Chapter 616: A Head Start
The day before the expedition.
Ling Zhan stayed in his villa, meticulously reviewing the detailed intelligence of the strategy, looking for any potential gaps.
"Captain Ling, it's time to eat."
Zhou Xue'er knocked on the door.
Without Ling Zhan needing to act, the smart housekeeper scanned Zhou Xue'er from head to toe, verified her identity, and automatically opened the door.
Zhou Xue'er appeared in a white dress. Her once-short hair had unknowingly grown long, and now her silky black locks cascaded over her delicate shoulders. Paired with her gentle, glimmering eyes, her entire demeanor radiated feminine charm.
She held a tray with several dishes and rice.
Ling Zhan glanced at her indifferently. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he felt that Zhou Xue'er had changed significantly.
When he first arrived at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress, Zhou Xue'er had short, dashing hair. Despite her naturally alluring phoenix eyes, her entire aura exuded the heroic spirit of a valiant woman.
But now...
She seemed to have grown gentler, her every move embodying the grace of a refined lady.
Of course...
Zhou Xue'er's family was indeed a prestigious one, renowned in their region. Her family had produced four Tier 4 powerhouses, rivaling even Li Chaoge's lineage.
In Tianyun Province, where the Zhou family resided, Zhou Xue'er was affectionately known as the "Little Princess," a testament to her family's influence.
Yet Zhou Xue'er had chosen to stay in the warzone, determined to make a name for herself.
Who said women couldn't measure up to men?
But now...
The contrast was stark.
Even the members of the Ninth Squad had noticed how Zhou Xue'er's grooming had increased since Captain Ling's arrival.
From initially wearing no makeup to now applying meticulous cosmetics daily.
From always donning tight combat suits to now seizing every moment of leisure to wear dresses, skirts, stockings, and office-style outfits.
She even seemed more enthusiastic about her work.
Previously, Zhou Xue'er took two days off weekly, spending them at the gym, watching movies, or shopping with her squadmates.
Now, Zhou Xue'er worked tirelessly, earning the reputation of a workaholic—all so she could have excuses to visit Ling Zhan's residence.
Her best friend, Ye Lan, often lamented that Zhou Xue'er had forgotten her friends the moment she met a man.
Like now...
As she delivered lunch to Ling Zhan, she also carried a folder of work documents, claiming the food was incidental while the work discussion was the main purpose.
Through their time together, she had thoroughly grasped Ling Zhan's personality.
As long as it was work-related, he would neither frown nor dismiss her.
In stark contrast, other women blushingly approached his door to confess their feelings, only to be met with his cold indifference.
"How does it taste?"
Seeing Ling Zhan eating the lunch she brought while reading the documents, Zhou Xue'er tentatively asked.
Ling Zhan, without much thought, responded, "Delicious."
It was indeed delicious.
One undeniable perk of the forbidden warzone was the abundance of gourmet food, completely free of charge.
The forbidden warzone, where every battle was life-or-death, ensured soldiers were well-fed with top-tier meals.
Yet...
Today's lunch wasn't a luxurious feast but a humble homemade spread.
Stir-fried pork with chili.
Steamed egg custard.
Minced fish head.
Stir-fried garlic greens.
Accompanied by a bowl of pork rib and corn soup.
Naturally, the ingredients were of the highest quality.
Simple yet delicious and incredibly appetizing.
Having grown accustomed to lavish meals, the homely dishes surprisingly enhanced Ling Zhan's appetite.
Hearing Ling Zhan's affirmation of "delicious" and watching him eat without pause, Zhou Xue'er's watery eyes lit up with joy.
He said it was delicious!
Meanwhile...
Her roommate, Ye Lan, who also lived in the villa, sighed in despair.
It's over!!
The esteemed Miss Zhou was completely smitten!
She had actually cooked for a man herself!
Unheard of!
Unprecedented!
If the squad members learned of this, their jaws would surely drop in astonishment!
Worse yet...
Ye Lan, her best friend, didn't even get a taste before Zhou Xue'er eagerly delivered it!
As if afraid that man wouldn't get a hot meal!
"Traitor! Zhou Xue'er, you traitor!"
Ye Lan sprawled on the couch, her long legs kicking aimlessly.
Yet soon...
She sat upright, mumbling to herself:
"So many women like Ling Zhan. Could this girl have secretly jumped the line and taken the lead?"
"Hmm..."
"Probably not..."
...
...
As night fell.
Dawn would mark the expedition to the Blazing Heart Empire.
The atmosphere in the reserve camp grew heavy.
Except for Ling Zhan...
Sitting on his bed, Ling Zhan finally began sifting through his system rewards.
After the deathmatch tournament.
Due to Ling Zhan's extraordinary performance, the system had granted surplus rewards.
Besides three epic treasure chests, he received a massive amount of experience points and some materials.
Now Ling Zhan was Level 75.
His four primary stats had evenly risen to an impressive 3,500 each.
Meanwhile, the unallocated skill points he had accumulated now totaled 150,000.
Level 70 seemed to be a significant threshold.
Beyond this threshold, leveling up awarded a considerable number of skill points.
Perhaps this was because after reaching Tier 3 at Level 70, transfer professionals required significantly more skill points to enhance their class skills, hence the threshold.
For others, 150,000 skill points might not seem much, as they could be easily spent.
But for Ling Zhan, it was more than sufficient.
His basic skills required no upgrades.
Only general skills needed improvement.
Thus...
Corpse Control had been upgraded to S-tier.
Originally B-tier, it was maxed out at S-tier under the "Versatility" talent, costing Ling Zhan 20,000 skill points.
Additionally, "Underworld Grasp" was also upgraded to S-tier.
"Sunday" advanced from S-tier to S+.
"Light Leap" moved from S-tier to S+.
As for "Clothes Explosion," it remained unupgraded due to insufficient skill points.
General skills required fewer skill points than class skills to upgrade.
Which made sense.
Typically, transfer professionals focused their skill points on class skills, as they were more frequently used and more powerful.
Ling Zhan, the non-specialist, was a unique case.
After spending the 150,000 skill points.
Ling Zhan drank a Luck Potion before opening the three epic treasure chests.