Chapter 314 – Poaching the Commander Himself?

Dragonheart District, Villa.

Today, ‘Azure Mercury’ wasn’t on any missions but remained training in the villa’s underground training ground.

This was Su Ming’s request.

Because today, Su Ming had achieved a breakthrough.

“Thump-thump—”

As if his heart was pounding violently, the blood within Su Ming’s body seemed to boil, suddenly accelerating its flow.

It coursed through every part and every corner of Su Ming’s body, starting from the heart and returning to it, then setting out again in a continuous cycle.

During this process, the magical power contained within the blood gradually began to increase.

The increased magical power also surged from the blood, merging into Su Ming’s limbs and bones, causing his physique, constitution, and physical stamina to visibly improve at a remarkable rate.

Su Ming clearly felt all of this, and a surge of exhilaration welled up in his heart.

“Is this what it means to be a Five-Star Hunter?”

Su Ming extended his hand, slowly clenching his fist.

Within his fist, power far greater than before gathered, telling Su Ming that his strength had reached another level.

“The transformation from the Demon Emperor Sword, combined with the guidance of the Blue Demon Cessation Ring and a set of auxiliary training alchemical potions—these three factors together finally allowed my hunter strength to break through from Four-Star to Five-Star.”

While murmuring to himself, Su Ming stood up, unable to conceal his excitement.

In his hand, Firefang quietly appeared, gripped tightly.

Then, Su Ming moved.

“Whoosh!”

Accompanied by a sound of cutting through the air, Su Ming’s figure seemed to transform into countless afterimages, appearing in every corner of the underground training ground.

Simultaneously, countless saber lights burst forth, instantly forming a web of blades that filled the entire space, slashing through every corner of the underground training ground.

“Pfft!” “Pfft!” “Pfft!” “Pfft!” “Pfft!”…

In an instant, the numerous afterimages that had appeared in the underground training ground were torn apart by the bursting saber lights, like bubbles being popped, emitting a series of sounds resembling tearing silk.

Once all the afterimages vanished, the saber lights disappeared as well.

In the underground training ground, only Su Ming’s figure remained standing in his original position, his saber still held in the same posture as before, as if he had never moved at all, making one doubt whether everything that had just occurred was an illusion.

Of course, it was definitely not an illusion.

Everything that had just happened was real.

Su Ming had first created his own afterimages with astonishing speed throughout the underground training ground, then swung his saber at those afterimages, ultimately shattering the countless afterimages he had left behind in an instant.

To accomplish such a nearly unbelievable feat, mere speed was not enough—it required exquisite blade art.

Su Ming had achieved it.

What this meant, no one understood better than him.

“My star rank has increased, my strength has broken through, and my Ancient Blade Art has finally reached Minor Achievement, making it presentable.”

Su Ming felt pleased with his progress.

Now, even without using his abilities as a Sorcerer or the power of his [Silver Arm], he might be able to defeat Mo Leng, who is at the Five-Star Peak level.Having advanced to Five-Star himself, coupled with a masterful Ancient Blade Art and the tenfold strength enhancement in his right hand, it was absolutely not impossible for him to defeat Mo Leng, who was at the Peak of Five-Star.

If all went smoothly, Su Ming might not even need to resort to Demonization to capture Mo Leng.

This showed just how much Su Ming had progressed.

“Indeed, coming to Tianfeng City was the right decision.”

If he hadn’t come to Tianfeng City, Su Ming wouldn’t have obtained such high-quality alchemical weapons to aid his training, nor would he have received such an exceptional Legacy of Ancient Blade Art.

In that case, Su Ming’s rate of improvement and his strength would definitely not have reached their current level.

The small pond of Longyao City ultimately couldn’t contain a leaping big fish like Su Ming.

Now that the big fish had entered the ocean, combined with the complementary effects of the two Divine Artifacts—the Demon Emperor Sword and the Blue Demon Ceasefire Ring—Su Ming had successfully achieved an incredible improvement, leaping from the initial Four-Star level to Five-Star in just about three months.

“My rate of improvement has probably broken world records, right?”

Su Ming’s mood had been in a state of excitement due to his significant increase in strength.

“If I continue improving at this rate, I should soon advance to Six-Star, or even Seven-Star.”

By then, Su Ming’s dream of being unparalleled in the world might be realized.

Thinking of this, Su Ming felt his entire body itching with anticipation.

“Well, I should keep up the good work.”

After urging himself on, Su Ming stored the Fire Fang in his backpack, picked up the towel nearby, draped it over his neck, and walked out of the Underground Training Ground while wiping off his sweat.

……

First floor, living room.

This was the place where the members of ‘Azure Mercury’ gathered, serving as a meeting room, lounge, game room, and more—in short, it was a fixed gathering spot.

As Su Ming left the Underground Training Ground and prepared to take a shower in the large bathhouse, he heard the voices of the girls discussing here.

Especially Feng Qing’er, who seemed particularly excited and kept chattering, catching Su Ming’s attention.

So, Su Ming simply walked into the living room.

What greeted his eyes was the scene of Mu Yan, Feng Qing’er, and Tong Xinyao gathered on a sofa.

Chi Qian wasn’t here, and it was unclear where she had gone.

At that moment, Feng Qing’er was holding her Terminal, happily telling Mu Yan and Tong Xinyao something, looking as if something good had happened.

“What’s going on? So happy?”

Su Ming asked curiously.

“Commander!”

Hearing Su Ming’s voice, Feng Qing’er immediately jumped up from the sofa and rushed toward him.

“Look, look!” Feng Qing’er shoved the Terminal in front of Su Ming, beaming with joy. “We’re famous!”

“Famous?” Su Ming was taken aback for a moment, then seemed to understand something and took the Terminal from Feng Qing’er’s hand.

On it, Su Ming saw several popular reports featured on the Professional Center’s official website.

Moreover, they were reports closely related to them.

“『Tianfeng City’s First E-Rank Team to Complete an A-Rank Mission Appears!』”

“『The Surprising Roster of the Newcomer Team! The Once-Fallen Legend Returns!』”

“『Why Would Three Upper-Rank Professionals and One Spirit Bearer Join an E-Rank Team?』””This year’s biggest dark horse team — ‘Azure Mercury’!”

“Su Ming, a newly debuted Sorcerer — just how did he manage it?”

Headlines like these streamed one after another into Su Ming’s field of vision, causing his eyebrows to arch abruptly.

“Good grief, we only completed the team registration and our first mission yesterday, and it’s already exposed to this extent?”

Su Ming clicked into these headlines and discovered they were all reports about his team. The articles contained nearly all of their team information, exposing their basic circumstances.

The comment sections were even more bustling, with various Professionals—both famous and unknown—emerging to discuss the matter.

Just as Feng Qing’er had said, they had become famous.

The kind of fame that happens overnight.

“Happy, Commander?”

Feng Qing’er’s eyes curved into crescent moons, her good mood visibly apparent.

“It’s alright,” Su Ming chuckled wryly, tossing the terminal back to Feng Qing’er as he spoke. “You seem quite happy though. Is it really that big of a deal?”

“What do you mean, ‘is it really that big of a deal’?” Feng Qing’er expressed considerable dissatisfaction. “Isn’t this a good thing?”

“It is indeed a good thing, from the team’s perspective,” Su Ming wiped his sweat. “But this level of fame shouldn’t make you this happy, should it?”

Anyone could figure that becoming famous wasn’t anything particularly unusual for Crimson, where Feng Qing’er had previously belonged.

Chi Qian herself was something of a legend, and Crimson was a B-rank team densely populated with beauties—its topicality in Tianfeng City was undoubtedly significant.

As one of Crimson’s Upper-Rank Professionals, Feng Qing’er herself certainly carried some notoriety.

Given this, merely having her new team gain fame shouldn’t warrant such excitement from the young beauty—or so Su Ming thought.

However, Feng Qing’er stuck out her finger with an air of arrogance, wagging it before Su Ming.

“You’re mistaken there, my Commander,” Feng Qing’er said with exaggerated flair. “For a team, every instance of fame is a rare opportunity. It benefits both external recruitment and the team’s development.”

“So whether it’s big or small, whether it happens once or multiple times, as long as it boosts the team’s reputation, it’s something worth celebrating.”

“Because it means our team has more opportunities to step onto a larger stage.”

“Understand, my Commander?”

Feng Qing’er adopted a lecturing posture.

Su Ming narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Well, I understand the reasoning,” Su Ming stared directly at Feng Qing’er. “But I get the feeling you’re this happy because you’re enjoying the spotlight.”

Feng Qing’er’s face stiffened momentarily before returning to normal.

“You do love joking, Commander,” Feng Qing’er flashed a brilliant smile. “How could I be happy for such a superficial reason? Of course I’m happy because our team has the potential to become better!”

As she said this, Feng Qing’er threw Su Ming a flirtatious glance and acted cute.Unfortunately, all this earned her was a flick on the forehead from Su Ming.

“If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

Leaving those words behind, Su Ming abandoned Feng Qing’er, who was clutching her forehead in pain, and walked over to Mu Yan and Tong Xinyao.

“Commander, please have some tea.”

Tong Xinyao immediately obediently brewed a cup of tea for Su Ming and handed it to him.

“Thank you.”

Su Ming didn’t stand on ceremony. Though he would have preferred an ice-cold soda to cool down after his workout, he wasn’t about to refuse such a kind gesture from the young girl.

As he lifted the teacup and took a sip, Su Ming turned his gaze to Mu Yan sitting across from him.

“Where’s Chi Qian? I don’t see her around.”

Su Ming asked casually.

Only then did Mu Yan look up.

“I’m not sure either,” Mu Yan said indifferently. “She was here just moments ago, but now she’s disappeared. Probably went back to her room.”

“Is that so?” Su Ming nodded thoughtfully.

At this moment, Mu Yan took the initiative to speak up.

“Sister Qianqian seemed a bit off,” Mu Yan stared at Su Ming intently. “Do you know something about it?”

Mu Yan’s words drew both Feng Qing’er and Tong Xinyao closer.

“Sister Qianqian seems to have something on her mind, and it’s been like this since yesterday,” Feng Qing’er expressed her concern. “Is Sister Qianqian alright?”

Tong Xinyao also couldn’t hide her worried expression.

“She should be fine,” Su Ming shook his head at the three girls. “As long as she can sort out her thoughts, everything will be alright.”

“Oh?” Mu Yan narrowed her eyes. “So something did happen, right?”

“You could say that,” Su Ming nodded.

“What happened?” Feng Qing’er quickly asked. “Was it something good or bad? How serious is it? Could it be that time of the month for Sister Qianqian?”

No sooner had Feng Qing’er finished speaking than another flick landed on her smooth forehead.

“Don’t say such nonsense.”

Mu Yan calmly retracted her hand.

Tong Xinyao blushed slightly.

Only Feng Qing’er remained, clutching her reddened forehead with teary eyes.

Su Ming watched their interaction with some amusement.

Just then, Su Ming’s Terminal rang.

“Unknown number?”

Su Ming took out his Terminal, looking puzzled at the unfamiliar number displayed on the screen.

Nevertheless, he answered the call.

“Hello, may I speak to Mr. Su Ming?”

A voice that sounded obsequious came from the other end of the line.

“Speaking,” Su Ming frowned. “Who is this?”

Su Ming’s question received an answer that surprised him immensely.

“I’m an advisor for the B-rank team ‘Alloy Blade,’ specially here to invite you to join our team.”

The other party’s words genuinely took Su Ming by surprise.

“Invite me to join your team?”

Su Ming’s voice was full of astonishment.

The caller remained unfazed, continuing in the same obsequious tone.

“We’ve heard that your team has three Upper-Rank Professionals and one Spirit Bearer, yet you’re stuck in a lowly E-rank team. Such talent is being wasted, so our Commander specifically instructed me to invite you to join our team and give you the stage you deserve.”

“Don’t worry, the compensation package will definitely satisfy you.””I’ll send you the contract right now. Would you like to review it?”

When such words came from the other party, how could Su Ming not understand their intentions?

This was clearly someone coming to poach talent, trying to merge his team.

“Good heavens, they’re actually trying to poach me, the Commander himself?”

Su Ming was utterly dumbfounded by this move and immediately hung up the phone without hesitation.

But then, one call after another started coming in.

7017k

(End of Chapter)