On the other end of the phone, Chai Xiaohao was equally bewildered. This wasn't some game, so why had a "master" suddenly appeared?
"Last time, the space we encountered should have been an A-rank, right?" Liang Jin-yu asked with a serious expression. "I hope you can explain to Xiaohao just how dangerous an A-rank space truly is."
"Huh?" Xu Que was momentarily taken aback. "Which dimensional space are they trying to conquer?"
Xu Que didn't immediately give a lecture but instead asked for clarification.
"It's the one in Ji City, left over from the last eruption," Liang Jin-yu explained.
Upon hearing this, Xu Que nodded and took the phone. "Xiaohao, if you intend to challenge that space, I'd suggest you wait for four more days. I'll personally be there to guide you."
Liang Jin-yu was stunned. She had wanted Xu Que to talk her brother out of it, not to take him along to an A-rank dimensional crack!
On the other end, Chai Xiaohao was just as perplexed. Was this a lesson in danger, or was Xu Que planning to personally command the operation?
Suddenly, Chai Xiaohao seemed to have had a realization.
"Wait a second, you're from Zha Tian, aren't you?"
At Chai Xiaohao's inquiry, Xu Que didn't hesitate to confirm. "Yes, I am Xu Que."
"Whoa, this is big!" Chai Xiaohao exclaimed excitedly. "Master, we're in Ji City, near Songhua Lake Tower. We'll handle the C-rank and B-rank cracks for now, but we'll see you in four days! Don't be late!"
Just as Xu Que was about to respond, Chai Xiaohao abruptly hung up the phone.
Xu Que shook his head in disbelief. "These people…" he muttered. "Every big shot I've known has one thing in common—they're all a bit of a clown."
Liang Jin-yu narrowed her eyes, glaring at Xu Que. "What do you think you're doing? I asked you to talk him out of it, not take him on an adventure!"
Xu Que scratched his head and grinned awkwardly. "Don't worry, that space isn't nearly as dangerous as the one we encountered before."
"Really?" Liang Jin-yu asked skeptically.
"Really, I swear!" Xu Que held up three fingers.
Liang Jin-yu rolled her eyes. "A man's oath? No one believes that. You should know better than to try that with me."
Xu Que sighed in resignation. He hadn't lied. With his current strength, unless he encountered an exceptionally powerful S-rank boss, even an A-rank boss would pose little challenge. If he were to revisit [Snow Mist White Ridge C], the mysterious group there wouldn't even need to die—he could single-handedly eliminate all the otherworldly creatures in that dimension.
Seeing Xu Que remain silent, Liang Jin-yu smiled softly. "Fine, I'm just worried about you two. But next time, don't take unnecessary risks. I don't want to be a widow."
...
At that moment, Xu Que felt a pang of guilt. When had he ever not risked his life? How else would he have survived the trials in Tian Yuan? But such things couldn't be said aloud to Liang Jin-yu—it was simply a man's code.
"By the way, haven't you gone to check on the two newcomers to the company?" Liang Jin-yu asked as she rested against Xu Que's back.
"I haven't been yet, but I know all about them." Xu Que casually wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"I hear the beauty on the 48th floor came here because of you. Don't you want to go see for yourself?" Liang Jin-yu teased, raising Xu Que's chin with a finger.
"I'm afraid I'll be lucky to see her but unlucky enough to not survive!" Xu Que laughed. "Do you know who she is?"
"I find that hard to believe," Liang Jin-yu said with a mischievous smile, gently tracing the back of Xu Que's neck. "As for her identity, anyone with the surname Murong in Shangjing could only be from one family. It's obvious who she is."
"Since you already know, then you should understand that a woman like that is far beyond someone like me," Xu Que said with a smile, lifting Liang Jin-yu in his arms and walking toward the office's private room.
As the door closed behind them, they kissed passionately, and soon found themselves immersed in a deeply intimate moment.
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and with Liang Jin-yu's practiced movements, Xu Que was quickly lost in the moment, checking all the vital details, making sure everything was thoroughly covered.
An hour later, after they had both cleaned up, Liang Jin-yu looked at Xu Que with reluctance as he left the 52nd floor.
In the isolation room on the seventh floor, Xu Que sat across from a young man—Li Jiu, the soul wielder.
"Thank you," Li Jiu said sincerely.
"It's no trouble. We're all brothers at Zha Tian, and I'm well aware of your situation," Xu Que replied with a smile.
Li Jiu paused, studying Xu Que closely. The chaotic thoughts in his mind made him realize that he had already outgrown the abilities of a regular supernatural being.
"I believe in fairness and trust. As members of Zha Tian Hunters, our trust in you is already shown by not abandoning you," Xu Que said. "As a soul wielder, I hope you'll continue working for the company."
Li Jiu trembled slightly at the mention of the term "soul wielder." He hadn't expected anyone to know about his secret.
"But, you have the right to leave," Xu Que continued. "We won't interfere with your choice. However, if you stay, I can guarantee an increase in your salary and benefits, but you'll also have to prove your worth."
"Whether you stay or go is up to you," Xu Que concluded, standing to leave.
Just as Xu Que turned to walk out, Li Jiu clenched his fist and called out, "Wait!"
Xu Que smiled and returned to his seat, watching Li Jiu intently.
"How much do you know about soul wielders?" Li Jiu asked.
"Quite a lot, more than you might think," Xu Que answered seriously.
Li Jiu looked at Xu Que and asked, "Are you a soul wielder too?"
"Sort of, but much stronger than you," Xu Que said with a smile.
Li Jiu nodded thoughtfully and said, "Alright, I'll continue working for the company, but I have one condition."
"Speak," Xu Que replied, eyeing Li Jiu carefully. He didn't think Li Jiu was the ambitious type—he seemed more like an honest, straightforward person.
"I want you to let my sister join the company, even if it's just for a clerical position," Li Jiu said.
Xu Que almost burst into laughter at this request but managed to suppress it, considering the setting.
"Don't worry. When you were unconscious, the CEO already arranged for her to join the company," Xu Que reassured him.
"Thank you," Li Jiu said, rising and bowing deeply in gratitude.
Xu Que patted him on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work. I believe in you."
Li Jiu nodded firmly, understanding what was expected of him.
As Xu Que turned to leave the room, he paused at the door and said, "After this dimensional explosion is over, go assist the Yue family's Elite Ten team. When you're in the space, make sure to inform them of everything you encounter."
"Understood!" Li Jiu replied with resolute confidence.
Xu Que smiled, waving as he walked out, leaving the isolation room behind.
...
When he arrived at the underground parking lot on the third floor, he saw that the area had already been largely transformed. The original passageways were sealed off, and everything had been reinforced with alloy.
"Not bad. After we forge the spirit iron, we'll reinforce it further," Xu Que muttered to himself as he began to browse through the territory shop.