Whistling, Li Changan walked into the backyard feeling as calm as if he were home - this was the disease.
The massive Trials Facility was mainly divided into three areas, the cathedral-like façade in the northwest corner, the living area hidden in the northeast corner, and the core in the southeast corner, which was the real Trials Facility.
Having been in and out many times, Li Changan's biggest feeling was that the façade and living area were probably built by humans surrounding the core of the Trials Facility. After all, except for the exterior appearance, the interior styles were not the same.
The living area and façade seemed more like they were imitating the Trials Facility. There was nothing humane inside the Trials Facility, not even a chair. Everyone had to stand or sit on the ground.
Moreover, at the registration desk at the entrance, you filled in your name instead of swiping your ID card. What scanned your ID card was not a computer but a stone tablet.
When the trial started, there would be a stone screen at the door of the room you entered for the trial. There were numbers on the screen, but no names could be seen. Only when someone with that number died would the number change to a name.
Li Changan was not worried about someone looking up his information since he was certain the Empire could not control the Trials Facility. He had tried using an alias at registration but no one noticed, which was explanation enough.
The Trials Facility may have been created by some existence, this "some existence" was not limited to gods but included gods. After all, no one could say clearly what gods were.
"Wow, this room is nice," Li Changan said satisfiedly as he flopped down on the soft mattress which welcomed him.
Although the living areas of each Trials Facility were basically the same, the details were filled with their own styles. Luo City was one of the oldest cities in the world, and scholars were glad it had survived the apocalypse.
Luo City today had not changed much, still full of the charm it held as an ancient capital. This was also reflected in this room.
Lighting a cigarette, Li Changan looked woodenly at the ceiling. Pondering the distant future was not his habit, but whenever he felt at ease, he could not help but fantasize.
The ninth trial...
Federal hound...
What exactly do I want?
Can I buy a house here and survive like an ordinary person, be a hunter, earn some living expenses, marry a gentle wife, have two children... Forget it, really G8 nonsense!
The bells would still ring on. The trial would begin at dawn tomorrow morning. No one could predict whether they would survive, not even Li Changan who had participated seven times.
Every time he took part in the trial, he would clearly feel the strength of his opponents increasing. This was not an illusion. The Empire had people confirm that babies born every year were slightly stronger than those in the past, whether it was the intensity of superpowers or the babies' own talents.
The upper limit of humans was rising. It probably wouldn't be long before new levels would emerge above S-rank.
With participants growing stronger year after year, this was not good news for Li Changan. Life had no room for error, one failure meant permanent failure.
First applying medicine to his newly injured shoulder, Li Changan took out the bronze sparrow he carried with him from his backpack while discarding the rest in the room. After all, nothing else was worth any money.
Before the trial, one had to eat and rest well, because after it started, there probably wouldn't be such a good time again. Endless chasing and being chased was the main tone of the trial. He had gone seven days without sleeping before, so he was extremely familiar with this.
The cafeteria could accommodate five hundred people dining at the same time, but there were only a few dozen people now, with several tables between them, full of vigilance.
Li Changan was oblivious to this atmosphere. After choosing his food at the ordering counter, he found a place to sit. Someone would bring him his food soon. The Empire's emphasis on talent was obvious, even if only one would remain in the end.
Not long after sitting down, Li Changan felt a scorching gaze fall upon him. Looking up, his eyes met a pair of sharp ones.
"There's a bloody smell on you," just from the lip movements, Li Changan could tell what the other party was saying. But what concerned him were the opponent's beast-like fangs.
Li Changan frowned, was it an enhancement or beast series?
A few years ago, the Empire announced a major research achievement. Medicines extracted from the genes of monsters outside the city could improve the human body, thus awakening humans' special beast series abilities, inheriting some of the abilities that only wild beasts possessed.
An eagle's vision, a bear's strength, a leopard's agility, all could be gathered in one person. This was equivalent to changing the world order. Even the weakest supernaturals also had hope of becoming stronger.
However, this method still had flaws so it was not widespread, only used in the military.
In other words, if this guy was a beast series, it also meant he was actually a soldier. It was rare for military personnel to participate in the trials, let alone someone as precious as him who could use such medicine. Would the military allow such a precious elite to participate in the trials?
It seemed the difficulty had increased again! Li Changan sighed and accepted the meal bucket brought over by a service staff member.
While eating, Li Changan felt pained at heart. He had wanted to keep the bronze sparrow for the ninth trial, but now it seemed he had to use it this time. It was all money!
Speaking of which, he had earned 80,000 today. Should he give up dignity and go rob someone? That would be 800,000 in a hundred days...
Lost in thought while eating, Li Changan did not notice someone approaching him until the other sat down beside him. He instinctively stabbed at the other's throat with his chopsticks.
"Wait!" The newcomer narrowly dodged, quickly raising both hands to show he meant no harm.
"What do you want?" Li Changan frowned. Although he could walk unseen, not just anyone could get close to him. This guy was dangerous!
Glancing over the other's face, Li Changan understood. He was indeed dangerous, the third ranked East Continent Teenager on the odds ranking.
"It's too lonely eating alone. Let's keep each other company," the teenager sat down and moved the roasted lamb beside him in front of Li Changan. "Try it, I roasted it myself."
Li Changan looked around coldly, "So many people, why did you specifically choose me?"
"Because you give off killing intent when eating, and we're from the same hometown. I can't get along with those colorful haired folks." The teenager tore off a lamb leg and handed it to Li Changan.
Li Changan did not accept it. The cafeteria allowed cooking your own food, but who knew what was added to it. He did not dare eat it.
Seeing that Li Changan did not accept his good intentions, the teenager was not annoyed. Grabbing the lamb leg with both hands, he took a big bite while laughing, "Li Changan, right? Changan for long-lasting peace. I heard it yesterday when I was behind you. You also smelled of blood when you arrived, so I took a look back.
"There was a room on fire in the alley behind. I knew that place was where information was bought and sold on the black market. There was a corpse inside, an A-rank earth element supernatural, nickname 'The Undertaker'. Did you kill him?"
"Before the corpse was burned, I took a look. The method was clean and efficient, every blow targeted a fatal point, inconsistent with your disguise of a C-rank enhancement supernatural.
"Also, you should have guessed who I am since you bought information, or maybe stole it. But you still seem vigilant. If I were you, I would add some fear."
Li Changan put down his chopsticks. Guys you can't beat are always the most troublesome.