tall grass to cover vast distances in mid-air.

The periphery of his vision became a blur, as if the world were painted in streaks of shadow.

An exhilarating feeling of liberation from gravity's hold, an almost flight-like experience, surged through his heart.

"What is this sensation?"

Fang Cheng's mind raced, lost in contemplation.

At that precise moment, a brilliant light suddenly illuminated his path.

A luminous blue screen rapidly materialized before his eyes, displaying several clear lines of notification:

[Congratulations! Through persistent training and profound insight, you have surpassed the human airborne limit, unlocking the 'Flying' skill!]

[Flying Level 0 (0/100)]