CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 43: AWAKENING TEST! DENIED!

"Hello, Minister Long."

Wu Liang, as usual, reached out with a smile on his face, although the other couldn’t see his expression.

Buzz—

The moment their hands touched, Wu Liang instantly felt a rumbling buzz in his mind, as if he were being struck hard inside a large drum.

Especially, the Ghost Compendium suspended in his mind began to rapidly flip and rustle, instinctively counterattacking.

The consciousness of several Fierce Ghosts started barking like mad dogs in Wu Liang’s mind, looking ready to bite anyone who dared to enter.

"Hmm?"

Minister Long frowned in confusion, and in the next second, released Wu Liang’s wrist and subconsciously took a step back.

This step, however, caused He Zhan and Old Meng on the side to exchange a look of disbelief, both noticing the astonishment in the other’s pupils.

"This... impossible!?"

They certainly knew what Minister Long was doing.

It’s the benefit every newcomer receives after passing Minister Long’s test—mental expansion!

He can strengthen the target’s spiritual power through physical contact, providing this enhancement once a certain criterion in his mind is met.

Unfortunately, no one knows exactly what that standard is, resulting in several Awakened in the Chengyang City branch who have been around for a year or two not receiving Minister Long’s help.

He Zhan received mental expansion two months into joining; Old Meng took half a year, and even one team leader in memory took two whole weeks to be recognized by Minister Long for enhancement.

They were shocked at how Wu Ming could receive Minister Long’s enhancement help upon meeting!

Even more startling was how Minister Long was forced back a step just now!

What exactly happened just now!?

"Such formidable spiritual power, not needing any help from me! Wu Ming is indeed the talent strongly recommended by Captain He!" Minister Long couldn’t help but appraise this newcomer whose face was hidden.

At this moment, his shock was no less than anyone else’s.

After all, Minister Long knew how monstrous his own spiritual power was!

His ability to help others with mental expansion is not his Awakened Ability, but simply using his extraordinarily powerful spiritual power to forcibly guide the other’s mind to refine spiritual power.

However, just as he was about to guide Wu Ming in mental expansion, a spiritual power no less invasive than his own instantly retaliated.

If he hadn’t let go in time, perhaps one of them might have collapsed to the ground with a nosebleed.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Minister Long; it seems I’m not fortunate enough to receive your newbie package."

Wu Liang shook his head, stabilizing the tumultuous Fierce Ghost consciousness in his mind, then regrettably spoke words of courtesy to give Minister Long an exit.

Of course, he realized what the other intended to do.

He just hadn’t expected the Ghost Compendium to react so sharply, attacking any external force entering his mind like an enemy.

Luckily, it hadn’t truly collided with Minister Long’s spiritual power, or it would be difficult to explain.

"Hahaha, not at all, I was the one showing off. This newbie package seems unappealing to Wu Ming." Minister Long laughed heartily in response.

Then he handed over the file folder he had set down.

He spoke warmly, "Here, this is your dossier; go complete the remaining contents."

With that, Minister Long put the mysteriously restored Magic Cube into his pocket, watching Wu Liang fill out the information with great interest.

"Ability effect... Awakening time... Appearance?" Wu Liang paused when he saw this section, looking up at everyone in confusion.

Old Meng quickly clapped his hands, and a robot that had been tidying bookshelves swiftly glided over, "For appearance information, just take a photo with it to record."

He Zhan also looked over with curiosity.

He hadn’t seen Wu Ming without the mist on his face; he only heard the other say he didn’t show his true face because of a disfigurement from a supernatural event.

"Since it’s a requirement, there’s no choice." Wu Liang spoke as he slowly lifted the mist from his face.

Then, a face appeared that aside from a slightly rebellious expression, was nearly indistinguishable from his original appearance.

The only difference was a fierce scar running from his forehead across the bridge of his nose, extending to the lower right corner of his lips, ruining the harmony of his face.

It instantly made his expression appear somewhat fierce.

"I see, it’s really tough on you. Captain He, Old Meng, remember not to reveal Wu Ming’s face to others outside," Minister Long remarked with emotion.

Seeing his trick had fooled everyone present, Wu Liang couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, over the years, the Mist Ghost consumed many Fierce Ghosts, and the Puppet Ghost it devoured just now strengthened its ability!

Its ability now included the Puppet Ghost’s traits, allowing it to simulate a human-like illusion, rather than being limited to Ghost Walls and presence nullification.

Now, the officials have officially acknowledged Wu Ming’s existence.

No matter what kind of trouble he causes in the future, it will always be Wu Ming’s doing!

The final piece of information entered—

[Codename—Shadow]

Watching the creation of his codename, Minister Long smiled and said, "Follow me, Wu Ming, and let’s do the last awakening test."

However, upon hearing this, He Zhan and Old Meng both froze, their minds momentarily unable to react.

Awakening test?

Isn’t that a test to confirm if someone truly awakened?

Wu Ming is already an Awakened!

He even assisted us in exorcising the Puppet Ghost half an hour ago, providing strong support!

Does someone like that need to undergo an awakening test?

If He Zhan remembered correctly, that awakening test device was primarily used for ordinary people; as far as he knew, none of the approved members who joined the Supernatural Handling Squad had undergone that test!

What’s Minister Long up to?!

But Wu Liang, newly arrived, naturally didn’t know this, and he followed Minister Long outside without a second thought.

The two headed straight towards a black building behind the white building, pushing open a dusty door clearly unused for a long time.

Inside was expansive, with only three platforms slightly elevated from the normal ground enclosed in glass pillars, along with a plane-like console full of buttons.

"Wu Ming, just stand on any of the glass platforms," Minister Long pointed to the three platforms ahead.

Following the command, Wu Liang slowly stepped onto one.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit of sweat in his palm.

After all, regarding the existence of the Ghost Compendium, Wu Liang wasn’t sure if it truly was his Awakened Ability.

If it is, he always feels something’s missing; but if it’s not, what else could grant him such extraordinary special ability besides awakening?

He’s also very curious about this...

Under expectant gazes, Minister Long quickly operated the device before him, and Wu Liang’s glass platform gradually emitted vibrant colors.

Seeing these colors emerge, Wu Liang felt an inexplicable urge inside, seeming like they were making some sort of call, hoping for a response from him.

But the meaning of this call, Wu Liang ultimately couldn’t figure out how to respond.

About five minutes later, the glass platform gradually returned to its transparent color.

Standing at the door, He Zhan and Old Meng’s shock had nearly turned to numbness.

The pillar didn’t settle on any color!

It remained transparent in the end!

This indicates that the person on the platform doesn’t have any form of Awakened Ability!

"Impossible! Wu Ming can’t have not awakened! This device must be faulty!" He Zhan exclaimed.

A powerful Awakened he’d invited to join the officials can’t possibly be ordinary!

"Wu Ming, care to explain?"

Minister Long squinted, still smiling, but this time the oppressive force flowing from him caused the entire room’s equipment to tremble, seeming as if the room might collapse at any moment.

Under the questioning gazes, Wu Liang simply smiled and let mist emerge densely around him, saying:

"That’s right, I’m not an Awakened!"