Stronger with More Jobs-Chapter 506 - 248: Preparations Before Departure

But there was no chance to try. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Only the Eternal Night Radiant Armor was tested. Whether it was the augmented defense or power, or the mastery of dark power, it all took a big step forward.

Both systems advanced side by side, with a surge in strength.

This visible and terrifying speed of progress caught the eyes of Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan, who trained together daily.

The impact it brought was highly shocking.

Bam!

Chu Kuanglan was once again sent flying by a casually condensed fist aura from Fang Qingyu, rolling awkwardly on the ground several times before stopping.

He lay sprawled on the cold alloy floor, staring at the ceiling, his chest heaving violently, and his gaze somewhat unfocused.

"Huff... Huff... I... I finally understand..." Chu Kuanglan gasped heavily, his voice laden with exhaustion and a nearly numb sentiment. "In the past... when those junior brothers at the Martial Arts Hall... looked at me... how they felt..."

It was a deep sense of powerlessness.

A despair that comes from watching a figure drift further and further away, without even the thought of pursuing.

Monster!

A true monster!

Wei Banmeng and Lu Jiuyuan stood silently aside, watching the fallen Chu Kuanglan and then looking at Fang Qingyu, who stood in the arena with a presence as deep as an abyss, as if he had just warmed up.

Their eyes were similarly filled with indescribable complexity.

Admiration, shock, and a trace of something they themselves were reluctant to admit... helplessness.

...

There were only three days left until the month’s deadline.

At dusk.

Chang’an Ancient Street, having shed the daytime hustle and bustle.

The bluestone road was tainted with a warm orange-red by the sunset, most riverside shops had closed, with only a few dim lanterns swaying in the evening breeze.

The river murmured, reflecting the last splendid glow of dusk in the sky, shimmering with ripples.

Fang Qingyu sat alone on a small stool by the riverbank.

Holding an ordinary bamboo fishing rod in his hand.

The fishing line dangled into the flowing river, gently swaying with the water’s currents.

Dressed in simple gray casual wear, he restrained all his aura, appearing just like the most ordinary young man idly passing time by the river.

His eyes, like melted gold, watched the river’s jumping fragments of gold with a calm, unfluctuating gaze.

As if the imminent Arctic Meat Grinder he would face in a month, the terrifying existence known as the Drought Fiend, the intricate frontline situation...

All the heavy pressure was temporarily cleansed by the murmuring river and the warm sunset.

Leaving only this moment of peace.

Fang Qingyu quite enjoyed this tranquility.

Time passed slowly.

The afterglow of the sunset was gradually swallowed up by the eaves on the opposite bank.

The shadows on the bluestone road lengthened, becoming blurry.

Just then.

From that slightly dim alley leading into the depths of the ancient street behind him.

Came the faint sound of slightly dragging footsteps.

A figure wearing a faded, old-style jacket, with graying, disheveled hair, carrying a fishing rod set, staggered out of the alley.

It was Hong Qitian.

He seemed to have drunk a bit, his face slightly flushed with a hint of intoxication, and his gaze somewhat dazed.

He habitually glanced towards the riverside, his gaze sweeping over the riverbank.

When he saw the gray-clad figure quietly fishing on the stool.

Hong Qitian’s drunken eyes suddenly narrowed.

That slight drunkenness, like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, vanished without a trace in an instant!

The expression on his face froze instantly.

As if he had seen a ghost.

The next second.

Without any hesitation.

Hong Qitian sharply turned around!

The action was so quick it didn’t fit his drunken old man image at all.

He lowered his head, his steps hurried, with even a hint of panic.

Without looking back.

He slipped back into that dim alley.

The sound of footsteps rapidly faded away, disappearing into the alley’s depths.

As if he had never appeared.

On the riverbank.

Fang Qingyu maintained his fishing posture.

The fingers holding the fishing rod twitched imperceptibly.

Watching the old man who turned away...

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Was it really necessary..."