Chapter 410: Ability Demonstration |
The main base of the Countermeasures Research Office has always been extremely valuable real estate. Being able to dedicate an entire floor to a training ground shows just how much the authorities value combat training for Ascendants.
Li Meng led the group to the far end of the area, where there was a large, open space spanning over a hundred square meters.
As he swiped his card for verification, the tightly sealed metal door opened, revealing a fully enclosed environment. The floor and walls were a peculiar silver-gray color, and the built-in bright light sources cast a cool-toned feeling upon them.
Li Meng introduced, "This training room is called 'Maximum Power.' As the name suggests, Ascendants can unleash their most powerful attacks and destructive force here without any reservations."
Silver Fox tapped the floor with her toe, hearing the low, dull thud of metal, a look of nostalgia on her face. "This is my first time back here since the Dragon Soul team was reorganized."
The corners of her mouth turned down, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness, probably thinking of the three teammates from the original Dragon Soul team who sacrificed themselves. However, she adjusted quickly, reverting to the Silver Fox who always wore a playful, cynical smile in just a few short seconds.
"Can we really go all out?" Yang Ran asked, touching the wall. "If I go all out, the flames from my strongest attack can reach temperatures over a thousand degrees! Can this room really withstand that?"
Silver Fox smiled. "Don't worry~ This training room is made of special composite metal with a melting point of several thousand degrees. If you're only hitting a little over a thousand, you won't be able to damage it."
"Several thousand degrees melting point? Then I can really let loose!"
"You guys don't understand, I rarely get a chance to go all out in daily life, always afraid I might accidentally start a major fire."
Li Meng clapped his hands. "Alright, time is precious, let's not waste it on idle chatter. Starting now, I need each of you to use your abilities. I will record and observe with the assistance of cameras, and later, Dr. Zhang Minglu and I will study the footage to determine your specific cooperative combat methods."
"Good, I'll go first then!"
Yang Ran couldn't wait to show off. He stepped forward and turned his head. "Everyone stay far away! The flames I create don't distinguish between friend and foe!"
After speaking, seeing that everyone had retreated to a safe distance, he rubbed his hands together and opened his mouth. "Blazing Fire Line!"
Boom——!
A bright, golden-yellow flame shot straight out from his mouth, blasting forward with an effective range of thirty to forty meters. The temperature of this flame was extremely high; its mere appearance caused the room's temperature to rise rapidly. Even at a distance, the others could clearly feel an intense, scorching heat.
"Let me show you another move! Starfire Meteor Shower!"
Yang Ran raised both hands high, channeling his Mind Power. A few seconds later, large clusters of fireballs condensed and fell from the air ahead.
In a short moment, a large swath of the ground ahead was engulfed in flames, as if it had turned into a swamp of fire.
"How about that? Impressive, right?"
Yang Ran turned to look at the group. Aside from Bai Xuewu, everyone else politely applauded for him.
Li Meng asked, "Yang Ran, what's your strongest move?"
"My strongest move... that can't be used casually," Yang Ran shook his head. "It triggers a massive fire explosion centered on myself, with a blast radius of up to a hundred meters. All of you would be caught in it."
"Such a large range? Alright, then use it yourself in the room after everyone's finished. I'll watch it through the recording."
The destructive power of these flames was indeed formidable.
Witnessing Yang Ran use his abilities, Guan Tong also felt that the latter's self-proclaimed title of "Fire God" wasn't entirely without merit.
However, if there was any shortcoming, it was that he was somewhat too specialized. While his attack power was strong, he seemed lacking in other areas.
Furthermore, Guan Tong noticed that Yang Ran's abilities weren't instantaneous. He needed about two seconds to prepare for his first move, and the second move took four or five seconds to launch.
A few seconds might not seem long, but in a duel between masters, it's likely the enemy wouldn't give you the chance to "channel your spell" — if his enemy were Guan Tong, Shadow would have already cut him to pieces before he could even use his ability.
Therefore, what Yang Ran indispensably needed was high-level defensive items, or to master Mind Power Flow and maintain a Mind Power protective shield at all times.
After Yang Ran, the others each demonstrated their abilities.
When Bai Xuewu's [Snow Traces] appeared, Guan Tong noticed it was quite different from when he saw it on Holy Grail Island.
Back then, the mecha's weapons were basically just two Power Swords. But looking at it now, several "honeycomb pods" had been added to the left and right sides of the mecha's back, capable of launching high-explosive missiles.
Additionally, rotary-barrel autocannons had been added beneath the arms, capable of rapid-fire area suppression.
Other auxiliary functions like shields and scanning had also increased by several types, showing that Bai Xuewu had never stopped deeply developing her mecha.
Guan Tong was quite familiar with Chen Na's ability.
Her changes compared to before were simply a wider perception range, more detailed perception, and the ability to judge an opponent's strength level based on the Mind Power she sensed.
But one ability she had developed herself was very special. Bai Xuewu had mentioned it before; it was called "Marking." As long as she had sensed someone's Mind Power before, she could place a unique mark on it. If she sensed it again later, she could immediately identify the person.
This ability could both assist teammates and identify enemies, giving her a very unique role.
Especially in the face of her perception, disguising one's identity was impossible — because appearance and voice could be faked, but each person's Mind Power was unique, an Ascendant's "exclusive fingerprint." No duplicates existed in the world.
This meant that if Guan Tong used the transformation item [Passerby Transformation Device] — which he had bought before and later gave to Yelanka as a farewell gift — Chen Na would still recognize him because she had already marked his Mind Power.
As for Silver Fox, Guan Tong was also quite curious.
He had known Silver Fox for a long time, yet he had never known what her ability or exclusive item was.
He speculated it was related to speed, because he had seen her fight a few times, and she always displayed extremely fast speed. During their first encounter at the fog gate in the Mist Rule, before he could even react, Silver Fox had already circled behind him and launched a kick.
Among the Ascendants he knew, her movement speed was second only to Lucifer flapping his wings and Shi Jingyi using Mind Power Martial Arts.
"My ability is very simple," Silver Fox said, taking out her two daggers. "It's speed stacking."
As she spoke, she bent down and started running. She was merely running in circles within the room, but she quickly made everyone start feeling dizzy and disoriented, their vision unable to keep up with her speed.
"When I use my ability, the more I move, the faster I become. If I reach the extreme..."
"You'll find," "that I can appear in front of you," "and behind you," "to your left and right," "simultaneously."
Silver Fox's voice seemed to come from the front, back, left, and right almost at the same time. Four identical versions of her stood around them.
Yang Ran looked horrified. "My god! So fast you create four afterimages?!"
"Am I your natural enemy?" The next moment, the four afterimages merged into one. Silver Fox's daggers were already pressed against Yang Ran's chest, one in front and one behind. "Your flames seem to burn rather slowly. If I were your enemy, I'd be quite troublesome to deal with, wouldn't I?"
Like Guan Tong, Silver Fox had also discerned that the weakness of Yang Ran's flame manipulation lay in its speed.
Yang Ran swallowed hard and nodded vigorously. "Th-that's for sure... If I were up against you, Big Sister Silver Fox, I'd be cut down before I could even activate my ability..."
"Hehe." Silver Fox put away her daggers, smiling as she patted Yang Ran's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm your teammate. I'll protect you."
"Yang Ran does indeed need protection. I'll discuss with Dr. Zhang about preparing several more defensive items for him."
After saying this, Li Meng looked at Guan Tong. Among the several people, he was most looking forward to Guan Tong's ability.
Guan Tong stepped forward. As he walked, a large number of shadows began to emerge from his sleeves and under his feet.
"My ability is to manipulate shadows. I think everyone is already clear on that."
Even though he trusted these people, he wouldn't reveal the existence of the [Wordless Book]. That thing was of great importance, and he had decided not to disclose it to anyone until he had fully researched it.
"Shadows can become intangible, or materialize. They can transform, and they can split."
As Guan Tong explained, the shadows around him changed according to his words — sometimes becoming non-physical, sometimes materializing, sometimes splitting into dozens or hundreds of sharp spikes, or transforming into the silhouettes of Li Meng, Silver Fox, and the others.
It must be said, even though everyone had some understanding of the "shadow" ability, witnessing these dazzling and bewildering changes firsthand still felt incredibly miraculous.
Watching this, Li Meng asked, "Guan Tong, based on the intelligence the Countermeasures Research Office previously collected about you, your shadows seem capable of infiltrating to gather intelligence?"
"Yes, shadows can activate the Five Senses and share the collected information with me personally."
As soon as Guan Tong finished speaking, dozens of shadow lines instantly transformed into dozens of eyes, staring at everyone.
Everyone immediately felt a chill run down their spines.
"To actually possess the Five Senses... So that's how it is, no wonder that intelligence... it all makes sense now." Li Meng said thoughtfully.
Actually, the Countermeasures Research Office had already speculated about this before, but couldn't confirm it. Now that Guan Tong had personally admitted and demonstrated it, it was essentially confirmed.
"These shadows having the Five Senses is way too terrifying..." Yang Ran shuddered several times under the gaze of those shadow-formed eyes. "Captain, your ability makes me feel very insecure... You wouldn't secretly sneak into my room to watch me, would you?"
"Hehe, even if I were to do that, I wouldn't sneak into *your* room," Silver Fox teased. "You're a man. Are you more interesting to look at than a pretty girl?"
Bai Xuewu: "...I suddenly feel a bit sick."
Guan Tong said, "Don't worry, I'm not that bored."
Li Meng asked, "Your shadows should have other transformations, right? According to intelligence, there seems to be an ability called 'Shadow Domain'."
Shadow Domain...
Guan Tong remembered, that was the name Lucifer gave it, and he even spread it around.
"Yes, I usually just call it 'Shadow Domain'."
The shadows rapidly surged out in all directions, enveloping the entire room from the inside in just a few breaths.
Everyone's vision plunged into pitch darkness.
"I remember this Shadow Domain," Silver Fox's voice sounded. "You used this ability during that operation when you fought Lucifer."
She was referring to that "Falling Blossoms Operation." Silver Fox had been present then. After having her arm severed by Lucifer while protecting Chen Na, she didn't immediately withdraw and witnessed the battle between Dragon Soul, Guan Tong, and Lucifer.
"Correct." Guan Tong's voice sounded in the darkness.
"Huh." Bai Xuewu spoke up. "My Mind Power is decreasing... This Shadow Domain, does it also absorb our Mind Power?"
Hearing this, the others also sensed it. Checking their Terminal panels confirmed it was indeed happening.
Li Meng exclaimed in surprise, "To think it's this powerful! If it can absorb Mind Power, it's practically like being invincible! No wonder so many powerful individuals were no match for you!"