Invincible through Touching Corpses

Anyone who could become a Third Level Mercenary Corps Leader was typically a powerhouse with a 99% Genetic Optimization Level.

The reason it wasn’t 100% was, of course, that they had failed their breakthrough attempts.

Some had even failed twice, or even three times, and no longer dared to try again.

Of course, there were powerhouses in the Blood Qi Realm as well. According to the intelligence Lin Xinghai had gathered, three of the eight Third Level Mercenary Corps Leaders present had broken through to the Blood Qi Realm.

These individuals’ Perception Power was incredibly keen. It was one thing when they weren’t paying attention before, but now that Lin Xinghai had stepped forward, they could vaguely sense something was off as he approached—even without deliberately trying to perceive him.

And so, it was only natural that they discovered Lin Xinghai had actually broken his third Genetic Lock.

How long had it been since he’d broken his second Genetic Lock? Based on the intelligence they had gathered, it had been a week at most.

Going from a 60% to 90% Genetic Optimization Level in a single week was, to them, utterly unbelievable.

Although the data they’d collected indicated that Lin Xinghai’s rapid progress was due to a special Physique that accelerated his absorption of Genetic Medicine Liquid...

But this was still too ridiculous! So ridiculous it defied all common sense.

Initially, they had all felt a sense of superiority when facing Lin Xinghai.

They believed that while his Gun Technique was excellent, the further one progressed in cultivation, the less of a role Firearms played. Ultimately, one had to rely on personal strength.

But Lin Xinghai’s terrifying breakthrough speed instantly forced them to take him seriously.

In truth, there was no fundamental difference between a 90% and a 99% Genetic Optimization Level.

If he could maintain this pace of advancement, and with a bit of good luck, it probably wouldn’t be long before he broke through to the Blood Qi Realm.

At this thought, the assembled Mercenary Corps Leaders exchanged glances before their faces broke into smiles as they walked over.

"We’ve long heard of the name Gun God. Seeing you today, you certainly live up to your reputation."

"That’s right! Raising your Genetic Optimization Level from 60% to 90% in just one week... What a remarkable young talent!"

Each of the leaders offered a line or two of praise. Lin Xinghai wanted to say, ’Go on, don’t stop on my account. I don’t mind.’

On the surface, however, he had an image to maintain, so he could only respond with modesty.

The topic quickly shifted to the mission. Everyone had their own speculations, but no one could be certain of the details.

This uncertainty left even these Third Level Mercenary Corps feeling apprehensive.

Even if all of them banded together, they would be no match for the Morgan Conglomerate.

Fortunately, the military didn’t leave them to their wild speculation for long. Soon, they saw a familiar face: Zhang Yue.

Any Mercenary Corps with close ties to the military was familiar with Zhang Yue. It seemed the colonel had been specially assigned by the Military Department to act as a liaison to the major Mercenary Corps.

"Alright, since everyone’s here, I’ll keep this brief."

"This mission, without a doubt, revolves around the Geothermal Energy Extractor. After more than three months of tireless work from our engineers, this massive apparatus is now mostly repaired."

"Yes, you heard me right. Mostly repaired, not completely. Some critical components were too severely damaged and have to be replaced entirely."

"We have commissioned other Shelters to manufacture these critical components. Your mission now is to escort them back here safely." In just a few words, Zhang Yue had described the situation clearly.

However, all the Mercenary Corps Leaders frowned as they listened.

According to Zhang Yue’s description, the mission was being handed directly to them, rather than having them support a military operation.

While the Morgan Conglomerate’s primary target was certainly the Geothermal Energy Extractor, it was inconceivable that they wouldn’t send forces to intercept such critical components.

This was especially true given that the escort would consist of just a few Mercenary Corps.

The prospect of a direct confrontation with the Morgan Conglomerate made many of the leaders nervous, and some even began to consider abandoning the mission.

As if reading their minds, Zhang Yue smiled and continued, "For this mission, your nine Mercenary Corps will be divided into three groups. Each group will receive a separate mission briefing shortly."

"The mission briefing is simple, containing only a time and a location. You will proceed to the designated location at the specified time, retrieve the critical components, and bring them back."

"During this process, you will very likely clash with the Morgan Conglomerate. If the intercepting enemy force is weak, you should fight your way through and return. If the enemy is too strong, you are authorized to abandon the critical components and retreat."

After hearing Zhang Yue’s words, the Mercenary Corps Leaders could only look at one another in dismay.

However, Zhang Yue gave them no time to digest his words, immediately continuing, "Alright, I’ll announce the groups now. You’ll be split into three groups of three. Group 1 will be: the Holy Light Mercenary Corps, the Dragon Soaring Mercenary Corps, and the Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps."

"Group 2 will be: the Cyan Eagle Mercenary Corps..."

"It is now 9:13. In 17 minutes, at 9:30 sharp, each Mercenary Corps Leader is to go to Elder Wei’s office to receive the mission details."

Zhang Yue smiled and added, "Right now, your mission details are still classified. I estimate that within the entire Shelter, only Elder Wei knows the specifics, so don’t bother asking me. Good luck to you all!"

With that said, he turned and walked away without a moment’s hesitation.

Before the Mercenary Corps Leaders left standing there could even react, Zhang Yue was already far in the distance.

"This..." Fang Tianhe’s mouth hung open, at a complete loss for words.

But he soon saw the various Mercenary Corps Leaders spontaneously gathering into the groups Zhang Yue had just announced.

Seeing this, Fang Tianhe immediately snapped out of it and prepared to head over to the Holy Light Mercenary Corps.

But to his surprise, Song Yao, the leader of the Holy Light Mercenary Corps, and Qin Wenbo, the leader of the Soaring Dragon Merc, were already walking toward them together.

Of course, Fang Tianhe quickly realized they weren’t coming for him, but for Lin Xinghai.

As for Lin Xinghai, information on the two major Mercenary Corps quickly surfaced in his mind.

The Soaring Dragon Merc, ranked fifth in overall strength among all Mercenary Corps.

Tang Zhuofei, the former number one on the marksmanship leaderboard, belonged to the Soaring Dragon Merc.

The Holy Light Mercenary Corps was even more formidable, ranked first in overall strength among all the Mercenary Corps.

Their Mercenary Corps boasted two Divine Sharpshooters, ranked fifth and tenth on the marksmanship leaderboard, respectively.

Of course, that alone wouldn’t have been enough to earn them such a high ranking.

Most importantly, their leader, Song Yao, was a Blood Qi Realm powerhouse who had reached the Middle Stage, placing his strength a solid cut above the other Mercenary Corps Leaders.