Chapter 193 - 150: Disaster Befalls

Chapter 193: Chapter 150: Disaster Befalls

Just a moment ago, when Yan Xiangtian announced the mission, he didn’t seem to require participants to be at the Refining Stage to accept.

Were people exploiting a loophole?

But Director Zhou didn’t think that was possible.

Never mind the fact that confronting Nightmare invasions and anomalies required at least Refining Level combat strength. The mission rewards were also distributed based on merit, so it was impossible for someone to accept the mission, do nothing, and still freeload the rewards.

The process for issuing and reviewing missions here was also quite rigorous.

At this moment, Yang Lina was busy processing the mission registration credentials for the Dream Descenders.

This mission’s requirements were high and its rewards plentiful, but not just anyone could accept it. Her station served as the first line of screening.

"Are you a member? If so, please present your Member Card."

"Okay, you’re registered. Member Card number has been entered. Next."

In less than ten seconds, she had already processed one Dream Descender.

She was incredibly efficient.

So fast it seemed like she wasn’t checking or verifying anything at all.

In reality, however, the Member Card itself was the most effective form of verification.

The vast majority of those who could obtain member status were at the Refining Stage. The very few Dream Descenders who had yet to refine a Lifebound Curse Object typically possessed a Curse Art they had already cultivated to the Skilled Level.

A Dream Descender at the Great Perfection of the Control Stage like that was capable of clashing with anomalies, and thus was naturally qualified to accept the mission.

Director Zhou and Wang General Team, however, couldn’t make sense of it.

One moment, they thought the Safe Zone’s screening was rigorous; the next, they found it highly irregular.

Just then, two Dream Descenders came forward. When Yang Lina asked if they were members, they both shook their heads.

"For non-members, given the difficulty of this mission, you must be at the Refining Stage or higher to accept it."

As she spoke, she pushed forward a crystal column.

The crystal column consisted of six sections and stood vertically on a circular base.

It was a small gadget for testing Curse Power—a byproduct of the main Curse Testing Device.

Its function was simple: to give a rough estimate of a person’s level within the Refining Stage.

An experienced expert could also judge a Dream Descender’s stage by the aura of their Curse Object, but it was naturally not as direct or convenient as using a testing device.

"We know, we know. We didn’t just arrive in the Safe Zone. We’re aware of the procedure."

The two Dream Descenders took turns infusing their Curse Power. The crystal testing column quickly lit up, section by section. A total of four sections glowed, indicating that they were indeed Refining Stage Dream Descenders.

Yang Lina registered their information. "Here are your mission credentials. You don’t have Member Cards, so make sure you don’t lose these."

However, when the next non-member Dream Descender was tested, the crystal column only lit up three sections.

Yang Lina said, "Those who aren’t at the Refining Stage cannot accept this mission. Next."

"Wait!" the Dream Descender protested. "I may not be at the Refining Stage, but I’ve mastered a Skilled Level Curse Art! I’m no weaker than some of the members. If they can accept the mission, why can’t I?"

"Because you’re not a member. Next."

In the Safe Zone, being a member was an honor and a status symbol.

It naturally came with certain conveniences compared to being a non-member.

Moreover, those who obtained member status had, in effect, accumulated a certain amount of "credit" within the Safe Zone. Non-members? They were merely passersby, strangers.

The Dream Descender looked at Yang Lina’s indifferent, expressionless gaze. He then noticed the security captain, who was wrapped head to toe in bandages, also looking his way from a distance. With an embarrassed smile, he stepped aside.

"A bit strict," Director Zhou said in a low voice.

Wang Tieshan replied, "But being strict is the right approach. It seems those holding Member Cards are veterans of this Safe Zone, so they don’t need to undergo identity and strength screenings."

"As for the others, it’s just as we thought—they do indeed need to be at the Refining Stage to accept the mission."

In that short time alone, over a dozen people had already accepted the mission.

And that clearly wasn’t all of them.

The Dream Descender from a moment ago, who was at the Control Stage but possessed a Skilled Level Curse Art, was honestly no weaker than someone at the Refining Stage, yet he was screened out without a moment’s hesitation.

That was why Director Zhou had called it "a bit strict."

After all, any Dream Descender who could master a Curse Art before even reaching the Refining Stage was a genius!

It was just...

He had a very strange feeling.

’Just now, when that person at the Control Stage mentioned he’d mastered a Curse Art, weren’t the expressions of everyone else around a little... too calm?’

...

「A moment later, in the Safe Zone’s reception room.」

Director Zhou and Wang General Team followed Yan Xiangtian and met the powerful expert with the codename "Manager."

Shi An was also a little surprised to suddenly be meeting three Extraordinary individuals at once.

He was more than familiar with the name of Director Yan, Yan Xiangtian; it was practically legendary.

In the Present Realm, his superior was Old Song, and Old Song reported to the director of the Newcomer Guidance Department.

The director of the Guidance Department was a position comparable to a team leader in the Operations Department, placing them in the middle-to-upper echelons of the Countermeasures Bureau.

Further up the chain were the Deputy Captain and Captain Levels, followed by the Deputy Director Level.

Director Yan was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful figures at the very top of Baijiang City. His every word and action could affect the entire city’s three million residents.

For such an important figure to personally visit today, Shi An felt...

He found himself to be surprisingly calm.

’Oh, right. Turns out in the three districts and six counties of Baijiang City, I’m a heavyweight myself. Never mind then.’

Director Yan’s visit was regarding the matter of the Lighthouse.

If a Lighthouse could be built in the Present Realm, it would naturally be able to easily see through the disguises of the Pseudo-Men.

Unfortunately, Shi An had no solution for this.

Yan Xiangtian had expected this outcome.

He expressed his gratitude nonetheless.

At the very least, if the Manager hadn’t established the Safe Zone and selflessly provided such a valuable Cultivation Field, Baijiang City would truly be in an impossible position right now.