Chapter Sixty-Four: The Spring Alliance Professional Assessment

Chapter Sixty-Four: The Alliance Professional Assessment in Early Spring

In the ensuing days, Xia Zheng intensified his training. The preliminary rounds of the first championship were in full swing, with the official qualification matches scheduled for mid-March. Meanwhile, thanks to the Foundation’s modifications, he acquired a vast array of advanced equipment, all tailored to his psychic combat style. Coupled with scientific training methods, nutritional plans, and psychological interventions, his combat prowess improved markedly.

By early March, his latest comprehensive test results revealed that his overall physical attributes had increased by nearly fifty percent compared to a month prior—a remarkable improvement that excited the entire team and marked an initial, tremendous success.

Shentu Wanhua had previously discussed purchasing Xia Zheng’s portrait rights and endorsement rights, offering five million Federal Dollars per year, plus variable clauses—such as bonuses for significant achievements or increased fame.

After careful consideration, Xia Zheng voiced his opinion: since he was still an employee of the Skyblade Team, privately signing commercial agreements with other organizations or companies without informing his employer would violate professional ethics. Thus, he insisted on consulting Chu Yan before giving a definitive answer.

Shentu Wanhua appreciated his response and immediately agreed to his request.

Consequently, Xia Zheng proactively informed Chu Yan and Claire about his cooperation with the Foundation.

Chu Yan and Claire were gratified by Xia Zheng’s initiative. Most people would have jumped ship for such favorable conditions, as the Skyblade Team had no financial advantage over the Foundation.

After deliberation, Chu Yan and Claire decided not to interfere with Xia Zheng’s personal and commercial development. Their only stipulation was that the Skyblade Team’s name must appear in all future promotions involving Xia Zheng; they did not seek any share of the profits.

Additionally, Chu Yan fulfilled the promise made at the time of recruitment, raising Xia Zheng’s post-tax annual salary to one million Federal Dollars, and pledged to allocate two million Federal Dollars annually from the year-end profits of the Forbidden Magic Mine. Although Xia Zheng no longer cared much about money, he did not view wealth with contempt; receiving compensation commensurate with his value was only natural.

Thus, he had officially joined the ranks of the high-income earners, far surpassing the middle class. His annual salary now exceeded one million post-tax, nearly two million before tax; he would also receive two million from the Forbidden Magic Mine and five million in endorsement fees from the Foundation each year. On top of that, there was additional income from missions and variable bonuses from the Foundation. Preliminary estimates placed his annual income solidly in the ten million range, rivaling top-tier celebrities of the Federation. Moreover, his taxes were low—only thirty percent at most on taxable income, while entertainers faced rates of forty-five or even fifty-five percent.

Many of his expenses were covered; for instance, he now owned two cars—one for daily use worth over a million, and a formal, multifunctional off-road vehicle valued at least at ten million.

His equipment was custom-made by the Foundation, saving him considerable costs. As his notoriety grew, even clothing and other items would be provided free of charge. Currently, his main expenditure was investing in a pharmaceutical company with Chen Xiu; he had little else in mind for now.

Still, Xia Zheng remained grounded. His achievements and income would not end here. For others, his status was an unattainable goal, but from the moment he triumphed in the professional assessment, he set his sights higher.

On the morning of March fifth, Xia Zheng drove with Meng Hu to Danute City to meet Nalan Sheng.

This time the journey was much smoother—Xia Zheng simply instructed Yu Hua to activate the navigation and drive automatically.

“Master, am I also to participate in the psychic assessment?” Meng Hu asked anxiously.

Xia Zheng nodded. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve already probed your identity as a demon fox with my psychic abilities; it’s hard to detect. You’ve cultivated for over nine hundred years, and your clan’s transformation technique is unique. Not many can perceive your true nature as I can. Besides, even if you are discovered, it’s not a problem. The Federation has a kill-on-sight order for the blood clan, but it’s not so harsh on other races. I’ve heard there are marine soldiers in the Navy who are not human—much like you. The Western Frontier has barbarian and wild tribes who are also non-human.”

Meng Hu relaxed at these words. She had always feared her non-human identity would be exposed, despite the kindness shown by Claire, Zhang Ziqi, and others. Although Claire already knew, she remained apprehensive.

The Alliance branch in Danute City was more prestigious than that in Bolant City, despite Danute being less economically developed—its geographical advantages and lower land prices made up for it.

Meng Hu possessed C-level psychic abilities. After several months of training with the Skyblade Team, she was approaching C+ level, which delighted her. Her beast clan relied mainly on time and evolution for improvement, so even modest gains in a few months brought her joy.

Soon, traffic thickened, and their vehicle queued up. Meng Hu curiously observed everything around her; the human world fascinated her.

Thanks to Xia Zheng’s B-level psychic registration, they passed the checkpoints easily, leaving behind envied gazes from others.

Near the Alliance building, Xia Zheng booked the same hotel as last time, but now reserved two rooms. Meng Hu was reluctant, but complied with his arrangement.

By noon, Xia Zheng took Meng Hu out to eat. She was ecstatic—mealtimes were her favorite, human cuisine far surpassing the wild fruits and roots she once consumed.

They dined in the Alliance’s cafeteria on the first floor, where prices were fair and food decent, with discounts based on their rank.

He ordered a double portion for Meng Hu and a lighter meal for himself. After finishing, he called Nalan Sheng, while Meng Hu eagerly devoured her meal, drawing astonished looks from those around her.

Unfortunately, the call didn’t go through. He tried sending a message instead and, unexpectedly, received a reply.

“Brother... I miss you... but I’m under house arrest and can’t leave...” Nalan Sheng sent a string of pitiful emojis, tugging at Xia Zheng’s heart. Damn Nalan Zheng and Nalan Rong—treating Sheng Sheng as a mere tool for the clan. He could never accept it.

He was unwilling to let go of either Shen Hua or Nalan Sheng. If necessary, he’d rather be a scoundrel than see Sheng Sheng married to another man—a prospect he could not bear.

He replied, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Nalan Sheng immediately sent a string of hearts, but apparently was unable to respond further, and Xia Zheng soon lost contact.

After eating, Xia Zheng registered Meng Hu for the assessment, then checked Nalan Sheng’s match arrangements. This time, nothing seemed likely to obstruct Sheng Sheng’s progress—after half a year’s cultivation, she was stronger than ever. Had it not been for Xia Zheng’s soul refining technique absorbing her runaway psychic energy last year, anyone else would have faced only two outcomes: kill Nalan Sheng or be killed by her.

To reassure Meng Hu, Xia Zheng first watched her matches instead of heading to Nalan Sheng’s arena.

The group stage remained a test of physical attributes. Meng Hu excelled in this area, her athletic prowess far surpassing that of humans. After several rounds, she ranked first, well ahead of the second place, advancing easily.

He also checked on Nalan Sheng’s progress, which was similarly seamless.

When the challenge rounds arrived, Nalan Sheng’s victory was assured. Meng Hu, however, encountered difficulties—the mechanical sentinels were immune to her hypnosis, leaving her flustered. Remembering Xia Zheng’s pre-match lesson, she used her agility and dismantling skills to clear the first two stages, but in the final round, dismantling was no longer effective.

Meng Hu then activated her enhancement abilities, turning her forearms and palms razor-sharp and unyielding, and finally tore apart the sentinel to clear the stage.

When Xia Zheng first learned that Meng Hu had awakened enhancement abilities, he was surprised—she was supposed to be a psychic-type like himself. Her primary psychic skill was hypnosis, incapable of direct attack.

Enhancement abilities are among the three main types of psychic powers, without much hierarchy. Generally, the natural type is considered the strongest, while the superhuman and enhancement types are roughly equal. Ultimately, it depends on the individual. Powerful abilities do not guarantee formidable combat strength—there are cases of psychics being slain by enhancers, proving that psychics do not have an absolute advantage.

After clearing two rounds, Meng Hu advanced to the final head-to-head stage. Noting her exhaustion from the second round, Xia Zheng took her to replenish her energy with another meal.

For the match schedule, the Alliance, mindful of ratings, placed Nalan Sheng’s bout in the final round, while Meng Hu, surprisingly, opened the first match.

Initially worried, Xia Zheng saw Meng Hu’s spirits and energy restored after eating, and couldn’t help but marvel—perhaps beastfolk truly recover faster than humans, or maybe Meng Hu was simply unique, able to recover through food alone.