Thunder Base, Central Plaza.
The sun hung high in the sky. Five hundred genius students from various places stood in neat rows. Although most of them were somewhat arrogant, in front of the rows of soldiers armed with live ammunition around them and the instructors on the high platform radiating terrifying auras, everyone was as honest as quails.
"I am your Chief Instructor, Lei Zhen."
On the high platform, a middle-aged burly man with a hideous scar on his face stepped forward. He didn't use a microphone, but his voice exploded like muffled thunder in everyone's ears, making their eardrums ache.
"First of all, congratulations on passing the preliminary screening and arriving here."
Lei Zhen's gaze was like lightning, coldly scanning the audience. "But what I want to tell you is that here, the talent, family background, and connections you are proud of are all bullshit!"
"Here, there is only one currency, and that is—fists!"
The entire venue fell dead silent.
Lei Zhen pointed to a group of buildings behind him. That area was divided into three zones:
The outermost were dilapidated container houses, crowded and simple. The middle were standard apartment buildings, with a decent environment. And in the deepest part, there were detached villas standing by the mountains and water. Not only were they luxuriously decorated, but they were also surrounded by Spirit Gathering Arrays, with a spirit qi concentration three times that of the outside world!
"See those houses?"
Lei Zhen grinned, revealing white teeth. "Tonight's accommodation isn't assigned by a list. It's all up to grabbing!"
"There are only ten villas; those are for 'Kings' to live in." "There are one hundred apartments; those are for 'Humans' to live in." "As for the rest... Hmph, only containers! Or, you can choose to sleep on the playground!"
"The rules are simple: Pick up the wooden spears in front of you, knock down your opponent, and seize the key! Time limit is one hour. Life or death is irrelevant (as long as you don't kill anyone)!"
"Now... Start!"
Boom!
With Lei Zhen's command, the originally quiet plaza instantly turned into a chaotic battlefield.
For the villas that symbolized status and resources, everyone's eyes turned red.
"That's mine!" "Get lost! I'm an A-Rank genius with 1.2 Vitality!" "I'm beating A-Ranks!"
The melee broke out instantly.
Lin Zhiran stood where he was, not in a hurry to move. He pressed down the brim of his hat, his gaze locking directly onto the "Villa No. 1" in the deepest part.
Since he was here, he would live in the best one.
Carrying a white wax wood spear used for training, he strode towards the villa area. His pace wasn't fast, but in the chaotic crowd, he appeared exceptionally calm, as if taking a walk in his own backyard.
"Stand still!"
Just as he was about to walk out of the plaza, a human wall blocked his way.
It was Zhao Tai.
Behind him followed seven or eight burly teenagers, all wearing the training uniforms of the Thunder Dojo. Everyone's Vitality was above 1.0.
"Lin Zhiran, where are you rushing to?"
Zhao Tai held a spiked club (wooden) in his hand, a hideous smile hanging on his face. "Although you are an S-Rank, the instructor just said that he only recognizes fists, not people. Today, my brothers and I want to borrow your S-Rank title. How about you yield this Villa No. 1 to us?"
The students fighting around them stopped one after another, looking at this scene with gloating expressions.
"It's Zhao Tai! He actually brought so many people to block Lin Zhiran?" "Now there's a good show to watch. Although Lin Zhiran is S-Rank, two fists can't beat four hands after all. Zhao Tai is determined to give him a show of authority." "What S-Rank? A genius who hasn't grown up is just trash. If Lin Zhiran gets beaten down today, the face of this S-Rank will be completely lost."
On the high platform, Lei Zhen and several other instructors also watched this scene with interest.
"Chief Lei, is that the S-Rank specially recruited by Ye Hongyu? He looks a bit thin. Surrounded by so many people, I'm afraid he'll suffer." An instructor laughed.
Lei Zhen remained expressionless, merely saying lightly, "If he is a real dragon, a group of insects surrounding him is just courting death. If he is a worm, then get out early to save resources."
Central Plaza.
Lin Zhiran stopped, his gaze calmly sweeping over Zhao Tai and the people behind him.
"You are blocking the way."
"So what if we block the way?" Zhao Tai sneered, smashing the spiked club heavily on the ground. "Lin Zhiran, don't think you are invincible just because you awakened an S-Rank. Today I will let you know that in the Thunder Training Camp, it's still my Zhao Family who calls the shots! Brothers, get him! Cripple him!"
"Yes!"
Seven or eight dojo elites roared angrily, coordinating tacitly to besiege him from all directions. Although they used wooden weapons, they were infused with the power of Vitality. Being hit would definitely result in broken bones!
Facing the siege, Lin Zhiran not only didn't retreat but sighed.
"Since you seek death..."
"Then I'll fulfill your wish."
Swish!
Before his voice fell, Lin Zhiran's figure suddenly disappeared!
Fast!
Extremely fast!
After being transformed by the High-Grade Genetic Repair Serum, his Vitality was close to 2.0. Combined with the foundation of 18 Agility, the speed erupted at this moment even pulled out an afterimage in the air!
"Careful! Behind!"
A teenager holding a wooden saber just shouted out when he felt a pain in his wrist.
Pa!
The white wax rod in Lin Zhiran's hand was like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, precisely tapping on his wrist joint.
"Ah!"
The teenager screamed, and the wooden saber flew out of his hand. Before he could react, the white wax rod swept horizontally, slapping heavily on his cheek.
Bang!
The teenager flew out like a spinning top, his teeth shattered all over the ground, fainting on the spot.
"One."
Lin Zhiran's indifferent voice sounded.
"Bastard! Attack together! Lock down his movement!"
The remaining few were both shocked and angry, frantically waving their weapons, trying to weave an airtight net.
But in the eyes of Lin Zhiran, who possessed [Heart of the Spear God], this net was full of flaws.
He was like a slippery swimming fish, shuttling freely amidst the glint and flash of weapons.
Step forward, turn sideways, Sudden Back Thrust!
Pa! Pa! Pa!
Every tap of the white wax rod was accompanied by the crisp sound of bone fracturing and a scream.
Either the knee, the elbow, or the throat.
All vital spots! All one-hit kills!
In just ten seconds.
Except for Zhao Tai, all the besiegers lay on the ground, hugging their broken hands and feet, wailing and rolling.
The entire plaza instantly quieted down.
Those who were originally prepared to see a joke now all opened their mouths wide, cold sweat streaming down.
This... What kind of monster is this?
Single-handedly challenging eight dojo elites, yet unscathed and instantly killing them all?
Is this the gold content of an S-Rank Talent?!
"Now, it's your turn."
Lin Zhiran carried the wooden spear stained with a trace of blood (although it was a wooden spear, it actually broke the skin under high-speed friction) and walked towards Zhao Tai step by step.
Zhao Tai was scared silly at this point.
The hand holding the spiked club was trembling violently, his legs went soft, and he kept retreating. "You... Don't come over! My dad is the head of the Zhao Family! If you dare to touch me..."
"Noisy."
Lin Zhiran's eyes turned cold, and he fiercely threw the long spear in his hand!
Meteor Throw (Pseudo)!
Xiu—!
The wooden spear turned into a stream of light, flying past Zhao Tai's scalp. Carrying a terrifying wind, it directly blew his hairstyle into a chicken coop, and then deeply inserted into the concrete ground behind him, three inches deep, the spear tail vibrating buzzing!
"Ah!!!"
Zhao Tai screamed, thinking he was dead. His legs felt hot, and a smell of urine spread.
He was actually scared into incontinence directly.
Lin Zhiran walked up to him, looking down at this once insufferably arrogant rich second generation, his eyes full of contempt.
"I'll take Villa No. 1."
"Do you have an opinion?"
Zhao Tai sat paralyzed on the ground, shaking his head desperately, snot and tears flowing. "No... No opinion... It's all yours..."
Lin Zhiran snorted coldly, pulled out the wooden spear from the ground, and turned to walk towards the villa area.
Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically parted a path. Everyone looked at that thin back with awe, and no one dared to have a trace of provocative thought anymore.
This was a show of authority.
Except, it was Lin Zhiran showing authority to everyone in the camp!
On the high platform.
The indifference in Chief Instructor Lei Zhen's eyes disappeared, replaced by a thick appreciation.
"Good kid. Ruthless enough, fast enough, decisive enough!"
"This is a true spearman!"
He turned to instruct the instructor beside him, "Write it down. Lin Zhiran, S-Rank assessment passed. Also, send that bottle of 'Dragon Blood Body Tempering Liquid' to Villa No. 1. This is the reward for the victor."
"Yes!"
...
Inside Villa No. 1.
Lin Zhiran closed the gate, isolating the noise from the outside world.
He glanced at the luxurious living room and the spirit qi so rich it made his pores open, nodding with satisfaction.
"Nice environment."
He put down his luggage and sat cross-legged on the Spirit Gathering Array in the center of the living room.
That battle just now, although it looked easy, he didn't use the Stage 2 Skill [Absolute Territory] of the SSS-Rank Talent. Relying solely on Basic Spear Technique and physical fitness, he crushed those of the same rank.
This proved that his path was correct.
"However, a small character like Zhao Tai, beating him is just beating him."
Lin Zhiran took out the "Thunder Breathing Method" (S-Rank Cultivation Method) given by Ye Hongyu from his bosom, a glint flashing in his eyes. "The real challenge is the upcoming special training, and... that Zhao Family hiding in the dark."
"Although Zhao Tai is trash, Zhao Tianba behind him is a solid Tier 3 Grandmaster."
"Must get stronger quickly."
"Strong enough... to pierce even a Grandmaster with one spear!"
The teenager closed his eyes, his breathing gradually becoming long.
And deep in his sea of consciousness, the phantom of that golden long spear seemed to sense the master's fighting will, becoming more solid and sharp.