Cheers from the crowd!

The host stepped onto the stage, ready to kick off the match, but his microphone was consistently drowned out by the roaring cheers. He tried to start several times, only to be forced into a wry smile each time and pause.

It wasn't until seven or eight minutes later that the audience's excitement finally subsided, and the match was able to begin smoothly.

But in Chen Gu's box, Marshal Bai slammed down a large glass of strong liquor, thumping the glass onto the table before him. "The match is already over. Aodora winning? Pigs might fly!"

And the outcome was just as Marshal Bai had predicted. Aodora was completely overwhelmed. Combat Rooster, already extremely strong, had become a bug in the entire Behemoth Alliance after adopting the 'Ancient Martial Arts Nine Styles' tailored for behemoths. Consequently, Aodora, outmatched in every aspect, only lasted ten minutes before admitting defeat.

Such a result surprised no one; instead, it seemed utterly expected. Aodora was so frustrated he couldn't utter a word. I am the second strongest in the Alliance! And you're not surprised by this huge upset?

Inside Immeasurable Stadium, the cheers nearly lifted the giant dome, yet Chen Gu had no time to savor this moment of glory. He hurried to his box, greeted Marshal Bai and the others, roughly explained the situation, and then announced his immediate departure back to the base.

Marshal Bai was especially dissatisfied. "A day like today is worth a three-day bender!"

"The Bureau of Mystic Security mistreats talented people and is short-sighted!"

"Chen Gu, turn against them and come to our military. I have a position for you in the Central Operations Room!"

Gao Mengjiu also tried to hold onto Chen Gu to talk about the song from earlier, but Chen Gu simply couldn't stay, rushing off in a hurry.

Because time was tight, Chen Gu didn't bother with his usual concealment efforts. He left the truck at the stadium, placed Combat Rooster into the Dimensional Cage Ring, and then sped off to the base in the "Palace on Ground Model 4."

After a rush, he made it back within the time frame set by Liang He.

Back at the base, Liang He sat in his room, watching the surveillance feed as Chen Gu's car entered the base. He then glanced at the time. Chen Gu's punctual return took away his excuse to blow up, making him feel even worse.

Chen Gu returned to his room and spent two whole hours reading comments praising him on the Stellar Net before he went to sleep contentedly.

「 」

The next day, when Chen Gu saw Chu Zheng at the training field, the girl was pouting, but not at Chen Gu. "Decades from now, people will consider last night a classic moment recorded in the Alliance's history books! I should have been by your side, Instructor, experiencing it all, but because of Liang He, I ended up snacking in front of the live stream all evening..."

"With that kind of attitude, it's no wonder he's ostracized and friendless at the Bureau." It was apparent Chu Zheng had also heard some rumors about Liang He.

Chen Gu smiled, soothing her. "Liang He's intentions are good; he's also looking out for your safety. The harder you train, the sooner you'll gain strong abilities, and the sooner you'll achieve your freedom. Then, you won't be restricted by anyone and can do anything you like."

Chu Zheng nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick. "You're right, Instructor."

While Chen Gu was making excuses for Liang He, Liang He himself sat in his office with a dark expression. During a routine patrol in the base earlier, he had overheard two researchers gossiping about him. They called him arrogant, narrow-minded, vengeful...

The researchers were already miserable dealing with Dr. Meng Ji; now with Liang He added to the mix, their misery had doubled, becoming almost unbearable.

Liang He pondered. Who leaked the truth? No, who's been slandering me behind my back?

He zeroed in on Chen Gu as the prime suspect. His reasoning was twofold. First: I can't stand Chen Gu, and I'm sure he feels the same way about me. If it were me, I would also do everything possible to attack someone I find 'disagreeable.'

Second: Chen Gu has substantial connections at headquarters; he'd have ways to catch wind of these whispers. As for these researchers being from headquarters originally... they're 'too low-level.' They shouldn't be qualified to hear rumors about me.

His bias led him to completely overlook the possibility that the researchers themselves, despite being from headquarters, could have spread the rumors.

After "careful consideration," Liang He snickered coldly to himself. He searched for news about Chen Gu on the Stellar Net, and a plan began to take shape in his mind.

「...」

Chu Zheng indeed trained very hard today. She became more adept at controlling the skills for her two professions. Chen Gu was pleased; it wouldn't be long before she was ready to graduate.

Approaching noon, Orangutan called him. "I've pushed back the endorsement deal again. The timing is not right yet. Your value will increase even more. Signing now would be a loss. After all, you have me, a top-notch agent working for you!"

Chen Gu asked him seriously, "Do you have a rare disease called 'I Die If I Don't Brag'?"

For once, Orangutan didn't argue. Instead, with a somewhat ingratiating tone, he asked, "The song Combat Rooster used during the demonstration yesterday, did you write it?"

Chen Gu wasn't that shameless and plainly said, "No, that should be a classic song from the Mother Planet era. I suppose you could say I compiled and revived it."

"It doesn't matter," Orangutan said. "Now the song is yours! Let me tell you, Man Suling really likes it. Since you're not planning to make a career in music, sign an authorization agreement. Let her sing it."