The intensity of the earth core fire lotus far exceeded normal imagination; the trace of earth vein fire poison it contained was enough to cause searing pain in the meridians and blurred consciousness for ordinary Energy Condensation Stage ability users.

But for Ling Chen, the Soul Jade Physique's icy will was like ten-thousand-year-old profound ice, easily decomposing, devouring, and transforming the fiery liquid and the faint fire-element energy within it into nourishment for his body.

He drank heavily with Leimeng, his face showing a timely hint of drunkenness, his eyes "glazed over," and his words full of "venting" after "grief" and "cherishment" of "brotherhood," perfectly portraying the image of a young captain drowning his sorrows in wine, loyal and righteous.

And Leimeng, this Limit Breaking Stage beast-transformation powerhouse, under the dual effects of alcohol and emotion, completely opened up, and as he spoke, much valuable information flowed into Ling Chen's ears.

New Intelligence One: Abnormal deployment of the Xuan Niao Guard and the "Abyssal Echo" plan.

Leimeng hiccuped, complaining that the Xuan Niao Guard had become increasingly arrogant lately, not only snatching missions but also frequently drawing skilled individuals from various teams, seemingly executing a secret plan code-named "Abyssal Echo."

Leimeng was unclear about the specific content, but he mentioned one point—these individuals who were drawn seemed to have high resistance to mental attacks or telepathy, or possessed special detection-type abilities.

Moreover, the deployment orders came directly from the Central Special Task Force high-level officials; even Associate Chairman Tieshan had no right to inquire about the details.

New Intelligence Two: Abnormal energy fluctuations in the core area of Ash Canyon.

The Guild recently detected several extremely brief but surprisingly strong energy pulses emanating from the direction of the Ash Canyon core area; the nature of the pulses was unknown and did not match any known mutant beast or energy ore vein characteristics.

The Security Department had dispatched an elite reconnaissance squad to investigate, but the squad lost contact after entering the core area and has been unheard from since.

The Guild has internally raised the danger level of the core area to "Annihilation Level," strictly prohibiting any squad from approaching.

Leimeng lowered his voice and warned Ling Chen not to investigate out of curiosity; that place was extremely sinister now, and even the Xuan Niao Guard's elites might have fallen there.

New Intelligence Three: A new type of "Awakening Potion" circulating in the underground black market.

Recently, a light purple potion has been circulating in the outer domain black market, rumored to greatly increase the probability of ability awakening and even stimulate potential, but its side effects are unknown, and the price is ridiculously high.

The Guild's Security Department has already noticed this matter, suspecting it may be related to certain illegal organizations or underground research institutes, and is secretly investigating.

Leimeng reminded Ling Chen that if the squad encountered anyone peddling this potion during future missions in the outer domain, they should absolutely not touch it and report it immediately.

This information was instantly recorded, analyzed, and archived by the Soul Jade Physique's icy will.

The "Abyssal Echo" plan, unknown energy pulses, mysterious awakening potions... Ling Chen keenly sensed that beneath the calm surface of Shengjing Underground City, undercurrents were accelerating.

These pieces of intelligence themselves were valuable, but more importantly, they revealed certain potential "loopholes" and "opportunities."

In his previous life, he had not spent much time in Shengjing City in such detail; the only time he had seen that place was when he was being pursued and casually threw a blood blade, amplified by Reverse Scale, at it.

After seeing off the drunken Leimeng, who was calling him "good brother" while slinging an arm over his shoulder, the drunkenness on Ling Chen's face instantly vanished, and his eyes regained clarity.

Without any hesitation, he immediately used his acting captain's authority to submit a recruitment application for the Ashes Squad members to the Hunter Guild's internal system.

The reason was sufficient: mission casualties, severe lack of front-line tanks and high-speed assault units, affecting the squad's basic combat capability, requesting to recruit two new members to supplement the roster.

Soon after the application was submitted, trouble arrived.

It wasn't someone from the Guild's logistics department, but two investigators in the dark black uniforms of the Xuan Niao Guard.

The leader was a stern-faced, sharp-eyed middle-aged man, his epaulets indicating his identity as a mid-level cadre of the Security Department.

He brought an expressionless record-keeper and directly knocked on Ling Chen's residence door.

"Captain Lin Chen?"

The stern-faced investigator showed his ID, his tone business-like, devoid of any emotion.

"Regarding the Ashes Squad's C-73 mission failure and the sacrifice of its members, the Security Department still has some details that require further questioning."

"At the same time, we received a report that your side has applied to recruit new members. According to Article 17, Clause 3 of the Security Regulations, squads involved in major mission losses with incompletely clarified reasons require additional review by the Security Department for personnel replenishment."

Ling Chen sneered inwardly, they had indeed come.

Those people in the Xuan Niao Guard's Security Department had never truly let go of their suspicion of him.

This recruitment just gave them an excuse to intervene.

On the surface, it was a review; in reality, it was an obstruction and surveillance.

Ling Chen's face immediately showed a perfectly timed nervousness, a hint of grievance, and a cooperative attitude.

"Of course, of course. The Security Department's review is necessary. What do you need me to cooperate with?"

Over the next few hours, Ling Chen once again underwent extremely rigorous and detailed questioning.

The questions revolved around every detail of the mine mission, repeatedly scrutinizing his decision to let Han Feng enter the ventilation shaft, and his specific reactions and responses when the Bloodfang Tarantula appeared.

The two investigators played good cop, bad cop, trying to find inconsistencies or logical loopholes in Ling Chen's narrative.

Ling Chen's acting had already reached perfection. The Soul Jade Physique's icy will perfectly controlled all physiological reactions and mental fluctuations.

His narrative was completely consistent with before, full of emotion, with credible self-reproach and grief; the occasional subtle "memory blurring" and "logical jumps" due to "excitement" or "sadness" actually added a touch more authenticity.

He once again successfully portrayed himself as a young captain who, due to inexperience and misjudgment, tragically lost his team members, but had no malicious intent and was brave enough to take responsibility.

After the questioning, the stern-faced investigator closed his notebook and looked at Ling Chen expressionlessly: "Questioning concluded. Regarding your recruitment application, the Security Department's opinion is: postpone."

"The Ashes Squad's current state is unstable, and Captain Lin Chen still needs observation. It is not advisable to immediately replenish with new blood, to avoid further losses due to mismanagement."

These words sounded high-minded, but the underlying meaning was clear—distrust and a desire to restrict the Ashes Squad from regaining strength.

Ling Chen's face showed an expression of urgency and disappointment: "Investigator, sir! The Ashes Squad cannot be without a front-line! Without an assault unit! We won't be able to execute the next mission at all! This..."

"This is the Security Department's decision."

The investigator interrupted him coldly.

"Unless you can find a sufficiently 'reliable' guarantor, or the candidates for recruitment undergo our Security Department's 'special review.'"

He deliberately emphasized the words "reliable" and "special review," implying a lot.

Ling Chen understood perfectly.

The so-called "reliable" guarantor was nothing more than forcing him to align with the Xuan Niao Guard faction; and "special review" meant they wanted to insert their own people.

Ling Chen's face struggled for a moment, finally turning into a helpless submission: "I understand. I will abide by the Security Department's regulations.

Recruitment matters... I will find another way."

After seeing off the two investigators, the helplessness on Ling Chen's face instantly turned into cold mockery.

Obstruction? Just as I wished.

He hadn't intended to recruit any elite members anyway.

The Ashes Squad, for him, was just a tool, a stepping stone.

Two inexperienced, easily controllable rookies were far more in line with his interests than two powerful, shrewd veterans.

Moreover, the Xuan Niao Guard's obstruction just gave him an opportunity to "complain" to Associate Chairman Tieshan and demonstrate his "value."

Sure enough, not long after, Associate Chairman Tieshan's communication came through directly.

The old man's holographic image appeared in the living room, his face not looking good.

"Lin Chen, did the Security Department people come to see you?"

Associate Chairman Tieshan got straight to the point.

"Yes, Associate Chairman."

Ling Chen's face carried a hint of fatigue and grievance.

"They... rejected my recruitment application, saying it needs to be postponed..."

"Hmph! What long arms they have!"

Associate Chairman Tieshan snorted coldly, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.

"They want to strangle one of my Hunter Guild's squads just because two people died? Dream on!"

He pondered for a moment and said:

"Recruitment continues! Ignore the Security Department's nonsense! However, regarding the candidates... for now, don't look for those with complex backgrounds or too much strength. Find two honest, hardworking young people with clean backgrounds to fill this vacancy first and maintain the squad's framework. I'll talk to the Security Department!"

"Yes! Thank you, Associate Chairman!"

Ling Chen's face immediately showed an expression of overwhelming gratitude!

With Associate Chairman Tieshan's "imperial sword," the recruitment process could continue, but the Xuan Niao Guard's Security Department's "special attention" still existed.

Finally, under the coordination of the Guild's personnel department, after a round of "strict" screening (which actually excluded all potential elites and those with connections).

Only two newcomers who had just passed the Hunter assessment and had almost no practical combat experience expressed willingness to join the Ashes Squad, which had just suffered heavy losses and had an uncertain future.

In the training ground, Ling Chen looked at the two slightly awkward young people standing before him.

One was a short, stocky, dark-skinned youth named Zhang Hou, code-named "Stone Stump" for now.

His ability was a rare earth element affinity (defensive type), Ningneng Stage Lv.1.

His innate spiritual skill was "Rock Skin Art," which could cover his body with a layer of rock armor, providing good defense but consuming a lot of spiritual energy and severely sacrificing speed.

He looked honest and simple, with a yearning for the future and a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

The other was a tall, slender, quick-eyed young man named Li Xun, code-named "Shadow Rat" for now.

His ability was speed enhancement, Ningneng Stage Lv.1.

His innate spiritual skill was "Sprint," which provided considerable short-term burst speed but lacked offensive derivative skills and had average stamina.

He looked a bit cunning, constantly sizing up Ling Chen and the surrounding environment.

Two pure rookies.

They were barely qualified to fill the numbers, but expecting them to immediately form combat power was undoubtedly a fantasy.

Su Qing, Chen Mo, and Wang Yuan looked at these two new teammates with complex expressions.

They were relieved that the squad finally had new personnel but also worried about the overall decline in the team's strength.

Ling Chen's gaze swept over Zhang Hou and Li Xun—low potential, ordinary character, easy to control, perfect cannon fodder and tools.

He showed a gentle smile with a hint of encouragement: "Welcome to the Ashes Squad, Zhang Hou, Li Xun."

"I am Captain Lin Chen. The Ashes Squad has just gone through a hardship, but we will not sink because of it. From now on, we are brothers fighting side by side. As long as we work hard, the future will definitely be better."

His words were encouraging, but deep in his eyes was a profound indifference.

Brothers? Future?

No, they were just pawns. To fill the roster, to execute some low-risk missions to earn contribution points, and, when necessary... to serve as bait or sacrifices.

Ling Chen briefly introduced the old members and arranged for Chen Mo and Wang Yuan to take the two newcomers to familiarize themselves with equipment and basic regulations.

Watching the four team members leave (Su Qing also followed), Ling Chen stood alone in the training ground.

He knew that Associate Chairman Tieshan's intervention was by no means as simple as just saving a squad. Old K was in a coma, the Ashes Squad's strength was greatly damaged, yet it still bore the title of "Hero Squad."

Tieshan needed this team to exist, needed it to at least maintain a superficial operation; this concerned the internal balance of the Guild and his own prestige.

And he, this "loyal and righteous," "competent," and "easy to control" acting captain, was the suitable candidate to maintain this situation.

And the Xuan Niao Guard's Security Department's obstruction also confirmed their continued suspicion and suppression of him.

But this actually made Ling Chen even safer—what threat could a young captain, closely watched by the Security Department, with a weak team, seemingly entirely supported by the Associate Chairman, pose?

This was exactly the effect Ling Chen wanted.

Low-key, biding his time, maintaining the status quo.

Using this incomplete team to continue accumulating contribution points, raising his authority, and at the same time... closely monitoring the new intelligence provided by Leimeng.

"Abyssal Echo"... unknown energy pulses... new awakening potions...

And that pure and flawless Qingdi Longevity Body—Bai Zhi.

Ling Chen's lips curved into a cold arc.

The chessboard had been reset; although there were fewer pieces and they were of lower quality, the game had just begun.