Spicy Fish Head, as a low-priced vehicle in the new energy sector, first abandons so-called comfort.
A good car is expensive precisely because of its comfort and performance, in essence, its feel.
That's why even an ordinary car can cost tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands.
But Spicy Fish Head is different. It's primarily for city driving, a so-called commuter car, targeting the affordable market.
Its feel is naturally not as comfortable as those smaller cars.
Let alone Li Chonglou, even the man driving it felt a bit out of sorts after just a short while.
"Let's go, let's go, we're going to be late."
Late?
A flicker of doubt crossed Li Chonglou's eyes. He had returned unexpectedly, and the General Bureau had not received any prior notification.
And from the time he met the white-haired man until now, it had only been half a day.
How could he be late?
However, the man didn't explain, but hurried him along as they walked inside.
The two were currently in a spacious and empty path. The sides of the road were clean and tidy, resembling corridors within a factory.
Ahead, like the entrance of an electronics factory, a stone pillar stood in the middle.
A plaque was carved onto the stone pillar, bearing the words "Executive Department Training Base."
Looking inside, there was an open space.
The two arrived at the security room next to the main entrance.
"Old Wang."
The man warmly greeted the security guard inside.
The latter responded with a smile.
"Captain Wang, another newcomer?"
Good heavens, so this was his exclusive responsibility.
The two were around the same age, both appearing to be in their thirties. The difference was that Security Guard Old Wang's face showed more hardship,
while Captain Wang appeared more radiant.
One was just a regular security guard, the other a cultivator, but at this moment, there was no discernible difference, like ordinary friends.
However, Old Wang seeing Old Wang did feel a bit strange.
Fortunately, one held the title of Captain, otherwise Li Chonglou wouldn't know how they would address each other.
Old Wang calling Old Wang?
As he was thinking, Security Guard Old Wang suddenly glanced at him and then asked Captain Wang with a hint of confusion.
"Captain Wang, aren't all the newcomers for this batch already here?"
Old Wang casually replied, "No, no, there's always been one missing."
He then appeared somewhat anxious.
"Alright, I won't chat with you anymore. If we hurry now, we might still catch the last training session."
The two waved goodbye. Captain Wang gave Li Chonglou a look and then quickly walked inside.
After the two went in, Old Wang's smile suddenly stiffened as he remembered something.
Indeed, one person was missing from this batch of newcomers. The number of people recruited each year was limited, and this year had broken records, naturally attracting more attention.
Old Wang, being a long-time fixture here, knew more.
The missing person wasn't late for any particular reason, but simply couldn't make it.
How could he come if he was already a martyr?
But what did Captain Wang just say?
Thinking of this, a cold sweat suddenly broke out on Old Wang's back.
Could it be that he had encountered a ghost?
Did Captain Wang not know about this?
He instinctively picked up his phone, intending to call and remind him.
The two had known each other for over ten years. What many didn't know was that they had entered the General Bureau together when they were young.
Despite the weathered appearance from enduring wind and sun, in their youth, they were both martial arts masters who emerged from the same temple!
However, due to differences in talent and various opportunities, Captain Wang became a civil servant in the General Bureau, while he could never take that final step.
He could only remain here as a gate security guard.
It could be said that their relationship, while not that of blood brothers, surpassed that of brothers.
However, just as he picked up the phone, Old Wang recalled his own abilities.
"No, he doesn't need my reminder. I'm being a bit presumptuous."
Chuckling to himself, Old Wang shook his head and put down his phone.
One must know their place.
Old Wang hummed a distant, melancholic old tune, a smile on his face, making it unclear whether it was one of freedom or resignation.
After passing through the main gate and crossing the open space, two buildings appeared ahead.
Both were five or six-story walk-up buildings, appearing like school buildings from the outside.
But the presence of school buildings in such a place, and two of them, felt somewhat off to Li Chonglou.
Logically, those who could enter would at least possess a cultivation of the fourth level. Even if their theoretical knowledge was weak, their learning aptitude would be far beyond ordinary people.
In Li Chonglou's opinion, two school buildings were unnecessary.
After all, only about a dozen or even a few people were recruited each year; why would so much space be needed?
However, there's an old saying: everything that exists has its reason.
Driven by curiosity, Li Chonglou fused souls with Elder An.
His Heavenly Eye's Perspective divine ability was activated.
As he scanned the area, Li Chonglou's expression suddenly froze.
He quickly lowered his head.
"What's wrong? It's not here."
Seeing Li Chonglou stop, Captain Wang couldn't help but remind him.
"Oh, oh, it's nothing."
Captain Wang looked at Li Chonglou curiously but didn't think much of it, continuing to walk forward.
After passing the two buildings, there was another open space.
But unlike before, this open space was filled with various training equipment.
It was similar to the scene when he first registered.
However, there was no one inside at the moment.
Captain Wang explained, "This is the training ground used by senior students. It's newly built, but your training ground isn't here."
Li Chonglou heard a few keywords.
Senior students, newly built.
The latter was easy to understand, as in his sight, the equipment on the open ground was still about ninety percent new.
It wasn't hard to tell that it was built no more than three months ago.
But the phrase "senior students" was somewhat beyond his understanding.
Why were there still grades among the members of the Executive Department?
"Um, Captain Wang, how are these grades determined?"
As Captain Wang led him around the training ground, he explained.
"Those who have been here for less than a year are all uniformly classified as first-year students. This 'year' refers to time. Those who have been here for more than one year but less than two are second-year students. There are a total of three grades."
Li Chonglou asked doubtfully, "Shouldn't it be classified by strength? According to Captain Wang, wouldn't the earlier one joins, the better?"
Captain Wang suddenly turned his head and gave a mysterious smile, "You wouldn't know this, would you? This time is not fixed."
"Hmm?"
"Here at the base, time is not just a unit, but also a commodity. When you train, you will also need to use time for transactions."
Li Chonglou frowned, not quite understanding his meaning.
However, Captain Wang only said he would know later, as if wanting to leave a bit of suspense for Li Chonglou.