"Instructor Hu, Instructor Hu!"
Pei Yan's two calls interrupted Hu Wenjun's thoughts, and he coughed awkwardly twice before retorting, "Ah, what did you just say?"
"I was asking how powerful our high-tech weapons need to be to counter these so-called sword masters?"
"Sword control doesn't necessarily make someone a master. In the Daoist Realm, not all cultivators know how to control swords. It's merely a technique used by certain sects. Even the top figures outside the Six Pavilions and Four Sects in the Immortal Palace can't withstand several rounds of rocket bombardment. Remember, I'm talking about enduring the blow. If they intend to evade, there are still plenty of ways for them to do so, and it's much the same in the other three realms."
Hu Wenjun took a drag from his cigarette, tapped the ash, and continued, "In fact, the world has maintained its current peace partly because if the energy of any realm leaks too much, it causes spatial collapse. Another significant reason is that a millennium later, they discovered that we, once weak and insignificant, had also developed our own path, which is science. No matter how powerful a sect, they can't withstand the explosion of a nuclear weapon and subsequent radiation from nuclear fallout. Conversely, their so-called forbidden techniques and spells pose a great threat to our cities, which is why we can maintain this tacit peace amongst ourselves."
Watching Pei Yan, captivated, Hu Wenjun extinguished his cigarette, patted his shoulder, "Xiaopei, I know today's conversation might shatter many of your illusions, but if you really came into contact with them, you would see that these so-called cultivators and mages, most of them aren't the otherworldly sages you imagine. On the contrary, they are even more selfish than ordinary humans you've known. You could say they are relentlessly pursuing their path with dedication and persistence."
"But from the so-called masters I've encountered, they abandon their wives and forsake their families merely to seek immortality and powerful strength. Such people, who only love themselves, won't care for others. I once visited the so-called Immortal Palace with people from the bureau, and the people there treat the lives of ordinary folks with disdain and indifference. It was then I felt fortunate to live in our current world. Despite its unfairness and imperfections, it has the most basic bottom lines."
After listening to Hu Wenjun's narrative, Pei Yan massaged his aching shoulder, processing everything Instructor Hu had said. Though he hadn't gotten a straight answer to his initial question, he understood more about that unfamiliar world. After a long while, Pei Yan looked at his hands with a helpless smile, "Ah, I still want to start ability training quickly. I'm almost forgetting what it's like to use my powers."
"Soon, just wait patiently for another two months. Your situation is rather special, so the bureau is being cautious. A training plan specifically tailored for your abilities and an appropriately configured team were assessed and assembled right after you joined the bureau. It still needs some time."
"Okay!"
After this night's conversation, Pei Yan was no longer so obsessive about the supernatural training; he devoted himself wholeheartedly into new training. But some things just happen this way — what you most desire often remains elusive when you pursue it, and it unexpectedly arrives when you truly let go.
During the next month's training, Pei Yan diligently completed the various stringent training indicators set by Instructor Miao. Life seemed to mock him when it came to shooting, horribly failing in results, despite being recruited for some so-called special shooting talent. Bracing for a scolding from Instructor Miao, he was met with a bland reassurance instead, "Good shooters are made by feeding them bullets, so just keep practicing without stressing too much."
A month later came the change. After the day's shooting training, the usually empty Jiezhi Space became crowded with over fifty people. Whenever this happened, Pei Yan recalled Hu Wenjun's words: The bureau is really idle most of the time. The idle bunch brings snacks and gathers here to watch him train as though it was a circus act.
But it didn't matter. Pei Yan still looked forward to the afternoon's vehicle driving training. He never imagined he could get a free driving permit here.
Seeing the coaching car slowly appear in Jiezhi Space, Pei Yan plopped into the front passenger seat. This time, the person instructing him was not Instructor Miao or Hu, but a fellow soldier named Zhao that Instructor Miao had brought along as a co-trainer.
After Instructor Zhao's patient explanations and demonstrations, Pei Yan switched to the driver's seat with excitement, reaching out to grasp the steering wheel. However, just as he was about to start the vehicle as instructed, he suddenly felt that powerful suction in his body reappear.
Panicked, he instinctively ordered his body to stop absorbing anything around him, but it was too late. A blinding blue light flashed, and he was inexplicably thrown to the ground, with Instructor Zhao staring in astonishment at Pei Yan, who had suddenly mechanized.
"What's going on!" Miao and Hu exchanged a look on the sidelines, immediately stepping through the crowd to stand beside Pei Yan, asking him.
"I don't know, it's ridiculous! As soon as I grasped the steering wheel, that suction appeared again, completely beyond my control!" Pei Yan lamented, looking down at his clothes, torn by his expanded mechanical body.
Hu Wenjun studied Pei Yan's eyes, knowing he wasn't lying. He reached out to touch the cold mechanical body, "How do you feel physically?"
"I feel my body is full of power, but it's not enough. I want to absorb more! More!"
Receiving this answer, Hu Wenjun pondered briefly and then turned to shout outside the crowd, "Xia Yu, come here for a moment!"
Pointing at Xia Yu, who leapt next to him, Hu Wenjun ordered Pei Yan, "Hit her with all your might."
"What?"
"Captain Hu said hit me with your full strength! Why are you hesitating!" Facing the bewildered Pei Yan, Xia Yu was ready with a defensive stance, eager for the upcoming strike.
Pei Yan looked at her helplessly. From their interactions and through Wang Wenze's tales, he knew this woman was a battle addict — a genuine tomboy — who unabashedly expressed her deep-seated love for combat.
Heaving a long sigh and seeing Hu Wenjun nod in encouragement, Pei Yan could do nothing but clench his mechanical fist and shout at Xia Yu, "Alright, I'm going to punch now — I can't quite gauge my strength, so you better be prepared!"
"Bring it on!"
The swiftly swung iron fist cut through the air with a crisp whooshing sound, heavily striking Xia Yu's raised arms. With a heavy thud, Xia Yu's small frame flew backward but quickly adjusted her posture mid-air, landing steadily after a leap.
"How was that?" Hu Wenjun turned and asked.
"Not bad, not up to my pre-awakening levels. Hmm! About the level of an ordinary Minotaur warrior in the Magic Realm," Xia Yu said thoughtfully, shaking her arms.
"Hit him once, and mind your power! Pei Yan, keep your defenses up with all your strength!"
"Oh!" Upon hearing this, Pei Yan's expression turned tense, he focused, raised his arms in the stance of defense, legs spread to stabilize himself, and waited for the incoming strike.
Boom, watching Pei Yan fly high and flop backward, Hu Wenjun put a hand to his forehead, "Didn't I ask you to be mindful of your power?"
"I only used thirty percent of my strength!"