Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

The badge of an A-tier War Professional is much more upscale than that of a C-tier.

This new badge not only uses the precious Corestar Gold as its main material but is also embedded with dozens of Flame Gems, shining brilliantly under the light, resembling a dancing flame.

It is said that the badge of high-tier War Professionals is crafted using special techniques, making it nearly impossible to forge.

Wang Chen played with the badge he had just changed into, then put it into his shirt pocket—many War Professionals like to wear it on their chest to show their status, but he wouldn't reveal it unless necessary.

"Hello, Mr. Wang Chen."

Just as he was about to leave the Combatants Association, a middle-aged man with an imposing presence stopped him: "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Zhang Rui, the chairman of the Taiwu Combatants Association. Could I possibly borrow a bit of your time for a chat?"

The chairman of the Combatants Association?

Wang Chen hesitated for a moment but agreed to talk with him.

After all, the Combatants Association is an official organization of the Empire, managing all registered War Professionals, its power and influence are immeasurable.

And as the chairman, he is the second highest-ranking individual after the president. Since the man showed no hostility, it's appropriate to give him some face.

In fact, Wang Chen had seen Zhang Rui watching the test from beside the ring earlier.

Wang Chen somewhat guessed the man's intention.

Sure enough, after sitting in the chairman's office, Zhang Rui spoke straightforwardly: "Mr. Wang Chen, congratulations on becoming the youngest A-tier War Professional recorded in Taiwu Star's history. Would you be interested in joining our association's Elite Group?"

Actually, not only Taiwu Star, but across the entire Azure Star Cluster with dozens of life planets and hundreds of billions of Imperial citizens, there isn't a second person younger than Wang Chen who is an A-tier War Professional!

"Elite Group?"

Wang Chen asked curiously: "What benefits can I get from joining?"

Zhang Rui was direct, and Wang Chen too didn't beat around the bush.

Zhang Rui immediately smiled: "That's something worth discussing."

The members of the Combatants Association can mainly be divided into two categories, one being registered ordinary members, which constitute over 90%.

The association has limited obligation to these ordinary members, providing merely a set of rules like maintaining Imperial rule and abiding by Imperial law.

Ordinary members of the Combatants Association pay an annual fee, which, depending on their tier, grants them rights to purchase various supplies, intelligence information, and cultivation technique secret skills within the association.

These items are often difficult to purchase directly on the market, but the Combatants Association acts as a special channel, offering some convenience to its members.

But that's about it.

The Combatants Association doesn't have the right to conscript ordinary members for service, at most releasing bounty tasks in the form of internal missions.

The relationship between both parties is more like unequal cooperation, join if agreeable, leave if not, both ways are free.

But the Elite Group is entirely different.

To become an elite member of the Combatants Association, one needs to sign an agreement with the association, enjoying more and better benefits and higher internal permissions, while also assuming corresponding obligations.

For example, tasks assigned by the Combatants Association!

Zhang Rui explained in detail, genuinely showing his intent to recruit.

Wang Chen thought for a while and said: "Chairman Zhang, thank you for the invitation, but I am currently a student at the First Military Academy, and I am a delegate from the Azure Star Cluster's Garrison Army. I have signed an agreement with the Garrison Army."

The agreement with the Azure Garrison Army is akin to shackles placed on Wang Chen.

Adding another layer now, should conflicts arise between the two, Wang Chen would be making trouble for himself.

Both the Azure Garrison Army and the Combatants Association are not to be trifled with by Wang Chen at present.

Therefore, he had to clarify the situation upfront.

"This is completely not an issue."

Zhang Rui laughed: "I understand your concerns, but Elite Group members are not employees of the association, the freedom is very high..."

Even if Wang Chen signed the agreement, he could still refuse tasks assigned by the association, no one, including Zhang Rui, the chairman, could dictate orders over him.

If one were to talk about restrictions, the biggest limitation is that once you join the Elite Group, it's not easy to leave it prematurely.

There's the issue of breach compensation.

Zhang Rui, while explaining, also sent the Elite Group member agreement to Wang Chen, allowing him to review it himself.

Any questions would be answered on the spot!

In fact, within the active Imperial Army soldiers, there also exists a considerable number of Combatant Elite Group members.

These connections can be considered networking.

Out of caution, Wang Chen forwarded this agreement to Tang Mo, asking for some reference opinions.

After all, Tang Mo is not only a noble child but also a peripheral member of the Imperial Security Bureau, possessing more insight in this area than he does.

In less than a minute, Tang Mo replied: "What did you do? Why does the Combatants Association want to recruit you into the Elite Group?"

It was clear she was very surprised, feeling somewhat incredible.

So Wang Chen sent her a photo of his new badge.

Tang Mo paused for a moment before sending three big exclamation marks.

While Wang Chen was communicating with Tang Mo, Zhang Rui patiently waited aside.

"I regret it."

Tang Mo sent another message: "When I first met you, I should have clung to you, unfortunately Ming Mei got the advantage!"

"This agreement is fine, joining the Combatants Elite Group is a good thing, especially for you!"

After sending these messages, she ended the communication with Wang Chen.

Her excitement probably got the best of her.

Wang Chen laughed silently and then extended his hand to Zhang Rui sitting opposite: "Chairman Zhang, please guide me well in the future."

Zhang Rui immediately showed a wide smile: "Believe me, joining the Elite Group is your best choice!"

Their hands clasped tightly together!

Wang Chen signed the agreement then and there, becoming a member of the Taiwu Star Combatants Elite Group.

The first benefit he received was the internal "S" level permission, granting him the ability to purchase controlled materials and information messages of the corresponding level!

Elite Group members have one level higher permission than ordinary members.

This benefit was important for Wang Chen as he could purchase higher energy-level mutant biological products from the association, necessary for his regular cultivation.

Except for the price...

Wang Chen quietly closed the holographic screen, left the Combatants Association headquarters, and returned to the academy.

To his surprise, as soon as he opened his dorm room door, he saw four men sitting on the living room sofa.

The next moment, four pairs of fierce eyes simultaneously focused on Wang Chen!

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The first update is presented.