Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Valley City’s Supreme Meeting

In the afternoon.

Wang Xi left home and headed to the company again.

He bought some snacks on the way, carrying them in a paper bag. There were candies, chocolates, chips, jerky, and the like, but sunflower seeds made up more than half of it, in all sorts of flavors.

They were for the receptionist, a young woman named Jiali. He remembered that she seemed to love eating sunflower seeds.

When he had just started the job, she had kindly given him a few pointers, and Wang Xi had said he would thank her properly once he had some money. Although Lin Zhifeng, the one who had overheard him, was already gone, he couldn’t just pretend it never happened.

You had to do what you said you would. Otherwise, don’t say it. That had always been his principle.

Just as Wang Xi arrived at the company’s entrance, he saw a short-haired young woman with smoky makeup, wearing a black shirt and a black mini-skirt, walking out with a small purse slung over her shoulder.

"Good afternoon, Miss Jiali."

Wang Xi greeted her.

Jiali stopped on the steps, lifting her gaze to study the black-haired young man. Several seconds passed before she spoke hesitantly.

"You’re that guy... Wang Xi?"

"Ahem, you have a great memory, Miss Jiali."

Wang Xi smiled and handed her the paper bag.

"Thanks for the pointers when I first started. I bought you some snacks on the way."

"What a coincidence," Jiali said, taking the bag. "I was about to head home."

"You’re not working today?"

"Took the day off." The girl waved her hand dismissively and started down the steps. "And I won’t be in for the next few days, either."

After walking a short distance, she seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped.

She turned back and held up the paper bag.

"Thanks for this. And, good luck with your assessment tomorrow."

With that, she turned and walked away without another word.

Wang Xi stood rooted to the spot, his brow furrowed slightly.

’No one at the company should know that I’m taking the Professional Warrior assessment...’

’So how did she find out?’

...

...

「Valley City Central District.」

「Parliament Building.」

In a spacious conference hall on the top floor, staff members in sharp suits hurried back and forth, their expressions tense and solemn.

The atmosphere was quiet, broken only by occasional whispered conversations.

Valley City’s highest-level meeting was scheduled to be held here shortly, and representatives from both official and private organizations would all be in attendance.

A short while later, three young women of varying heights and extraordinary auras walked slowly down the corridor. The staff waiting at the door bowed in unison.

"Section Chief Chu."

"Inspector Yu."

"Captain Ning."

"Thank you for your hard work." Yu Zizi, her hair a cascade of large purple waves, was dressed in a white shirt, dress pants, and a long coat. She adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and offered a smile in return.

Chu Nai wore her high-tech, form-fitting blue and white uniform, which accentuated her perfect curves. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. With a troubled expression, she gave a slight nod.

Beside them was the short, short-haired Ning Meng, dressed in a dark cyan, high-collared trench coat with her hands in her pockets. Her expression was cold, and she remained silent.

The three entered the conference hall and took their seats at the head of the main table.

"Chu Nai, I’m honestly so impressed by you,"

Yu Zizi said with a smile, turning her head toward the silver-haired young woman.

"You’ve been in Valley City for less than a month, and you’ve already single-handedly eliminated three Disaster Areas in the surrounding region. None of the past section chiefs of the Disenchantment Class have ever worked as hard as you."

"Even though Disaster Areas are the number one enemy of human settlements, you don’t have to push yourself so..."

"There’s a bonus."

The silver-haired young woman looked up and said in a low voice.

"Huh?" Yu Zizi thought she had misheard. It wasn’t until Chu Nai repeated herself that an expression of disbelief crossed her face. "Just for that?"

She couldn’t understand. How could a top student from East Continent University, a genius directly appointed as a Section Chief in the Overlook Bureau, be short on money?!

"It’s not entirely for that reason."

Chu Nai said softly, her eyes downcast.

"But I need to pay off my parents’ research debt to the Gear Conglomerate, and there’s also someone important..."

Her voice trailed off.

Seeing this, Ning Meng, who was sitting to the side, changed the subject.

"It’s not a bad thing. At least it lets all those onlookers know that even though you’re a young, new section chief, you’re not to be trifled with."

"I heard that a while ago, the Hero Association’s president, ’Mountain Guardian General’ Mr. Wei Sr., even sought you out for a spar?"

"Mm," Chu Nai replied softly.

"And the result?"

Both Ning Meng and Yu Zizi looked over, clearly very curious.

Wei Xuan, the president of the Valley City Branch of the Hero Association, was a veteran Professional Warrior himself who had reached the rank of Upper Three Stars many years ago.

He was an idol admired by countless Professional Warriors.

Even a famous Professional Five Stars powerhouse like Jiang Tianhao, captain of Defense Team 4 and known as "Thunder Hammer," was considered a junior in the president’s presence.

"Mr. Wei is very strong."

Chu Nai nodded slightly, her face full of admiration.

"His card deck leans toward the Profound Mysterious System, and his head-on combat ability is greater than mine."

"So... you lost?"

"I won."

Chu Nai said with a faint smile.

Ning Meng and Yu Zizi were both stunned.

’"Mountain Guardian General" Wei Xuan actually lost...’

As natives of Valley City, this news sent a powerful shock through them. After all, during his eight years as president of the Valley City Hero Association, Mr. Wei Sr. had built a legendary record, only to be quietly defeated by the nineteen-year-old, silver-haired girl before them.

’Just how strong is Chu Nai, then?!’

Just as they were about to press for more details, a commotion and the sound of dense footsteps came from the entrance.

Turning to look, they saw a group of representatives from various organizations and conglomerates entering the hall. Leading them was an elderly man with salt-and-pepper hair, dressed in a long black gown.

However, the old man’s face was slightly pale, and he seemed short of breath when he spoke, as if he were injured.

After the group entered the hall, the old man’s gaze immediately fell upon the three young women at the head of the long conference table, finally settling on the silver-haired girl in the middle.

The memory of a blinding, searing golden light flashed through his mind, and the corner of his mouth twitched. Nevertheless, he straightened his sleeves and strode forward.

"Section Chief Chu, you truly live up to your reputation as a genius from East Continent University and Professor Junice’s top student."

Wei Xuan arrived at the table and cupped his fist in a salute, smiling.

"It is a great blessing for the people of our Valley City to have a person of your caliber overseeing things."

"You flatter me, Mr. Wei."

Chu Nai rose slowly and shook her head.

"Combating Mazes and disasters requires the united effort of all departments, organizations, and Heroes. What can I possibly achieve on my own?"

"Are your injuries alright?"

she added with concern.

The old man coughed and quickly waved his hand dismissively.

"It’s nothing, nothing at all." He had wanted to offer another polite remark, but surrounded by representatives from all sides, he worried he would lose face if he said too much. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Right, this high-level meeting in Valley City is about the issue of reforming the Professional Warrior assessment... Section Chief Chu, is this really necessary?"

"Yes, it is very necessary." Chu Nai nodded, her expression turning serious. "The Eastern Continent has already begun implementing the new assessment system. Even the core continents like Zhong, Tian, and Xuan adopted it several years ago."

"Although there will be many negative effects in the initial phase, and the assessment’s mortality rate will rise, the pros outweigh the cons overall. The old system is too archaic. It obstructs the path for the new generation of Heroes to advance. Opening it up will also serve as a stronger incentive for the public."

"But..."

Wei Xuan frowned and said pensively.

Just then, a man in a suit with slicked-back hair and glasses joined the conversation, speaking in a low, smiling voice:

"Regarding the new assessment Section Chief Chu mentioned, I, on behalf of the Shanshan Conglomerate, give it my full support."

Everyone looked over and recognized him as Bai Cheng, the board representative for the Shanshan Conglomerate’s Valley City Branch.

He continued, in a seemingly joking tone:

"It’s not just us who approve; I’m sure the representatives from the Gear Conglomerate, the Sky Dome Conglomerate, and others will agree as well. After all, based on intel from headquarters and other continental branches, implementing the new assessment has led to the emergence of many more star figures."

"It’s a great blessing for all of humanity!"

Of course, there was something Bai Cheng left unsaid.

And that was, for the conglomerates themselves, it was also more profitable.

This was especially true for the reform that would publicly broadcast the previously closed-off assessment process. By monopolizing the broadcasting rights, the conglomerates could gain an unimaginable amount of traffic and use it to package the new-generation Heroes they favored, cultivating them into star personalities or spokespeople.

It would be a win-win situation.

After all, information was shared within the conglomerates, and there were already successful precedents. The more powerful the continent, the more a conglomerate’s branch there would value this.

...

...

「Over an hour later.」

The meeting was halfway through.

In the bidding for the livestreaming rights, part of the previous resolution, Representative Bai of the Shanshan Conglomerate ultimately won the exclusive broadcasting rights for Valley City’s first reformed Professional Warrior assessment with a price of one billion Credit Points.

The faces of the representatives from the Gear Conglomerate and the Sky Dome Conglomerate were dark. With no other choice, they had to start bidding on the secondary rights, such as delayed broadcasting, replays, commercial development, and other technology-related rights.

As for the even smaller derivative rights, they trickled down from the three major conglomerates to be fought over by numerous small and medium-sized corporations.

The heated atmosphere left the representatives of the private organizations in attendance dumbfounded.

The Hero Association president, Mr. Wei, wore an emotional expression. He glanced at the three young women at the head of the table and sighed internally. Time waits for no one; a new era brings new changes.

This move achieved a win for all parties involved.

The conglomerates profited, the officials gained funds, and the people benefited.

And the most crucial point:

One could foresee an explosive emergence of new-generation Heroes.

Wei Xuan only hoped he could live a few more years, to use his old, weary body to eliminate a few more disasters and contribute a little more to Valley City and even the Mountain and Sea Federation... and to witness the arrival of that prosperous era, and the revival of all humanity.

"A total of 324 representatives participated in this meeting. With 268 votes in favor, 42 against, and 14 abstentions, the reform of the Professional Warrior assessment is passed. It will be implemented starting this session."

The Security Bureau’s representative, Yu Zizi, rose and announced.

"As this is the first assessment under Valley City’s new reforms, I propose on behalf of the Federation that you all nominate the seed candidates from your respective factions to participate."

Soon, lists that had been prepared in advance were delivered to the head table by the staff.

As the representative of the Overlook Bureau, Chu Nai received a final, consolidated list of personnel:

Jiang Tianjie—A genius member of Defense Team 1, a subordinate of Captain Ning, and the younger brother of Captain "Thunder Hammer" Jiang Tianhao.

Yu Jiali—An external superintendent of the Security Bureau, a part-time employee at Cupid Housekeeping, and the younger sister of Inspector Yu Zizi.

Xiao Yuzhe—A new member of the Overlook Bureau’s Disenchantment Class, a graduate of East Continent University, and a subordinate of Section Chief Chu Nai.

Lin Xin’Er—A genius secretly cultivated by the Shanshan Conglomerate. Cured of a terminal illness using a conglomerate patent, she completed a physical transformation and received Magic Armor, becoming a "Demon." Daughter of the death row inmate Lin Zhifeng.

Carl Lee—A genius secretly cultivated by the Gear Conglomerate. He received Prosthetic Armor via a conglomerate patent, becoming a "Righteous." Son of a researcher at the Gear Laboratory.

Nagata An—A genius secretly cultivated by the Sky Dome Conglomerate. She received Curse Armor via a conglomerate patent, becoming a "Spellbound." Daughter of a member of the conglomerate’s management.

Chu Nai’s gaze swept over the list, and she suddenly froze.

Her beautiful, light-blue eyes reflected the information of the many candidates. Among them, she saw a name that was both incredibly familiar and utterly unbelievable.

Wang Xi—Intern Cleaner at Cupid Housekeeping. Recommended by Inspector Yu Zizi of the Security Bureau. Approved by the Hero Association.

"Brother Xi..."

Chu Nai murmured in a daze.

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