Chapter 63: Selecting a Mecha

"Commander, is my reward really this many points?" Lin Xinghai asked, still finding it hard to believe after reading through the entire list.

"Don't play innocent now that you've got the upper hand," Xu Haishui said sourly from the side.

The points he had been awarded amounted to less than a tenth of Lin Xinghai's share.

"Of course it's correct. This has been vetted through two rounds of review," Fang Tianhe said with a smile.

"Then how many reward points did you get, Commander?" Lin Xinghai couldn't help asking.

Fang Tianhe replied, "10,300 points."

"This... to be honest, I don't think my contribution was greater than yours. Inside the spaceship research institute, if you hadn't cleared the path with your superpower, we wouldn't have been able to escape at all," Lin Xinghai said truthfully.

Although the points were extremely tempting, he intended to stay and build a good future with the Splitting Sky Mercenary Corps. Causing resentment among the other mercenaries would be counterproductive.

"Haha, that's because I am the commander. Protecting you is my duty, and turning the tide at a critical moment is expected. As for you, your status is that of an ordinary member, yet you severely wounded the Blood Demon and enabled our escape, so you definitely deserve an extra reward."

"If you hold the position of captain or a higher rank in the mercenary corps in the future and make the same contribution, you won't receive such a massive extra reward."

"Of course, your salary and benefits at that time will be incomparable to what they are now," Fang Tianhe explained.

"Higher position, greater responsibility," Shen Han summarized from the side.

Lin Xinghai nodded, gaining a fresh understanding of the internal system of the Splitting Sky Mercenary Corps.

After Lin Xinghai confirmed the list was correct, Fang Tianhe told him to take out his identity card and handed it over to the finance department personnel.

Moments later, 19,800 points were transferred from the public account of the Splitting Sky Mercenary Corps directly onto his identity card.

From this moment on, Lin Xinghai could be considered a minor wealthy individual.

Lin Xinghai checked with his wrist-mounted computer and saw that the points currently in his account totaled an impressive 24,132.

"Also, considering your Grade B genetic rating, coupled with your exceptional marksmanship, starting from now, you are officially one of our most valued nurturing talents in the Splitting Sky Mercenary Corps."

"According to our internal decision, you will be allocated twenty bottles of genetic fluid per week." As Fang Tianhe spoke, he motioned for someone to bring out a rack of genetic fluid and place it before Lin Xinghai.

That neatly arranged rack of genetic fluid made Xu Haishui's eyes turn green with envy.

"Wipe away that drool of yours. With your Grade D genetic rating, even if all this genetic fluid were given to you, how many bottles could you actually absorb in a week?" Wu Yan's voice chimed in from the side.

"If you don't speak up, nobody will mistake you for a mute!" Xu Haishui cursed through clenched teeth.

When he turned his head back, Lin Xinghai had already tucked all the genetic fluid into his pockets.

Shortly after, led by Fang Tianhe, the group left the base camp and headed toward the upper district.

Naturally, the group referred to here consisted of members holding the rank of captain and above, plus Lin Xinghai.

At this, the vast majority of mercenaries felt envious, but none felt jealous.

On one hand, it was due to Lin Xinghai's Grade B genetic rating, and on the other hand, it was because of his astonishing talent in marksmanship.

With such talent, it probably wouldn't take long for him to become a captain.

The group arrived at the elevator shaft and proceeded to the upper district.

As the elevator doors opened, Lin Xinghai saw not only a service robot but also a fully armed soldier stationed there.

Access to the upper district was far more strictly controlled. One could not simply pay ten points to ascend; an application had to be submitted and approved first.

For an ordinary person, the background check alone would likely take a day or two.

Of course, mercenaries enjoyed privileges, especially those from well-recorded mercenary corps, who could use the express lane and complete the review in just five minutes.

"Please present your personal identity card," the robot emitted a synthesized electronic voice.

Everyone took out their identity cards, and after individual scans and authentication, the soldier allowed them to pass.

The layout of the upper district was actually quite similar to the middle district, but compared to the latter, the architecture here was vastly grander and more massive.

This was because all the vital scientific research institutions within the entire shelter were located in the upper district.

And the place where they intended to purchase mecha was the Mecha Research Institute.

This was a structure covering a floor area of over 2,000 square meters.

Such a building might not seem like much on the surface, but inside a shelter, every single square meter was worth a fortune. A 2,000-square-meter facility was truly gargantuan to an exaggerated degree.

Led by Fang Tianhe, the group walked through the wide-open doors, where a row of attendants was waiting.

A pretty attendant immediately stepped forward to greet them warmly.

"Hello, welcome to the Mecha Research Institute. Are you here to tour, or to purchase a mecha?" the lovely young attendant inquired.

"To purchase a mecha!" Fang Tianhe's reply was concise and to the point.

Upon hearing this, the professional smile on the pretty young lady's face instantly transformed into a genuine, heartfelt one.

"Very well, this way please, everyone. I am your guide, Tanya!" she introduced herself while leading the way forward.

Among the group, both Fang Tianhe and Wu Yan maintained expressionless faces, Roger's attention was entirely fixed on the surrounding mecha models, and as for Shen Han, he would never spare any warmth toward women. Thus, the only one among them smiling amiably at Tanya was Xu Haishui.

Unfortunately, Tanya was completely unresponsive to his charms, ultimately shifting her attention to the younger and more handsome Lin Xinghai.

She slowed her pace, and as she drew closer to Lin Xinghai, a charming smile bloomed on her face as she asked, "What kind of mecha are you looking to purchase? We have newly launched the Warrior series and the Ares series. I wonder if you..."

"No need, we will purchase a prototype directly. Moreover, have your engineers come over to set up custom modifications according to my requirements," Fang Tianhe interrupted directly.

Tanya instantly fell silent. Clearly, the group before her—or at least Fang Tianhe leading the way—knew their business.

With such clients, there were both pros and cons.

The upside was that this deal was practically guaranteed to succeed; the downside was that there was no room for bluffing, and her commission for this sale would undoubtedly be drastically reduced.

Soon, the group arrived at the grand mecha hall. This was a space exclusively dedicated to displaying mecha of all different models—some bulky and heavy, some sleek and agile, some looking ferocious, and others appearing ornate.

Nearly twenty mecha stood on display, dazzling to behold.

Yet Lin Xinghai could also tell that no matter how their exteriors varied, they were all modified from the prototype stationed in the corner of the hall.