Combat Assessment and Yang Wu

August 1, 2056—the day of the martial artist practical assessment.

Bai Yang headed to the train station early in the morning.

There, everyone from Jiangnan Base City this year would board together and travel to the Wilderness Zone for the assessment.

Before that, the train would pass through the main urban area of the base city and its various satellite cities, picking up all the scattered candidates.

Bai Yang hadn't waited long on the train when Luo Feng and Yang Wu, as previously agreed, boarded and walked toward him.

He smiled and greeted them, "You're both here."

Luo Feng and Yang Wu's eyes lit up at the sight of him, and they hurried over to talk.

During this period, whenever they had free time, they'd discuss cultivation issues on their phones.

Luo Feng had made rapid progress in his movement technique recently, having broken through the bottleneck of the Micro Realm, so he'd gained quite a bit.

As for Yang Wu, the gap in strength was even larger, but precisely because of that—

Bai Yang only needed to offer a little guidance to hit his weak points, pointing out his problems from a higher vantage point and giving advice.

Over the past month, it was actually Yang Wu who had reaped the greater benefits, his strength improving very quickly.

It was far more useful than his previous solitary training or consulting the various instructors at the dojo.

Yang Wu felt grateful and admired Bai Yang's ability even more, so he naturally stuck close, hoping to maintain a good relationship with him.

The three of them gathered together chatting idly, while the train began its routine broadcast of recruitment ads from the major powers.

Aside from Luo Feng listening for a few sentences, the other two already knew this information and couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

"All martial artist candidates, the train is about to arrive at the station. Please prepare to disembark."

A group of martial artist candidates filed into a large military camp.

The camp covered an enormous area, especially along its perimeter, where a large number of heavy thermal weapons were visible everywhere, with cannon muzzles aimed outward beyond the camp.

Numerous soldiers were holding all kinds of sophisticated weaponry.

Luo Feng and the other martial artist candidates looked around—this was the Wilderness Zone!

Outside the base city, a place teeming with all kinds of monsters!

"Everyone—"

A loud voice reached every martial artist's ears, "Welcome to Jiangnan City North Military District. This time, the martial artist practical assessment for you 1,681 candidates will be held right here in our North District. I hope most of you pass the assessment, and I hope all of you make it through this practical assessment alive!"

After a short rest and lunch, it was time to collect equipment.

An officer handed Bai Yang a set of items, checking each one off:

"Combat suit, combat boots. Also, a communication watch with positioning and communication functions. Finally, the 'Long Edge' Type 2 longsword you chose yourself... Uh, you didn't pick a shield?!"

Bai Yang smiled and nodded, confirming that was all, then turned and left.

The officer shook his head helplessly. Every time, there were young people like this who didn't care about defense at all.

Fortunately, the monsters in Monster Town were carefully selected and not too dangerous.

These monsters would teach them a good lesson—getting schooled here was better than dying for no reason out in the Wilderness Zone.

Bai Yang walked back to where he'd been, and a crowd had gathered around Luo Feng.

The news that he'd been recruited early by the Limit Dojo had already spread in their circles.

Out of this batch of 1,681 people, only three had been recruited early by the Limit Dojo or the Thunder Dojo!

Everyone knew these three had promising futures ahead.

"Luo Feng! Luo Feng!" A shout came from a distance—it was Wu Tong, the head instructor of the Yangzhou Limit Hall.

"Uncle Wu."

Over the past month, Luo Feng had been living in Bright Moon Residential Quarter, naturally growing close to the head instructor Wu Tong, who also lived there, and familiarly calling him "Uncle Wu."

"Luo Feng, come with me." Wu Tong had just said this when his pupils suddenly contracted—he spotted Bai Yang beside Luo Feng!

Bai Yang naturally noticed him too and gave him a cheerful grin, looking quite friendly.

Wu Tong hadn't had a great time over the past half-month. Zhuge Tao, like a man possessed, kept finding excuses to cause him trouble.

At first, he couldn't even understand why!?

It wasn't until later, when he secretly dug up some details from that day's test, that he got a clue.

It was all because of this kid!

Zhuge Tao, having lost face, naturally wanted to take it out on him, while also asserting his authority.

Wu Tong couldn't voice his grievances and had no way to vent at Bai Yang, so he took Luo Feng and headed toward a small building—the major powers all wanted to see him.

In truth, they also wanted to see what Bai Yang looked like, but for certain reasons, they knew now wasn't the time.

Bai Yang knew what they were off to do. Bored, he decided to give Yang Wu a few more pointers.

The two had only communicated online before; this was their first meeting in person.

Bai Yang didn't stand on ceremony. He reached out and carefully examined the joints and bones of Yang Wu's body.

After a moment of thought, he said, "Brother Yang, you're older than us. You've suffered more, and your foundation is fairly solid.

But like many others, in order to meet the standards for punching power and speed, you've trained your limbs too hard. You've neglected the strength in your waist and abdomen, and you've also accumulated quite a few hidden injuries.

Don't be afraid of the pain—bear with it. I'll help you adjust."

Yang Wu knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How could he care about pain?

Even if the pain was severe enough to affect his performance in this assessment, he wouldn't mind.

After all, the practical assessment was held twice a year, and there were so many examinees here.

The proportion of repeat examinees was astonishingly high. He would have plenty of chances to come again.

"Brother, just do it! I can take it!"

Bai Yang didn't waste words. He reached out with both hands and firmly grasped Yang Wu's shoulders, channeling his genetic energy into him.

Yang Wu hadn't mastered the Genetic Energy Cultivation Method, and he had no way of knowing that this was originally his last appearance in the original story.

He only felt a terrifyingly powerful energy instantly destroy part of his muscle tissue.

Then, as if carrying the power to reshape life itself, it roamed through every part of his body, adjusting his physique.

Genetic energy! This had to be the legendary genetic energy!

Bai Yang had actually mastered it in such a short time! And it was already strong enough to help others!

Yang Wu endured the excruciating pain. Sweat droplets the size of soybeans kept dripping from his head. His eyes were wide open, nearly bulging from their sockets from the agony.

But he stubbornly held back his screams, only letting out muffled groans.

Seeing that Yang Wu could withstand it, Bai Yang felt satisfied. His efforts were worthy of his fate.

The Earthling Enhancement Project he was still considering needed people like this.

Although Luo Feng would later purchase various cosmic medicines for the benefit of all humanity, Why couldn't he do even better?

Then I might as well give you another boost!

Bai Yang suddenly increased his energy output!

One must understand that when ordinary people first comprehend the Genetic Energy Cultivation Method, the cosmic energy they absorb is merely a trickle.

Although the genetic energy Bai Yang was outputting had been converted and was relatively gentle, its instantaneous intensity far exceeded the amount absorbed from the cosmos!

Yang Wu could no longer hold on. He suddenly let out a scream.