Chapter 71: The Flowers of the Other Shore Shall Finally Bloom
Ling Wenhe set down his teacup, his fingertip tracing the rim as a look of reminiscence filled his eyes.
"The Training Camp isn't like the academies that purely pursue combat power."
"If the Awakener Academies exist to cultivate the backbone, or perhaps the top-tier combat power of the human race..."
"Then the Training Camp exists to cultivate geniuses in every specific field with the future of humanity as the goal."
Chen Yu raised his eyebrows, understanding the gist of it. The academies protected humanity's baseline. The Training Camp raised humanity's ceiling.
Ling Wenhe recalled, "Actually, I, your mother, and Wei Hailai all participated in the Training Camp."
"Hm?" Chen Yu sat up straighter, his ears perking up slightly. "Care to elaborate?"
He couldn't help but care about matters concerning Lin Lan.
From what Old Kui had told him, his mother seemed to have been an extraordinary woman.
When people reach middle age, they always like to reminisce about the past.
Ling Wenhe was no exception. The corners of his mouth curled up. "When Wei Hailai and I first went there, our combat power only ranked in the middle among all the students."
"On the contrary, your mother, Lin Lan, became the focal point as soon as the observation period began. Not because her talent was so high at the time, but because she was..."
"She was... miraculous."
"There was once a Beast Tide Trial where the rule was for everyone to fight on their own. The result? Lin Lan directly controlled the Beast Tide."
???
Controlled the Beast Tide? What the hell?
Seeing Chen Yu's astonishment, Ling Wenhe got even more excited. "Confused already? She even united all the students and led the Beast Tide in a charge, turning the entire Training Camp upside down."
Ling Wenhe smiled, as if seeing the scene from back then. "At that time, Wei Hailai even complained to me, saying that woman was crazy."
He paused, his tone becoming solemn. "The Training Camp never chooses the strongest, but those who possess the potential to change the status quo of the human race."
"For example, me." Ling Wenhe pointed to his own head. "Changing humanity through technology."
"For example, Lin Lan. If she could control an Eighth Order Beast Emperor, would Beast Tides cease to exist in the future?"
"For example, Ling Yue. She can bear the powers of three Devil Fruits. Can we find the cause? Can we use this to make it common for all of humanity?"
"And for example, you. Your Haki, your Mythical Zoan fruit, your talent—can they change the current situation of the human race?"
Hearing this, Chen Yu frowned. "Uncle Ling, although my mom was great, I actually don't have such grand ambitions..."
Changing the human race's situation... that was too big.
Chen Yu just wanted to get a little stronger, striving to drag Zhang Li out and kill her as soon as possible.
Ling Wenhe froze for a moment, then scratched his head. "Sorry, I spoke too broadly and scared you."
"You don't need to worry. Participating in the Training Camp doesn't mean you have to shoulder some sky-high responsibility."
"You can look at it as the Alliance placing a bet. In gambling, there are wins and losses. The Alliance betting on me counts as a win. Betting on that kid Wei Hailai counts as a loss."
"So don't worry, the Alliance won't use moral blackmail to force you to do anything."
"Besides, the resources inside... you might not believe me if I told you." Ling Wenhe lowered his voice. "One-on-one guidance from Master-rank Awakeners. Natural treasures to improve your physique and spiritual power."
"Comprehensive understanding of Fruit abilities, formulating development directions, and jointly researching new systems for humanity."
"More importantly, you can come into contact with geniuses from other regions. Sparring with them is more effective than training blindly on your own for three years."
Chen Yu was somewhat tempted, but then he remembered something and frowned slightly. "Zhang Li hasn't been caught yet. If during the Training Camp..."
"Rest assured," Ling Wenhe interrupted him.
"The Night Watch Bureau has already listed 'Crimson Carnation' as a key target for pursuit. Wei Hailai is leading the investigation personally."
"Moreover, in the entire Alliance, there is no place safer than the Training Camp."
He patted Chen Yu on the shoulder. "What you need to do now is polish your abilities properly."
"Don't go to the Training Camp and lose face for our Lanjiang City."
Meanwhile.
In an abandoned factory, the smell of rust mixed with damp mold permeated the air.
The old hag stood behind Zhang Li. They were wrapped in black cloaks, the hems stained with mud spots, clearly having just evaded a Night Watch Bureau search.
From the shadows, a figure emerged wearing a Victorian Gothic black dress.
A thin veil hung from the brim of a wide widow's hat, obscuring her true face.
Only a pair of sexy red lips could be seen through the hazy veil.
The woman wore black leather gloves, and the sound of her blood-red high heels tapping on the concrete floor felt like it was tapping on the tips of their hearts.
With a black leather-gloved fingertip, she gently brushed a crease on her skirt, and the woman stopped walking.
The clicking of the high heels abruptly ceased, leaving only the metallic scent of rust spreading through the damp air of the factory.
"Zhang Li. The plan for Lanjiang City... how is it?"
Her voice wasn't loud; it sounded like a casual inquiry.
Zhang Li's body trembled violently. Her knees hit the ground uncontrollably, her voice shaking. "Lord... Lord Rose... the plan... failed."
Although she couldn't see Rose's eyes, Zhang Li felt that gaze like a tangible needle, pricking her so hard she didn't dare lift her head.
"Failed?"
Rose repeated the word, her tone still flat. But Zhang Li could hear the sound of her own heart beating wildly. Even the old hag quietly gripped the edge of her cloak, her knuckles turning white.
"Hmm... then did you figure out Lin Lan's contingency plan?"
The corners of Rose's mouth curled up, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible smile. She took a step forward, her high heel crushing the gravel on the ground, emitting a subtle crunching sound.
Zhang Li's face went instantly pale, and she buried her head even lower. "Yes... yes... we couldn't..."
"Forget it."
The woman suddenly raised her hand, interrupting her.
She turned around, looking at the gray sky outside the factory, her tone carrying an indescribable indifference. "Lin Lan has been dead for over ten years. The plan was compromised last time because the Chief wasn't present."
She turned her face slightly, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. "Considering your hard work in infiltration over these years, I won't pursue it this time."
Zhang Li and the old hag let out a sigh of relief simultaneously, their backs already soaked with cold sweat.
But in the next second, the woman's tone suddenly became sharp, laced with a faint excitement. "However, starting today, the infiltration is over."
She raised her hand, the black leather glove gleaming coldly in the dim light. "Lord Chief has broken through. After hiding in the dark for so many years, it is time for the 'Crimson Carnation' to take the stage and sing."
Zhang Li snapped her head up, a trace of shock flashing through her eyes, immediately replaced by ecstasy.
"Lord Chief has broken through?!"
The old hag's breathing also quickened. Her body trembled slightly, but not from fear.
"You will be notified of the next phase of the plan later."
The woman raised her hand, her voice suddenly rising, carrying a near-fanatical certainty. "Remember, the moment we have been waiting for is fast approaching."
She spread her arms wide.
"The Flowers of the Other Shore shall finally bloom!"
Zhang Li and the old hag immediately stood up straight. They raised their hands in unison, their voices trembling but filled with devotion:
"The Flowers of the Other Shore shall finally bloom!"
...
(To be Continued)