Tiered Weapons were extremely rare. Su Chen had never even seen one at the academy, let alone a Tier Two Item.
The Cyan Iron Lock slithered around him, its speed fluctuating. It was faster and more flexible than the abilities of a Rope Master.
But Secret Artifact Control was more than that. Su Chen extended his arm, and the cyan iron chain suddenly burst apart, transforming into finer metal threads that wound around his arm. They gradually coalesced into a cyan-gold Arm Armor covering his forearm and hand.
The toughness of a Tier Two Item far surpassed ordinary steel. Though it looked unassuming, its defensive power was not to be underestimated.
After playing with it for a while longer, Su Chen discovered he could split the iron chain into about ten threads. However, coordinating them all at once was difficult. In a real fight, he could probably control one or two at most.
'If I pull them taut and combine that with my own speed, the killing power would be impressive...' Numerous applications came to his mind, but such fine control also consumed Spiritual Power rapidly.
As for Spiritual Spike, without a target, it was hard to test its actual effects.
Having successfully become a Secret Artifact Master and now possessing two Top-tier Professions, his strength had increased and his options had multiplied. Su Chen felt a lot more secure.
Qi Chuan and Jiang He were still like thorns in his side. The two had been quiet lately, but he didn't believe the matter was over.
'I should rest for now...' Su Chen rubbed his temples. He had to go on the City Patrol tomorrow. After just going through the Delirious Words Trial and then all this experimentation, he was quite exhausted.
...
"You idiot! How could I have a son like you? Voluntarily joining the City Patrol?"
BANG!
Zhou Xian, seething with uncontrollable rage, slammed his hand on the table. His dignified face twisted into a ferocious snarl, as if he wished he could stuff this idiot son of his back into the womb.
Zhou Zhong's expression was grim. He muttered, "Volunteering for the City Patrol was encouraged by the City Lord..."
"Don't try to fool me with that nonsense!" Zhou Xian flew into a rage, his eyes wide with fury. "I told you to find a way to pursue Bai Fengxi, not to use underhanded schemes! Getting into a jealous spat with a refugee—is that something to be proud of? It only proves your incompetence!"
Zhou Zhong's expression shifted. He said sullenly, "I'm surprised you even care if I live or die. I thought you only had eyes for the City Lord's position."
"Zhang Hengyu knocked me out and robbed me twice, and you did nothing! Is it because his father is the City Lord?"
"I told you, it wasn't Zhang Hengyu," Zhou Xian said, suppressing his anger.
"If not him, who else has the ability and the nerve?" Zhou Zhong retorted, full of resentment. "Don't tell me it was that thief? Instead of trying to escape, they stole the Potion from me?"
"Enough!" Zhou Xian's face twitched. He strode forward abruptly. Zhou Zhong's confidence faltered, and he took a step back.
Zhou Xian's voice became more restrained. He said in a low tone, "Tomorrow, I'll see you off. I'll have Hu Xiang look after you. You be careful, too."
"It's not my first time on a City Patrol," Zhou Zhong said dismissively. "Besides, a powerful Professional just passed through a few days ago. What danger could there be nearby?"
"A powerful Professional might intimidate the cunning ones..." Zhou Xian said coldly. "But the less intelligent mutated creatures nearby will only become more agitated and dangerous!"
Zhou Zhong froze, clearly not having considered that possibility.
"Also, once you're outside the city, keep your head down. And stop fixating on that refugee," Zhou Xian said, staring at his idiot son.
"Why?" Zhou Zhong didn't understand.
"Don't ask why!" Zhou Xian snapped impatiently. "Just listen to me!"
Zhou Zhong left resentfully. Zhou Xian's expression was uncertain. 'Should I place it on him? It's indeed a good opportunity, but...'
...
Early the next morning, the plaza at the gates of Southwind Academy was already crowded with people, their discussions buzzing in the air.
Fearing something unexpected might happen, Su Chen had arrived early. He observed the City Patrol Guard before him.
Their Armor provided much more coverage than that of the Inspector Guard. It was pitch-black and chilling. The weapons slung at their sides were also of higher quality.
He roughly estimated there were only fifty or sixty of them, but a grim, murderous aura washed over him, creating a suppressive atmosphere.
The Inspectorate, the City Patrol Department, and the Exploration Department were the three major armed forces of Southwind City.
The Inspectorate was responsible for the city's interior, while the City Patrol handled routine security.
The Exploration Department was the most mysterious, responsible for exploring the most dangerous areas and ruins outside the city.
It answered directly to the City Lord, and it was said that every member was an elite Professional, with some even being Tier Two or even Tier Three Professionals.
"The City Patrol is starting again... Tsk, tsk, look at the City Patrol Guard's new gear."
"They're pretty lucky this time. A powerful Professional just passed through." Quite a few people were envious.
"It's not that simple..." A more mature-looking student shook his head, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
Casualties during the City Patrol were rare because the requirements were reduced. Regular patrols had to cover a radius of at least 5-10 kilometers outside the city, but students only needed to stay within about 3 kilometers, so the danger was inherently low. But accidents could always happen.
The leader of the City Patrol Guard stood in place like a statue, his expression cold and hard.
Before long, the crowd parted to let someone through, and it turned out to be a familiar face.
'Old Bai?' Su Chen, standing in the crowd, was slightly surprised. The newcomer was none other than Bai Fengxi, her expression indifferent, projecting a cold and aloof air.
'She's leaving the city too?' Su Chen thought, surprised. He muttered, "She's older than me."
The City Patrol took place in batches every three months. He was supposed to be in the next batch but had been moved up to this one.
People continued to arrive, both men and women. Su Chen didn't know most of them, and many wore looks of fear and apprehension.
They quickly started talking with people they knew, subconsciously forming small cliques. A few people tried to strike up a conversation with Bai Fengxi but received no response.
"Su Chen?" Bai Fengxi spotted Su Chen, who had quietly slipped into the crowd, and was equally surprised.
Seeing the aloof girl take the initiative to speak to someone, many people turned their gazes to Su Chen.
Although he was quite handsome, he wasn't one of the school's well-known figures.
"Him? Isn't that Teacher Jiang He's Golden Silk Duck?"
"He's even more handsome in person than in the photo..."
Some people recognized him and began to discuss him in hushed tones.
Su Chen was speechless. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but the leader of the City Patrol Guard seemed to glance at him too.
'Does Jiang He have that much influence?'
"Excuse me, please let me through..." Someone else entered, instantly drawing even more attention.
Although the weather wasn't hot, this girl was dressed in rather revealing clothes. The specially tailored outfit outlined her graceful curves, and everyone's eyes followed her every move, rising and falling with her.
Even Su Chen glanced over a couple of times, marveling at her natural gifts.
"Ah, Sister Bai..." she exclaimed with a delighted expression, jogging toward Bai Fengxi.
Su Chen clearly saw the girl's gaze sweep past him without any intention of greeting him as she got close to Bai Fengxi.
"Tsk..." Su Chen stepped aside, putting a little more distance between himself and the two of them.
"Ah, Brother Zhou..." the well-endowed girl called out again, waving her hand.
'That guy is here too?' Su Chen was even more surprised to see Zhou Zhong walking out from the crowd.
"Zhou Zhong? Why is he here too? I remember he already went out once a year ago, in the same batch as me." Someone in the crowd was discussing it, and a glint flashed in Su Chen's eyes.
Zhou Zhong hesitated but still walked toward Bai Fengxi. Her telling him to get lost last time had clearly left him with a bit of trauma.
"Time's up! Roll call!"
Suddenly, the leader of the City Patrol Guard barked the order. His sharp gaze silenced the crowd. He took out a list and quickly finished the roll call. No one dared to be absent; everyone was present. Their total number was about the same as the City Patrol Guard's.
Everyone carried a backpack with a tent, food, and other supplies.
"Move out," he said concisely. They formed up, with the City Patrol Guard in the front and rear, sandwiching the students in the middle.
"Wait..."
But before they could even leave the city, they were stopped by an Inspector Guard at the gate. "Routine inspection."
Hu Xiang stared at the man before him, his brow furrowed. "Inspect what?"
"No comment," the other man replied, his face expressionless.
"We are under orders to leave the city for patrol."
"We are under orders to inspect everyone leaving the city."
"Limp Ding, we just arrived and have been in the plaza right under your nose this whole time. You still want to inspect us? Are you saying you're blind? Or are you targeting me!?" Hu Xiang clearly knew the man, and his tone was hostile.
The City Patrol Guards behind him all took a step forward in unison.
Limp Ding nodded seriously. "We have to inspect."
For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense. Some students, eager to watch the drama unfold, gathered closer.
Wherever there are people, there is conflict. A pecking order existed among the three armed forces, and the Inspectorate, responsible for security within the city, was undoubtedly at the bottom.
"Captain Ding!"
A deep voice came from behind. A middle-aged man had appeared at some point.
"Vice Principal Zhou?" Limp Ding said, looking at the newcomer.
"The City Patrol is a routine matter. Don't delay it," Zhou Xian said in a low voice.
"But Minister Yuan said..." Limp Ding hesitated.
"A trace was found over there, and Minister Yuan is investigating. He couldn't make it. I came because I was afraid you two would clash..." Zhou Xian mused. "How about this: don't inspect the City Patrol Guard. We're in public with many eyes watching, so it should be fine."
"Just check the students. Don't take too long. Just confirm none of them are in disguise."
Limp Ding's expression changed. He looked at Hu Xiang's cold, hard face and nodded reluctantly.
This time, Hu Xiang didn't stop them. The Inspector Guard came up, checked everyone one by one, and then opened the temporary transparent shield covering the entire academy, letting them pass.
"Captain Hu, I'll be counting on you this time," Zhou Xian said cordially to Hu Xiang outside the academy.
Among the students, many eyes frequently swept over Zhou Zhong.
Zhou Zhong basked in their gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and hate. He then glanced at the silent Su Chen and sneered inwardly.