Bai Jingshen was surprised as they crossed the shield without any problems. He didn't know how Thobar Bionics' made sure that only authorized people could enter but he was sure they had their ways. After crossing the shield, the three men were met with the sight of a grand hall. Long, broad pillars supported a beautiful white roof, sparsely decorated with glowing gems. A modern, smooth, jade-like floor interlaces with white mosaic gave the whole room a stylistic but humble feeling. To the left a wall of glass separated the hall from a lounge, containing comfy furniture and multiple screens. The instructor however led them to the right, where a young, pretty woman was already looking at them from behind a reception.
"Are you already waiting for us Lorell? Haha, sorry the road was blocked. These two are the newest members of the elite program. I guess I will let them in Manager Borgi's care."
As Instructor Hord's characteristic, loud voice echoed in the hall, the young woman at the reception didn't seem impressed at all. Only showing a familiar strictness on her face she replied to the instructor:
"Sir, you are about one hour behind your estimated time. I hope you have a good reason for that. As for the two newcomers, why are you looking like you came straight out of a battle. I could already smell the sweat on your body from the entrance. I can't let you proceed like this. Follow me!"
Instructor Hord rolled his eyes as he whispered to his recruits:
"Well, that's Mister Johann Tal's disciple for you. Fun fact: She is in the elite program too. Now follow her and don't antagonize her. Hope we see each other soon."
After bidding the instructor farewell Bai Jingshen and Sam hurriedly followed after the young woman. Lorell was already walking ahead before the two men finally caught up. Under the receptionist's lead, they soon stepped past a massive, four-by-four-meter door. They only arrived in a short corridor without any doors, before passing a similar door again.
Bai Jingshen was amazed by what he saw after stepping through the second door. From their position, they could look upwards at a massive glass panel hundreds of meters in the air. Sunshine visibly fell down on the floor, illumination their surroundings. Around the central point they were standing on dozens of circular hallways stacked on top of each other all the way to the top. All of those were covered in glass, making it possible to see hundreds of cultivators busily walking from room to room. Multiple elevators connected the different floors, while from time to time a high-leveled cultivator could be seen flying from one hallway to another through special openings.
They floor was made from the same beautiful material as the hall, but at its center the sun's radiance shone on Thobar Bionics' symbol, an eye framed by fourteen rays with a fourteen toothed gear instead of an iris.
The young men took in the magnificent architecture as Lorell led them to one of the many elevators. They were amazed as the silent machine carried them towards the 30th floor at high speeds. Bai Jingshen felt many curious gazes as they passed the mostly young cultivators on this floor. From their general bearing and the pride they radiated, Bai Jingshen was already certain, that these were young elites of Thobar Bionics. Carefully feeling their foundations, Bai Jingshen nodded inwardly, as they deserved to be called elites even by his standards.
After almost leading them to the other side of this circular hallway, Lorell finally led them through one of the bigger doors here. The two young men suddenly had eager looks on their faces, as they saw what laid on the end of the hallway they found themselves in now. There, a glass door led to what could only be the training grounds for the elites here. The young men were already prepared to thank Lorell for guiding them, eager to start their training. However, Lorell suddenly shoved them into a door to the side, shouting behind them:
"You have five minutes. If you aren't showered by then, I will personally make sure you are fired!"
The young man were confused as they suddenly stood in what was obviously a changing room. Bai Jingshen thought Lorell's earlier remarks were her attempt at making a joke, but it seemed she was serious about their appearance. Under normal circumstances cultivators at the Qi Gathering Realm wouldn't even get dirty. Only during a fight could something like this happen. However, after the dragon passed them, Bai Jingshen and Sam really weren't in the mood to clean their body with Qi. Therefore the young men could only shrug their shoulders and do as Lorell told them.
Shortly before the five minutes were up Bai Jingshen and Sam came back from showering. Lorell nodded in satisfaction before she told them to follow her again. With no other choice the young men left the training grounds and entered an elevator again. They were quickly surprised, as the elevator didn't stop and took them all the way to the top. Lorell ignored their reactions as she once again brought them through another door, entering an office-like room. Bai Jingshen quickly signaled his friend to bow, recognizing the man sitting behind the only desk in this room. Even he wanted to be on his best behavior as he felt Johann Tal's extraordinary aura.
No one dared to speak as the three youngsters waited for the high-leveled cultivator's acknowledgment. A few seconds later only a silent sentence could be heard:
"You can enter."
Lorell nodded at her master as she led Bai Jingshen and Sam through another door to the side. Once again, they entered a humble looking office. However, the two men were confused as no one could be seen here. A moment later an opening suddenly appeared in the wall behind the only desk in the room, as Elena's light voice reached their ears:
"Thank you Lorell, you can go back. Jingshen and Sam you can come here."
Bai Jingshen was certain he was able to spot a trace of surprise on Lorell stoics face this time, but she quickly bowed and left the room. The two young man didn't delay and stepped through the new opening.
As they entered a new room, the two men were welcomed by a breathtaking view. They had suddenly entered a gigantic training chamber filled with all sorts of devices. In the middle of this chamber Elena was standing in light, comfy training clothes, barefooted, and carrying her long, black hair open. Her beautiful body was perfectly set in scene by the unbelievable background. On the other side of this room a wall of glass allowed a spectacular view down the mountain. Lakes, forests, and rivers painted a beautiful scenery all the way to the horizon. Light clouds danced around, giving this perfect picture an otherworldly finishing touch.
Elena smiled slightly as she noticed the young men's amazement. This time she definitely won. The woman's playful snicker brought Bai Jingshen back to his senses. Quickly gaining back his calmness, the young man bowed towards his boss as he spoke:
"I'm glad we meet again. What do you need of us boss?"
Sam also got back his bearing as he hurriedly bowed, not able to hide his embarrassment this time.
"Welcome to my personal training chamber. Impressive, isn't it?"
"Very much so."
Elena laughed lightly again before revealing her purpose for calling those two here:
"As you already know, I have promoted you two into the elite program. However…"
"I apologize for the rude interruption Miss Thobar, but there is something I wanted to talk about anyways. I am not sure if the elite program is the right path for me."
The young Miss Thobar was slightly surprised about Bai Jingshen's statement, but this only made her more certain about the decision she had made before. Thus, se simply continued:
"Pleas let me talk first. I just wanted to tell you, that I don't intend to prepare a standard contract for you. Instead, I hope you can sign a more cooperative contract with me personally."
Those words might sound good to most people, but Bai Jingshen finally became suspicious. This woman seemed to give them way to much preferential treatment. Once or twice could still be explained, but from Lorell's reaction he knew that just them being in this room was already unusual. Although the two men were in a weaker position in Elena's headquarters, but Bai Jingshen had to gain some clarity if Elena wanted him to stay here. Therefore, he carefully asked after a short pause:
"Miss Thobar. I am grateful that you think so highly of us. But I have to ask this: Why are you so concerned about us? I think if we want to achieve a cooperation, we should clear these doubts."
Elena already expected this question to be asked. She knew that this was an important point, which could make or break their future, so she answered after careful deliberation:
"I am sure you both have very sharp instincts. I have them too. They helped me realize the immense potential you two have. Therefore, I decided to take this route. Just like I said before, I really hope we can reach the top together and help each other to achieve our own dreams along the way!"