Just as Lin Chen was feeling puzzled, Jia Xiangkai suddenly stood up.

"Director, I'm not convinced, why is it him, why is he the leader of this expedition team?" Jia Xiangkai's face was ashen. The leadership of this action team should have been securely his; how could it possibly be taken by a newbie who had just arrived at Bureau 118?

"Old Jia, this is a decision from above, and there's nothing I can do about it. Please comply with the organization's arrangement," Wang Chao said indifferently.

"Comply? On what basis should I comply? I have worked so hard for so long, just to be able to find the relic. I've put so much effort into the preliminary work, and now that results are to be had, the position is taken by a newbie," Jia Xiangkai roared angrily.

"That's right, why let this kid be the captain? He's just a newbie!"

"I would make a better captain than this guy!"

"Did this kid get in through the back door, just to add a gold star to his resume at Bureau 118?"

Murmurs and private discussions began to resonate around the room, and it was at this moment that Lin Chen stood up: "Director Wang, I also think I'm not suitable to be the captain of this expedition team. I think you should find someone else!"

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Wang Chao frowned: "This is an order from the higher-ups. There's no room for negotiation. Everyone must comply. Anyone who dares to question the organization's decision will be dismissed immediately. Meeting adjourned!"

Wang Chao stood and glanced at Lin Chen: "Lin Chen, come with me."

In the director's office, Lin Chen looked at Wang Chao with confusion: "Director Wang, I really don't think I'm suited to be captain of this action team. I can participate; being a soldier would suffice."

Wang Chao glared at Lin Chen: "Do you think entering the relic is a joke? This time, with the intelligence leak, the eight major families and some foreign forces are eyeing the relic. We must choose someone who is both powerful and reliable as the captain."

"I'm just a college student, how strong can I be? And why are you so sure I'm reliable?" Lin Chen said, exasperated.

"We have long understood your situation. In the battle for the Spiritual Spring, you single-handedly overpowered the younger generation of the eight great families. Your strength is beyond doubt. As for trustworthiness, well, the higher-ups have already confirmed that you are absolutely trustworthy," said Wang Chao as he tossed a file on Lin Chen onto the table.

"Moreover, for this operation, we're giving you the highest level of authority, including choosing your own team members," Wang Chao continued.

"Alright, since you have so much faith in me, then fine, I'll take on the role of captain," Lin Chen said as he stood up.

After all, it was quite possible that the relics might hold answers to the mysteries of his own past, and therefore Lin Chen had to find that answer.

This time the eight great families were not sending their juniors; they had dispatched their elites. If Lin Chen represented the officials, he would have a tremendous advantage.

If anyone dared to oppose him, they would be opposing the officials. This would certainly provide the best layer of protection.

On the other hand, being able to select personnel was the most attractive point for Lin Chen, allowing him to choose the people he trusted the most.

At that moment, in a high-end club in Shanghai, Jia Xiangkai sat on the sofa with a sullen expression. Sitting across from him was none other than the eighth prince of the Dark Alliance.

"Director Jia, since you are not the captain, we must terminate our cooperation," the eighth prince said coldly.

"Sir, although I'm not the captain, I have a thorough understanding of the relic. I can lead you into the relic," Jia Xiangkai said hastily.

"You lead us?" The eighth prince's eyes were piercing as he stared at Jia Xiangkai.

"Yes, and I've kept some intelligence to myself, never reporting it to the organization," Jia Xiangkai said with a sinister smile.

The eighth prince pondered for a moment: "Fine, I'll give you one more chance. I hope you won't disappoint me."

After Lin Chen left the base, his phone started ringing.

Glancing at the number, to his surprise, it was Zhang Yu calling. As the call connected, Zhang Yu's voice came through, "Lin Chen, you're really lacking manner! Coming to Shanghai and not even calling me, Taoist Xu Ye is here too. I'll be the host, let's get together."

"No problem, I'll be right over," Lin Chen said with a smile as he hung up the phone.

Lin Chen wasn't foolish. At this time, Zhang Yu calling him must have a purpose, which Lin Chen could guess was surely about the matter concerning the ruins.

However, Lin Chen wanted to form his own team, and if he could pull in Zhang Yu and Xu Ye, having these two as allies would certainly strengthen his position like a tiger growing wings.

After all, Zhang Yu represented the Zhang family, and Taoist Xu Ye stood for Wudang—both were figures from the eight great powers.

Lin Chen arrived at the restaurant and upon entering, he immediately saw Zhang Yu and Xu Ye deep in conversation with a beautiful woman.

Seeing the woman, Lin Chen was taken aback—it was actually Wu Shitong.

How was this girl getting along so well with these two guys?

As Lin Chen walked into the private room, Zhang Yu said with a beaming smile, "Brother Lin is here, long time no see, you look even more spirited."

"Wait, let me predict something. Lin Chen, you must have been quite fortunate with ladies recently, surely you've charmed some beauties around here too, right?" Xu Ye also said with a chuckle.

Lin Chen snorted, "You two, what made you think of me all of a sudden? And what's your relationship with Wu Shitong, chatting so intensely?"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Shi Tong and I were college classmates. She happened to be in Shanghai on business, so I called her to join us."

Wu Shitong said with a beaming smile, "Lin Chen, both of them are also entering the ruins. They are our competitors!"

Lin Chen smiled faintly, "Actually, why should we be competitors? Wouldn't it be nice to work together?"

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Zhang Yu's eyes lit up, "Work together? How?"

"You two join my action team. If there's meat, we eat together, if there's soup, we share the drink. How about that?" Lin Chen said with a smile.

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and nodded, "Okay, I'll team up with you."

Xu Ye also smiled, "I'll also join your group. Following Brother Chen means there's meat to eat."

Wu Shitong gave the two men a look, and Zhang Yu said with a smile, "Brother Chen, why don't you let Shi Tong join our action team too?"

Xu Ye also persuaded, "Yeah, Sister Tong's perceptive abilities are incredibly strong. Having her in our team is like having a live radar!"

After hearing the two of them, Lin Chen then realized that Wu Shitong was also a person with supernatural abilities, and she possessed incredibly strong perceptive abilities.

However, from the two's conversation, Lin Chen finally understood that these two guys had actually been sent by Wu Shitong as her spokespeople.

"Lin Chen, just let me be part of your action team!" Wu Shitong abandoned her usual assertive style and coquettishly pleaded.

"Sure, if you want to join the action team, that's possible. When I was coming to the hotel, two tails followed me. Find them, and you can join," Lin Chen said with a smile.

This test Lin Chen posed was somewhat difficult; the people following him had been hanging behind at a distance of just over ten meters and hadn't shown themselves. Now, it was even less clear where the two were hiding. Finding them in the hotel would be harder than finding a needle in a haystack.

Yet, Wu Shitong seemed unconcerned and said with a smile, "Those two following you are easy to find. I've already located them."

"What?" Lin Chen was stunned upon hearing Wu Shitong's words, wondering how she could have found those two so quickly!