Chapter 129: Return to the Base

Ahead, the Linjiang Academy-North Gate】.

The blue-painted sign was somewhat faded, and a yellow bus and a blue truck gradually slowed as they approached the base.

Lin An glanced at the time on his wrist; there were less than ten minutes left until the Spirit Energy Core's completion.

Clearly he had only been out for a morning, yet it felt as if a long time had passed.

On the outer wall of the base, the large characters "Linjiang Academy" were torn down under Zhang Tie's direction.

According to him:

"Damn, this is Lin Dui's base—why hang this lousy sign!"

"If we're going to hang something, hang 【Long'an Base】! Wait for Lin Dui to come back and write it up!"

"Long'an Base is so damn imposing! Linjiang Academy... girly and petty!"

I don't know if it was out of spite, but Zhang Tie deliberately had Huang Zheng bring the vice principal to personally take down the sign.

Looking at the removed characters, he satisfiedly rubbed his head, couldn't help turning to look at the helpless An Jing Tian, and sighed loudly.

"Damn, when I was in school, my biggest dream was to blow up the school!"

"At the very least, I had to blow up the principal's office!"

"Damn principal, every morning he spouts so much nonsense!"

"What a pity."

Zhang Tie let out a deep sigh and heavily patted Jing Tian's shoulder.

"We have to keep the office building for Lin Dui to use, otherwise I'd definitely fire up an excavator and tear it down with gusto!"

He suddenly turned his head again, grinning at Huang Zheng and the others.

"Sorry, I forgot you were standing nearby."

"I wasn't talking about you."

Huang Zheng smiled apologetically, while Zhang Zhicheng beside him kept nodding in agreement.

"We will definitely earnestly study and implement the superiors' speeches, carrying them out thoroughly, with a down-to-earth, pragmatic work ethic..."

"Someone's here!"

"There's a vehicle!"

"It looks like Lord Lin An and his group are back!"

The black smoke belching from the blue truck was extremely conspicuous; the Awakened Ones stationed on the wall spotted it from afar.

The truck's engine stalled midway, so Lin An had the people aboard squeeze onto the bus.

"What the heck!"

Zhang Tie hurriedly turned his head toward the road upon hearing the discussion, his eyes involuntarily filling with excitement.

"Lin Dui is back this fast!?"

Somewhat puzzled, the people nearby were equally at a loss.

Didn't we just set out this morning? We've only just finished lunch and already turned back?

Before he could think further, Lin An's voice came through the team comms instantly:

"Zhang Tie! Come over and move the stuff!"

Lin An somewhat amusedly watched Zhang Tie, who had turned into a black bear; his ring's space was still sufficient, so he actually didn't need to come over.

It was only because of his powerful psychic probe that he spotted from afar that this guy was messing with Huang Zheng and the others.

Anyway, Zhang Tie couldn't stay idle, so he simply called him over to tow the truck back together.

"Lin Dui!"

That familiar loud voice gave Lin An a headache.

"How'd you get back so fast?"

"I think this stuff won't last the base three months."

As Zhang Tie spoke, he winked and smirked, forcing a nasty grin on his bear face, though it just looked hideous.

"You missing Wen Ya?"

"Wen Ya went to rest after you left; her department's people called her to eat but she didn't wake up."

"I see she even washed your clothes for you—how far have you two gotten?"

"Lin Dui, let me tell you, a real man must never fall into the gentle trap, this man..."

Lin An raised a hand to stop Zhang Tie's endless chatter—who knows why this bear is so gossipy.

"First return to the Spirit Energy Core; I have an important announcement to make."

There were still six minutes until the Spirit Energy Core's completion; Lin An's heart burned with anticipation, already somewhat impatient.

He moved with extreme speed; the Awakened Ones walking toward him looked at him curiously.

Before nearing the base, Lin An specifically instructed Jing Tian to send a few Awakened Ones to guard the students on the vehicle.

After all, these people had been parasitized by spider eggs and were temporarily unfit to enter the base.

Ordinary people guarding could lead to accidents; it's better to have Awakened Ones on watch.

"Lord Lin An."

Several Awakened Ones bowed respectfully, but only saw Lin An hastily respond before rushing into the base interior.

"Don't move the supplies on the vehicle for now; just keep watch around!"

"Zhang Tie! After you tow the truck back to the base, hurry over!"

Lin An didn't forget to instruct the black bear.

From the moment the base is completed, the Spirit Energy Core will release a buff effect.

The duration is about half an hour; once half an hour passes, the buff effect disappears.

If one stands to the side, they can gain considerable benefit.

A little enhances one's strength; a lot can let ordinary people awaken on the spot, and it's completely risk‑free.

However, the number is limited; a single boost can benefit at most seven people.

Therefore, in Past Life, such benefits were enjoyed only by the High Level of the Safe Zone.

Zhang Tie, Wen Ya, Jing Tian, Gao Tian, Mo Ling, and Lin An himself.

Here we already have six people.

Lin An walked and pondered who should receive the last slot.

Give it to Liu Shiming or Youwei? Or perhaps select an Awakened One or ordinary person from the base?

As the base's designer, Liu Shiming gains little significance from increasing his strength.

Youwei is the same; it can only add some self‑protection ability.

Of course, if AnXia were here, Lin An would unhesitatingly give the last slot to AnXia.

He has never been that selfless; as far as Lin An is concerned, he only wants the people around him to live a bit better.

Fairness? He never cared about such things.

After thinking it over, Lin An still decided to give the slot to Liu Shiming.

After all, Liu Shiming will be the base's designer; if he fortunately awakens related talent, base construction could speed up a bit.

Even if not, strengthening his physique would let him work overtime more.

In the midst of his thoughts, he had already brought An Jing Tian and Mo Ling to the war fortress front, and Wen Ya also hurried over after being reminded within the team.

One minute left...

Seeing the large group of trainees and Awakened Ones gathered behind him, Lin An suddenly called out, stopping Liu Shiming who was mixed among the trainees.

"Brother Lin, you called me?"

Liu Shiming held a rolled drawing under his arm, looking somewhat panicked.

Having seen Lin An subdue the sand worm, his image in Liu Shiming's mind had already approached the non‑human.

Among many trainees, Lin An was practically described as a war god.

He slightly bowed his waist, dark circles obvious, his eyes filled with bloodshot.

It's clear that since Lin An issued the order, he has been working overtime until now.

Lin An noticed this detail, nodded slightly, then asked:

"Are you interested in becoming an Awakened One?"

"Pa‑da."

The drawing fell to the ground.