But the nutrient solution had one major drawback: it was expensive.
The most common nutrient solution on the market cost ten thousand a tube, the high-end version was fifty thousand, the deluxe version was a hundred thousand, and the supreme deluxe version could go for as much as two hundred thousand...
Just a moment ago, Zhou Chen had been worrying about the nutrient solution. As a university student doing an internship, where was he supposed to get that kind of money? He never expected to hear such good news.
It was just a few days in the research department. As long as the nutrient solution was provided in unlimited quantities, he'd be fine with it. Never mind a few days—he'd even do a few months. It would be best if he could last through his entire Extraordinary Development Stage; that would save him hundreds of thousands.
"Of course, I have no problem with that," Zhou Chen agreed without hesitation.
Professor Li nodded and handed him a report.
"This is your examination record from the medical department. At the time, you were still suffering from soul decay and didn't have long to live, so they felt it was unnecessary to tell you about this.
Now that your soul decay has stopped, it's time you knew."
He said gravely, "Due to your incomplete Soul, you have less than a year to live."
Surprisingly, Zhou Chen appeared remarkably calm.
He just looked at the report and forced a smile. "I figured as much. People with incomplete Souls don't live very long. I'm missing half my Soul, so it's unrealistic to think I could live peacefully to a ripe old age of seventy or eighty.
I just didn't expect... I don't even have a year?"
"According to estimates, you have about eleven months."
Professor Li paused, then changed the subject. "Actually, there is still hope. Once you truly come into contact with the Extraordinary World, you'll discover this World is far more mysterious and unfathomable than you can imagine. Incredible things happen every day. Perhaps, in some corner of the world, there's something that can help you.
This is from my own personal experience."
"For the time being, my student will be your point of contact. His name is Xiao Yan. You can go to him if you need anything."
Professor Li seemed to be in a hurry. He didn't chat any longer and left quickly.
Zhou Chen stared at the estimated remaining lifespan on the report, not feeling particularly dejected. Just as Professor Li had said, this world was full of incredible things.
For example, the Wish Bottle deep within his Soul.
Since the Wish Bottle could cure soul decay, then with enough wish value collected, it should also be able to mend his incomplete Soul.
Although he didn't know how much he would need, at least it gave him a glimmer of hope.
And also...
Zhou Chen looked up at the young researcher who was holding a tablet, uploading experimental data and reports.
'This guy's name sounds a little familiar...'
...
The conference room.
As the doors were pushed open, the conversations in the conference room abruptly ceased for a moment.
Seeing that the newcomer was Professor Li An, the vice president of the Jinzhu City Star Association smiled. "Old Li, you're finally here. We were just waiting for you. Hurry and take a seat."
Professor Li nodded and sat down. "I met with a very promising young man before coming, which delayed me a bit."
"No matter. Since everyone is here, let's begin the meeting."
If any senior Operators from the Star Association were present, they would have been shocked by the lineup of attendees: the vice president of the Jinzhu City Star Association, the director of the medical department, the director of the research department, the director of the technology department, the director of the logistics department, the director of the field operations department...
Aside from the notoriously elusive president, all the top leaders of the entire Jinzhu City Star Association were gathered in this small conference room.
Such a spectacular lineup was assembled merely to welcome the arrival of a single person.
Everyone's gaze converged on the girl in a suit sitting upright beside the vice president.
Despite being the focus of so many powerful figures, the girl showed no trace of nervousness. Her face was as calm as a pool of stagnant water, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
The vice president introduced her. "This is Jiang Che, an intern dispatched from headquarters. Starting today, she will serve as the leader of the Special Operations Team and undergo a one-year internship assessment in Jinzhu City..."
...
...
「Five days later.」
In the training room, with a loud CRASH, Zhou Chen dropped a 1,200-pound barbell to the floor.
He was bare-chested and drenched in sweat, his body defined with lean, powerful muscle.
In just five days, thanks to an unlimited supply of nutrient solution, Zhou Chen's physical attributes had taken a quantum leap.
Strength, speed, endurance, agility, flexibility, balance, durability, reaction time, muscle coordination, control... His abilities in every area not only far surpassed his former self but had also reached the peak of what a normal person could achieve.
In addition, he had also undergone a ton of essential training, including combat, stealth, first aid, and firearms—especially firearms.
Whether it was an Ascender, a Corrupter, or some other bizarre creature, as long as they hadn't reached Tier Three, firearms were still lethally dangerous weapons.
What's more, his Extraordinary Abilities worked very well with guns.
—By enchanting his bullets with fire, he could inflict both physical and spiritual damage upon hitting an enemy.
Just as he was about to do a few sets of stretches and continue his workout, the training room's automatic door slid open. Xiao Yan walked in, holding a donut in one hand and a tablet in the other, and mumbled indistinctly through a mouthful:
"Someone's looking for you."
Every time he saw this guy, Zhou Chen always got the feeling he was about to suddenly declare, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't you dare bully a poor young man!"
He snapped back to reality and asked, "Who's looking for me?"
"A new big shot from up top, sent straight from headquarters. Not here for a power grab, though. She's here for an internship assessment, and she asked to see you by name."
Xiao Yan devoured the rest of his donut in a couple of bites, casually wiped his hand on his white lab coat, then pulled up some detailed information on his tablet and showed it to Zhou Chen.
"Her. Jiang Che. A pretty girl. She's now the team leader for the Jinzhu City Special Operations Team. I hear if she passes this assessment, she'll get a spot in the headquarters' leadership. Her future is limitless.
But rumor has it she has emotional deficiency syndrome, so she's cold as ice and not easy to get along with. You're on your own, good luck."
Zhou Chen studied the photo. 'To be fair, she really is gorgeous,' he thought. 'The stoic, aloof type, too. But why is she looking for me?'
He carefully searched the memories of this life and confirmed he didn't have any childhood sweethearts or child brides. That left only one possibility.
Of course, the girl was interested in his...
Extraordinary Abilities!
"Oh, right. She already 'reserved' you when she arrived a few days ago, which is why the professor wanted you training here. The Special Operations Team handles the most dangerous missions. Without some real skill, you could die in an instant. You'd better prepare yourself mentally."
Zhou Chen was taken aback. 'A big shot was looking out for me without me even knowing?'
"Please thank Professor Li for me."
He knew that a total newbie like him would normally never get to see Professor Li, so he could only ask the man's student to pass on his gratitude.
"If you really want to thank the professor, just be careful not to get yourself killed. And if you do accidentally die, it would be best to donate your body to us for research..." Xiao Yan suddenly slapped his forehead. "Damn, I forgot you already signed a donation agreement with the medical department. How do they move so fast? What a shame..."
'Why are all you research types so thirsty for my body...' Zhou Chen complained silently.
He went to the bathroom, took a shower, and changed into a fresh set of clothes.
Since he was about to meet his new boss, he definitely had to clean himself up a bit to make a good impression.
He had heard of the Special Operations Team before; it was the department that specialized in handling Extraordinary incidents.
Although the pay was generous, the danger level was also absurdly high.
All sorts of dangerous incidents involving Corrupters, Abyssal Creatures, Illegal Ascenders, Restricted Area smugglers, Abyssal Cultists, Cult Fanatics, and Out-of-Control Forbidden Objects were handled by the Special Operations Team.
What he couldn't figure out was, even if his Extraordinary Abilities were special, he was still severely handicapped. Weren't they afraid he'd just drag the team down?
...
Following the address on the notice, Zhou Chen arrived at the office building and found his new boss's office.
After double-checking that the room number was correct, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door with a sense of trepidation.
A cold voice immediately answered from within:
"Come in."