Preparations

Elena was confused about the situation here, but she soon remembered she had something more important to do. The young woman walked over towards the RSS team and suddenly had a few bottles of water in her hand. Only now did Bai Jingshen realize, that Elena had a space ring on her finger. Taking a closer look Bai Jingshen was sure that this ring wasn't a product of the Rising Force World. They were obviously the ingenious storage devices invented in the Great Cultivation World. Since the Rising Force World seemingly wasn't able to produce something similar, the former emperor could only imagine how much resources the sects earned when selling space rings.

Some of the RSS members perked up when Elena stepped in front of them, but most of them were still under shock from their experiences. Bai Jingshen rolled his eyes when he saw Bloodsaber putting himself in front of the more injured team members. From the corner of his eye he noticed the meditating Ryan open his eyes a bit, throwing a hateful look at Bloodsaber. Bai Jingshen only now realized that the team leader had a pale complexion with a greenish shimmer in his eyes. He was obviously poisoned.

While Bai Jingshen contemplated if he should help Ryan, he soon realized what Elena took out from her space ring. Seeing how the young woman brought bottles of elven spirit water, Bai Jingshen wasn't concerned about any physical problems the RSS team had anymore. After all, he had experienced the miraculous healing powers on his own body. Therefore, he wasn't surprised as Elena treated the other recruit's injuries. Unfortunately the water wasn't able to replace missing limps, but this shouldn't be too big a problem for Thobar Bionics.

Bai Jingshen observed his team members with slight sadness however, as he noticed how they continued to be in a daze despite Elena's best efforts. The former emperor could have been smug and showing them a I-told-you-so attitude, but despite his usual calmness he even felt a bit of pity. In his eyes these young men might as well still be children, not only because of their age, but also their underdeveloped maturity. The experienced veteran looked at Sam, who tried to talk to his team members, and realized how fast his friend managed to adapt.

After healing the recruits' injuries and even freeing Ryan's body from the poison, Elena spoke to her protector again:

"Let's hurry back, Grand Uncle. Our new employees stumbled over a lake of elven spirit water. We are lucky this time, as we have so many people here. We need to quickly secure the lake and take as much as we can before others come. Can I ask you to take the new recruits back and organize as much help as possible? I will return to the lake and guard it in the meantime."

"A lake of elven spirit water? Of course, young Miss."

With those words the old man didn't stand on ceremony. He quickly used his Qi to envelope everyone before taking flight. Only now did Bai Jingshen realize how strong this protector was. Contrary to the mayor of New Haven City, the old man perfectly hid his aura before. Now that he actively used his Qi to fly at high speeds, it became apparent that he was at least a realm higher than Titus Gaian.

The Sleeping Lake Forest raced past the group as the protector hurried back. Protected by Qi, Bai Jingshen wasn't able to feel the intense wind or hear his team members. However he could see the shock in their eyes as intense fear appeared on their faces. Elena's efforts of healing them quickly became undone, but the old man didn't seem as compassionate as his niece.

It didn't take long until the group arrived back at the camp. Bai Jingshen looked around with interest as soon as the old man landed in front of a small, metallic building. He realized they were just outside the forest. All around him he saw cultivators of varying strengths. Some of them had a chat, some seemed to be trading, while others went in and out of small, temporary buildings. The Thobar Bionics logo could be seen everywhere, but he also saw a lot of cultivators who looked like unaffiliated adventures.

When the old man landed with the RSS team, they drew a lot attention. Bai Jingshen saw some adventures whispering to each other, but he also overheard Thobar Bionics' employees letting out relieved breaths or saying things like: "Have we finally found them?"

The former emperor was confused as he realized how much effort Thobar Bionics' put into searching for them. If this were the Great Cultivation World and his father would have lead a search for him it would have been understandable, but in this world he was just someone who won a newcomer competition. The experienced veteran noticed these discrepancies and grew interested in what the management was thinking. The company couldn't be in such dire straits that one potential scholar would warrant so much trouble, right?

Luckily Bai Jingshen's thoughts were interrupted as the old protector spoke to a Golden Core Realm cultivator running out of the building:

"Quickly mobilize every available employee. Call everyone back from the search and tell them to gather here in ten minutes at most! Also, ready as many flying devices and storage devices as we have. Also, call someone to take care of the recruits. Bring the injured to the medical division at HQ and make the uninjured ready to follow us!"

Bai Jingshen watched in amusement as the just arrived cultivator hurried to follow the old man's orders. Now that they arrived at the camp, this old man finally had the aura of a high-level cultivator. Everyone subconsciously made way for him as he entered the metallic building.

Looking around, Bai Jingshen noticed that every Thobar Bionics' employee suddenly received a notice on their bracelets. Most of them immediately dropped what they were doing, as they hurriedly prepared themselves for deployment. He was amazed at their organization as everyone seemingly walked with purpose to fulfill their assigned tasks. Another Golden Core Realm cultivator and a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator suddenly walked in their direction. The Golden Core Realm cultivator waved at them to go to the side and talk, as they were still blocking the core building's entrance.

Standing to the side the older man began to introduce himself:

"Attention recruits! I'm Instructor Hord. I am responsible for the RSS division in the New World. From today on you follow my orders!"

He looked to the side at the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.

"Uzim! You know your task. Bring those injured to the medical division! The rest of you, follow me!"

The cultivator called Uzim quickly brought the eight injured members away, while the rest followed Instructor Hord. Bai Jingshen observed the new instructor while walking behind him. Or rather, he observed the instructor's many bionics. The older man obviously was a fan of replacing his body with artificial parts. Even as most of his body was hidden behind the uniform, Bai Jingshen still noticed two bionic hands, a weird protrusion on his leg and most obvious of all, a cold, glaring, metallic jaw. The instructor gave Bai Jingshen the vibes of a battle lusted veteran, who liked to keep his scars as reminders of his battles.

Since no one talked, Bai Jingshen didn't have any chance of getting more familiar with the instructor. After a short time, their group entered a side building, which had a lot of people coming in and out of right now. As soon as they entered, Bloodsaber spoke to the instructor:

"Instructor Hord. May I equip myself?"

The instructor threw him an angry look, but Bloodsaber seemed to already be used to it. Only now did Bai Jingshen understand, that as a member of the RSS division Bloodsaber naturally already knew the instructor. He only saw the latter nod, before walking through a much frequented door, completely ignoring his juniors. Bai Jingshen only shook his head, before following instructor Hord over towards a table at the side. A small man was sitting behind the desk, busily writing something down, but the instructor ignored him as he accessed a terminal to the side. A second later he was already done as he spoke to his new recruits:

"Listen up. Lockers 244,245, and 246 are yours. Just follow the others and take the second door on the right. I will wait for you here. You have 5 minutes!"

Bai Jingshen, Sam, and Ryan nodded towards the instructor before hurriedly following others deeper into the room. It wasn't hard finding their lockers. Bai Jingshen was happy that he could finally wear real clothes again. He would be lying if he said he enjoyed all the stares he received on the way. Fortunately, in their locker they found fresh uniforms and a small collection of standardized weapons. The simply changed right then and there, before taking their favorite weapons and hurrying outside. Instructor Hord already had an impatient look on his face, as he brought the three of them to the gathering spot.