"Hm?"
"Huh!?"
She's looking for me?
What does this big cow want with me?
Zhao Xuan blinked, completely unaware that while he was lost in confusion, the expression on the black-stockinged woman's face had suddenly shifted.
At first, her gaze turned strange—amused, even playful.
But a moment later, her expression hardened, her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassed fury.
Her fist clenched tightly.
"You're Zhao Xuan, aren't you?"
The woman's voice was low but sharp.
Zhao Xuan froze. "How did you know that?"
He frowned, puzzled. What's going on? How does this big-breasted woman know my name? I didn't even say anything!
"Indeed, you didn't say anything."
The woman's voice rang out again.
"...???"
"...!!!"
Zhao Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief.
No way... could she be reading my mind!?
The woman ground her teeth slightly, her tone calm but edged with irritation.
"My Observation Haki is tied to mental perception. I can sense every thought and impression in people's minds—at least, anything related to me."
Zhao Xuan froze. His jaw nearly dropped.
Then an absolutely horrified thought flashed through his mind.
Wait—she heard what I was thinking earlier!?
"Correct."
The black-stockinged lady leaned in close, her breath tickling his ear as she whispered playfully,
"I heard it all, little Zhao Xuan. Including that part where you called me a 'big… you-know-what.'"
"C-Cough! Cough, cough!!"
Zhao Xuan immediately started coughing violently, his face burning.
"B-Big sister! It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!"
He forced out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
The woman didn't speak.
She simply crossed her arms, lifted her chin slightly, and stared at him—eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and disdain.
"Heh… heh heh…"
Zhao Xuan could only give a sheepish smile.
Finally, she sighed and waved her hand dismissively.
"Forget it. I'll let it slide for now. But next time, we'll settle this properly."
"Next time?"
"You'll have plenty of time to make it up to me."
"...Huh?"
Zhao Xuan blinked, confused.
What did she mean by plenty of time?
As if reading his thoughts again, the woman continued:
"Zhao Xuan, little brother—would you like to join us at the Relic Strategic Protection and Development Logistics Bureau?"
"...What?"
"'What,' what? I asked you a question."
"Uh… I mean, I don't even know what that is—your… um… 'Relic Protection something Bureau'?"
The woman sighed lightly.
"It's called the Relic Strategic Protection and Development Logistics Bureau, but you can just call us Bureau 794."
"Bureau 794?"
"Yes," she said, her tone turning official.
"We're a classified government department, created specifically to protect and develop relics across Shenzhou, as well as to compete with foreign powers for control over relics scattered throughout the Endless Ocean."
"So it's an official organization…" Zhao Xuan muttered thoughtfully.
"Exactly. Any more questions?" she asked with a faint smirk. Then she added,
"Maybe you'd rather hear about the benefits of joining us?"
She straightened slightly, her professional tone returning.
"Unlike most government departments, Bureau 794 doesn't require daily attendance or clock-ins. Our schedule is extremely flexible. Unless there's a major emergency, the state won't assign us mandatory missions. All assignments are voluntary—based on your interests and mood."
Her eyes gleamed as she continued,
"The Bureau's agents are divided into three ranks: junior, intermediate, and senior investigators."
"A junior investigator receives 20 million yuan annually as a logistics stipend."
"An intermediate investigator receives 200 million yuan per year."
"A senior investigator receives 2 billion yuan annually."
"Additionally," she added with a hint of pride, "since we specialize in relic operations, our internal resource vault contains virtually every known relic-grade herb or elixir—including seventh-, eighth-, and even ninth-tier spirit plants. These resources are exclusive to Bureau 794 personnel."
"Say no more!"
Before she could finish, Zhao Xuan shouted, eyes shining.
"I'm in! I'm in! I'm definitely in!"
The woman's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Good choice."
Reaching into her coat, she pulled out a medal-shaped insignia and tossed it to him.
"This is your identification as a Bureau 794 investigator—and your key to access our network. Wrap it in your spiritual energy, and your consciousness will enter our Dream Realm Space. You can request resources or submit tasks there; we'll handle the rest."
Zhao Xuan's eyes sparkled. "What a treasure!"
"Handle it carefully," she warned. "That badge was forged by an eighth-tier King-class user using a fruit ability. It's priceless. Lose it, and a replacement will cost you ten million yuan."
"I understand!" Zhao Xuan said quickly, nodding.
"Any other questions? If not, I should get going. There's a newly discovered relic in the Imperial Capital—I'm needed there to open the gateway."
"Just one small question," Zhao Xuan said hesitantly.
"Ask away."
"Why me?"
The woman smiled faintly.
"To join Bureau 794, there's one non-negotiable requirement—you must have cleared at least one relic trial."
As she spoke, she waved her hand.
The air rippled once more, forming another translucent doorway of air.
"Well, that's all for now. If you need anything, we'll talk inside the Dream Realm."
She stepped toward the door.
"Oh, and Zhao Xuan—" she added with a teasing smile over her shoulder, "the name's Shi Xuefei."
Her figure disappeared through the air-door.
A moment later, the portal shimmered—then dissolved into nothingness.
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