"Any more questions?"
Huoyu rested her chin on her hand, watching Bai Xuan with a thoughtful expression.
Although they had only just met, whenever Bai Xuan showed this look, she knew he definitely had a question to ask.
"Has the government already discovered mutations in creatures other than humans?"
"Of course. After all, the sample size is here."
Huoyu shrugged casually.
"You mean the sample size that lumps all non-human species together, right?"
Bai Xuan said, exasperated.
"What else? Isn't it best to consider the worst-case scenario first?"
"They may not necessarily have good intentions toward humans, and it's even harder to judge whether they can coexist peacefully."
"By thinking in terms of the worst-case scenario, no matter how bad the future events are, nothing will surprise you."
Huoyu didn't think much of it—she wasn't a politician. She just followed orders. Besides, the Spiritual Energy Bureau was created to deal with mutated creatures that threatened humans.
If they endangered ordinary lives, their only ending was death. No exceptions.
She wasn't one to advocate equality for creatures—she didn't care about lives outside of China, let alone mutated beasts that harmed humans.
"I understand."
Bai Xuan nodded, then asked another question:
"How many members does the Spiritual Energy Bureau currently have?"
"Counting you and me, five in total."
"One is an Ice Element awakened ability user. When she awakened, she froze her entire house—fortunately, her parents weren't home."
Huoyu didn't elaborate further, but Bai Xuan understood her meaning.
"There's also a beast-type ability user. Most likely some tiger-like creature. Strength, speed, agility—no weaknesses. Highly talented in combat, not bad at all."
"The last one awakened a healing ability. For now, it can only heal external wounds. A normal knife wound can be healed in about five seconds. Energy consumption is high, so not usable too many times consecutively. It should improve as they get stronger."
"The Ice Element user is Su Yue, the beast-type user is Chen Qiang, and the healer is Ye Shirou. Don't mix them up."
Huoyu's introduction was brief, but it gave a clear overview: an offensive Ice Element mage, a beast-type combatant, and a healing support. A compact, functional team.
But for Bai Xuan, this team wasn't particularly appealing.
Villas and training grounds were things he could acquire on his own. Resources might attract him slightly, but at his current rate of growth, ordinary treasures were meaningless. Key resources might not even be allocated to him.
Moreover, if he needed resources, he could always find them himself. With his Natural Authority, anything on Earth could be found if he wanted it.
Just as Bai Xuan was about to decline, Huoyu suddenly spoke:
"Oh, right! If you join the Bureau, you won't have to attend school these days. Focus entirely on your abilities. We don't know how strong future enemies might be, so better to be cautious."
"If you really want to attend school later, we can arrange for you to enroll in any university you like."
"Hmm?"
This caught Bai Xuan's attention. Although he could handle school easily and occasionally chat in the group, spiritual energy revival made ability training far more interesting.
Besides, it wasn't like he was dropping out—he could attend if he wanted.
"Damn…"
Seeing Bai Xuan suddenly interested, Huoyu couldn't help but want to curse. After all her explanations, all he cared about was not going to school?
She thought: If she'd known, she wouldn't have wasted so much time explaining—just say that from the start.
"I can join the Spiritual Energy Bureau, but under one condition: I will handle missions related to saving civilians or eliminating mutated beasts, but I won't get involved in political matters."
"And if a mission disgusts me, I can refuse."
In any world or country, human society is never perfectly united. When balance reaches a certain point, different opinions always emerge. He had no interest in that.
Though the documents had no binding power, Bai Ye felt it necessary to clarify.
"You're seriously impressive."
Huoyu rolled her eyes. Unlike Chen Qiang, Su Yue, or Ye Shirou, who all agreed immediately, Bai Xuan dared to negotiate terms.
If it weren't for the perk of not having to attend school, she might have thought he'd refuse to join.
Where did he get such confidence?
Even with talent, can one person's training surpass the resources of a government? Though the government doesn't cultivate just one person, no other organization could match its resources.
"Fine! Since Bai Xuan has spoken, what terms can't we agree to?!"
"But everything depends on your talent."
"If your awakened ability isn't strong enough to attract government attention, don't even think about negotiating terms. But if your ability is so extraordinary that even I feel inferior, this contract is just a piece of paper."
"As long as it doesn't endanger the country or the people, you can do whatever you want."
Having said this, Huoyu wanted to see exactly what kind of ability Bai Xuan had to have such confidence.
"Metal Element? Lightning Element? Or all elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning?"
"If you control all elements, and each element's power is comparable to the Lightning Element you demonstrated, maybe it's possible."
Huoyu lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, hands spread, raising an eyebrow:
"Come on, show me."
Bai Xuan wasn't surprised. To gain recognition, one must display the confidence that earns it.
"This way, perhaps your understanding of my abilities will be clearer."
"Snap!"
He snapped his fingers, but nothing seemed to happen around him.
Huoyu frowned, about to speak…
Suddenly, she seemed to realize something. Her eyes widened in terror.
Breathing…
She couldn't breathe!
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