Gift of Bian Que, Power of Chiyou

Director Huang hurried into the Swift Wind Pavilion, arriving ahead of the others.

After giving the little red-haired guy and the Mobile Game Guy a death glare warning, Huang Tiankai straightened his collar, then solemnly took a palm-sized metal box from his briefcase.

At that moment, his expression was one of reverence.

Not long after, Zhou Zhe, along with Zhang Miaoran and Chang Hanshan, arrived before the Supernatural Affairs Department personnel.

"Colonel Huang, we meet again."

Zhou Zhe held the ridiculously large book, Elementary Planar Cryptography, as if he were an addict lost in reading, only looking up to smile at Huang Tiankai and the others before lowering his head to continue flipping through the pages.

Normally, such behavior would be seen as low emotional intelligence and impolite.

But Huang Tiankai didn't harbor any negative feelings. He was a seasoned veteran of human interaction and didn't care about minor appearances.

"This book… it must be a supernatural book exchanged with Gladiator Points, right?"

Huang Tiankai's heart stirred, and a look of admiration appeared on his face.

He respected people who studied diligently, no matter the time or place.

Never satisfied!

Never arrogant!

Only then could one continuously improve!

With this thought, Huang Tiankai couldn't help but glance at the red-haired man, Dugu Xiu, and the Mobile Game Guy, Jinuo, beside him.

You two brats, do you really think you're so great?

I wish you'd hurry up and learn from him!

However, his only response was a displeased eye-roll and a bright, confident smile.

His subordinates lacked insight and liked to get cocky for no reason; it was difficult to lead the team…

Huang Tiankai, with a headache, shook his head and handed the metal box in his hand to Zhou Zhe.

"Do you remember Roxstar? That Super Horned Demon from the Sigma civilization."

"The Academy of Sciences asked me to convey their thanks."

"If every Cosmic Gladiator were like you, Master Zhou, China's supernatural system would be fully established in less than three years!"

Hearing this, Zhou Zhe nodded slightly, put down Elementary Planar Cryptography, and opened the palm-sized metal box.

Inside were two sealed vials.

One vial was an inky black, yet it contained swirling specks of starlight, clearly not an ordinary item.

The other vial emitted a blood-red glow, existing in a semi-solid, semi-liquid state, slowly wriggling, giving the impression of a living being.

Huang Tiankai explained, "Because the EX Gene has been locked, the research progress on gene serums is still at 0%, with no leads."

"However, our colleagues in the Academy of Sciences have found an alternative approach, combining previously obtained supernatural materials to create some rare items."

"The red vial is codenamed [Gift of Bian Que]."

"It can quickly heal injuries with no side effects. While it can't regrow severed limbs, it can be used to save your life at a critical moment."

"The black one is codenamed [Power of Chiyou]."

"It will bring immense pain to the superpowered individual, but if they endure it, their overall strength can be slightly improved in all aspects! If the user cannot withstand the pain and passes out midway, there will be no negative consequences, only a loss of effect."

"Both are taken orally."

"They have undergone relevant testing, so you can use them with confidence."

"However…"

"The materials are rare and they are very precious, so please use them cautiously."

Hearing this, Zhou Zhe observed the two vials with great interest.

The mysterious notebook materialized as a stream of light before his eyes.

[Acquired Supernatural Item x2]

[Gift of Bian Que: Can instantly heal minor injuries. When not injured, it can permanently and slightly increase Blood Essence strength. (Note: The permanent enhancement effect of this serum is almost negligible for you.)]

The effects of the Gift of Bian Que were clearly not limited to Director Huang's understanding.

[Power of Chiyou: If the pain brought by the serum can be overcome, then Strength, Agility, Endurance, and Defense can all be permanently and slightly improved. (Note: Your current overall strength and pain tolerance allow this serum to exert its full effect.)]

It was easy to understand. After all, both the Gift of Bian Que and the Power of Chiyou were made from supernatural materials sourced from Earth gladiators, and the current Earth gladiators were not of high levels.

If Silver or even Gold-level Cosmic Gladiators were to use these two serums, they probably wouldn't have any effect at all.

As Zhou Zhe's thoughts raced, the mysterious notebook vanished without a trace.

He took out the black serum, codenamed Power of Chiyou, slowly unscrewed the cap, and handed the metal box containing the Gift of Bian Que to Zhang Miaoran.

Then, Zhou Zhe downed the inky black serum in his hand in one gulp!

Since the mysterious notebook recognized it, this thing was clearly trustworthy.

Director Huang tried to stop Zhou Zhe, but his movement was a beat too slow.

They couldn't stop him!

Everyone from the Supernatural Affairs Department wore expressions of anticipation, like watching a good show.

Some were amused, some sympathetic, some worried, and some were mocking.

Why did Chiyou's Power dare to carry such a domineering name?

Because the pain that came with taking it was unbearable, even for specially trained agents!

Mental fortitude and physical strength – both were indispensable!

Finding someone who met both conditions was truly difficult!

To be precise, up until now, there hadn't been a single person who could make it fully effective!

Zhou Zhe ignored their complex expressions.

The medicinal effects began to take hold.

A tingling, numb sensation spread from his limbs and throughout his body.

This pain surged like a tide, coursing through every muscle fiber and nerve, raging within every cell!

The agony gradually seeped into his bones, escalating like the ebb and flow of the sea, relentless!

Pain!

It was getting more painful!

At first, it was like being pricked by needles. Later, with every heartbeat, the blood pumped by his heart felt like liquid blades, slicing through his blood vessels and eroding his blood.

With every breath, the flowing air felt like scorching lava, threatening to burn his trachea to ashes and cook his lungs.

The Heart of Heavenly Tribulation throbbed with a light, joyful rhythm, letting out cheers.

Zhou Zhe roughly estimated that there were at least three more waves of pain during the duration of the medicinal effect!

Each wave stronger than the last!

His heart pounded like a broken drum, his breathing as erratic as a blacksmith's bellows, and sweat instantly soaked through his white shirt.

Zhou Zhe felt that his physical strength, combined with the enhancement from the Heart of Heavenly Tribulation, should allow him to grit his teeth and endure until the end.

But…

It would ruin his image!

It didn't matter if he embarrassed himself in front of outsiders; Zhou Zhe had a thick skin.

The key issue was…

Zhang Miaoran was watching him!

He had to endure, even if he couldn't!

A man had to perform!

Self-Configuration — [Freely Adjust Pain].

Although overcoming pain could effectively increase willpower, there were plenty of opportunities and methods to temper his will whenever he wanted.

With so many people around, didn't Zhou Zhe care about his reputation?

"First, adjust it to fifty percent."

In an instant!

The pained expression on Zhou Zhe's face rapidly faded, and he soon calmed down.

Although his muscles were still contracting unnaturally and veins still bulged on his forehead, he had clearly begun to adapt to the pain.

Feeling his physical attributes rapidly improving, Zhou Zhe's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Damn! Is that for real?"

"No way!"

"Did Chiyou's Power fail?"

"No! Look closely! The medicinal effect is still ongoing!"

"There are four stages of human reaction to pain: enduring pain, tolerating pain, overcoming pain, and enjoying pain! Only when the brain starts secreting dopamine and endorphins do you have the capital to remain conscious!"

"You talk like you've experienced it, but it's just theory! If your physical strength isn't enough, no amount of willpower will help; you'll still collapse!"

"Holy crap! He's smiling! Has he entered the enjoyment stage?"

"This guy is so cool!"

"Teacher Zhou looks… so handsome!"

"He's in so much pain, yet he can smile so charmingly? I love it! I love it!"

"Did anyone record this? I want to study it multiple times when I have free time…"

"I recorded it, but I'm not lending it to you. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking; Teacher Zhou is mine!"

"Promise me you won't be a fangirl, okay?"

Everyone at the Supernatural Affairs Department was dumbfounded.

You might not have eaten pork, but you've surely seen a pig run, right?

During the clinical trials, those superhumans who took dosages far lower than Zhou Zhe's were all contorted in pain, their faces blooming like chrysanthemums.

Soiling themselves was common, and revealing their most unsightly moments was even more so.

But Zhou Zhe's performance…

It was incomprehensible!

Several minutes later.

Zhou Zhe's breathing and heart rate returned to normal. On the Black Sword Shield Brand on the back of his hand, a fifth star slowly appeared…

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