On Eradicating the Plague (Part 2)

Since entering the Suhui Epidemic Prevention Center, Zhou Zhi had been observing his surroundings.

"There are many ordinary people... most are doing clerical work and filing, which is generally the lowest tier of labor."

"At the very top are the [Official-level] Plague Exterminators."

People like Li Xun, the Shu Ling he had encountered earlier, and now, the short, middle-aged man, Qian Yifan.

[Qian Yifan].

[Combat Power Level: Official-level Plague Exterminator].

[Pathogenization Index: 2.44%].

[1. Dark Skin: Long-term consumption of special medicine has created a weak drug resistance, providing a certain level of epidemic prevention when fighting diseases].

[???].

[...].

[This man has a sinister smile, like a rat in the sewer—perhaps that is why he still hasn't found a girlfriend].

Zhou Zhi tilted his head slightly, scanning the man's somewhat dark skin.

Then, he looked at the people in between, the crowd present.

Those who possessed a certain amount of spiritual power were generally called [Apprentice Plague Exterminators].

But Zhou Zhi knew clearly that this title only originated from the common folk; in reality, no such rank existed.

One was either an Official Plague Exterminator or an ordinary person!

And at this moment, what caught Zhou Zhi's eyes were...

[Ordinary person with weak spiritual power].

[Ordinary person with weak spiritual power].

[Ordinary person with spiritual power].

And a few...

[Apprentice Plague Exterminators].

So, the rank of apprentice still exists in my information.

Zhou Zhi's expression flickered.

According to what that woman had said earlier, given the current situation, there was significant competition even for unofficial positions.

Thinking about it, this Dr. Qian might be conducting a selection process right now.

Ordinary people aside, the few young people hidden among them who had reached the [Apprentice] level were about eighteen or nineteen years old; if his guess was correct, they should be medical students from Changdu Medical College.

"Oh?"

Qian Yifan drew out his tone, his sparse hair swaying slightly. "Which one of you requires a separate assessment?"

"Deputy Captain Ni specifically requested it," Li Xun said with a serious expression.

Qian Yifan walked past Li Xun and looked at Zhou Zhi.

He frowned slightly.

There was no visible spiritual power on him; it could almost be considered negligible.

He simply possessed a unique temperament.

Qian Yifan's heart stirred slightly, and he waved his hand. "Clear a path."

"Just in time, before the selection begins, I will teach you some basic concepts regarding Plague Exterminators... as it happens, there will be a test shortly, and you can get a preview of what to expect."

Seeing Li Xun's demeanor, Qian Yifan already understood what kind of simple, brutal test it would be.

At this moment, Li Xun, the white-clad Plague Exterminator who had appeared somewhat green earlier, slowly removed his outer garment and set his Plague-Slaying Blade aside.

Dozens of young men and women watched the scene unfolding before them.

"A Plague Exterminator possesses the three-piece set: [Plague Armor], [Plague Mask], and [Plague-Slaying Blade]. Any complete Plague Exterminator must possess these items; it is no exaggeration to say they are extensions of one's own limbs."

"[The 'Plague Armor' used to resist the erosion of diseases.]"

"[The 'Plague Mask' used to cover the face and prevent disease from entering through the mouth.]"

"[And, the 'Plague-Slaying Blade' used for practical Plague Extermination Arts and Clinical Martial Arts to purge diseases.]"

"However... because this is a test, our Plague Exterminator Li will not be using those three items."

A smile played on Qian Yifan's face.

Among the crowd, a defiant-looking youth raised his hand.

"Mr. Qian, what kind of... test is this?"

Qian Yifan waved his hand. "Just a one-on-one combat power test... the most direct and mindless method."

"One-on-one, then."

Zhou Zhi watched everything before him with a calm expression.

In front of him, the once callow Li Xun slowly rose to his feet, radiating an inexplicable aura.

"I will restrain my spiritual power; this is merely to evaluate your level."

"It is quite normal to have experience using spiritual power even if you haven't exterminated a plague."

The gazes surrounding them were numerous and chaotic.

Yet Zhou Zhi ignored them all.

Thinking about it now, that claim by Yu Jinhai about an extra quota was clearly a lie.

Whatever, he was dead anyway.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhou Zhi raised his hand.

"I have a question."

Li Xun paused, stunned. "Please, go ahead."

Zhou Zhi looked at the man before him. "May I use a Plague-Slaying Blade?"

The scene fell silent.

Qian Yifan's smile faded.

A Plague-Slaying Blade was not something just anyone could use.

Without sufficient spiritual power to drive it, a Plague-Slaying Blade was nothing more than an ordinary weapon.

Even a standard-quality Plague-Slaying Blade usually required one to be a third or fourth-year student at a medical college to be qualified to wield it!

The youth before them looked at most sixteen or seventeen...

"That is allowed, though we do not provide the Plague-Slaying Blade..."

Qian Yifan spoke up.

"No need."

Zhou Zhi interrupted Qian Yifan. "I have my own."

The scene fell silent once again.

Behind him.

Zhou Zhi walked over slowly.

He opened the black case he had brought with him.

Inside the black case.

A slender Plague-Slaying Blade lay quietly.

It radiated a sharp, piercing edge.

"This is..."

"A standard-issue Plague-Slaying Blade from the [Changdu First Medical College]!"

Qian Yifan was stunned.

Was this person a student from Chang Medical?

"Come."

Zhou Zhi raised the Plague-Slaying Blade.

He channeled his spiritual power.

His target was...

Li Xun.

Using a Bow Stance grip, the Plague-Slaying Blade swayed slightly.

[Lung Resection].

Zhou Zhi tilted his body slightly.

"The Plague Extermination Art is divided into surgery and internal medicine."

Qian Yifan's gaze fell upon Zhou Zhi's hand.

The youth before him held the Plague-Slaying Blade with a steadiness that was terrifying—he looked exactly like a Plague Exterminator with years of clinical experience!

"Surgery is generally based on clinical martial arts, targeting various plagues with external strikes. Our Changdu First Medical College, which is also Plague Exterminator Li's alma mater, is the medical college famous for its cardiac surgery."

"As for internal medicine, it involves using drugs to alter one's own bodily functions to achieve special effects. However, we in Xuanyuan have done little research into this... The [Elixir] of the [Chengyun Dynasty] and the [Synthetic Drug] of [Ultimate Bliss] are the leaders in this field."

Qian Yifan spoke with keen interest.

Li Xun, facing that sharp Plague-Slaying Blade, actually felt an inexplicable pressure.

His heart hammered against his ribs.

Spiritual energy surged.

With his Plague-Slaying Blade held horizontally, Zhou Zhi charged in an instant!

So fast!

The arrogant young man's expression shifted.

How could he be... this fast?

"Mastering spiritual energy and the Plague Extermination Art can enhance physical performance, but..."

Qian Yifan trailed off mid-sentence.

But this was just too exaggerated.

This speed had already reached the level of an Apprentice Plague Exterminator!

Li Xun was startled, his pupils dilating instantly.

His heart gave a violent jolt.

Spiritual energy coalesced around his right hand, becoming as tangible as steel.

It formed a blade.

[Heart Destruction Amplification].

Clang!!!

The blades collided.

A burst of explosive energy erupted.

A thunderous sound rang out across the entire arena.

"Oh no..."

Li Xun's face turned deathly pale.