The Supervision Bureau, training room.
A figure stood in the center of the training room, throwing punches without pause.
His form resembled a tiger, a crane, an ape, a bear, and a deer. Every movement was fluid, expansive, and full of power, every gesture displaying steadiness and practiced ease.
Sweat kept seeping from his forehead and neck, soaking his clothes and sliding down his arms and back to gather in a puddle on the floor.
A long while passed.
Whoosh!
As he threw his final punch, Shen Heng slowly let out a long breath.
He slowly straightened up, then walked toward the wall.
Standing before the punching power tester, Shen Heng pushed off with his feet and bounced twice in place. Then he planted his feet again, stared straight at the punching pad, and shifted his right foot slightly backward.
"Haa-!"
Shen Heng drew a deep breath, and the muscles of his right arm abruptly tensed.
Bang!
A tremendous sound reverberated through the training room.
The numbers on the punching power display jumped rapidly.
0, 50, 100, 150, 200...
The numbers on the punching power display continued to rise, finally settling slowly at...
232.7 kg!
For a man with no foundation to reach this figure, it would take at least two or three years of dedicated training combined with a proper diet to have a chance. Yet now, tempered by Origin Power, Shen Heng had reached it in a week.
Looking at the display, Shen Heng could not help remarking:
"Gaining twenty or thirty kilograms a day-is this the joy of cultivation?"
Just then, a broadcast suddenly sounded in the room.
"A suspected Calamity Beast has appeared on Wanxiang Street in Zhongshan District. Please proceed there to confirm as soon as possible!"
"A suspected Calamity Beast has appeared on Wanxiang Street in Zhongshan District. Please proceed there to confirm as soon as possible!"
"A suspected Calamity Beast has appeared on Wanxiang Street in Zhongshan District. Please proceed there to confirm as soon as possible!"
Shen Heng glanced at the speaker mounted on the wall, then swiftly ran outside.
Although Wang Hai had previously said he would only take him on missions once he entered a tier, Shen Heng felt he should still go out and take a look.
Shen Heng had only just reached the front desk when Han Ling and Wu Cheng came running downstairs.
"Shen Heng, what brought you here?" Wu Cheng asked curiously when he saw Shen Heng at the front desk.
"Isn't it obvious? He heard the broadcast and came to take a look!" Han Ling said.
Wu Cheng nodded, then remarked, "That really was quick. We only had a Calamity Beast last Friday. It hasn't even been a week, and another one's already appeared!"
"There's never been any pattern to when Calamity Beasts appear. We just consistently get two or three a month now! What, do you expect one to show up regularly every ten or fifteen days?" Han Ling said.
"Haha, that would be ideal!" Wu Cheng said with a laugh.
"In your dreams!" Han Ling said irritably. Then, apparently thinking of something, she turned to Shen Heng and asked with keen interest, "Shen Heng, want to come?"
"Huh? Can I?" Shen Heng looked at Han Ling in some surprise.
"Of course. You've already joined our Supervision Bureau. Isn't going on missions perfectly normal?" Han Ling said.
"Hey, hey, hey, stop leading him astray! He hasn't even entered a tier yet. How dangerous would it be if he went and ran into a Calamity Beast?" Wu Cheng protested from the side.
"What's there to fear with us protecting him?" Han Ling countered.
"How would that work? If Wei Leyang can't make it in time, it'll just be the captain, you, and me. I'm a mage. If the captain accidentally lets the Calamity Beast through, you'll have to block it for me up front! Where would you find the energy to protect him too?" Wu Cheng exclaimed.
Han Ling laughed in exasperation and glared at Wu Cheng. "Get lost. If anyone's blocking up front, it's you. Otherwise, what did you choose that lousy shield for?"
"But that shield's my last means of saving my life!" Wu Cheng continued muttering.
Ignoring him, Han Ling turned to Shen Heng and asked, "Well? Do you want to go?"
"Isn't there a rule that you can only go after entering a tier?" Shen Heng asked.
"Don't worry. I'm here. I'll talk to the captain!" Han Ling said.
"Does what you say carry any weight?" Wu Cheng looked at Han Ling skeptically.
"Of course. Worst case, he just won't go!"
Wu Cheng: ...
Shen Heng: ...
"Screeech-"
With a screech of brakes, a black car suddenly stopped at the entrance.
Wang Hai looked over through the car window and shouted, "Han Ling, Wu Cheng, hurry up! What are you dawdling for?"
"Shen Heng, let's go!" Han Ling raised a hand and beckoned to him.
Shen Heng nodded, and the three of them quickly went outside.
"Why did you come out with them?" Wang Hai asked, looking at Shen Heng.
Shen Heng was just about to speak when Han Ling spoke first.
"Captain, let him come with us!"
"Nonsense! We don't even know what kind of Calamity Beast we're facing this time. He hasn't entered a tier yet. Don't you know how dangerous it would be for him?" Wang Hai scolded.
"But he'll have us, won't he?" Han Ling said.
"What if we run into a third-tier or even fourth-tier Calamity Beast this time? We might not even be able to protect ourselves, let alone him!" Wang Hai reprimanded her in a low voice.
At his words, Han Ling ducked her head and cast Shen Heng a look that said she wished she could help but could not.
"..." Shen Heng looked at Han Ling, somewhat speechless.
"Those who haven't entered a tier can't participate in missions. That's a Supervision Bureau rule. It isn't just a restriction-it's there to protect you!" Wang Hai looked at Shen Heng and made a point of adding this, seemingly afraid his earlier words might have affected him.
"I understand! But..." Shen Heng nodded. "We work with the police department, right? There'll definitely be police heading to the scene first. Could I go along too? I'll stay with the police and won't join you in fighting the Calamity Beast! That way, maybe my ability could still be of some use!"
Shen Heng's words made Wang Hai hesitate. Seeing this, Han Ling's eyes lit up, and she added, "Exactly, Captain. That wouldn't count as breaking the rules, would it?"
Wang Hai thought for a moment, then nodded. "All right. Remember to stay with the police when we get there!"
"Okay!" Shen Heng nodded.
"All right, get in!" Wang Hai called to the three of them.
Shen Heng nodded and opened the rear door. Just as he was about to get in, someone suddenly patted his shoulder twice.
Somewhat puzzled, Shen Heng turned to look, only to see Han Ling giving him a thumbs-up as she said with a smile:
"Impressive!"
Shen Heng: "..."