Although the task was laid out before Fang Senyan, he wasn't eager to accept it immediately. After careful consideration, he said: "I have a few questions that need clarification." The Nightmare Space remained as it always was: "If it is within your rank authority, it will be answered for free. If the question requires payment, a prompt will be given." Fang Senyan thought for a moment, then asked seriously: "Is this a solo mission or a team mission?" "Solo. If it were a team mission, it would be tantamount to publicly declaring war on the Noah Space F-ship to which ZB419 is currently affiliated," the Space replied swiftly. Fang Senyan continued his inquiry: "Then doesn't the time I spend on this mission overlap with the time for entering the next world? This would prevent me from entering the next world alongside my team members?" The Nightmare Space paused for ten seconds before replying: "If you can coordinate with the military side of the Empire, then no." Fang Senyan expressed surprise: "Why?" The Nightmare Space explained: "The Awakened ZB419 has undertaken the legacy of the Dark Templar. Therefore, the world he enters should be the Starship Troopers world. According to the firsthand intelligence I have obtained, this Starship Troopers world, much like the Predator world, has begun to encroach upon the main plane where the Empire resides. Thus, you can attempt to travel from the Empire's main plane via an aircraft, fly across a weak point in the Spacetime Barrier, and enter the Starship Troopers world directly. In that way, just like your previous emergency mission, it will not consume the time allocated for your next assigned mission." "Understood," Fang Senyan nodded, then suddenly asked, "Why did you accept that fellow Rony? Is his strength truly formidable? Why don't I feel that way?" The Space's response was equally concise: "Because he is a Candidate, and his potential is not insignificant." Fang Senyan’s eyes narrowed suddenly, a cunning look in his gaze: "How does one obtain Judas's Denarii?" Instantly, an indescribable majesty descended. Fang Senyan felt utterly incapable of resisting this power, though he had no intention of fighting it. The Space’s voice was chillingly detached: "Unknown. Contractor 1018, any attempt to betray the Space to which you are affiliated is a deeply shameful act!" Fang Senyan broke into a smile, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness: "You misunderstood. I was merely inquiring." The Space responded again: "Do you accept the mission to rescue the Awakened ZB419? If you refuse, this mission will be sent to other capable Contractors?" Fang Senyan suddenly countered: "There should be Contractors within this Space stronger than the Temperer, right? Why not send them to execute this mission? Wouldn't the success rate be much higher?" The Space stated: "That is due to the Power Barrier. Deploying high-tier Contractors disproportionate to a low-tier mission causes greater destruction to the Spacetime Barrier—it’s counterproductive. High-tier Contractors are also subject to suppression by the Power Barrier, which can lead to their demise. It’s like catching a mouse rampaging in a house; the best approach is to introduce a cat, not demolish the structure to eradicate the vermin." Having clarified these matters, Fang Senyan straightforwardly chose to accept the mission. He informed the members of his team. The others raised no significant objections, but Zi Xiang conferred with San Zai and the others, ultimately setting aside five strips of Xuan Element that Fang Senyan had previously given them, which they hadn't yet sold. Evidently, this material was hard currency within the Empire. If they had to secure assistance without it, securing favors would indeed be a drawn-out process. Holding this leverage meant they were naturally in a much better position.

Although the common saying dictates that rescuing someone is as urgent as fighting a fire, Fang Senyan had no intention of rushing off immediately. His priority was to strengthen himself first, to avoid being lost in the rescue attempt. Clearly, Rony was being hunted while outnumbered, and the destination was a world like Starship Troopers, which was akin to a massive battlefield. Survival probability must be the primary concern. More importantly, the last time Fang Senyan and his team visited the Starship Troopers world, they faced the Zerg. This time, based on Rony’s hints, they might even clash with the most mysterious race in the universe: the Protoss! Against such races, SARS or atypical pneumonia might be useless, as it’s questionable whether the Zerg or Protoss even possess lungs. For now, the deterrent effect Fang Senyan needed from disease was sufficient. Therefore, Fang Senyan still intended to prioritize increasing his military rank first. The Peerless ability inherent to the Bloody Major General rank was incredibly potent for both pursuit and self-preservation! Furthermore, given the necessary dealings with the Empire, whose members seemed prone to xenophobia, a higher rank would naturally afford greater advantage. However, just as Fang Senyan was about to depart, Old Charlie stepped forward respectfully: "Master, based on my observations, the chances of successfully synthesizing a Title appear higher at this moment." Fang Senyan murmured, "Oh," and inquired, "Is that segmented by time as well?" Old Charlie nodded: "In the Space, there is a dedicated area for Title synthesis. I observed it for some time, judging the outcome based on subtle details. When the synthesis result is generally favorable, the person emerging walks with a lighter step and displays more discernible fluctuations in mood. Conversely, those who fail show reactions that can be discerned in minute ways." Hearing this, Fang Senyan couldn't help but nod slightly: "Good. Continue." Old Charlie explained: "Then I will get straight to the point. Based on my analysis of one hundred and thirty-seven samples, the result is this: between 6 PM and 8 PM daily, the success rate for synthesis increases by 7% to 13% percentage points. It is currently 7:30 PM, so if Master is not in a hurry, it would be best to proceed with Title synthesis first." Currently, Fang Senyan possessed sixteen Titles:

Wine Connoisseur

Pirate Leader

Feedback of the Tree Guardian (Speed)

Bloodlust I

Butcher Shop Owner

Penetration

Marauder

Headhunter

Excellent Employee

Pirate Captain (Black Iron Grade)

Dauntless

Smuggler

Invader

Scavenger

Public Enemy of Mechanics

Friend of Sanitary Napkins

Grand Collector (Note: The above list may have omissions; please be gentle if pointing out errors...) Of these sixteen Titles, the vast majority would certainly need to be consumed (burned). The foundation for synthesis would be the two Black Iron Grade Titles: Pirate Captain and Wine Connoisseur. The general synthesis process was mentioned previously and need not be detailed here. It is worth noting that Friend of Sanitary Napkins was categorized as a Special Title, usable only for synthesis and not for burning, so it was set aside for now. Finally, one Bronze Grade Title was synthesized: Bronze Grade Title: Child of the Ocean Synthesis Count: One time Equip: All Attributes +3 Equip: All your damage is increased by 8%. Equip: The chances of obtaining high-level equipment drops / equipment enhancement success rates are both increased by 10%. Equip: Whenever you gain any form of recovery effect, your Critical Hit Rate is immediately increased by 8%, and you instantly receive healing equal to 10% of your Maximum Health (this healing effect triggers once every 300 seconds and cannot exceed 500 Health points). The Critical Hit Rate increase lasts for 60 minutes. Equip: You gain the ability to breathe underwater, similar to a whale, but you must surface for air at least once every hour. Furthermore, you are as agile in water as you are on land. Equip: Your intimidation towards ordinary pirates is increased by 200% compared to the base level, and your Presence +3, in relation to your appointed Pirate Officials. Equip: When a river, lake, or ocean exists within one kilometer of you, the Attack Power / Defense Power of friendly units within that one-kilometer radius is effectively increased by 25%, and Movement Speed is additionally increased by 40%! (This effect only applies to plot characters and does not stack with other bonus effects.) Equip: Privateering License: When you successfully seize/destroy other vessels or enemies at sea, you gain a special ability to view and potentially acquire valuable special components / rare special materials / rare special equipment related to naval warfare from them. Hint: The Privateering License can increase your discovery chance by an additional 33% and the quality of discovered items by 33%. Hint: You can upgrade this ability to: Royal Privateering License by offering tribute to the Queen of England. Hint: Once you possess (note: possess, not equip) this Title, your burgeoning ambition will become evident, making it difficult for you to serve under other pirate factions.

Honestly, this synthesized Title was quite exceptional—a true amphibious asset where every attribute was highly practical. However, when considering the arduous process and accumulation required for Fang Senyan to gather these Titles, it became understandable. But according to San Zai, some Contractor teams specialize primarily in Titles, and their collections are likely much stronger than Fang Senyan's. The practical advantage of specializing in Titles is that while equipment drops require a distribution process, Titles, once acquired, are distributed fairly to everyone! This provides a steady and powerful boost to team strength. Secondly, specializing in Titles also improves the clearance rating. For instance, in the previous 2012 world, those focused on Titles only needed to meet the bare minimum requirements for the main quest and then proceed to complete the Title quests. In the 2012 world alone, there were five normal Titles and one Bronze Title available right at the beginning of the world—a total of six Titles obtained! The resulting enhancement was absolutely equivalent to every member of the team receiving a piece of Silver plot equipment.