Leo enjoyed a carefree life, and joining WONDER would only make him feel uneasy. The old man was taken aback by Leo’s response, his smile quickly disappearing as he stared at Leo with widened eyes. “What did you just say?” he asked.
“I said I have no interest in joining WONDER,” Leo repeated, raising his voice.
To the surprise of Thunder Dragon and Fire Rose standing behind the old man, Leo showed no respect whatsoever. They all took great pride in being part of WONDER – the most powerful force within the government of Atraria.
WONDER personnel wielded immense power and even local officials had to comply with their orders during missions. However, Leo’s lack of respect angered Fire Rose, “Leo, not everyone can join WONDER. We came here today to invite you for a very precious opportunity.”
“Sorry but I don’t need that opportunity,” replied Leo nonchalantly after glancing at Fire Rose.
“You…” Fire Rose gritted her teeth and looked at him hatefully but couldn’t find words to say for a moment.
Thunder Dragon who was usually calm spoke up, “Leo, I think you don’t understand what kind of existence we are in WONDER. I assure you that if you join us, you will never regret or be disappointed; only have supreme glory.”
“Sorry but even if you talk until your face turns blue it won’t change my mind,” retorted Leo as he glanced at Thunder Dragon without any reaction.
Thunder Dragon wasn’t good at persuasion or convincing others so when he heard this reply, his expression became even more unpleasant than before.
“You have extraordinary skills that should be fully utilized; otherwise there is no difference between being like a lazy person or not having any sense of social responsibility,” said Fire Rose trying to attack him on moral grounds.
Leo shrugged his shoulders and sneered, “Fire Rose, let me tell you something straight up. I like being lazy sometimes! If you want to try moral blackmail on me, then sorry but wrong person.”
Upon seeing Leo’s unyielding expression, the old man’s eyes flickered for a moment and he traced a faint smile on his lips. “Young man, entering WONDER is not just about responsibility and honor. There are also benefits that you can’t even imagine.”
“What benefits?” Leo raised an eyebrow and asked the old man.
“Someone like you doesn’t care about money or power. You’re only interested in improving your skills and strength. And to improve your skills and strength, the importance of cultivation resources goes without saying, right?” The old man chuckled.
“You’re right,” Leo agreed. “But be specific. What kind of benefits are we talking about here?”
The old man looked at Leo with a knowing expression before slowly responding, “WONDER has a Hidden Vault filled with treasures that will definitely interest you.”
Leo couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the prospect.
WONDER was undoubtedly one of the most powerful forces in their country’s machinery – they were responsible for maintaining law and order in Atraria’s non-secular world. Since its inception, WONDER had collected numerous rare treasures; among them must be something that would pique his interest. That was why the old man mentioned WONDER’s Hidden Vault – to entice him into joining their ranks.
Seeing Leo’s face light up with curiosity, the old man continued, “Inside this Hidden Vault lies all sorts of heavenly materials, spiritual medicines, spirit stones… even weapons from ancient times! Only those who join WONDER have access to these treasures.”
Leo pondered for a moment before asking, “So if I join WONDER, I can choose whatever I want from this Hidden Vault?”
In his mind, if there really were items inside that could greatly enhance his abilities, then joining wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
Plus it would give him an opportunity to take down Maniwa using WONDER as backup.
The old man smiled calmly, “As long as you complete certain tasks after joining us, then yes – you can choose whatever reward suits your fancy.”
“Since we’ve specially invited you to join us,” he added persuasively, “I’ll allow you to select two items from our vault immediately upon joining!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Fire Rose revealed an almost imperceptible smile on her face.
Before joining WONDER, anyone could enter Hidden Vault and pick two treasures they liked. This was actually a rule of WONDER. Fire Rose found it interesting that the old leader used this rule to tempt Leo.
At this moment, the old man gave Leo a feeling of being cunning and calculating, but he certainly wouldn’t be led by the nose.
“Old man, let’s make it clear first. I need to see what’s in your Hidden Vault before considering whether or not to join WONDER. If I don’t like what I see in there, you won’t have to come looking for me again,” Leo said after thinking about it.
“Don’t worry, if you really don’t like it, as long as you don’t do anything outrageous or harmful to society in the future, people from WONDER won’t appear before you,” replied the old man.
The old man wasn’t afraid that Leo would look down on any of their treasures because anything below their standards couldn’t even enter WONDER’s Hidden Vault.
“Leo, let’s go now.” The old man no longer called him Dr. Bloomer and had already regarded him as one of his own from his title.
Leo nodded and explained some things at the clinic with Chasel and Sakura before following them along with four others towards the so-called Hidden Vault.
An hour later they brought Leo into an area that looked like a military district where he met someone he knew – Kennedy.
Thinking back on their first meeting when Emmanuel was sick was how they became acquainted with each other. It was because Emmanuel enjoyed a delicious medicinal meal made by Leo which allowed him access to Mystical Sky Bagua-Patterned Alchemical Furnace for refining Elixir.
Kennedy stood next to some guards and saluted respectfully after seeing Abel, “Good morning sir!”
Abel’s status must be extraordinary if Kennedy addressed him so formally as “sir.”
“Kennedy, is everything ready for takeoff?” Abel asked
“It’s all set up; we can take off anytime!” Kennedy replied respectfully.
Afterwards when Kennedy saw Leo behind Abel, he showed some surprise on his face.
“Kennedy hello.” With a smile on his face, Leo greeted Kennedy.
Kennedy shook hands with Leo while smiling back, “Dr. Bloomer, congratulations on entering WONDER.”