Chapter 27: Heading to the Club

Wen Li, whose brain had completely shut down, felt as though the world were spinning. She buried her flushed face into the sofa, curling up like an ostrich.

Yueli... Yueli—no, everyone knew about this! Why hadn't anyone told her? Wasn't this essentially handing Yueli’s entire future over to her? Unless, of course, Yueli had no intention of forming a mental link with any other guide! But... which sentinel would ever pass up such an opportunity?

Since the 100th year of the Federal New Calendar, mandatory constraints had been placed on guide marriages to prevent them from reducing their purification services to other sentinels due to marital obligations. A powerful sentinel could grant his guide wife a high-quality life without her ever having to lift a finger. Therefore, as long as a guide married a sentinel, she could escape the threat of death. Nowadays, sentinels no longer dared to hope for marriage, instead pursuing the fleeting intimacy of mental links. If Yueli were to only form mental links with her from now on, what would she do if he found a guide he actually liked? Would she have to be the one to tear them apart?

No, absolutely not!

As awkward as Wen Li was, she found she could no longer face Yueli. To be bound together in such a muddled, confused state—oh, someone save her!

A few days later, Wen Li had come to terms with this reality. Future problems could wait for the future; she would handle them as they came. She would take responsibility.

Monday, sunny.

Wen Li gathered her materials and the diluted blood, heading to the clubhouse with Yueli. Passing through the Service Department, Wen Li needed to take a levitating vehicle to the southern part of the White Tower. Ban helped her board the levitating train.

As her vantage point rose, Wen Li could see the place where she had lived for so long. The white complex of buildings was submerged in lush, dense forest; she had thought her workplace was massive, but it turned out to be only a small section. Seeing the little guide curiously peering out the window, Ban explained.

The White Tower was divided into four major sectors. The Service Department, centered around guides, was located in the west. It housed the purification rooms, dormitories for guides and sentinels, dining halls, and landing pads. It was the place every sentinel in the White Tower dreamed of working. Working in the Service Department meant not only encountering soft, fragrant guides but also enjoying a low-stress environment—at the very least, one didn't have to fight filthy pollutants on the battlefield every day.

The east was the Sentinel Training Center, which received graduates from universities across the Federation every year. Sentinels graduating from the White Tower held a minimum rank of second lieutenant, enjoyed excellent benefits, and had access to nearly free guide purification. It was the place every federal sentinel dreamed of.

The north was where sentinels received missions and resided. Its iconic landmarks were the Sentinel's Blade and the Central Auditorium, where Wen Li had received her award last time. The south was the gateway leading from the clubhouse to the outside world.

The four sectors were connected by a cross-shaped, floating corridor in the center. Generally, the Service Department had its own landing pads and didn't need to reach the south, but the nature of Wen Li's mission was different. She was a White Tower guide heading to the clubhouse for a competition, and she needed to represent the prestige of the White Tower.

So, looking at the line of sentinels before her, Wen Li massaged her forehead. "White Tower, what are you doing?"

A group of tall, long-legged men, each looking like a professional model, stood at attention and saluted her. "Reporting to the guide, I am Captain Stob of Alpha Squad, an SSS-rank sentinel. All seven members are ready. Please give your orders!"

The sentinel’s voice was thunderous and filled with righteous spirit. Tall and fully armored, he wore a mask that revealed only a pair of deep, gray wolf-like eyes. He watched every move the golden-haired girl made, his body tense and waiting for her command.

When Stob received this mission, his entire squad had been too excited to sleep all night. They had run 30 kilometers at the training ground just to stay calm before escorting her. The "White Tower cupcake" was even sweeter than they had imagined. Her long golden hair was tied back, revealing a fair face and a slender neck, and her pink lips were as tempting as cherries. Her curved brows and eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water, looking at them with such gentleness that their heartbeats accelerated uncontrollably.

*Thank goodness I'm wearing a mask today...* Captain Stob thought, pretending to be composed while glancing at his team. Excellent, they weren't embarrassing him.

Wen Li tugged on Ban’s sleeve to ask what was going on. Ban replied, "Miss, for this mission, you are required to be escorted by a squad. Alpha Squad is a three-star rated unit and is currently the only one available at the White Tower."

Wen Li felt utterly helpless. This display was so grand it was as if they were afraid people wouldn't know they were here to stir up trouble. She stepped forward to shake the captain's hand. "Hello, Captain Stob. I am Wen Li, an A-rank guide."

The team members watched their hands clasp with eyes that burned with envy so intense it felt tangible. Ban coughed twice, and the sentinels snapped back to attention, waiting for instructions with solemn faces. The touch lasted only a moment, but it was one the sentinel would not soon forget.

Wen Li scanned the area but couldn't find the person she was looking for. She reasoned that since the White Tower had promised Yueli could come, he would definitely be there; there was no need to worry.

In the distance, a sleek, silver aircraft with elegant lines descended. As soon as the cabin door opened, she saw that man with the squinting, smiling eyes. Today, he wasn't wearing his usual flamboyant shirt; a handsome white military uniform made him look particularly dashing. Wen Li wasn't quite used to seeing him so formal.

Cyril walked over with a smile and wrapped his arms around Wen Li. "Arriving so early, little girl?" He twined his fingers through her ponytail, sniffing the sweet scent of the young girl. His face, which could bewitch the masses, was full of charm as he asked in a low voice, "Did you miss me?"

Wen Li expressionlessly peeled his hands off. Before boarding the ship, she said to the sentinel behind her, "Ban, while I'm away, could you help me take care of the star-fold flowers in the purification room? I’m quite fond of them."

The sentinel, wearing a monocle, nodded and watched as the guide boarded the ship. Alpha Squad followed closely behind. Cyril strolled on board as well; no one dared to stop him.

Once the ship launched, Wen Li went to her room. As soon as she walked in, she was swept into a warm embrace.

"Little butterfly!"

Yueli spun her around, and before Wen Li could even react to who it was, she was placed onto the sofa. She stared wide-eyed at the black-and-white-haired boy before her.

"Yueli! I thought you were on another level—how did you get in here?"

The boy gave a mysterious smile. "I won't tell you, hee hee."

Watching the boy’s vibrant, energetic expression, Wen Li couldn't help but laugh. "You're always popping up out of nowhere. Any fun news?"

Yueli lay down comfortably beside the guide, sharing the gossip. "Guess who I saw while boarding?"

Wen Li asked curiously, "Who?"

The boy toyed with Wen Li’s delicate, fair hand, saying nonchalantly, "Mu An."

Mu An, an SS-rank guide of the White Tower.

Wen Li asked, "Is she here to complete a mission too?"

Yueli replied, "Doesn't look like it. I think her service term ended, so she just naturally returned to the clubhouse."

Wen Li wondered, "But can't you get promoted and stay at the White Tower after your service term ends? The benefits aren't exactly low."

The more she thought about it, the more curious Wen Li became as to why the clubhouse was able to retain so many guides.