"Is he new here?"
Jiang Qiyue curiously glanced at Long Yuxue, though her tone was quite certain.
In the Blood God Legion, whether soldiers or officers, everyone wore a uniform. Xu Yuan's casual attire clearly marked him as someone who had just arrived.
Even after a single day, he should have been dressed in military uniform.
Long Yuxue nodded.
"He just arrived today and passed his evaluation with impressive results. I'm taking him to eat."
Jiang Qiyue looked at Long Yuxue with surprise.
Impressive results?
For Long Yuxue to specifically mention such an evaluation, it was clear that this newcomer's performance had left even her astonished.
Jiang Qiyue carefully examined Xu Yuan.
Her beautiful, large eyes fluttered with curiosity.
Upon closer inspection, Jiang Qiyue realized that Xu Yuan was genuinely handsome.
Xu Yuan was naturally good-looking, but unlike Tang Wulin's delicate and refined beauty, Xu Yuan exuded a rugged masculinity. His sharp gaze and imposing presence from his robust blood essence gave off a suffocating aura that made people instinctively feel inferior.
The combination of these factors naturally evoked a sense of self-consciousness in others.
After observing Xu Yuan, Jiang Qiyue turned to look at Long Yuxue.
"It's just like you to be so kind-hearted. Another low-interest loan, huh? Let me tell you, what you're doing is breaking the rules. Everyone else charges 100% monthly interest—you're lending at just 30%. Only you could get away with this; if anyone else tried, they'd be shut down immediately."
Jiang Qiyue kindly reminded Long Yuxue.
Xu Yuan's lips twitched.
The interest rates here were truly astronomical.
The standard monthly interest rate was 100%, while Long Yuxue charged only 10% externally—quite merciful by comparison.
The fact that she claimed to charge 30% to others was likely because she feared that 10% might seem too outrageous and provoke backlash.
"New recruits don't have it easy. If I can help them out, I will. After all, we've all been there," Long Yuxue said helplessly. "Besides, who among us didn't start as a rookie?"
She stepped forward and linked arms with Jiang Qiyue, wearing a mysterious expression.
"But this time is different—I didn't lend anything to Xu Yuan."
"You're Xu Yuan?" Jiang Qiyue looked at Xu Yuan, her large eyes filled with curiosity. "Tell me honestly—did Yuxue lend you money at an interest rate lower than 30%?"
As a close friend, this was the first thing she thought of.
"No," Xu Yuan replied. He certainly didn't want to cause trouble for Long Yuxue.
"Xu Yuan is a blacksmith, and his forging skills are excellent. These past few days, I've treated him to meals. When he has time, he'll forge something for me in return."
Jiang Qiyue looked puzzled.
Forging?
A blacksmith wouldn't warrant such attention, would he?
A simple, low-interest loan would have been enough to earn someone's gratitude. Later, when repaying the favor, they could simply ask him to forge something normally, and he'd definitely oblige, right?
"By the way, you said his scores were impressive. What exactly did he score?"
"The higher-ups need to evaluate him. I can't give a number," Long Yuxue replied.
Jiang Qiyue was startled. "That impressive?"
"More impressive than you think," Long Yuxue said.
"I don't believe it!"
This wasn't spoken by Jiang Qiyue.
Instead, a loud male voice boomed.
The three turned around, and Xu Yuan saw a tall male officer. His features bore some resemblance to Jiang Qiyue. He was burly, slightly shorter than Xu Yuan, but incredibly muscular, with particularly exaggerated arm muscles.
Xu Yuan was about 190 cm tall, while this male officer appeared to be around 185 cm.
"Brother," Jiang Qiyue called out, moving closer and wrapping her arms around the officer's arm, adopting a playful, spoiled demeanor.
As his younger sister, Jiang Qiyue knew her brother well. Her actions were meant to prevent him from losing his temper.
Unfortunately, Jiang Wuyue had heard everything.
Not only had Long Yuxue spent merit points on treating Xu Yuan to a meal, but she had also repeatedly praised his evaluation results.
Jiang Wuyue was unconvinced, glaring heatedly at Long Yuxue.
"Yuxue, you're praising him so much. Based on your estimation, what rank do you think he'll achieve? Could he reach Private First Class?"
Long Yuxue shook her head. "No, at least Second Lieutenant."
Based on the standards for ordinary soldiers, that was already a starting rank of at least Second Lieutenant.
"And given his special circumstances as a researcher, I believe his initial rank will be no less than Major."
"Impossible!"
Jiang Wuyue wore an exaggerated expression.
How could that be?
Second Lieutenant was not something easily achieved. At that rank, one was already considered an officer with significant authority.
In the Blood God Legion, Second Lieutenants were granted a few days of leave each month to spend time with family.
Jiang Wuyue adopted an air of absolute disbelief.
However, Long Yuxue ignored him entirely, turning her back and continuing to queue up.
But Jiang Wuyue persisted. Though he didn't dare bother Long Yuxue, he approached Xu Yuan, crossing his arms.
He didn't try to intimidate Xu Yuan with his rank but instead assumed a defiant stance. "I don't believe it. What are you best at? I want to challenge you."
Long Yuxue, with her back turned to them, wore a strange expression.
A challenge?
With anyone else, Long Yuxue might have been concerned. But Xu Yuan?
"What am I best at?" Xu Yuan shook his head, unable to come up with an answer. "I guess I'm decent at everything."
"Arrogant!" Jiang Wuyue's eyes widened, feeling that this rookie was incredibly brazen.
Decent at everything?
Are you implying that you're better than me in every aspect?
Jiang Wuyue had intended for Xu Yuan to choose something he thought he could beat him at.
By claiming to be decent at everything, Xu Yuan essentially implied that he believed he could surpass Jiang Wuyue in any field.
How could this be tolerated?
What rookie dared to be so arrogant?
Even though Long Yuxue had mentioned that Xu Yuan's initial rank might reach the astonishing rank of Major, Jiang Wuyue completely disregarded it.
How could that be possible?
"What is Colonel Jiang most skilled at?" Xu Yuan turned the tables, asking Jiang Wuyue.
Jiang Wuyue held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, one level above Long Yuxue.
"My name is Jiang Wuyue. In the cafeteria, there's no need to call me 'Colonel' or anything formal," Jiang Wuyue waved dismissively.
It wasn't about the setting—it was because Jiang Wuyue felt that if Xu Yuan addressed him by his rank now, it would seem as though he was using his position to bully someone into a challenge.
"Kid, I have to say you've got guts. My specialty is strength. Are you going to challenge me in a test of power?"
Xu Yuan wore a strange expression.
"Sorry, when did I ever say I wanted to challenge you? I merely answered your question earlier, so I thought I'd ask what you're good at as well."
Jiang Wuyue's face stiffened.
At this moment, Long Yuxue turned around.
She wore an interested expression.
"Xu Yuan, you can spar with him. This guy is from the Close Combat Division. Aren't you eager to encounter Abyssal creatures soon? You'll inevitably interact with them later, so why not challenge him now? The stakes can be that if he loses, he has to accompany you to the Abyssal passage."
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