Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 992 - 496_2

Of course, relying on just these few people is far from enough.

After returning to East Capital, we still need to continue searching for reliable personnel, recruiting new blood, and gradually strengthening the organizational power.

However, regarding recruitment standards, having experienced painful betrayals, the professor specifically emphasized one point.

In the mutant circle, "loyalty" and "reliability" are far rarer than "ability."

Therefore, subsequent personnel expansion must not be rushed.

Every prospective recruit must go through strict background checks and prolonged testing.

Better to have less than to compromise, and never let one bad apple spoil the whole batch, much less let spies from other factions infiltrate.

Apart from these complicated official matters, Fang Cheng also hasn’t forgotten his primary focus — cultivation.

This trip to Tian Nan made him deeply aware of his own lack of power.

Although there’s been a breakthrough in Tai Chi Boxing skills and a surge in Constitution Attributes, he is still far from those truly standing at the top of this world.

After going back, he must persist with a more intense training plan, striving to raise all his Body Attributes to the 80-point threshold early, to see if a new qualitative change can be triggered.

Additionally, there is the cultivation of the mental plane.

Since witnessing Xuan Zhen’s "Soul-devouring Domain" and the Ideal Land leader’s "Divine Kingdom Projection," Fang Cheng’s desire for the "Inner Scenery External Manifestation" realm has grown even stronger.

If he cannot master similar Domain Abilities, no matter how strong his body is, he might still fall into passivity when facing experts who manipulate rules and souls.

Especially the "Dark Void" in Lin Chuqiao’s prophecy gave Fang Cheng some inspiration.

Once settled back in, he must seek earnest guidance from the professor.

Thoughts raced through his mind, constructing one meticulous blueprint after another.

Fang Cheng gently closed the magazine, temporarily pressing down all the plans in his mind.

Then he looked up, scanning the living room.

Sitting across from him, Ye Zhiran seemed unconcerned about the passing of time.

He took off his black-rimmed glasses, slowly wiping them with a velvet cloth, moving unhurriedly.

At times his gaze calmly drifted to the shimmering lake view outside the window, as if pondering something as well.

In one corner, Lin Chuqiao was softly checking several boxes of Tian Nan Province specialties, intended as gifts to be taken back to East Capital.

She always worked methodically, and never slacked off, even in such trivial matters.

She completely ignored Pan Wendi’s complaints, concentrating on her checklist.

Just as Pan Wendi’s patience wore thin and was about to complain again,

Li Dingjian, who had been standing by the window serving as a lookout, suddenly turned and said in a low voice:

"They’re here."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low engine roar could faintly be heard, quickly growing louder from afar.

Through the window, a black bulletproof Rolls Royce could be seen driving along the lakeside road, steadily stopping in front of the villa’s ornate gate.

The car door opened, and two well-built men in black suits stepped out first.

They scanned the surroundings cautiously and then respectfully opened the rear door.

Chen Xu’an then got out of the car.

Today, he was dressed in a perfectly tailored dark gray handmade suit, his hair immaculately groomed.

He exuded a refreshed energy, clearly exhibiting the aura and dignity befitting the head of a big family.

But his expression carried no hint of arrogance, instead showing evident humility and eagerness.

Behind him, the two bodyguards were not empty-handed; each carried two large silver metal safes.

The tautness and slight bulging of their arm muscles suggested the weight of the boxes was significant.

"Let’s go, see what our ’big benefactor’ has brought us."

Fang Cheng put down his magazine, stood up slowly, and led the way to the door.

A moment later, the villa door opened wide.

Chen Xu’an walked briskly into the living room, seeing the group who had been waiting for some time, and immediately wore an apologetic smile:

"Mr. Bai, Professor, everyone, I truly apologize! We were delayed temporarily on the road due to some last-minute adjustments, making you all wait, my fault entirely!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply, showing an unusually low posture, without any hint of the airs of a Chen Family Family Head.

"No need for such courtesy, Mr. Chen."

Fang Cheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the four eye-catching safes behind him, his tone calm:

"Now that you’re here, no need for pleasantries. To what do we owe this special visit, Mr. Chen?"

"I wouldn’t say it’s ’special,’ just a little token of goodwill, hoping to contribute in a small way to the early development of the Illuminati."

Chen Xu’an straightened up, adjusted his lapel, and then turned to wave at one of the bodyguards.

"Place it on the table."

The bodyguard immediately stepped forward, carefully placing a heavy silver safe flat in the center of the coffee table.

The safe was made of some type of high-strength aerospace aluminum alloy, giving off a cold metallic luster on its surface, with reinforced impact-resistant pads at the corners, appearing particularly rugged and mysterious.

The living room instantly fell into silence.

Pan Wendi paused in munching his apple, leaning in curiously.

Bai Ling also put down her phone, blinking her big eyes as she moved closer.

Even the usually composed Ye Zhiran and Lin Chuqiao couldn’t help but focus their gaze on the safe.

They were all very curious about what kind of "meager gift" the newly seated Family Head of Tian Nan Province, Chen Family, had prepared.

Chen Xu’an didn’t keep them in suspense; he stepped forward, quickly inputting a series of commands on the combination lock on the side of the box, then pressed his thumb on the biometric scanner.

"Beep—"

A sharp electronic sound echoed.

Then came the faint hiss of hydraulic rods activating.

Click.

The heavy lid slowly popped up, unfolding to the sides.

When the sight inside the box was fully exposed to the air, the previously dim living room suddenly seemed illuminated by a high-powered spotlight.

There was no earth-shattering aura or fluctuation, just a purest, most secular but visually impactful light.

The light was the glow of extreme luxury and wealth intertwined.

"Hiss—"

Someone drew a sharp breath in the quiet room.

The piece of apple in Pan Wendi’s mouth fell to the floor with a thud.

He stared wide-eyed, although being the young master of a financial conglomerate, even he seemed unfamiliar with such opulence.

Lin Chuqiao and Bai Ling instinctively covered their mouths, their eyes shining brightly, a reaction stemming from a woman’s innate awe.

Leaning by the window, Li Dingjian’s originally crossed arms dropped unwittingly, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

Ye Zhiran, in the midst of adjusting his glasses, froze, with a glint flashing behind the lenses, evidently estimating the value of the items before him.

Even Fang Cheng, who always maintained a calm demeanor, had his pupils lightly contract upon seeing the contents of the box.

He lifted his gaze, looking at Chen Xu’an, who stood aside with a smiling face and a respectful demeanor.

This "meager gift"...

Not only was it not meager, but rather quite substantial.

Once the lid was fully open, the brilliance from within grew even stronger.

Inside, six exquisite jewelry boxes were neatly arranged.

Each box was made from the finest Small Leaf Red Sandalwood, intricately carved with Dragon and Phoenix designs, evidently valuable at a glance.

These boxes had thoughtfully been opened in advance, showcasing the dazzling jewelry inside.

A gemstone necklace, ruby-red like congealed blood, cut into neat teardrop shapes, set in a platinum base, exuded a luxurious aura under the lights.

An Emperor Green Jadeite bracelet, entirely jade-green and smooth in texture, seemed to embody the freshest verdancy of spring.

Additionally, there were several nearly flawless pink diamonds and Cyan Sapphires, each reflecting a dazzling brilliance.

Every piece was made with exquisite materials, clearly crafted by top artisans.

Chen Xu’an slightly bowed, gesturing with his hand, his tone respectfully measured:

"These are gifts from the Chen Family, not rare treasures but thoughtfully selected with intent."

"The delay earlier was due to the need to transport these items from various storages, and I ask for your understanding."