Chapter 37: Dual Authority?

The training time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was evening and class ended.

Qin Zhao lifted the lower part of her clothes and wiped the sweat on her forehead, making her abdominal lines appear just like that.

Her originally handsome wolf-tail hair was shaved into a buzz cut by her, but it didn't change her looks in the slightest; instead, she became even more handsome.

After putting down her clothes, she turned her head and walked over to Yu Lin, who looked over there as if nothing had happened.

"Yu Lin, why are you so relaxed?"

"How did you do that? Can you teach me?"

"Why so relaxed......"

"It's because he has now reached perfection in drawing in Qi, while you are only at the mid-stage of drawing in Qi."

"Of course, Yu Lin naturally didn't say those words out loud; he laughed and said, 'Where?'"

"Look at me, drenched in sweat—I'm exhausted too."

Qin Zhao looked doubtful: "But you're not even out of breath."

"Look at Bai Xiaoxia—she's panting like a dog."

"........ Hey! I'm not deaf!" Bai Xiaoxia, who was lying on the side with her tongue out, panting, hurriedly got up and raised her hand to protest.

However, Qin Zhao ignored him, merely locking eyes with Yu Lin, as if trying to see something.

"You really want to know?"

"Yes! Please teach me—I'll do anything!"

"Good, come over, I'll tell you."

"What?"

"Do 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day!"

"Huh? Just that?"

"Exactly, just that—this is how I got stronger!"

"You think I haven't seen One-Punch Man?"

"...... You've seen it too, haha, I can't fool you." Yu Lin gave an embarrassed laugh, then became serious:

"Actually, I don't have any special method—just hard work, harder work."

"Without harming the body's foundation, squeeze out every last bit of strength, just as the teacher just said."

"Exhaust all the 'Qi', letting the body learn to actively absorb 'Qi'!"

"You can give it a try; as for whether it will work for you, I can't guarantee."

"After all, what works for me might not work for you."

"Like that........" Qin Zhao's eyes showed thought, as if she were truly considering the method he mentioned for getting stronger.

"Okay, I got it! If it works, I'll treat you to a meal!"

"Thank you!"

"No need to thank me." Yu Lin waved his hand.

Anyway, he was just saying this off the cuff based on Chen Haoxi's content; it might work, but he doesn't know for sure now.

You can't really say he's a cheat, can you?

Even the Dragon Lord who acknowledges him as master only said a few pieces of information.

At that moment.

Thud-thud.

A sound of footsteps came, causing Yu Lin and the four of them to all look over.

They saw a five-person squad walk in.

They wore the uniform of the Civil Affairs Bureau, not the work uniform, but a special training uniform researched by the Bureau.

The leader was a girl with a high ponytail, about twenty-five years old; her face wasn't pretty, but her brows and eyes were full of heroic spirit, and her every move showed leadership, quite extraordinary.

She should be the captain.

Behind her were four people: three men and one woman.

One was a man with a rugged face and muscles all over, looking bulky, yet his right hand was unusually nimble as he played with a Butterfly Knife.

The other two men were twins—one in white with long hair, the other in black with short hair; aside from that, they were really hard to tell apart.

The last girl had a delicate appearance, wasn't tall, but was full of energy, her eyes bright, and she chattered away saying something.

After exchanging a glance with Yu Lin and the others, they walked straight forward until they all entered a gravity training room together.

As the door closed, they disappeared from Yu Lin and the others' sight.

"Who are they?"

Bai Xiaoxia scratched her head, very curious.

Yu Lin and Qin Zhao didn't know, but ZhouYi, who was sitting cross-legged on the side meditating quietly, suddenly spoke:

"They are the Second Squad of the Ninth Group, their captain is Bai Ying, and she's very strong."

"The Third Sequence No. 2 Authority 'Cold Prison' can control the temperature within ten meters around it, lowering it to minus seventy degrees in an extremely short time, and can also expand the range and raise the lower temperature limit as one's strength increases."

"She herself is also a genius at cultivating Qi, now at the late stage of the Indestructible Realm; she can be said to be an outstanding young talent of our Civil Affairs Bureau, otherwise she wouldn't have the strength to be captain."

"As for the others...... I only know the captains of each squad, so I don't know; you can go back and search our Civil Affairs Bureau's internal network to find out."

After hearing his explanation, Yu Lin and the others finally understood.

Before, they only knew that the Civil Affairs Bureau had nine groups, with the special first to third groups being solo teams, while the fourth to ninth groups each consist of at least two squads, more or less.

The Ninth Group, established ten years ago, actually has seven squads.

Within the group, squad rankings are not based on when they were founded, but on strength; the stronger the squad, the higher its rank, and the more internal Bureau resources it receives.

The assessment method: strength is one aspect, and completing tasks of a certain level is another.

Or... if the entire squad is wiped out, the next one automatically fills in!

This is the situation the Civil Affairs Bureau despises seeing the most.

Suddenly.

Qin Zhao stood up: "Everyone, I asked around earlier; to form Group Ten, we must all advance to the unbroken level within a year and jointly complete a prefectural‑level mission."

"Everyone, work hard! If you need any medicinal herbs or resources, just tell me!"

"The resources the core team of each group receives are far beyond what a squad can get!"

Very motivated and spirited.

Yu Lin also didn't dampen her enthusiasm, and nodded in response:

"Alright, I support your idea."

"Sister Qin, then could you treat me to a few meals of spiritual food in the future?"

"If we truly become Group Ten, I can also bring honor to my master when I return."

Seeing them like that, Qin Zhao smiled: "Then let's work hard together!"

"I'll go train some more; see you tomorrow!"

She turned and walked toward a single‑person training room.

She planned to try the extreme training method Yu Lin mentioned.

Yu Lin thought of his Crimson Sky Sword Qi, still unsure of its use or power…

So he also got up and went to a testing chamber specifically for measuring weapon power and the potency of refined techniques.

Since all facilities are now open to them, entry is free; normally, after the monthly free quota is used up, they charge ten thousand per hour.

However, the free time quota is sufficient unless one stays inside all day.

The testing room is about 150 square meters, its interior decoration simple—just a touch interface.

Yu Lin stepped forward and looked down.

The touch interface allows selection of the test level.

It includes levels from Qi induction to True Fusion, but the higher Five Qi and Great Void are not available.

Perhaps because they're too expensive? Or current technology can't produce them?

He ignored it.

Yu Lin started directly with the refining formation.

He pressed Confirm.

Immediately, an alloy stake protruded from the ground ahead.

Yu Lin raised his hand, forming a sword shape with his right fingers; Qi circulated within his body, and a sharp aura condensed at his fingertips.

The next moment.

As he swung his hand down, a crimson Sword Aura burst from his fingertips, tracing a dazzling path in the air.

Swish—

The Sword Aura struck the alloy stake at the Qi induction level, slicing it cleanly like a hot knife through butter, dividing the stake in two without resistance!

The cross‑section was smooth as a mirror, even reflecting Yu Lin's slightly surprised face.

"This power…" Yu Lin said, looking at his fingers, a hint of delight flashing in his eyes:

"Not bad at all."

He pressed the unbroken level test without hesitation.

A new alloy stake rose from the ground, its material noticeably heavier, its surface gleaming with a cold metallic sheen.

He showed no hesitation.

Another crimson Sword Aura burst through the air.

This time, at the moment the Sword Aura met the alloy stake, Yu Lin clearly felt a slight resistance.

But it lasted only an instant; the Sword Aura cut through the stake like a hot knife.

Bang!

The half‑splintered alloy stake slammed onto the ground, producing a dull thud.

Yu Lin frowned slightly: "It can cut, but the consumption is noticeably higher…"

He paused to regulate his breath, then chose the Concentration level test.

This alloy stake was entirely jet‑black, its surface covered with fine intricate patterns, clearly extraordinary.

The third Sword Aura roared out.

However, this time the Sword Aura left only a shallow white mark on the stake's surface, then vanished.

At the same time, Yu Lin felt most of his internal Qi drained instantly, a strong sense of emptiness overwhelming him.

"It seems that with my fully completed Qi induction cultivation…" Yu Lin breathed deeply, pondering:

"It can be used at most three times, can instantly kill unbroken beyond the second realm, but poses little threat to strong Concentration practitioners."

He stared at the white mark: "But once I enter the refining formation realm, I should be able to cause a greater threat?"

"What about the so‑called Destiny division mentioned in the introduction? Can it split someone's innate Destiny? Never mind, I'll try it later…"

Thinking of that, Yu Lin pressed the clear button, and after the broken pillars were cleared, he turned and left the testing chamber.

He walked out rather briskly.

Chen Tian, who was inspecting the monitoring room today, sprang up from her chair, grabbed a tablet, and hurriedly turned toward the Deputy Director's office.

Without knocking, she pushed the door open and called out to Zhang Jiangping, who was handling affairs:

"Captain! Double, double Authority!!"

"Hm?! What dual Authority?" Zhang Jiangping frowned.

Chen Tian stepped forward, handed over the tablet in their hand: "Captain, just take a look and you'll know!"

"Oh?"

Zhang Jiangping took it, looked, and instantly showed surprise on his face: "Yu Lin?! Good, good, good!"

I never expected that the dual Authority, which hasn't appeared in Da Xia for decades, would fall into my hands, Zhang Jiangping, today!

Now the dual Authority is in my hand!

I want to see how America will win?! What will they use to fight us?!!