Chapter 480 - 349: A New Beginning
"Oh? What identity have you arranged for me?"
"Let’s call you... Mr. Yin. A reclusive expert who has been guarding the Black Abyss Rift."
"The Black Abyss Rift?" Ian took the clothes and raised an eyebrow.
After the information was fully synchronized, he knew this was one of the first Rifts to appear within Great Yan, having existed for two hundred years.
It was located on the southwestern border, bottomless, and constantly spewed an Abyssal Aura.
The official record listed its danger as "Level Four, but its actual level is very likely Level Five." It was suspected to be a deep Rift connected to the world on the other side.
But because Great Yan had so few Legends, as long as a Rift wasn’t designated as Level Five, no Legend would be assigned to guard it.
Wei Song blinked. "I just went to ’inspect’ it last month and cleaned up the residual contamination on the outside while I was at it."
"We can pass it off as you acting in secret. Once your Identity Verification is complete, you can act openly and purify this Rift on your own first."
Ian nodded and began to change. The clothes fit perfectly, as if they were tailor-made.
"For your public Realm, I think the Middle Stage of Legend is more appropriate. After all, your actual combat power is at least Late Stage. It’s good to leave some room for surprises."
Wei Song continued to add, "This way, you won’t be too conspicuous, but you also won’t be underestimated."
"As for your background..." He thought for a moment.
"Let’s just say you’re my teacher. You guided me during my Awakening, and afterward, you’ve been guarding the Black Abyss Rift all this time. You only came out recently because you sensed that Great Yan had a new Legend."
"What do you think? Is that plausible, or should we come up with something else?"
"Not bad. It’s plausible enough."
Ian fastened the last button and looked in the mirror. The man reflected had black hair and black eyes, a calm face, and profound eyes.
"Since you’ve arranged everything, let’s go out and meet your colleagues."
He turned and walked toward the secret room’s exit, telling Gaga to stay hidden for now. The little fellow was busy familiarizing itself with this Shadow World, thoroughly enjoying itself.
「Jiangnan Province Superpower Management Bureau Headquarters, top-floor conference room.」
Zhou Zhen, Lin Wei, Ling Xi, and all the other high-ranking officials of the Jiangnan Province Management Bureau were standing in the conference room.
Everyone’s face was pale with excessive excitement.
The news of Wei Song’s breakthrough to the Legend Realm had already spread throughout Great Yan, and even across the entire Profound Yellow Star.
The Beijing Headquarters sent a direct congratulatory telegram, the governor of Jiangnan Province personally called to offer his regards, and calls from other provinces were pouring in.
And they were among the first to witness the birth of a Legend with their own eyes.
"The General... he really did it?"
A young Level Two Controller asked in a small, trembling voice.
"Of course! Didn’t you see the commotion just now?" The person next to him shot him a glare.
"The entire Jiangzhou City saw it! There was an extra sun in the sky!"
"But... after the General broke through, why did he disappear?"
"He’s probably stabilizing his Realm. A Legend... that’s a Legend who can live for a thousand years..."
A low murmur of discussion arose, as no one could suppress their excitement.
Just then, the conference room door opened.
Wei Song walked in, followed by a strange young man dressed in simple, traditional clothes.
The young man looked to be under thirty, his eyes as deep as a dark pool.
The moment Ian revealed an aura no weaker than Wei Song’s, the conference room fell silent.
’Good heavens! How... how is there another Legend?’
Everyone’s gaze fell on Ian in unison.
Curiosity, scrutiny, awe... and a trace of vigilance.
"Allow me to make a formal introduction. This is Mr. Yin, my esteemed teacher."
Wei Song walked to the head of the table, his voice calm.
"He has been guarding the Black Abyss Rift and only came out after sensing my breakthrough."
As his voice fell, a series of sharp intakes of breath echoed through the conference room.
Only a few people present knew that the Black Abyss Rift was one of the most dangerous Rifts in Great Yan.
’Someone who could guard a place like that alone... must be a Legend at the very least.’
"Greetings, Mr. Yin!"
Zhou Zhen was the first to react, snapping to attention and saluting. The others quickly followed suit in perfect unison.
Ian nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
His Perception spread out like mercury, instantly capturing everyone’s Energy fluctuations.
Two Level Four Grandmasters, forty-five Level Three Grandmasters, and about twenty-something Level Two Controllers.
’Their strength... is acceptable.’
After the brief introduction, Wei Song asked, "How is the situation with the commotion from earlier being handled?"
"It’s already under control." Lin Wei took a step forward and pushed up her glasses.
"The residents have been evacuated, damage assessment is underway, and we’ve already coordinated with the media."
"Also..." She paused, lowering her voice.
"Someone from the Beijing Headquarters has arrived. It’s Li Yanjun himself. He rushed over personally."
Wei Song’s gaze sharpened. "The Flame Monarch, Li Yan."
One of the five Legends from the Great Yan Management Bureau Headquarters. He had the most seniority, and his strength... was unfathomable.
It was said that he possessed some secret bloodline, had stepped into the Legend Realm a hundred years ago, and had likely advanced even further to the Middle Stage of Legend by now.
"When did he arrive?"
"He’s already downstairs."
The words had barely left her mouth when the conference room door was pushed open again, and an old man in a red Tang suit walked in slowly.
He looked to be in his sixties, with salt-and-pepper hair, but his back was ramrod straight, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.
Strangely, there was an insignia pinned to the shoulder of his Tang suit, with two golden stars in the center.
’The rank of a lieutenant general, and he’s also in the Middle Stage of Legend.’
Ian could feel it... this old man’s aura was at least twice as dense as Wei Song’s.
"Congratulations, General Wei. My Great Yan has gained another pillar to hold up the heavens."
Li Yan spoke, his voice sonorous and carrying the authority of one long-accustomed to a high position. His gaze fell upon Wei Song, filled with undisguised admiration.