Chapter 20: Can I Choose Them All?

On the testing field, Qi Mingyue lifted his gaze slightly and walked forward through the crowd.

As he moved, the people parted to either side, their eyes fixed on his retreating figure as they whispered among themselves.

"Is that the 'Destined One' everyone has been talking about?"

"That’s him. I just arrived at the Special Abilities Department this morning and saw him surrounded by recruiters from the academies."

"Is that for real? I thought recruitment only happened after the ability tests were concluded?"

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. If you really encounter a formidable ability, who cares about the rules?"

Li Chenqiu stood with his hands in his pockets, listening quietly to the chatter. Yet, his cold, detached demeanor made him look like an outsider, seemingly out of place even while standing in the middle of the crowd.

Led by Ma Qian, the group arrived at a wide, open area. Unlike the previous sessions, there were no massive testing monoliths or strange instruments here—only a few solemn-faced Special Ability agents.

"Sir, everything is prepared!" the lead agent said, approaching Ma Qian.

Ma Qian nodded and shouted to the crowd behind him, "Everyone, stand back fifty meters! Do not come any closer!"

Though puzzled, the crowd obediently retreated until only Qi Mingyue and Ma Qian’s team remained in the open space.

On the field, Qi Mingyue looked at Ma Qian and asked, "Are you going to use people to test my ability?"

Ma Qian shook his head. "These men are all First-Forbidden rank. You only need to control one of them and complete the actions I designate. Once that’s done, we will arrange for a Resurrected to fight you, and we will grade you based on your performance."

Qi Mingyue frowned slightly. "Can't I use a Resurrected Beast instead?"

"There are no Resurrected Beasts available. Let's begin if you're ready," Ma Qian replied, stepping behind Qi Mingyue.

***

The people standing fifty meters away could not hear the conversation between Ma Qian and Qi Mingyue; they could only watch as their lips moved incessantly.

"What's going on? So many people brought here, isn't this supposed to be an ability test? Where are the instruments?"

"No idea. Perhaps his ability is so unique it can't be tested?"

"I think..."

Before the man could finish, a boisterous, wild laughter suddenly erupted on the field.

The crowd looked over and saw one of the agents doubled over, slapping his knees hard as if he had encountered something hilarious.

"What... is going on?" someone asked.

No one answered, as the others were equally dumbfounded—save for Li Chenqiu.

"That man's eyes look a bit strange," Li Chenqiu muttered, his gaze deep and fixed intently on the laughing man.

He noticed that although the man was laughing loudly and his movements seemed natural, there was not a trace of genuine joy in his eyes. On the contrary, there was a sense of distress and resistance.

Meanwhile, in the observation room:

"Director Gong, this person isn't an actor you hired, is he?" asked Xu Yi of the Long Night Academy, his voice filled with undisguised shock.

He had originally thought the file's description of "control" meant simple harassment or slightly influencing an enemy's movements. He hadn't expected the control to be this absolute!

"These people were chosen at random. Surely they aren't actors?" Gong Ran replied, clearly uncertain.

The controlled man’s laughter and movements were so natural that he didn't look like he was being manipulated at all. For a moment, Gong Ran dared not jump to conclusions.

"If he isn't an actor, then this ability is terrifying. Who among the same rank could be his opponent? No matter how strong the attack or how perfect the defense, it wouldn't stop such a bizarre method!"

"Not only that, but such meticulous control—if utilized correctly, it could be a lethal weapon for the Federation!"

The room was in an uproar. Chen Xueshan, sitting in the front row, frowned. "His file says he awakened three days ago. A normal person needs a long time to get used to their ability after awakening. Why is he so proficient?"

Chen Xueshan was the head of recruitment for the Tianyuan Federal Academy.

"Stop being so suspicious. Maybe he’s just naturally gifted!"

"Exactly. If you think his intentions are impure, just don't recruit him."

"How could a child have such..."

The academy representatives on the field began speaking up for Qi Mingyue. Chen Xueshan had no rebuttal and was forced to endure it in silence.

***

On the testing field, Qi Mingyue gestured toward the laughing man and turned to Ma Qian. "Is that enough?"

"This?" Ma Qian’s pupils trembled as he looked back and forth between Qi Mingyue and his still-cackling subordinate.

The others around them were the same; those who had doubted Qi Mingyue even walked up to shake the man he was controlling. But the man acted like a robot, repeating his mission of hysterical laughter.

Receiving no response, Qi Mingyue spoke again. "Is that enough?"

"Uh... yes, it is." Ma Qian nodded belatedly and ordered his subordinates, "Take him away. If the Resurrected shows any sign of instability, neutralize it immediately!"

"Understood!"

Soon, the group left the field with Qi Mingyue, and the laughing agent finally had a chance to catch his breath.

After seeing them off, Ma Qian returned to the crowd. "Next, we will proceed with the grading for the Physical-Extreme type abilities. According to..."

"Team Leader Ma, hasn't that person finished his grading yet?"

Before Ma Qian could finish, someone interrupted him.

Ma Qian’s brow furrowed, but when he saw it was the girl with the Ice element from earlier, his expression shifted from stormy to sunny. He smiled and replied, "Qi Mingyue's ability is quite special and requires grading elsewhere. Alright, let's not waste time. Physical-Extreme types, line up. I have an announcement to make."

Dense, noisy footsteps followed, and within moments, the crowd had formed lines. Li Chenqiu remained standing firmly at the very back.

Ma Qian cleared his throat. "The grading for Physical-Extreme types is simple. We will divide into three teams for a unified assessment. Speed types to my left, Strength types to my right, and Defense types in the middle. Begin!"

As soon as he finished, the orderly line broke apart. Most people looked at each other, unsure where to stand.

"My ability allows me to elongate my nose. Does that count as Defense or Strength?"

"How do I choose? Does pupil color-changing count as Speed?"

"Speed! If you don't think your ability is useful, just pick the one you think is strongest. Don't dither there!" Ma Qian said impatiently.

Under his urging, the forty-plus people quickly chose their categories, with one exception.

Li Chenqiu stood at the back, his lips pressed together, his eyes darting between the three groups.

"What's the matter with you?" Ma Qian’s sharp gaze fell on Li Chenqiu. "Are you not going to choose, or are you waiting for me to choose for you?"

"Brother, if you don't know what to pick, just go for Strength. That's where most people are going!" a young man shouted to Li Chenqiu.

Li Chenqiu didn't respond to the young man; instead, he looked straight at Ma Qian. "I think my ability fits all three categories well. So, can I choose all of them?"