Chapter 700: The Dark Sentinel 11

For a moment, the expressions on the faces of the White Tower’s senior officials became extremely complicated.

The birth of a 3S-level guide should have been a cause for celebration, a historic breakthrough for the entire empire. Yet the moment they remembered that Tang Wan had already formed a spiritual bond with Lu Tong, their excitement vanished almost instantly.

Instead, unease crept in.

What if these two… slipped beyond the empire’s control?

That single thought was enough to make their expressions turn grim.

Lu Tong, standing quietly to the side, naturally noticed every subtle shift in their faces. Their hesitation, their regret, their faint anxiety, none of it escaped him. And rather than being concerned, he felt an unmistakable sense of satisfaction rise within him.

So this is how it feels.

Had they not been the ones constantly trying to assign him a guide? Had they not insisted, again and again, that he needed one to remain under control?

Well, now he had found one.

And not just any guide.

A 3S-level guide.

Was it unexpected? Were they surprised? Were they unhappy?

He could not help but curl his lips slightly.

Good.

Because he was very pleased.

Not long after, the sleeping pod slowly opened with a soft mechanical sound. Tang Wan stepped out, her expression composed, though her eyes flickered with curiosity as she looked at the group of people staring at her with a mixture of shock and excitement.

“Well?” she asked lightly. “Are the results out?”

The man with glasses immediately stepped forward, unable to hide his excitement any longer. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “They’re out. Number 5251… no, that’s no longer appropriate.” He took a breath, then corrected himself. “Admiral Tang, your mental power has been confirmed at 3S level.”

He paused briefly, as if to let the weight of those words settle.

“Do you understand what this means?” he continued, his eyes shining. “You are the first 3S-level guide in the entire history of the empire.”

According to imperial regulations, any sentinel or guide whose strength reached 3S would automatically be granted the rank of general. This was not an honor bestowed lightly. It was recognition of overwhelming power.

Tang Wan was no longer just a numbered guide within the White Tower.

She had stepped into an entirely different level.

Tang Wan herself showed a hint of surprise, though it quickly softened into a faint smile. She turned her head slightly and looked at Lu Tong. “Tongtong, is that true?”

Lu Tong stepped forward, his gaze steady as he reached out and pulled her gently away from the pod. “Yeah.”

His answer was simple, but it carried certainty.

Tang Wan’s smile widened immediately. “Then you can’t refuse to take me along on missions anymore, right?”

Lu Tong’s eyes flickered slightly. He knew very well that if she remained here alone, these people would not hesitate to surround her, persuade her, and perhaps even attempt to shape her thinking.

That possibility alone was enough to make him decide.

After a brief pause, he nodded. “You can come.”

Tang Wan’s expression brightened instantly. “Great.”

At this moment, one of the senior officials stepped forward, unwilling to let the matter end so easily. “Since the mental strength test is complete, we should proceed with the compatibility verification.”

There was a hidden tension in his voice.

What if the compatibility was not truly perfect? What if there was still a chance to separate them?

Lu Tong understood his intentions at a glance. A cold sneer appeared in his eyes as he said, “Fine. Then test it.”

For those with true one hundred percent compatibility, no machine was necessary. The moment they met, the connection was undeniable.

He did not believe that any device could overturn that fact.

Soon, the two stood before the testing instrument once again.

The procedure was carried out quickly.

And the result appeared just as quickly.

Perfect compatibility.

100%.

There was no room for doubt.

The senior officials of the White Tower could only force bitter smiles onto their faces as they looked at the result. Whatever faint hope they had clung to was completely extinguished.

“Congratulations,” one of them said stiffly. “You have found each other.”

He paused, then added, “However, Admiral Tang’s promotion to a 3S-level guide is a matter of great importance. We must report this to His Majesty. Until then, we ask that you keep this information confidential.”

Tang Wan nodded calmly. “Understood.”

Lu Tong gave a short acknowledgment as well.

“If there is nothing else, we will be leaving,” Lu Tong said, his tone cold and decisive.

The officials exchanged glances before nodding. “You may go.”

Once the two of them left, the atmosphere in the room changed immediately.

The restraint on the officials’ faces disappeared, replaced by visible concern.

“What do we do now?” one of them said, his voice heavy. “Lu Tong was already difficult to control. Now he has a 3S-level guide. If he ever loses control…”

His words trailed off, but the implication was clear.

Another person shook his head slightly. “Don’t panic. This may not be a bad thing.”

He adjusted his glasses and continued, “Admiral Tang has been raised and educated within the White Tower system. Her beliefs should align with the empire. As long as she remains loyal, she can influence Lu Tong.”

He paused, then added quietly, “In that case… this situation may actually work in our favor.”

The room fell silent again, but this time, the tension had shifted.

Hope, uncertainty, and calculation all intertwined beneath the surface.