Being forced to grow like a pig? But I'm immune to the consequences!

He paused, then turned to look at Wu Sheng: "Do you know why Guo Hui insisted on Xu Wenbo confronting him head-on? Because Xu Wenbo... was one of his students back then. Guo treated him extremely well, giving him a lot of help and even subsidizing his resources. But later, when Guo's child entered the inner city and wanted to ask Xu Wenbo to help arrange a slightly more respectable job... the other party didn't even show his face."

Zhang Yong sighed, "In the future, if you can gain a foothold in the inner city and become capable... in case those two good-for-nothing lads encounter insurmountable difficulties and come to you for help, I hope you can lend a hand out of this small favor."

Upon hearing this, Wu Sheng remained silent for a moment.

"Consider it a good deed," Zhang Yong added, his tone softening. "I'm not forcing you to do anything, and it's not a transaction. It's just... a thought from a parent."

Wu Sheng finally reached out and took the package, his voice steady: "If that day ever comes, and if it is within my power, I will certainly help."

Zhang Yong's face showed a relieved expression, and he sighed softly: "Guo Hui is such a proud man. During training, he felt he hadn't established a deep enough personal relationship with you, so he couldn't bring himself to flatter you. Plus, after his experiences with people like Xu Wenbo, his initial enthusiasm... cooled down. But I'm different. I believe I have a better eye for people than Guo Hui. In my opinion, you, Wu Sheng, are far more reliable than anyone else..."

He patted Wu Sheng on the shoulder: "But with all my resources, I really don't have anything decent to offer. I only have these few vials of medicine, which might be of some use to you right now."

He changed the subject, his expression becoming extremely serious: "However, this potential-enhancing potion isn't really anything special. I can tell you this now, since you'll find out sooner or later once you enter the inner city. This potion essentially squeezes out the body's potential. Without the corresponding precious resources to replenish and balance it, long-term use will not only shorten your lifespan but also completely cut off any possibility of advancing to a higher realm in the future."

"Once you enter the martial arts academy, you'll have access to new and better cultivation resources, which will allow you to gradually resolve this hidden danger." Zhang Yong glanced at the approaching outline of the dock. "The ship is almost here; prepare to disembark."

……

The docks near the inner city were far larger than those in the outer city. Huge concrete pillars, a smooth stone-paved shore, and boats of all sizes were moored there. It wasn't the first time the group had seen this place, but arriving as selected individuals on their own private vessels gave them a completely different experience.

At the dock, several workers from out of town were wading in waist-deep river water, shirtless, laboriously hammering and repairing the hull of an old boat. When they looked up and saw the boat full of young faces docking, their eyes involuntarily revealed a mixture of envy and humility—just as Wu Sheng and Mo Han had done when they looked up at the people on those boats.

The roles were reversed, and the experience was complex. Many trainees, as they stepped off the springboard, subconsciously straightened their backs and raised their chins, trying to make themselves look more like inner-city people.

There were sentries at the inner city entrance, with personnel in uniform strictly guarding the area. Zhang Yong and his group stepped forward, presented their Hyena Gang credentials and list, and were only allowed to pass after verification.

Upon entering the inner city, the sights were far more impactful than imagined.

The streets were flat and clean, free of puddles and garbage; the green belts on both sides were neatly trimmed and even bloomed with unknown wildflowers; the shops were lined up one after another, with bright glass windows displaying a variety of goods that were unimaginable in the outside city; more importantly, there were those reinforced concrete buildings that were several or even ten stories high, with tiled or painted exterior walls, and the glass windows reflected the dazzling light in the sunlight, making people feel slightly dizzy when they looked up.

The streets were bustling with people, most of whom were dressed neatly and brightly, walking with ease, a stark contrast to the generally apathetic and hurried demeanor of the residents of the outer city. In comparison, Wu Sheng and his group of travel-worn, simply dressed young men couldn't help but feel a sense of self-consciousness and restraint.

"Don't be intimidated," Zhang Yong's voice rang out from the side, calm yet powerful. "These are just ordinary people from the inner city. You are gifted, and the path ahead of you is far wider than theirs."

Several hyena gang instructors led the group to several enclosed vehicles that were waiting nearby. The engines roared as they drove them deeper into the inner city.

Their destination was the Inner City Martial Academy—similar to the Hyena Gang's training grounds in the Outer City, but on a completely different level.

As the vehicle came to a stop and everyone disembarked, a magnificent oval-shaped building complex came into view. It was not a solitary building, but a sprawling complex, with the main building constructed of dark stone and metal, its lines cold and hard, its presence imposing.

Zhang Yong and the others were about to lead the students toward the magnificent gate of the martial arts academy.

"stop!"

A cold shout suddenly rang out.

A group of people dressed in dark black uniforms and carrying short black sticks quickly surrounded them from the side.

One of them stared at Wu Sheng for a couple of seconds, then whispered to the burly man with a fierce face, "Captain, the person in the portrait looks like him!"

The burly man, referred to as the captain, looked sharply at Wu Sheng. Without further ado, the group pressed forward.

This sudden turn of events left the trainees looking at each other in bewilderment. Yan Liang and the others instinctively turned their gazes to Wu Sheng, filled with surprise and doubt.

Wu Sheng's heart sank. He met the captain's gaze, his heart pounded, and his muscles tensed slightly. He didn't recognize these people, nor did he understand where this unprovoked targeting came from.

"Gentlemen of the Public Security Bureau, what does this mean?" Zhang Yong stepped forward, blocking Wu Sheng's side, and asked in a deep voice, his tone already carrying displeasure.

The burly man pulled out his badge, flashed it in front of Zhang Yong, and said in a cold, unquestionable voice, "Kunlong, deputy captain of the third squad of the Public Security Bureau. We have received a report that this person—" He pointed precisely at Wu Sheng, "is suspected of colluding with cult members. According to the law, he must be brought back to the bureau for investigation."

"Colluding with a cult? Absurd!" Zhang Yong frowned, his voice suddenly rising. "These trainees were all selected through rigorous processes by the Hyena Gang. Their backgrounds are clean, their origins clear. How could they possibly be involved with a cult!"

"Hmph!" A security guard behind Kunlong sneered, his tone sarcastic. "You think you can just say you don't have it? In this inner city, who calls the shots—your Hyena Gang or our Security Bureau?"

Another man was even more scathing, mocking, "The Hyena Gang? They're nothing but a bunch of out-of-town lackeys. Do they think they're worthy to point fingers at us?"

Before he finished speaking, two security guards stepped forward and reached out to forcibly detain Wu.

Zhang Yong suddenly stepped forward, blocking the way again, his face ashen: "Wu Sheng is already a registered prospective student of the Martial Academy! If you want to arrest him, you at least need the academy's permission!"