Chapter 12 Learning Secrets

"Hmm!" Luo Feng nodded, his excitement barely contained.

Captain Wu Tong, standing beside the neural response machine, chuckled. "Alright, next up—Bai Yang."

Luo Feng approached Yang Wu, who stared at him with wide, eager eyes. Lowering his voice, Yang Wu exclaimed, "Crazy, congratulations! You're a quasi-warrior now. Once you pass the warrior combat assessment, you'll officially be a warrior!" Luo Feng responded in a hushed tone, "Yang , your neural reflex test was flawless. We'll make sure to ace the practical combat together."

"Definitely," Yang Wu replied, his anticipation radiating through his words.

Their focus then shifted to the ongoing tests. One candidate succeeded, another failed.

"Last one—Yang Wu!" Captain Wu Tong declared.

Yang Wu drew a deep breath, his chest heaving with decades of waiting. For years, the speed test had barred him from advancing, but now he stood ready to prove himself in the neural response arena.

"You've got this, Crazy!" Luo Feng shouted encouragement.

"I'm ready," Yang Wu affirmed with a resolute nod. He stepped into the red circle as Captain Wu Tong activated the machine. Dozens of rubber bullets blazed forth from spinning gun ports, their trajectories chaotic yet relentless.

Luo Feng watched Yang Wu's movements with analytical precision. While his friend's footwork lacked the fluidity Luo Feng possessed, there was an eerie economy to it—every dodge minimized effort, exploiting the full circumference of the three-meter-six circle with calculated efficiency. It was like watching a master chess player deflect attacks with minimal energy expenditure.

"This isn't just about agility—it's about precision," Luo Feng thought. "A single misstep could mean a claw through the gut. Dancing on the edge of a blade, but with lethal calculation."

As the sixty-second timer expired, the machine beeped.

"52 hits, no light touches. Pass!" Captain Wu Tong announced.

Yang Wu's fists clenched, veins throbbing with suppressed emotion. Tears glistened in his eyes as he realized his lifelong dream was within grasp.

Captain Wu Tong then delivered a sobering assessment:

"Your 'Subtle Step' evasion technique is masterful—minimizing movement to slip attacks by mere millimeters. But it's a razor-edge skill. In real combat, even the slightest misalignment..." His voice trailed off, leaving the consequences unspoken. "I urge you to prioritize broader evasive maneuvers. Safety margins matter more than flashy moves."

Instructor Jiang Nian added gravely, "Pride kills. True warriors understand when to temper ambition with wisdom."

Captain Wu Tong ultimately declared, "Three qualifiers: Luo Feng, Bai Yang, Yang Wu." The trio exchanged suppressed smiles, their triumph barely noticeable beneath the watchful gaze of senior warriors.

"What's going on?" Luo Feng whispered, puzzled by the sudden arrival of a silver-haired, black-robed figure observing the proceedings.

That enigmatic individual had been present all along, yet seemed phantom-like until now. His gaze was hypnotic—Luo felt himself drowning in its depths before snapping back to reality. Yang Wu and Bai Yang stood frozen, clearly shaken.

"That's Team Leader Qi," Captain Wu Tong explained, gesturing toward the silver-haired man. "One of our top strategists. Quite the intimidating presence, isn't he?"

The Team Leader offered Luo Feng a cryptic smile: "Impressive focus. You've got potential." His gaze lingered, as if seeing something deeper.

Afterward, Instructor Jiang Nuan led them to the training hall for contract signing. The document stated: "Injuries or fatalities during combat assessments are not the responsibility of Extreme Martial Hall." While acknowledging the low mortality rate, a bald warrior cautioned, "Survival rates don't account for crippling injuries. This is just the beginning."

The trio signed without hesitation, their determination unwavering.

"Your next task," Jiang Nuan revealed, projecting an article titled The Genetic Potential Cultivation Method onto the wall, "is to unlock your genetic potential. Every warrior's strength stems from this—evolving genes to absorb cosmic energy into their cells."

Luo Feng's eyes widened. "So the legendary warriors aren't just born strong—they cultivate their DNA?" The article explained how quasi-warriors with qualifying stats could begin this process, though the coveted guidance techniques (unique training methods) remained exclusive to sworn warriors.

"This month," Jiang Nuan concluded, "is your window to start cultivating. Good luck."