In the laboratory.
Several lab personnel surrounded Zhou Chen, holding all sorts of bizarre-looking instruments to test him.
"The flame temperature averages around 200 degrees, with a peak of 230. As a newly awakened Fire Type Extraordinary, uh... I have to say, you're a bit weak."
"This flame looks pretty cool, so why is it so pathetic? At 200 degrees, it might not even be able to light wood..."
"It's worse than my lighter."
Zhou Chen: "..."
Faced with the staff's lively chatter, he could only offer an awkward yet polite smile.
'So what if the temperature is a little low? What's the big deal? This is a pale white flame with maxed-out style points. It's just like the old saying goes: Strength is temporary, but style is eternal...'
...Alright, he had to admit his Extraordinary Ability was indeed a bit weak.
After a simple test, his Cyan Flame was found to be about thirty percent weaker than even the most common Fire Type Extraordinary Abilities. He was at the very bottom of the barrel among Fire Type Extraordinaries, the equivalent of the student with the worst grades in school.
Furthermore, the Extraordinary Essence in his body was significantly less than other newly awakened Ascenders. It was like everyone else had a full mana bar while he only had half. He couldn't cast more than a few skills before hitting Empty Mana.
Without a doubt, this was a side effect of his fragmented soul. Although he had become an Ascender, he was the lite version.
However, Zhou Chen was already quite satisfied. At least he had solved the problem of his soul's decay and no longer had to passively wait for death.
'As for his Extraordinary Ability being too weak... so be it. He was already rated with a Level 10 disability, so it wasn't like he could be sent out on field missions. He'd most likely get a desk job where he could slack off and coast by.'
"The Concentration Necklace's side effects are active as expected. Mental state is stable, emotional state is stable, Essence Fluctuation is stable... He's already free from the Chaotic Oil Painting's influence... How did you recover so fast?" The technician marveled, looking at the data on his tablet.
"You may be one of the weakest Fire Type Ascenders, but your recovery speed is the fastest I've ever seen. If it weren't for your soul deficiency, your ability would surely be far beyond this."
"Then is there a way to repair a soul?" Zhou Chen couldn't help but ask.
"Er... Methods do exist, but I don't think you'll get the chance... you know? It's like people with terminal illnesses. Even if a cure exists somewhere in the world, it doesn't mean they'll be able to receive the treatment."
The technician seemed reluctant to discuss matters that could be classified as "confidential." He said a few more words and then fell silent, tapping his tablet a few times to upload the news of the successful experiment along with the test data.
Before long, a group of researchers in white lab coats heard the news and rushed over, taking Zhou Chen to the Star Association's research department for further testing.
The tests consisted of a more detailed examination of his Extraordinary Abilities, but did not include a check of his various physical indicators.
This was because an Ascender's powerful physical attributes don't manifest immediately upon awakening. They require a period of redevelopment, during which their physique will gradually surpass that of an ordinary person.
The exam consisted of thirty-six tests in total. Zhou Chen spent nearly two hours completing the first thirty-five, and by that point, the results were more or less conclusive.
Under the watchful eyes of numerous researchers, a detailed test report was quickly drawn up.
This also gave Zhou Chen a chance to understand the scope of his own ability.
First, his Control Power was decent. He could condense his flames into fireballs to throw or make them adhere to objects. The duration of the burn and adhesion depended on the amount of Essence consumed—the more Essence, the longer the duration.
In his current state, his Extraordinary Essence was extremely limited. Calculating in terms of fireballs, a full supply of Essence allowed him to throw five. He could grit his teeth and squeeze out a sixth at most, after which he would hit "Empty Mana" and be unable to use any more skills.
He could only use his ability again after resting for a while to replenish his Extraordinary Essence and refill his mana bar.
Meditation, on the other hand, could accelerate his Essence recovery, enhance his Spiritual Power, and increase his maximum Essence.
Second, and most embarrassingly, his flame's temperature was simply too low. It struggled to burn wood, let alone an Extraordinary or a Corrupter. To an Extraordinary Creature with its powerful physique, a flame of this temperature was no different from a gentle, warm breeze.
Therefore, the "Ability Assessment" section of the report was filled in with two words: "Useless Ability."
This was the unanimous conclusion reached by all the researchers.
Seeing Zhou Chen staring silently at the report, a young researcher in a white lab coat assumed he was dejected and patted his shoulder comfortingly:
"Don't be discouraged, think about it! You passed an awakening experiment with an extremely low success rate and cured your soul's decay in the process. The odds of that are about as low as a pansexual, environmentalist sex worker—who also happens to smoke, drink, perm their hair, is a vegetarian, and has undergone multiple gender reassignments—witnessing a line of sows falling one by one into a ditch... Seriously, it's a miracle you're alive. The medical department might even write you up as a case study for their textbooks."
"Plenty of people awaken every year, but a good chunk of them get pretty useless abilities. Ever seen an ability that only makes your teeth flash with dazzling RGB colors?"
"I remember another person whose awakened ability was to change anyone's hair color at will. Also a pretty useless ability, but I heard they opened a hair dyeing shop on the side and are absolutely raking it in now..."
"Your fire is actually one of the more practical ones. Sure, it's a little weak, but it looks cool, right? When you're out at a club, you can casually light a cigarette with your finger. You'd have girls flocking to you, no doubt."
Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow. 'I'm just trying to read the report, what's this guy rambling on about? He's got a real gift for the gab, though. Maybe he moonlights as a stand-up comedian to make some extra cash.'
"I'm not upset," he said. "Honestly, I didn't have high expectations for my Extraordinary Ability. A man on the verge of death can't afford to be picky."
He finished the last part of the report as he spoke, handing it to the young researcher. "When's the last test?"
The young researcher carefully placed the report in a file folder, sealed it, and then glanced at his watch.
"Right now."
The words had barely left his mouth when a nearby researcher stepped forward and put a blindfold on Zhou Chen.
'Are you guys the Star Association's research department or a den of kidnappers? Why the blindfold again? Is my security clearance so low that I can't see anything?' Zhou Chen sighed inwardly.
'Then again, it made sense. He was just a rookie who'd been with the Star Association for less than a month. He hadn't even finished his probationary period.'
Zhou Chen was led along, passing through multiple blockades and restricted zones. It seemed he had arrived at some place of great importance.
When the blindfold was taken off, he found himself standing in an empty corridor. Before him was a single, sturdy alloy door.
"Next is the practical application test for your ability. Don't be nervous, just throw your flames," the young researcher at his side said while frantically tapping through various protocols that popped up on his tablet.
"A practical application test... a live test?" Zhou Chen was confused. 'A live test against what?'
Before his confusion could deepen, the metal door in front of him whirred to life and began to open slowly.
A foul wind assaulted his senses.
A biologically repulsive stench wormed its way into his nostrils, instantly giving Zhou Chen goosebumps and making his stomach churn.
"Follow me," the young researcher said, walking through the doorway while still tapping his screen.
Zhou Chen fought back his nausea and followed. From the doorway, it appeared to be a spacious, enclosed chamber. He couldn't tell its purpose, but he could faintly hear the rattling of chains from within.
It was only when he stepped inside and saw its contents that Zhou Chen had a sudden realization.
This was a prison cell!
A cold, incandescent light shone down from the domed ceiling, its beam focused on a bloated figure drooling yellowish-green saliva as it slept soundly.
Several alloy chains bound it tightly, rattling with every rise and fall of its chest as it breathed.
It looked like a five-hundred-pound man, his body horrifically swollen and festering, like a corpse bloated by the gases of decomposition. But this thing was alive, its body covered in tumors and small, writhing tentacles, emitting a nauseating stench.
Twisted and grotesque. One could barely discern a human form, but it was mutated to a degree that its own mother wouldn't recognize it.
A Corrupter!
Zhou Chen's breath hitched.
The unique aura of the mutated creature made him involuntarily recall the Corrupter that had devoured one-half of his soul.
Just as there are differences in level among Ascenders, there is also a hierarchy among Corrupters.
Compared to the mindless, mutated monster before him, the Corrupter who called himself the "Gentleman" had been far more human. He wore a suit and was unfailingly polite; before he revealed his demonic tusks, there was nothing to suggest he was a Corrupter at all.
But what lay hidden beneath that human facade was an even more brutal and profound darkness.
"This is your test subject. Not scared, are you?" The young researcher pointed at the bloated Corrupter. "The test is simple. Just like I said before, hit it with your flames."
Zhou Chen said nothing, simply raising his hand to conjure a ball of pale flame and hurl it toward the Corrupter.
The ball of pale flame struck the Corrupter and burst into a shower of sparks, burning for just a symbolic moment before winking out completely.
The slumbering Corrupter even rubbed its stomach.
It was a little itchy.
"Uh..."
The corner of Zhou Chen's mouth twitched.
"Ah... as weak as expected," the young researcher remarked, then recorded the results of the practical test on his tablet.
Just as he was about to submit the test results, something unexpected happened.
The Corrupter, which should have been sound asleep under the effects of a paralytic agent, suddenly let out a piercing shriek. The researcher flinched, his hand trembling so badly that the tablet slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor.
The Corrupter began to slap its stomach frantically, as if it were suffering from some immense pain.
As if that wasn't enough to relieve the pain, it began to roll on the ground, screaming incessantly amidst the CLANGING of its chains.
It was as if... it was trying to put out a fire.
Amid the blare of a piercing alarm, Zhou Chen and the young researcher stared at each other, utterly bewildered.
'What was happening?'