Cultivation Online

Chapter 2689: Increased Credential Rank

"Answer me, Kecheng! Why are you asking about this man?!"

Gu Kecheng’s father shouted when he didn’t respond promptly.

"Um... because..."

Gu Kecheng went on to recount his interactions with Yuan to his father, starting with their first encounter over a year ago.

"A year ago, I met this guy and challenged him to a custom match, but I lost... Then, a few days ago, I ran into him again and challenged him to another match. At first, he refused, but he suddenly changed his mind after learning who I was. He said he was acquainted with our family and was even close with Uncle Ming. But after our fight, he said that Uncle Ming screamed like a bitch the last time they spoke... whatever that’s supposed to mean."

"..."

"Hello? Father?" Gu Kecheng called out when his father did not respond.

"I will call you back later."

Without explaining anything, the father hung up.

Some time later, while in his office, General Gu looked up from his paperwork when someone knocked on his door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me."

Before General Gu even gave permission, the door opened, and a soldier walked inside. It was none other than Captain Gu, the soldier Yuan had fought during his recruitment.

"What is it, Gu Kejian?" General Gu asked with a nonchalant expression.

"It’s about Sergeant Yuan. My son, Gu Kecheng, met and interacted with him at Gaia’s Sanctum, and he said..."

Gu Kejian recalled everything his son had told him to General Gu.

"That bastard has essentially admitted to being responsible for Gu Ming’s disappearance! We should have him arrested immediately!"

General Gu replied with a frown on his face, "Arrest him? And then what? Say that he admitted to killing Gu Ming to your son? Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? Unless you have it on recording, it’s nothing more than hearsay."

"But we have to do something! He killed my brother, Gu Ming!"

"You think I don’t want to avenge Gu Ming?!" General Gu suddenly shouted, slamming the desk in a fit of rage.

"Then why—"

"Because I can’t do anything right now, especially with the Supreme General paying close attention to him!"

"What? The Supreme General?!" Captain Gu exclaimed, unaware of Yuan’s current situation.

"The situation has changed. I can’t go into the details right now, but we cannot touch him. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll be untouchable forever. Just be patient. I am already working on it."

"I understand..."

Meanwhile, after returning to the base, Yuan made his way to Mei Feng’s office after being summoned by her.

"You called?"

"I have spoken with the Supreme General."

"What did he say?"

Mei Feng took a deep breath before responding, "The Supreme General has agreed to let you enter Level 2 Black Zone, as well as raise your Credential Rank."

"That’s great," Yuan replied.

"You don’t sound surprised at all..." Mei Feng remarked. "Were you expecting this?"

"Kind of."

Mei Feng sighed before speaking again, "Although we’ll let you go into the Black Zone, you won’t be going in alone."

"I don’t need protection, though."

"I am aware. They won’t be there to protect you, but to observe you..."

After a brief pause, she continued, "I’ll be frank. We need to learn everything we can about you, including your secrets. It’d be great if you’d be willing to tell us yourself. If not, we’ll do it ourselves."

"What sort of secrets are you referring to?"

"I don’t know. Whatever you’re hiding."

Mei Feng narrowed her eyes at Yuan.

"I also heard about Major Gu’s disappearance..."

"I had nothing to do with that," Yuan said immediately.

"I didn’t say you did..."

"Good, because I don’t."

"..."

An awkward silence filled the room for a good minute before Mei Feng broke it.

"Anyways, you’ll also be promoted to Captain... starting now."

She placed his new rank on the table and slid it toward him.

"I’ve been wondering this for a while now, but how much can I expect my Credential Rank to improve as a Captain?"

"Rank 5."

"So my Credential Rank should increase by two ranks, huh?" Yuan mumbled.

"When can I go to increase my Credential Rank?"

"Give it a few more days before you go."

"Alright."

"When do you want to head to the Black Zone?" Mei Feng then asked.

"Once I increase my Credential Rank, I suppose."

"Well, while we gave you permission, you can’t go whenever you want to. You must receive approval first. Sort of like going on leave."

"Is that so? I don’t mind, as long as it doesn’t take too long to get that approval."

"Don’t worry, it won’t."

"Is that all?" Yuan asked.

"It is... for now."

Mei Feng dismissed Yuan shortly later.

After leaving, Yuan made his way to the training center, where he’d spend the next several days fighting the Void Hunter on the 48th floor.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and Yuan made his way to the building that upgraded his Credential Rank—the same place he was arrested not long ago.

Upon arriving, Yuan walked to the front desk.

"How can I help—"

The worker behind the desk suddenly froze mid-sentence when he turned to look at Yuan and recognized him.

It was the same worker who had reported Yuan to the military police after seeing his arrest orders.

"I’m here to upgrade my Credential Rank," Yuan said a moment later, breaking the awkward silence.

"O-Okay..."

After repeating the process from last time, Yuan waited for the results.

"I can confirm that you’re eligible for a Credential Rank upgrade. Would you like to do it now?" The worker said, sighing in relief that no arrest orders were active for Yuan.

"Yes."

"Follow me."

The worker stood and led Yuan to another room, where a capsule-shaped machine waited.

"You can enter the machine whenever you’re ready."

Yuan nodded and entered the machine.

A few moments later—

"> <Your Credential Rank has increased a level>

"> <Your Credential Rank has increased a level>

"> <Your Credential Rank has increased a level>

"> <Your Credential Rank has reached Rank 6>