Turning Down a Great Opportunity

As he invested 100 points of Spirit Source Energy, the information for Rotating Magnetic Field changed to (Level 1 101/359).

Ji Xinghuo compared before and after.

The range of Magnetic Field Induction had expanded by several dozen meters. At the same time, the physical enhancement from Rotating Magnetic Field had also increased by a small amount.

If he activated Rotating Magnetic Field, his strength, speed, and explosive power would all increase.

"Amazing!"

Ji Xinghuo could not help but marvel. This rate of growth in strength was practically like riding a rocket. It felt so good that he could not help becoming a little intoxicated by it.

"If I had enough Spirit Source Energy..."

He did not dare imagine it.

He looked around the Training Room. Other than a few marks left on the floor when he fused the Ability Seed, there was no other damage.

However, there was one problem.

Ji Xinghuo looked down at himself. He was stark naked, and immediately felt a little awkward.

He could only press the service call button. When the employee arrived, he said through the door, "Please help me buy a set of clothes and bring them in. I'll pay for them. Thank you." Although he could order online and have them delivered directly, it would be faster to have someone buy them from the Clothing Store next door. He did not want to waste time.

"Alright."

Before long, the employee delivered a set of casual clothes according to Ji Xinghuo's request.

After putting them on, he left the Training Room and departed Star Warrior under the somewhat strange gazes of the manager and employees.

As soon as he returned home, Ji Xinghuo went straight into the Training Room.

He wanted to test his strength.

A moment later.

Ji Xinghuo was stunned. He could now easily Bench Press a 330-kilogram barbell! When he had first become an Aberrant, his Bench Press had been 220 kilograms. After three weeks of training, it had increased by 10 kilograms. But after fusing Rotating Magnetic Field and receiving its physical enhancement, it had surged by more than 100 kilograms. His squat and deadlift had also soared by roughly the same margin, reaching 415 kilograms and 471 kilograms respectively.

The combined total of the three lifts had exceeded 1,200 kilograms!

That was already stronger than many Giant Generals.

Giant General was one of the Class Templates with the greatest strength. Its core ability was Gigantification. After fusion, the user's body would become taller and more muscular for a short time, like a small giant.

The combined total for the three lifts of an entry-level Giant General was generally around 1,000 kilograms, or one ton.

Only the most talented Giant Generals could exceed 1,200 kilograms.

Yet Rotating Magnetic Field had given him strength comparable to a top Giant General. And this was only his normal state. If he activated Rotating Magnetic Field at full power...

Ji Xinghuo immediately tested it.

Rotating Magnetic Field erupted with strength that even he found unbelievable. The combined total of the three lifts directly exceeded 2,000 kilograms, and he nearly ran out of weight plates at home.

Compared with strength, his speed and explosive power were even more outrageous.

His 400-meter sprint time had dropped directly from 38 seconds to 17 seconds! However, Rotating Magnetic Field consumed Stellar Force extremely quickly. After around three minutes, his Stellar Force had bottomed out.

"Perfect. I can do an Endurance Test."

Ji Xinghuo recorded the time, then began running rapidly on the treadmill.

Even without Stellar Force, his endurance had become incredibly deep after the physical enhancement. Running at the speed of an elite ordinary athlete's 100-meter sprint, his breathing remained steady and long, without the slightest sign of fatigue. His steps were swift and steady.

Bang, bang, bang...

It was not until more than an hour later that Ji Xinghuo finally stopped.

His entire body was drenched in sweat, but on the interface of the Myriad Stellar Eye, his Stellar Force had recovered to 97/97. His condition had returned to its peak.

"Whew!"

Ji Xinghuo let out a long breath.

"It took 70 minutes for my Stellar Force to recover from empty to full." He calculated rapidly. "When my Stellar Force was still 56, a full recovery took 100 minutes. Now that my Stellar Force is stronger, it recovers even faster. My recovery efficiency is 2.4 times what it was before!"

This was one of Rotating Magnetic Field's advantages: a recovery speed far beyond the norm.

The faster the recovery, the less time it took.

That meant he could fit more training cycles into each day. With the same 24 hours, his Stellar Force would grow faster than other Aberrants'! Ji Xinghuo's eyes shone as if he could already see himself advancing to Intermediate Esper very soon.

"What a pity..."

He could not help thinking that if he could have acquired Rotating Magnetic Field without anyone noticing, he would not need to worry about the Sharp Sword Bureau discovering his secret, nor would he need to flee to the Star Realm.

As long as he trained peacefully at home for a year or so, he would definitely undergo another life evolution.

"I hate cameras!"

Ji Xinghuo looked toward a spot on the floor.

Magnetic Field Induction instantly spread outward. More than a dozen cameras were installed at the building's main entrance and on the nearby streets. Some were out in the open, while others were well hidden, but all of them revealed themselves under Magnetic Field Induction.

"From now on, no matter what I do, I have to take out the cameras first before making a move."

Ji Xinghuo remembered this lesson.

Casting aside distracting thoughts, he immediately threw himself into training. He combined physical exercise with consuming Stellar Force, then waited for it to recover. He also practiced Thousand Spirit Dexterous Hands, which had advanced to Level 2, adapting to the current state of his hands.

At three in the afternoon.

As usual, Ji Xinghuo arrived at Qishan Wutong Archery Hall and continued his archery practice.

Having just won the Shoot Leaf Cup yesterday, many people at the Archery Hall already recognized him. However, seeing him focused on shooting, no one came over to disturb him. They merely cast the occasional surprised glance his way.

Halfway through his practice, Lu Yunhai came over.

"Xinghuo." Lu Yunhai looked as though something wonderful had happened, unable to hide his smile. He said quietly, "The Hall Master wants to see you."

"When?" Ji Xinghuo asked only after shooting an arrow.

Lu Yunhai replied, "Any time today. The Hall Master came in this morning. He told me he'd stay at the Archery Hall all day, probably waiting for you."

Ji Xinghuo nodded. "Take me to him now."

Yang Tianqing's office was on the top floor of the Archery Hall. The two left the range and exited the elevator. Ji Xinghuo deliberately slowed his pace. Through Magnetic Field Induction, he found that the nearby rooms were empty and there were no cameras. Only then did he take out his phone and turn it off, gesturing for Lu Yunhai to turn off his phone as well.

Lu Yunhai did as told, though he was puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going to the Star Realm."

"Huh?" Lu Yunhai was shocked. "Did something happen? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Any Aberrant who sought strength and wanted to go further down the path of life evolution would inevitably enter the Star Realm.

During the era when the Star Gates had first opened, many pioneers had dared to venture into the Star Realm as ordinary people in order to grow stronger quickly.

But things were different now.

The Star Realm was extremely dangerous for ordinary people, and the same was true for Aberrants.

For the sake of survival, both the ADC and the national Astral Department advised people to wait until they became Advanced Espers before entering the Star Realm, when their survival rates would be more secure. In any case, there was little difference in training on Earth before becoming an Advanced Esper, and channels existed for obtaining most resources, so there was no need to take risks.

Of course, most Aberrants could not wait until they advanced to Advanced Esper. They generally entered the Star Realm after breaking through to Intermediate Esper.

But Aberrants who entered the Star Realm while still entry-level were extremely rare.

They were usually either impatient and reckless young people who were bold to the point of folly, believing they would encounter extraordinary opportunities in the Star Realm and gambling with their lives;

Or people backed by families or organizations, protected by powerful teams.

Lu Yunhai knew Ji Xinghuo's personality well. He was definitely not reckless or impatient, but he also did not have any powerful backing.

Something unexpected must have happened.

"Something did happen, but it's not a big problem." Ji Xinghuo did not explain much. "I won't run around after entering the Star Realm. I'll only operate near Olympia City, so there definitely won't be any danger. Don't worry."

Lu Yunhai was doubtful.

If it really was not a big problem, why turn off their phones before discussing it?

But Ji Xinghuo did not want to say, and there was nothing Lu Yunhai could do. He could only sigh. "Alright. Be more careful. What a shame. It seems the Hall Master wants to recommend you to some top teams. I heard there are even League A clubs."

Ji Xinghuo froze for a moment, then could only shake his head regretfully.

A League A club!

In the past, he would definitely have leaped at the opportunity. If he could enter a club and be cultivated as a core member, his future would surely be boundless.

His second brother, Zhong Ming, was in a Tier B League club.

Perhaps they could even face each other in a match someday.

"Don't tell anyone that I'm entering the Star Realm yet," Ji Xinghuo reminded him. "Just act as if you know nothing. Once I leave the Archery Hall, I'll transfer the money to you."

He had not forgotten about lending Lu Yunhai 700,000.

"I understand." Lu Yunhai nodded silently.

After they finished talking, they turned their phones back on. Ji Xinghuo entered the Hall Master's office and met Yang Tianqing.

The Super Esper was dressed in training clothes. When he saw Ji Xinghuo enter, he rose from behind his desk and smiled. "Mr. Ji, we meet again."

Ji Xinghuo replied politely, "Hall Master Yang, just call me Xinghuo."

Yang Tianqing's magnetic field was exceptionally "bright." That afternoon at the Archery Hall, Ji Xinghuo sensed many Aberrants, but not one had a magnetic field intensity comparable to Yang Tianqing's. It could be said that Yang Tianqing was the strongest Aberrant Ji Xinghuo had encountered so far.

"Please, sit."

Yang Tianqing wore a warm expression and instructed his assistant to bring Ji Xinghuo a drink.

Only then did he say, "Your performance at the Shoot Leaf Cup was impressive even to an old man like me. At your age and Rank, my archery was nowhere near yours."

"You flatter me, Hall Master." Ji Xinghuo looked modest. "The Shoot Leaf Cup has produced so many champions. They're all much stronger than I am."

Yet Yang Tianqing shook his head firmly. "None of them are as good as you."

"Uh..."

Ji Xinghuo was somewhat taken aback. Clearly, this Super Ranger had noticed something as well.

He mocked himself inwardly. He had said he wanted to keep a low profile and develop quietly, yet those who paid attention could always see what made him different.

Unless he truly hid at home and did nothing, talent was like pregnancy—sooner or later, people would notice.

The two chatted for a few moments, flattering each other.

Only then did they get to the point.

Just as Lu Yunhai had said, Yang Tianqing had some connections.

Yesterday, he had sent videos of Ji Xinghuo's performance at the Shoot Leaf Cup to several friends, and every one of them had replied.

Three were Hunting Teams, one was a Star Realm exploration company, and another was a League A club. It was extremely well-funded, had an experienced coaching staff, and had been pushing for the Super League in recent years.

All of them were very interested in Ji Xinghuo.

As long as Ji Xinghuo was willing, interviews and tryouts could be arranged immediately, and they could offer exceptionally generous contracts.

"Thank you for your kindness, Hall Master Yang, but I don't currently have any plans to join a company or club." Ji Xinghuo declined politely but firmly.

He had already signed a contract with the Sharp Sword Bureau. Signing another contract with another organization would be illegal.

Besides, he could not remain on Earth.

Yang Tianqing could not help staring in surprise.

He had never expected to be refused. But seeing how resolute Ji Xinghuo was, and how unwilling he was to change his mind even after being asked repeatedly, Yang Tianqing could only let the matter go. His attitude naturally became somewhat cooler.

After thanking him again, Ji Xinghuo left the Archery Hall directly.