Lin Fang blinked. "I heard that I was supposed to meet Manager Zhang." He didn't understand why he was meeting this S-rank Hunter instead.

To which Shen Kai chuckled, "Figures. You weren't from around here, after all. Zhang Chulan is the name I use as a manager. Shen Kai is the name I use as a Hunter. I was both the leader and manager of this guild."

"Ah, Is that so?"

"Anyway…"

The young guild leader then opened one of the drawers and used his thumbprint to open the safe, then pulled out a small white object — smooth, almost glass-like, but faintly glowing with light internally.

Kai held it out toward him with both hands. "This was left here by Master Li. He instructed me to hand it only to his successor — to the one who carries that mark."

Lin Fang glanced at it, then at Kai's face, and slowly reached out to take it. The orb was cool against his palm."

"You're just… handing it to me?" Lin Fang said flatly. "Just because I showed you a mark on my wrist? You know that could easily be forged with a simple mana tattoo."

Kai smirked faintly, leaning back against his desk. "The orb of legacy, in your hands, has a spell of verification. It only responds to the true Guardian's mark — the one once borne by Master Li Chengfeng himself."

Lin Fang's eyes narrowed and countered. "There exist plenty of spells that can mimic or override such laws. If someone can craft a false guardian seal, they can trick this, too."

Kai's smile didn't fade at those words either. He replied, "Master Li mentioned that if someone does try to bypass it, a curse activates instantly. Even I don't know what kind, but I've been told it doesn't leave a corpse behind."

He folded his arms with the faintest trace of respect in his voice. "Master Li doesn't take chances, Mr. Lin."

Lin Fang gave a small nod, half-impressed but half-wary of this fellow. The orb's faint hum in his hand matched the slow rhythm of his heartbeat, as if syncing with him. He could feel his mana rushing out of his core to devote this object, like a hungry lion finding meat.

Kai gestured toward the rear of the room, where a transparent door led to a corridor lined with glowing sigils. "You can use one of our training chambers to attain the legacy," he said. "It will likely unlock itself once your mark resonates with the internal seal."

Then, with a tone that hardened slightly, he added, "But I'll give you fair warning — once you claim that legacy, you inherit more than just Master Li's power. You inherit his oath and will be formally appointed as the manager of Huaxi City's Zero Guild. We will help you rebuild the guild according to your vision, but you have to make the guild your priority over other work. I don't mean guild operations, but accepting the missions you receive in capturing the wandering spirits of the monster companions that refused to move on to the afterlife, attending the meetings, and many more. Dereliction of duty… will make you an enemy of every Zero Guild branch on the continent." He said it without threat, but with the cold assurance of a man stating fact.

Kai continued as Lin Fang stayed silent, "If you wish to back out, I can find someone else with potential. We have a few candidates who might bear the next mark within a week or two. Master Li's instructions were clear that if you don't wish to be a guardian, then you cannot be his successor or disciple either. We will have to sever the connection between you and the spirit king you have bonded with. So, please think carefully and come to a decision."

Lin Fang closed his hand around the orb, letting its faint hum vibrate through his skin. Then he looked up, meeting Kai's calm gaze. "I've already made up my mind," he said quietly. "I neither have any intention of giving up Master's legacy nor the Spirit King."

Kai smiled faintly with a nod. He seemed happy with Lin Fang's reply.

"I see. Very well… then, follow me to the training chamber," He said.

Lin Fang shook his head, "Not now. I will obtain the legacy later."

As soon as he spouted those words, the man's eyes flashed — and in a sudden blur of speed, he snatched the orb back out of Lin Fang's hand. The motion was so fast that Lin Fang couldn't even react to it.

Lin Fang's expression turned cold. "You—"

Kai raised a hand. "Sorry," he said, tightly gripping the orb. "It's protocol. We can't let you just take it away without obtaining the legacy. After all, people's motives cannot be ascertained. This is the legacy of a former SS-rank Hunter, after all. You can come back to obtain it when you are ready."

Lin Fang gave a low scoff, crossing his arms. "What happened to that speech about a failsafe curse destroying any imposter who tried to use it? Sounds like you don't trust it either."

Kai's smirk widened just slightly. "The failsafe is more of a reminder. This is a protocol that I, as the leader of Zero Guild, must follow. Once you succeed and awaken the legacy, I'll explain everything — your duties, the structure you'll command, the laws the Guardians follow. But until then, you're free to stay here as a guest."

He turned toward the door. "I'll send someone to guide you to your quarters."

As Lin Fang narrowed his gaze, as if he was displeased, Alpha's voice echoed in his head, "You are not his match, Lin Fang."

Lin Fang stared at him for a moment and stretched his hand, "No need. Just give me the legacy. I will accept it right away."

Kai once again generated a smile. "Good. Then, follow me…"

After a while;

The elevator stopped with a soft chime on the sixth floor.

The corridor ahead was different from the floors below, looking a bit darker with dim lights, quieter, and lined with metallic panels that pulsed faintly with mana. The air here was heavy, carrying the scent of iron and ozone.

They passed several doors marked with strange symbols: Resonance Hall, Mana Pressure Testing Room, Simulation Corridor, Research Lab, Alchemy room, Pet Boarding, etc.

He couldn't help but think they sure have a lot of unnecessary facilities, making him wonder whether this is what the top and rich guilds are like.

Every turn revealed another office, another researcher in a lab coat analyzing energy readings, or an assistant carrying stacks of files.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a massive steel door at the far end of the corridor. The thing looked more like a vault entrance than a training room. It had layers of mechanical locks and a glowing rune interface.

Shen Kai stepped forward and calmly placed his hand on a crystal panel.

A light scanned his fingerprint, then a beam rose up to scan his retina.

With a deep metallic hiss, the thick door slowly split open, revealing the room beyond.

Kai gestured with one hand. "Welcome to the Gravity Chamber."

Lin Fang's eyes widened slightly as the door opened to show the chamber inside.

*Ding! You entered spatial field.

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