Chapter 115
Chapter 115
Everyone froze when Qin Lan produced the badge.
It was made entirely of pure silver, but a golden border around its edge made it exceptionally brilliant.
The craftsmanship was not complicated, yet no person or organization dared counterfeit it.
It was the emblem of the Anomaly Hunter Bureau.
“An Anomaly Hunter… A 3-Star Anomaly Hunter!”
Yu Qianqian reacted first. She covered her mouth with a cry, worship shining in her eyes.
1-Star Anomaly Hunters were not rare. With some luck and experience, a person could obtain a license.
2-Star Anomaly Hunters enjoyed higher status and counted as modestly successful in smaller Safe Zones, but they still risked sudden death. Many perished every year.
Becoming a 3-Star Anomaly Hunter, however, meant officially joining the ranks of the powerful.
Survival was no longer an issue for them, and wealth was a passing cloud. They pursued greater power and more transcendent status.
This incredibly young man was a 3-Star Anomaly Hunter?
“No, look at the gold around the badge. He isn’t just a 3-Star Anomaly Hunter… That gold proves he made an extraordinary contribution to a Safe Zone!”
The student who had revealed the “inside information” stared wide-eyed, recognizing the badge’s significance.
An extraordinary contribution was no trivial matter.
That simple-looking gold-plated border represented distinguished military achievements. It meant the holder received treatment equal to a 4-Star Anomaly Hunter.
“You know your stuff.”
Qin Lan looked at the student in surprise.
The new badge had indeed been issued in recognition of Qin Lan’s defense of the Safe Zone during the battle of the fissures–guarding seven fissures alone and killing dozens of 3-Star anomalies.
In any Safe Zone, the holder of this badge was equivalent to a 4-Star Anomaly Hunter.
“My God… Am I seeing things?” The student swallowed audibly.
He reached out with a trembling hand, instinctively wanting to touch it, then caught himself and laughed awkwardly.
“Sorry. I got carried away… I’ve only seen a badge of this level online.”
He rubbed his hands, eyes burning. “Handsome–no, sir! Can I touch it?”
Qin Lan smiled, removed the badge, and casually tossed it over.
“Just don’t damage it.”
The student caught it like a priceless treasure. He examined it up close, then held it by the window to admire it in the sunlight, repeatedly muttering, “Holy shit.”
He was having the time of his life.
Huo Xinran was not.
His expression resembled that of a cyclist who sat down only to discover someone had stolen the seat, leaving a thick hollow steel pipe to greet his delicate chrysanthemum.
“Luo Ping, are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Huo Xinran lowered his voice, unwilling to believe it.
He could not understand how someone who looked even younger than him possessed such astonishing strength.
Huo Xinran had attended Clear Spring Academy for two years.
His Curse Core had reached Tier 3, placing him among the superior students, yet he struggled against 2-Star anomalies–and those were only simulated instances on campus.
If he entered the Fallen Zone to kill a real 2-Star anomaly, he might die.
Yet this “coarse-looking” man–at least according to Huo Xinran–could kill 3-Star anomalies?
How was that possible?
Luo Ping did not notice the emotional shift in Senior Huo’s voice. His entire mind was occupied with studying the badge. He quickly took a photo and posted it to his social feed, answering absently.
“Absolutely real!”
“Who would dare counterfeit one? They’d have to be suicidal.”
“Whoa, this post already has over a hundred likes. My selfies usually get four or five…”
Huo Xinran’s expression stiffened further.
He took a deep breath and steadied himself.
However reluctant he felt, his manner became far more respectful. “Lord Anomaly Hunter, how should I address you?”
They might be the same age, but that badge alone forced him to address Qin Lan as “lord.”
Arrogant before, deferential afterward. The contrast was almost comical.
Qin Lan smiled.
“No need to be so formal. Just call me Xue Chuan.”
He could not think of a suitable alias on short notice, so he borrowed Xue Chuan’s name.
As Xue Chuan had said, “We’re fucking brothers. What’s the point of separating yours and mine?”
Revealing his real name might leave these people speechless.
More importantly, it would probably attract trouble after he entered the Central Region.
The disturbance he had caused in Safe Zone 088 had prompted United Government headquarters to send investigators.
Not to mention that he had taken a special class from Luan Zimo.
Better to remain cautious.
“Brother Xue Chuan, can you do me a small favor?”
Yu Qianqian had stared at Qin Lan for a long time before finally speaking. Her eyes shifted as if she were plotting something devious.
“What is it?” Qin Lan asked curiously.
Yu Qianqian looked embarrassed. “Well… you heard what we were discussing…”
“My friend Su Xiaoyue can’t forget that little boyfriend back home…”
Qin Lan sensed something and narrowed his eyes.
What wicked idea was this girl plotting?
Yu Qianqian noticed nothing and continued.
“I think she hasn’t met a truly outstanding man, so her perspective is too narrow…”
“If you don’t mind, could you come to Clear Spring Academy with us?”
She sounded him out. “You’d only need to show your face and pretend to be one of her admirers. Let her see you and compare…”
“Maybe she’ll come to her senses and give that man up?”
Holy shit!
How sinister!
Qin Lan stared at Yu Qianqian with amused eyes until she grew uncomfortable.
She wanted him to cuckold himself?
He knew Yu Qianqian meant well. She wanted Su Xiaoyue to pursue a better life.
But this was unbelievably irritating.
If Qin Lan truly possessed only an F-rank Talent, if he really were a 1-Star Anomaly Hunter who lived one day hoping to reach the next, would that not make Yu Qianqian the venomous best friend constantly gossiping and urging a breakup?
What complete bullshit.
Beside her, Huo Xinran was nearly frantic.
No!
Don’t do this!
The man was not even from Clear Spring Academy. Once the train arrived, everyone could go their separate ways. Why did Yu Qianqian have to suffer a brain spasm and invent this scheme?
Huo Xinran wanted to cry. If Su Xiaoyue actually met this “Xue Chuan,” his already slim chances would shrink even further.
The man was plainly a far better prospect than him!
Seeing Qin Lan’s unfriendly gaze, Yu Qianqian assumed she had said something wrong and shrank back.
“Ah, if it’s inconvenient…”
“Sure.”
Qin Lan smiled without warmth. “Of course.”
“What can I say? I was born warmhearted.”