In the world of martial arts, one works tirelessly to attain enlightenment.

Chapter 55, The Forming of the Team

Location No. 3, Baiyujing Branch, third floor lobby, corner.

After everyone was seated, Lin Ran got straight to the point.

"Ling Qiqi, Nangong Yu, I would like to invite you to join my team. The current team members are myself, Yan Lingfei, Jian Linglong, Zhou Yu, Yunzhu and Mengyu from the cat people, a total of six people."

Ling Qiqi wore a dark green tracksuit, and her eyes were an emerald green similar to those of an elf, but she had nothing to do with elves because of her attribute: life healing.

Nangong Yu was dressed in a conservative nun's habit. Her eyes were bright white with silver diamond-shaped pupils. A faint light shimmered on her body, radiating a reassuring and sacred glow. However, her figure made it difficult for people to completely calm down, just like a nun in a special anime.

Two pairs of eyes sized up Lin Ran for a while.

Ling Qiqi waved her hand, setting up a spiritual energy shield to prevent her voice from getting out, and asked, "Why are there cat people in the team?"

Lin Ran composed herself slightly and said:

"The reason for the cat people comes from the high school exchange student program. The higher-ups and mentors have told me that the cat people have ulterior motives. If I can win over the cat people, I can find out about their plans."

"The strategy to conquer the cat people is also part of the high command's long-term plan. Based on the information I have now, the cat people established diplomatic relations with the human race in order to find a concept that the cat people lack, but which they themselves are unaware of."

"The cat-people need this concept to elevate the race, perhaps involving a realm beyond the extraordinary."

After he finished speaking, everyone looked at each other.

Yan Lingfei said:

"I heard my grandfather Yan Shuangying say something similar to what the captain said. I also asked him, but he wouldn't tell me. He said that I would personally inquire about the Heavenly Dao of the Mother Realm once I reached the Transcendent Realm."

Let's be quiet for a while.

Ling Qiqi nodded and looked at Lin Ran: "Then can you be sure that the cat people are truly in love with you?"

Lin Ran shook her head: "I'm not sure. The thinking of a fully intelligent being has never been definitively defined."

Zhou Yu, who was covered by a black cloak, suddenly said, "If you are willing, I can give you a method of control, but it cannot be spread. I am not at ease with foreigners in the team."

"That will be very kind of you. I'll find out what you need later."

Lin Ran's eyes lit up, and she immediately agreed.

To be honest, he still doesn't trust Yunzhu and Mengyu.

So, Zhou Yu took out a crystal and handed it to Lin Ran.

[Curse of the Heart: A curse placed on the soul, causing it to regard the one who cast the curse as a deity within its heart, obeying all commands and offering everything it has.]

Lin Ran appeared calm and collected on the surface, but inwardly she gasped.

Damn it, I'll find a solution to this curse first.

[Entry successful]

【Curse Heart LV1: 1/500】

After noting down the contents, Lin Ran returned the crystal to Zhou Yu.

Seeing this, Ling Qiqi smiled and said, "Please take care of me in the future, Captain."

"We should look out for each other and strive for the common progress of the human race."

Lin Ran was equally pleased, but did not forget to remind the team of its core principles.

The reason I didn't mention it before is that without the concept of the human race, the highest we could get was the second option.

Lin Ran looked at Sister Nangong Yu, who was radiating a reassuring holy light.

If you don't look at her figure, she certainly wouldn't evoke any impure thoughts.

"Nangong Yu, what's your decision?"

"Captain, what are your thoughts on faith?"

Nangong Yu raised his eyes, his bright silver pupils gleaming.

Lin Ran touched his chin. It was a bit tricky, but he didn't care; it was just a normal problem.

"If the object of faith exists as an individual, then it is essential to ensure that the individual is fighting for humanity. If there is any change, then they should be included in the list of evil gods to be eliminated."

"You cannot force faith in the human race. Whether you can make them believe in you depends on your own ability. Forcing faith will also put you on the list of evil gods."

After a pause, Lin Ran looked at Nangong Yu solemnly and said,

"No exceptions."

Nangong Yu nodded gently, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said softly:

"So, what if I wanted the captain to worship a certain god with me?"

"I'll beat you up, and beat you until you give up on this idea," Lin Ran said, her expression stiffening and her face darkening.

Everyone: ...

Nangong Yu: ...

After a brief silence, Lin Ran said,

What do you think of this answer?

"Very good, I am Nangong Yu, good evening, captain."

Nangong Yu smiled gently, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and spoke softly to Lin Ran.

Lin Ran felt a slight tingling sensation on her scalp. Was this the power of her older sister?

He coughed lightly.

"Now let me explain the team rules. Regular resources will be provided by the alliance, while special resources will be arranged by me."

"Unless there are special circumstances, the spoils of joint operations shall be distributed equally according to the number of personnel deployed."

"The red line is betrayal, refusing to help those in distress within the team, and contacting me for special situations. If I'm not there, then temporarily suppress the issue."

"I will do my best to be fair. If you find it unacceptable, or think that my handling of the situation is unfair, you can leave the team."

"If you have any opinions, please feel free to voice them."

After some thought, everyone shook their heads.

Welcome to the team!

Lin Ran smiled brightly.

"Sister Nangong."

Yan Lingfei, her eyes shining, threw herself into Nangong Yu's arms, burying her face in his chest.

Nangong Yu smiled gently, hugged Yan Lingfei, and stroked her hair softly.

"Thanks."

"Alright, the team is now officially formed! I'll go call Mengyu and Yunzhu; we'll have dinner here tonight."

Lin Ran got up, straightened her clothes, and jumped out of the still-unrepaired window.

Yan Lingfei lifted her head from the mountain and took the initiative to liven up the atmosphere.

"Sister Linglong, what would you like to eat? It's my treat tonight."

"Sister Zhou Yu, come over here."

"Sister Qiqi, Sister Nangong, come here."

"..."

……

Yan Lingfei's small courtyard.

After returning, Lin Ran woke up Yun Zhu and Meng Yu, who were cultivating. As for Ling Xi and Ling Meng, he had already excluded them from the group and left them to Lin Qingxuan to make arrangements.

"Brother Lin, what's wrong?"

Yunzhu's tail naturally wrapped around Lin Ran's wrist, wondering why Lin Ran wasn't cultivating at this time.

"Come, look at me."

Yunzhu: ?

Lin Ran helped the cat up and looked into her eyes.

Curse the Heart!

Lin Ranfa's activated skill has a hidden passive effect.

The cursed person will be aware of the process and its consequences.

Any resistance will cause the curse-casting process to stall and be noticed by the curse caster.

Then, Lin Ran looked at Yun Zhu, who had a puzzled expression, and then fell silent as she smoothly walked through the curse.

Why do I suddenly feel a slight sense of guilt?

[Curse Heart, Experience +200]

Lin Ran woke up with a start and immediately suppressed her guilt. This was the prelude to falling in love, and once it took root, it meant she was on the road to failure!

"Mengyu, it's your turn."

With a blank expression, Meng Yu stepped forward and looked up at Lin Ran with the same puzzled expression.

then,

[Curse Heart, Experience +200]

Lin Ran: ...

How did the cat people manage to control the cats in such a way, to the point of brainwashing?

Lin Ran gently patted the cat's head and said with a warm smile:

"Four new members have joined the team. Let me introduce you to them and help you relax."

Yunzhu's eyes lit up, and she stepped forward to nuzzle against him, saying, "Okay~"

Mengyu: "Meow~"

……

Baiyujing, third floor.

Lin Ran led Yunzhu and Mengyu to find everyone, and the dinner party was moved from the outer hall to a private room.

Yan Lingfei opened the door.

"Captain, we've been waiting for you!"

Lin Ran nodded to Zhou Yu and pulled Yun Zhu and Meng Yu into the private room.

All eyes immediately turned to them.

The two female cats were nervous and uneasy, their tails bristling.

Lin Ran smiled and introduced the two.

"This is Jian Linglong, to her right is Zhou Yu, to her left is Ling Qiqi, and this is Nangong Yu."

"She is Yunzhu."

"She is Mengyu."

After a brief introduction, Yan Lingfei pulled Yunzhu away and went to find Nangong Yu and Zhou Yu.

Ling Qiqi looked at the colliding mountain peaks and, with Jian Linglong pulling Meng Yu away, felt somewhat comforted.

Lin Ran glanced at them and roughly sorted them out.

Nangong Yu = Zhou Yu > Yun Zhu > Yan Lingfei > Jian Linglong > Ling Qiqi > Meng Yu

Mengyu: Meow!

How presumptuous of me!!!

(End of this chapter)