Chapter 21: A Perfect Merge
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Unknowingly, more than an hour had already passed.
In the hall of the Intelligence Unit, aside from Mo Yanshao, Tu Polu, Cao Xinghua, An Qing and Fang Lingshan also arrived one after another. One by one, they either stood or sat in the hall. All of them were paying attention to the scene of Room 999 on the display.
Dr. Huang and Big Zhou also came.
The light cocoon on the screen had not budged at all for more than an hour.
For each summoner, this was the most important and the most dangerous moment in their lives. From within the light cocoon, some people would metamorphose and finally emerge as a summoner. Others would be shattered in the light cocoon. Their heads would explode, and they would die headless. Everything was an unknown.
The fellow in the light cocoon was still not that close with everyone yet. However, regardless, he was still a colleague of theirs or might become one in the future.
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Right now, the emotions of the people here were similar to that of those waiting outside the emergency room in hospitals. Their emotions also somewhat resembled that of people who were anticipating the announcement of the results of the lottery. Among their anxiety, there was a hint of anticipation.
“The mystery of the boundaries is powerful. Back then, I also attempted to merge with the boundary beads. Yet, unbeknown why, even a person as intelligent and outstanding as me never made it past the first stage. I failed to even merge with the divine fire boundary bead. It is the greatest regret of my life,” Big Zhou chatted with Mo Yanshao and lamented about his experience back then.
Back in the day, Big Zhou was the top student in the national examination. He was proud and decided to dedicate his life to becoming a summoner. He had passed the physical assessment during the national examinations and had the chance to attempt merging with the boundary beads. However, Big Zhou never imagined that he would fail at the first stage and forever lost the opportunity to become a summoner.
It was precisely because of his failure back then that Big Zhou had a change in personality. He was depressed for a very long time. Ever since then, he no longer acted high and mighty.
“Since ancient times, countless people who considered themselves geniuses never made it past this first stage. No one knows what happens when merging with the boundary beads. As for the results from merging with the boundary beads, it depends entirely on the individual,” Mo Yanshao comforted him.
“Do you think this kid can pass this stage?”
“I will not guess. Time will tell,” Mo Yanshao replied as he shook his head.
Right then, the doors of the hall were pushed open. Li Yunzhou entered sneakily. He kept looking around as he asked, “Has the provincial inspector left?”
Everyone ignored him.
The provincial inspector was an Awakened with the ability of mind reading. No one wanted to stay around a person who possessed powerful mind-reading abilities. If one was around such a person, in the time it took to exchange greetings, the person might be able to dig up one’s secrets.
Hence, when Madam Qian came, aside from Mo Yanshao, who was forced to show himself and welcome her, and Xia Ping’an, everyone in the Special Forces Unit consciously disappeared. Only after Madam Qian left did they reappear.
Li Yunzhou had stayed hidden for far too long. For him to only appear now clearly meant that he had a guilty conscience and was afraid to meet Madam Qian.
When he saw that there were no outsiders around, Li Yunzhou straightened up and casually walked up beside Mo Yanshao. He had his hands behind his back as he looked at the large screen in the hall. He coughed softly twice and said, “This kid, as his senior, I initially wanted to guide him in things he needed to look out for before merging with the boundary bead. I never imagined that he would begin so soon. Oh, well, since he does not have such good fortune to be guided by me, it all depends on his luck now.”
“Just now, he was already given some guidance,” Big Zhou could not help but say when he saw Li Yunzhou acting cocky.
“Oh, is that so? If someone has already given him some guidance, then there shouldn’t be any problems. From what I have seen, this kid has potential. He should be able to merge with the divine fire boundary bead!” Li Yunzhou appeared authoritative and was not embarrassed at all. “Even if he doesn’t manage to become a summoner in the end, as long as he ignites his divine fire, he will have the chance to be baptized with divine power. His physical abilities will also be greatly increased. His close-quarter combat ability will skyrocket, and his chances of survival will improve immensely. For our Special Forces Unit, he would still be useful and will at least not hold us back.”
“That is true. As long as he ignites his divine fire, there will be many benefits awaiting him. If I had managed to do so in the past…,” Big Zhou ed with a tone of admiration and regret.
“Big Zhou, you don’t need to envy him. You are a senior now. Each person has their own area of proficiency. Being a summoner just isn’t yours,” Li Yunzhou said as he glanced over at Big Zhou and chuckled.
Big Zhou discovered that speaking with this b*st*ard Li Yunzhou was a mistake. He really felt like punching him.
Big Zhou coldly snorted as he glanced at Li Yunzhou. He walked over to a couch and sat down. He gave up talking with Li Yunzhou.
Li Yunzhou had no one around him that he could talk to, so he found a topic to chat about with Mo Yanshao. He began, “Head, I have heard that very few summoners managed to perfectly merge with the divine fire boundary bead during their first attempt. Have you seen anyone pull off such a feat before?”
“I have,” Mo Yanshao replied as he nodded his head. He was still staring intently at the screen as he continued, “Although there aren’t many who can do so, it is not unheard of. Everyone merged with the divine fire boundary bead, but even if they succeeded, each person would obtain different amounts of divine power points during their first try. Usually, those who manage to merge with the divine fire boundary bead successfully can only obtain eight to nine points of divine power. Some who perform averagely can obtain 10 or 11 points. Excellent candidates can obtain 12 or even 13. Exceptional people can get more than 13 points. A perfect merge with the divine fire boundary bead can grant 16 points of divine power. The effects of the baptism of divine power will also be more powerful than others!”
“That is true. Back then when I merged with the divine fire boundary bead, I obtained 14 points of divine power. It was almost a perfect merge,” Li Yunzhou lamented. His voice was slightly louder, and he was glancing over in the direction of Fang Lingshan and An Qing.
“Oh, really? Why is it that, when I reviewed your records, you initially only had eight points of divine power after merging with the divine fire boundary bead?” Mo Yanshao asked, unapologetically exposing his boast.
“Maybe the records are wrong,” Li Yunzhou continued with his boast. “I remember it was 14 points. Otherwise, I would not be so powerful.”
“If he is taxed for every boast he made, he would probably be bankrupt,” Cao Xinghua ed coldly.
“Big Cao, are you jealous of me? I remember you owed me last time…”
“Get lost,” Cao Xinghua retorted, not giving Li Yunzhou the chance to speak and cutting off the rest of Li Yunzhou’s sentence.
“A perfect merge requires a bit of luck. I have seen a perfect merge with a divine fire boundary bead once,” Tu Polu remarked to the side. He had a reminiscing look as he said, “Those who can perfectly merge with a divine fire boundary bead will be able to do so in the shortest amount of time. After they merge with it, the light cocoon will release a sound like that of the humming of jade that can refresh the spirits of those around. The person who does the merging will shine with golden light from top to bottom. That light is completely different from that of others who succeed in merging with the divine fire boundary bead.”
“It sounds interesting,” Li Yunzhou muttered.
Just as Li Yunzhou said this, a crisp sound suddenly filled the hall. The low hum was melodious. It was like the humming of jade. It refreshed the spirits of everyone present.
“What is that sound?” Li Yunzhou asked with a look of astonishment. He even looked all around like a stupid person. He was busy acting high and mighty just now, and his eyes were darting around everywhere, so he had not noticed the situation on the display in the hall. Hence, he had not noticed the strange change on the screen.
The gazes of everyone else were already directed at the display in the hall.
In Room 999, the light cocoon around Xia Ping’an suddenly shattered. His body radiated with brilliant golden light. Then, the room was filled with the golden light from Xia Ping’an’s body. The entire room was shining brightly.
Everyone in the hall was stunned at this moment.
The gigantic screen was also completely golden. It made the entire hall shine with golden light, just like in Room 999.
This… Could this be a perfect merge?
The golden light remained for two minutes before it disappeared. Then, as the golden light vanished, a mass of golden flame appeared. The golden flame surrounded Xia Ping’an and circled a few times around him in a clockwise motion. It then burrowed into the top of Xia Ping’an’s head.
“This… This is a perfect merge!” Right then, the sound of Li Yunzhou’s stuttering voice filled the hall.
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