[Reality World, Site 13]
'Is this the benefit of "having connections"? The trial hasn't even been officially announced, and Liuli and the others got the inside scoop already!'
'To be honest, it's a bit unfair. Others don't even know where the trial site is, and they are already looking at classified documents.'
'Unfair +1, but Tendo and Caroline are my favorites! I'll be biased, and I admit it!'
'Isn't the key point Longevity Island? It was only mentioned briefly in previous documents. Is the veil finally going to be lifted?'
Amidst the discussion in the bullet comments, Caroline revealed some of the intelligence she currently possessed.
"Although my master and I don't keep in close contact, according to my clearance in the Association, I still have access to many files that ordinary people cannot."
Against the noisy background of the coffee shop, Caroline tapped her fingertip lightly on her wrist terminal.
The next second, several top-secret documents concerning the 'Fallen Zone: Longevity Island' were transmitted to Caroline's and Jeremiah's information terminals.
Accompanied by two blinks of a star-patterned encryption lock on the file icon, the entire document unlocked.
"This contains the core intelligence regarding the location of this trial, the Fallen Zone: Longevity Island. Take a look."
After speaking, Caroline picked up the latte in front of her and took a sip, leaving a light brown mark of warm milk foam on her lip.
Tendo, who had already seen the document, didn't pay it much mind. He leaned lazily against the back of his chair, unconsciously twirling his coffee spoon.
Complemented by the aroma of caramel and roasted beans drifting through the coffee shop, and the warm glow cast by the star-shaped chandelier hanging from the ceiling, Tendo was utterly relaxed, as if he really were just out meeting friends.
In contrast, Jing Liuli immediately straightened up, her beautiful apricot eyes wide, as she reached out to scroll through the 'holographic file.'
Jeremiah also shed his usual casual demeanor and began reading seriously.
The document on the 'Fallen Zone: Longevity Island' wasn't long, only three short pages.
Besides the geographical overview of Longevity Island, the most eye-catching parts were two keywords highlighted in red boxes: 'Golden Chrysanthemum' and 'Time Flow Rate.'
After finishing all the materials, Jing Liuli put down her information terminal and looked at Caroline sitting across from her.
"So, the first thing we need to do after getting on the island is find the 'Longevity Island Golden Chrysanthemum'?"
"After all, the data says this item can stabilize the Star Energy in our bodies and adapt to the island's time rules."
"Without it, we won't even be able to explore for long."
"Exactly."
Caroline nodded, her emerald pupils full of seriousness.
"I analyzed it. The Golden Chrysanthemum should be a materialized carrier of Longevity Island's rules, essentially an 'Exploration Permit.'"
"Without it, our Star Energy will be disrupted by the island's chaotic time flow. Light cases will see a decline in strength, while severe cases will suffer bodily collapse, becoming part of Longevity Island's rules and being completely assimilated."
"I see."
Liuli was enlightened and patted her chest with a sigh of relief.
"Good thing you called me over beforehand, or I would have傻傻地 gone to the island, and wouldn't even know how I messed up."
After saying this, Jing Liuli suddenly changed the subject.
"Tell me, Caroline, you definitely didn't just call me over to share information. There must be something you want to ask of me, right?"
Just then, the coffee shop waiter approached with the freshly ordered coffee.
Tendo stood up to take it, pushing a cup of hot cocoa toward Liuli, remembering she didn't like overly bitter flavors, and placed Caroline's black coffee back beside her hand.
"It's not an ask; it's an invitation for you two to 'make up the numbers.'"
Tendo sat back down, tapping his fingers on the table, a relaxed smile in his voice.
"Caroline and I are forming an Explorer team, and we're short two certified members, so we're asking you to lend a hand."
The music in the coffee shop conveniently entered a soothing interlude. Liuli's gesture of holding the hot cocoa paused mid-air.
Jeremiah, however, had a nonchalant attitude.
"I thought it was something difficult. That's all?"
Jing Liuli immediately agreed.
But then she thought about it and asked suspiciously, "But didn't you only pass the assessment today? You can form an Explorer team already?"
Caroline offered an explanation for Jing Liuli's confusion.
"Under normal circumstances, no, that wouldn't be possible. But Tendo means he wants to acquire ownership of one of the existing Explorer teams."
"Which one?"
"Dawn."
"Huh?!"
Jing Liuli's voice instantly rose, startling the customers at the neighboring table, who looked over.
Seeing this, she quickly covered her mouth and lowered her voice, saying, "The 'Dawn' that belongs to Chief Enite?!"
She looked at the calm Caroline, then at Tendo, who was leisurely sipping his coffee, her eyes practically popping out.
That was the New Federation's most legendary Explorer team. Even though its members were few now, its rank was still the highest, the Sun-Grade.
Moreover, Enite was still alive! Did Tendo have the nerve to immediately ask the Chief to hand over the gold?!
Not to mention, countless people in the Association viewed the Chief as an idol.
They would spontaneously defend the symbolic traces left by the Chief in the Fallen Zone Exploration and Countermeasure Bureau, and naturally, they would be even less likely to tolerate Tendo's behavior of 'blatant seizure.'
However, since Tendo decided to make Enite, that old timer, hand over the gold, he naturally had the confidence to pull it off.
He put down his coffee cup, looked at the astonished Jing Liuli, and said with a smile, "Liuli, the matter is actually not as complicated as you think. All Caroline needs to do is write an application."
"Really? That's Enite, a living legend!"
Jing Liuli looked at Tendo, who was half-smiling, with deep distrust. She felt like this guy was setting a trap for her.
Jeremiah, who was not far away, also didn't believe Tendo's claim.
They, the Children of the Stars who grew up with him, knew Tendo's personality too well.
Many times, when Tendo said something wasn't a big problem, it was only relative to himself.
For others, the problem would be huge.
However, considering Tendo's personality and everything he had done since childhood, since he had put forward this idea now, it meant he was absolutely confident in making it happen.
So, Jeremiah immediately stated, "I have no problem with it."
Seeing that Jeremiah was already on board, Jing Liuli pondered for a moment before saying, "Fine, whatever. The Chief isn't even here anyway. If there's really a problem, would a living legend hold a grudge against a bunch of 'kids'?"
Tendo smiled and said, "Don't worry. The matter is actually much easier than you think. The only thing we need to deal with is certain old fuddy-duddies in the Countermeasure Bureau."
"Our application fully complies with the regulations. If they want to stop us, they can only do so by the book, understand?"
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