Courtyard House: Starting with handing over the keys, the state helps me abuse birds.

A flood of information rushed into my mind. It was a complete and systematic set of basic cultivation techniques, from breathing exercises to blood circulation, from strengthening muscles and bones to sensing breath, every step was detailed and clear.

Most importantly, this set of exercises is labeled as a "safe and widely applicable version," which means that it has been specially optimized so that even if you make a mistake while practicing it, it will not cause irreversible damage; at most, the effect will only be reduced.

Xie Weihong was shocked.

A hidden force of demons? An escalating external threat?

The timing of the system issuing this task was delicate, coinciding precisely when Lu Zhaoting questioned his physical abilities.

He slowly raised his head, meeting Lu Zhaoting's scrutinizing gaze.

"Director Lu, before I answer, I'd like to ask you a question," Xie Weihong's voice was calm and clear. "If I told you that there exists a way in this world that allows ordinary people to acquire physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people through systematic training, would you believe me?"

Lu Zhaoting's eyes narrowed slightly: "Like someone like you?"

"Not entirely," Xie Weihong shook her head. "I'm a bit special. But through similar methods, ordinary people's strength, speed, and reaction ability can be significantly improved. The degree of improvement varies from person to person, but generally it can reach two to three times the current limit."

The room was so quiet that you could hear your own heartbeat.

Lu Zhaoting remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "The 'method' you're referring to is those... cultivation techniques you obtained after 'punishing' Yi Zhonghai and the others?"

"Yes," Xie Weihong readily admitted. "Just like those techniques. Every time I punish them, I not only gain technical knowledge and improve my physical fitness, but also some... methods about how to cultivate and improve appear in my mind."

He decided to reveal part of the truth. Since the country had already noticed the anomaly, rather than covering it up and arousing suspicion, it was better to proactively release some controllable information. Moreover, the system's new mission required him to spread cultivation techniques, which presented a perfect opportunity.

"At first, it was just some scattered breathing techniques and body-strengthening exercises," Xie Weihong continued, her tone sincere. "I practiced those methods and found that my strength, speed, and reaction time were all improving rapidly. Later, as the number of punishments increased, the cultivation methods I acquired became more and more complete, eventually forming a systematic set of techniques."

Lu Zhaoting and Duan Chengyi, who was standing to the side, exchanged a glance, and both of them saw shock in each other's eyes.

His extraordinary physical abilities... were actually acquired through "cultivation"?

"Can other people practice this set of techniques?" Lu Zhaoting keenly grasped the key point.

"It should work," Xie Weihong nodded. "The version I received clearly states that it's a 'basic introductory edition,' emphasizing a gradual approach and high safety. However, its actual effectiveness needs to be verified in practice."

He paused, then added, "However, Director Lu, there's something I must clarify. The mechanism by which I receive these 'rewards' is tied to the punishment of Yi Zhonghai and his ilk. The deeper their crimes and the heavier their punishment, the more generous my rewards will be. It sounds a bit... cruel, but that's the truth."

These words were blunt and cold.

Lu Zhaoting was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "So, Yi Zhonghai and those people... are both sinners and 'resources' to you? By punishing them, you can achieve justice and also obtain technology and cultivation methods for national development?"

"That's one way to understand it," Xie Weihong said frankly. "But rest assured, I won't kill innocent people indiscriminately. The crimes they committed are enough for them to receive the punishment they deserve. And the abilities and technologies I gain in the process of punishing them can be used for national development. Perhaps this can be considered a kind of... turning waste into treasure?"

This analogy made Lu Zhaoting's lips twitch slightly.

But he had to admit that Xie Weihong had a point. Yi Zhonghai and others had committed capital crimes, and now, while they were being "punished," they were also being allowed to contribute to the country's technological progress, which in a sense could indeed be considered "making use of waste."

"Regarding the cultivation method you just mentioned," Lu Zhaoting returned to the main topic, "could you demonstrate it? Or, could you have our people conduct a systematic ability test on you? We need scientific data; we need to know where your limits are."

"Okay." Xie Weihong nodded. "However, Director Lu, I need to remind you of something: my current strength may exceed your expectations."

"Oh?" Lu Zhaoting raised an eyebrow. "For example?"

Xie Weihong thought for a moment, then got up and walked to the open space in the center of the room. He looked around and his gaze fell on a cast iron paperweight in the corner, which was used to weigh down documents. The paperweight was about 30 centimeters long, 5 centimeters wide, and 2 centimeters thick. It was solid cast iron and weighed at least 10 kilograms.

Under the watchful eyes of Lu Zhaoting and Duan Chengyi, Xie Weihong picked up the paperweight and held both ends with her hands.

He didn't make any forceful gestures, but calmly said, "This is ordinary gray cast iron."

Then, he slowly bent his hands towards the center.

"Squeak."

The sickening metallic creaking sound was particularly jarring in the quiet room.

Before their incredulous eyes, Xie Weihong forcefully bent the solid cast iron paperweight into a U-shape, like dough! Fine cracks appeared on the metal surface at the bend, a result of plastic deformation that occurred after the material reached its yield limit!

Xie Weihong released his grip, and the U-shaped paperweight fell to the ground with a clatter, making a dull thud on the solid wood floor. He dusted off the metal shavings from his hands and calmly said, "This is just a static strength demonstration. I've also made corresponding improvements in speed, reaction time, endurance, and resilience."

Lu Zhaoting stared at the twisted U-shaped iron block on the ground, remaining silent for a long time. He bent down to pick up the paperweight, his fingers tracing the fine cracks along the bend—these were genuine signs of metal fatigue fracture, impossible to fake.

Duan Chengyi gasped in astonishment. He knew Xie Weihong was strong, but to this extent... it completely exceeded his understanding of "human strength"!

After a long silence, Lu Zhaoting took a deep breath, gently placed the deformed paperweight on the table, and looked at Xie Weihong again with a complicated expression: "I understand. Comrade Weihong, your situation... is indeed beyond the scope of conventional understanding."

He stood up, paced around the room a few times, and suddenly turned around: "Are you willing to cooperate with the country to conduct a systematic and scientific test of your abilities? We need accurate data, which will be of great reference value for many future decisions, including the promotion of the cultivation methods you mentioned."

"Okay." Xie Weihong nodded.

Lu Zhaoting pondered for a moment: "I will arrange the most reliable people and the most confidential location. Let's set the time... three days from now, how about that?"

"it is good."

"Furthermore," Lu Zhaoting walked back to his desk and took out another document from the drawer, "the final decision regarding the handling of Yi Zhonghai and others has been approved by the highest level. Their crimes are irrefutable, and they will undoubtedly die. However, before the formal trial, they will continue to receive 're-education,' of course, under your 'supervision.'"

He handed the document to Xie Weihong: "This is the official authorization letter. From today onwards, you have complete authority over Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, and Jia Zhangshi. As long as no one dies, any 'disciplinary measures' are within the permitted scope. The state will fully cooperate in providing corresponding medical and logistical support."

"Thank you, Director Lu."

"No, I should be thanking you," Lu Zhaoting said solemnly. "Your contributions to the country far exceed what ordinary people can imagine. I will be there in person for the test in three days."