The Night Stalker's temporary cordon had not yet been completely lifted; the spiritual pressure in the air felt like tattered, wrinkled, acrid cloth. Li was pinned to the ground, breathing erratically and covered in cold sweat. The lingering sensation of the 'Eye of Judgement' from when he lost control still throbbed within him like an enormous, hungry creature poking out half its face.
Jinguji Hai then withdrew the forbidden barrier, the golden runes dissipating into powder.
He stood before Li, his eyes as cold as a precisely honed blade.
'Stand up.' His tone remained relatively even, but the pressure was enough to make the space tremble slightly again.
Li forced himself to stand, but he still couldn't help trembling slightly.
Mio wanted to rush over and help him, but was stopped abruptly by a silent glance from Hai.
'President, what you just did—' Mio frowned.
'Shut up.' Hai interrupted, saying, "This is what he has to bear."
Li pursed his lips.
He knew that Gray hadn't intentionally humiliated him; it was a kind of professional anxiety, like a teacher checking whether a student could safely handle explosives.
Gray slowly approached until he was only a step away from Li.
He reached out and lightly tapped the centre of Li's chest with his fingertips.
'Here, two forces are pulling at you.'
'Do you know that?'
Li's heart felt as though it had been gripped by a single sentence.
He wasn't sure if he did, but he didn't want to appear weak in front of Gray.
'I felt it.'
Gray said in a low voice. 'You're a key candidate. If the seal breaks, you'll either be a saviour or destroy the entire campus — or even more.'
As these words were spoken, everyone around them increased their vigilance silently.
Mio clenched his fist and his Adam's apple bobbed.
Li took a breath. 'So you came today to reveal the truth?'
'No.' Gray turned his head away, a hint of weariness and indifference touching his lips. 'I'm going to start testing you.'
He raised his hand and a protective shield appeared.
'First test—'
'Can you remain conscious under my full pressure?'
Before Li could react, an intense gravitational force slammed down on him.
His bones cracked with excruciating pain and his knees nearly buckled.
Mio cried out, 'President! He hasn't—"
Gray didn't even look up. 'If he can't pass this, he doesn't deserve to be the key.'
Li gritted his teeth as the taste of blood rose in his throat and the world distorted around him.
But deep within that oppressive pressure, something faintly awakened.
Like a snake quietly opening its eyes in the darkness.
Gray noticed the instantaneous fluctuation of spiritual energy, furrowing his brow for the first time.
'As expected, there's another layer within you.'
Li gasped, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. 'What are you trying to prove?'
Gray withdrew his oppressive force and turned away as if the matter were settled.
'From now on, Li Liansi.'
He glanced back at Li, as if declaring his fate.
'You are the "Sealing Key Candidate" that I will personally oversee.'
'Don't disappoint me, and don't force me to kill you with my own hands.'
The wind passing through the heavy barrier became deathly silent as if swallowed up.
For the first time, Li felt less like he had been chosen and more like he had been placed in a giant testing ground.
He didn't know if he would become the saviour.
But at that moment, he was certain. Jinguji Hai was already treating him like a potentially explosive nuclear bomb.