Regarding the Plague Eradication (3)

Qian Yifan saw it clearly; in that split second, Li Xun had utilized the Plague Extermination Art.

It was a Plague Extermination Art based on the augmentation of the [Heart], and for a formal Plague Exterminator to use such a degree of power against a non-Exterminator, one could only say...

"Oh no."

Li Xun's expression changed instantly.

The Plague Extermination Art he practiced was entirely based on augmenting strikes against an enemy's [Heart]; such a technique absolutely must not be used on ordinary people.

The power Zhou Zhi had just displayed had startled Li Xun.

"This kind of power..."

The arrogant youth took a step back, feeling a sense of shame, and even more so, shock at such power.

This senior student, Li Xun, looked a bit dim-witted...

But he was strong.

One had to know that even at their Changdu First Medical College, at most one-third of the graduates each year could reach the level of a formal Plague Exterminator and obtain the Medical Department's professional qualification certificate.

As long as they could graduate, they were all Plague Exterminators!

That person was in danger.

Qian Yifan immediately notified the medical staff to enter.

The dust and smoke dissipated slightly.

"No need."

A low voice rang out.

Zhou Zhi held the Plague-Slaying Blade and slowly stood up.

"Not bad."

Zhou Zhi's right hand, which was holding the scalpel, was trembling slightly.

This Li Xun really was a greenhorn who had just graduated; he had clearly been frightened by him and had used the Plague Extermination Art subconsciously.

His hand hurt a bit, but more importantly...

The heart.

His own heart had come to a sudden stop for an instant, and an inexplicable pain had surged through it, causing it to beat rapidly even now.

[Changdu First Medical College] seemed to be most adept at cardiac surgery.

"It doesn't need to make direct contact; as long as it touches spiritual power, it can inflict a strike. Theoretically, the Plague-Slaying Blade is merely an amplifier."

Zhou Zhi extracted the useful information.

"This... how can you be fine after that?"

Qian Yifan blinked.

"It's nothing."

Zhou Zhi spoke slowly: "[Heart Strike] is terrifying, but I managed to adapt to it."

"By the way..."

Zhou Zhi put down the Plague-Slaying Blade.

"Mr. Li Xun, does this count as me passing the assessment?"

The scene fell into a brief silence.

Li Xun was feeling ashamed and was somewhat speechless, but upon hearing Zhou Zhi's voice, he immediately looked up.

"I was a bit heavy-handed just now, but... that was unintentional."

On the way, Li Xun was still earnestly explaining to Zhou Zhi.

In Zhou Zhi's eyes, Li Xun had become rather endearing.

"Mr. Li Xun, did you... just graduate?"

However, Zhou Zhi still posed his question.

Li Xun coughed: "Yes... World Calendar year 327, I graduated this year. You could tell."

In the corridor, Zhou Zhi nodded slightly.

An average person should have been able to tell.

"That said, you have already passed the assessment... Next, I will take you to the warehouse to collect your supplies. Generally speaking, there is only one item, which is the [Plague Armor], also known as the protective suit."

Li Xun said: "The Plague-Slaying Blade is not provided, but how do you have that Plague-Slaying Blade from our Changdu Medical? That blade is only issued to outstanding students in their third year or above; even I haven't been granted one."

Zhou Zhi carried the long black case: "That is another story. Captain Ni knows about it."

Li Xun nodded.

As long as Captain Ni knew, it was fine.

A Plague-Slaying Blade is considered a controlled item; the most likely scenario is that Zhou Zhi scavenged it from the Blue Stone Town Pestilence Zone, though theoretically, everything is supposed to be surrendered to the Xuanyuan government.

"Next is the third item: the Plague Mask."

"That thing actually functions similarly to Plague Armor, but it is far more precious. Generally, only Plague Exterminators at the Formal rank or above use them, and some even possess exclusive Plague Masks."

Li Xun knocked on the door. "As for you two, you can use masks as a substitute."

The door opened.

An old man guarding the entrance saw Li Xun and nodded. He then looked at Zhou Zhi, sized him up from head to toe, and tossed over a set of protective gear.

"Try it on right here. Saves you the trouble of coming back to exchange it if it doesn't fit."

The old man's voice was raspy as he lowered his head to continue reading his newspaper.

Zhou Zhi didn't mind and slowly put on the protective suit.

Unlike the protective suit he had found earlier in Blue Stone Town belonging to Qiu Ti, this one, while standard, seemed to be of genuinely good quality.

It was a pure white long coat that extended down to the calves, similar to a trench coat.

On the left breast was a small lion emblem.

This was the flag emblem of the Xuanyuan Kingdom.

[Xuanyuan Standard Protective Suit (Type III)]
[Pathogenization Index: None]
[Features the Xuanyuan Kingdom flag emblem on the upper left side]
[Capable of slowing the onset of pathogenization to a certain extent]
[Capable of reducing the degree of pathogenization to a certain extent]
[Capable of weakening Disease Seed-level pestilence contamination; effectiveness is significantly reduced against Pathogen-level and above]
[This Plague Armor provides a certain degree of physical defense enhancement]
[A pure white coat, a uniform that makes countless young girls envious—perhaps this is a man's romance]
[This protective suit is currently in perfect condition]

If one were to exclude Chen Chaosheng's black Plague Armor, this standard-issue uniform was the best piece of protective gear Zhou Zhi had obtained so far.

"This counts as a benefit from the Epidemic Prevention Center; Apprentice Plague Exterminators are allotted one per year," Li Xun explained from the side. "Although it's not as good as the formal ones, it's already quite excellent. However, take note: theoretically, this Plague Armor still belongs to the Epidemic Prevention Center and the Xuanyuan government. You are absolutely forbidden from reselling it or letting it flow into the black market."

Zhou Zhi nodded and placed his original clothes back into his black case.

"And then, after we go register your information in a moment, you will officially be a member of the Suhui District Epidemic Prevention Center. This is the first step on your path as a Plague Exterminator!"

"You're still so young. Once you've accumulated enough experience, it's not impossible for you to take the Medical Examination in a few years and enter the Medical Academy."

Li Xun seemed a bit long-winded now, but that was exactly what Zhou Zhi needed. "Having spiritual power and Plague Extermination Art isn't enough; you must also keep up with your theoretical knowledge."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Zhi nodded. "Thank you."

He followed Li Xun out the door.

"Actually, Mr. Li Xun, there is one more thing..."

Zhou Zhi had just started to speak when Li Xun interrupted him. "Zhou Zhi, just call me Brother Li from now on."

In truth, Zhou Zhi didn't really want to, but he had no choice. The man seemed decent enough, much like those idiots in his old team. "Brother Li."

"I have a question."

"Must Plague Armor always be a physical object? Do Plague Exterminators have to wear it all day long?"

Hearing this question, Li Xun pondered for a moment. "I'm not entirely sure about that. Fighting in a Pestilence Zone naturally requires wearing Plague Armor for long periods, but in the city, it's fine not to wear it."

"However... I have heard that Plague Exterminators above the Formal rank don't wear Plague Armor. Through special techniques, they have already integrated it with their own bodies, allowing them to achieve 'Plague Armorization' at any time... But those who reach that level are big shots, and their armor is custom-made, completely different from the mass-produced goods."

Zhou Zhi listened in silence.

In his mind, the image of that woman in the crimson-tasseled Plague Armor emerged.

That woman with the rose Plague Mask, who transcended everything.

Above the Formal rank, then...