Chapter 35: Chapter 34: The Lore of Prodigies and Extraordinaries
’What the hell was that?’
’Dude, he hadn’t even revealed the organization behind him.’
’What was the point of smashing his head in with a flying hammer!’
[Ding! You have killed the Exceptional Zhou Zheng and acquired 1,000 Experience Points.]
He Xiaotian stroked his chin. Just as he’d thought. Once that Blade of Vengeful Spirits was gone, the guy’s threat level had plummeted.
At most, he was on par with the Pig Grudges from the Zhongcheng Slaughterhouse, worth a mere one thousand Experience Points.
The reason he’d killed the man in black was that he’d been afraid the ear-stud man would agree to his offer.
What would he have done then?
If he had actually agreed just to learn about that unknown organization, it would have been like letting a tiger return to the mountains.
Although the chances of the man in black discovering his identity were slim, he couldn’t help it—he was a man with a severe persecution complex.
So, in for a penny, in for a pound. He’d decided to just smash the guy’s head in before the ear-stud man could even open his mouth.
A dead man has no value.
Especially when it meant making an enemy of a mysterious figure like himself over a man steeped in sin.
"He didn’t want to talk, so I made the choice for him."
The ear-stud man rolled his eyes and muttered to himself, ’I’m afraid the choice you made is the last one the man in black would’ve wanted.’
"Now, I have two questions for you," He Xiaotian said, walking over to him with the hammer in hand.
"???"
’Before you ask me anything, could you please move that hammer of yours a little farther away?’
’I’m afraid you’ll smash me to death if you get upset.’
"These so-called Gifted and Exceptionals—what’s the difference between them?"
"Whew." The ear-stud man breathed a sigh of relief; he’d thought He Xiaotian was going to ask about some state secret. "The Gifted are people who awaken their own innate talents, like Zhao Lei and Zhou Yun. One can harden his body, the other can control liquids. I, on the other hand, use the ice from the natural world. People who rely on their own abilities are called Gifted.
"Exceptionals are people who use Anomalous Items. Like the man in black just now—his ability to control the White Specters came from that Tang-style saber. He even said earlier that he was the one who sliced open the rift at the Zhongcheng Slaughterhouse.
"Generally speaking, there are very few people in the world who can accomplish something like that with their own power. That’s why Exceptionals are typically powerful and unpredictable. After all, their power comes from external objects, not from arduous personal cultivation.
"But they also have a weakness. Once their Anomalous Item is destroyed, they lose almost all of their strength."
There were some things the ear-stud man didn’t say, for fear that He Xiaotian would smash him.
’The man in black’s Tang-style saber must have been in a weakened state.’
’Otherwise, the power he displayed wouldn’t have been so feeble.’
’Being able to slice open a Netherworld rift—even one just the length of a pinky finger—is still incredibly strong!’
"Second question, do these special cases break out often in first and second-tier cities?"
"One pops up every so often. But those cities all have powerful individuals stationed there. There are many hidden Gifted and Exceptionals in the country, and a large-scale screening is held at most every two months.
"During the screening, those with no criminal record are recruited. If they don’t want to join the system, they still have to be registered and monitored. The surveillance only stops once it’s confirmed they aren’t a danger and have good control over their abilities.
"As for those with criminal records, the minor offenders are sent to atone by handling special cases in various places. The major offenders... they’re scheduled for termination. X, I hope you haven’t used your abilities to commit any serious crimes."
He Xiaotian fell into thought.
’It makes sense. Who wouldn’t have a few schemes after suddenly discovering they’re a superman?’
’Except for me, of course. All I’ve ever wanted to do was lie low and grind.’
’I guess it’s not just these monsters causing trouble out there; some Gifted and Exceptionals must be stirring up chaos too!’
"If you have family in Z County, I’d advise you to move them to a first or second-tier city as soon as possible. The transportation here... forgive me, but I can’t even begin to complain. First a six-hour flight, and then another six-hour drive.
"If you guys had an airport, I wouldn’t have been the only one sent here. And if someone with destructive power on par with the man in black appears again, Z County won’t be so lucky."
The ear-stud man was telling the truth. When it came to protecting cities, important areas always took priority.
After all, the population there was much larger!
The three of them had just happened to be in the area.
"Of course, this is just my suggestion. Z County is a bit remote, but honestly, though special cases started happening a year ago, this is your first and only one.
"But if you want to increase your own strength, moving is a must. I assume that when you were smashing those White Specters and Kappas, you felt a wisp of energy leave their bodies and strengthen you, right?
"Whether you’re Gifted or Exceptional, if you want to keep getting stronger, you have to constantly kill these ghouls and goblins. Otherwise, unless you can cultivate with Energy Crystals every day, you’ll have to go pick fights with these bastards."
"Energy Crystals?" For some reason, He Xiaotian’s mind instantly flashed to the crystalline object in the Food Street alleyway.
"You’re not in the system, so of course you wouldn’t know about Energy Crystals. That stuff is a crystalline substance formed when the aura leaking from the Netherworld mixes with the aura of our world. It’s a great tonic for the Gifted and Exceptionals.
"If you don’t like the term ’Energy Crystal,’ you can also call it a Spiritual Energy Crystal. Anyway, call it whatever makes you happy. There’s no rule about what it has to be called.
"Besides, even if you get one, it doesn’t mean its attribute will match yours. For example, my ability is ice, so I have to find a matching crystal. If I got a fire-attribute crystal, I obviously couldn’t absorb it.
"But that’s not absolute. As far as I know, someone discovered a type of attributeless crystal. Any Gifted or Exceptional can absorb it. Of course, in terms of effect, it’s just a tiny bit weaker than a crystal that perfectly matches your own affinity."
The ear-stud man’s attitude made He Xiaotian wonder if the guy was plotting something.
’Why else would he be so helpful after I just smashed the man in black’s head in?’
What he didn’t realize was that the man was just terrified of the hammer in his hand!!
"In a first or second-tier city, how could I guarantee my family’s absolute safety?" He Xiaotian was conflicted. Staying in Z County was probably safe, but his path to gaining Experience Points would be cut off, leaving him stuck at his current level.
If something he couldn’t handle showed up, it would be an early GAME OVER.
But even if they moved to a first or second-tier city, who could guarantee that anomalies wouldn’t occur?
"Heh heh, if your family has money, just pick a wealthy neighborhood to settle down in. I guarantee you, bro, your family’s safety will increase dramatically." The ear-stud man gave a mysterious smile, as if hinting at something.
"Explain." Seeing him being deliberately vague, He Xiaotian slightly raised the hammer in his hand.
"Whoa! Hey! Hey! I’ll talk, alright? I was just joking with you, was it really necessary to bring out the hammer?"
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