bookcurios Chapter 364: Test
Chapter 364: Test
The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino was now five meters away.
Xu Wuyi exhaled sharply and thrust his spear!
The spear struck like a dragon. The dark golden gleam of its tip condensed into a single line, aiming with unerring precision for the Iron-Armored Rock Rhino’s left eye.
Eyes were always a weak point.
The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino reacted instantly. It tilted its head slightly, flicking its horn upward to intercept the spear shaft.
CLANG!
Sparks flew as the spear tip and horn collided.
Xu Wuyi’s arm went slightly numb. He rode the force of the impact, spinning his spear around and smashing it horizontally against the Iron-Armored Rock Rhino’s neck.
BAM!
The shaft struck the carapace squarely. The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino’s body swayed, and fine cracks appeared on the armor of its neck.
’It’s working!’
Just as Xu Wuyi was about to press his advantage, the Iron-Armored Rock Rhino suddenly opened its mouth and spat a thick cloud of dark red poisonous mist straight at his face!
The distance was too close; there was no way to dodge.
Xu Wuyi’s pupils contracted. In his sea of consciousness, the Golden Crow Illusion suddenly beat its wings!
VMMMM—
An invisible spiritual fluctuation rippled outward. As the cloud of poison mist came within half a meter of Xu Wuyi, it slammed into an unseen barrier and abruptly dispersed.
At the same time, Xu Wuyi thrust his spear again!
This time, the dark golden flame on his spear tip grew three parts more solid, carrying a scorching, penetrating Intention as it aimed for the spot where the rhino’s neck met its torso.
The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino clearly sensed the danger. It pushed off with all four limbs, its massive body rearing back in an attempt to dodge the spear.
But Xu Wuyi’s spear was faster.
PFFT!
The spear tip scraped past the edge of the carapace and sank three inches into its flesh.
The dark golden Undying Flame bored into the wound. The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino let out a pained roar as the dark red mist around its body churned violently.
Xu Wuyi pulled his spear back and retreated, creating distance.
In the observation area, researchers were recording data rapidly.
"Reaction speed: S-class. Evasion ability: A-plus. Attack precision: S. Defensive awareness: A. Spiritual resistance: S... His composite score is currently A-plus," a middle-aged researcher said in a low voice.
"He’s not using his full strength yet." Lin Lan’s eyes glittered as he stared at the arena. "He clearly held back on that last thrust. If he had gone all out, T-77’s neck would have been pierced through."
"He wants to demonstrate his control," another researcher nodded. "Very smart. He knows what we’re looking for."
In the arena, the injured Iron-Armored Rock Rhino flew into a frenzy, its attacks growing more ferocious.
But Xu Wuyi had already figured out its attack patterns.
For the next three minutes, he moved like a butterfly flitting through flowers, weaving between the Iron-Armored Rock Rhino’s charges, sweeps, and poisonous mist. Every one of his strikes landed precisely in the gaps of its armor.
The dark golden gleam of his spear flashed repeatedly across the arena, leaving a trail of searing wounds.
The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino’s roars gradually shifted from rage to exhaustion.
Finally, after Xu Wuyi pierced the joint of its front left leg and sent it stumbling to its knees, a termination alert sounded in the testing grounds.
[Combat test concluded. Target has lost the ability to continue attacking. Test subject: Xu Wuyi. Composite score: S-.]
The barrier opened, and Lin Lan strode into the arena.
"Congratulations, you passed." He was smiling as he glanced at the Iron-Armored Rock Rhino panting on the ground. "T-77’s defensive capabilities are in the top three of our most recently developed specimens. The fact that you could suppress it without inflicting serious injury was an outstanding performance."
Xu Wuyi handed his spear to a nearby staff member and gave a slight nod. "When can I start the missions?"
"The specific arrangements will be sent to your email," Lin Lan said. "The first test mission is in five days, on the morning of August tenth, at the institute’s Third Simulated Ecological Zone. The content will be similar to today, but the Star Beast species and combat environment will be different."
"Alright."
"Also, the research institute is very interested in you." Lin Lan lowered his voice. "If you’re willing, the testing department can provide you with some extra resource quotas, like the Spiritual Resonance Potion or the Qi Blood Purification Potion. It should help you polish your Heart Image."
Xu Wuyi’s interest was piqued.
The institute’s resources, especially specialty items for Spiritual Power and Qi and Blood, were hard to come by in the outside world.
"What do you need me to do?"
"We just need you to cooperate with some simple data interviews after each test, to talk about your feelings during the battle and your observations on the Star Beast’s characteristics," Lin Lan said with a smile. "It won’t take up much of your time, and it won’t involve your core Cultivation Technique."
Xu Wuyi pondered for a moment before nodding. "I can do that."
"Then it’s settled." Lin Lan’s smile widened. "I’ll send you the specific agreement later. For now, you can head back to your apartment to rest, or go to the cafeteria to get something to eat and replenish your energy."
Xu Wuyi was indeed a bit tired.
The back-to-back high-intensity tests, especially the final fight with the Iron-Armored Rock Rhino, had taken a significant toll on his Spirit and Qi and Blood, even though he hadn’t used his full strength.
He left the testing grounds and returned to his apartment.
After showering and changing into a fresh set of clothes, Xu Wuyi sat cross-legged on his bed and began to regulate his breathing.
His consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness.
The Golden Crow soared, and the Earth was silent.
Today’s battle had given him a new, vague feeling about "Earth."
The Iron-Armored Rock Rhino’s thick carapace, its powerful defense, its steadiness when taking a hit... was that also a manifestation of "Earth"?
Enduring damage, neutralizing impact, using stillness to counter motion.
Perhaps he should try to understand his "Earth" anew, from the perspective of defense and endurance.
...
On the morning of August tenth, Xu Wuyi arrived on time at the institute’s Third Simulated Ecological Zone.
Unlike the previous comprehensive testing grounds, the Simulated Ecological Zone was a semi-enclosed space covering over ten square kilometers, simulating various environments from the Star Realm.
There were fiery lava zones, humid swampy jungles, and rugged, craggy mountains.
Lin Lan was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Xu Wuyi arrive, he handed him a mission briefing.
"Three days of testing, one match per day, four hours each. Today’s is in the ’Lava Zone.’ Your opponent is a ’Flame Lizard Commander.’ It’s a Fire Attribute, with a Life Energy Level of about 38.5. It’s skilled at spewing high-temperature molten streams and launching sneak attacks from hiding."
Xu Wuyi took the briefing, scanned it quickly, and nodded.
"Head inside when you’re ready. We’ll be observing your performance through the monitors." Lin Lan pointed to the Energy barrier at the entrance. "Remember, do your best to showcase your adaptability and your use of the environment."
Xu Wuyi said no more and stepped through the barrier.
A wave of heat washed over him.
Before him was a crimson world. The ground was covered in cracked fissures, with dark red lava flowing slowly within them. The air warped from the intense heat.
In the distance, a few low-lying volcanic cones belched thick smoke.
Xu Wuyi extended his Spiritual Perception. The heat distribution, lava flow, and rock structures within a three-kilometer radius all flooded into his mind.
He held the standard-issue spear and advanced slowly.
The first day’s test was nothing special.
The Flame Lizard Commander had hidden at the bottom of a lava pool, attempting a sneak attack.
But Xu Wuyi’s Spiritual Perception had already locked onto its position. The instant it burst out to attack, he dodged with a precise sidestep and, in a backhanded motion, thrust his spear through the scales on its neck.
The dark golden Undying Flame poured in. The Flame Lizard Commander thrashed in pain and quickly lost its ability to fight.