Volume 1, Chapter 48: This damn man is simply infuriating.

The colorful light gradually dissipated, and only then did Li Yan catch sight of the five bizarre symbols.

Every world possessed its own unique runes, and the enigmatic Director of the Order Bureau evaluated worlds and performed temporal deductions based on these symbols in order to reshape reality.

The first through the fourth runes shared a high degree of similarity, as they originated from parallel worlds existing within proximate timeframes.

However, the fifth rune felt entirely out of place compared to the preceding four civilized symbols, carrying an ancient and profound aura that reached far into antiquity.

At this moment, all five runes slowly melted into Li Yan's body.

"Why is there an extra one?" Li Yan asked, casting an inquiring gaze at Captain Wei Anlan.

Wei Anlan's face was likewise etched with confusion, as she had no idea why Li Yan had acquired an additional spacetime mark.

Nevertheless, she had already logged the incident and reported it to the upper echelons of the Order Bureau.

"The Order Compass did not detect any abnormalities, and it shouldn't have any conceptual negative impacts on you; if anything, it's beneficial. You've gone from being a fusion of four to a fusion of five. Strictly speaking, it can be considered a good thing." Wei Anlan observed the data fed back by the Order Compass, finding nothing irregular.

"Is that so?" Lacking a definitive answer left Li Yan feeling somewhat uneasy at heart.

Yet since the captain herself had said so, there presumably wouldn't be any danger.

Previously, he was a four-in-one; now, he was a five-in-one.

This meant he had grown even stronger.

Yue Chengze and Wu Xu stared at Li Yan as if looking at a monster.

The events unfolding around this young man were simply too bizarre.

Yue Chengze remarked, "Captain, since everything is fine, do we need the higher-ups to conduct further examinations?"

Wei Anlan shook her head. "Let's head back first. I've already reported the situation to the superiors and we'll see how they handle it. If any issues arise, I'll call you."

Yue Chengze nodded. "Very well, then we'll be heading back."

Suddenly, Li Yan thought of someone.

That man with the deep, fathomless gaze, dressed in a sharp, tailored suit.

The one who had said he would give him a gift.

Could that gift be none other than the fifth spacetime mark?

Initially, his mind hadn't wandered in that direction, but now the scenes from his dream tonight appeared with striking clarity in his mind.

Like a divinity, that man had witnessed that world vanish into the currents of spacetime.

Just as he was about to voice this realization, he felt his consciousness struck by an invisible force.

When he tried to speak further, he abruptly discovered that he was utterly unable to utter the words.

It was as if someone had clamped a hand over his mouth, forbidding him from speaking out.

How could this be?

Shock surged overwhelmingly through Li Yan's heart.

He was actually forbidden from speaking of this matter.

Just who on earth was that man?

To be able to control his speech was beyond imagination.

Realizing that the current Li Yan had evolved from a four-in-one to a five-in-one, Yue Chengze and Wu Xu were genuinely happy for him.

A four-in-one Li Yan was already capable of fighting the Void-Devouring Beasts of near-intermediate strength to a standstill; didn't being a five-in-one mean he could now suppress intermediate Void-Devouring Beasts?

The thought that their team possessed such a powerhouse meant not only greatly enhanced safety during future missions, but also a skyrocketing performance record.

With these thoughts in mind, Yue Chengze cautioned Li Yan, "Li Yan, you must remember, no matter what, you cannot tell a single soul that you are now a five-in-one. Absolutely do not speak of it, understood?"

Seeing the solemn expression on Yue Chengze's face, Li Yan nodded heavily.

"Rest assured, I know the gravity of the situation."

Once Li Yan stepped through the formless portal and returned to his own parallel world, Yue Chengze and Wu Xu exchanged a glance.

Wu Xu said flatly, "Do you think if the people from the other squads find out Li Yan is now a five-in-one, they'll try to poach him?"

Last time, when Aaliya learned that Li Yan was a four-in-one, she went straight to Wei Anlan and tried to trade years of accumulated military merits to poach him.

Naturally, Yue Chengze wouldn't allow that. Li Yan was his man, and no one was taking him away.

Of course, Li Yan was unaware of this. Within the Ninth Division, besides the eleventh and seventh squads, no one else had known about his four-in-one status.

Now that he was a five-in-one, many captains would likely set their sights on Li Yan.

That was precisely why Yue Chengze had given him repeated, earnest warnings to maintain absolute secrecy.

Yue Chengze nodded. "He's still just a newcomer now. Once he matures further, this secret probably won't be able to be kept. By that time, however, his sense of belonging to the Ninth Division should be much stronger. As long as we treat him well, no one else will be able to poach him."

Wu Xu nodded, considering this assessment accurate.

Upon returning to his hotel room, Li Yan remained somewhat puzzled by the events of the evening.

Yet, unable to find any answers on his own, he simply threw himself onto the bed and fell fast asleep.

Early the next morning, Luo Jiazuang had already arrived at the hotel.

Knowing that Li Yan was heading home today, a trace of reluctance lingered in her heart.

Inside the car.

"Li Yan, how many days are you going to be gone? Sigh, thinking about how I won't be able to see you for days makes me feel so down all of a sudden." Luo Jiazuang wore a crestfallen expression.

Ever since she had been reborn and established their relationship, she had wished she could spend every single moment by Li Yan's side, as if trying to make up for all the regrets of her past life.

Li Yan found her clinginess a bit overwhelming.

Half-jokingly, he suggested, "Why don't you come home with me?"

Luo Jiazuang's eyes flashed brightly for a split second, only to dim again immediately.

Going back with Li Yan—wasn't that essentially meeting the parents?

In her heart, she wanted to, but she also felt quite timid.

She didn't know whether Li Yan's parents would dislike her upon meeting her.

Besides, wasn't it a bit too early?

"Hmph, if I go back with you, would that count as meeting the parents?" she pouted playfully.

Li Yan tilted his head and said, "It could count, or it could not count."

Hearing this reply, Luo Jiazuang instantly lost her temper. "What do you mean it could count or could not count?"

Li Yan had no choice but to explain, "Well, it happens to be the busy farming season recently. If you come back with me, I'll tell my mom and the others that I've hired a long-term farmhand, specifically brought home to help us feed the pigs."

"Ah, Li Yan, can't you ever say something nice? I am definitely not feeding pigs!" Luo Jiazuang ground her teeth, itching to punch Li Yan again.

Li Yan chuckled and said, "Didn't I tell you before? My family is a genuine farming household. If you come to my place, you'll either be feeding pigs or farming the fields. You definitely wouldn't be able to handle that kind of hardship."

Luo Jiazuang's expression instantly turned serious as she stared at Li Yan. "Li Yan, what do you mean by that?" She felt there was a hidden meaning behind his words.

Li Yan replied, "I'm just telling you the truth."

Luo Jiazuang scoffed. "I'll feed them then! Who's afraid of whom? Do you take me for someone pampered and incapable of enduring hardship? Don't underestimate me."

"Oh ho, look at you getting all fiery. Let's go then! You can help me feed the pigs, and I can be the lazy pampered son of a landlord at home, doing nothing all day and just lying down to enjoy life."

Luo Jiazuang glared at him with her pretty eyes. "Hoh! So basically you just don't want to work yourself, and you want to trick me into doing it instead, hmph!"

Without answering her, Li Yan stepped on the gas pedal, pretending he was about to drive straight home.

"Stop, stop, stop! I... I've thought about it, and I'd rather not go." Luo Jiazuang instantly lost her nerve.

It wasn't that she was afraid of feeding pigs at Li Yan's home, but rather her dread of facing his parents.

If they weren't satisfied with her, she wouldn't know what to do.

"Not going anymore?" Li Yan looked at her with a teasing expression.

Luo Jiazuang pouted aggrievedly. "I just feel like I'm not ready yet. Isn't it a bit too early? What if your parents don't like me?"

Li Yan curled his lip and deliberately put on a bewildered look. "What are you thinking? Didn't I just say? I'm hiring a farmhand to bring home, not bringing home a wife."

A flush of anger bloomed across Luo Jiazuang's lovely face, and she desperately wanted to beat Li Yan to a pulp.

"Hmph, I'm not going!" She angrily shoved the door open and hopped out of the car.

This scumbag of a man was simply too exasperating.