"Here's how it works," Zhou Jie explained. "After undergoing Awakening, anyone can become a Qi Refiner. But to cultivate, you *must* have cultivation techniques and resources. These things are only held by the 749 Bureau or certain Qi Refining sects, and those sects rarely accept disciples casually."
"So, the best path to cultivation is joining the 749 Bureau. Complete missions, earn contribution points, and exchange them for cultivation techniques and resources."
"New recruits joining the 749 Bureau get one free opportunity to select a basic cultivation technique. Consider it an employee benefit."
Hearing this, Lu Ding declared without hesitation: "I am willing to join the 749 Bureau!!!"
While his golden finger could grant him rewards and strength...
This was different.
He possessed the "State of Formless Unity" skill – Unity of Heaven and Man! Not cultivating would be a waste of such an ability!
Cultivation was a *must*!
Seeing Lu Ding's resolute answer, Zhou Jie couldn't suppress his grin any longer.
The 749 Bureau had a rule: recruiters received rewards based on the talent level of the newcomers they brought in.
This mission's initial gains had seemed minor.
But with Lu Ding joining, the reward Zhou Jie would receive once Lu Ding formally entered the Bureau would be substantial – guaranteed.
This wasn't speculation; he'd witnessed it firsthand.
Someone *just* Awakened, effortlessly slaughtering a Wood Wangxiang? How could his talent be weak?!
And a dual-talent bearer, no less!
Zhou Jie hardly dared imagine the reward awaiting him.
After a quick packing job, Lu Ding dragged his suitcase and followed Zhou Jie into the car bound for the 749 Bureau.
Two locations in one night.
Before leaving, Lu Ding asked: "What about the hallway in my building? I wrecked it."
"No need to worry. A cleanup crew will handle it, and it'll be better than before."
Reassured, Lu Ding relaxed.
The car sped out of the city.
Watching the scenery blur past, Lu Ding voiced a concern: "Is the 749 Bureau really this far from the city? What happens if something occurs downtown?"
"Patrols cover the city every day. Today, the construction site area was under mine and Shanshan's watch. If we encounter something beyond our capability, we report it, and stronger personnel are dispatched."
*Fair point.* Lu Ding realized. *Of course the 749 would have considered that.*
As the vehicle plunged into a tunnel, the view shifted.
Emerging, they found themselves within a base nestled deep in a valley.
Lu Ding felt a thrill of novelty.
Following Zhou Jie and Long Shanshan, he entered a reception hall to register, answering various questions.
Finally, he stepped through a small door.
Zhou Jie and Long Shanshan waved goodbye.
As Lu Ding disappeared, Long Shanshan asked, "Aren't we waiting for him?"
"From now on, he moves in a different world from ours. Our paths won't cross much. Besides, we have our patrol zone and plenty to do. Let's go."
Making a positive impression was enough.
Zhou Jie was pragmatic. Different levels meant destined for different circles.
Better to part ways cleanly. A nod of recognition if they met later would suffice.
Meanwhile...
Lu Ding followed a staff member down a corridor pulsing with high-tech aesthetics.
Walls of transparent glass lined both sides.
Behind them stood eerily lifelike, grotesque monster specimens.
Varying sizes, diverse forms.
Fierce, terrifying, enigmatic, bizarrely elegant, indescribable yet possessing an absolute, unsettling beauty.
A bewildering array that dazzled the eye.
A thought struck Lu Ding: *If only I'd killed all these monsters myself!*
*The rewards would have been immense!!*
*What a shame.*
Exiting the corridor, having glimpsed a fraction of the 749 base, they arrived at a room. The staff member swiped a card.
"Mr. Lu, please wait here. It's past midnight; the date is now the first of the month. Trainees who joined the Bureau last month will undergo their unified assessment and registration later this morning."
"You can observe the process to prepare for your own assessment next month."
Before the staff could leave, Lu Ding pressed: "What exactly is this 'assessment and registration'?"
"Certainly. Every new recruit must undergo assessment and registration, typically held on the first day of each lunar month."
"The assessment primarily evaluates combat capability. Based on the results and real-time observations, recruits are assigned a tier. This helps with future mission assignments, preventing unnecessary casualties. Compensation also varies accordingly."
"**Average Performance:** Assigned to an 8-person dorm. No rewards. Cannot accept monster containment missions. Must pass combat assessments before undertaking field missions like containment or investigation."
"**Good Performance:** Assigned to a 4-person dorm. Rewarded with one application of **Muscle-Building Bone-Forging Medicinal Paste**. Can accept **auxiliary tasks** on the 749 App, supporting Formal Investigators on monster containment missions."
"**Excellent Performance:** Assigned to a 2-person dorm. Rewarded with one **Comprehension Pill (Tongxi Pill)** to assist Awakening. Can lead non-combat investigation missions or act as **auxiliary support** on combat missions."
"**Perfect Performance:** Assigned to a **single dorm**. Rewarded with one **Awakening Pill**. Its gentle medicinal power opens all body apertures, propelling the recipient directly into the **Zhaoxuan Realm**. Can accept **monster containment missions** directly via the 749 App **without requiring Formal Investigator supervision**. Priority equal to Formal Investigators. Only needs to complete ten missions or contain ten monsters to become a Formal Investigator."
"You've just joined the Bureau. You have one month to select and contemplate your cultivation technique. Your assessment will be on the first day of next month. Time is ample."
While logically sound, waiting a month was unbearable for Lu Ding.
It felt like pure *wasted time*!!!
Suddenly, an idea sparked.
"Hey!!"
"I arrived at the base *before* midnight! Doesn't that mean I technically joined *last* month? And since tomorrow is the first, can I take the assessment *then*?"
Seeing the eager gleam in Lu Ding's eyes, the staff member wondered if he'd missed the point entirely.
"It's... *possible*. But rushing into the assessment rarely yields good results. While you possess dual talents, your Awakening is extremely recent. My *strong recommendation* is to consolidate your gains for a month. Achieve peak condition, study your technique, *then* take the assessment next month at your best."
"Furthermore, as you are currently in the pre-registration phase, you *are* assigned a single room."
Lu Ding shook his head emphatically. "No, no, no. I'm not an athlete; I don't need to 'consolidate'. Does the assessment require signing up? If so, sign me up right now. I'll take it with the others tomorrow."
He'd waited *nineteen years* for his golden finger to unlock.
Now he'd joined the 749 – no more searching for monsters like finding a needle in a haystack.
And they wanted him to wait *longer*?
Lu Ding refused to wait a moment more!
He could collect his cultivation technique *after* acing the assessment tomorrow.
The staff member suppressed a sigh. Others begged for *more* time to get stronger before the assessment, aiming for the top tier.
Yet this man seemed utterly incapable of waiting!
*Does dual talent make him this arrogant?!*
"Very well. I will register you. Here is your 749 Bureau employee phone. The 749 App is pre-installed. Log in with your details; you can browse information and resources."