Chapter 60: Recommendation Approved

As the Deputy Leader of the security team, Tian Xiao knew he had to send his congratulations to Luo Fei, who had always supported him, and this was the moment to show his appreciation.

Though Tian Xiao was aware that Luo Fei's rise to the G-tier level was partly due to his own influence, he couldn't help but feel genuinely happy for him.

Sure enough.

When they met, Tian Xiao noticed that Luo Fei had a healthy glow on his face. His aura was stronger than before, exuding a steady, almost overwhelming pressure. His gaze had sharpened, and his entire demeanor radiated the excitement of someone on the rise.

"Congratulations, Team Leader," Tian Xiao said, offering his respect.

"Haha… Tian Xiao, you're here! I must thank you for that one million you sent me. Without it, I'd still be saving up for another six months…" Luo Fei chuckled, his joy infectious as he got up and started to pour tea for Tian Xiao.

Tian Xiao took the teapot from him before he could sit back down.

Luo Fei spoke with a satisfied smile, his eyes shining with the excitement of a major step forward. "I've officially applied to join the base commander's reserve pool at headquarters. Zhang Lian told me they're looking for a new base commander to take over a resource planet that the company is acquiring from the Yunzhong Group."

"Originally, I was in the second-tier reserve, but now that Lin, our base's general manager, has applied for a ship position, there could be two vacancies, and I'm in line to fill one of them."

Tian Xiao's eyes brightened at the news.

"Congratulations, Team Leader. It seems like you're on the verge of being promoted to General Manager."

Luo Fei laughed heartily. "That's right, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. The real battle starts now. Our company's higher-ups have received the battle reports about your elimination of the Black Flood Worm Beasts. Zhang Lian and I have recommended you as my successor for the position of the security team leader… Your qualifications are impressive despite your short tenure, and with your H7 chip level and H9 physical fitness, you're more than qualified to take over. The chances of approval from the higher-ups are very high."

Tian Xiao nodded but remained modest. "I've only been with the security team for less than two months. I still have a lot to learn."

Luo Fei smiled. "Don't worry. The higher-ups care more about a person's ability to unite people and their personal strength. You've already earned the respect of the security team, and you have experience handling fierce beasts, insectoids, and space pirates. You've racked up a significant number of achievements. And now, you're the only one who has eliminated a G-tier insectoid beast. The higher-ups will certainly approve your promotion."

Tian Xiao nodded again, but deep inside, he wasn't entirely certain.

"Even if I don't get the position, I'll continue to support my brothers and work well with the new leader. The bigger picture is what matters most," he said, expressing his determination.

"That's all I needed to hear," Luo Fei said, his tone grateful. "Compared to Chen Wuling, you're younger by two years, but you handle matters more maturely. In the future, I'll need you to look out for him. His talent might not match yours, but his character is solid, and he'll be an asset to the team."

"Don't worry, Boss Luo. Chen Ge and I have a great relationship. We'll support each other, always," Tian Xiao responded.

"Good," Luo Fei said, clearly pleased. "Now, the real news. Just a moment ago, an email came in from headquarters."

Tian Xiao opened the email on his terminal. It was from Feiying Company's headquarters, addressed to the security team and the base management team.

The email was well-structured and addressed both Lin Xu's and Luo Fei's applications. The response was swift, but the outcome wasn't entirely what Luo Fei had hoped for.

Lin Xu's application had been approved.

Lin Xu, the base commander, would soon be leaving the base to board a ship and begin his interstellar journey as the vice-captain, gaining experience to eventually take on the role of captain.

Luo Fei's application was also approved, but the position he was assigned to was not as he had expected. Instead of taking over a new base or managing a resource planet from the Yunzhong Group, he was sent to a resource planet numbered 77626, a planet already in the final stages of development. The number of miners there had dwindled to fewer than two thousand.

This meant the planet offered little profit or potential gain.

In comparison to the opportunities at this base or the newly acquired resource planet, Luo Fei was disappointed. Still, he couldn't afford to reject the assignment; he would have to wait for a chance to get aboard a ship and shift his fate.

Tian Xiao wasn't surprised. He knew that Feiying Company would never let Luo Fei control the logistics and security of a base.

As he continued reading the email, Tian Xiao's attention was drawn to the next part: his own promotion.

The email confirmed that Tian Xiao was to take over Luo Fei's position as the security team leader, with Chen Wuling promoted to deputy leader.

Additionally, Lin Xu's position would be filled by someone directly appointed by headquarters.

"..." The atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Luo Fei's expression darkened. While he had achieved a promotion, the assignment was far from what he had envisioned. The destination was different from his expectations, and the reality didn't match the dream.

Nevertheless, Luo Fei, being experienced, quickly regained his composure. He turned to Tian Xiao, offering a faint smile. "Well, I've been promoted to the leader of a base, but the new position will require me to oversee the miners and logistics department. I won't be able to get involved with other matters."

He paused, then added with a more serious tone, "But now I'm more concerned about you and Chen Wuling. Do you understand why?"

Tian Xiao shook his head.

He knew that as a newcomer who was being promoted so rapidly, it would be dangerous if others knew too much about his abilities. Company politics were always fraught with competition, and too much attention could turn out to be a risk.

Luo Fei sighed deeply. "Every base commander wants to get control of the security team. With enough muscle, you can fully control a base. That's what I truly wanted—to stay here and work alongside you guys. But now, it's not possible. You'll have to watch out for the new commander; they'll be looking for any weaknesses to exploit."

Tian Xiao nodded silently.

He understood the weight of Luo Fei's words. The higher-ups were shrewd and careful, always calculating. They gave the security team enough power to ensure no one could easily take control, but that also meant the team could never become a threat.

"The new base commander will probably try to find a way to undermine you, looking for any leverage to control you. Over the next three months, don't give them any chance to do so… especially you, Tian Xiao. If you slip up, all my hard work will be for nothing."

Luo Fei's advice was simple but crucial: be steady.

"Always act cautiously. Learn the rules, understand what you can and cannot do. Once you've adapted to the responsibilities of the security team leader, you can hold your ground."

Tian Xiao promised to follow this advice, understanding the importance of being cautious and strategic.

Luo Fei gave him a reassuring smile. "You've always been steady, Tian Xiao. Just keep doing what you've been doing. The new commander won't be able to find any weaknesses. The others, like Lao Lu, are more relaxed, but I trust you'll handle them."

Tian Xiao responded with a plan. "I'll temporarily remove Lao Lu from his position and have Zhu Xiaotian take over his team. That way, she can keep an eye on him."

Luo Fei agreed, knowing that Lao Lu had become complacent and no longer cared about his duties. It was time for a change.

"From now on, the security team will be in your hands," Luo Fei said, passing the responsibility on to Tian Xiao.

Tian Xiao stood up, nodding solemnly. "Boss Luo, don't worry. I'll take care of the team. I'm also looking forward to the day you return to the fleet and we reunite."

The following day, a grand farewell party was held for Luo Fei, and everyone bid him goodbye.

The new commander arrived the day after, stepping off a Seahorse-class shuttle. At first glance, the new leader appeared to be in his mid-twenties, youthful and tall, followed by four bodyguards. His arrival stirred rumors and whispers among the higher-ups in the base, who couldn't help but be impressed by his young age.

"Just twenty-five? A G-level officer? His future is limitless!" one of them murmured.

Indeed, the new commander seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.