The next testing segment was quite ordinary, inevitably a bit dull. But the onlookers found it thoroughly entertaining.
The reason was simple. Watching ordinary people panting after running 800 meters wasn’t interesting, but seeing Zhao Xiaokui briskly stride on the treadmill, with the speed of her legs creating momentary illusions, was quite captivating.
It was more thrilling than watching the Olympics.
“Screenshots can only capture the afterimages…” someone silently sighed, “It’s truly otherworldly.”
Even if Zhao Xiaokui slowed down, the results she ultimately achieved were quite astonishing.
Such data didn’t have much reference significance, but for superhumans like Zhao Xiaokui of the third tier and above, their physical abilities were confidential. A staggering data point was enough to impress viewers who didn’t understand much about it. Of course, Su Mingyue, responsible for the registration, dutifully recorded the numbers.
After the speed test, there was a test for striking ability. A specially designed testing device was placed in the middle of the room. Zhao Xiaokui turned and asked, “What is the upper limit of this device?”
Su Mingyue understood what she meant, smiled, and reported a number.
Zhao Xiaokui casually swung her fist. Her hands were slender, forming a beautiful fist that looked delicate, like porcelain. However, with this seemingly fragile fist, she effortlessly struck the testing device, and several nines instantly appeared.
The live chat was filled with exclamations.
Someone revealed the truth, “So, her physical abilities have surpassed the test’s limits, and that’s why they are testing within a specific range, right? Whether it’s striking ability or control over strength, I’m impressed, completely impressed.”
But more people were overwhelmed with excitement.
In the preceding videos, there had been explanations stating that the so-called super soldiers were created through a combination of cultivation and supplemental technological means. This implied that if individuals were to obtain the same cultivation methods, they might also transform into people like Zhao Xiaokui.
Many held onto this beautiful aspiration. As soon as the live broadcast began, even before the recruitment materials for the next half-year were released, those eager to enlist filled out their volunteer forms. The influx of people overwhelmed the recruitment website to the point that it crashed. The official personnel in charge of the website had to urgently rent an additional server to expand its capacity.
As expected, the website soon crashed again.
Among those signing up were not only young men and women but also quite several older individuals.
Filled with longing for mysterious powers and the prospect of being associated with them once in the military, they couldn’t wait to become honorable volunteer soldiers.
Zhao Xiaokui was unaware of the significant contribution she made to this year’s recruitment campaign, but the higher-ups were delighted. Upon hearing the news, even the top leadership laughed heartily, with some even pounding the table.
At present, what worried them the most?
Was it insufficiently powerful weapons? Were there not enough opened relics?
No, neither of those. Their biggest challenge was the scarcity of superhumans, and it was too difficult for ordinary superhumans to advance.
They had a good amount of official training materials, but the best ones were certainly reserved for their own people. Currently circulating on the internet were just a few basic cultivation methods of mass appeal, accessible to anyone. Unless someone had exceptional talent, there wasn’t a significant difference between individuals.
With powerful weaponry, they could better cope with the impending dangers.
The data tested by Zhao Xiaokui left the masses in awe, thinking that they might also become such individuals, filling their hearts with hope. Of course, there were also stubborn individuals who, after seeing Zhao Xiaokui’s image, felt fear and found it absurd and frightening.
“Is this a monster? Covered in scales, mutated ears, and beast-like eyes, it’s too terrifying. If practicing leads to becoming like this, I’d rather be an ordinary person for my entire life.”
“Am I the only one who finds her appearance hideous? A perfectly fine person turning into a strange creature, why would anyone want that?”
“This is definitely a monster. The country must have experimented on her, turning her into this. She’ll face divine punishment in the future…”
Such comments appearing didn’t surprise anyone.
If the online world had truly been harmonious, with everyone tacitly accepting the sudden mutation on Zhao Xiaokui’s body and the display of her extraordinary power, that would have been more unsettling.
These things didn’t bother Zhao Xiaokui. Standing on the stage, she had people in the background ready to clear away all these obstacles for her.
The Nightwalkers subdued the comments, allowing the more positive ones to surface while scrutinizing and verifying the few who were setting the tone. Those with issues were taken away, and even those without problems were given warnings.
Strangely, perhaps due to the innate human tendency towards curiosity, those who grumbled and complained, despite their harsh words, refused to take their eyes off the screen, watching Zhao Xiaokui freely unleash her power.
The mutations brought about by extraordinary powers weren’t always as aesthetically pleasing as Zhao Xiaokui’s. There were many grotesque transformations, but this had nothing to do with Zhao Xiaokui. She merely showcased her own physique without intending to mislead others.
In this society where appearances mattered, having a good-looking face still had its advantages.
Before the Nightwalkers could take action, Zhao Xiaokui’s fans, the Xiaokui Flowers, along with the onlookers attracted by the commotion, raised their rotten eggs and large stones and vigorously pelted those questioning individuals.
“Calling this ugly, dear, we suggest you go get your eyes checked here. If you don’t need them, you can consider donating them to someone in need.”
“What’s this nonsense? Speaking as if you can grow whatever you want. Haven’t you seen the subtitles? Zhao Xiaokui underwent a special mutation. Oh, if only I could mutate to look as good as her, I could—”
“Ugly people are often troublesome. Those in the chat calling her face ugly must be ugly themselves, right? Otherwise, why would they be so jealous of our Xiaokui?”
After some teasing, the tone in the chat regained its lively atmosphere.
While the testing with the instruments was indeed exciting, it was still objective data. Without experiencing it personally, the surprise and admiration were somewhat weak, failing to achieve a significant promotional effect.
So, a vampire who had been captured and locked in the Bright Prison was released.
Vampires, as creatures of the dark, were supposed to be incompatible with the Bright Prison, a place governed by light, where they were destined for a life-and-death struggle.
However, after Zhao Xiaokui took the vampire for a visit, she learned that there were areas inside not bathed in holy light, serving as a special prison to contain powerful and dangerous entities.
A vampire, given the title of “ro,” was fortunate enough to be allocated to this place in S City.
Naturally, the official authorities of Huaxia couldn’t allow the vampire to drink blood. After being imprisoned for a long time, the vampire, once handsome, now looked emaciated.
When released, it hunched its back. Its black eyes seem almost lifeless, fixedly staring at Zhao Xiaokui with a look filled with greed and madness.
The camera zoomed in, providing an extremely close-up shot that startled the fans sitting in front of various screens, even leaving those who had criticized Zhao Xiaokui speechless. When Zhao Xiaokui transformed, her dark golden eyes, though cold, conveyed a godly aura, not causing discomfort or oppression.
On the other hand, the just-released vampire resembled a complete beast, and everyone did not doubt that if given the chance to escape, it would find a way to kill everyone present.
Perhaps hunger had driven the vampire’s growth. Its curled-up body moved much faster than the first encounter, appearing even more visceral. Often, it adopted a reckless approach, intentionally directing its weak points towards Zhao Xiaokui’s hands.
Zhao Xiaokui is not foolish. The reason she agreed to the live broadcast is to showcase the existence of superhumans, right? If she easily took down the enemy in a few moves, what spectacle would the live broadcast offer?
So, even though she could effortlessly deal with the enemy, she engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the vampire, creating a scene reminiscent of a sci-fi blockbuster from M Country. It was as thrilling as it could get.
Gradually, some people started to believe that the silhouette standing on the water pillar in the circulated video online was indeed Zhao Xiaokui.
Zhao Xiaokui dealt with it effortlessly, even having the leisure to daydream a bit, pondering what Shen Zhifei might be doing now when the live broadcast would be over. After a morning of excitement, she felt a bit hungry and wanted to eat.
The vampire beaten by her felt quite miserable.
He had witnessed scenes where Zhao Xiaokui and the Vampire Count fought evenly matched. Now, Zhao Xiaokui, who hadn’t eaten for several days, could still hold her ground against him. He felt insulted, and the angrier he became, the more vigorously he fought.
However, sometimes, one’s strength is not affected by anger.
Zhao Xiaokui maintained a serious expression on her face but was actually quite bored. The vampire burned with anger but was helpless.
Estimating that the time was about right, regardless of the vampire’s resentful expression, Zhao Xiaokui suddenly accelerated, directly subduing him and pinning him to the ground.
The scene captured by the camera was undoubtedly quite cool.
She raised her eyes slightly, and when those dark golden eyes swept over, one couldn’t help but want to bow in submission.
Having witnessed this exhilarating fight, the audience, who had been holding their breath, now exhaled a long sigh. Then, they felt an unprecedented sense of heroism surging in their hearts.
Who hasn’t harbored dreams of martial arts in their youth, or indulged in the daydreams of wandering the world with a sword? However, life gradually grinds away those edges, turning them into the smooth and polished individuals they are today.
The camera froze at the moment Zhao Xiaokui looked back.
The four words “Super Soldier” reappeared on the screen.
Some viewers suddenly snapped out of their trance, realizing that they had broken into a cold sweat.