Chapter 93 Entering Loran's Home

Ning Shuyin's heart sank.

She understood perfectly.

This long-planned scheme is a strike against the core of the alliance's power.

Situ Linchen said in a deep voice, "Don't worry. We've found a breakthrough."

"After high-speed simulations and combining trillions of ancient documents, the Alliance AI finally located the forbidden zone K99 ruins. There may be a purification protocol left behind by a prehistoric civilization there."

"The Alliance has organized an elite team to explore K99. However..."

"What's the problem?" Ning Shuyin asked.

Situ Linchen frowned and said, "That vice chairman designated You Lingyu, the young master of the You family, to participate in this operation."

Zhou Zhiheng, who was standing to the side, had no interest in these power struggles. But upon hearing this, he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"Let a team infiltrated by traitors save the world. Humph, that's why I've always hated the council."

Right there, the door to the lounge was pushed open, and Loran walked in.

His handsome yet indifferent face bore an undisguised mockery.

Clearly, he had heard the entire conversation.

“For a parliament of such stature to be reduced to this state,” he said slowly. “It is truly… utterly disgraceful.”

“Loran!” Situ Linchen’s expression was furious. “This involves the survival of the alliance. You can stay out of it, but I can’t.”

Situ Linchen had no desire to watch those farces.

However, he couldn't let go of the centuries-long bloody battle on the Alliance's safety line.

Luo Lan completely ignored Situ Linchen's displeasure and Zhou Zhiheng's amused gaze.

He walked over to Ning Shuyin's massage chair and reached out to adjust the angle of the backrest for her.

Then, he gently placed his hand on the edge of the chair back, which from a distance looked no different from placing his hand on Ning Shuyin's shoulder.

He said in a relaxed and casual tone, "Unfortunately, the K99 ruins, which the Alliance considers to be fraught with danger, happens to be the location of my next date with her."

He deliberately emphasized the word "date".

After saying that, he deliberately kept his gaze on Ning Shuyin's face.

Situ Linchen was clearly provoked.

His face darkened.

As if that wasn't enough of a thrill, Loran continued speaking to Situ Linchen:

"So, should we consider adding my name and hers to that suicide squad in the alliance? Or, we could act separately. Anyway, I just got my research qualification from the Academy of Sciences, let's see who gets the purification protocol first."

Before Situ Linchen could answer, Zhou Zhiheng, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

"That sounds interesting. But it seems you've got one thing wrong."

He pointed at Ning Shuyin.

“She is my employee, and her time and safety are valuable.”

He then turned to Lorraine: "You can date her, but you shouldn't put her in danger with you."

He then turned to Situ Linchen: "How much commission is the Alliance prepared to pay her for sending her on a high-risk mission? Marshal, your military's budget should be more generous than my Chamber of Commerce's, right?"

"That's enough!" Ning Shuyin finally couldn't hold back and shouted.

"Stop arguing, all of you. I'm volunteering to participate in the K99 ruins exploration, and at the same time... I'll go on a date with Loran."

After Ning Shuyin finished speaking, she glanced at Zhou Zhiheng again.

"As for the rewards from the adventure, the alliance should pay according to the highest-risk mission, and any extra gains should be split 50/50. That's settled then, stop arguing."

Having gone through the museum ordeal with Zhou Zhiheng, she also learned how to negotiate prices.

Situ Linchen fell silent.

He glanced at Zhou Zhiheng with displeasure, then glared at Luo Lan.

He knew that the scientist had fully discovered Ning Shuyin's value.

While he was away, he actually managed to steal the date opportunity.

This week, Zhiheng really didn't get it; he couldn't even keep an eye on this.

But now the galaxy is in imminent danger, and Situ Linchen can only stay in the council to stabilize the situation, unable to get away at all.

He closed his eyes helplessly.

The team already had the You family, a treacherous traitor, infiltrated, and now they have to add Loran, a viper, to the mix.

The situation was more complicated than he had imagined.

It's unclear whether the "person" he arranged was capable enough to keep an eye on Ning Shuyin.

But he had no better option than to compromise.

“Alright. I will add you to the mission list.” He said to Loran, “But if you harm Ning Shuyin for personal reasons, I will let you know the consequences of provoking me.”

——

Loran's residence is located above the Alliance Academy of Sciences.

Stay away from all floating structures.

It is an independent private castle.

The interior space is large, but surprisingly simple. The entire living room, spanning several hundred square meters, doesn't even have a sofa.

“Xiao Lan will take you to your room,” Loran summoned his little robot. “The third floor of the house is a restricted area. You are free to move around in the rest of the house.”

"In half an hour, go to the test area for body data monitoring."

After saying that, he walked into a room on his own.

"Miss Ning, please come with me."

The white medical robot blinked its eyes and spun around in the air.

After finalizing the itinerary for the ruins, Loran brought her back under the pretext of pre-trip preparations.

She did not refuse.

Because, before setting off, she should at least know what Loran is looking for on his trip to the K99 ruins.

Ning Shuyin's room is on the first floor.

The interior was surprisingly decorated in a pink, girly style, and the wardrobe contained clothes in her size.

It's clear that the service robots were prepared in advance.

There is a small terrarium on the desk in the room, which contains several light-emitting space plants.

Through the glass windows, you can overlook the magnificent Union Academy of Sciences.

"Ms. Ning, we have synthetic coffee and snake juice. Which would you like?"

"Juice, thank you."

Ning Shuyin took the drink bottle from Xiao Lan and asked curiously, "What's on the third floor?"

Xiaolan's indicator light flashed once.

"The doctors' living area is on the east side of the third floor. The west side is a confidential area and access is prohibited."

The little robot spun around in the air again.

"Before data collection, we suggest you take a shower and change clothes to relax. The bathroom is ready for you."

Ning Shuyin took a super quick shower and changed her clothes.

When Xiaolan took her to the testing area, her round body clumsily bumped into the door frame.

The little robot seems a bit silly.

Strangely enough, even the picky Loran didn't find it offensive.

Ten minutes later, Ning Shuyin finished a round of high-intensity physical fitness data collection.

Lorraine gave her a meaningful look.

With just one glance, she knew that she had not been able to hide her F-level combat ability.

"Ring ring—"

The castle's communication channel crackled to life.

"Who is it?" Loran was clearly annoyed by the visitor's interruption.

Connect to external video feed.

On the screen, Mu Ze's familiar face appeared.

Meanwhile, a shuttle bearing the emblem of the Marshal's Mansion hovered at the castle's docking point.

"Dr. Loran, I am here on Marshal Situ's orders to deliver mission supplies to Miss Ning Shuyin," Mu Ze said with a smile.

Loran, however, remained extremely indifferent.

"The marshal's reach is quite far. Tell him she doesn't need it."

“Doctor,” Mu Ze said humbly, “the Marshal said that this item is related to Miss Ning’s safety and that you must pass it on to her.”

Loran eventually opened the logistics channel.

A silver metal box bearing the Alliance ship's emblem was brought in via conveyor belt.

Ning Shuyin opened the box.

Inside the box, the hilt of a deep red particle battle knife lay quietly.

The hilt is simple and unadorned, with a black fabric band wrapped around the grip.

The blade is made of particle beams, which will only become apparent after activation.

There was also a data chip in the box, with a label that read: "[Swordsmanship: Beginner]".

Ning Shuyin activated the particle battle blade.

With a flick of her wrist, the blade whistled through the air. Upon closer inspection, her name was engraved on the hilt; it was custom-made.

Loran casually remarked, "A flashy toy."

He blinked and beckoned to Ning Shuyin: "Come here, I'll take you to try out the knife."

He led her to the second floor of the building.

This is a training room that occupies the entire second floor.

The room was filled with various weapons and equipment.

Loran took a pair of bracelet-like devices off the wall and tossed them to her.

"Neuron synchronization bracelet, once you put it on, I will activate combat simulation mode and import all the known biological signals from the K99 ruins that I have collected."

He looked at her, his tone cold.

"Relying on theoretical teaching will only lead to death. If you want to survive, you have to keep dying in the simulated environment and learn how to wield a knife yourself."