NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Breakthrough to Second Tier, Heavenly Will Four Symbols!
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"Is it Zhao Hu's doing again?"
Bai Shuang's furious exclamation drew the attention of the others nearby.
They saw that, just above the last-ranked Team 0527, the second-to-last team's score barely exceeded theirs by a bit—2300 points.
Not only that, but the scores of the original last dozen or so teams were all tied at 2300 points.
Han Zhen and his team had worked themselves to exhaustion, taking on high-point tasks in many surrounding cities to painstakingly earn their score.
Why should these teams deserve this?
It's not like they were all hidden experts with SSS-level talents farming infinite insect dungeons.
"It's score control."
As a former shut-in in his past life, Han Zhen was familiar with such ranking game tactics. "All the teams agree to tie their scores, and the points earned from completing tasks are averaged among everyone."
"This way, they can create a sudden tie among multiple teams."
"Wouldn't headquarters investigate this?"
"They won't." Han Zhen shook his head.
"Task points are completed through teamwork. As long as they decide who submits the task points, it doesn't violate the rules set by the Guardians Organization."
"Damn it!" Bai Shuang, hearing this, slammed the electronic screen in frustration.
Over the past ten days, even though they hadn't contributed much, they had followed Han Zhen around tirelessly.
After spending so much time together, even without admitting it, there was a faint hope in their hearts that they might finally shed the title of 'the weakest team.'
But now, that hope was dashed again.
Zhao Hu—always Zhao Hu.
He was like a ghost that wouldn't go away.
"Let's head back to Deep Blue City first." Han Zhen exhaled, calming himself down. "Our score is close to theirs. It's not impossible to overtake them."
"We've already closed a gap of over a thousand points. With just a few hundred left, is it really that hard?"
"These ten days have been exhausting for everyone. Let's rest for a few days after we return to Deep Blue."
Han Zhen's words resonated with Yi Fan, who, as someone used to a laid-back lifestyle, had found these past few days torturous.
Drinking without satisfaction, no lazing around—even lying in the back of the bumpy pickup truck made his back ache.
"Finally, a few days to rest."
———
By the time they returned to Deep Blue City, it was already evening. Han Zhen and Xia Youwei parted ways with their team and headed back to their villa.
After ten days away, the villa remained the same.
Li Shutong was sitting at the outdoor stone table, sipping a small drink.
Seeing Han Zhen and Xia Youwei walk in, he smiled.
"You're back?"
"Mm, we're back."
The brief exchange gave both Han Zhen and Xia Youwei a genuine sense of returning home.
No matter how strong or dominant one was outside, everyone needed a home as a place to rest. That feeling was wonderful.
"How was the trip?" Li Shutong, like an old parent, asked them all sorts of questions.
Han Zhen and Xia Youwei sat down, answering his inquiries and sharing stories from their journey.
"The merchant family's little girl you saved? So, the 'insensitive guy' she mentioned was you."
Li Shutong laughed heartily. "No wonder she's been pestering me the past few days, asking how to awaken as a strong contracted spirit."
"Master, you know Shang Si Ting?" Han Zhen asked in surprise.
"I'm an old acquaintance of her grandfather. The Shang family, behind one of the five major corporations, is the force behind CanShang Tech."
"CanShang Tech specializes in developing high-end weapons for contracted spirit users and ordinary people without spirits. She's the same age as my granddaughter, Li Lingzhen, and I've always treated her like family."
"She's outgoing and always wants to explore the world. This time, the ash-fly whirlwind was a staged danger set by her family to deter her from wandering around."
"But who knew, you intercepted it halfway."
With Li Shutong's explanation, everything became clear.
No wonder their "luck" had been so good—encountering such a massive swarm of ash-flies without a strong contracted spirit protector.
Even the two Shang family guards charging into the insect swarm were part of a pre-planned "ploy of self-sacrifice."
"Speaking of which, Si Ting was here representing the Shang family to deliver something to me."
As Li Shutong spoke, he produced a futuristic-looking box out of nowhere.
He entered a password, and the box opened to reveal two vials emitting a cold, white mist.
"Breakthrough potions."
Indeed, these two ice-blue glowing vials were none other than the spirit energy-concentrated breakthrough potions refined by CanShang Corp.
With these potions, Han Zhen and Xia Youwei could finally break through to the second tier.
"What are you waiting for? Each of you, take one and drink it."
"Alright!"
Without hesitation, Han Zhen took one of the potions and downed it.
In an instant, his body's countless cells cheered with joy.
The ice-blue liquid, representing spirit energy refined into a liquid state by advanced technology, was voraciously absorbed by his cells. Han Zhen could feel himself visibly growing stronger.
Strength, speed, reflexes, defense—even his talent!
The process lasted only a short time.
Han Zhen felt like he had just taken an incredibly refreshing hot bath and eaten a satisfying meal.
[Breakthrough complete: Second-tier contracted spirit user]
Seeing Han Zhen succeed, Xia Youwei also drank her potion.
Soon, just like Han Zhen, she completed her breakthrough, reaching the second tier.
At the moment of Xia Youwei's breakthrough, the same new message appeared in both their minds:
[Xia Youwei, SSS-level Contracted Spirit.]
[Strength: Second Tier]
[Manifestation: Ancient Divine Instrument—Fuxi Zither]
[Divinity: Chivalrous Spirit, Heavenly Will Four Symbols (New).]
A new divinity
Heavenly Will Four Symbols.
[What was thought to be the will of heaven was actually the celestial phenomena: wind, fire, thunder, and lightning—the Four Symbols of Heaven]
Simultaneously, the corresponding second-tier zither compositions were unlocked.
Aside from "delightful Wind," which Han Zhen had used previously to exceed his level, two more compositions appeared: Wildfire of Spring and Six Yang Thunderbolt.
All three compositions related to celestial phenomena, affirming the description.
Thus, both Han Zhen and Xia Youwei had broken through, gaining the new divine nature [Heavenly Will Four Symbols] and significantly enhancing their power.
The two expressed their gratitude to Li Shutong once more.
Just then, Han Zhen's communicator buzzed. Upon answering, Bai Shuang's slightly anxious voice came through:"Captain, check Deep Blue City's task list now. A new task just appeared."
On the electronic screen, the top of the task list displayed a newly pinned mission:
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Task Description: Red Alert—Insect Clan Rover sighted near Deep Blue City. Dispatch personnel immediately for extermination.
Task Points: 1000
Threat Level: 3+
Recommended Participants: Unlimited
Restrictions: None.
All Guardian teams may take this task.
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A climax and twist await next.
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