Verification and Spread

The train car was not dim. Lights shone down from the ceiling, illuminating every detail inside with perfect clarity.

Wu Ming glanced around and quickly recognized several common fitness machines, most designed to test arm strength and explosive leg power from multiple angles, including a punching-force tester.

The only thing that caught his attention was a device placed at the very back of the car. It looked somewhat like a height-and-weight scale from a hospital, yet also vaguely resembled a CT scanner.

At that moment, an electronically synthesized voice came from the speakers overhead. "Wu Ming, please complete the arm strength, explosive leg power, and punching-force tests in order."

Wu Ming nodded and, guided by the electronic voice, completed each test in sequence. The entire process took only around a minute.

He then stood before the punching-force tester, took a deep breath, and threw a punch.

4196 KG!

The car instantly fell silent after that number appeared. Several seconds later, the electronic voice continued, "Relevant data has been recorded. The final test will now begin."

"Wu Ming, please stand on the device at the very back of the car."

Wu Ming did as instructed, walking to the rear of the car and standing barefoot on the machine as required.

The device in front of him suddenly began operating with a low hum. Two metal arms slowly descended from above, moving up and down against the front and back of his body as they scanned every inch of his skin.

At the same time, streams of data were transmitted in real time through an encrypted network to a conference room within a compound in Kyoto.

An elderly man in military uniform, his chest covered in medals, was pacing around the room.

When he heard movement from the control station, he immediately stopped and strode behind the operator. In a deep voice, he asked, "Has the data arrived? How is his physical condition?"

The young officer seated before the screen replied, "Reporting, sir. According to the instrument readings, Wu Ming's muscle tissue strength is 1.5 times that of Jia Qingshan, which matches the expected increase in strength. However, the strength of his skin and bones has reached 3.75 times Jia Qingshan's!"

"If conventional light firearms were used against Jia Qingshan, the bullets would be caught in his muscle tissue. But against Wu Ming, bullets of equal power would not even be able to penetrate his skin!"

"3.75 times?" The elderly officer raised his brows in surprise. "Why are his skin and bone readings so much higher?"

"The reason is unknown." The young officer shook his head, then added after some thought, "But Wu Ming once revealed that he had awakened a certain special sensory talent. There may be a connection between the two."

Just then, he suddenly said in surprise, "Sir... Wu Ming has requested a second test. He claims that he has another ability he has not yet displayed. Shall we approve it?"

"A second test?"

The elderly officer's eyes gleamed. Without hesitation, he said, "Approved. I would like to see what other surprises this young man can bring us."

Thus, shortly after Wu Ming submitted his request, the electronic voice in the car replied, "Request approved... Wu Ming, what ability are you preparing to test?"

Wu Ming did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "First, is there a camera in this car? Or rather, can you see what is happening inside?"

"...We can see it," the electronic voice replied.

"Then that's fine." Wu Ming nodded. "The ability I wish to test is called Spiritual Force. As the name suggests, it allows me to manipulate objects with thought to attack, and even make objects fly."

After briefly explaining the effects of Spiritual Force, he continued, "The ability I wish to test is the strength of telekinetic object control... using the impact force generated by controlled objects as the standard."

As he spoke, a thought crossed his mind, and a weight plate in the car rose into the air. It traced an arc through the air before smashing into the punching-force tester.

Bang!

A number appeared on the screen: 4053 KG!

The space inside the car was too narrow, after all, and the weight plate did not have enough room to accelerate. Its power was still some distance from his maximum output, but the difference was not large. It was more than enough for this test.

After putting the weight plate back, Wu Ming said, "That is everything I wanted to test."

The electronic voice fell silent for several seconds before sounding again. "Relevant data has been recorded. Thank you for your cooperation, Wu Ming. You may leave now."

Wu Ming nodded and walked out of the car. It had been less than five minutes since he entered.

When he returned to the training ground, Zhao Minghui had clearly already received intelligence regarding his physical data. He stared at Wu Ming with a shocked expression. "Spiritual Force?"

"Yes. It should be related to the special sensory ability I awakened in Magic City."

Wu Ming nodded slightly. "When I absorbed cosmic energy and the genes throughout my body transformed, a region of my brain awakened at the same time. That was when I gained Spiritual Force."

He briefly explained the process of his telekinetic awakening, conveniently attributing his original special sensory talent to Spiritual Force as well.

"I see." Zhao Minghui nodded, then asked, "Then what is going on with your physical condition? The examination results show that the strength of your skin and bones far exceeds your other attributes."

That was naturally the talent bonus granted by the Tungsten Steel Armor... Wu Ming did not reveal that information. He merely shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not entirely sure either. Perhaps I was simply born gifted?"

"...That is the only explanation." Zhao Minghui shook his head helplessly. As the world's first Martial Artist to awaken Genetic Energy, perhaps Wu Ming truly did possess some special talents.

He did not dwell on the abnormalities Wu Ming had displayed. After all, something as outrageous as Spiritual Force had already appeared. What did a slight anomaly in physical strength matter by comparison?

Zhao Minghui slowly let out a breath. "Now that we have the two of you as examples, those above finally have grounds to persuade the other officers regarding the proposal to eliminate mutated creatures."

"Persuade them?" Wu Ming was curious. "Research into mutated creatures has been going on for several days already, hasn't it? There are still no results?"

"The results came out long ago, and our investigation has indeed uncovered quite a few other cases."

As he spoke, Zhao Minghui shook his head. "But there are simply too many domestic matters demanding the attention of the officers. Without seeing a concrete threat, some of them are unwilling to make such a major move over this."

"Although we rushed out a second batch of special medicine, it is still merely a drop in the bucket compared to the vast population."

After a pause, he added, "And this is not even the final stage."

Wu Ming took a deep breath. Of course he understood. This was only the beginning.

It was only early February. According to the original novel, the RR Virus would last for a total of three months. There was still half the time remaining.

By the time the dust settled, that figure would likely double again.

With such immense damage, things across the country were surely already in chaos. No wonder Zhao Minghui looked so exhausted.