Chapter Thirteen: An Easy Victory

After all, the level of a Gift can be improved. If Chen Fan’s Gift were to reach level B or higher—overflowing at the first stage—such a dramatic increase in strength would fall within the normal range.

Hodge noted down Lin Lei’s test results before turning to the others. “Next.”

Lin Lei returned to the crowd. Yang Xiao gave him a friendly nod. “That’s some impressive strength.”

Lin Lei grinned in response.

The strength test ended quickly. None of the others were as formidable as Yang Xiao and Lin Lei. Of the thirteen, only eight surpassed 500 kilograms and advanced to the next round.

Among those who remained, the girl who had caught Yang Xiao’s attention came out on top with nearly 900 kilograms of force. Her name was Wan Qili.

Another, a short, stout middle-aged man named Zhou Wu, barely managed 800 kilograms.

Excluding these four, the rest of the qualifiers had less than 700 kilograms of force. Even among those with the “Flesh” system, not everyone’s abilities enhanced their strength. Not to mention the double limitations of Gift level and Source Energy level.

In truth, apart from the top four, the others all had Gifts below level C. Even if they were at the peak of the first stage, their strength would hardly be remarkable.

…

The second round tested resilience, requiring the remaining eight to enter a special machine. The machine would then automatically generate a resilience index. Like an X-ray, Lin Lei guessed this device was a special “Source Tool,” using supernatural power to measure the body’s resilience.

The results soon came out.

Wan Qili topped the group with a resilience index of 81. Lin Lei followed with 75, then Yang Xiao with 65, and Zhou Wu with 62. The rest failed to reach 60 and were eliminated.

Lin Lei was a little surprised at the results. “Wan Qili’s resilience is that high?”

He was confident in his own physical defenses and hadn’t expected to rank second. Yang Xiao, standing beside him, chuckled. “Wan Qili’s Gift is called ‘Steel Body.’ That’s a grade B Gift. Once activated, she can withstand submachine guns and pistols. And she’s not even at the peak of the first stage—her Source Energy isn’t overflowing yet…”

“Impressive,” Lin Lei nodded, suddenly understanding.

He had seized many aberrations, but apart from the Ghoul, none were especially defense-oriented. The Ghoul granted him “Rubber Skin,” but she had “Steel Body.”

In terms of pure defense, he simply couldn’t compare to a B-level Gift.

However…

Li Xueshu had urged Lin Lei to reach overflowing power in the first stage as soon as possible—and with good reason. Though this assessment didn’t officially require a Source Energy minimum, it clearly favored those whose energy had reached the limit.

He glanced at the girl, his expression subtly complicated.

Hodge cleared his throat and addressed the four remaining contestants. “Based on the results of the first two rounds, Lin Lei is currently ranked first, Wan Qili second, and Yang Xiao third. But don’t lose heart—the third round, the combat assessment, is the most crucial. It carries the highest score, and a victory could still reverse your fortunes!”

The first two rounds were merely a filter, their scores not particularly significant. Real strength would be proved in battle.

Hodge led them onto a ring in the training hall.

The third round of live combat began quickly. Hot weapons were forbidden; the “Flesh” system was all about close-quarters fighting. Everyone would wear special protective gear and wield specially designed weapons.

“You’ll draw lots to decide your opponents.”

Lin Lei was lucky enough to draw Zhou Wu, the weakest of the four, and won his match with ease. Their strength levels were so far apart that Lin Lei sent Zhou Wu’s weapon flying with a casual swing; Zhou Wu never stood a chance.

The match between Wan Qili and Yang Xiao, however, was far more exciting. Wan Qili was no match for Yang Xiao in terms of strength or experience, and though her Gift was of a higher grade and her resilience stronger, she was soon on the defensive.

But her Gift was simply too powerful. Once she activated “Steel Body,” Yang Xiao found himself unable to make any headway.

The two fought fiercely for half an hour. Eventually, Wan Qili exhausted her strength and could no longer maintain “Steel Body.” She conceded defeat.

Lin Lei watched silently, shaking his head. If he had Wan Qili’s ability, even if his strength didn’t match Yang Xiao’s, he would never have lost. This woman’s Gift had immense potential; as her combat experience and Source Energy increased, Yang Xiao would stand no chance.

Wan Qili bit her lip but didn’t leave. She waited for the final match between Lin Lei and Yang Xiao.

Hodge brought over a metal syringe and injected Yang Xiao. Instantly, Yang Xiao’s energy was fully restored; there was no need for slow recovery—he was ready for the final bout with Lin Lei.

Lin Lei leapt onto the ring, rolling his neck and eyeing the burly, bear-like man before him with not the slightest hint of fear.

He raised his steel blade. “Brother Yang, forgive this junior for being impolite.”

“Come on!” Yang Xiao laughed, his massive hands—several times larger than a normal man’s—clad in glowing metal gauntlets.

Lin Lei’s lips twitched into a smile. Without further hesitation, he stomped the ground with one foot, lunged forward, and, using his momentum, slashed with the blade.

With his tremendous strength, Lin Lei’s explosive power was terrifying. His compact build meant he wasn’t slowed down, and his speed and agility outstripped Yang Xiao’s reactions entirely.

Not to mention, Lin Lei had made great strides recently, training in martial arts every day.

A look of surprise flashed across Yang Xiao’s face as he hurried to intercept Lin Lei’s weapon with both hands.

But gauntlets were at a clear disadvantage against a steel blade. With differences in both speed and strength, this disadvantage was only magnified.

Whoosh!

Lin Lei’s blade deftly bypassed Yang Xiao’s gauntlets and tapped his chest.

With each blow exceeding a thousand kilograms of force, Lin Lei’s casual attacks hit with the ferocity of a tiger’s pounce—truly overwhelming.

Boom!

Yang Xiao spat out a mouthful of blood; his powerful body lost control and crashed off the ring.

Had they not been wearing special combat suits and using specially designed weapons, Yang Xiao would have suffered far more than slight injuries—he would likely have died with real weapons.

Lin Lei shook his head and sheathed his blade. “Brother Yang, thank you for the match!”

With clear gaps in strength and resilience, not to mention combat skill, Yang Xiao simply couldn’t win.

In truth, Lin Lei would have been more reluctant to face Wan Qili; he couldn’t defeat her instantly and would be forced to rely on strength and technique to slowly wear her down.

“Damn it!” Yang Xiao pounded the floor, yanked off his gauntlets, shot Lin Lei a resentful glance, and left.

Though there was no animosity between them, as competitors Yang Xiao’s defeat meant he lost his chance at the Azure Flower. Even with enough investigation points, he’d have to queue up and wait for second-stage advancement materials—just like Lin Lei, who would wait three to six months.

With both his Gift and Source Energy compatibility inferior to Lin Lei’s, Yang Xiao’s wait would only be longer.

Lin Lei shook his head. There was only one chance, and he couldn’t afford to let it slip to someone else.

As Yang Xiao departed, Wan Qili gave Lin Lei a complicated look before turning to leave as well.