Socially anxious people transmigrate to another world; living in seclusion is too difficult.

In Paradise City.

The Blood Squad passed the fourth level of inspection and entered the inner city. Without lingering, the squad headed straight for the City Lord's Mansion.

"Report."

The announcement came along with a knock on the door. Yin Tianbao raised his head, which had been lowered due to handling official business, rubbed his temples, and responded:

"Come in."

After the guards entered, they relayed all the information they knew.

"Sir, the guards at the gate have reported that the Blood Squad has arrived."

"Oh? As expected of the Martial Arts Fanatics Squad, they've arrived so soon after the news was released. Alright, take them to the underground meeting room to wait for me."

"Yes."

Yin Tianbao tidied up the documents, opened the locked drawer, and took out a small, exquisite box: "Hmph, Martial Arts Fanatic Squad, I'll use your fanaticism to help me create new glories." He then left the office and headed to the underground meeting room.

Inside the reception room, the Blood Squad members were clearly dissatisfied. Guard Zhang Wenbo said to their captain, "Captain, this damn Yin Tianbao didn't even come to pick us up in person. He just arranged for us to wait for him in this underground reception room. What? Are we so shameful that we can't be seen in public?!"

After speaking, Zhang Wenbo kicked over a chair and continued to vent his dissatisfaction. However, Lin Anlan, the captain of the Blood Squad, remained calm and said, "Wenbo, we've always been shady characters. In this world, who among the respectable people would dare to associate with us?"

"Hehe, that's true," Zhang Wenbo chuckled sheepishly and said nothing more.

With a creak, the door to the reception room was pushed open, and accompanied by hearty laughter, Yin Tianbao walked into the room.

"Oh dear warriors, I'm sorry, I'm currently in a transition period and I'm really busy with official duties. Please bear with me, hahaha."

Lin Anlan glanced at Yin Tianbao but didn't speak. The other team members remained silent, waiting for Yin Tianbao to perform. Seeing no response, Yin Tianbao laughed heartily, showing no embarrassment. He walked straight to the wine cabinet, poured himself a glass of wine, and said to Lin Anlan as he poured, "Captain Lin, the wine on this island is truly excellent. Would you like a glass?"

Lin Anlan shook her head, still remaining silent. Yin Tianbao wasn't in a hurry either, sitting on the sofa with his wine glass, leisurely sipping his drink. Seeing Yin Tianbao sitting opposite their captain, the Blood Squad members all gathered behind him, maintaining a tacit silence. After a few minutes, the Blood Squad couldn't hold back any longer. Zhang Wenbo, known for his fiery temper, was the first to yell, "Yin Tianbao, just say what you have to say! You've got your ass at the door, how the hell can you hold it in?"

"Oh? Don't misunderstand, but you've come to see me," Yin Tianbao chuckled.

"You!" Zhang Wenbo was about to say something, but Lin Anlan stopped him, saying, "Step back." Only then did Yin Tianbao focus his gaze on Lin Anlan.

"Old dog, did you spread the information about the Rock-Beast?" Lin Anlan asked, staring into Yin Tianbao's eyes.

"It's not true that I spread this rumor; the Rock-Beast did indeed appear on the island." Yin Tianbao swirled his wine glass, his dark eyes filled with gloom.

"No need to hide it, you old dog. You just want to trade with us using the Rock-Beast, right? Name your terms." Lin Anlan was getting impatient and didn't want to argue with Yin Tianbao anymore. Hearing this, Yin Tianbao's eyes suddenly brightened: "Fine! Straightforward! I like dealing with people like you. I'll be blunt. I can tell you the detailed information about the Rock-Beast. I can even send people to assist you in its extermination. As for the price, it's simple: the Blood Squad will henceforth be under the command of the Tianyun Empire's military."

"Old dog, you think you can make us your lackeys just because of information about the Rock-Beast? Don't you think that's ridiculous?" Lin Anlan smiled contemptuously, his sarcasm undisguised.

"Hehehe, what if I told you that this Rock Beast is still hatching an egg?" Yin Tianbao slowly lowered his voice: "As far as I know, as Crimson Storm-level adventurers, your team doesn't have its own spirit beast yet, right? I wonder if this condition is worth it."

Lin Anlan remained silent. Yin Tianbao was right. Each Crimson Mist-level team possessed at least one of its own spirit beast. As a whole, every unit's combat strength was crucial to the team's overall power. To stand at the pinnacle of combat strength, no one could be left behind, and spirit beasts were equally indispensable. Even after understanding this, Lin Anlan was still unwilling to budge.

"Even if this Rock Beast is incubating its cubs, it's hard to believe that it can make us its lifelong lackeys based on that alone."

Yin Tianbao knew there was hope as soon as he heard this, and continued, "If you don't want to join the Imperial Military completely, that's fine too. We can sign a time-limited agreement for ten years, as long as your team serves the Empire for ten years, how about it?"

Lin Anlan was somewhat tempted, but still insisted on bargaining. The men in their team had all fought their way through hardship and no one wanted to be put in a collar again. After some discussion, Yin Tianbao finally relented: "Alright! I really don't want to argue with you inflexible people. How about this, I'll give you my final offer: three years, three years of service to the Empire. How about that?"

"Okay, it's settled then. Now tell us all the information about the Rock-Beast." Lin Anlan also made the decision. After all, they had never seen a Rock-Beast before, nor had they ever signed a contract with a spirit beast. These two experiences were far more valuable than the ability growth brought by three years of ordinary training.

"Alright! But don't rush. You must be tired after your long journey. According to the news from the dock and city gate guards, you haven't stopped for a while. So get some rest today. I'll host a banquet tonight to welcome you back." Yin Tianbao finished speaking and, without giving Lin Anlan a chance to object, got up and walked to the door of the reception room, calling over a guard: "Arrange rooms for Captain Lin and her team. Notify the kitchen that the banquet will be held tonight." After making the arrangements, Yin Tianbao left.

The remaining team members in the room looked at each other. Zhang Wenbo asked, "Captain, are we really going to be the Empire's dogs for three years?"

"Wenbo, you're in your mid-twenties. You've been an adult since you turned 14, almost ten years now. Why can't you use your brain? We're the Blood Squad, which is notorious for its bad reputation. Do we need to follow the rules?" After saying that, Lin Anlan got up and left the reception room, following the guard to her room to rest.

Zhang Wenbo scratched his head, then clapped his hands after a long while and said, "That's right." He turned to the other team members and said, "Anyway, we are demons. So what if we break the contract? Hahaha, the captain is thinking ahead." He then told the team members to go to their respective rooms to rest.

Inside the city lord's office, Yin Tianbao stood by the window, fiddling with the scepter in his hand, with the adventurers who had previously offered advice standing behind him.

"Rongxuan, the first step of the plan has been achieved. The rest depends on you and your sister. I hope you can add another brilliant chapter to the power of the Heavenly Fortune Human Race."

Yuwen Rongxuan stepped forward and replied, "My sister and I will do our utmost to complete the next plan. As the captain of Tianzhao, please rest assured, City Lord, that we, brother and sister, are capable."

"Well done. Although Tian Zhao is an Orange Sky-level adventurer, I have complete confidence in your strength. After completing this task, I will help you upgrade the 6th-tier elementalist that Tian Zhao is still short of the Crimson Storm-level when you return home." Yin Tianbao turned around with a smile on his lips: "Of course, I will also report the promotion of the Yuwen family's title to Lord Shangguan."

"Thank you, Lord City Lord! I could never repay your kindness, even if I were to die ten thousand times!" Yuwen Rongxuan and Yuwen Zuoqing both knelt down to express their gratitude.

"Alright, go and make preparations. Knowing the Blood Squad's nature, they'll probably be eager to set off tonight or early tomorrow morning. You must be fully prepared." Yin Tianbao waved his hand, signaling the Yuwen siblings to go and make preparations. After the two siblings left, he turned to look at the dark, cloud-covered sky outside the window and muttered to himself, "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The oriole, in the end, is just a bird."