Qian Yifan saw it clearly. In that instant, Li Xun had used a Plague Extermination Art.
An amplifying Plague Extermination Art based on the [heart]. And as an Official-level Plague Exterminator, using that much force against someone who wasn't one... all he could say was...
"Oh no."
Li Xun's expression changed in an instant.
The Plague Extermination Arts he practiced were all amplifying strikes aimed at an opponent's [heart]. This technique absolutely could not be used on ordinary people.
Zhou Zhi's strength had scared Li Xun just now.
"This kind of power..."
The defiant young man took a step back. He felt somewhat ashamed, and even more shocked by such power.
This senior Li Xun seemed a little dazed...
But he was so strong.
Even at Changdu First Medical College, at most only a third of each year's graduating class could qualify as Official-level Plague Exterminators and obtain a practice certificate from the Medical Department.
As long as they graduated, they were all Plague Exterminators!
That person was in danger.
Qian Yifan immediately called for the medical staff to come in.
The dust slowly began to settle.
"No need."
A low voice rang out.
Holding the Plague-Slaying Blade, Zhou Zhi slowly rose to his feet.
"Not bad."
The right hand holding the scalpel trembled slightly.
Li Xun really was a freshly graduated greenhorn. He had obviously been frightened by Zhou Zhi and used his Plague Extermination Art on instinct.
His hand hurt a little, but more importantly...
His heart.
His heart had stopped for an instant. An inexplicable pain surged through him, and it was still beating fast.
Changdu First Medical College seemed to specialize in cardiac surgery.
"You don't need to land a direct hit. Just making contact with spiritual power is enough to deliver a strike. In theory, the Plague-Slaying Blade is only an amplifier."
Zhou Zhi sorted through the useful information.
"Y-you're really all right?"
Qian Yifan blinked.
"I'm fine," Zhou Zhi said slowly. "Though Heart Strike is terrifying, I can handle it."
"By the way..."
Zhou Zhi lowered the Plague-Slaying Blade.
"Mr. Li Xun, does this mean I passed the assessment?"
The scene fell silent.
Li Xun was still mortified and couldn't find the words. At the sound of Zhou Zhi's voice, he immediately looked up.
"I was a little heavy-handed just now, but... I didn't mean to."
On the way, Li Xun kept earnestly explaining himself to Zhou Zhi.
In Zhou Zhi's eyes, Li Xun had become rather endearing.
"Mr. Li Xun, did you... just graduate?"
Still, Zhou Zhi asked what he wanted to know.
Li Xun coughed. "Yeah... I graduated this year, in World Calendar Year 327. You saw right through me."
In the corridor, Zhou Zhi nodded slightly.
Anyone could probably tell.
"Anyway, you've passed the assessment. Next, I'll take you to the storeroom to collect your supplies. Usually, there's just one item: Plague Armor, also known as an Epidemic Prevention Suit."
Li Xun said, "They don't provide Plague-Slaying Blades. But how did you get the one from Chang Medical? Only outstanding students in their third year or above are awarded one. Even I never got one."
Zhou Zhi carried the long Black Box. "That's another story. Captain Ni knows about it."
Li Xun nodded.
As long as Captain Ni knew, that was fine.
Plague-Slaying Blades were controlled supplies. Most likely, Zhou Zhi had scavenged it from the Pestilence Zone in Blue Stone Town, but in theory, everything had to be handed over to the Xuanyuan Government.
"Then there's the third item, the Plague Mask."
"It actually serves much the same purpose as Plague Armor, but it's more precious. Usually, only Official-level Plague Exterminators and above use one. Some even have their own specialized Plague Masks."
Li Xun knocked on the door. "As for you, you can use a face mask instead."
The door opened.
An old man guarding the place saw Li Xun and nodded. Then he looked Zhou Zhi up and down before tossing him an Epidemic Prevention Suit.
"Try it on here. Saves you from finding it doesn't fit after you get back and having to come all the way back to exchange it. What a hassle."
The old man's voice was a little hoarse. He lowered his head and went back to reading his newspaper.
Zhou Zhi didn't mind and slowly put on the Epidemic Prevention Suit.
It was different from the Epidemic Prevention Suit he had found on Qiu Ti in Blue Stone Town.
This suit was plain, but its quality seemed genuinely good.
A pure white coat that reached down to his calves, much like a trench coat.
A small lion emblem was stitched over the left breast.
It was the flag emblem of Xuanyuan.
[Xuanyuan Standard Protective Suit (Type Three)]
[Pathogenization Index: No Pathogenization]
[An emblem of the Xuanyuan Kingdom's flag is on the upper left side.]
[Can slow the onset of Pathogenization to a certain extent.]
[Can reduce the degree of Pathogenization to a certain extent.]
[Can weaken the contamination caused by Disease Seed-level Pestilences. Its effect against Pathogens and higher-level Pestilences is greatly reduced.]
[This Plague Armor can increase physical defense to a certain extent.]
[The pure white coat, a uniform envied by countless young women. Perhaps this is what men's romance looks like.]
[This Epidemic Prevention Suit is currently in perfect condition.]
Aside from Chen Chaosheng's black Plague Armor, this standard uniform was probably the best Epidemic Prevention Suit Zhou Zhi had obtained so far.
"This is one of the Epidemic Prevention Center's benefits. Apprentice Plague Exterminators get an allotment of one each year."
Li Xun explained, "It's not as good as the official ones, but it's already quite decent. Just remember, in theory, this Plague Armor still belongs to the Epidemic Prevention Center and the Xuanyuan Government. You absolutely must not resell it or let it enter the market."
Zhou Zhi nodded and put his old clothes back in the Black Box.
"Then, after we enter your information in a bit, you'll officially join the Suhui District Epidemic Prevention Center. This is the first step on your path as a Plague Exterminator!"
"You're still young. Build up some experience, and in a few years, you might even be able to take the Medical Examination and get into a Medical Academy."
Li Xun was getting a little long-winded, but that was exactly what Zhou Zhi needed. "Spiritual power and Plague Extermination Arts alone aren't enough. You need to keep up with the theory, too."
After a brief silence, Zhou Zhi nodded. "Thanks."
He followed Li Xun out the door.
"Actually, Mr. Li Xun, there's one more thing..."
Zhou Zhi had barely begun when Li Xun cut him off. "Zhou Zhi, just call me Brother Li from now on."
Zhou Zhi didn't really want to, but there wasn't much he could do. The guy seemed decent enough, like the few idiots on his old team. "Brother Li."
"I have a question."
"Does Plague Armor have to be a physical object? Do Plague Exterminators have to wear it all day?"
Li Xun thought for a moment. "I'm not really sure about that. Anyway, when you go fight in a Pestilence Zone, you wear Plague Armor for a long time. In the city, it doesn't matter if you don't wear it."
"But... I've heard that Plague Exterminators above the Official level don't wear Plague Armor. Through special techniques, they've already fused with their own armor and can transform into it at any time... But those who reach that level are all big shots, and their armor is custom-made, completely different from the mass-produced stuff."
Zhou Zhi listened in silence.
In his mind, he pictured the woman in the crimson-fringed Plague Armor.
The woman with the rose Plague Mask, who surpassed everyone.
So, above the Official level...
Before you continue