After listening to his two attendants recount what happened, Tang Shucheng's face suddenly darkened. He could almost be certain that Landon Lu had already become a Psychic Adept—and was even stronger than him. To hypnotize two seventh-level Warriors without them noticing was something even he couldn't do. He'd been a certified Psychic Adept for a year now, with a mental power value of 1.2.
At the same time, he realized he was probably exposed as well. After all, if Landon could control his attendants to brawl on the street, he could easily get them to reveal anything he wanted.
"Damn it!"
Thinking of this, he felt a bit of regret—he shouldn't have agreed to Lily Shen's request.
Lily Shen doesn't hold much status within the Shen Clan. For her sake, the family would never risk offending a Psychic Adept—especially one with real talent.
With that in mind, he made his decision: leave his two attendants in the hospital to recover, then take his hovercar straight to Landon Lu's apartment.
Landon Lu's apartment.
Ian Song had deliberately sent those two seventh-level Warriors to stir up trouble in the street, just so Tang Shucheng would realize he was a Psychic Adept too—and that it was best not to mess with him. If Tang insisted on coming again, he might just disappear without a trace.
Knock, knock!
The sound of knocking echoed through the door.
Ian Song opened the apartment gate and saw a handsome young man standing outside.
"Hello, Landon Lu. I'm Tang Shucheng!"
Ian's expression immediately darkened.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to cause trouble—I'm here to apologize," Tang Shucheng said quickly.
"Come in," Ian said, his expression softening quite a bit.
Once they were seated, Ian poured Tang Shucheng a cup of tea.
"So, tell me—why did you target me?" Ian asked bluntly.
Tang Shucheng was briefly taken aback, then quickly explained, "Actually, there's no grudge between us. I only sent people after you because Lily Shen asked me to."
"If you were just acting on her behalf, why are you telling me the truth?" Ian pressed, looking at him.
Tang Shucheng smiled. "Lily Shen may be from the Shen Clan, but she's basically just an ordinary person. You and I are different—we're both noble Psychic Adepts, with limitless futures ahead. So, I came here specifically to apologize. Here, this is a small token of goodwill. Please accept it!"
As he spoke, Tang Shucheng took out a fist-sized blue skill crystal from his pocket and handed it to Ian.
Ian didn't reach out to take it, instead looking at Tang Shucheng with suspicion.
Tang Shucheng smiled and said, "Landon Lu, I know you're also a Warrior. This skill crystal contains an ordinary martial technique—think of it as my apology gift."
"Alright, enemies should be resolved rather than deepened. I'll accept your gift!" After a brief hesitation, Ian took the skill crystal.
Even ordinary martial techniques cost over 100,000 credits, so Tang Shucheng's gift was quite substantial.
Tang Shucheng clapped his hands. "That's exactly right, Landon! Enemies should be resolved, not deepened. By the way, when do you plan to go for your official test? Once news gets out that you've become a Psychic Adept, every major faction will try to recruit you."
Government departments have set up dedicated mental-power testing stations. As long as you pass, the government will issue a Psychic Adept certificate along with various rewards.
"No rush. For now, I'd appreciate if you kept this confidential, Tang."
"Of course, of course!"
Although Tang Shucheng didn't understand why Ian wasn't eager to take the test, he quickly agreed anyway.
After chatting a while longer, Tang Shucheng took his leave.
Ian took out the skill crystal and pressed it to his brow. Instantly, a flood of information surged into his mind—it was a martial technique called Exploding Cloud Fist, consisting of six moves. If mastered, it could boost his power by at least sixty percent, making it one of the best 'ordinary' fist techniques.
Its price was at least 200,000 credits, which showed Tang Shucheng was serious about making peace.
A few days passed in a flash, and soon it was the end of the month. On the fifth of next month, the military would come to the school for recruitment.
That day, just as class began, Martin Tai came to the classroom and called Ian to his office.
Inside Martin Tai's office, two men in police uniforms were already waiting.
Martin Tai warmly introduced everyone: "Landon, let me introduce you—this is Sean Xiao, Captain of the City SWAT Division Fifth Battalion, and this is Ryan Zhou, Deputy Captain. Captain Xiao, Deputy Zhou, this is Landon Lu."
"Captain Xiao, Deputy Zhou—hello."
Ian greeted the two men.
Sean Xiao looked to be just over forty, radiating a sense of capability. His cultivation had reached the War General level.
Ryan Zhou was in his early thirties, slightly overweight, but still quite strong—a ninth-level Warrior.
"Not bad, young man! You've got spirit!" Sean Xiao praised in a booming voice.
"Thank you for the compliment, Captain Xiao," Ian replied modestly.
Sean Xiao nodded. "Good, good. Our City SWAT Division needs young people like you. I heard from Teacher Tai that your body arts have reached the sixth-level Warrior rank?"
"Yes," Ian replied calmly, nodding.
"I trust both Teacher Tai and you, but before you join our City SWAT Division, you'll need to pass a test!"
"Sure, no problem!"
"The Body Arts Hall has a strength testing machine. Let's go there," Martin Tai suggested.
"Alright!" Sean Xiao nodded.
The group headed to the first floor of the School of Business Body Arts Hall and went straight to the strength testing machine.
Ryan Zhou kindly reminded him, "Landon, use your full strength. Our City SWAT Division may be police, but just like the military, the stronger you are, the more respect you'll earn."
Sean Xiao glanced at Ryan Zhou. As a member of the Zhou Family—one of the Five Great Families—Ryan was usually proud and aloof, sometimes even ignoring Sean's authority as captain. It was surprising to see him so friendly to a student.
"Thank you for the advice, Deputy Zhou!"
Ian said, then threw a punch.
Bang!
There was a loud crash as the numbers on the strength tester rapidly changed, finally settling at 664.
In other words, Ian's punch registered at 664 kilograms—top-tier for a sixth-level Warrior.
"Excellent."
Sean Xiao couldn't help but comment: at just twenty years old, Ian was already a sixth-level Warrior. He could easily reach ninth-level before thirty, maybe even break through to War General. At that point, the City SWAT Division would gain a powerful new commander.
"By the way, Landon, have you ever trained in martial techniques?" Ryan Zhou asked.
"I've trained in Exploding Cloud Fist," Ian replied.
"How about we spar?" Ryan Zhou suggested.
"Then I'll do my best!" Ian hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
The four of them went up to the third floor of the Body Arts Hall, where Ian and Ryan Zhou faced each other on the arena.
"Landon, show me your strongest attack!" Ryan Zhou beckoned to Ian.
"Careful, Deputy Zhou!"
With a shout, Ian stepped forward, darting to Ryan Zhou's side and swinging a punch at his waist.
Ryan Zhou retreated, his legs moving almost simultaneously—one foot kicked at Ian's wrist, the other at his abdomen.