Chapter 110 A New Beginning

This is a new beginning. Bai Chenzhu sensed the significance of this and looked at Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye took Bai Chenzhu's hand and gently squeezed it. "Want to test your mental strength? Perfect, Azhu, come with me."

Xie Quan knew about Bai Chenzhu's situation and showed his approval. However, the others had only heard rumors and hesitated, fearing that Bai Chenzhu might lower the overall score.

Rashid was very excited: "You're no less than me, I'm very curious."

After these words were spoken, the other Earthlings had no objections.

Bai Chenzhu never expected Rashid to say that. He could only guess that he was not much worse than Rashid, but he did not expect Rashid to have such a high opinion of him.

——

Rashid had an instrument brought in.

The instrument is F-shaped, with a palm-sized display screen on top and a vertical, semi-transparent blue panel protruding from the middle. The rod is divided into seven levels, from F to S, by different colors.

“Let me demonstrate first,” Rashid said, and had someone adjust the panel. “The first item is to test physical fitness.”

The other Belisamanians stepped back to make way.

Rashid's eyes hardened, he stepped back with his right leg, raised his hand, and his wings unfurled behind him. The white feathers resembled the descent of a god from human legend. With a loud shout, he punched the panel.

A horizontal crack appeared in the wall behind the panel.

An invisible force rippled outwards, sending chills down everyone's spines. A sense of danger lingered, and everyone instinctively took a step back. Bai Chenzhu even felt that the panel might shatter.

Forget about the panel, with that force, the house would be gone.

However, the transparent and thin panel did not break. Instead, the lines at the bottom surged upwards like waves, reaching the highest point in an instant. The display panel at the top flashed three times, showing terrifying values, and a stiff mechanical voice sounded: S-level.

Everyone was stunned.

Rashid withdrew his fist with composure. "Don't worry, this panel looks hard, but it actually softens when it encounters hard objects. It won't hurt you."

Bai Chenzhu thought: Is this what we care about?

Rashid continued, "The second test measures mental strength."

It raised its hand and lightly pressed it on the screen. This time the impact wasn't as strong as before; everyone only felt something brush past in the wind before the machine shot straight up to the top, where the display showed explosive numbers.

At the same time, a mechanical voice announced: S-Class.

Rashid said, "Only two tests, simple, right? If there are no problems, let's begin now."

Jiang Ye stepped forward, and at that moment a voice came from among the humans, "Wait, let me try first!"

Bai Chenzhu looked over and saw a man in his thirties whom he didn't recognize and didn't know which major base he was. The man was tall and confident, striding out of the crowd, believing he could contribute to the deal.

Everyone else hesitated, but the man looked directly at Jiang Ye and asked, "Jiang Ye, what do you say?"

He was full of confidence, his gaze sweeping over Bai Chenzhu. Although it only lingered on Bai Chenzhu for a few seconds, Bai Chenzhu still felt a sense of contempt for no reason. His gaze seemed to say: If this guy can participate, then I can definitely do it too.

Jiang Ye chuckled, shrugged, and indicated that he had no objections.

Whether one test is done more or less, it doesn't make much difference to Rashid. He smiled and stepped aside, "Then let's start with the first one."

The man wiped his philtrum, rubbed his hands excitedly, and was very confident in his superpower. He assumed a charging posture, used all his strength, and even jumped up and punched the panel.

Just as Rashid said, the panel enveloped his fist like water, absorbing the numerical values.

The horizontal line went all the way up, and after reaching the B-level area, it floated for a moment and then stopped.

B? The man froze on the spot. He was about to question the instrument when Rashid clapped his hands. "Not bad. As a first-generation infected person, even an ordinary ability user has a B-level."

These unintentional words made everyone's expressions turn sour.

Rashid might not know the man, but they knew that he was already at an above-average level among superhumans. If the man was a B-grade, then most of them wouldn't have very high superhuman stats.

For a moment, everyone looked at Jiang Ye and Bai Chenzhu beside him, unsure of their strength.

Bai Chenzhu, unaware of what others were thinking, frowned as he watched the test proceed.

The man then took a second test, and the result was even more dismal: a D grade.

Rashid sent people to check the instruments, seemingly wondering why B and D were placed together at the same time.

Bai Chenzhu, intentionally or unintentionally, helped the awkward man out of his predicament, saying calmly, "Rashid, perhaps you don't know, but we have split into two mutation paths, with strength-type ability users making up the vast majority."

The man, frozen in place, looked gratefully at Bai Chenzhu, then blushed and quickly slipped back to Xie Quan's side.

"Oh?" Rashid was somewhat surprised, as it made the connection to the Anaret aliens whose abilities differed depending on gender. "Is it divided by men and women?"

Bai Chenzhu paused for a moment, then said, "No, it's random."

It's a rather unusual case of specializing in one subject while lacking another.

Rashid looked at Bai Chenzhu with increasing curiosity and invited, "Friend, would you like to be the second test subject?"

Jiang Ye patted Bai Chenzhu's arm expectantly and said, "Azhu, let's go!"

Bai Chenzhu honestly said, "My physique stats probably won't look very good."

Jiang Ye happily replied, "I don't mind."

"You dare to complain?" Bai Chenzhu, who had just been modest, immediately gave him a reproachful look, her phoenix eyes filled with sternness, but Jiang Ye's heart fluttered at the sight.

Bai Chenzhu, unaware of his thoughts, turned to look at Xie Quan and the others, who all expressed that they had no objections.

Things have come to this point, how much worse can it get? The results are already at the highest level of the test. As long as Jiang Ye can cover the bottom, they don't care about one more test.

Now, no one wants to step forward anymore, lest they lose face like men. That's a minor matter; if Rashid looks down on them because of this, and they break their promises, they'll truly become sinners.

Bai Chenzhu slowly rolled up his sleeves, stared at the semi-transparent panel, and turned to look at Jiang Ye. Jiang Ye, like a cheerleader, excitedly gave him a "go for it!" gesture.

Naïve. Bai Chenzhu took a deep breath, mimicked Rashid's stance, and landed a punch on the panel.

The readings at the bottom of the rod rose steadily and stopped at level D.

It's only slightly taller than the average person.

But he was much shorter than the man from before.

Is he really a superhuman? Apart from Jiang Ye and Xie Quan, everyone else had the same thought, feeling uneasy.

Bai Chenzhu was not surprised by the result. He clenched his fist and sighed.

Rashid rested his chin on his hand, seemingly lost in thought.

Jiang Ye watched with his arms crossed, looking quite proud. In contrast, Xie Quan had a sullen face. Someone tried to stop them, but Xie Quan raised his hand to stop them, saying, "Finish the test first."

Rashid personally adjusted the panel items and gestured for them to proceed.

The method of testing mental strength is much gentler than testing physical constitution; at least to the naked eye, it is far less aggressive. Bai Chenzhu raised his hand and placed it on the panel, immediately feeling a suction force drawing him in.

He released his spiritual power and carefully poured seawater into the bottle. All the people could see was the horizontal line on the pole moving upwards at an extremely slow speed.

Everyone thought it would stop soon, but strangely, the value slowly and steadily passed FEDCB...

Xie Quan was excited and breathing rapidly, while Jiang Ye was already thinking of clapping.

The numerical fluctuations slowed down, and Bai Chenzhu paused, looking up at the horizontal line that had reached area A. The higher he went, the more strained he felt. He stopped restraining himself and his mental energy suddenly expanded.

Jiang Ye felt a breeze brush against his face, stronger than Rashid's, refreshing and slightly cool. He closed his eyes and took a breath, as if he could sense the invisible spiritual power in that way.

The horizontal line advanced rapidly, eventually stopping in the S zone, with a value two hundred higher than Rashid's.

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Xie Quan was overjoyed and surprised, "This..."

"A promising talent!" Rashid was also somewhat surprised. As it said, it was extremely rare for an early mutant from a low-level civilization to reach the same level as it.

Bai Chenzhu lowered his hand and looked at Jiang Ye. Jiang Ye looked at him with bright eyes, his face beaming with pride. Bai Chenzhu knew without asking that Jiang Ye was probably thinking, "No wonder I chose him."

He has always been like this: frank, straightforward, and domineering.

Bai Chenzhu asked, "Should I record mine?" He was a little worried that his physical fitness score was too poor and would affect the overall situation.

“Of course, your mental strength is very high.” Rashid fiddled with the equipment. “Maybe you’re the highest one?”

Bai Chenzhu didn't think so, after all, his physical performance lowered the overall standard. "You... I mean, interstellar races, generally value physical ability or mental strength more?"

“I value both, but if you insist on comparing them,” Rashid paused, “at the same level, the one with stronger mental strength will have an advantage.”

"Same level..." Bai Chenzhu wondered if he could improve his physical fitness if he tried harder. But there was no use thinking about it now. He walked towards Jiang Ye and said, "It's your turn."

Jiang Ye stepped forward unhurriedly. His physique was undoubtedly S-class, just like Rashid's, and no one would doubt it.

When it came time for the mental strength test, even Bai Chenzhu was on tenterhooks.

He remembered the gray wolf and had more confidence in Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye echoed Bai Chenzhu's words, saying, "My mental strength stat might not look very good."

Xie Quan waved his hand and said, "Stop arguing and finish the test first."

One BD, one DS, this constant panting is already making it hard for the heart to take it.

Jiang Ye pursed his lips and placed his hand on the panel.

Bai Chenzhu was even more nervous than Jiang Ye. He watched as the stats spiked up so quickly that he didn't even have time to be nervous for two more seconds before it was fixed at Rank B.

S grade, B grade, excellent results.

Bai Chenzhu: ...

For some reason, when these two levels were put together, a certain word popped into his mind. If Jiang Ye found out, he might start making a scene.

Rashid clapped his hands and ordered the detailed data to be recorded. "Does anyone else want to be tested?"

No one wanted to take the test, and no one suggested that anyone else take the test. No one could guarantee that they could find a higher score than Jiang Ye and Bai Chenzhu—at least the first man who took the test made them see reality clearly, so they all became conservative.

Rashid explained the possible consequences of reporting the data.

"Wait a minute." Bai Chenzhu stepped forward and asked, "What are the principles and evaluation criteria for your machine?"

"Oh?" Rashid asked politely, "Are you interested in it?"

Bai Chenzhu looked at Jiang Ye and Xie Quan, "If this machine can really reflect a person's level of superpowers, could it be used as a standard for selecting talent in the future?"

Xie Quan looked at Bai Chenzhu with admiration in his eyes, "Yes, you're right. Rashid, we might be able to do some additional business."

Rashid waved his hand and laughed loudly, "No need to buy or sell, we have plenty of these instruments, my good friend, I can give you a few."

Rashid and the other lords left chatting and laughing, preparing to inspect the reconstruction work—with the advanced equipment Rashid brought, the urban reconstruction project in Kangcheng was progressing well.

The meeting then came to an end.

Jiang Ye pulled Bai Chenzhu along behind the group. As soon as they stepped out the door, he secretly slipped away with Bai Chenzhu. Around a corner, he pinned her against the wall, curled the end of her hair, and exclaimed excitedly, "Baby! We're a match made in heaven!"

Bai Chenzhu remained as steady as a mountain, patted his cheek, and calmed him down, saying, "The lord just asked you to go to his office."

"Who cares!" Jiang Ye didn't intend to get too involved in these matters. After all, he still remembered his promise to Bai Chenzhu to see the world and was planning to gradually move away from the center of the world. Therefore, he was nonchalant at the moment. "Let them handle it themselves. I finally get to go out and have some fresh air. How can I let work take up my time?"

Bai Chenzhu couldn't help but laugh.

While Jiang Ye was resting, even though Bai Chenzhu kept the others out of the door, documents kept being delivered to him one after another, with no one intending to let Jiang Ye off the hook.

As a legitimate assistant, Bai Chenzhu was also the one who 'aided and abetted' Jiang Ye in exploiting him.

If he were to persuade Jiang Ye to go back to work now, Jiang Ye would be too pitiful.

Jiang Ye asked in confusion, "Am I wrong? What are you laughing at?"

Bai Chenzhu leaned forward and kissed him, inviting him to go for a walk, "I was thinking, the weather is so nice, how about we go for a stroll?"

Jiang Ye felt that Bai Chenzhu seemed a bit perfunctory, but after glancing at Bai Chenzhu's serious expression, he realized he was overthinking it. "Fine! I'm getting moldy from lying at home all day."

"Good boy." Bai Chenzhu pinched his cheek.