"Has it really been three days?"
In the living room, Xiao Ye was somewhat surprised after Nangong Siyao's explanation. Today marked the fifth day in the youth training camp. In the midst of training, he hadn't noticed the passage of time, and before he knew it, so many days had slipped by.
Nangong Siyao clung to Cheng Bingxi's arm, her eyes filled with excitement. She hadn't been able to be close to Cheng Bingxi for three days and was feeling quite eager for some affection.
Over these three days, after each training session, Nangong Siyao would come to the outside of Xiao Ye's apartment to see if they had finished training.
She would never admit that she often eavesdropped on the sounds coming from Xiao Ye's apartment.
Suddenly, Cheng Bingxi stood up with a panicked expression and rushed into the bathroom.
"Oh no, I've got four days of backlog to clear out, I need to go right now."
Xiao Ye had a black look on his face, thinking she didn't need to be so detailed about her bathroom trip.
With Cheng Bingxi gone, Nangong Siyao curiously watched her leave, when suddenly a strikingly handsome face filled her vision.
Nangong Siyao blushed, stepping back slightly, and snapped, "What are you doing?"
"I should ask you that. Why are you here in our apartment so early? Do you need something?" Xiao Ye retorted.
"I, I'm here for Cheng... I mean, I'm here to tell you that the Lord of the City Guard Pavilion wants to see you!" Nangong Siyao caught herself, nearly admitting she came for Cheng Bingxi, and quickly changed the subject to business.
"Yes, the Lord of the City Guard Pavilion wants to see you after your training."
Xiao Ye frowned. The Lord of the City Guard Pavilion was the highest commander, on par with the city lord of the Wild Plains Base City. What could he want with him?
Setting aside his thoughts, Xiao Ye focused on Nangong Siyao and her impressive figure.
"Do you want to restore your SSS-Rank template?" Xiao Ye asked.
Nangong Siyao's expression darkened. "Of course, I dream about it! But there's no way, no leads, nothing to start with."
She spoke with a self-deprecating tone.
"Maybe the heavens are just against me, making things difficult on purpose."
Xiao Ye looked into her eyes. "I have a way."
Nangong Siyao looked up, full of disbelief.
Xiao Ye took a rule fragment crystal from his system space and held it out to her, thinking: Complete the incomplete template.
The rule fragment crystal transformed into a colorless light, merging into Nangong Siyao's body.
Nangong Siyao froze, incredulous. "What is this?"
She felt an endless surge of power from deep within her, her contract power continuously strengthening.
**[SSS-Rank Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Template (Incomplete): 11 Rule Fragment Crystals / 12 Rule Fragment Crystals]**
This message came from the rule fragment crystal within her.
Nangong Siyao was ecstatic and ran out to the neighboring apartment to fetch a template level detector, a small device she had specifically asked her father, the city lord, to get.
"Beep beep beep!"
In her excitement, the detector produced results!
**[SS-Rank Four-Clawed Dragon King Template]**
Nangong Siyao was stunned.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door and the voice of the bald instructor:
"Xiao Ye, Cheng Bingxi, report to the highest command of the City Guard. There's a leader who wants to see you."
"Understood, Instructor," Xiao Ye responded.
Nangong Siyao rushed over, grabbing Xiao Ye's shoulders in delight. "SS-Rank template! What's going on?"
Xiao Ye glanced at her and said, "We'll talk when we get back."
With that, Xiao Ye re-materialized the rule fragment crystal, retrieving it back into the system space. Nangong Siyao suddenly felt her contract power diminish rapidly, her body's strength reverting to its previous state.
Cheng Bingxi emerged from the bathroom, and Xiao Ye took her to the highest command of the City Guard Pavilion.
The City Guard Pavilion covered a vast area, with the youth training camp being just a small section on its outskirts. As they left the dormitory, Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi were escorted by a squad.
Nangong Siyao tested her talent template again, and when the results came out, her smile froze.
**[C-Rank Swimming Dragon Template]**
Seeing this, Nangong Siyao felt despondent, like a withered plant.
It took her a while to accept reality.
Xiao Ye, he must have a way.
Nangong Siyao's spirits lifted slightly.
But she also worried. Restoring her to an SSS-Rank template must have cost Xiao Ye greatly. She wasn't one to take advantage without giving back, so she needed to find something of equal value.
"But it must be a priceless treasure that can't be measured by money. Even selling myself might not cover the cost of such a core."
"I'm willing to offer myself!" Remembering what she had told Xiao Ye before, Nangong Siyao blushed. Xiao Ye, both externally and internally, was top-notch, but every Beastmaster could only contract one template.
"It's so frustrating. If only Beastmasters could contract with multiple partners!"
Nangong Siyao rolled on the sofa, clutching her head in frustration, her impressive figure becoming a mess.
At the highest command of the City Guard Pavilion.
In the broad avenues, security was tight and orderly, with fully armed squads visible every few steps.
Entering the manor, they were led by guards to a large office.
Inside sat a middle-aged man with a square face, currently on a call.
"Lord, you have a keen eye, recognizing immediately that Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi are suited for hell-level training."
The middle-aged man was surprised. "What hell-level training?"
"Come on, Lord, don't pretend. I know you value Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi. You always instruct me before their training to crank up the difficulty to the max!"
On the other end was the bald instructor, known as a training fanatic, who said admiringly:
"It really is effective. Hell-level difficulty training barely challenges them. Starting at hell-level is the only way!"
Hell-level training is effective?
The middle-aged man's eyes gleamed with joy. Could our Wild Plains Base City finally be producing dragons?
But he always instructs them before each training?
The middle-aged man's expression changed, and he hurriedly searched his drawer, looking grim.
Grumbling internally: "That little brat again, taking my token without permission!"
The token, a symbol of identity, was used for remote commands and communication, usually reserved for direct orders to guards.
A report came from outside: "Lord! Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi have arrived."
The middle-aged man ended the call, his expression returning to calm, eyes filled with anticipation.
"Enter!"
Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi entered, greeted by his hearty laughter:
"I've heard we have two dragons in our Wild Plains Base City. Seeing you today, it's true."
Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi responded humbly, "You're too kind."
The middle-aged man pointed to a large map on the wall, speaking seriously: "Wild Plains Base City is near the Beast Mountain Range. This area is plagued by demon snakes and pythons, and secretly, there are dragons causing chaos. We've been fighting in the Demon Snake Forest for centuries to keep the base city safe."
Cheng Bingxi casually remarked, "Uncle, you've worked hard! The citizens are very grateful..."
Xiao Ye covered Cheng Bingxi's mouth, signaling her not to speak rashly.
"Mmm mmm mmm!" Cheng Bingxi was puzzled.
Xiao Ye whispered in her ear, "The lord's words have three layers of meaning."
"First: The City Guard Pavilion is the most crucial defense for the base city, having sacrificed generations of lives and efforts."
"Second: The city's safety under the City Guard's protection means we should be grateful."
"Third: By calling us the 'dragons' of the base city, he wants us to express our stance."
Cheng Bingxi understood!
A big shot's words carried multiple meanings.
Feeling relieved to have contracted with Xiao Ye, she thought about what embarrassing things she might have said otherwise.
Xiao Ye looked at the middle-aged man, speaking firmly:
"Lord, I believe that one day, our Wild Plains Base City will conquer the Demon Snake Forest!"
The middle-aged man's eyes lit up, a smile spreading across his face. "Well said! Well said!"
"However."
"Though the City Guard Pavilion grows stronger daily, the beasts' growth rate increases exponentially, posing a challenge."
Xiao Ye was s
peechless. The highest command of the City Guard Pavilion seemed to be digging a pit for him to fall into.
Indeed, reaching such a position meant dealing with complex minds!