Time neared its end. The term "assessment" had lost all meaning for Lu Ding.
Now, he was simply using the wooden dummies to hone his combat instincts.
His skill, the **State of Formless Unity**, had been activated long ago.
Under the influence of Unity of Heaven and Man, his cutting strikes flowed seamlessly—each more devastating than the last, their angles increasingly lethal.
Lu Ding's practical combat experience was skyrocketing.
This extraordinary state drew the attention of the 749 management observing from the control room.
"**Unity of Heaven and Man!** This kid actually entered Unity of Heaven and Man!!!"
"Awakened yesterday! Joined 749 yesterday! Didn't even pick a cultivation technique before rushing into the assessment! That level of combat power alone is unbelievable! And now he enters Unity of Heaven and Man? He'll get a 'Perfect' score, claim an Awakening Pill, break through directly to the **Zhaoxuan Realm**—the *second stage*—*then* pick his technique afterward!"
"Damn! This kid's stacking buffs like crazy!!!!"
"If others' combat power is at *one*, this kid's already at *thirty*. When Unity of Heaven and Man ends, his cutting talent will grow even stronger—combat power jumping to *one hundred*. Tonight, he'll take the Awakening Pill and leap a major realm—power surging to *one thousand*. Add a cultivation technique? And he still has a *second* unmanifested talent..."
"How is anyone supposed to catch up?"
"Changing by the day. Today, others might still glimpse his back. Tomorrow, when Lu Ding reappears? They won't even smell his exhaust."
"He's traversing in *one day* what takes most a *decade*."
"And he's still just a *trainee investigator*."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...."
Laughter erupted in the observation room. The absurdity was delicious: a powerhouse stronger than most formal investigators, stuck as a trainee? Like a college student forced back to kindergarten.
Total dimensional crushing.
And the rules were ironclad: ten missions or ten monsters contained. Founder's decree. Unchangeable.
Watching this wolf unleashed among sheep? The managers couldn't stop laughing.
As the assessment concluded,
Lu Ding released the State of Formless Unity. His score dominated the leaderboard—a sheer cliff above the rest.
Watching him exit the state, the observers felt a pang of regret. *If only it could've lasted longer...*
Little did they know: this coveted state was his to enter at will.
The wooden dummies vanished. Scores lit up the screen:
**Perfect:** Only Lu Ding.
**Excellent:** Ten, including Liu Yun.
**Average:** Chu Hao.
With his vine armor intact, 'Excellent' would've been easy. But broken armor, no dodging practice—he'd fought hesitantly.
Chu Hao hung his head. Humiliation burned, yet helplessness drowned it.
He'd *felt* Lu Ding's power—that cutting aura stinging his skin even from afar. Too terrifying for hatred.
A sidelong glance confirmed Lu Ding hadn't looked his way once.
A heavy sigh. Emptiness followed.
*Yes. To him, I'm just a clown.*
Exiting the arena, Lu Ding collected his reward: an **Awakening Pill**.
Sealed in wax within a small box, it glowed faintly cyan.
Memories surfaced from the 749 App:
*Awakening Pill: Exclusive to the Awakening Realm. Extremely precious. Contains vast, gentle medicinal energy. Assists Qi Refiners in opening all 365 body apertures, directly advancing to the Zhaoxuan Realm.*
The first realm, **Awakening (开窍)**: 365 apertures mirroring the heavens. Opening them aligns with the Dao—laying the cultivation foundation.
Next, **Zhaoxuan (照璇)**: Apertures form vortices, drawing and storing heaven-earth Qi to nourish the body.
Then, **Spirit Sea (灵海)**: Vortices merge into a sea. Expand it with treasures or grind slowly to its limit before breaking through to **Divine Palace (神宫)**.
These were the foundational realms. Build them right—talent and resources essential—or the path crumbles.
Lu Ding felt a surge of relief. *Thank the stars I joined 749.* Where else would he find such resources?
No wonder they said: *Poverty breeds scholars; wealth breeds warriors. Wealth, techniques, allies, land—essential.* Trying alone? Impossible.
Now? An Awakening Pill for free! Later, contribution points for treasures. Missions? Kill monsters for rewards *and* points.
*Best. Decision. Ever.*
Seeing Lu Ding silent, Deng Guofu—the Logistics Director distributing rewards—smiled warmly. Impressed by Lu Ding's talent and ruthless efficiency, the young man's dazed expression now endeared him further. Deng mentally bestowed a title:
*Heart of a True Warrior.*
"Lu Ding," Deng chuckled, unable to hide his delight, "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing, sir. Thank you."
A staff member beside him clarified: "This is Director Deng, head of Logistics for 749's Yunhai Branch."
*Logistics.* Don't mistake it for mere supply management. In cultivation terms? This was the **Sect Treasure Keeper**. All techniques, resources, pill exchanges for trainees flowed through him.
*Likely a hidden master.*
Realizing this, Lu Ding corrected swiftly: "Thank you, Director Deng."
"Quick learner, eh? Hahahaha!"
Deng teased. Lu Ding smiled back. The elder's warmth reminded him of the orphanage director who raised him, or the neighborhood committee chief nearing retirement—pillars of his first nineteen hard years.
"Haven't chosen your technique yet?" Deng asked kindly.
"Not yet. Planned to go right after this."
"Perfect. I'm heading back to Logistics. Join me. I might offer... a small suggestion."
*Small?* Hardly. With countless techniques available to trainees, a bad choice was easy. This privilege? Earned by excellence. Denying such grace would be heartless.
Ignoring unfinished formalities, Director Deng led Lu Ding away.
As they walked, conversation flowed. Lu Ding shared fragments of his past nineteen years. The old man patted his shoulder:
"**You're made of stern stuff, son.**"