Chapter 269: Key Target for Cultivation

Chapter 269: The Prime Candidate for Cultivation

An hour later, the bomber touched down at Base 011.

The one responsible for the landing was Lei Jie.

No matter how prodigious Jiang Yu might be, he would not gamble on the critical phase of takeoff and landing.

Nevertheless, from that single flight, Jiang Yu left an impression on him deep enough to linger.

If the deftness and rapid grasp she displayed at the outset could be chalked up to “learning ability,” then the astonishing barrel roll she performed in an emergency—one that left Lei Jie awestruck—could only be described as raw talent.

She herself seemed unaware of what she had done; every reaction appeared to spring from instinct alone.

Even after the maneuver, she was more flustered than Lei Jie.

——

So what of it?

After all, she completed it, relying on her intuition to devise an optimal solution.

From that moment, Lei Jie was convinced that the girl before him was destined to become the future Air Force of Huaxia’s first pilot.

Her quick‑reaction, decision‑making, and analytical abilities were qualities that many lack and that no amount of study could ever bestow.

Yet she possessed them innately.

A person like her should not be relegated to lugging a rocket launcher on the ground when she could be entrusted with great responsibilities and let her soar, exploiting her advantages in the sky.

Enough of that!

Determined, Lei Jie climbed down from the aircraft and said to Jiang Yu at once:

“From today onward, all your other duties are suspended.”

“You will do only one thing: train according to the program I issue you.”

“Until the training is complete, you may not board a plane again.”

“This is for your protection, understand?”

Hearing Lei Jie's words, Jiang Yu stared blankly for a moment.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, mingled with a hint of bewilderment.

After a brief hesitation, she asked:

“Commander, is it because I didn’t perform well enough?”

“I failed the assessment?”

The question left Lei Jie speechless.

Not good enough?

It’s that you’re too good!

After pondering carefully and choosing his words with precision, Lei Jie replied:

“It’s not that you flew poorly; it’s that you flew exceedingly well.”

“As I said, keeping you off the aircraft for now is a safeguard.”

“Given the current situation, your abilities already exceed this plane’s performance.”

“If you were to fly recklessly, countless accidents could ensue.”

“For us, that would be an unbearable loss.”

“I’m not referring to the aircraft, but to you!”

“Do you understand?”

“I understand!”

Jiang Yu inhaled deeply and nodded solemnly.

Lei Jie's words finally eased her mind.

It wasn’t that I flew badly; it was that I flew… too well?

It seemed the first time in her life she had heard such a blunt affirmation.

Although in Qiandao Lake Town most people had already recognized her identity and abilities, this was a different matter.

After all, the man speaking to her was a commander of the Huaxia military.

They were likely the most powerful force in the world, and earning their approval could mean—

—that she had finally secured a firm footing.

Jiang Yu instinctively glanced at Lei Jie, but he turned away as if summoned by urgent business.

Thus she redirected her gaze toward the bomber, steady on the ground.

A trace of fascination shone in her eyes.

She did not know when she would next take to the skies, yet at that moment she felt she had found her true belonging.

A few minutes later, in the operations command room.

Lei Jie stood before Chen Jian, his expression animated as he declared:

“No matter what, I’m determined to secure this person!”

“Damn, do you know how outrageous she is?”

“I won’t even try to describe it; the first time she saw a plane take off, she dared a barrel roll!”

“I’ve never in my life witnessed anything like this. Can you imagine? Just days ago she didn’t even know what a plane was!”

“Honestly, I feel as if she’s been possessed by something.”

“I’d wager that even if the aircraft’s performance were lacking, she could still fly out of a falling leaf!”

When Lei Jie finished speaking, Chen Jian asked in disbelief:

“Is she really that extraordinary?”

“She truly is! What’s the point of lying to you?”

Lei Jie clicked his tongue, shook his head, and continued:

“I’m serious, this plane is genuinely hard to handle.”

“I’ve flown small fixed‑wing aircraft before, so I have some experience, yet this one feels unwieldy.”

“And her? The moment she’s aloft, she’s as if she’s already home!”

“She shows no fear of weightlessness or g‑forces. It’s not a matter of being accustomed; she seems utterly unaware that such sensations exist.”

“Moreover, her final bomb‑release was executed flawlessly.”

“Accuracy could use improvement, but the fundamental motions were flawless.”

“I tell you, with proper training she will unquestionably master every aerial combat mission we may require in the future.”

“Even if we later field dedicated ground‑attack aircraft, we could still put her in the cockpit!”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian exhaled slowly, then said:

"Then it's settled. This person is yours to train."

"Take care to protect her; see that she doesn't meet an untimely end."

"I understand, I understand."

Lei Jie nodded repeatedly, and Chen Jian followed with a question:

"So what about that whale eel? Did you locate it and blow it to pieces?"

"No."

Lei Jie shook his head and said:

"That thing is cunning beyond measure."

"It seemed to have anticipated our arrival, laying a trap in advance."

"We almost fell into it; after we withdrew and returned to drop the bomb, half of the whale eel had already burrowed back underground."

"The explosion inflicted some damage, carving a pit several meters wide into the earth."

"But it likely didn't die on the spot."

"It survived all that?"

Chen Jian furrowed his brow.

"All we can say is that it's uncertain."

Lei Jie paused briefly, then replied:

"When we left, it still possessed mobility."

"Yet perhaps it's already at the end of its strength."

"Regardless, its threat to us has been greatly diminished."

"With an aircraft, once we locate it, we can finish it!"

"Then that's good."

Chen Jian finally let out a sigh of relief.

For so long, the pressure of being watched and suppressed by that monster had weighed upon him, and now it lifted in an instant.

"What does it matter how strong you are?"

"Air superiority demands unbroken dominance; it's a chasm no one can bridge."

With that thought, Chen Jian spoke:

"Then expedite the production of the second aircraft."

"We now have two pilots; the suppressive force we can muster is considerable."

"As for the beast tide, we'll give them a hellish strike and see if they can still surge."

"Alright, that's it for now."

"You go rest first; after you’re refreshed, get the aircraft ready again."

"The migrants heading to the Imperial Capital will arrive soon; I intend to give them a special welcome ceremony."

(End of Chapter)