116: Chapter 116 Joining the Shadows! The first mission is to go to the capital.

Lin Feng spent the entire morning in the library.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, shifting from left to right, falling on the pages of books and on his focused profile. He flipped through those thick volumes one by one, engraving knowledge about the Void Realm, the myriad races, and the universe will into his mind, page by page.

"History of Myriad Races Civilization" stated that there were over one hundred thousand known intelligent races in the Universe, divided into nine civilization Ranks. Earth didn't even count as Rank 1; it was at the very bottom of the preparatory Rank. Some of those high-level civilizations had existed for millions of years, and their individual strength could destroy the heavens and extinguish the earth.

"Detailed Explanation of the Universal Covenant" stated that the universe will was the highest rule, overriding all races. The Covenant stipulated the rules of war between races, methods for resolving territorial disputes, and principles for resource allocation. The Arena competition was just one type; there were even more cruel ones—such as the annihilation war. If one side lost, their entire race would be erased.

"Compilation of Arena Battle Cases" recorded all the Arena competitions Earth had participated in over the past century. Dense tables, rows of cold numbers. Year, location, opponent, win/loss, consequences. Few wins, many losses. Every time there was a loss, a place name followed—that was the ceded territory.

Lin Feng flipped to the latest page. There, a newly added record line appeared.

[2049, China, Old City District of Donghai City, vs. Gazi Race, Win.]

The space behind it was empty. No consequences were written yet. Because they won, there were no consequences. He stared at that line of text for a long time, then closed the book.

The sky outside the window had already darkened. There were fewer and fewer people in the library, and the librarian began to tidy up the tables and chairs, preparing to close. Lin Feng stood up and put the books back in their places. He glanced at the bookshelf and pulled out another one— "Research on the Panzi Race".

He tucked it into his wanxiang ring. He would take it back to read.

Walking out of the library, the night wind rushed to meet him. The streets were brightly lit, and pedestrians hurried by. He stood on the steps, took a deep breath, and prepared to go home.

Just two steps out, a voice came from behind him.

"Lin Feng."

The voice was cold, like the winter wind. Lin Feng turned around.

Under the street lamp stood a woman. A black robe, with a dark silver emblem embroidered on her chest. On the emblem was a twisted shadow pattern. Shadow Seven.

She stood there quietly under the street lamp, like a shadow. Pedestrians walked past her, but no one noticed her. It was as if she didn't exist at all.

"Senior Shadow Seven." Lin Feng walked over.

Shadow Seven looked at him, and in those cold eyes, a flash of... satisfaction? "Do you have time?"

Lin Feng nodded. "Yes."

"Follow me."

She turned and walked toward the street corner. Lin Feng followed behind her. The two of them, one after the other, crossed several streets and turned into a quiet alley. At the end of the alley was a bare wall.

Shadow Seven raised her hand and pressed it lightly against the wall. A black light flickered slightly in her palm. A metal door appeared on the wall surface. The runes on the door lit up and then dimmed.

[Shadow Base Entrance]

[Access Verification Passed]

The door opened.

Shadow Seven walked in, and Lin Feng followed. The passage extended downward, the lights dim. On the walls on both sides, there was a surveillance camera every few meters. There were also some hidden mechanisms that Lin Feng could feel but not see.

After walking for about five minutes, the view suddenly opened up. The underground base was still the same. A circular dome, a ring-shaped corridor, and aircraft and armored vehicles parked in the central plaza. People coming and going wore black uniforms, walking in a hurry. Seeing Shadow Seven, they nodded in greeting one after another.

Shadow Seven led him into the elevator and went up to the eighth floor. Room 808. It was the same office, the same desk, and the same two chairs. A pot of tea sat on the table, still steaming.

"Sit." Shadow Seven pointed to the chair.

Lin Feng sat down. Shadow Seven sat opposite him, poured two cups of tea, and pushed one to him. Lin Feng took it and took a sip. The warm tea entered his throat, carrying a faint sweetness.

[Drank Shadow-specialized spirit Tea, spirit +50, duration 1 hour]

"Have you thought it over?" Shadow Seven got straight to the point.

Lin Feng put down the teacup and looked at her. "I've thought it over."

Shadow Seven raised an eyebrow. "Speak."

"I'll join Shadow," Lin Feng said, "but I have one condition."

"What condition?"

Lin Feng was silent for a second. "In the future, if I want to join the Pioneer Association, can I do so without exposing my Shadow identity?"

Shadow Seven was stunned for a moment. She looked at Lin Feng, a flash of surprise in her eyes. "You still want to join the Pioneer Association?"

Lin Feng nodded. "My Master wants me to go. And... the Pioneer Association can access more things in the Void Realm. I need that knowledge, and I need those resources."

Shadow Seven was silent for a few seconds. Then, she smiled. That was the first time Lin Feng had seen her smile. It wasn't the polite kind of smile, nor was it a mocking smile. It was a... smile filled with appreciation.

"You're quite frank."

Lin Feng looked at her. "Is it possible?"

Shadow Seven didn't answer immediately. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and put it down. Then, she spoke.

"Shadow has been established for so many years, and there has never been such a precedent. Members of Shadow are people of Shadow for life. No matter where you go or what you do in the future, your Shadow identity cannot be exposed. This is an iron law."

Lin Feng's heart sank. But Shadow Seven changed the subject.

"But you are different."

Lin Feng was taken aback. "How am I different?"

Shadow Seven looked at him with a serious expression. "You defeated the Gazi Race. Do you know what this means?"

Lin Feng shook his head.

"It means you are a hero," Shadow Seven said. "A hero of the Huaxia Federation. You defended the country's territory and kept the territory of Donghai City. Just for this point, Shadow can make an exception for you."

Lin Feng opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Shadow Seven continued. "Besides, you are not only an S-Rank Executive of the Explorer Association now, but also a seed valued by the Pioneer Association. A disciple of Zhao Ritian, someone Vice President Chen Jiuding wants. For Shadow to be able to recruit such a person, it's already a win. Want to tie you down? We aren't that greedy."

Lin Feng smiled. "So, you agree?"

Shadow Seven nodded. "I agree. But there is one condition."

"What condition?"

"In the future, when Shadow needs you, you cannot refuse," Shadow Seven said. "Of course, we won't make you do anything against your morals. Nor will we let you go to your death."

Lin Feng thought about it and nodded. "Fine."

Shadow Seven stood up, walked to the desk, and took a black metal box from the drawer. The box was palm-sized, with the Shadow emblem engraved on the surface. She opened the box, and two things were lying inside.

A black badge. Palm-sized, with a silver character "Shadow" engraved on the front. On the back was a serial number.

[Shadow Badge · Official Member]

[Serial Number: DH-0217]

[Name: Lin Feng]

[Rank: S-Rank]

[Authority: Level 2]

A black card. Unlike the points card of the Explorer Association, this card only had a silver "Shadow" character on it. No balance, no instructions.

[Shadow Mission Card]

[Usage: Receive Shadow missions, collect rewards, exchange for Materials]

[Current Mission: None]

Shadow Seven pushed the two items to Lin Feng. "From today on, you are an official member of Shadow."

Lin Feng picked up the badge and pinned it to the inside of his chest. The badge was against his clothes, cool to the touch. He picked up the card and put it into his wanxiang ring.

Shadow Seven looked at him and nodded. "The formalities are done. Now, I'll give you your first mission."

Lin Feng straightened his body. "So urgent? What mission?"

Shadow Seven didn't say immediately. She walked to the wall and pressed a button on it. A huge screen appeared on the wall surface. On the screen was a map. Densely packed red dots were marked on the map. One of them was particularly eye-catching.

That was—the Capital.

Shadow Seven pointed at that red dot. "Report to the Capital Military Region."

Lin Feng was taken aback. "The Capital?"

"Yes," Shadow Seven nodded. "There is a mission there that only you can complete."

Lin Feng frowned. "What mission?"

Shadow Seven shook her head. "I don't know the specific content either. The military region only said that the candidate for the mission has been decided, and it's you. They want you to go over as soon as possible."

Lin Feng was silent. A mission only he could complete? What mission could be so mysterious?

"When do I set off?" he asked.

"Tomorrow," Shadow Seven said. "You have one day to prepare."

Lin Feng nodded. "Okay."

Shadow Seven took a document out of the drawer and handed it to him. "This is your identification and pass. When you arrive at the Capital, someone will pick you up."

Lin Feng took the document and put it away. He stood up and looked at Shadow Seven. "Senior, is there anything else you need to tell me?"

Shadow Seven thought for a moment. "Be careful."

Lin Feng smiled. "I will."

He turned around and walked toward the door.

Behind him, Shadow Seven's voice came. "Lin Feng."

He looked back.

Shadow Seven looked at him, her eyes carrying a hint of... concern? "The Capital is not like Donghai. The people there are more complicated than you imagine. Before doing anything, think twice."

Lin Feng nodded. "Understood."

He pushed the door open and went out.

...

When he returned home, it was already two in the afternoon. Lin Feng closed the door, leaned against the door panel, and let out a long sigh. Shadow, he had joined. The first mission was to go to the Capital. Leaving tomorrow.

He walked to the center of the living room and sat cross-legged. He started taking things out of his wanxiang ring. Clatter—piles of Materials filled the entire living room. Void Beast Materials obtained from brushing monsters in the Old City District, Dracula Materials obtained from the Orléans Instance, and various Spirit Stones, crystals, and herbs he had saved up before.

A pile of blue, a pile of purple, and red ones placed separately.

Lin Feng looked at the pile of Materials and took a deep breath. "Need to stock up more for the shop."

He held his hands together and activated his Talent. A pale golden light poured from his palms, covering those Materials.

[Detected Materials that can be fused: Void Wolf skin x 50 (Blue), Void Winged Serpent wing membrane x 30 (Blue), Dracula fang x 4 (Purple), Blood Clan essence blood x 5 units (Gold), some Spirit Stones...]

[Equipment Fusion]

[Suggested consumption: 500,000 mana]

[Fusion direction: Standard Equipment]

"Fuse!"

Lin Feng injected mana. Those Materials rotated, fused, and took shape in the golden light. One piece of equipment after another flew out of the golden light and landed on the ground.

[Void Wolf Leather Armor (Blue) x 30]

Defense: 80-100. Effect: Agility +20, damage to dark creatures +15%.

[Void Winged Serpent Bracer (Blue) x 20]

Defense: 40-50. Effect: Attack speed +15%, movement speed +10%.

[Dracula's Fang Dagger (Purple) x 4]

attack power: 120-150. Effect: 30% chance to trigger "Life Steal" on attack, restoring 20% of the damage dealt.

[Blood Clan Cloak (Purple) x 2]

Defense: 60. Effect: Dark element resistance +50%, movement speed +20%, comes with the skill "Shadow Step".

One piece after another, filling the living room. Lin Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued the Fusion.

The second batch. The third batch. The fourth batch.

A full two hours. He fused over three hundred pieces of blue equipment and over fifty pieces of purple equipment. Enough for the shop to sell for a month or two.

Lin Feng put those pieces of equipment into his wanxiang ring and took out some blue and purple Spirit Stones. He thought about it and fused a batch of green equipment—prepared for low-Rank Explorers.

Another two hours. Over eight hundred pieces of green equipment.

Lin Feng sat on the ground, panting heavily. Fusing for over four consecutive hours consumed over a million mana. Although he was a bit tired mentally, looking at that pile of equipment, he felt much more at ease.

He stood up and walked to the window. Outside the window, the night was thick. The moon hung on the roof of the old building opposite, round and bright.

"The Capital..." he muttered.

He didn't know what was waiting for him there. But whatever it was, he had to go. This was Shadow's first mission, and it was also his chance to prove himself.

He turned around and walked back to the living room. He put all the equipment away and checked the herbs on the breathing soil again. The Evergreen Tree was growing well, and those herbs were almost mature. Little Gold was lying on the breathing soil, holding half a golden Spirit Stone, chewing it with relish.

"Little Gold, going on a long trip tomorrow."

Little Gold raised its head and blinked its little eyes. "Zhi?"

"Going to the Capital."

Little Gold tilted its head and thought about it, then nodded. "Zhi!"

It jumped off the breathing soil, climbed onto Lin Feng's shoulder, and rubbed its head against his face. It was as if it was saying—where you go, I go.

Lin Feng smiled. He patted Little Gold's head, walked to the bed, and lay down.

The phone lit up. He picked it up and glanced at it. It was a message from Pan Jingjing.

[Pan Jingjing: Boss, there isn't much stock left in the shop. When will you restock?]

Lin Feng typed a reply.

[Lin Feng: I'll send a batch over tomorrow morning. Enough to sell for a month or two.]

[Pan Jingjing: A month or two?! Boss, are you going on a long trip?]

[Lin Feng: Yeah, going to the Capital. Have some business.]

[Pan Jingjing: Oh, oh, then Boss, take care!]

[Lin Feng: Okay.]

He put down his phone and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow, going to the Capital. He didn't know what was waiting for him there. But whatever it was, he was ready.

The moon outside the window slowly moved to the west. The night wind blew in through the window, carrying a hint of coolness. Lin Feng fell into a deep sleep.

Tomorrow, it would be a new day.