First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!

The gentle breeze stirred up added a touch of atmosphere to the two figures on the platform.

Combined with the view looking outward—the vast, flat plain nestled between the two mountain gaps.

It looked like the Great Rift Valley of East Africa.

That scene, it was a perfect composition, the atmosphere absolutely maxed out.

As Fu Xinghe, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looking every bit the refined scoundrel, entered their field of vision, a handsome face gradually intruded.

Their gaze followed the movement until it settled on the person beside him.

A handsome face in front, an even more handsome face behind.

It really was a gradient effect.

Lu Ding, unsmiling and solemn, was the epitome of restrained, ascetic allure, paired with his eyes fixed on the slowly approaching train.

An air of supreme arrogance was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress.

"Finally here."

Lu Ding's voice served as a transition, leading into Fu Xinghe's report on the information he had gathered on the way.

"Brother Lu, according to the information verified by my uncle, the Su Family and the Dong Family have sent a total of thirty-two people this time."

"Fifteen from the Su Family, led by one at the Five Restrictions Middle Stage, named Su Sheng. His Innate Protective Energy is extremely domineering, excelling in both defense and offense with unique expertise. Moreover, his innate talent is a manifested one—he can transform his body into smoke, evading most physical damage."

All Qi Refiners possess their own innate talents.

The reason Lu Ding hadn't encountered enemies who could utilize their talents in spectacular ways before was that many people's talents are latent, acting internally on organs, or aiding cultivation, or fostering an affinity for a particular type of heaven and earth energy, leaning towards one aspect of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, or wind, forest, fire, mountain.

In most common cases, manifested talents don't get you very far.

And they are easily countered.

Latent talents accumulate strength for a later breakthrough.

But if a manifested talent is truly powerful, or can be genuinely developed... then it's like having an extra major skill compared to others.

And a major skill that you can wield as effortlessly as your own limbs.

Just like Lu Ding's Way of the Jinche, which was also recorded as his talent at the time, and a manifested one at that.

As for his own inherent innate talent, he has never felt it.

But having no talent means you cannot cultivate.

Lu Ding thinks there might be something to this.

Perhaps when it's unearthed in the future, it will be a pleasant surprise.

It's like a pit left unfilled before making your fortune, only growing larger over time. The higher Lu Ding's cultivation realm, the longer he's unlocked his Golden Finger, the higher the potential value of this yet-to-be-revealed inherent talent.

Fu Xinghe continued, "Among the remaining fourteen, four are at the Fourth Restriction, ten are lackeys."

Well, anyone below the Fourth Restriction is considered a lackey now.

It has to be said, after following Lu Ding, Fu Xinghe's perspective has indeed been elevated.

Lu Ding listened. "Go on."

"The Dong Family sent seventeen people. They are led by the Dong Family's Five Restrictions Late Stage expert, Dong Congyi. The rest are six at the Fourth Restriction, and ten lackeys."

"The key figure is only this Dong Congyi. His Five Restrictions Late Stage cultivation is merely his basic configuration."

"He also possesses a Poison Dragon, extremely fierce and savage. Not only does it have high individual combat power, it can even combine with Dong Congyi to release various techniques."

Alright, hearing this flashy description, Lu Ding inexplicably thought of Jiraiya.

'Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!!!'

The giant toad spits oil, Jiraiya spits fire.

Although this Dong Congyi's cultivation is high, Lu Ding's focus isn't on him. After all, a Five Restrictions expert isn't beyond the budget.

His focus is on the Su Family's Su Sheng's method of evading physical damage.

Even with the Way of the Jinche, you still have to hit the target.

If the guy disperses into smoke, what's the use if you can't hit him?

Swinging at air doesn't have any damage transfer effect.

So, even though Lu Ding covets the Poison Dragon on Dong Congyi—perhaps the next piece for evolving the Golden Dragon Agarwood Chariot into the Nine Dragons Agarwood Chariot might come from this dragon—his primary focus still has to be on Su Sheng first.

Screech...

The sound of brakes signaled the train coming to a stop.

Before boarding, Lu Ding glanced at Fu Xinghe. "Want to avoid this first? I'll call you after the fight?"

Fu Xinghe instead lifted the pendant hanging from his neck. Its material was unknown, lacking any ornate patterns or intricate carvings. It bore only two characters: 'Zhi Ge' (Cease Arms).

"No need, Brother Lu. Although I can't be of much help to you, I won't hold you back either."

"This pendant was given to me by Elder Shui on my first full moon. Passively, it can protect my life. Actively, those at the Fifth Restriction cannot approach me. I've never used it before, but today I feel it's time."

"I can go up and help you with some chores too. From what I know, the people from the Su and Dong Families are all in the last sealed carriage."

"Later, you head to the rear, I'll go to the front. When the timing is right, I'll have the train conductor detach the last carriage."

"This way, it won't affect the train's operation, allowing the other passengers to avoid the aftermath of the battle, while also stranding the Su and Dong Family members in the uninhabited zone. What do you think, Brother Lu?"

Lu Ding looked at the pendant on his neck.

Now that's more like it.

Fu Xinghe has connections and family background;what's the deal with coming out empty-handed?

Even ordinary families know the principle of 'traveling with ample funds when from a poor home.'

Lu Ding was quite satisfied with his proposal.

After all, this train is quite expensive.

The standards for wrecking one carriage versus wrecking the whole train are different, worlds apart. And there are so many people sitting in the front.

Fu Xinghe handles things reliably!

"Alright, I'll leave that to you then."

Lu Ding stepped onto the train and headed towards the rear on the right.

Fu Xinghe followed closely behind, boarding and heading straight for the front.

Meanwhile.

At the rear.

This last carriage was completely taken over by the Su and Dong Families.

It was filled entirely with their people.

The atmosphere was quite good, with laughter and chatter. An outsider might think they were on a picnic.

Of course, this was because their information was not equivalent.

They felt confident in their hearts.

They believed that with two Five Restrictions experts leading, there couldn't possibly be any issues.

Lu Ding?

What is Lu Ding?

Can he fight two Five Restrictions experts?

"A shameless piece of trash like Lu Ding can only resort to sneak attacks, catching Young Master Minglong off guard, that's all. Still acting arrogant? What's there to be arrogant about? If he has the guts, let him come meet us at the New City station too!"

"Hahahaha, do you think he dares?"

"Let me state this first, my words aren't directed at your Young Master Minglong. It's just that your Young Master Minglong is still young, his cultivation level a bit lower. Now, with our Lord Su Sheng and your Lord Dong Congyi here, Lu Ding wouldn't dare to come meet us. He's probably already started preparing to run upon hearing news of our arrival, scared out of his wits."

"That's not impossible. Before we left, didn't Secretary Qiu personally come to check? Everyone knows he and Elder Shui are protecting Lu Ding? He was here to scout the situation."

"Probably before we even set off, he'd already sent news of our arrival to Lu Ding."

The speaker stood up excitedly, holding up two fingers for everyone to see. "Two Five Restrictions experts. That's two Five Restrictions experts."

Then he spread his hands wide. "Combined with so many of us at the Third and Fourth Restrictions."

At this moment, the train had slowly started moving.

Whoosh—it shot forward. Once it entered these mountains and reached the great canyon, that would be the uninhabited zone.

Unaware that their death was imminent, they were still here spouting nonsense.

Lu Ding, in a toilet cubicle outside the door, heard everything clearly.

"If Lu Ding dares to come to the station, damn it, we'll kill him on the spot!!!"