Chapter 169 – Exposing Each Other’s Weaknesses
“There is an eighty percent chance that humans who drink this will die immediately, and only a twenty percent chance that it will have the extreme effects claimed by the extremist resistance organizations.”
“However, even though we have published this data, this potion is still highly sought after by many humans. They even call it the ‘Divine Medicine,’ and spare no expense to purchase a bottle.”
“Currently, the extremist resistance organizations have sold the Divine Medicine to forty-two states in the Federation.”
“Recently, all forty-two states have reported sightings of extraordinary abilities. However, other departments have found through investigations that these individuals, after gaining extraordinary powers, lose their self-awareness and cannot control their abilities. Their inner beastliness is fully awakened, and they only seek to destroy everything they see.”
“These extraordinary abilities pose a significant threat to the Federation, causing severe adverse effects and serious threats to the safety and property of innocent civilians.”
“The guards of the Executive Departments of various states have been mobilized to capture the extraordinary individuals and the extremist resistance organizations secretly producing the Divine Medicine. Unfortunately, the guards have struggled against these individuals with special powers, suffering many casualties.”
“To reduce their own casualties, they often use heavy weapons to suppress the extraordinary individuals. This approach not only results in the deaths of many innocent civilians but also causes the extraordinary individuals’ bodies to be too damaged for dissection and research.”
“So, to minimize unnecessary casualties and preserve the bodies of the extraordinary individuals for research or even capture them alive, the higher-ups have decided to deploy our Pioneer Team.”
Xie Zhao surveyed the room and said proudly and satisfactorily, “You are all experienced with dealing with alien species, and in this area, you have a lot of experience. With cooperation from the Executive Department guards, I believe we can resolve these issues quickly.”
“The previous batch of Pioneers completed part of the mission. Yesterday, they returned from the forty-two states to undertake tasks within the Threshold. Today, you will take over the unfinished mission.”
Tu Ran sighed inwardly at how the Federation’s higher-ups made the most of every moment, not allowing even a single extra day of rest.
“We will use a random grouping method to determine the mission locations.”
Xie Zhao bowed his head, his fingers swiping across the electronic screen.
“Our batch of Pioneers consists of five hundred eighty-one people, with three Pioneers remaining in the medical department due to severe injuries and unable to participate in this mission.”
“The remaining five hundred seventy-eight individuals will be divided into forty-two teams. Each team, except for the one in the Federation Center, will have thirteen members responsible. Due to the high population density and the highest sales of the Divine Medicine in the Federation Center, forty-five people will be assigned there.”
“The random groupings have been sent to your communicators. Please check them.”
The “ding ding ding” sound echoed around the room.
Tu Ran looked down at her communicator.
“Congratulations, your mission location is the Federation Center. Your team members are now in place.”
Tu Ran felt a surge of happiness; her luck had finally turned.
Staying in the Federation Center meant she wouldn’t have to travel back and forth and could visit Xi Chunzhi every day. It was indeed the most suitable mission location.
Sure enough, she heard the disappointed sighs of those who had not been assigned to the Federation Center.
Tu Ran pressed her lips together, feeling quite pleased.
She opened her team’s group chat to see who her members were.
Were there any big shots among them?
A name caught her eye.
Though it was in the same black font as all the others, Tu Ran noticed it immediately.
Zhao Yan!
She was in the same team as Zhao Yan!
Tu Ran sighed, wondering why her luck couldn’t just stay good. Now she would have to constantly keep her distance from Zhao Yan.
So tiring.
“Alright, the groupings are complete. Zero will send out the detailed work arrangements later. For now, please gather your equipment and prepare to depart,” Xie Zhao said, standing up and smiling at everyone.
Tu Ran reluctantly stood up and followed the crowd to the equipment room.
The equipment room was crowded. Those heading to other states were frantically finding their teammates and organizing their gear, while enviously eyeing those who would remain in the Federation Center.
Some were also complaining.
“I was planning to attend the graduation party for the juniors tonight, and now look at me, assigned to Tuya State. It’ll take a whole day just to get there and back. How am I supposed to return? I really don’t know how Zero made the random assignments!”
Tuya State was the farthest state from the Federation Center; if you draw a straight line from the Federation Center to Tuya State, it would pass through the core of the planet.
“Compared to you, I guess I’m lucky. It’s only a three-hour round trip for me. I can still make it back if I find the time, but it depends on the situation over there. If it’s too busy, I might not come back.”
“Sigh, I really envy those staying in the Federation Center.”
Tu Ran stood in the corner by the door, waiting for them to finish organizing their gear before she started. After all, she was close by and in no hurry.
As she listened to their complaints, she caught out of the corner of her eye that Zhao Yan was walking toward her, accompanied by Ding Naqing.
Hiding in the corner wasn’t an option.
Tu Ran quickly cleared her mind and focused on the two of them.
“Sister Ran, what a coincidence, we’re both in the Federation Center group,” Ding Naqing said, still with his usual enthusiasm.
Tu Ran gave a slight nod. “Yes, what a coincidence.”
“We’re really lucky,” Ding Naqing said as he stood in front of Tu Ran, smiling and marveling.
Tu Ran thought to herself: Lucky my ass! I must have exhausted all my luck!
Someone who seemed to hear her thoughts: “…”
“Yes, very lucky indeed,” Tu Ran said with a smile.
“Sister Ran, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Yan, the one who was with us guarding the ward before. Do you remember him?” Ding Naiqing took Zhao Yan’s arm and introduced him to Tu Ran with great enthusiasm.
Tu Ran glanced at Zhao Yan with a neutral expression and nodded slightly. “Yes, I remember. He even praised me for being brave.”
“Really?” Ding Naqing looked at Zhao Yan with surprise and slapped him on the shoulder. “Not bad, you never used to chat with girls.”
Tu Ran leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, lifting her head to look at Zhao Yan with a hint of amusement.
In her mind: Oh, a pure-hearted young man.
Zhao Yan: “…”
“Ayan, let me formally introduce you as well. This is Tu Ran. I call her Sister Ran, and you definitely know her—she’s the best of our class.”
Zhao Yan gave him a blank look, “Of course I know. Back then, you even hung her photo on the dorm wall and prayed to it before every assessment.”
Ding Naqing’s face turned bright red. He nudged Zhao Yan with his elbow, then awkwardly looked at Tu Ran. “…ahem… Sister Ran, you were my role model back then. I really worshipped… admired you, so I did that.”
This was definitely a moment of exposing each other’s weaknesses.
