The group hadn't walked far when they came across a somewhat underdeveloped fishing village.
"This kind of small village might not welcome outsiders barging in. If we all go in together, it could cause unnecessary trouble. Better to just send one person in to ask about the situation."
Zhou Haoyu didn't lead everyone in but instead turned to speak to the group.
"Pfft, just a bunch of rural bumpkins. If they dare cause trouble, I alone can deal with them," Zu Jiming said disdainfully.
He was a lofty mage—why should he care about the feelings of a few fishing villagers?
Zhou Haoyu frowned. This Zu Jiming probably left home without his brain.
"So you're that capable? Why don't you come spar with me?" Mo Fan immediately sneered.
He came from a small place himself, and naturally couldn't stand how arrogant and overbearing Zu Jiming was.
"You're defending these bumpkins? You think that makes you brave?"
Zu Jiming instantly took Mo Fan as a punching bag. Of all the people on the team, he looked down most on Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan.
One came from a common background, and the other only got in through connections.
Without a word, Mo Fan threw a punch at Zu Jiming. He had always been brave!
His fist landed right on Zu Jiming's right eye, instantly giving him a panda eye.
"You bastard!"
Zu Jiming was instantly furious. This guy didn't play fair at all—he had launched a sneak attack!
Blinded by rage, Zu Jiming no longer cared about reason and immediately attempted to cast magic.
At that moment, Zhou Haoyu stepped forward, reached into the air, and instantly immobilized Zu Jiming in place.
"Zu Jiming, the training has just begun and you're already trying to use magic against a teammate?" Zhou Haoyu said coldly.
"???"
Zu Jiming, unable to move, looked at Zhou Haoyu in disbelief.
Was this a joke? Mo Fan clearly struck first!
"He hit me, and I can't hit back?" Zu Jiming said indignantly.
"You can punch him back. But using magic against a teammate is a violation. I have every right to report this to the instructors," Zhou Haoyu replied flatly.
He had been looking for a reason to kick this guy out of the team!
The moment he heard this would be reported to the instructors, Zu Jiming immediately went quiet.
He absolutely didn't want to get kicked off the national team.
Zu Jiming glared at Mo Fan viciously and said through gritted teeth, "Just you wait!"
Mo Fan shrugged. He thought the guy was going to throw hands, but it turned out to be just empty threats.
How boring.
Nanrong Ni, the Healing Element mage, immediately began treating Zu Jiming. Though it was just a minor injury, she still took the chance to earn some goodwill.
Nanrong Ni understood her position clearly. If she wanted to find footing in the team, she had to win people over.
Zhou Haoyu ignored Nanrong Ni and turned to Zhao Manyan. "Zhao Manyan, go in and ask for directions."
Zhao Manyan blinked, pointing at himself. "Me?"
"You're a substitute. If you don't go, who will?"
Jiang Shaoxu crossed her arms and said confidently.
"Fine, I'll go then."
Zhao Manyan pouted and shook his head helplessly.
He, the second young master of the Zhao Family, was actually being used like a servant.
About five or six minutes later, Zhao Manyan came walking back out of the village.
"Brother Yu, the villagers said there's a coastal city nearby. It should have a port."
"If there's a port, then that makes things easier. Let's go—we need to reach that city before dark."
Under Zhao Manyan's lead, the group advanced along the coastline.
Even the weakest among them was a Middle-Tier Mage, so their stamina and speed were far beyond ordinary people.
Around five or six in the evening, the group arrived at Feiniaoshi. What met their eyes was a large-scale port.
Feiniaoshi wasn't doing well development-wise at the moment, but in a few years, it would develop rapidly—almost catching up to top-tier cities like Magic City.
If someone invested properly at this time, they'd definitely make a killing in the future.
"Captain, we've found the port, but we don't have any usable identity documents. How are we supposed to find a ship heading to the Japan?"
In response to Nan Jue's question, Zhou Haoyu smiled and said, "Haven't you all noticed how this city seems a bit too quiet?"
Everyone paused when they heard that.
Jiang Yu adjusted his glasses and said thoughtfully, "Feiniaoshi is at least a second- or third-tier city, yet there's hardly anyone at the port. That really is a bit unusual."
"This city must still be dealing with a Sea Monster problem. Otherwise, the instructors wouldn't have dropped us off here."
Zhou Haoyu smiled faintly. The instructor group had clearly thrown them here for one reason—to deal with the nearby Chiling Demon swarm.
It would both solve a city's crisis and serve as combat training for the National Team members—a perfect two birds with one stone.
Everyone suddenly came to a realization, and even Mu Tingying, who usually had no good opinion of Zhou Haoyu, showed a surprised expression.
"So, we're heading out now to deal with the nearby Sea Monsters?" Mu Nujiao asked.
"Of course not. We need to find a client first. There should be one in that building."
Zhou Haoyu pointed toward the tallest skyscraper in the city. If everything was as expected, that should be the Lin Group's headquarters.
"Zhao Manyan, you're on negotiation duty again."
"What? Me again!"
Zhao Manyan immediately looked a bit unwilling. Even if he was a substitute, he still had human rights, didn't he?
"See that beautiful lady coming out? I believe only you can handle her."
Zhou Haoyu pointed at the female secretary who had just walked out of the building and, for once, gave Zhao Manyan a rare compliment.
Say what you will, but Zhao Manyan's ability to charm women was indeed top-tier!
Zhao Manyan glanced at the secretary and immediately puffed up his chest with a smug look. "Watch me work my magic."
After a brief conversation, the secretary finally agreed to lead the group to meet with the Lin Group's president.
Top floor, conference room.
After leading Zhou Haoyu and the others in, the secretary quickly explained the situation to President Lin Junxian.
The general idea was that these people had come to deal with the Sea Monster problem.
At first, Lin Junxian didn't believe in their strength at all. But the moment Zhou Haoyu revealed his Soul Seed, his tone softened immediately.
Strength is the ultimate truth!
"These Sea Monsters are massive in number. We previously hired some Hunters to handle them, but they barely made a dent. If something happens to you, don't expect me to take responsibility."
Lin Junxian spoke upfront. These people looked capable, but they still seemed far too young.
"Since we're willing to take on the task, we naturally understand the risks. Just tell us the exact location of the Sea Monsters and leave the rest to us."
"Oh, and prepare a speedboat for us."
Zhou Haoyu was calm and composed. If it were in the past, he might have hesitated a little.
But now, he wasn't the least bit concerned about the dangers in the wild. What, were they going to bump into an Ocean Emperor or something?
Seeing how confident Zhou Haoyu was, Lin Junxian suddenly had a bold guess.
Could these young people be from the National Team?
....
For Advance Chapters
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