Apocalypse: The Primordial Pearl Recognizes Its Master, Starting with Infinite Space

Lin Chen was somewhat surprised.

Staff Officer Chen's purpose was actually this.

He knew about this in his past life.

The military completed the cleanup of the wildlife park on its own, at a heavy cost, but also gained a large number of third-order crystal cores and trained a large number of experts.

If Staff Officer Chen hadn't come to discuss cooperation, he would have almost forgotten about it: "When will we make our move?"

Staff Officer Chen was slightly taken aback—the other party agreed so readily?

"If we can reach an agreement," he said, trying to compose himself, "we can take action tomorrow."

Lin Chen lowered his eyes, his thoughts racing.

This matter definitely has potential.

The number of Tier 3 individuals there was considerable. In my previous life, the military acted three days later than they have now, and it is said that they even encountered a Tier 4 mutated beast.

Has that mutated beast reached the fourth tier yet?

He raised his head, his brows furrowing slightly.

"How should we cooperate? How should the crystal cores be allocated?"

Staff Officer Chen was prepared.

"We'll provide intelligence, heavy firepower support, and logistical supplies. You'll provide high-end combat power. The spoils—50/50."

Lin Chen listened without showing any expression.

"We don't need intelligence," he said.

Staff Officer Chen was taken aback.

"Fire support is not needed either."

Staff Officer Chen's brow twitched.

"Supplies..." Lin Chen paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, "are even less necessary."

Staff Officer Chen took a deep breath.

"Chief Lin," his tone remained calm, but with a hint of seriousness, "our military is sending nearly 20,000 ability users. Among them is one S-rank and two hundred A-rank..."

"Staff Officer Chen."

Lin Chen interrupted him.

The voice wasn't loud, but it made Staff Officer Chen pause in his next words.

"We currently have 107 S-rank individuals," Lin Chen said slowly, making sure every word was clearly heard. "And 1740 A-rank individuals."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

He Jun clenched his fists even tighter. The two soldiers stared at Lin Chen's face, as if they had seen a ghost.

Staff Officer Chen was stunned.

"107... S-rank?" His voice was a little dry.

"1740 A-levels?" He himself didn't realize that when he said this number, the last syllable of his voice was limp.

Lin Chen nodded.

"There will be more tomorrow."

He said this in a very casual tone, as if he were just saying the weather was nice today. Of course, there was some exaggeration involved; many of them were purely support-oriented ability users who couldn't participate in this kind of battle.

Staff Officer Chen opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Just then, Tang Xiaoran's voice rang out from behind Staff Officer Chen.

"Chief Lin, do you possess methods for awakening and upgrading supernatural abilities?"

Lin Chen looked at her, his eyes bright, his speech rapid, and his breathing quickened: "Not bad."

Those two words were spoken very softly, yet they struck Tang Xiaoran's ears like two stones.

Tang Xiaoran's shoulders trembled slightly.

"Is that recruitment ad you posted on the door that says 'Guaranteed Awakening of Superpowers' also real?" Tang Xiaoran swallowed hard, looking at Lin Chen expectantly.

Lin Chen smiled and nodded: "Of course."

Tang Xiaoran opened her mouth, as if to say something.

But the words caught in her throat. She lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought, and said nothing more.

But the way she kept clenching and unclenching her small fists revealed that she was not at peace inside.

Staff Officer Chen didn't speak; he just sat there, his fingernails digging into his palms without him noticing, and a sharp pain shot through him.

Not a dream.

it is true.

Moreover, he didn't think the other party would lie about such a thing.

He looked at Lin Chen, his lips trembling slightly: "Mr. Lin, how would you like to distribute them?"

He didn't even realize when he uttered the word "you" (formal).

Lin Chen looked at him: "We want 90%."

Staff Officer Chen's brow twitched suddenly: "That's too much." He retorted almost instinctively.

Lin Chen didn't say anything.

He simply looked at Staff Officer Chen, his gaze calm.

"Then let's each do our own thing tomorrow," he said. "Let's rely on our own strength."

Staff Officer Chen froze.

"This..." His Adam's apple bobbed. "I need to report to Commander Peng."

Lin Chen nodded, as if he had expected this answer.

"How will you notify us of the results?"

He paused, then said, "Anyway, we'll take action on our own tomorrow."

Staff Officer Chen was stunned. The other party... intended to take it all for themselves?

"Mr. Lin, please wait a moment." Staff Officer Chen stood up, his tone becoming calmer, but a hint of unconscious respect still lingered in his words. "We will go back and report to the Commander, and give you an answer within today."

"Okay." Lin Chen nodded, showing no intention of getting up to see the guest out.

Staff Officer Chen didn't mind and quickly left the conference room with He Jun, Tang Xiaoran, and two soldiers.

As the five of them walked through the restaurant, the girls were still leisurely drinking coffee. Tang Xiaoran couldn't help but glance at them again—the relaxed smiles on their faces, in this apocalypse, were like a scene from another world.

She lowered her head and quickly followed Staff Officer Chen.

A rotating passageway, upwards, ten meters.

As the chill returned, Tang Xiaoran felt the fire in her heart burn even brighter.

The tracked vehicle restarted, leaving its tracks westward.

The car was quiet.

Staff Officer Chen leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, his mind replaying the conversation. 107 S-rank, 1740 A-rank… If these numbers were true, then Lin Chen's strength was beyond what the "Shelter Leader" could measure.

He turned his head and glanced at Tang Xiaoran.

The girl didn't say a word from the moment she got on the bus. She huddled in her seat, staring blankly at the gray ruins outside the window.

Those eyes were bright, but what they held now wasn't the excited light from before, but rather... hesitation? Struggle?

Staff Officer Chen recalled the day the Fire Seed Base was closed, when he witnessed Tang Xiaoran arguing with her father.

The inability to awaken her superpowers is the deepest scar in her heart.

"Xiaoran?"

no response.

Staff Officer Chen reached out and gently nudged her arm.

"Huh?" Tang Xiaoran turned her head as if waking from a dream. "What's wrong... Staff Officer Chen?"

Staff Officer Chen looked at her.

"And don't call him Staff Officer Chen anymore," he said. "Just call him Uncle Chen."

Tang Xiaoran was stunned.

"Your father has been invited into Project Fire, and you're all alone outside," Staff Officer Chen said calmly. "We should take care of you."

Tang Xiaoran pursed her lips.

"Uncle Chen, you're too kind," she said softly. "My father and I... did it all voluntarily."

Staff Officer Chen nodded.

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Do you want to join the Mountain and Water Garden?" he suddenly asked.

Tang Xiaoran looked up abruptly: "Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'ah'?" Staff Officer Chen looked at her, his eyes filled with no reproach, only the loving kindness of an elder.

"How...how did you know?" Tang Xiaoran's voice was weak.

"It's written all over their faces," Staff Officer Chen sighed. "I'm not blind."

Tang Xiaoran was stunned.

He subconsciously touched his face: "Is it that obvious?"

Staff Officer Chen didn't answer, but gestured forward with his chin: "Ask He Jun."

He Jun sat in the passenger seat, not turning his head, his voice as steady as ever: "Obviously."

Tang Xiaoran's face flushed red.

He lowered his head, clutching the hem of his clothes, and remained silent for a long while.

"...Uncle Chen, I'm sorry."

Staff Officer Chen waved his hand.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” he said. “Your father dedicated himself to the country; that was his choice.” He paused. “You didn’t dedicate yourself to the country. You are free.”

Tang Xiaoran looked up, her eyes red.

"Do what you want to do yourself," Staff Officer Chen said, looking into her eyes. "When I get back here, I'll mention it to Lin Chen."

"Uncle Chen..."

Tang Xiaoran's voice choked.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to start, so he could only say thank you: "Thank you, Uncle Chen."