Chapter 38: Jiang He Took the MVP

The outskirts of Central State City.

Jiang Li had been killed, but the traces he left behind had not disappeared.

The originally vast green wheat fields had already turned into a giant pit spanning a mile in radius, with underground water gushing out at the bottom.

It would not be long before this place became a new lake.

At the edge of the pit, Zhong Honglian, who had arrived late, listened to Chen Zhenbang’s account of the incident before shifting her gaze to Jiang He.

“Jiang He, this time it’s thanks to you.”

“You also work part-time at the Fire Bureau like Lingwei?”

“Mm… In that case, I’ll count this as an A-rank merit for you.”

A-rank merit?!

Chen Zhenbang and the others were dumbfounded.

One had to know, even as the Director of Public Security, Chen Zhenbang had only ever received A-rank merit a handful of times.

Jiang He had merely helped investigate a clue and found Jiang Li’s tracks. At most, it could be considered meritorious in investigation. As for the actual battle, it had been resolved by Chen Zhenbang and the others together with that mysterious white-haired man.

Yet when it came to calculating contributions, looking at the score, Jiang He had taken MVP?

Was this the preferential treatment of an S-rank genius?

Chen Zhenbang and the others believed they had sensed Zhong Honglian’s particular regard for Jiang He.

But in truth, only Jiang He himself understood the reason Zhong Honglian acted this way.

“This is counting White Crane’s contribution under my name…”

Well, that made sense.

After all, White Crane was both Jiang He’s future self and his summoned being.

This merit, he accepted with peace of mind.

After Zhong Honglian finished speaking, she turned to Chen Zhenbang.

“Director Chen, the impact of this incident is extremely bad. I’ll entrust the follow-up handling to you.”

“Now that Jiang Li is dead, the position of principal of the Third High School is vacant. Once this matter is settled, I’ll recommend to the council that you take over the position.”

The role of principal at a Transcendent school was far more attractive than that of a Public Security Director.

Chen Zhenbang, who had still been muttering to himself earlier, now beamed: “Rest assured when I handle matters!”

At present, Zhong Honglian was concurrently serving as the Mayor of Central State City. With her many duties, she only gave a few brief instructions before transforming into flames and flying away.

Chen Zhenbang ordered several security officers to deal with the pit left by Jiang Li, while personally escorting Jiang He and the other two back to the Fire Bureau. Along the way, his attitude toward Jiang He was extremely cordial, treating him as if he were the new rising star of Central State City.

This was natural. Jiang He not only possessed an S-rank talent but was also valued so highly by Zhong Honglian.

Anyone with eyes could see his future was limitless.

As for his identity as a low-level Transcendent…

That was an added bonus!

Adding brilliance to splendor could not compare to sending charcoal in the snow. Should they wait until the genius grew into a true powerhouse before treating him kindly?

By that time, who would still care about a few smiling faces?

When they returned to the Fire Bureau, the firefighters of the Seventh Squad were absent, clearly out saving people from disaster.

Zhang Zhiyong had wanted to say something, but as soon as they stepped into the building, Du Lingwei grabbed Jiang He and pulled him straight into the cultivation room.

He could only scratch his head and busy himself elsewhere.

…

Inside the Fire Spirit Room, Jiang He was somewhat surprised.

After staying at the Fire Bureau for so many days, his impression of Du Lingwei had gradually changed.

From the original rigid labels of “genius,” “rising star,” “radiant,” she had become “quiet,” “steady,” and “mature.”

She was unlike a lively high school sophomore girl, more like a prematurely mature Transcendent who clearly understood what was needed at her current stage, what should be done, and who worked hard for her goal.

Her daily life was disciplined and diligent. If she was not cultivating, she was carrying out missions, as orderly as a robot.

Her dealings with people were equally mature—neither too close nor too distant. She would not make people feel smothered by enthusiasm, nor would she make them feel neglected.

Perhaps some might view this as aloofness or coldness, but Jiang He actually felt quite comfortable with it—

He was not particularly skilled at dealing with overly enthusiastic people and was more accustomed to interacting with those who were reserved.

Thus, after cultivating at the Fire Bureau for several days, he had quickly adapted from initial awkwardness with Du Lingwei to treating her with a calm, natural mindset.

Each cultivated on their own, peacefully.

In fact, compared to White Crane’s words of “future wife,” he felt she was more like a cultivation partner.

During the two days Jiang He had pushed his energy level, he and Du Lingwei barely needed words.

A simple nod, and they would both enter the Fire Spirit Room to cultivate. Afterward, each left on their own to attend to their business.

Jiang He had already grown accustomed to this.

But now, for the first time, he saw emotions such as “conflict” and “confusion” in Du Lingwei’s eyes.

He could not help but ask: “What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong?

That was exactly Du Lingwei’s question.

Earlier, when Zhong Honglian had credited Jiang He with A-rank merit, she had also noticed the reasoning behind it—

In both the 【School Attack】 and 【Jiang Li’s Rampage】 incidents, the white-haired man had appeared, Jiang He had been present, both possessed Word-Spirit talents, and each time afterward, Teacher Zhong had paid particular attention to Jiang He.

This time she had even directly awarded him A-rank merit, as if it were almost saying outright that “the two are connected.”

It was hard not to guess.

In fact, Director Chen and the others had likely thought the same but simply chose not to say it aloud.

After all, he was a friendly Transcendent with such strength. Since he was unwilling to expose his identity, they might as well cooperate.

If they pressed too hard, it would put everyone in an awkward position.

This matter originally had nothing to do with Du Lingwei—just like Jiang He’s S-rank talent, it bore no impact on her.

But what unsettled her was the white-haired man himself…

More precisely, not the 【white-haired man】, but his 【flame】.

As the possessor of the A-rank talent 【Flame Spirit Guardian】, Du Lingwei was intimately familiar with her gift.

She could clearly sense that when the white-haired man fought against Jiang Li, the “flame” he released was unmistakably the Flame Spirit Fire of the Flame Spirit Guardian!

If it had only been that, it would have been fine.

In this Transcendent era, talents were not unique.

Just like Jiang He’s 【Word-Spirit】, it had also appeared in history.

So for Flame Spirit Guardian, an A-rank talent, to be awakened by two different Transcendents was not surprising.

The problem was…

In Du Lingwei’s perception, the Flame Spirit Fire released by the white-haired man carried a very strange aura.

It was not a foreign Flame Spirit aura.

Nor was it the Flame Spirit aura she herself possessed.

It was more like… herself!

Yes, how could a stranger’s Flame Spirit be identical to hers?!

Moreover, how could she possibly become the “Flame Spirit” of the Flame Spirit Guardian talent?!

Du Lingwei’s mind was in turmoil, unable to imagine a reason.

At this moment, she could no longer suppress her confusion and asked aloud.

“Jiang He, who is that white-haired man?”

“When he attacked Principal Jiang just now, was the flame talent he used 【Flame Spirit Guardian】?”

So that’s what she wanted to ask.

Jiang He suddenly realized, then felt a little awkward.

Was it really so easy for everyone to guess the connection between White Crane and him?

Well, perhaps it was not that hard to guess.

But wait—White Crane had actually used the 【Flame Spirit Guardian】 talent just now?!

Jiang He had thought it was the Lord Flame of the Blazing Red Lotus profession!

Stunned, he looked outside the wall and transmitted his voice to White Crane outside the room: “You have two talents?!”

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