Chapter 54: Two Seconds
Because of the slight mishap just now, both the people from the Dao Academy and those from the military had taken notice of Bai Mo, curious how he managed to move so freely through the duality of ice and fire.
At a time like this, it was best if someone was willing to step forward.
"Why does everyone always think with their muscles..." Bai Mo had always had little interest in combat, especially in sparring matches that offered no tangible gain.
However, such things were often unavoidable in the ability user circle, much like social drinking at a gathering.
He would much rather stay home and read a book or surf the internet than engage in these tedious activities.
Wang Qiong's invitation was politely declined, and the atmosphere instantly grew a little awkward.
Bai Mo's pathetically fake smile was simultaneously caught by the few people most sensitive to social cues.
"Perhaps I could..." Rong Jingya proactively interjected into the conversation, attempting to alleviate the awkwardness.
"If I may be so bold, what is Brother Bai's primary responsibility in the Dao Academy?" The single-minded Wang Qiong remained insistent; his emotional intelligence hadn't reached the level of the others.
"I'm eager to hear the details."
No sooner had the word "details" left his mouth than Bai Mo, like a ghost, appeared before Wang Qiong, nearly scaring him into a cold sweat.
...
After scrutinizing Wang Qiong for approximately two seconds, Bai Mo slowly extended his hand towards his shoulder.
Such a sudden movement almost made Wang Qiong, whose goosebumps had already risen, prepare to counter.
It was only two seconds, but Wang Qiong felt as if two centuries had passed.
His heart was gently squeezed, his liver pressed, the inner walls of his blood vessels poked, and even his brain seemed to be brushed by a gentle breeze.
He couldn't be sure if it was an illusion, because his eyes told him that the person in front of him hadn't touched him at all.
Yet, the sensation of his heart being squeezed, and his blood vessels being pierced from the inside out, felt incredibly tangible.
As a body-enhancement ability user, his control over his own body was far superior to those of other types; he could even consciously control a minute portion of his body's functions.
"Try circulating your spirit energy according to the rhythm I tap?" Bai Mo's finger lightly pressed on the other's shoulder, as if playing a piano.
"Hm?"
"He wouldn't dare try to screw me over in front of so many people..."
He was no longer a curious challenger but more like a patient facing a doctor.
"What is he doing?" Bai Mo's strange actions caught the attention of everyone present.
...
"Amazing! I never imagined Mr. Bai had such a skill." After circulating his spirit energy according to Bai Mo's rhythm for more than ten repetitions, Wang Qiong bowed deeply to him in gratitude, leaving the onlookers utterly dumbfounded.
The plot twist was so sudden, they couldn't quite wrap their heads around it.
"No need." Bai Mo casually withdrew his hand.
"For half a month now, I've had a faint feeling that the circulation of spirit energy within my body seemed a bit uneven, as if it had become knotted and stagnant at several points."
"That's quite normal. The autonomous circulation of spirit energy does indeed sometimes conflict with the body's original structure, requiring active adjustment."
"Thank you!" Wang Qiong bowed again.
He was a body-enhancement ability user; if stagnant spirit energy persisted in his body for too long, it could very likely damage his bodily structure, directly affecting his combat strength and even endangering his life, no less harmful than blood clots in an ordinary person's blood vessels.
...
"So that's what he meant by 'support'..." Some individuals, who had subconsciously always viewed ability user groups as mere fighting machines, with combat strength as the sole metric, for the first time gave consideration to auxiliary roles.
In the past, their development focus for abilities was entirely on combat; all research, in every form, was dedicated to enhancing combat power. As for logistical support and similar matters, they hadn't given them much thought yet.
Everyone's status and wealth were derived from their combat power, so naturally, enhancing combat power was their primary goal. But Bai Mo's performance this time showed them a different perspective—using abilities for production support might yield unforeseen powerful effects.
"Mr. Bai, would it be convenient for you to help me smooth out my spirit energy circulation as well?"
"Dr. Bai, could we step aside for a word..."
...
Seeing the situation, several individuals stepped forward to network, some even changing their form of address.
Everyone's power circulation was still in a phase of blind groping, and making mistakes or going astray was almost unavoidable. If they could befriend a great master who could guide them back onto the correct path, the value would be incalculable.
This alone was enough to warrant a group of people paying close attention to him.
As for why he could move within the ice-fire boundary, or how much strength he truly hid, no one cared anymore—or at least, they no longer outwardly cared.
Compared to their own personal interests, other people's little secrets were light as a feather. Who doesn't have a few secrets? There were plenty who feigned weakness to intentionally avoid the battlefield.
...
"Did you notice his initial movement speed?" After fine-tuning the circulation of spirit energy within his body, Chen Sen once again brought up the topic of combat strength.
"My eyes tell me that his initial approach speed to Wang Qiong exceeded one hundred meters per second."
"An ability user who reacts even slightly slower, even with Life Field protection, would undoubtedly be instantly killed if he harbored a shred of killing intent given such immense speed," Liang Gong looked at Chen Sen with an expression that said, "I have high hopes for you."
"Before they have a Life Field, ability users' combat strength is severely imbalanced, almost entirely characterized by high offense and low defense. It's like two ordinary people holding guns; both have the ability to easily kill the other, but at the same time, they themselves are very easily killed. Only after acquiring a Life Field does this problem begin to be resolved," Liang Gong began to explain.
"I can feel my Life Field's defense slowly improving every day. It shouldn't be long before your ordinary attacks will effectively be useless against me."
"..."
"What was your speed limit during the test?"
"About sixty meters per second," Chen Sen replied after thinking for a moment.
"The speed he's demonstrated alone already exceeds one hundred meters per second. As a martial artist, you should know what a twofold difference in speed means."
"It's not just the speed difference, but also the strength difference. In the face of overwhelming speed, strength, and defense, what is the meaning of technique?" Chen Sen felt somewhat lost.
"Martial arts cultivates the mind, not just the body's strength. Chen Sen, you're obsessed," Liang Zhen Dao said to the confused Chen Sen upon hearing their conversation.
"Thank you, I just hadn't quite grasped it for a moment." Chen Sen quickly snapped out of it, but whether he truly emerged from the shadow, only heaven knew.
...
"Does anyone else wish to exchange insights on their abilities?"
"I do!" Yue Yu said carefreely.
She was the youngest person present, only fifteen this year, and didn't have as many ulterior motives. Power, in her eyes, was just an amusing toy.
"I'll go." The only female representative from the military stepped forward.
"Hello, Captain Yue. I'm Chen Fangqing, from the Tenth Squad."
"What a coincidence, Captain Chen, I'm also from the Dao Academy's Tenth Squad."
"A pleasure."
"Captain Chen, don't bully me, like that person did," Yue Yu swept her gaze towards Bai Mo.
"Please." Chen Fangqing looked in the direction of Yue Yu's gaze but said nothing.
Yue Yu, intending to strike first, instantly teleported behind Chen Fangqing, planning to employ a kiting strategy like in previous matches.
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