I work as a security guard at a cemetery, and I overhear the dead chatting about getting rich quick.

Spiritual energy can be transformed into an invisible bullet.

But that afternoon, Lin Ye didn't even get to touch a real bullet.

The training ground has seven underground floors.

He held an empty gun in his left hand, his arm outstretched, aiming at a fixed target ten meters away.

There was no magazine in the gun, and the firing pin was locked, so all we could do was practice holding the gun, aiming, and pulling the trigger.

Cheng Fang stood beside him and reached out to pat his shoulder.

Don't shrug.

"I'm not used to using my left hand."

"When your right hand is injured, the enemy won't wait for you to get used to it."

Lin Ye relaxed his shoulders and aimed again.

After switching to the left hand, the gun seemed to suddenly have a mind of its own. Just as the sights were aligned with the bullseye, the wrist flicked slightly and the gun drifted away again.

"Press your wrist down a little more."

Xu Mian stood behind him and whispered a reminder.

She raised her hand, then paused.

"May I touch your wrist?"

"Can."

Xu Mian then adjusted his posture with two fingers.

"That will be more stable."

Lin Ye re-aimed and pulled the trigger.

Click.

The gun barrel still wobbled a little, but it was much better than before.

"You practice with your left hand too?" he asked.

Xu Mian nodded.

"Practice occasionally."

"How were your grades?"

"Worse than the right hand."

"How much difference?"

Xu Mian thought for a moment.

"Twenty-five-meter fixed target, 91 rings out of 10 shots."

Lin Ye remained silent for two seconds.

"Are you misunderstanding the word 'bad'?"

Xu Mian's ears turned slightly red, unsure how to respond.

Not far away, Qin Zhao had just changed his magazine and casually added:

"She's afraid that if she says something too high, it will hurt your feelings."

Lin Ye turned to look at him.

"Thank you, but saying it now is even more hurtful."

Cheng Fang glanced at the time.

"Twenty minutes left."

"Lin Ye will continue practicing with his left hand; the rest of you will practice with live ammunition."

Gunshots rang out nearby shortly afterward.

Lin Ye stood still, repeatedly raising his gun, aiming, and pulling the trigger.

The numbness in his right arm had disappeared, but Zhou Heng wouldn't allow him to do any weight-bearing or live-fire shooting that day. Cheng Fang decided to take this opportunity to give him extra training with his left hand.

It's not required to be extremely accurate.

At least when the right hand is temporarily unusable, it won't be so bad that he can't even hold a gun steadily.

Twenty minutes later, Lin Ye put down his gun, his left shoulder aching and heavy.

Tang Zhi walked over and handed him a bottle of water.

"Congratulations."

Lin Ye unscrewed the bottle cap.

"What's the congratulations for?"

"Successfully unlocked two-handed training; workload will double from now on."

"Would you like this good fortune?"

"don't want."

Tang Zhi shook her right wrist, which was wrapped with a fixation strap.

"I'm busy enough with just one hand."

Lin Ye glanced at the monitoring video on her wrist.

"Does it still hurt today?"

"Not at the moment."

Tang Zhi raised her left hand and slowly drew out a nearly transparent thin line from her fingertips.

The research team changed her method of spirit summoning.

She used to use her right hand to activate the silk thread, and once the spiritual energy entered her body, it would flow along the energy pathway to her old injuries.

Now I'm using my left hand.

Although the amount of spiritual energy introduced is small, at least it won't stimulate the right wrist every time.

With a flick of her fingertips, Tang Zhi drew the silk threads into the water bottle in Lin Ye's hand and gently pulled it away.

The bottle flew from his palm and landed steadily in her hand.

Not a single drop of water was spilled.

"You could do that before, right?" Lin Ye asked.

"My right hand used to start hurting after doing it twenty times in a row."

Tang Zhi threw the water bottle back.

"I did it forty-three times just now, and I don't feel anything yet."

Lin Ye caught the bottle.

"Not bad."

"That means we don't need to schedule a work injury appointment in advance for the time being."

Tang Zhi smiled and lowered her head to move her right wrist.

Her problem was not truly solved.

The spiritual energy doesn't last very long, and the old injury on my right hand is still there.

But at least a way to continue training has been found.

On the other side, Qin Zhao had finished his firearms training and entered the superpower testing area.

A fire-resistant target plate stands inside the transparent protective cover.

He raised his right hand.

A cluster of dark red flames ignited from the fingertips.

The flames were small, but their color was darker than before, and their edges barely flickered.

The staff member stared at the timer.

"Maintain this level."

ten seconds.

Twenty seconds.

Forty seconds.

The staff didn't tell him to stop until 45 seconds later.

Qin Zhao extinguished the embers, his breathing showing no obvious change.

Lin Ye walked over.

"Did the spiritual energy remain this time?"

"no."

Qin Zhao picked up a towel and wiped his hands.

"Come in a little, and let Ember have some."

"Then all your training was for nothing?"

Qin Zhao pointed to the screen.

The same intensity of embers, which used to last forty-five seconds, would consume nearly half of his power.

Only a little over 30% has been used so far.

The spiritual energy still couldn't stay in his body, but it made the circulation of the embers much smoother.

"Fuel consumption has decreased," Lin Ye commented.

"Um."

"That's progress."

Qin Zhao glanced at his right hand.

"It's better than having your arm go numb from being whipped."

Lin Ye turned and left.

Tang Zhi couldn't help but laugh out loud from behind.

"Qin Zhao, were you waiting specifically for this line to come out?"

"no."

"Press down your lips first before you speak."

The progress of the spirit-summoning process differed between the two groups of five.

Cheng Fang is the most stable.

He can draw in a small amount of spiritual energy each time, although most of it will dissipate within two or three hours, but the recovery speed and the duration of the Iron Bones are both improved.

During the test that day, he maintained his iron will for three minutes and fifty-eight seconds.

It took almost half a minute longer than the initial time.

In the last ten seconds, sweat was beading on his forehead, and the skin on his arms still retained a bluish-black metallic sheen.

When the timer ended, he deactivated his ability and leaned against the wall to catch his breath.

The extra half minute may seem insignificant.

If placed at the field site, it would be enough for him to block one more attack.

Xu Mian still couldn't retain her spiritual energy.

The first few times, she couldn't even feel anything.

Later, the research team instructed her to stop actively controlling the shadow and only maintain the shadow probe in a state of being half-open. Only then did she feel a slight chill at the edge of the shadow.

The spiritual energy dissipated quickly after entering the body.

However, her shadow detection duration has increased from twelve minutes to fourteen minutes and forty seconds.

Whether it was the induction of spirits that had the effect, or the natural progress resulting from the recent increase in training volume, is still uncertain.

Cheng Fang didn't let her rush.

Being able to sense spiritual energy at least means that you're heading in the right direction.

Lin Ye originally thought that he was the one who made the most significant progress among this batch of trial trainees.

After reviewing the data from other people, he realized that no one in Group Two was waiting for him.

It's just that everyone takes a different path.

A week later, the special handle for the Spirit Nail was returned to the research area.

The sealing group did not modify the artifact itself, but added a flow-limiting device to the spirit-guiding interface on the handle.

There is also an additional forced cut-off switch on the side.

The interface will immediately disconnect if the rate of spiritual energy extraction exceeds the set value.

Lin Ye, holding the modified Spirit-Shock Nail, stood in front of the sandbag once more.

"Can it unleash three times the power this time?"

Zhou Heng stood behind the monitoring station.

"cannot."

"Wouldn't it become weaker after the changes?"

"The purpose of the modification is to prevent you from passing out."

"Understood, we'll protect people, not injuries."

Lin Ye drew upon a small amount of spiritual energy and raised the Spirit-Shocking Nail.

After the right hand made contact with the spirit guide interface, only the first ring of patterns lit up on the nail.

boom!

The brief jolt struck the sandbag.

The sandbag swung backward half a meter without breaking or hitting the protective panel behind it.

Lin Ye felt only a slight tingling and numbness in his right arm.

Less than 10% of the free spiritual energy in the body was consumed.

Compared to the first time, its power was significantly reduced.

But it can stop.

Over the next few days, he began to practice the minimum output repeatedly.

lift.

Aim.

Establish pathways.

trigger.

Let go.

In the first ten times, the current limiting device had to forcibly cut off the current six times.

On the fourth day of practice, he was finally able to keep his output within the standard range for eight times.

Zhou Heng then agreed to let him bring the Spirit-Shocking Nail into the team simulation training on the seventh underground floor.

On the day of training, Group Two stood at the entrance of an abandoned street.

The street is lined with old shops, their doors and windows tightly shut. At the end of the street is a clinic with an exit at both the front and back. A small alley on the right leads to the clinic's back door.

The mission was to enter the clinic within four minutes, rescue two trapped individuals, and seal off the simulated anomaly.

There are a total of six moving targets in the area.

Four of them wore yellow lights on their chests, simulating ordinary people affected by yin energy; they could only be controlled, not used for lethal attacks.

The other two marked with red lights represent aggressive or abnormal targets that can be eliminated directly.

Lin Ye had a basic storage box hanging from his waist and held the modified Zhenling Nail in his right hand.

Cheng Fang checked the equipment of the group members one by one.

"Communication test".

"Xu's sleep is normal."

"Tang Zhi is normal."

"Qin Zhao is normal."

"The forest is normal."

Cheng Fang raised his hand.

"Enter."

Xu Mian's shadow slid out along the corner of the wall.

A few seconds later, she reported in a low voice:

"Two humanoid targets 20 meters ahead."

"There's another one in the shop on the right, and it hasn't been moved yet."

Cheng Fang walked at the very front.

Tang Zhi and Lin Ye were in the middle, Xu Mian was at the back, and Qin Zhao was responsible for bringing up the rear.

The procession had gone less than thirty meters into the street when the left-hand roller shutter door was suddenly kicked open.

A humanoid target with a yellow light on its chest lunged out at an angle.

Tang Zhi raised her hand.

The threads entangled the target's arms, pulling it towards the wall.

The second yellow light target rushed out from the right.

Cheng Fang took a step to the side and used his shoulder to push it back to the front of the shop.

"Don't stop, keep pushing forward."

Just as the group reached the middle of the street, all the streetlights overhead suddenly went out.

Xu Mian's shadow scout slipped into the darkness first.

"Red target directly ahead, moving very fast."

A dark shadow rushed towards them, skimming along the ground.

Five meters away.

"Linye."

Cheng Fang only called his name.

Lin Ye had already raised the Spirit-Shocking Nail.

He completed his aim and opened the passage.

The first ring of patterns lights up.

But when he felt a pulling sensation in his right arm, he hesitated for half a second.

He remembers all too clearly the feeling of losing all feeling in his arm after the first time he lost control.

In just half a second, the dark figure had already rushed from five meters to three meters.

"open!"

Cheng Fang shouted sternly.

boom!

The shockwave struck the target's left shoulder, slamming it against the wall.

The angle is off.

The red light on the target's chest did not go out. After landing, the target immediately rolled over and pounced on the middle of the group again.

Tang Zhi had no choice but to release the yellow light target she had just controlled, turn around and fling out the tether.

A thin thread wrapped around the shadowy figure's waist, forcibly pulling it to a stop.

Almost simultaneously, the glass of the shop on the right suddenly shattered.

The second red-light target smashed through the window, but instead of lunging at them, he went straight into the alley leading to the back door of the clinic.

"back door!"

Xu Mian immediately reminded her.

Qin Zhao turned around and raised his hand.

Dark red flames swept across the ground and exploded in front of the target.

The red-light target was forced to slow down a step, but did not stop. It quickly bypassed the flames and continued rushing towards the clinic.

At this moment, Tang Zhi is controlling the first red light target.

Cheng Fang was held back by two yellow-light targets that rushed back again.

Lin Ye's Spirit-Shocking Nails have just been released once and cannot be activated again for a short period of time.

Qin Zhao could only chase after him into the alley alone.

A few seconds later, a piercing alarm sounded in the clinic.

A system notification tone then sounded:

"The trapped people were attacked."

"Mission failed."

The lights in the training field were turned back on.

All moving targets stop simultaneously.

Lin Ye looked down at the Spirit-Shocking Nail without saying a word.

That shot definitely hit.

But in order to wait for an opportunity that he felt was absolutely safe, he let the first red light target get too close.

Tang Zhi was forced to abandon the target she originally controlled and take over the position.

A gap appeared in the middle of the line, giving the second red-light target a chance to circle around to the clinic's back door from the side.

One person's hesitation can ultimately disrupt the entire formation.

Ten minutes later, the five people sat down in the debriefing room.

The video on the screen stopped at the moment Lin Ye raised the Spirit-Shocking Nail.

When the shadowy figure entered within five meters, he had already completed his aim.

The real triggering occurred after the opponent entered within three meters.

Cheng Fang asked, "Why are we waiting?"

Lin Ye did not make any excuses.

"I'm afraid things will get out of control again."

"The modified Spirit Nail has three layers of restrictions."

"I know."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Lin Ye remained silent for a moment.

He understands the principles.

When the Spirit-Shocking Nail actually begins to draw spiritual energy, the body will still subconsciously want to stop for a moment and confirm it again.

"I haven't gotten used to it yet," he said.

Cheng Fang nodded and didn't scold him.

"Being able to use it doesn't mean you know how to use it."

He continued playing the video.

"If you're even half a second slower, Tang Zhi will have to cover for you."

"The moment she moves, the control in the middle is broken."

"The second target will flank around to the back door from the side; Qin Zhao alone cannot stop him."

"There won't be just one problem on site."

If you're slow here, you'll cause more trouble for others.

Lin Ye stared at the screen for a while.

"One more time."

Cheng Fang asked, "Aren't you afraid anymore?"

"I'm still afraid."

Lin Ye clenched his right hand.

"We can't keep waiting until something hits our face before we open it."

Half an hour later, the simulation training resumed.

The target location and route of action are all randomly adjusted.

This time, Lin Ye didn't think about proving himself.

Cheng Fang told him to move, so he moved.

When there were no instructions, he stayed close to the group and did not open up any paths.

Before entering the clinic, a red light target suddenly fell from the ceiling.

"Above!"

Before Xu Mian could speak, Lin Ye had already raised his right hand.

Establish pathways.

The first ring of patterns lights up.

boom!

The shockwave struck the target's chest.

The training dummy was knocked back against the wall, and after landing, the red light on its chest went out completely.

Lin Ye's right arm felt slightly numb.

That's it.

Cheng Fang did not stop.

"Continue to move forward."

The second group stormed into the clinic.

Tang Zhi used a tether to secure the two trapped individuals, Xu Mian confirmed the back door was safe, and Qin Zhao burned off the connection between the simulated anomaly and the wall.

Lin Ye opened the sealed box.

Cheng positioned himself to suppress the last moving target from the front.

Three minutes later, the simulated anomaly was successfully sealed.

Five people led the trapped individuals out through the back door.

A system notification sounded:

"Mission accomplished."

The streetlights came back on.

Cheng Fang walked over to Lin Ye and glanced at the monitoring data on his wrist.

"How's your hand?"

"It's a little numb."

"Can you still lift it?"

Lin Ye raised the Spirit-Shocking Nail.

"One more time is fine."

"Don't force yourself to use something you don't need."

Cheng Fang withdrew his gaze.

"You barely passed the test that time."

Lin Ye smiled.

"It's not easy to hear 'qualified' from you."

"There's still a tough road ahead."

"I've automatically filtered it."

Tang Zhi passed by.

"You have a great attitude; you're very easily satisfied."

"Low expectations lead to high happiness levels."

Qin Zhao walked behind.

"That's why my marksmanship improved so slowly."

Lin Ye turned to look at him.

"Why did you have to stab us in the back when things were going so well?"

Xu Mian pursed her lips and whispered:

"That was a pretty accurate shot."

Lin Ye immediately felt relieved.

"Xu Mian knows how to talk."

Xu Mian added another sentence:

"If it had been any later, it would have hit me."

Lin Ye: "..."

Tang Zhi laughed so hard she almost lost her balance.

After training, the five people returned to the rest area.

Cheng Fang was called away by Han Xu for more than ten minutes.

When he returned, he had a briefing in his hand.

Tang Zhi was repositioning her right wrist when she looked up.

"A mission?"

"It's not our turn yet."

Cheng Fang placed the briefing on the table.

"There have been a series of missing persons and unusual animal sightings near Black Locust Ridge. The source of the intelligence is questionable, but the facts are basically true."

Qin Zhao asked, "Risk level?"

"It's not decided yet."

"Han Xu has already dispatched a formal field team to the outskirts, only to confirm the situation and not to enter the depths of the mountains."

Xu Mian asked, "What about Group Two?"

"Stand by."

Cheng Fang looked at the group of people.

"We won't go into the mountains until the results are sent back."

Lin Ye glanced down at the satellite image on the briefing.

The vast mountain ranges are connected, and the tree canopies cover the ground, so nothing unusual can be seen from the photos.

The fact that the Seventh Division has already dispatched a formal field team indicates that it is not as simple as a few ordinary missing persons cases.

Cheng Fang put the briefing away.

"Ten-minute break."

"The next round will include cutting off communication and evacuating the wounded."

Tang Zhi stopped moving.

"Again?"

"It only succeeded once."

Cheng Fang looked at Lin Ye.

"One successful attempt doesn't mean you've mastered it."

Lin Ye sighed and picked up the Spirit-Shocking Nail again.

This sounds familiar.

"OK."

"Then let's do it again."