Atlas of Heaven and Man

Inside the bar, as everyone was talking, a sound rang out from the Boundary Platform, indicating the release of individual scores.

Chen Chuan glanced at it. This time, it was a ten-point system. He didn't know the specific criteria for judging, but his score was nine points. Looking at the others present, some were rejoicing, some were relieved, and some were very frustrated.

The young officer called Lao Yan looked at his score and sighed regretfully, indicating that he had an accurate assessment of himself. He picked up his glass. "Gentlemen, the scores are out. I hope you can all go on smoothly."

He was about to drink when his companion grabbed his arm and chuckled. "Don't drink yet, Lao Yan. Tell us, what's your score?"

Lao Yan said helplessly, "Rubbing salt into the wound is unethical."

Laughter rippled through the group, easing the atmosphere somewhat.

The man asked again, "Seriously, Lao Yan, tell us about the problems you encountered so we can avoid them in the future." He patted Lao Yan. "It's not a free question. We'll treat you this time, and if we see you again, we'll each treat you once. How about that?"

As he spoke, he looked at everyone present.

Ding Mai and the others loudly agreed, and Chen Chuan had no objections.

Lao Yan thought for a moment and said with a wry smile, "Actually, the main problem is the activation index. I can't maintain it well."

He sighed. "It was probably five years ago when I became a Third Threshold Fighter. As soon as I went to the Convergence Zone, I was assigned to a six-person team for a field mission.

Because the mission went smoothly, and we were about to return, with people coming to pick us up, everyone relaxed. We were chatting and laughing when one of my teammates told a joke, and we couldn't stop laughing. Then I saw…"

He paused. "I saw white tendrils emerging from the ear of a teammate across from me, twitching as if he was also very happy."

The people present shuddered upon hearing this.

"We all noticed it at the time. My mind went blank. Then I heard a gunshot. The captain blew his head off in front of us. The splattered mess covered our faces."

He said in a deep voice, "We don't know when he became activated. We were paying attention on the way back. It might have happened in that short amount of time.

If the instructor hadn't shot him, the rest of us might have ended up like him."

He took a gulp of wine and said after putting it down, "After returning, I had nightmares for months. I had to check the activation index every few minutes, and I would get nervous at the slightest increase.

I know that medication and breathing exercises can generally prevent problems, but even so, I couldn't help but check it from time to time. Whenever the number went up, I became incredibly anxious.

Ding Mai didn't care much about this. He was particularly talented in this area, and his index always increased the slowest. He thought that if he ever got infected, he wouldn't need anyone to take care of him; he'd just shoot himself. It wasn't a big deal.

At this moment, a student changed the subject and said, "Just now, Teacher Chen implied that our scores would be sent to the Defense Department?"

Ding Mai said, "I know about this. Anyway, I'm only staying for three days, so I'm not afraid to ask. I asked Fang Zhixin through the Boundary Platform just now. The scores are mainly for selecting people for the Exploration Team. Don't worry too much about it. It won't affect you in any way. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a joke if entering the training class lowered your evaluation?"

Hearing this, the others felt a little relieved but also revealed a look of longing.

The Exploration Team was selected from the elite of the elite. It was extremely dangerous, and the personnel were always being replenished quickly. However, it was an honor and a valuable experience.

Anyone with this experience, who managed to survive, would definitely be promoted faster and by a greater margin than others.

Like Chen Bitong himself, he had joined the Exploration Team before. It was said that some of his former comrades-in-arms had now reached very high positions.

Ding Mai turned to look at Chen Chuan and said, "Captain Chen, among us, you are the strongest. I think you are the most likely to join the Exploration Team."

Lao Yan and the other two also looked over, agreeing with this view.

They had personally witnessed Chen Chuan defeating Ding Mai face-to-face and were impressed by him. If anyone among them could join the Exploration Team, it could only be Chen Chuan.

Although Chen Chuan had heard Chen Bitong suggest this before, he didn't have any plans for the time being.

His team had just been formed, and he felt that his skills were not yet proficient. Moreover, he was currently in a period of rapid improvement. Joining the Exploration Team would take an unknown amount of time, which would hinder his cultivation.

He smiled. "We'll see what opportunities arise."

"That's true. Even if you join the Exploration Team, it's very dangerous. You don't have to join the Exploration Team to get promoted."

At this moment, Lao Yan remembered something. "Have you heard? It seems that Yu Lie is coming. You'd better not conflict with him. This kid is quite the troublemaker."

"That thorn in the side?"

Everyone present revealed a look of headache and disgust.

Ding Mai glared and said, "How can this kid come? How did he pass the review? Didn't they say that because this kid had committed too many offenses, he wouldn't be allowed to participate in various matters?"

"Someone above must think highly of him."

"Hey, with Teacher Chen here, how could he not come? It was expected."

Lao Yan said, "Putting aside his character, his abilities are undeniable." He said with a smile, "Anyway, I guess I'll be leaving tomorrow. You guys be careful."

Chen Chuan asked around and learned that Yu Lie was a fervent admirer of Chen Bitong. Every time Chen Bitong went somewhere to teach students, he would definitely follow.

However, this person was known for not following the rules in the army. He didn't commit major mistakes, but he constantly made minor ones. He was a complete thorn in the side. Because he was truly capable and came from a good background, no one had ever done anything to him.

Ding Mai said, "Captain Chen, you have to be careful of this kid. This kid is too irregular in his actions. Before, when he wanted to be an assistant, he privately caused trouble for Fang Zhixin. If Fang Zhixin's background wasn't also good, he would have been squeezed out. Then we would have suffered. Now that he's coming again, I don't know what he's going to do."

Chen Chuan smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder."

After staying here for a while and seeing everyone start dancing, he excused himself and came to the activity room downstairs. Chen Xiaojin was diligently training alone here.

Seeing him walk in, his eyes lit up, and he stopped. "Captain Chen."

Chen Chuan walked in front of him, beckoned him to sit down, and sat down on a chair himself. He asked, "Xiaojin, what was your original intention for learning martial arts?"

Chen Xiaojin was stunned for a moment, lowered his head and thought, then raised his head, clenched his fist, and said, "I want to prove to them that what they can do, I, Chen Xiaojin, can also do."

His voice still had a bit of the unique sound of a teenager's voice change, but it sounded particularly determined.

Chen Chuan said, "Then, in your expectation, what height can you reach?"

Chen Xiaojin thought for a while and said, "Like him…" He asked with anticipation, "Captain Chen, do you think I can do it?"

Chen Chuan looked at him and said, "What I think is not important. What matters is what you think. If you have a firm will to go on, no matter how far away you are from the goal, you are always getting closer little by little."

Chen Xiaojin thought for a while and said loudly, "Then I want to be like him, no, I want to surpass him!"

Chen Chuan said, "That's not just talk. You need to overcome countless obstacles. I hope you can keep this goal in your heart and use everything to achieve it."

Chen Xiaojin nodded vigorously.

Chen Chuan said, "You need to learn power techniques. Although it is suitable at this stage, martial arts training is not just about learning power techniques. There are many other things, especially the need for a lot of resources."

Chen Xiaojin said, "My mother left me a lot of things. I don't lack them."

Chen Chuan nodded and said, "This solves half of the problem, but there is still a problem. I can give you some necessary guidance, but I can't always stay by your side to guide you. If you want to go up, you need a teacher to be responsible for teaching you anytime, anywhere.

In addition, it is useless for you to practice alone. If you build a car behind closed doors without exchanging ideas with others, the things you develop will always be empty."

Chen Xiaojin's mood was a little low and said, "But besides Captain Chen, no one is willing to teach me,"

Chen Chuan said, "This problem can be solved. Do you have time to come out?"

Chen Xiaojin said, "Yes, no one cares about me."

Chen Chuan stood up, "Then pack up and change your clothes, and come with me to a place."

"Okay!" Chen Xiaojin responded excitedly and ran to the side to pack up.

Chen Chuan waited for him to finish and come out, then took him downstairs and drove the Gad away from here.

At almost the same moment, Fang Zhixin received a notice. He immediately instructed a person to follow to ensure Xiaojin's safety, and then whispered to Chen Bitong next to him, "Teacher, Captain Chen took Xiaojin out."

Chen Bitong just hummed and didn't express anything else.

At this moment, his gaze was on the other dozens of students who came to receive his training. These people did not have field resources to serve them.

After all, they were not Third Threshold Fighters.

However, these were all seeds. Some of them would inevitably become Third Threshold Fighters in the near future. He could help them make the right judgments and avoid many detours.

He didn't have much time left and needed to seize all the time to cultivate these people who were worth cultivating.

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