C14 Heading to Jiangnan City!

Character: Yang Chen (Grandmaster)

Constitution: Common Rank

Title: None

Level: A Rank

Limits: Sign-in (Cooling Down, 14 days remaining)

Shopping Mall: Not Activated

Ability: Devour

Yang Chen gazed at the interface before him, noting the attributes that were steadily accumulating. With them, his strength was also on the rise. Now, Yang Chen's physique was not only comparable to that of a Grandmaster, but his spiritual energy had also achieved the formidable rank of A. It's common knowledge that for an average Ability User to advance from E Rank to A Rank, it could take years, even over a decade of dedicated training.

Yet, Yang Chen had managed to attain this level of power in a mere day. The system's capabilities were truly unparalleled.

With a flick of his finger, a small flame danced at the tip, its warmth a delightful surprise to Yang Chen. He knew he had to keep his Devour ability under wraps; such an abnormal power would make him a target if discovered.

Despite his Grandmaster-level constitution, Yang Chen was acutely aware that he didn't possess the power to dominate all of Hua Xia. His physical prowess might be Grandmaster-grade, but his spiritual cultivation was merely A Rank. He could handle an S Rank Ability User, but against a true Grandmaster, especially one with years of experience, defeat was inevitable.

Yang Chen estimated that among Grandmasters, he was only at the entry level. And how many on Earth had reached that stage? Certainly less than ten. The majority were seasoned veterans who had spent considerable time at the Grandmaster level.

Even with No.98, the guardian of Hua Xia, Yang Chen maintained a cautious stance. There were always potential threats lurking, and becoming a target was the last thing he wanted.

After extinguishing the flame, Yang Chen glanced out the window to discover daylight had broken. He checked his phone—it was already seven in the morning. He was taken aback; inside the system, it felt like only half an hour had passed, yet a whole night had gone by in the real world.

"Time really does fly," he mused, drawing back the curtains. Sunbeams streamed through the glass, gently warming his face as he squinted in the light.

Gurgle ~

A rumble of hunger echoed from his stomach. "Hungry again," he said with a wry smile. Ever since becoming an Ability User, his appetite had increased significantly. Now, mere hours without food left him feeling starved—a stark contrast to his past self who could go days without eating.

Shaking his head at the oddity, Yang Chen left his room and headed for Lau's Noodle Bistro. Although he had an appointment with the Jiangnan General Manager, a bowl of Grandpa Lau's noodles was in order before he set off. He was, after all, the one calling the shots. The one with the might made the rules, and he was undoubtedly the mighty one.

The streets were bustling with activity. In the old district of Hancheng, where Yang Chen resided, the housing was affordable, and the foot traffic was heavy. Lau's Noodle Bistro was particularly crowded, its reputation for quality within a hundred meters was well-deserved.

Yang Chen entered the familiar establishment and found an empty spot. He caught Grandpa Lau's attention and ordered, "Grandpa Lau, a bowl of beef noodles, three servings, easy on the chili, please!"

The old man's eyes briefly sharpened as he looked at Yang Chen, then softened again into a friendly smile. He nodded in acknowledgment. But as he bowed his head to prepare the dish, his expression shifted to one of surprise, and he began to mutter to himself, "An A-class Ability User? That can't be right."

He had sensed Yang Chen's spiritual energy today, which had been indistinct just yesterday. With his keen eyesight, he shouldn't have been mistaken. The difference between then and now was perplexing.

"What's going on?" the old man wondered, shaking his head as he went back to his noodle-making, his movements now slightly rigid.

Soon, he served up a hearty bowl of beef noodles to Yang Chen, who thanked him with a smile and dug in with gusto.

Meanwhile, a black sedan pulled up and parked beside Yang Chen's residence. A strapping middle-aged man in military attire stepped out, his demeanor strict and unyielding. Following him was Wang Teng, looking somewhat embarrassed.

This imposing figure was none other than Wild Wolf.

Today was the day he had arranged to meet with Yang Chen, so he arrived bright and early, ready to escort Yang Chen to the provincial city to meet with the head honcho of Jiangnan!

And this meeting was at the behest of the big boss himself!

As soon as Wild Wolf stepped out of the car, he spotted Lau's Noodle Bistro and within, the figure of Yang Chen at a table, which brought a slight softening to his expression.

With Wang Teng in tow, he made his way over to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen, too, had noticed Wild Wolf's approach.

Since advancing to the Grandmaster level, his senses had soared, allowing him to detect Wild Wolf's presence!

Yang Chen kept his head down, continuing to slurp his noodles, unfazed. Wild Wolf, equally nonchalant, ordered two bowls of noodles from the elderly proprietor and joined Yang Chen for the meal.

After some time, Yang Chen polished off his bowl, wiped his mouth, and with a smile, said to Wild Wolf, "I've been expecting you!"

Wild Wolf laid down his chopsticks and said, "Now that Mr. Yang has finished, let's head to Jiangnan City to meet our regional director. He's eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

Yang Chen nodded, then cast a playful glance at Wang Teng, who was next to Wild Wolf, causing Wang Teng to stiffen and chuckle awkwardly.

Wild Wolf frowned, aware of the previous day's events, but thankful Wang Teng had managed them well enough to justify his presence today.

"My disciple was blind to your stature yesterday, Mr. Yang. I hope you can overlook his error."

Yang Chen dismissed it with a wave, saying grandly, "Not at all. I was simply doing a job for pay, and it just happened to involve him. Why would I hold a grudge against someone younger?"

Wang Teng's face twisted in embarrassment, his mind racing with retorts.

Aren't we about the same age? How am I the junior? But fine, you're the stronger one, so you call the shots!

Wild Wolf didn't dwell on these details. Strength spoke for itself, and getting hung up on such matters seemed petty.

He shifted the conversation, "By the way, I've noticed something. Mr. Yang, are you in need of money?"

Yang Chen's eyes sparkled with interest, and he nodded eagerly.

"Absolutely!"

After a moment's thought, Wild Wolf produced a sleek black card and handed it to Yang Chen, explaining, "This is a bank card exclusive to No.98, accepted at all banks, with a credit line of one million. Feel free to use it as you wish, Mr. Yang. Consider it a small token of my appreciation, and please, don't hold my disciple's misstep against him."

Yang Chen accepted the card with a grin, "How could I? After all, it's said that a fight can lead to friendship, right? Heh!"

Wild Wolf visibly relaxed.

A million was a trifle to him, and if it could smooth over the friction between Yang Chen and his disciple, it was money well spent!

Wang Teng, by Wild Wolf's side, also seemed to breathe easier. Though the trip was partly to meet the storied figure of Jiangnan City, mending fences with Yang Chen was just as crucial.

And it appeared to be working!

"So, Mr. Yang, do you need to prepare anything else? If not, we can discuss further details in the car, if that suits you?"

Wild Wolf inquired gently.

Yang Chen gave a nod and followed Wild Wolf to the sleek black sedan.

Back at Lau's Noodle Bistro, the old man watched them depart, a glint of something indefinable in his cloudy eyes. He retreated inside and picked up an old-fashioned phone, his gaze resolute as he dialed.

"Tell Little Chen to keep a close eye on the young man he's about to meet. This one's a bit too... peculiar."

The line was silent for a long stretch before a voice with a magnetic timbre finally responded.

"Understood."

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