Induction

City 032 was the former Tianjin City before the Great Nirvana period.

It was also the place with the most rampant and powerful monsters around the entire Tianjing Base City. Lord-level monsters and beast general-level monsters appeared endlessly, and it was even said that top-tier King level monsters existed there.

How had Zhang Wei, an ordinary soldier, crossed more than a hundred kilometers to reach City 032?

Even for General level martial artists, that was an extremely risky undertaking.

And how had he survived for a full four days?

What was that "Yang Bin" trying to accomplish? Where was he now? What connection did he have to the beast tide?

What exactly was hidden behind this beast tide?

One mystery after another troubled everyone present—or rather, not just the members of the Special Operations Squad.

It was simply that this mission had been placed in their hands.

Lin Yan had initially thought this was a lavish lineup assembled for the task, but now it seemed utterly inadequate for a mission of this scale. It was merely a Special Operations Squad hastily put together due to a shortage of manpower. No wonder Liu Mingxuan had even pulled him in to make up the numbers.

Short on manpower, urgently needed people online.

They discussed it among themselves, pooling their thoughts and analyzing the details of the matter, but gained nothing.

They could only try to avoid overlooking any clues.

A machine beside them lit up. Its display showed the surveillance footage of the warehouse entrance, where two fully armed soldiers stood outside, carrying an Alloy Coded Box.

Liu Mingxuan gave it a casual glance, then turned his gaze to Lin Yan. "Here for you?"

Lin Yan stood and walked outside. "Probably. I'll go take a look."

Bu Wenxing took one look and roughly guessed what was going on. He asked curiously, "What secret manual did you choose?"

Lin Yan waved without looking back. "I'll tell you later!"

He opened the warehouse doors. The two soldiers exchanged a glance, and one of them asked, "Are you Second Lieutenant Lin Yan?"

Lin Yan nodded. "That's me."

They laid the sealed Alloy Coded Box flat before him. "Please verify your fingerprint first."

Lin Yan verified his fingerprint on the fingerprint authentication module atop the box. The indicator light beside it turned green, after which the soldiers entered a password on the numeric keypad at the back.

A dual-password system, ensuring the security of the transported item.

The Alloy Coded Box opened. Inside was a thin booklet and a bright silver USB drive.

The cover of the booklet bore the words "Po Jun Sword."

Lin Yan took out the booklet and USB drive. The soldiers closed the box, then pressed a button on their helmets. This ensured that the entire process, from transport to delivery, would be completely recorded in the cloud.

"Second Lieutenant Lin Yan, you are only permitted to study this secret manual yourself. You are forbidden from gifting, teaching, copying, selling, or engaging in any similar acts. If you violate this rule, you will be convicted of crimes against humanity. The Limit Martial Hall, Thunderclap Martial Arts School, Underground Alliance, and government military have jointly certified this: death without pardon!"

Lin Yan nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your hard work."

Of course he knew the rule. That was why he had been rather wary of revealing abilities he should not reveal.

Fortunately, the Sword Specialization passive had resolved some of that trouble for him.

Only after watching the two leave did Lin Yan close the warehouse doors.

When he entered the conference room, Bu Wenxing glanced at the cover of the book in Lin Yan's hand and asked blankly, "What's Po Jun Sword?"

He himself used a saber and did not pay much attention to sword technique manuals.

His older brother, Bu Xiangyang, also used a battle sword and knew quite a lot about it. He said enviously, "SS-rank Po Jun Sword? Lin Yan, you're really willing to spend."

Even Liu Mingxuan cast it an envious look.

When they had first become martial artists, the military had not been nearly so generous. Even Liu Mingxuan had received only 5,000 merit points. Since he had needed to consider movement techniques, Guidance Techniques, and offensive techniques across the board, he had not even been willing to buy an S-rank sword technique.

But his merit points were almost enough now. If All Things Severed had not yet been fully mastered and remained so suitable for him, he would have exchanged for a new secret manual as well.

Lin Yan laughed. "Not as willing as Brother Chu Wei."

He had chosen the ultimate secret manual, "Nine Heavens Thunder Blade."

Chu Wei gave Lin Yan a strange look. "My family has money. I bought it at full price from the Limit Martial Hall's online store. What are you thinking?"

Lin Yan immediately stopped smiling.

Damn it, you filthy rich bastard!

Everyone saw his deflated expression and burst into laughter.

"All right, that's it for today. Time is tight. We set out early tomorrow morning, so everyone should find somewhere to rest first."

Liu Mingxuan announced the end of the day's meeting, then said to Lin Yan, "Lin Yan, you can try cultivating Gene Energy tonight. If possible, complete your first cultivation as soon as you can."

The first conscious absorption of Universe energy would greatly increase a martial artist's strength.

However, sensing Universe energy for the first time was not easy.

Those with good talent could sense it on the first day. It was not unusual for those with poor talent to be delayed by it for a year or even half a year.

Lin Yan felt somewhat excited as well and nodded. "All right."

Everyone went back to rest. Carrying his things, Lin Yan found a room, sat on the bed, and closed his eyes. He recalled the contents of the Gene Energy Cultivation Method, carefully considering every detail, then thoroughly reviewed his Ultimate Guiding Technique: Supreme Induction as well.

Only after feeling that there were no issues did he open his eyes.

He first followed the contents of Supreme Induction, regulating his breathing, stretching and bending, moving his joints, and carrying out the Guidance Technique sequence.

Guide the qi to harmony, guide the body to suppleness.

Once the qi and blood throughout his body had been stirred into activity, when his cells were also at their most active, Lin Yan sat on the bed with his legs crossed, the soles of both feet facing upward. He placed his hands on his legs with his palms facing upward, his waist and back straight.

This was the "Five Hearts Facing Heaven" posture.

He continued breathing according to the breathing method of Supreme Induction, emptied his mind, and turned his thoughts into a lake without the slightest ripple. Then, within that tranquil lake, he fell asleep.

After everything that had happened today—the daytime battlefield, the martial artist assessment, and joining the Special Operations Squad—Lin Yan felt both mentally and physically exhausted.

Gradually.

Inhale, exhale.

Two long streams of white vapor actually appeared before his nose with every breath.

His hazy consciousness sensed strands of energy slowly flowing into his body through the centers of his palms, the soles of his feet, and the Baihui acupoint atop his head.

"Induction."

In that dreamlike yet waking state, he sensed the energy of the Universe.

His consciousness immediately became active. Following the records in the "Gene Energy Cultivation Method," he focused his awareness on the "Five Hearts" and consciously controlled the rate at which he absorbed Universe energy.

Under conscious cultivation, the rate of Universe energy absorption rapidly increased, and the effect was astonishing!

If his previous unconscious absorption had been a stream, then this was now a raging torrent. Its efficiency had increased by more than a hundredfold!

The cells within his body frantically Devoured the incoming Universe energy. During this process of Gene Energy cultivation, his genes were continuously being optimized. Every part of his body, even every single cell, was changing.

This was the evolution of life!