Chapter 331 - 255: Attempting the Blood Refining Technique, a Councilor Arrives
In the simulation training room, several pilots who had just crawled out of their equipment were sprawled across the chairs in the rest area, each chugging a military-grade Recovery Potion.
"I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t. I feel like my brain’s been scrambled into mush," one of the pilots said, completely drained.
"That Meditation Program is more torturous than actually flying.
The moment you close your eyes, a bunch of garbled code just runs wild in your head."
"Tell me about it," another chimed in. "My progress is only 28%. Forget one week, I don’t think I could even reach 50% in another month."
"Captain Zhao, what about you?"
Everyone looked toward Zhao Tianlan, the only one still sitting ramrod straight in the corner.
Zhao Tianlan opened his eyes. They were bloodshot, but filled more with unyielding fighting spirit.
He said in a deep voice, "I just broke 40%."
"Damn... That’s our Captain Zhao!"
"40%! That’s almost as much as two of us combined!"
As everyone marveled, they also felt increasingly hopeless.
If even the strongest, Zhao Tianlan, had only made this much progress, weren’t they all doomed to be eliminated?
Zhao Tianlan ignored their praise; he was just as anxious internally.
A 40% coordination rating sounded good, but he knew better.
The effort required to increase it by a single percentage point grew exponentially.
"Do you guys think... Advisor Han... has any other methods?" a young pilot suggested in a low voice.
"He designed this system, so he must know the fastest way to master it, right?"
"Ask him for help? He’s a busy man now. When would he have time for us?"
Just as they were all discussing this, the door to the training room was pushed open. Han Feng strolled in, carrying an oddly shaped helmet.
"What’s all the chatter about? So lively in here."
Seeing Han Feng, everyone instantly froze as if someone had hit a pause button. In a flash, they all stood up, their expressions stiff and formal.
"In... Instructor Han!"
"Sit, everyone sit down."
Han Feng waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over them and pausing on their somewhat pale faces.
"Looks like your ’Meditation’ experience over the past few days has been good?"
The faces of the group of hardened pilots twitched in unison.
’Good? We were on the verge of ascending.’
Han Feng didn’t mind. He asked directly, "What’s your progress? Report your numbers."
The pilots looked at each other, until finally, Zhao Tianlan stepped forward and reported with some shame:
"Reporting, Instructor. My progress is the highest, at 40% coordination.
Two others have surpassed 30%.
The rest are hovering between 20% and 30%."
This result was within Han Feng’s expectations.
"40%... Not bad."
Han Feng nodded and offered a word of encouragement. "A little faster than I expected."
When he said this, Zhao Tianlan didn’t feel happy at all. Instead, he felt even more ashamed.
Han Feng placed the brand-new helmet in his hand, which was engraved with countless fine Runes, on the table and said to the group:
"Zhao Tianlan, and the other two who are over 30%, come with me."
Under the curious and envious gazes of the others, Zhao Tianlan and the two other pilots followed Han Feng into a separate Quiet Chamber nearby.
The Quiet Chamber was extremely soundproof. The moment the door closed, all outside noise vanished instantly.
"Instructor, you called us here to..." Zhao Tianlan couldn’t help but ask.
Han Feng didn’t answer directly, but asked a question in return:
"At your current rate, how long do you think it will take to reach the 70% standard for combat readiness?"
The three of them fell silent.
Zhao Tianlan gritted his teeth and estimated,
"If we have enough resources, I... would probably need half a year."
"Too slow," Han Feng rejected it outright.
"I don’t have half a year to wait for you.
And neither does East Sea City."
Han Feng placed the helmet on the table and got straight to the point:
"The conventional training methods are too slow. I have a shortcut that can help you break through that barrier.
The process is just a bit... special."
Hearing the word "shortcut," the three men’s eyes lit up.
"Instructor, as long as it lets us pilot the ’Ghost,’ we’re willing to try any method!" Wang Rui said excitedly.
"Very good."
Han Feng pointed to the helmet on the table. "This thing, I call it a ’Dharma Embryo.’
I need you to use your own essence blood to perform Sacrificial Refining on it, leaving your life imprint upon it."
"What? Essence blood? Sacrificial Refining?"
Zhao Tianlan and the other two were stunned on the spot. They exchanged glances, wondering if they had misheard.
’This sounds an awful lot like... the heretical practices of the Blood Feeding Sect, doesn’t it?’
Seeing their shocked and uncertain expressions, Han Feng explained:
"This is a fragmented Secret Technique I obtained from the Suspended Mountain Secret Realm. It’s a Technique used by ancient Cultivators for the Sacrificial Refining of Magical Artifacts.
Using essence blood as a medium, you can establish a deep spiritual connection between the user and the Magical Artifact."
"I’ve specially treated this helmet so it can withstand Blood Refining.
Once you succeed, your coordination with the fighter jet will soar to at least 60%, and subsequent improvements will become effortless."
Han Feng paused, then added, "Of course, the process will be guided by a specialist—me.
I guarantee nothing will go wrong.
Afterward, there will be enough High Tier Spirit Medicine to replenish your Qi Blood."
"Now, who wants to be the first to try?"
After speaking, Han Feng watched them with a calm and composed expression.
"I’ve told you the method. Whether you do it or not is your choice. I’ll be right here watching to make sure nothing happens."
The Quiet Chamber fell deathly silent.
Zhao Tianlan and the other two exchanged glances, seeing the shock and hesitation in each other’s eyes.
’Use our own blood for Sacrificial Refining on a helmet?’
’This sounds... exactly like the heretical practices of the Blood Feeding Sect!’