Chapter 253: The Disappearing Students
As expected, Ge Rou entered the meeting room. Ling Feng stared at her and slowly stood up. "Secretary Ge, do you have good news for us?"
Ge Rou maintained her usual friendly smile. "I made an exception for you and reported the situation to the leader. He has permitted you to send people to investigate, but thereâs a conditionâno captain-level personnel are allowed to participate!"
The captains in the room exchanged dissatisfied glances. One of them voiced his concern, "If someone could pose a threat to Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, how can we send anyone less experienced?"
Ge Rouâs smile remained unfazed. "Liu Ziyang is just a soldier, and while Xie Huanhuan is a captain, her abilities are more suited for reconnaissance, not combat. All of you are West Hill Baseâs most valuable combat power, and we canât risk you needlessly. Sending regular soldiers to scout the situation is the most appropriate action."
Ling Feng, clearly impatient, responded, "Understood! Iâll send someone else."
Ge Rou nodded, adjusted her black-framed glasses, and left with an air of confidence.
The other captains began voicing their frustrations as soon as she was gone. Fang Zun, a wiry man, expressed his dissatisfaction. "Captain, it seems Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang ran into serious trouble. Can we just send regular soldiers?"
Ling Feng glanced at him and then frowned. "Fang Zun, you may have been born with natural abilities, but your current combat power isnât necessarily much greater than our other brothersâ. Even if they donât have abilities, theyâre still well-trained soldiers. Donât underestimate them!"
He added, "Since itâs the leaderâs order, weâll follow it strictly. No more complaints."
Despite the captainsâ dissatisfaction, Ling Feng contacted other team members to organize a mission. As the captains were no longer needed, Liang Yue, one of the newer members, felt relieved and slightly disappointed. Having been in the underground base for so long, she occasionally longed to go outside. More importantly, she hadnât yet participated in a mission since joining the so-called ACE Special Forces.
Ling Feng left to arrange for regular team members to take on the mission while Liang Yue, carrying her Tang sword, prepared to head back to her quarters for some rest. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Ye Ronghua, one of the other two women in the squad.
Ye Ronghua, unlike the others, was somewhat frail-looking and didnât seem to have a military background. However, what struck Liang Yue the most was Ye Ronghuaâs incredibly bright eyes, which always seemed to carry an intense, soul-piercing power.
With a smile, Ye Ronghua greeted Liang Yue, "Feeling a bit disappointed that you didnât get a chance to go on a mission?"
Liang Yue smiled back. "Just a little."
Ye Ronghua shook her head. "Thereâs no need to rush or expect too much. When captains-level members are called into action, it usually means weâre dealing with a very serious problem."
Liang Yue shrugged. "But Iâve been here for so long and havenât done anything. I canât help but wonder what I can contribute to the base."
Ye Ronghua humorously explained, "Weâre like H-weaponsânever to be used, but must always be present. The world is more complicated than you might think. Youâre still new here and donât understand many things yet. Youâll come to realize it in time!"
She added, "For now, itâs more important to improve your abilities. Powers are gifts from the heavens; no one knows how much they can be developed."
Ye Ronghuaâs words seemed to carry a deeper meaning, and Liang Yue felt she understood something, though Ye Ronghua didnât elaborate further. With that, Ye Ronghua left, leaving behind an air of mystery. Her piercing gaze left Liang Yue feeling as though her soul had been momentarily ensnared.
Liang Yue shook her head, choosing not to dwell on these troublesome thoughts. She wasnât particularly concerned about Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang since she had no deep connection with them, having only recently joined the team. She left the meeting room, heading back to the living quarters.
As Liang Yue unlocked her door, she caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye. Startled, she turned to see a girl emerging from a room nearby, fresh from the shower.
"Meng Zixuan!" Liang Yue instinctively called out.
The girl turned, and upon seeing Liang Yue, she smiled brightly. "Teacher Liang! What a surprise to see you here!"
She ran over, her eyes shining with excitement. Liang Yue was just as surprised. Wasnât Meng Zixuan supposed to be living and working in the Fourth Life Pod?
"What are you doing here?" Liang Yue asked, confused.
The Second Life Pod was a high-level area of West Hill Base, reserved only for Chen Xinianâs trusted aides and special talents like Liang Yue.
Meng Zixuan brushed back her hair and smiled mysteriously. "I have my special abilities."
"Youâve awakened powers too?" Liang Yue asked, her curiosity piqued.
Meng Zixuanâs smile turned even more enigmatic. She placed her hand on her chest, emphasizing her well-endowed figure. "In a way, you could say itâs a natural talent!"
Just then, Shen Moling, another former student of Liang Yueâs, heard the commotion and exited her room. Upon seeing Liang Yue, Shen Molingâs expression grew cold. "Teacher Liang."
Liang Yue was even more surprised. "Both of you are in the Second Life Pod? What about the other students?"
At this question, Shen Moling and Meng Zixuanâs expressions shifted subtly. They both averted their gaze, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter.
"Teacher Liang, weâre now part of the Second Life Pod. Thereâs no need to concern ourselves with those in the Fourth Life Pod," Meng Zixuan said with a trace of disdain in her voice. "People arenât equal. Once weâre no longer on the same level, itâs impossible to interact as we did before."
Liang Yue stared at the two girls in shock, anger welling inside her. "How can you say that? Theyâre your classmates, your friends for so many years! How can you just forget them like that?"
Shen Moling looked up and sneered. "And you have the right to say that, Teacher Liang? Werenât you the first to abandon us students?"â.
Author's Note