69: Chapter 69 Returning to Camp
When Wang Pingan's figure appeared before the training camp's massive metal gate, the two guards standing watch immediately raised their energy rifles in vigilance.
"Halt! Who goes there!"
Their voices were Cold and filled with vigilance.
Wang Pingan didn't speak, simply taking out the metal badge representing his identity as a Student from his pocket.
The two guards exchanged a glance; one of them stepped forward to take the badge and swiped it on the nearby identifier.
Beep.
A soft sound followed.
Wang Pingan's personal information immediately popped up on the identifier's screen.
【Name: Wang Pingan】
【Identity: Special Recruitment Camp Students】
【Status: On Leave from Camp】
A look of astonishment appeared on the guard's face.
He looked Wang Pingan up and down, his eyes filled with strangeness.
The name Wang Pingan was known to everyone in the current Special Recruitment Camp.
God-level talent, S-rank training program, standing up to the Chief Instructor, defeating Cold in a one-on-one duel...
Each and every one of these feats had turned him into a legendary figure.
"So... it is Student Wang Pingan." The guard's attitude instantly became much more polite, even carrying a trace of imperceptible awe.
"You... you've returned."
He returned the badge to Wang Pingan.
Ignoring their complex gazes, Wang Pingan took back the badge and walked straight through the gate.
He did not go to his dormitory.
Instead, he headed straight for the deepest part of the training area, to the office belonging solely to the Chief Instructor, Thunderstorm.
Soon, he arrived before that massive door cast entirely from dark metal, devoid of any markings.
He was just about to knock.
But the door slid open silently from the inside.
Thunderstorm's burly, tower-like figure appeared in the doorway.
He was still wearing that tight black training vest, his bronze-colored muscles bulging like granite.
He looked at Wang Pingan with no expression on his face, yet his sharp eyes flashed with a profound light that seemed capable of seeing right through a person.
"You've returned."
Thunderstorm's voice was deep and filled with pressure.
"Yeah." Wang Pingan nodded.
"You asked for three days of leave, but you returned in a day and a half." Thunderstorm's tone was unreadable.
"There was nothing much to do at home, so I came back." Wang Pingan answered calmly.
"Is that so?" The corners of Thunderstorm's mouth curled into a playful smirk. "I heard that Shen City was quite lively yesterday."
Wang Pingan's heart sank slightly.
He knew the real business was beginning.
He didn't respond, just quietly watching Thunderstorm, waiting for what he would say next.
Thunderstorm didn't continue this topic either.
He simply reached out and pressed gently on the thick metal door.
Rumble.
The metal door closed slowly, completely isolating the two of them from the outside world.
The office fell into silence once again.
Thunderstorm didn't speak, simply walking slowly in a circle around Wang Pingan.
His gaze, like that of a hawk, seemed to want to pierce through Wang Pingan's skin and flesh to see every secret in his bones.
Wang Pingan stood there quietly, letting him scrutinize him.
His aura was perfectly contained within his body, not leaking even a trace.
He looked no different from how he had been a few days ago.
Finally, Thunderstorm stopped his steps.
He stood in front of Wang Pingan, his tall figure bringing a heavy pressure like a mountain.
"Kid."
Thunderstorm spoke slowly.
"I'll give you one more chance."
"Tell me, what exactly did you do while you were out this time?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.
The air in the entire office seemed to freeze in that instant.
Wang Pingan knew he couldn't continue to hide it.
In front of a powerhouse of Thunderstorm's caliber, any lie would seem pale and powerless.
Furthermore, he had come back this time specifically to "show his cards."
He took a deep breath and raised his head to meet Thunderstorm's scrutinizing gaze.
He didn't speak.
Instead, he gave his answer through action.
Boom!
A pale golden blood-energy aura, far more majestic, condensed, and domineering than any time before, erupted from within his body like a volcano that had been dormant for billions of years!
Fourth-Rank Martial Artist!
That powerful pressure, like an invisible giant wave, slammed fiercely against the four walls of the gravity chamber!
Under the impact of this energy wave, the sturdy alloy walls emitted a teeth-gritting buzzing sound, with a layer of visible energy ripples even appearing on the surface!
The entire office was trembling violently!
Thunderstorm's burly body saw his clothes flapping violently under the impact of this sudden energy wave.
On his icy face, which never changed for ten thousand years, for the first time, an expression called "shock" finally appeared.
At this moment, his pupils suddenly constricted into the most dangerous needle-point shape!
He stared fixedly at the youth before him, who was enveloped in the pale golden aura.
His lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something.
But he couldn't utter a single word.
Shock.
An indescribable, extreme shock that overturned his decades of martial arts knowledge!
Fourth-Rank!
This kid, who had just entered the training camp for a little over three months, and who had only just broken through to the third rank not long ago.
Actually...
Actually, in this short day that he had been out on leave.
Silently stepped into the ranks of the Fourth-Rank Martial Artist!
This f*cking... is he even human?