The machine displayed a striking number: 982!
There weren’t many people in the gym today, and the two group leaders certainly wouldn’t be bored enough to test it out. Thus, there was only one possibility: Xiao Chen had achieved this score!
“Zhao Qing, What’s wrong?”
Lin Rujian noticed Zhao Qing’s sudden change in mood and curiously leaned over. Seeing the number on the machine, he also gasped.
“Did Xiao Chen achieve this? Did he use a weapon?”
It wasn’t that Lin Rujian underestimated Xiao Chen; it just didn’t align with his understanding. Zhao Qing was already a genius in her own right.
At twenty-three, she was a level 3 awakener. Even among the four top War Academies, she was considered exceptionally talented. She had just started practicing Combat Techniques and couldn’t reach this number even if she tried her hardest.
“No, he didn’t use a weapon. Don’t compare yourself to Xiao Chen; he’s a freak.”
Lin Rujian’s face twisted into an odd expression as he scratched his beard. He felt relieved that he hadn’t taken a senior’s stance to lecture Xiao Chen about humility. This guy was beyond conventional understanding for someone his age to have reached such a level in Combat Techniques.
“How can the gap be so vast?”
Zhao Qing seemed a bit downhearted. She had never really considered herself a genius.
After all, at her age, there were others who had reached this level of awakening in the top War Academies.
However, Zhao Qing prided herself on her hard work, often training day and night.
She always believed that effort and humility could make up for any lack of natural talent. Yet, after more than two months of practicing Combat Techniques, she could only achieve a power level of around 700.
Now, someone so much younger than her had a higher power level, which made Zhao Qing feel somewhat defeated.
“If you’re not feeling well, let’s not train today. Zhao Qing, keep a good mindset. We’re heading to the Northern Desolation tomorrow, and you’re one of the main forces. Don’t let this affect your mentality now.”
Lin Rujian comforted her.
He had mentored Zhao Qing from the start and understood her thoughts very well. His words were more than just comfort.
Zhao Qing’s level was not something an average person could achieve. Once they reached the Northern Desolation and won a few battles, her confidence would naturally return.
“No worries, Captain, I can train,” Zhao Qing said, shaking her head to forcibly dispel the previous sense of disappointment from her mind. Giving up was not her style.
“Not bad.”
Qu Liangyu and Li Wanjun exchanged a glance and nodded secretly. The fact that Zhao Qing could adjust so quickly was impressive—her mindset alone was admirable.
After wandering around for a day, they happened to see two rising stars from the Night Penal Division, which made them feel gratified.
After leaving the Training Hall, Xiao Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that what happened last night was just a dream or an illusion.
Now that it was confirmed to be real, he felt much better.
Before he had learned Combat Techniques, he had fought haphazardly, either swinging his fists wildly or using weapons. Whether facing Yao Tiefeng or Wu Ya later on, he often relied on his strong recovery abilities to engage in prolonged battles.
This method was not only embarrassing but also extremely painful.
Even though Xiao Chen had a high tolerance for pain, he didn’t want to keep using such a self-destructive way to fight.
Now that he had a good grasp of the basic Whip Kick, he planned to collect more life crystals to train in new Combat Techniques.
Xiao Chen took a tour around the hospital and the cemetery, hoping to get lucky, but as in Jiang City, encountering an awakener who had recently died wasn’t that simple.
“Let’s head back and check out other Combat Techniques.”
Since he could absorb the battle experiences of the deceased, Xiao Chen didn’t plan to be polite with these past souls. At most, he would burn some paper money for them later.
After getting off the subway, Xiao Chen saw many people selling black robes at the entrance.
“Daddy, I want some butterbeer.”
A stream of tourists was coming out of the subway station, including university students dressed in Magic Robes and some families with children.
A girl with antlers on her head and a balloon in her hand hopped past him, and not far ahead, Xiao Chen saw some large characters.
“Imperial Capital Universal Studios.”
So, this was Universal Studios.
Xiao Chen’s impression of amusement parks was limited to the children’s park in Jiang City, which had a giant swing and a merry-go-round. But the attractions ahead, barely visible, exuded a sense of technological marvel and grandiose atmosphere.
Even from a distance, he could hear the exclamations of excited tourists.
Watching the girl who was about the same age as Mu Xiaowan, Xiao Chen thought for a moment and then walked forward as well.
Twenty minutes later, he returned to the hotel. The room was spotless, and his luggage was neatly organized.
“Xiao Chen, have you eaten? I can order some food for you,” Mu Xiaowan offered. She was still wearing the simple white sweatshirt from Jiang City, sitting obediently by the window. Without Xiao Chen around, she rarely went out.
During Xiao Chen’s absence, she had also packed his bags for the trip to the Northern Desolation.
“Are you going to train? I’ll step out,” she asked, knowing that Xiao Chen had been focusing on his Combat Techniques and had barely communicated with her, except for briefly mentioning his experiences in Sin City.
Now that he was back, Xiao Chen realized it had been over twenty days since he last saw Mu Xiaowan.
“Not today. I’m taking you somewhere.”
“Where?”
Mu Xiaowan blinked her big eyes. At that moment, Xiao Chen pulled two tickets out of his pocket.
“Here.”
Seeing the tickets, Mu Xiaowan was initially puzzled, then her smile blossomed like a flower.
“Really?! We’re going to Universal Studios?!”
Hearing the undisguised excitement and joy in her voice, Xiao Chen also smiled.
“Of course. I promised to take you to an amusement park.”
“Wait, let me change into something nice!”
After making some money, aside from buying the old house, Xiao Chen had bought Mu Xiaowan a couple of outfits. However, they both lived frugally, and Mu Xiaowan rarely wore them.
“Let’s go.”
With her hair draped over her shoulders, Mu Xiaowan beamed with excitement and led the way.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Chen suddenly felt his spirits lift as well.
As they walked, more and more tourists appeared, and a long line had already formed at the entrance.
“Please present your identification and immunity proof for orderly entry,” a repetitive announcement blared from the front. In the queue, Mu Xiaowan and Xiao Chen, who had been looking around curiously, suddenly stopped.
Mu Xiaowan suddenly remembered something.
Whether taking a high-speed train, a regular train, or entering crowded public places, they always needed to provide proof of immunity.
This requirement had always troubled them.
Hearing this announcement, they instinctively felt like turning around and leaving.
“Let’s go.”
But Xiao Chen grabbed Mu Xiaowan’s slender, soft hand and pulled her out of the line.
However, instead of heading back, they walked towards the Special Passage.