Chapter 15: Deputy Leader Wu Hao

The pancreas gland from the Rift Wolf had not yet been fully digested. Tian Xiao returned to the training ground to continue his weighted sprinting.

What had happened at the KTV was just a minor episode for him. His relationship with Wang Jingyi remained fractured. As for whether or not to recruit Zhu Xiaotian into his team, he found himself hesitating.

In matters of life and death, women were rarely as decisive as men. A fleeting moment of mercy or hesitation at a critical juncture could potentially lead to fatal consequences.

As the duration of high-intensity weighted sprinting exceeded five hours, Tian Xiao noticed through the Qinglong system that his muscle strength had finally climbed to 11 points, muscle reflex agility reached 10.7, and his bio-energy was nearing 120—about 20% higher than that of an average adult.

This was the equivalent of an H3-to-H4-level comprehensive strength.

Using the pancreas gland, combined with the extreme training methods of Earth's Celestial Army, he progressed rapidly, akin to undergoing genetic enhancement.

The intermittent high-intensity training over more than four hours left Tian Xiao feeling slight resistance and spasms across his muscles.

He immediately stopped.

This was truly reaching the body's limit. Continuing would risk irreversible damage.

Tian Xiao halted his training and took the elevator to the twelfth floor, where he found a bio-mechanical massage therapist to help relax his muscles.

Exhausted, he quickly fell asleep under the therapist's skilled hands.

He was awakened by Qinglong, and it was already 5 a.m.

"Master, you've spent a total of ten hours at the training ground, incurring a cost of 500 Federation credits. Laundry services cost an additional 50 credits, bringing your total expense to 550 credits."

"During your rest period, your muscle strength increased by 0.1, and muscle reflex agility improved by 0.2."

"Got it," Tian Xiao replied indifferently.

The soreness in his muscles had mostly subsided, and his bio-energy had returned to peak levels. The bio-mechanical massage therapists at the base truly lived up to their reputation. Their mastery over human recovery and relaxation was exceptional.

The alternating cycle of stress and relaxation had a positive impact on his body, promoting enhancement. The money spent was well worth it.

Feeling refreshed, Tian Xiao quickly dressed in his freshly laundered attire. His spirits were lifted, and his eyes shone with vitality.

There were still four hours before his scheduled meeting with Chen Wuling.

Tian Xiao returned to the fifteenth floor and immediately resumed his training.

The first time he consumed the pancreas gland, how much nutrition he could extract depended entirely on his effort.

After a few hours of sleep and rest, Tian Xiao could feel the heat building up in his body, accumulated energy that needed to be digested quickly. Otherwise, his body would slowly reject it, expelling it through sweat.

The training ground was nearly empty in the early morning.

Tian Xiao trained vigorously for another three hours before people began trickling into the fifteenth floor.

The first person to enter the training ground was a member of the security team. He had a sharp, focused demeanor, clad in the team's uniform. His keen eyes noticed Tian Xiao sweating profusely as he sprinted on the machine in the corner. He glanced briefly before heading toward the strength training equipment.

Two more people followed him in.

One was a towering figure, 2.3 meters tall, with a broad back and shoulders, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

The other was a gaunt man with an icy gaze. Even a casual glance from across the room, through rows of training equipment, made Tian Xiao feel as though he was being pricked by needles.

These three men…

Tian Xiao recognized them all.

Without pausing his movements, Tian Xiao observed.

The leader was Wu Hao, the deputy leader of the security team. With H8-level strength, he was second only to the base commander and the head of the security team, Luo Fei.

The burly man, nicknamed Iron Bear, was Wu Hao's right-hand man. With H7-level strength, his robust physique and bio-energy rivaled Wu Hao's.

The gaunt man, Zhao Jia, nicknamed "The Assassin," specialized in dagger combat and long-range sniping. He also had H7-level strength.

This was the security team's "Iron Triangle" and Luo Fei's biggest challenge.

If not for Chen Wuling's later rise to help Luo Fei share the burden, these three could have easily toppled him.

Unlike Luo Fei, who enjoyed drinking, Wu Hao was driven and ambitious. He trained every morning to enhance his physical capabilities, making his competitive intentions clear.

To be honest, if Tian Xiao didn't know Wu Hao's true nature, he would have considered aligning with him. Compared to the still-developing Chen Wuling, the drink-loving Luo Fei, and the other lackluster members, Wu Hao was indeed more impressive.

This thought darkened Tian Xiao's gaze.

Wu Hao…

Too many of his actions and misdeeds had been witnessed and reported.

After becoming the leader of a planetary base, Wu Hao's ambition and greed erupted, posing a greater threat than mediocrity ever could.

Tian Xiao continued running for another fifteen minutes.

During that time, he could feel the trio's eyes on him, scrutinizing him intently.

Wu Hao was someone who valued talent.

It was no surprise that his identity had already been thoroughly investigated.

Not wanting to cause unnecessary complications, Tian Xiao took a deep breath, slowed his pace, removed the power traction belt, and walked toward the elevator without hesitation.

In the corner, the gaunt Zhao Jia put away a dagger and approached the area where Tian Xiao had been training.

A large puddle of sweat was conspicuous on the floor.

Zhao Jia activated a nearby console that had been deliberately turned off. After some quick inputs, he examined the data displayed.

Turning to Wu Hao, he said in a low voice, "H4-level strength."

"A promising candidate," Wu Hao replied while rhythmically lifting a 150-kilogram weight.

Hearing this, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Last night, Luo Fei personally led the team to arrest Gao Chong for attempted assault. I heard it was this rookie who reported it… Hmph! Such a trivial matter, and Chen Wuling could have handled it. Yet Luo Fei made a spectacle of himself, clearly trying to give this rookie face."

"I've already looked into it. This guy definitely fits Luo Fei's preferences. He could very well be the next Chen Wuling," Zhao Jia said as he approached, lowering his voice. "Wu-ge, I reviewed the Gao Chong incident. This rookie is sharp, ruthless, and talented. Should I have a chat with him?"

As a fellow security team member, Zhao Jia had already heard the details of what had transpired the night before.

Wu Hao maintained a steady breath as he continued his repetitions, replying, "Regardless, Luo Fei is still the leader of the security team. If he's giving this rookie face, why should we step in? There's no need."

"Besides, an H4-level rookie has a long way to go… By the time he's ready, the position of team leader will have already changed hands."

Wu Hao's confidence was unshakable.