Chapter 9: The Sins of Man Against Man

"Xia Yan, do you remember what you said to Miss Lan Xin the first time you met her?" Gong Kui suddenly asked.

"That sentence?" Xia Yan was puzzled, only recalling after a moment, "Humans can betray as well?"

"Yes," Gong Kui nodded. "We humans, even as guardians, can have spies among us. In fact, we're often the worst offenders."

"Because the five other races can all cultivate human spies?" Xia Yan seemed to understand her meaning.

"That's one way to put it. The overt conflicts between the various races are minor, but in secret, the struggles are often to the death," Gong Kui said seriously. "If you want to become a guardian, you must gain the approval of the Third Squad. There are four members in total, including Miss Lan Xin. You need the consent of at least two more."

"Understood." Xia Yan nodded.

"And one more thing," Gong Kui hesitated briefly, her gaze uncertain. "Xia Yan, you must remember something."

"What is it?" Xia Yan asked.

"Even if your brain development hasn't reached thirty percent, compared to all the other human guardians, I still trust you the most," Gong Kui said earnestly. "If anyone is least likely to betray us, I will always believe it's you."

Xia Yan frowned slightly, sensing there might be a hidden meaning in Gong Kui's words, but he didn't ask further.

"Now that we've finished discussing official matters, let's talk about something personal," Gong Kui smiled. "Just over three months ago, Miss Tao Lu's brain development reached thirty percent, so she applied to graduate. Now, she's already gone to the Winged Ones."

"Tao Lu is from the Winged Ones? And that was so fast!" Xia Yan was both surprised and pleased.

There were some pieces of information Gong Kui chose not to reveal, and some Xia Yan simply didn't know. However, the maid of the Tao family understood—her young lady joined the organization only after developing her abilities.

In other words, when she first met Xia Yan, her brain development might have been only fifteen percent, and in less than a year, she raised it by another fifteen points. This feat was exponentially more terrifying than Xia Yan's own progress.

Perhaps in the entire organization, such a remarkable individual might not appear even once in decades.

Not even Lan Xin could compare!

"Xia Yan, you should go back now and not delay your daily training. When the next assignment is announced, I'll inform Lan Xin in advance so she can take you to meet the members of the Third Squad." Gong Kui smiled as she spoke.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave." Xia Yan nodded.

After Xia Yan left, a shadow flickered in Gong Kui's eyes.

Xia Yan, this is still not enough. Far from enough. But there are still some special ways to accelerate brain development. For example, instead of risking your life in battle against mutants, what if you fought other humans, or even those from other races?

From the information I have, at least three members of the Third Squad have already shown signs of trouble. I was going to intervene immediately. But now, I want you to handle it.

And perhaps, there are even more hidden enemies. Every one of them is stronger than you; without risking your life, you stand no chance at all.

Xia Yan, prepare for a fierce struggle, a life-and-death fight against humans and non-humans alike. Only in such extremity will your brain be stimulated into rapid growth.

In six months, reaching thirty percent brain development—how difficult is that, truly?

Xia Yan, this is your only chance. That demon girl actually set such harsh conditions. What exactly is she planning?

Even in Gong Kui’s eyes, these requirements were far too extreme. Even with all her power, she could only grant Xia Yan the slimmest chance.

A minuscule one.

Gong Kui knew perfectly well that even fighting third or fourth-tier mutants would not stimulate Xia Yan’s brain rapidly enough. But if he fought humans, or those of other races, that might be different.

Desperate, frenzied battles, every kill a step between life and death—either he would die, or they would.

They won’t spare you, you know, for you’re the genius of the human side.

Only the most extreme measures might offer a chance at survival.

Furthermore, Xia Yan, even if you develop your body to thirty percent, the third requirement is far more difficult.

Is there truly any hope? Would it not be better to give up early, rather than expend everything only to perish miserably in the end?

At times, even Gong Kui had such thoughts.

Xia Yan returned to the Lan residence and devoted himself to training, his heart never once wavering.

Several days later, Lan Xin finally returned, the purpose of her visit being to seek out Xia Yan and take him to the Guardians Squad.

But first, she went to see her grandfather, Lan Qing, to explain everything.

"Grandfather, how is Xia Yan’s training progressing?" Lan Xin smiled faintly. In front of her grandfather, her usual coldness seemed to fade somewhat.

"Three months, and he’s achieved what would take an ordinary person several years," Lan Qing chuckled. "Anyone whose physical development exceeds twenty percent is a martial arts prodigy, incomparable to the rest."

Even as a grandmaster, Lan Qing was astonished by Xia Yan’s rapid progress; this was not something ordinary humans could achieve.

"Grandfather, haven’t you always said I have no talent for martial arts?" Lan Xin laughed. "I only learned half your craft before stopping. After all, mastering every discipline isn’t simple—I don’t have the perseverance. Look, letting Xia Yan inherit our Thousand Sects style is a good idea, isn’t it?"

"Good? I don’t want the Thousand Sects style to be lost," Lan Qing glared at his granddaughter, but couldn’t bring himself to be stern. "Girl, why have you come back this time?"

"I want to borrow Xia Yan for a while," Lan Xin replied. "Our squad has accepted a mission to eliminate a fourth-tier mutant. We’ll be meeting nearby, and I’ll take Xia Yan for his entry trial."

"Go ahead. Bring him back promptly when you’re done," Lan Qing nodded. "If, as you say, he has so little time left, then I must speed up his training as well."

Normally, a martial art could not be taught in a single day, but Xia Yan was pressed for time, so Lan Qing had no choice but to accelerate his lessons. To raise his ancient martial skills to the mid-level within six months was a daunting task—a great challenge even for a master.

"Alright, I’ll fetch Xia Yan," Lan Xin agreed with a smile.

That morning, Xia Yan was training his evasive footwork in the mechanism chamber, dodging countless steel balls. Though he managed better than his first attempt, managing to avoid complete disaster, it was still impossible to remain unscathed.

And this was only the lowest difficulty—at higher levels, it would be like facing a volley of ten thousand arrows. Of course, in his training, Xia Yan always suppressed his physical strength to the human limit, at ten percent.

"Xia Yan," came Lan Xin’s voice from outside the chamber.

"Miss Lan Xin," Xia Yan deactivated the mechanisms and opened the door to greet her.

"How’s your progress these past six months?" Lan Xin’s expression was as cool as ever.

"It’s been a real awakening," Xia Yan replied with a smile.

"Our squad will be gathering this afternoon in the wilderness outside the city, for a mission to hunt a fourth-tier mutant. You’re coming as well," Lan Xin told him. "This is also Miss Gong Kui’s intention. Only by earning the approval of more than half the Third Squad can you become a guardian."

"Understood." Xia Yan smiled and nodded.

"Besides, since the meeting is local, the other squad members will need time to arrive, so we have plenty of time left," Lan Xin eyed Xia Yan with curiosity. "Let’s have a spar, Xia Yan—I’d like to see how much you’ve improved in the past six months."

"Alright," Xia Yan agreed with growing confidence.

Soon, both donned their training attire and entered the practice hall.

"Let’s both suppress our strength to the human limit for this bout. Is that alright?" Lan Xin’s beautiful eyes studied him.

"Of course." Xia Yan nodded.

Lan Xin casually took a wooden longsword from the weapon rack. For her, sparring without a sword would greatly diminish her skill.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, noticing his expression.

"You’re using a weapon?" Xia Yan was surprised.

With a light snort, Lan Xin replied, "You can choose not to use one, but that hardly means I must do the same."

"I suppose it makes no difference for me. I’ll go barehanded," Xia Yan replied with a wry smile. Thanks to the Thousand Sects style and the fact that the weapons were all wooden, there wasn’t much difference for him between armed and unarmed combat.

"Very well, let’s see how your internal martial arts have progressed."

Lan Xin stepped forward, thrusting her wooden sword at Xia Yan with seventy percent of her strength.

Xia Yan’s right hand formed into a finger, tapping the blade and causing Lan Xin’s movement to falter. This was inner vision through qigong, using gentle force to neutralize her attack.

Lan Xin was genuinely surprised—Xia Yan had only trained for three months, yet his progress was astounding. Even his internal skills showed some mastery, allowing him to control his bones and meridians.

"Your foundations are solid, Xia Yan!" Lan Xin praised, though she showed no mercy, sweeping the wooden sword toward him.

"Here’s my chance!" Xia Yan clenched his fist, his joints crackling as he focused all his strength onto a single point and struck the blade.

This punch, utilizing internal energy, unleashed his power perfectly. He might not yet be able to use his full strength, but it was far better than before.

The force instantly sent the wooden sword flying, spinning like a whirlwind through the air.

"Impressive, Xia Yan." Lan Xin admired his skill. Although she had left an opening on purpose, she hadn’t expected Xia Yan to seize it so precisely. His ancient martial techniques had grown manyfold since they first met.

Lan Xin’s body grew light, and she leapt up, catching the sword in mid-air. Using the side wall to alter her trajectory, she spun in the air and thrust at Xia Yan like a shooting star.

Xia Yan’s footwork was exquisite; with just a few light steps, he changed position, and her strike missed by mere moments.

"Marvelous—your footwork has matured too," Lan Xin remarked inwardly. Xia Yan had made strides in both hand techniques and footwork.

By the Federation’s standards, Xia Yan had barely reached entry-level when he started. Now, he was a solid mid-tier practitioner, both in hand and foot techniques of the Thousand Sects style.

Now, he could even face Tang Yun, heir to another ancient martial style, and hold his own for a while.

Yet Tang Yun had trained from childhood, for over a decade. Xia Yan had only begun training three months before.

"Qi Condensation Slash."

Lan Xin steadied herself, sword shimmering with a flow of light that seemed unstoppable.

She had trained much longer and was far more skilled. In earnest combat, Xia Yan stood no chance.

He frowned, realizing he couldn’t counter this move with technique alone—it would take too long.

There was no choice.

He leapt back, his steps shifting through an intricate pattern. But his footwork was still rudimentary, and Lan Xin saw through it immediately.

With no other options, he clenched his right fist, gathered all his inner energy, and struck with all his might.

There was a resounding crack.

Xia Yan’s fist went numb from the impact. He tried to recover, but Lan Xin gave him no chance—she closed in and pressed the sword tip to his chest.

"Xia Yan, I win," Lan Xin announced, genuinely pleased. Her demeanor in martial arts was clearly different from her usual seriousness.

"If I’d chosen a weapon, maybe I’d have done better," Xia Yan said ruefully, a little unwilling to accept defeat.

"You’d have lost even with a weapon. I’ve trained with a sword for years; you’ve only just begun," Lan Xin laughed, helping him up. "But you have every reason to be proud. You’ve trained for such a short time, yet you’re more talented than I ever was."

Xia Yan smiled back, slightly embarrassed.

After their sparring, both changed into more practical clothes, boarded a flying vehicle, and headed toward the wilderness outside the city.