The weekend was when Qi Wu was due to report to the bureau.
A black bulletproof sedan had parked outside his apartment building early, waiting for Qi Wu to get in.
Qi Wu took the back seat. The driver was a man in sunglasses with a gleaming bald head.
All four windows were covered with opaque black tint.
This left Qi Wu unable to see the scenery outside from inside the car.
Once Qi Wu had settled into his seat, the driver slammed on the accelerator, and the sedan launched forward with a piercing screech of tires.
About twenty minutes later, the sedan finally stopped.
The doors unlocked automatically. Qi Wu pushed his door open and stepped out, finding a sleek, futuristic silver-gray building before him.
A holographic sign floated at the entrance: "749 Bureau · Supernatural Ability Management Department · Nanjiang Branch."
"Welcome to the branch."
The bald driver offered that brief greeting, then drove away.
With both hands in his pockets, Qi Wu strolled leisurely toward the entrance.
The moment he entered the lobby, scanning beams silently enveloped him from all sides.
Mechanical eyeballs on the ceiling flashed red, seemingly analyzing his various readings.
Identity confirmed: Qi Wu, newly appointed probationary agent. Rating pending.
A mechanical female voice sounded.
"Whoa, so this is the 749 Bureau?"
Everything about the Nanjiang Branch felt new and intriguing to Qi Wu.
Compared with the military, the 749 Bureau really was more elite. Even its buildings looked more technologically advanced.
Qi Wu looked up and waved at the ceiling cameras with a cheeky grin:
"Yo~ Anyone there?"
Just then, a familiar, icy voice came from one side.
"Stop clowning around. The test is about to start."
Feng Yuyao stood at the end of the corridor, holding a stack of documents, her eyes filled with their usual disdain.
Today, she wore the bureau's standard uniform. Her black combat suit with silver detailing outlined her slender figure, and her long, fiery-red hair was tied high, giving her a sharp, capable air.
"Follow me. I'll show you the way."
Feng Yuyao's tone was cold.
Qi Wu walked over with a grin:
"Oh, the young lady herself is showing me around? I'm honored."
Feng Yuyao snorted and turned to leave:
"Keep up. Don't waste time."
Qi Wu shrugged and followed.
They passed through a long alloy corridor and several security doors before finally reaching a huge, circular testing arena.
Several holographic projectors hovered in the center, while observation platforms lined the perimeter. Quite a few uniformed staff members were already calibrating the equipment.
Dozens of Psychics of all shapes and sizes were scattered around the arena.
They were presumably all newcomers here for the test.
After bringing Qi Wu to the arena, Feng Yuyao ignored him. She went over to a bench, crossed her long, shapely legs, and began scrolling through her phone.
Bored, Qi Wu leaned against the wall and waited for the test to begin.
During this time, Qi Wu kept vaguely sensing eyes on him.
He tilted his head up and looked toward the arena's second floor.
Behind the blue observation windows upstairs, he sensed the spiritual energy fluctuations of numerous powerful individuals.
It seemed quite a few of the branch's powerhouses were interested in him, an S-Rank Special Recruitment.
They had come specifically to watch this newcomer's Combat Strength Test.
Branch Bureau Director Wolf Team was probably up there too.
Amusement shone in Qi Wu's eyes.
Then I'd better put on a good show.
This'll bring in another huge wave of popularity.
Nearly ten minutes passed.
Suddenly, a deep male voice sounded over the speakers:
"All agents, please assemble in the center of the testing arena."
Qi Wu straightened up and headed to the center.
The dozens of newcomers slowly gathered as well.
They kept a certain distance from one another, clearly lacking mutual trust.
Qi Wu could even sense Feng Yuyao sneaking looks at him from behind and to his side, her glare practically murderous.
[Irritation points +1] [Irritation points +1]
Qi Wu: ...
He shrugged.
Dun-dun!
At that moment, the arena lights abruptly dimmed.
Several participants let out uneasy cries.
Then the lights came back on.
The scene had changed completely.
They had been standing in the center of the circular testing arena.
Now, they were on a lush, green meadow surrounded by mountains.
The weather was clear.
Dazzling, scorching sunlight beat down on the newcomers' heads.
Everyone was dumbfounded by the sight.
"Wait, wasn't I in the testing arena? How did I suddenly end up here?"
"Is this a spatial ability?"
The newcomers exclaimed in amazement.
Snap!
The crisp sound of snapping fingers rang across the meadow.
At some point, a man with an eerily beautiful face, dressed in an ornate robe and carrying a folding fan, had emerged from the forest shadows.
"Welcome, everyone, to the 'Virtual Battlefield' for your test."
The eerily beautiful man flicked his fan open, covering half his face and leaving only his narrow, foxlike eyes visible.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the chief examiner for this test-codename 'Hu Yan.'"
His voice carried a hint of mockery.
Qi Wu narrowed his eyes, studying the examiner who had appeared so suddenly.
-He's strong.
Although the man gave off no obvious spiritual energy fluctuations, that faint sense of danger instinctively put Qi Wu on edge.
"Virtual Battlefield?"
A boy in a baseball cap beside him couldn't help speaking up.
"Were we transported into an illusion?"
Hu Yan chuckled:
"Clever. Though rather than an illusion, it would be more accurate to call it a mental projection."
He closed his fan and lightly tapped it against his palm. "Your physical bodies are still in the testing arena, but your consciousnesses have been drawn into this realistic battlefield developed by the bureau."
"Here, you can unleash your abilities to the fullest without worrying about injuries or deaths."
He paused, a sly glint flashing in his eyes. "Of course, pain is simulated at one hundred percent."
The newcomers exchanged looks. Some were excited; others were nervous.
Qi Wu, however, noticed that Feng Yuyao had somehow come to stand beside him, her delicate fists lightly clenched and her fighting spirit high.
"The test is simple."
Hu Yan waved a hand, and enormous golden words suddenly appeared in the sky-
[Survival Battle] Rules: 1. One hundred "Virtual Demons" will be deployed randomly across the battlefield. Defeat them to earn points. 2. Teams are permitted, but final rankings will be based on individual points. 3. Anyone "killed" by a Demon or who voluntarily gives up will return to reality, ending their test. 4. The top ten scorers will receive preferential access to the branch's resources.
"Oh? PVE?"
The corners of Qi Wu's mouth lifted.
"Interesting."
After glancing at the rules, Feng Yuyao's eyes brightened slightly.
Fighting groups of enemies, huh?
That's exactly where my fire ability excels.
Excitement bubbled inside Feng Yuyao.
Qi Wu, just wait. I'm going to surpass you.
Feng Yuyao clenched her hands.
Hu Yan's gaze swept over everyone before lingering on Qi Wu for a moment, a meaningful smile curling his lips:
"Also, the newcomer who takes first place-"
"Will get one opportunity to choose any combat team they want."
The entire crowd erupted!
Choose any combat team?
Didn't that mean-
As long as they took first place-
They could even join "Greedy Wolf," Nanjiang's top S-rank combat team, which answered directly to the director?
At this news, fervor filled the eyes of many newcomers.
Joining an S-rank combat team right after entering the bureau.
That would be the perfect start.
I have to make the most of this chance!
That was what nearly every newcomer taking the test thought, except Feng Yuyao.
Qi Wu could clearly hear everyone around him breathing harder.
Before you continue