“Abilities are a special trait that only appears in one out of a thousand or ten thousand people. The higher a person’s mental strength, the stronger and better their ability level will be. It can be said that mental strength and Abilities are closely related and indispensable. 288 had previously conducted a general scan and found that among all the people in China, the person in front of you, Gu Hanfeng, has the highest mental strength. If he were to evolve Abilities, he would likely be very powerful. However, I haven’t discovered anyone around here who has evolved Abilities yet.”
In a rare moment of joy playing the role of a teacher, 288 explained everything in great detail to Qiu Yunzheng. Only then did Yun Zheng fully understand the importance and rarity of Abilities, mental strength, and Enhancement Fluid.
“So, 288, are there any more missions? Any number is fine, as long as the rewards are plentiful. I’ll definitely complete them as quickly as I did this one.”
“…Host, please act normal. 288 is a bit scared.”
At that moment, Qiu Yunzheng’s eyes were shining with a faint green light, like a hungry wolf spotting its prey.
Not only 288, but even Gu Hanfeng, who had been watching Qiu Yunzheng closely, couldn’t help but rub the goosebumps rising on his arms, feeling puzzled.
“Ahem, sorry, sorry. I don’t have much experience, so I got a bit too excited. Haha.”
Qiu Yunzheng coughed and returned to normal, then continued speaking casually with the System.
“Host, Ancient Tombs are as rare as large banknotes suddenly appearing on the ground. They’re not easy to come by. Moreover, no missions have been generated yet. 288 needs to transmit the data back first, and only then will we know what comes next. Please be patient.”
“Alright, then. You may kneel—ah, no, you may go about your business. Goodbye, 288.”
As soon as Qiu Yunzheng heard there were no missions and no Ancient Tombs, her enthusiasm instantly plummeted as if she had been thrown into a glacier, and she no longer wanted to pay attention to 288.
“…”
288: Is this what they call “killing the donkey after it has done its job”?
“Ahem, well, General Gu, it seems I’ve obtained something extraordinary. May I share it with you now?”
After dismissing 288, Qiu Yunzheng composed herself, rubbed her face, and turned seriously to Gu Hanfeng, who was looking at her as if she were a fool.
“I’m all ears. This place is safe, so feel free to speak.”
After hearing her words, Gu Hanfeng only showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes, then raised an eyebrow and assumed a listening posture.
Clearly, Gu Hanfeng was not frightened by Qiu Yunzheng’s words. He remained calm and composed as he spoke.
“My reward is the formula and finished product of the Enhancement Fluid. If all goes well, after we take it, we might even evolve Abilities.”
Seeing Gu Hanfeng’s unflappable demeanor, Qiu Yunzheng gritted her teeth but didn’t get angry. She directly revealed the information she had just obtained, hoping to see Gu Hanfeng lose his composure.
“!”
Unfortunately, Qiu Yunzheng’s plan didn’t work. Gu Hanfeng, true to his background as a special forces soldier who had faced life-and-death situations and witnessed countless extraordinary events over the years, only showed a slight surprise at her words.
However, Gu Hanfeng only showed a flicker of shock in his eyes, with no change in his expression whatsoever. Even that momentary shock in his eyes vanished so quickly that Qiu Yunzheng, with her observational skills, failed to notice it at all.
Even 288, who had been hoping to witness some drama, deliberately scanned Gu Hanfeng’s current heart rate and found that not only did it remain completely unchanged, but his emotional state had barely heightened.
The fact that he only showed a brief moment of surprise in his eyes made 288 feel a sense of admiration for Gu Hanfeng, as individuals like him were exceedingly rare even in Interstellar space.
“So, the formula is currently in your possession, correct?”
Hearing that Gu Hanfeng’s tone hadn’t shifted in the slightest, Qiu Yunzheng could only resign herself, nodding reluctantly. Once again, she had underestimated someone.
Gu Hanfeng fell silent. He lowered his gaze and remained quiet for a long moment before making a decision.
“Come, I’ll take you somewhere. When we arrive, just share everything you’ve obtained and the information you have. Don’t worry—the people there won’t harm you.”
Gu Hanfeng stood up and spoke solemnly to Qiu Yunzheng, who was still sitting dazedly in place, unable to react. He didn’t forget to offer her a final word of reassurance.
Capital, Chinese Academy of Sciences Laboratory.
“Is this the formula and finished product you mentioned? How should it be used, and are there any harmful effects on the human body?”
An elderly professor wearing glasses and a white lab coat, who was somewhat thin and small in stature—Lin Zile—adjusted his slipping glasses and asked the question, though his eyes never left the Enhancement Fluid on the experimental table for even a second.
“All you need to do is take this reagent. However, according to the data, it’s best for someone with a physique like General Gu’s to consume it in order to unleash its maximum effect. For ordinary people, it might be a bit of a waste.”
Qiu Yunzheng felt extremely grateful at that moment for having cultivated a composure since childhood that remained unshaken even in the face of major crises. At the very least, no one present should be able to tell she was slightly nervous.
After listening, Lin Zile simply nodded, then seemed to recall something and asked again.
“You mentioned you have another finished Enhancement Fluid, but you can’t produce it—it’s bound to your body for use. Have you used it yet?”
“Not yet, I haven’t had the chance.”
Though puzzled by Lin Zile’s question, Qiu Yunzheng answered honestly.
“In that case, would it be possible for us to observe the changes inside your body with instruments while you take it? Of course, if you’re not comfortable with that, it’s fine. We can simply draw a tube of your blood for testing after you’ve taken it. Would that be acceptable?”
Lin Zile looked at Qiu Yunzheng with sincere earnestness and inquired solemnly, though considering she was a young woman, he adjusted his wording toward the end.
Qiu Yunzheng didn’t respond immediately but instead consulted 288 in her mind.
“288, can there be outsiders present when I take it?”
“Of course, host. It’s just that they probably won’t be able to detect anything.”
288 agreed graciously, though it didn’t believe anyone there would be able to perceive anything significant.
“That’s fine, but I won’t need to… undress for it.”
Qiu Yunzheng grew increasingly embarrassed as she spoke, since she had never undergone this type of examination before and wasn’t very familiar with the procedure.
“Hahaha, no need, no need! Who told you such nonsense, little girl? We only need to connect the machine to your wrists, ankles, and temples.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zile was initially stunned before bursting into laughter. Not just Lin Zile—the other trainees and even Gu Hanfeng standing nearby couldn’t help but chuckle.
And so, quite honorably, a steaming-hot specimen resembling a freshly boiled red crab made its debut.
“Um, oh, alright then. I’m willing.”
As she spoke, Yunzheng herself had no idea what she was saying. Aoww, this is so embarrassing! Television really is a bad influence.