「That same day. 9:00 AM.」
The tram glided slowly along its tracks, the crowded car filled with people.
Lu Chao had changed into a loose gray short-sleeved shirt and black trousers. His left hand gripped a circular handle, and he stood by the window, his body swaying slightly with the car's movements.
His gaze swept over the people brushing past him. There were middle-aged office workers with hurried expressions, clutching briefcases, as well as tattooed gangbangers with fluorescent markings shimmering on their arms.
He gave the crowd a habitual glance. It should have been an ordinary scene.
But right now, his eyes were wide with shock and disbelief, his mind reeling.
And the reason was...
[Carbon-Based Human]
[Life Energy: 5 (Healthy)]
[Quality: Inferior]
[Consumption Effect: After consuming flesh and blood, can sustain the needs of normal bodily functions...]
'Intuitive sense... it can be used like this?'
Watching a passerby brush past him, Lu Chao swallowed hard, his eyes glued to the streams of data appearing on the panel.
He'd noticed something was off as soon as he'd left his apartment. Here, in the crowded tram, with so many people packed in close, the intuitive sense from his "Plunder and Grow" ability felt like an activated radar, constantly scanning everyone who drew near.
As if they were the greatest source of Biological Energy.
'It's a good thing I have no interest in eating the flesh and blood of my own kind.'
'Otherwise...'
Lu Chao shuddered, feeling intensely disturbed.
No matter how desperate he became for resources, that was a line he would never cross.
'However...'
[Life Energy: 7 (Sub-healthy)]
[Life Energy: 5 (Mildly Fatigued)]
[Life Energy: 9 (Healthy)]...
The panel's information flickered and changed as his gaze swept over the other passengers. Most of them had a Life Energy of less than 10.
'I can see through people's stats just like this.'
'It's not just their physical health—I can sense their Life Energy, too. I just wonder if there's a limit to this ability?'
Mulling over this possibility, Lu Chao finally reached his stop and made his way to the dojo.
Joining the Patrol Department required submitting a lot of application materials, which he needed to prepare himself.
This was especially true for the proof of his Fighting Level strength, which typically required the dojo's official stamp and seal.
The thought flickered through his mind, but Lu Chao didn't break his stride.
He crossed the familiar concrete training yard, the air thick with the smell of sweat and the sounds of exercise, and walked straight into the training hall.
"Senior Brother Lu!"
"Senior Brother Lu..."
Respectful greetings sounded out one after another. Lu Chao nodded, acknowledging each of them.
He could feel the envy in their gazes, especially from the junior brothers who had yet to reach the Fighting Level.
However, as his gaze swept across the room, data on everyone's Life Energy appeared again. Most of them were in the eight-to-nine-point range.
His eyes paused, then shifted toward the sparring ring in the distance.
THWACK! THWACK!
The thud of fists and feet striking echoed through the hall. Four or five of the Fighting Level senior brothers were sparring, and it was quite an intense scene.
[Carbon-Based Human]
[Life Energy: 29 (Healthy)]
[Quality: Secondary]
[Consumption Effect: ...]
'Senior Brother Xu's Life Energy is already 29... he's improving pretty quickly.'
Lu Chao was a bit surprised. He remembered that just last month, the man's Life Energy had been around 25.
Lost in thought, he scanned several other senior brothers.
Lu Chao soon discovered that when someone's Life Energy was more than double his own, it became difficult to read their stats; he could only see a series of question marks.
'So that's the limit.'
Now that he understood the limit, a new curiosity arose in Lu Chao.
'Then what about Shen Tianchen?'
He subconsciously moved closer to the ring, trying to get a look.
But before he could get a clear look...
"Junior Brother Lu."
A deep, steady voice called out from behind him. Lu Chao turned to look.
Zheng Wu was walking slowly toward him, his white training uniform stretched taut over his muscular frame, a manila envelope in his hand.
"Here, I've got the documents ready for you."
He handed over the manila envelope and explained, "The dojo's certification is inside. With this, you shouldn't need a separate test when you go to the Patrol Department."
"Also, I already gave my friend a heads-up. You can go tomorrow morning; he should be in."
He continued explaining for a moment before realizing Lu Chao was just staring at him blankly.
"Is there something on my face?"
Zheng Wu asked in confusion.
"No, Senior Brother Zheng..."
Snapping out of it, Lu Chao quickly made an excuse and looked away.
He then opened the manila envelope to take a look.
Inside were several pages of documents, mostly containing his personal information and details about his training at the dojo.
The red, stamped seal was prominent on the page—the best possible proof of his Fighting Level strength.
"Thank you for going to all this trouble, Senior Brother Zheng." Lu Chao quickly put the envelope away and thanked him sincerely.
"Don't mention it. It was no trouble at all."
Waving his hand, Zheng Wu smiled and shook his head.
Then, as if remembering something, his expression turned serious. "Junior Brother Lu," he asked quietly, "do you remember that small martial arts tournament I mentioned before?"
"Oh?"
Lu Chao paused. He recalled Senior Brother Zheng mentioning it during a sparring session. It was meant to motivate him, to encourage him to break through to the Fighting Level.
Later, he learned that this kind of martial arts competition often had newspaper reporters watching. If one performed outstandingly, they might even make the headlines and attract corporate sponsorships.
"Senior Brother Zheng, so the details for the competition have been finalized?"
"Yes, it's one month from now."
Zheng Wu nodded. "This tournament is mainly for those at the Fighting Level, with an age limit of twenty-two."
"But the rules have changed a little. Every dojo, regardless of size, only gets three participant slots."
"After Master and Senior Brother Luo discussed it, they decided that Junior Brother Shen, Junior Brother Sun, and Junior Brother Xu will be the three to compete... I'm sorry, Junior Brother Lu. I misspoke before."
As he finished, Zheng Wu's tone was low and somewhat apologetic.
After all, he had promised Lu Chao that if he successfully mastered Rock Hide, he'd have a chance to participate.
But now...
"Senior Brother, please don't say that."
Lu Chao shook his head, quickly recovering. "If it weren't for your guidance, Senior Brother, I never would have been able to break through in the first place."
He wasn't really dissatisfied. He knew Shen Tianchen was progressing at an incredible pace and had even mastered a true Secret Technique, enabling him to defeat many veteran Fighting Level martial artists.
Senior Brother Sun and Senior Brother Xu both had Life Energy around 30, so they weren't weak either.
Having these three represent the dojo in the competition made perfect sense from any angle.
Thinking of this, Lu Chao added, "As for the competition, Junior Brother Shen and the two senior brothers are incredibly strong. I naturally admire their skill."
"Besides, since it was Senior Brother Luo's decision, he must have had his reasons. You don't need to blame yourself, Senior Brother. It's my own fault for not being skilled enough."
Seeing Lu Chao take all the blame upon himself, Zheng Wu's expression grew emotional, his feelings complex.
Junior Brother Lu was not only resilient, but also magnanimous.
At this thought, he sighed, nodded, and gently patted Lu Chao's shoulder.
"Junior Brother Lu, even though you can't compete, you should still come and watch."
He said earnestly, "The fighting techniques and competitive styles of other schools are different from ours. Watching them can be very helpful. You can learn by analogy, broaden your horizons..."
"Okay, thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
Lu Chao nodded. After a moment's consideration, he agreed.
If he had the chance, he would go and experience the wider world of Martial Arts for himself.
The two chatted for a while, and Zheng Wu gave a few more instructions before leaving.
As Zheng Wu walked away, Lu Chao watched his retreating back.
Lu Chao summoned the panel again.
[Carbon-Based Human]
[Life Energy: ?]
'As expected of Senior Brother Zheng.'
A sense of awe flickered in his eyes. Lu Chao suspected the man's Life Energy was likely over fifty, far beyond an ordinary Professional Level martial artist.
THWACK! THWACK!
A sudden noise shattered his thoughts.
The sparring match on the central ring had just concluded. One of the senior brothers was sent stumbling backward, feet scrabbling loudly as he barely avoided falling off the platform. It was a sorry sight.
Opposite him, Shen Tianchen stood tall, his expression impassive as he slowly lowered the fist he had just thrown.
He showed no sign of fatigue or shortness of breath. There wasn't even a single drop of sweat on him; he looked completely unfazed.
For a moment, the training hall fell silent. Many stared in amazement at his improved strength, their eyes all fixed on him.
In that instant, as if sensing the attention, Shen Tianchen's gaze shifted, passing over the crowd to land on Lu Chao.
Their eyes met. Lu Chao stood his ground.
Shen Tianchen's expression remained flat. He glanced at Lu Chao as if he were looking at empty air, then gave a barely perceptible shake of his head before turning away.