Yan Zheng and Zhang Hongjing were both stunned. The fact that they were Sky Level superhumans was classified information, known only to a small circle within the organization.
But this Mr. Li had seen through them at a glance. It confirmed Zhang Hongjing’s previous suspicion that Li Xiaofei was undoubtedly above Sky-Level.
"There are no others," Yan Zheng said with a bitter smile.
Since Li Xiaofei had already figured it out, there was no point in hiding the truth. He explained, "The surge in superhumans has only become frequent in the past year or so. Right now, the number of superhumans is still extremely small compared to the global population. Once the government noticed this phenomenon, it invested significant resources into research and recruitment, hoping to enlist superhumans to serve the nation. However, most high-level superhumans dislike being restricted. Sky Level superhumans especially refuse to acknowledge the authority of the government or the country. We’ve made numerous efforts to show our sincerity, but almost all of them rejected us."
Li Xiaofei nodded. As expected. When people suddenly gain supernatural powers, their egos tend to inflate. Many begin to see themselves as something beyond human, especially when they realize their abilities make them bulletproof, capable of overpowering police and even military forces. They feel more inclined to destroy order rather than uphold it. They would rather rise above the rules than continue following them.
Sun Xiaochuan was a perfect example. He was a crime lord with wealth, power, influence, and industry. Once he became a superhuman, his arrogance and recklessness escalated even further. Individuals like him, already entrenched in organized crime, posed an even greater threat to society and national stability once they acquired supernatural abilities.
"We invited you to our headquarters today because we sincerely hope that you would consider joining the Dragon Group," said Yan Zheng, finally making the offer.
He knew the chances were slim, but it was worth trying. A little rejection or humiliation was nothing for the sake of the country and the people.
To his surprise, Li Xiaofei nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll join."
"Oh, that’s really—" Yan Zheng started to respond instinctively, then abruptly realized what Li Xiaofei had just said. His eyes widened. "Wait... What? Mr. Li, you mean, you agree to join the Dragon Group?"
"Of course," Li Xiaofei chuckled and added, "And from now on, you shouldn’t call me Mr. Li anymore. You should call me Comrade."
The word comrade instantly bridged the gap between them. Everyone present felt an immediate sense of kinship toward Li Xiaofei. Comrade. It was a word that only Great Xia truly understood. It was a word that carried the weight of history, sacrifice, and an unspoken, shared red-blooded idealism.
"Fantastic!" Yan Zheng was ecstatic. He couldn’t help but stand up again, extending his hand. He said, "Comrade Li, welcome to the Dragon Group!"
Li Xiaofei shook his hand with a smile and the two men sat back down. Then, Li Xiaofei continued, "However, I have conditions. Leader Yan, wouldn’t you like to hear them first?"
"Please, go ahead," replied Yan Zheng, his expression remaining relaxed.
He had already made up his mind. As long as Li Xiaofei’s conditions did not violate fundamental principles or harm Great Xia’s interests and laws, he would do everything possible to agree.
Li Xiaofei said, "First, the organization must not interfere with my personal life. I will not be required to report to headquarters on a fixed schedule. If you need me for something, just contact me directly and I will fully cooperate."
“That’s not a problem,” said Yan Zheng, agreeing on the spot.
He already knew that Mr. Li had a close relationship with Miss Fan, the famous celebrity. He also had a stunningly beautiful young girl by his side, which suggested that his private life was far from conventional.
Li Xiaofei nodded and continued, “Second, I want authority within the organization equivalent to that of a team leader. I must be able to mobilize all Dragon Group resources when necessary. Aside from the headquarters, no one else is allowed to issue me direct orders.”
Yan Zheng pondered for a moment before responding, “That can also be arranged.”
At that moment, Zhang Hongjing suddenly interjected again, “Mr. Li, based on our analysis, your power level is estimated to be beyond Sky Level. Is this assessment correct?”
Li Xiaofei glanced at the bold and confident woman. He said, "You can think of it that way."
Zhang Hongjing’s demeanor, her appearance, and the heroic determination in her gaze all reminded Li Xiaofei of someone from his past.
Once, there had been a young policewoman just like her in Liuhe Base City. She had been unyielding in the face of evil, fearless in battle, and repeatedly put herself at risk to protect the weak. She had fought on the frontlines of justice until the very end until she had heroically sacrificed herself.
That woman had embodied the spirit of an era soaked in blood and war, a police officer who stood firm in her duty to protect and serve, no matter the cost. Now, another one was standing before him. A Dragon Group officer, Zhang Hongjing, had the same determination in her eyes.
She straightened as she asked, “Comrade Li, may I ask what kind of supernatural abilities you possess?”
The others in the room all turned their attention toward him, curiosity clear on their faces. Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. A single thought flickered through his mind.
Immediately, everyone in the room groaned in unison, their faces contorting as they struggled against an unseen force. A crushing weight bore down upon them; the gravity in the room had tripled in an instant.
It was as if an invisible force had locked them in place, pinning them to the ground. Their bodies refused to move. Only Yan Zheng and Zhang Hongjing, the two Sky Level superhumans, managed to resist. Even then, they could only move their bodies inch by inch. Silence filled the room.
"Gravity Manipulation?!" Yan Zheng exclaimed in shock.
Zhang Hongjing's face also lit up in surprise. This was an incredibly practical superpower. After all, gravity was omnipresent on Earth. If one could push this ability to its limits, it could be unstoppable.
"Not just that," said Li Xiaofei, smiling faintly.
This time, he intended to fully display his strength, both to establish authority among his future comrades and to make his work more efficient in the future.
He raised one hand and formed a sword seal. "Come, sword."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Instantly, every metallic object in the room, from coffee spoons, knives, forks, scissors, to even the guns holstered on the officers' belts, all rose into the air.
They rearranged themselves in mid-air, forming the shape of a fully bloomed chrysanthemum in the center of the reception hall.
"A second ability?!" Yan Zheng cried out in disbelief.
Zhang Hongjing’s delicate face was filled with sheer astonishment. No recorded superhuman had been known to awaken two abilities. But Li Xiaofei wasn’t finished yet.
He let out a sharp command. A burst of orange-yellow flames suddenly ignited in his palm. At first, the fireball was only fist-sized, but in the blink of an eye, it swelled into a massive sphere of fire that was three to four meters in diameter.
The scorching heat instantly swept through the room. Everyone felt the unbearable heat. It was as if their very skin was about to ignite.
Yan Zheng and Zhang Hongjing, being Sky Level superhumans, could sense the raw destructive power contained within the fireball. It was enough to reduce them to ash in an instant.
Then, Li Xiaofei casually flicked his fingers. A single spark streaked across the room. The tiny ember landed on a steel plate set against the wall.
The entire plate melted into molten steel in seconds.