Chapter 1233: Star Sea (38)
"Wang Chen, we meet again."
At the Seventh Combat Training Base, Wang Chen had just stepped out of his dormitory when someone blocked his path. "Can we talk?"
The person crossed his arms, radiating smug confidence as if he held the upper hand.
Wang Chen replied calmly, "Jaster, what do you want?"
Unlike their first encounter, today the Earl's son was alone. However, his arrogant demeanor remained unchanged, his tone and expression still dripping with superiority.
"I came here today to invite you to join the Twin Lion Brotherhood."
Jaster lifted his chin and said, "You should feel honored. The Twin Lion Brotherhood used to accept only noble elites. Now we've opened limited slots for members from the Scholar Families and even commoners."
"I can vouch for you, but securing this qualification isn't so easy. You'll need to..."
"Hold on."
Wang Chen interrupted him mid-sentence. "I don't need your support, nor am I interested in joining the Twin Lion Brotherhood. But thanks for the offer."
The Twin Lion Brotherhood was one of many student organizations at the Imperial First Military Academy, boasting a history of over a hundred years and significant influence.
All its full members were nobles, and most of them were top-tier elites.
Though young, the collective power and connections within the group were immense!
Because of its fame, Wang Chen had already heard some rumors about the organization.
Supposedly, the Twin Lion Brotherhood also had numerous peripheral members.
Among these were students from the Scholar Families and even commoners!
But being a peripheral member alone was enough to make people flock to join.
Joining meant gaining access to the upper echelons of student society.
Yet, Wang Chen truly had no interest in the Twin Lion Brotherhood.
Not to mention the price he might have to pay just to secure a slot, even if he did join, he'd likely remain at the bottom, serving as little more than a pawn for nobles.
Wang Chen wasn't foolish enough to willingly degrade himself to be anyone's lackey!
"Hmm?"
Wang Chen's outright rejection caused Jaster's expression to twist instantly, his face darkening. "Wang Chen, you'd better think this through before answering. Don't you wonder why your score on the third trial was only a B+?"
Wang Chen chuckled. "I actually don't. Care to enlighten me?"
Jaster stared at him for a long moment. "Don't come crying later."
With that, the Earl's son spun around and left.
Wang Chen watched as his silhouette disappeared at the end of the corridor, his expression calm and unreadable.
He was well aware that something shady had influenced his score in the third mecha combat assessment. The first, second, and third trials were all manually graded, determined by a panel of instructors.
The reviews were then double-checked by both AI systems and human oversight.
It was obvious that Wang Chen's B+ score in the third trial was someone's deliberate attempt at intimidation—or a warning.
Wang Chen was no stranger to such tactics.
A courteous invitation, followed by threats, and finally coercion into submission!
Jaster's two appearances perfectly matched the script.
Unfortunately for him, Wang Chen was too stubborn to bow.
Still, Wang Chen understood that the matter wouldn't simply end here now that he was a target.
Even if it was just for the sake of Jaster's ego.
Some nobles loved their so-called "games of power," resorting to all means, no matter how underhanded, to achieve their goals.
But Wang Chen wasn't the type to be scared off by such things.
The Imperial First Military Academy was no second-rate school; noble status alone didn't carry that much weight here. At the very least, someone like Jaster wouldn't dare openly act against him.
Moreover, Wang Chen was a cadet in the Azure Star Cluster's Garrison Army preparation program.
As a promising recruit with considerable talent who had been admitted into the Imperial Army training system, fabricating a reason to frame him was no simple task!
As for other schemes, Wang Chen was ready to face them head-on.
But this situation made one thing clear: staying low-key any longer wouldn't be an option for him.
Three days later, Wang Chen and thousands of other new Mecha Combat Department students completed their training and returned to the academy.
"Wang Chen, brother!"
As soon as Wang Chen opened the door to his dormitory, a lithe figure darted into his arms.
Soft warmth enveloped him, and his mood instantly lifted. "Why are you here?"
Ming Mei beamed up at him. "I missed you."
With that, she leaned in for a kiss.
It was a long while before they finally pulled apart.
Only then did Wang Chen notice the changes in his girlfriend.
The girl had grown noticeably taller, her proportions even more perfect. Most notably, despite her slender and graceful figure, there was now an added sense of agility and strength to her bearing.
And it had only been a little over a month since their last meeting.
"Wang Chen, brother, do I look prettier now?"
Ming Mei asked with delight, then offered her own answer. "Your Body Skill is amazing. Honestly, I can hardly believe how effective it is myself..."
Wang Chen realized immediately—she had successfully grasped the Spirit Snake Body Refining Technique!
Under the power of this Body Refinement method, Ming Mei's physical condition had significantly improved. And with the change in her body came an uplift in her mental state, which in turn transformed her overall aura.
These changes were undoubtedly positive!
According to Ming Mei, during Wang Chen's absence, she had practiced the Spirit Snake Body Refining Technique every day without fail, pushing herself to the limits of exhaustion each time.
She felt stronger, more agile, and full of energy. Her sleep had improved tremendously, and even her skin had become smoother and more radiant, eliminating the need for skincare products.
What's more, each practice session would leave her body coated with impurities.
After a shower, she always felt refreshed and light.
Seeing the immense benefits this Body Skill brought her, Ming Mei had only grown more diligent and dedicated in her training.
Wang Chen nodded approvingly. "It seems this technique really suits you."
Practicing Cultivation Techniques required compatibility. The same art could yield vastly different results; some people might struggle their whole lives, while others would achieve mastery with ease.
"It's all thanks to you, brother!"
Ming Mei couldn't resist planting another kiss on Wang Chen, her eyes brimming with love.
This kind of advanced Body Skill was typically an exclusive secret of prominent noble families, reserved only for direct descendants.
Ming Mei's family had no such art—or even if they did, they certainly wouldn't teach it to her, an illegitimate child.
Yet, simply by being Wang Chen's girlfriend, she had received access to such a precious technique. How could she not be moved?
The girl clung to Wang Chen's arm, pulling him towards the bedroom. "I have a gift for you!"
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First update delivered.