Novelink Chapter 362: Lin Lan
Chapter 362: Lin Lan
Xu Wuyi followed the directions and boarded a dedicated shuttle heading to the Institute’s reception area.
On the shuttle with him were several other men and women, all between twenty and thirty years old. Their presence was calm and steady; they were all at least at the Martial Artist level.
They sized each other up, gave slight nods of acknowledgment, and then fell into silence.
Clearly, they were all here for the test.
The shuttle left the spaceport, traveled along a dedicated channel for about twenty minutes, and stopped in front of a silver-gray building.
The building wasn’t particularly tall, but it covered a vast area, its design simple yet futuristic.
Above the main entrance, a dark blue holographic emblem slowly rotated.
It was the emblem of the Federation Star Realm Research Institute: a planet encircled by gears and data streams.
"All test candidates, please disembark here and proceed to the first-floor lobby to check in," the vehicle’s onboard AI announced.
Xu Wuyi picked up his luggage, got off the shuttle, and walked into the building.
The lobby was spacious and bright, with a few clerks in the Institute’s uniform bustling behind the reception desk.
Seeing them enter, a young female clerk looked up, her face bearing a professional smile.
"Please present your identification."
Xu Wuyi and the others stepped forward one by one, scanning their personal terminals.
When it was Xu Wuyi’s turn, the clerk was visibly taken aback by the information that popped up on her screen. Her smile immediately became much more genuine.
"Xu Wuyi? Welcome to the Institute. Your test is scheduled for nine o’clock tomorrow morning in the General Testing Area, located on the third floor of Area B."
"Here are your temporary access pass and key card. Your room is in the Institute’s affiliated apartments, Room 703 on the seventh floor."
She handed a translucent card and a key card to Xu Wuyi, adding, "Dinner is available in the staff cafeteria, free of charge with your pass. If you need anything, feel free to contact the reception desk at any time."
"Thank you," Xu Wuyi said, taking the cards.
The other candidates nearby overheard the name "Xu Wuyi" and cast surprised glances his way.
Youth Tournament champion, a Grandmaster prospect, one of the Four Extremes Stars.
These accolades were already well-known throughout the Martial Arts world.
Xu Wuyi’s expression remained calm. He nodded to the others and then followed the signs toward the elevators.
He could feel their gazes—curious, appraising, and even tinged with a hint of rivalry.
’It doesn’t matter, though.’
’Tomorrow’s test will show them what I’m made of.’
...
The accommodations at the Institute’s affiliated apartments were nice—a single room, simple and clean, and fully equipped with all the necessary amenities.
Xu Wuyi put down his luggage and went to the staff cafeteria for dinner.
He ran into many of the Institute’s staff in the cafeteria. They all gave him a second glance, and occasionally a young assistant researcher would even come over to greet him. Their attitude was always friendly.
Apparently, he was already well-known at the Institute.
Back in his room, Xu Wuyi didn’t rest. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the carpet and began his nightly routine of Visualization.
In his sea of consciousness, the Golden Crow soared while the illusion of the Earth remained tranquil.
「The night passed uneventfully.」
...
On August 5th, at 8:50 AM, Xu Wuyi arrived punctually at the General Testing Area on the third floor of Area B.
The testing area was larger than he had imagined and was divided into several zones. A dozen or so other candidates were already there, gathered in small groups and speaking in low voices.
"Xu Wuyi?"
A gentle voice called out from his side.
Xu Wuyi turned to see a researcher in his early thirties, wearing glasses and holding a datapad, walking quickly toward him.
"I’m Lin Lan, an assistant researcher from the Institute’s Combat Testing Department." The man extended his hand with a warm smile. "I’ll be in charge of your testing procedure today."
"Researcher Lin." Xu Wuyi shook his hand.
"Please, no need to be so formal." Lin Lan adjusted his glasses, his eyes filled with clear curiosity and admiration. "We’ve all seen the footage from the Youth Tournament. It was incredible. Your Heart Image Prototype in particular... several senior professors in the research department are very interested in it."
Unsure how to respond, Xu Wuyi simply nodded.
Lin Lan didn’t seem to mind. He glanced down at his datapad and said, "Your test is divided into two parts. The first is basic data collection, which includes strength, speed, reflexes, Qi and Blood Strength, and Spiritual Power fluctuations. The second is a combat test, which requires you to fight a specially conditioned Star Beast Commander."
He paused before adding, "Don’t worry, the testing area has comprehensive safety measures; the protocols are very robust. We’ll mainly be evaluating your practical combat skills, your adaptability, and how quickly you can adjust to the traits of a new type of Star Beast."
"Understood," Xu Wuyi said.
"Then let’s begin with the basic tests," Lin Lan said, leading Xu Wuyi toward a row of machines on the left side of the testing area.
The first test: strength.
This wasn’t a simple test of punching force, but a comprehensive assessment of Explosive Power and sustained output.
The testing machine was a silver-white device, about three meters tall, with a dark gray alloy target plate on its face.
"Hit the target plate three times with your strongest attack. The interval between strikes shouldn’t exceed five seconds," Lin Lan explained. "The plate will record data like impact force, Energy penetration, and area of effect."
Xu Wuyi walked to a spot five meters from the target plate and stopped.
He didn’t use his longspear, merely clenching his right fist.
With a single thought, the Heart Fire in his Dantian flared, and Qi and Blood surged instantly into his right arm.
In his sea of consciousness, the Golden Crow Illusion fluttered its wings, and a thread of a searing Mental Realm fused with his fist.
First punch. Seventy percent power.
BAM!
With a dull thud, the target plate dented slightly, and a pale golden ripple spread across its surface—a visual manifestation of the Energy Shock.
The data on the machine’s screen flickered: [Peak Impact Force: 39.7 Standard Units. Energy Penetration: High. Attribute Analysis: Fire, Spirit Hybrid.]
Lin Lan’s eyes lit up as he swiftly recorded the data.
Without pausing, Xu Wuyi’s second punch followed immediately.
Eighty percent power.
The target plate dented deeper. The golden ripples spread wider, and fine, web-like cracks appeared at the edges.
[Peak Impact Force: 41.2 Standard Units. Energy Penetration: Extremely High. Attribute Analysis: Fire, Spirit Hybrid, with residual "Unquenchable" trait.]
The stylus in Lin Lan’s hand paused. He looked up at Xu Wuyi, his surprise even more pronounced.
Xu Wuyi took a shallow breath and unleashed his third punch.
Ninety percent power.
This time, the instant his fist touched the target, a dark golden flame flared and vanished.
BOOM!
The target plate trembled violently. The central depression turned completely dark gold, and the cracks at the edge spread across the entire surface.
A scorching heatwave radiated outward, only to be absorbed by the energy barriers within the testing area.
[Peak Impact Force: 43.5 Standard Units. Energy Penetration: Absolute. Attribute Analysis: High Tier Fire Element Realm and Spiritual Will fusion, with dual "Unquenchable" and "Piercing" traits.]
"..." Lin Lan’s mouth hung open. After a long moment, he finally exhaled and began recording furiously on his datapad. "Excellent... truly excellent."
He looked at Xu Wuyi, his gaze now filled with the fervor one might reserve for a "precious specimen." "Your actual Explosive Power already surpasses the vast majority of Level 39 Martial Artists and is approaching the Level 40 threshold. What’s more, your Energy signature is incredibly unique. The degree of fusion between your fire element and Spiritual Power is exceptionally high—something rarely seen even in the Institute’s databases."