Chapter 63: A New Vice-Captain Joins the Starfall Squad

Having delivered her words, Chu Yuyao snatched up her belongings and fled the internet cafe without a backward glance.

Hua Mu’ai turned, her gaze falling upon the ‘Valiant Silver I’ rank insignia displayed on her game interface, and only then did a belated realization dawn upon her.

“Damn it all!”

With a frustrated slap to her forehead, she cursed under her breath.

“That scoundrel hadn’t even helped me reach Gold rank yet!”

****

The following morning, within the conference room of the GSA headquarters at Aegis Tower.

Qin Lan, clad in her impeccably crisp commander’s uniform, leaned forward, her hands braced on the conference table, her expression grave.

Aside from Hua Mu’ai, Gu Qianqian, Xia Xingyan, and Lin Xiaolu sat rigidly upright, their postures attentive.

“I’ve summoned you here today to announce a matter of considerable importance.”

Qin Lan spoke without preamble.

“The latest monitoring data from our intelligence department reveals a significant surge in Void Abyss activity around Linhai City, a trend we anticipate will escalate rapidly in the short term.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping deliberately across each person in the room.

“I understand that the Golden Island incident had a profound impact on you all, but we must confront the reality of our situation.”

“The Starfall Squad currently faces numerous challenges, primarily an influx of new members and a severe lack of practical combat experience.”

Qin Lan’s words were like a splash of cold water, dousing Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu, causing them to lower their heads in a flush of shame.

“More critically still,” Qin Lan’s gaze finally settled on Hua Mu’ai, “Captain Tian Lanxing’s power state remains highly unstable.”

Hua Mu’ai pursed her lips, a wave of displeasure washing over her, yet she found herself unable to offer a rebuttal.

Indeed, her current inability to reliably switch forms presented a significant predicament.

“Therefore, to effectively address the severe situation that may soon unfold, and following extensive deliberation by the GSA Headquarters’ high command, it has been decided…”

Qin Lan took a deep breath, her voice ringing with solemnity as she made the announcement.

“We will be assigning an experienced combat operative to bolster the Starfall Squad.”

No sooner had her words faded than the automatic doors of the conference room silently glided open.

A figure slowly stepped inside.

It was a woman of undeniable elegance.

Her soft, black hair cascaded effortlessly over her shoulders, while a perfectly fitted GSA special operations combat suit accentuated the flawless curves of her physique.

Her features were exquisitely perfect, yet what truly captivated attention was the tranquil yet formidable aura that enveloped her.

It was a composure and strength that could only be forged through countless trials and battles, a profound resilience that settled deep within her.

The instant her eyes fell upon this woman, a blurry yet unsettlingly familiar shadow flickered through the depths of Hua Mu’ai’s mind.

The newcomer approached Qin Lan, offering a subtle nod to the assembled group as a silent greeting.

As their gazes met across the room, Hua Mu’ai’s heart gave a sudden, sharp lurch.

“Allow me to introduce everyone,” Qin Lan’s voice cut through the silence. “This is Shen Tinglan, a support operative specially dispatched by headquarters, and a Luminous Star-tier magical girl.”

‘So powerful!’

Both Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.

A Luminous Star-tier was a formidable existence, second only to the fabled Celestial Star-tier.

Throughout the entire GSA, Luminous Star-tier magical girls were exceptionally rare, each one serving as a steadfast pillar, stabilizing their respective regions.

“Miss Shen will serve as Vice-Captain,” Qin Lan added, “assisting Captain Tian Lanxing in the coming days, taking charge of the squad’s daily training and tactical guidance.”

Shen Tinglan stepped forward, her voice calm and remarkably gentle.

“Hello everyone,” she greeted, “I look forward to working with you all in the days ahead.”

Her voice, akin to a gentle spring breeze, seemed to soothe the hearts of those present.

“I will do my utmost to assist the Captain and ensure the safety of each and every one of you.”

Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu were immediately captivated by the powerful yet gentle senior, their faces lighting up with expressions of profound admiration.

Hua Mu’ai, however, felt every hair on her body stand on end, her eyes fixed warily on the woman named Shen Tinglan.

‘This woman is truly peculiar,’ she thought. ‘I keep seeing traces of Su Wanning in her.’

Yet, within the conference room, one other individual reacted with even greater intensity than Hua Mu’ai.

It was Xia Xingyan.

From the very moment Shen Tinglan stepped through the doors, Xia Xingyan had remained utterly silent.

Her face, usually a mask of ice, now held a chill so profound it seemed capable of frosting over.

She watched Shen Tinglan, her gaze lingering on the brief exchange of glances between the newcomer and Hua Mu’ai.

An unprecedented sense of dread, like insidious vines, coiled tightly around her heart.

‘My sixth sense could not possibly be wrong!’

‘This woman…’

‘She isn’t here to offer support.’

‘She’s here to take what’s mine.’

‘To snatch away the Captain, who belongs only to me.’

Shen Tinglan simply smiled, openly accepting the scrutiny of everyone in the room.

Her smile was undeniably beautiful, yet Hua Mu’ai found herself profoundly uneasy. She kept catching glimpses of her deceased wife’s shadow in the woman, though she couldn’t pinpoint any specific similarities.

“Very well, now that introductions have been made, let’s adjourn the meeting.”

Qin Lan waved a dismissive hand, shattering the peculiar silence that had settled over the room.

“Shen Tinglan, please join me in my office to go over the handover of your duties.”

“Qianqian, Xiaolu, you two head to the training room and complete today’s physical conditioning.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu immediately rose to their feet, then began to pull the still-dazed Hua Mu’ai towards the exit.

“Captain, let’s go, it’s time for the training room!”

“Wait a moment.”

Shen Tinglan’s voice was soft, yet it caused Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu to halt their steps instinctively.

Instead of accompanying Qin Lan, she took a few long strides, bringing her directly in front of Hua Mu’ai.

A faint, pleasant fragrance, a delicate scent, drifted into Hua Mu’ai’s nostrils as Shen Tinglan drew near.

Hua Mu’ai unconsciously recoiled half a step, subtly widening the distance between them.

“Captain,” Shen Tinglan said, pausing her advance, her voice laced with concern, “Commander Qin just mentioned that your power is highly unstable, is that correct?”

Hua Mu’ai immediately felt a prickle of discomfort.

‘This woman truly knows how to hit a nerve.’

“What business is it of yours?” she retorted, clearly annoyed. “My affairs hardly require your concern.”

“The Captain misunderstands,” Shen Tinglan replied, her warm smile unwavering, devoid of any hint of offense. “As Vice-Captain, it is my duty to be concerned about your well-being.”

She continued, “Furthermore, I find your situation quite fascinating. To properly introduce myself, I am not only a Luminous Star-tier magical girl, but also hold a doctorate in Starforce Research. Headquarters dispatched me here not only for combat support, but also with the hope that I might resolve your form-switching issues.”

The moment these words left her lips, Xia Xingyan, standing nearby, tensed even further, her body becoming rigid.

She stepped forward, positioning herself between the two women, effectively blocking Shen Tinglan’s line of sight.

“We appreciate the Vice-Captain’s concern,” Xia Xingyan stated, her voice utterly devoid of emotion. “However, the Captain’s issues are matters our Starfall Squad will resolve internally.”

Her unspoken message was clear: *You are an outsider; do not meddle.*

In that moment, Xia Xingyan’s aversion to the woman intensified. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Tinglan’s offer to help Tian Lanxing was merely a pretense, a cunning maneuver to curry favor.

She would not tolerate anyone attempting to snatch Tian Lanxing away from her.

Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu watched, utterly stunned.

Was this truly the same student council president they knew, the one who, aside from the Captain, typically ignored everyone else?

Today, she was acting as if she’d swallowed gunpowder, every word laced with a sharp edge.