After confirming once again that he had no impression of the man bound in chains, Cheng Ye waved at Big Dragon.

"First let everyone disperse, don't stare like this."

The population density in the mall was really too high. Looking around, heads bobbed everywhere densely packed, comparable to elderly people scrambling for eggs at a modern mall opening. Even Cheng Ye himself felt his scalp tingle watching it.

Big Dragon immediately raised his hand to signal, and the originally tense atmosphere instantly relaxed.

However, everyone still tried to minimize the noise from their work as much as possible. Several half-grown children were pulled aside by their parents, but still couldn't help craning their necks to look curiously, their gazes fixed unblinkingly on Cheng Ye.

Although family members had repeatedly instructed them these past two days that they must show the utmost respect when seeing the inspector, in their limited experience, they really couldn't understand why this young man who looked no different from a neighborhood big brother could make a group of people much older than him so reverent.

Was it just his identity as an inspector?

Cheng Ye ignored the children's scrutiny, bringing Big Dragon to a corner beyond Jiang Chuan's sight, frowning slightly as he asked, "What's the situation with that person?"

"It's like this..."

Big Dragon spoke extremely quickly, "This guy called 'Jiang Chuan' has very strong purpose. He came straight to our B-7, kept trying to use money to pry open everyone's mouths, constantly asking about your information..."

After explaining how Boss Huang encountered Jiang Chuan at the intersection, how stall owners were questioned, and how Chen Dong and others noticed the abnormality.

Big Dragon didn't forget to add, "This is a tough character, Inspector Cheng. You also practice martial arts, right?"

"Mm," Cheng Ye nodded, "What realm is he?"

"At least Unity of Man and Heaven."

"Hm?" Cheng Ye was stunned, "How are you certain?"

"Well... I'm at Dao Embryo realm, completely couldn't beat him." Big Dragon scratched his head honestly, "Just that kind where upon meeting I couldn't even resist, directly got taken down."

"You're at Dao Embryo?"

Compared to the news that Jiang Chuan was at Unity of Man and Heaven, Cheng Ye was actually more surprised by Big Dragon's realm.

He'd always thought Big Dragon was just an ordinary person with decent skills. He didn't expect him to practice martial arts too?

"Back then the corps taught everyone some combat and breathing techniques every weekend so people could survive." Big Dragon explained, his tone carrying some embarrassment, probably having just been easily suppressed by Jiang Chuan left him without much confidence to be proud.

"My talent is decent enough. I haven't dared slack off these years, kept practicing. Second Dragon is also at Dao Embryo, but we all practice the corps' standard fighting methods, can't compare to those properly taught by Unity of Man and Heaven masters."

"There's a difference in this?"

"Yes, opening tendon gates indeed has different levels. The higher the level, the more bodily control ability can be improved. Embracing the Dao embryo... seems like he just said I embraced some fake embryo, but I don't understand it myself."

"Unity of Man and Heaven..."

Cheng Ye pondered.

From known information, Miao Yang was at Dao Embryo realm but didn't have Lv4 skills, which meant Unity of Man and Heaven should correspond to Lv4 level.

Among strangers encountered so far, Master Tian with Lv4 skills counted as one, Chu Yunfeng counted as one, and now Jiang Chuan appeared as another. It wasn't too surprising.

After all, this new martial system really wasn't like what martial arts novels described, where once stepping into Unity of Man and Heaven one could fly over roofs and walk on walls, omnipotent.

Just like this Jiang Chuan, wasn't he still honestly tied up?

To survive out here, you still needed power and backing.

However, speaking of which, Cheng Ye originally planned to wait for charging to complete, search a few more Lv1 talent skills to fuse together and see the specific improvement effects.

But now encountering Jiang Chuan, such a high compatibility target, not trying to raise compatibility to 100% and search for Lv3 skills would be too wasteful.

He pondered slightly, his eyes suddenly brightening, "Big Dragon, you'll need to cooperate with me on something later."

"Sir, whatever you command. Our community might not be good at other things, but when it comes to cooperation, if we dare claim second place in this buffer zone, no other community would dare claim first!"

Big Dragon patted his chest, very confident.

After Cheng Ye finished explaining the specific arrangements and assured again, "This is simple! Give me two minutes to prepare, guaranteed to arrange everything perfectly without any mistakes!"

"That's good, go arrange it."

Cheng Ye nodded lightly.

Ever since testing that his inspector identity had hidden bonuses for searching, he'd been pondering how to utilize this identity. Though this was his first attempt, the entire process had been rehearsed many times in his mind.

If it worked, searching people in the buffer zone would be much more convenient in the future.

When Cheng Ye called Big Dragon away, Jiang Chuan wasn't surprised, quietly sitting on the ground waiting.

His mind rehearsed the upcoming confrontation between the two, calculating how to phrase things to make Cheng Ye believe him.

And he couldn't expose his identity. He absolutely couldn't let Cheng Ye know he was sent by Station Chief Ding to test him.

However, after a minute or two, he still couldn't see Cheng Ye coming over.

Just as he was wondering, the surrounding crowd suddenly became agitated. Many people screamed as they ran toward rooms, especially children who scrambled away.

What happened? Jiang Chuan's heart sank!

Then, click, click, several light sounds. The mall's lights dimmed layer by layer, finally leaving only the first floor activity area with weak light, the surrounding shadows instantly becoming heavy.

Over thirty burly men walked out from the dark shadows, each radiating a murderous aura.

Like dealing with the Stand-In Starfish, eight people in front covered themselves head to toe with plastic sheeting, faces wearing masks and hoods, only revealing pairs of vigilant eyes.

The twenty-plus people behind all looked tense, holding rifles with dark muzzles aimed at him.

What was this about? Jiang Chuan's heart shook violently. The explanations he'd been brewing in his mind instantly evaporated, his calm facade finally breaking.

However, just then, POP!

A bullet suddenly hit the ground beside him, sparking.

The instant the gunshot exploded by his ear, Jiang Chuan almost instinctively rolled on the ground, his heart pounding like it would burst from his chest, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his back.

"Turn off the safety! We haven't confirmed it's an infected entity yet. Who told you to shoot without permission?"

Big Dragon strode up from behind, slapping the shooter hard on the back of his head, his tone carrying reprimand.

Then he turned to Jiang Chuan who was still lying on the ground, his tone troubled, "Mr. Jiang Chuan, Inspector Cheng suspects you're an infected entity that snuck in. He needs to interrogate and screen you now. May I ask, can you accept this?"

"What?"

Jiang Chuan suddenly propped himself up from the ground, his face full of disbelief, "How could I possibly be an infected entity?"

He instinctively wanted to reveal his identity as an inspection station clerk, but the words reached his mouth, his mind flashing again with Ding Yishan's instructions, he could only forcibly swallow them back.

"Don't you trust Inspector Cheng's abilities? Could he possibly wrongly accuse you?"

Big Dragon's gaze turned cold, "You snuck in asking around sneakily, unwilling to reveal your identity. Inspector Cheng suspects you've been possessed by a hydrophilic special infection source. Checking now, is there a problem?"

"No... no problem."

Jiang Chuan hesitated, finally gritting his teeth and nodding.

As long as he had a chance to speak with Cheng Ye, he could still come up with explanations. But if these reckless people shot him as an infected entity, this lifetime would truly be wasted.

"Very good. Walk there yourself."

Big Dragon pointed to a room on the first floor previously used to isolate infected entities, "Or shall we help you?"

"I'll walk myself."

Jiang Chuan got up, steeling himself to walk into the room.

As the door grating was pulled shut from outside, an incredibly absurd feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

How many years had it been since I was locked up and interrogated as an infected entity?

But fortunately, from collected information, this Inspector Cheng's methods didn't seem like those of a hoodlum, but rather had the feel of an Idealist.

"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch tiger cubs?"

"The station chief sent me to probe this Cheng Ye's background. Me 'pretending' to be an infected entity and getting examined could also count as... probing, right?"

His mind churned chaotically when he heard approaching footsteps again.

At the same time, a blinding light shone down from the second floor, making it difficult for him to open his eyes.

"Name!"

"Jiang Chuan."

"Age?"

"33 years old!"

"Gender?"

"Male!"

Jiang Chuan wasn't surprised. He'd already seen from collected information that this Inspector Cheng liked asking strange questions.

"Next I'll ask you three questions to verify your identity."

"Inspector Cheng, please ask freely."

Jiang Chuan steadied himself. Despite being surrounded by gun barrels, he tried to keep his tone as calm as possible.

"First question: what level are the tendon gates you've opened?"

"I came to, um..."

Jiang Chuan had prepared to be asked about his purpose, instinctively wanting to follow his previous line of thought. Only after saying three words did he snap back, "My tendon gates?"

"Do I need to repeat the question?"

Cheng Ye's voice was flat. The blinding light shone down from above. Jiang Chuan could only see his vague silhouette and couldn't make out his facial expression at all.

He was stunned, could only suppress his confusion and say in a deep voice, "Twelve tendon gates, all breakthrough limit."

"What's the difference between ordinary and breakthrough limit?"

Cheng Ye immediately followed up, his pace unhurried.

"Talent has levels. Opening one gate improving half a percent of bodily control ability is ordinary."

Speaking here, he paused, looking toward Big Dragon, "If it can improve one percent, that's excellent. Above that, one and a half percent is top-level. But breakthrough limit..."

"One gate improves two percent!"

As his words fell, Big Dragon's expression changed, visibly darkening.

According to Jiang Chuan's explanation, if all twelve gates were ordinary, that would be 60% enhancement.

But if all were breakthrough limit, that would be 240%, a full four-fold difference between the two.

And this was just paper data. The benefits became more obvious the higher you went.

"Very good!"

Cheng Ye's voice had slight fluctuation, but he suppressed it so well the change was barely audible.

In the upper right corner of his vision, compatibility had quietly floated to 99.4%.

"Of the twelve tendon gates, which one is most important?"

"Most important?"

Jiang Chuan was completely confused, suddenly feeling obsoleted by the times. Had the methods of today's young inspectors evolved to this level?

"Foot, knee, hip, waist, shoulder, elbow, wrist, neck, lower jaw, brow center, heart, dantian."

Listing the twelve gates in order, he continued, "Dantian is most crucial. After opening it can coordinate all body's tendon strength, when exerting force like surging waves, inexhaustible. But without coordination from the other eleven gates, it's useless."

"Speaking of individual gates, it should be the waist-spine gate. After opening, the torso can twist like a snake, and when receiving heavy blows it can dissipate force like cotton."

This is good! Cheng Ye's eyes lit up. Force dissipation combined with Iron Body, plus wearing battle armor, wouldn't that be even safer?

However, the compatibility in the upper right corner of the interface was still 0.2% short.

"Final question..."

"The last one?" Jiang Chuan perked up, the prepared explanations in his mind once again ready at his lips.

"Is it possible for ordinary tendon gates to improve in the future?"

"Hm?"

Jiang Chuan was stunned. Big Dragon standing aside was also dazed.

The difference was, complexity flashed in the former's eyes while the latter's lips moved slightly, almost unable to maintain his expression.

"Of course they can, but Inspector Cheng should know, the method I'm talking about..."

"That's enough!"

In the upper right corner of the interface, compatibility finally reached maximum.

Cheng Ye barked lowly, unhesitatingly clicking search.

[Search Successful!]

Lines of text unfolded on the interface. Dazzling golden-purple light flashed. Cheng Ye's heart jumped, almost crying out in shock.

[Jiang Chuan (Symbiotic Residual State)]

[Lv3 Skills]: Talent: Cloud Grass Physique* (Perfect, greatly enhances bodily recovery)

Talent: Breakthrough Limit State* (Perfect, entering this state can greatly improve bodily control)

Talent: Death Resistance (Perfect, greatly enhances bodily recovery when severely injured) Talent: Cold Weapon Mastery (Perfect, greatly enhances affinity with cold weapons) Skill: Twelve Breakthrough Limit Tendon Gates (Rare...)

Skill: Prodigy Mad Blade (Rare, special throwing knife technique, improves attack speed and accuracy)

Skill: Armed Swimming, Intermediate Quick Draw, Intermediate Perception, Intermediate Traps, Scorched Earth March, Advanced Camouflage...

[Lv4 Skills]: Locked

[Lv5 Skills]: Locked

[Note]: Detected searcher affected by special power, skills undergo mutation. Collector has warned through * notation. If searching such skills, when collector lacks corresponding special power, skill rating will significantly decline (Perfect → Rare)

"Red perfect?"

Cheng Ye's heart shook. This, was this the interface of a strong person?

Dazzling red talents numbered four, with two more rare skills below.

Just those Twelve Breakthrough Limit Tendon Gates alone would require him to search twelve times to complete.

Even more terrifying, Jiang Chuan had as many as thirteen ordinary Lv3 skills.

What concept was this? The same number as Chu Yunfeng's Lv1 skills.

But what concerned Cheng Ye most were the locked Lv5 skills displayed at the bottom of the interface.

Transcendent?

Was this Jiang Chuan a transcendent?

"Symbiotic residual state..."

His gaze fell on the description after Jiang Chuan's name. Cheng Ye's mind suddenly flashed with Zhang Can's dying words.

Missing one thing, couldn't achieve transcendence.

Could it be that Jiang Chuan was also missing one thing, so only retained part of transcendent abilities?

In a flash, no time to consider more questions.

Cheng Ye slightly lowered his head, pretending to think while actually fixing his gaze on several talents.

Before seeing these perfect talents, he would definitely choose the waist-spine gate without hesitation.

But now, Cloud Grass Physique was simply too suitable for use with Iron Body, directly filling the gap.

But at the same time, he couldn't help fantasizing, if Breakthrough Limit State stacked with Iron Body, to what extent would bodily control improve?

Hesitating for only moments, his mind flashed with scenes of fighting Zhang Can, thoughts instantly clear.

Why was Zhang Can so troublesome? Wasn't it because of his ability to devour and recover?

Only by staying alive could you have output!

"Search, Cloud Grass Physique."

25% probability, stacked with 100% compatibility, rising to 75% probability.

The interface flickered.

In Cheng Ye's silent prayers, encouraging lines of text slowly appeared.

[Search Successful]

[Civilization Collector has successfully recorded: Cloud Grass Physique (Lv.3; Talent; Perfect)]

[Detected collector lacks corresponding special power, talent form changes]

[Wild Grass Physique (Rare, moderately enhances bodily recovery)]

"Not bad. The name is a bit worse, but the effect shouldn't have decreased too much."

"After all... it's still a rare talent."

He hadn't expected to search Lv3 skills on just the second day after the collector's upgrade.

For a moment, Cheng Ye was in excellent spirits.

Closing the interface, he looked up and nodded lightly, "Not an infected entity. Everyone can relax."

"Great!"

"Thank goodness, I was so scared just now!"

"I told you, what infected entity would dare break into our community."

"Hurry up, what are you all standing around for!"

Big Dragon hastily shouted, "Why aren't you quickly untying Mr. Jiang and inviting him out? Forget it, give me the key!"

Taking the key, Big Dragon strode over, unlocking the chains on Jiang Chuan while continuously muttering apologies.

This series of operations left Jiang Chuan dazed once again, momentarily unsure of heaven and earth.

Hiss. Was this the cooperation that dared claim first place?

Outside the grating, Cheng Ye was also somewhat amazed. Not only was Big Dragon's acting convincing, even these men he'd selected were all comparable to movie stars.

Wait... these people, could they really think Jiang Chuan was an infected entity?

Glimpsing Big Dragon secretly winking at him, Cheng Ye was somewhat amused and exasperated.

But this verification confirmed one thing for him. This method really worked.

As long as someone entered the buffer zone, find any excuse to arrest them, enter examination mode, and compatibility would definitely soar.

Of course, he couldn't keep doing this. If reported, it would inevitably cause trouble.

"Mr. Jiang, sorry about this."

Cheng Ye stepped forward, his tone mild, "The infection tide just passed. The entire community is very vigilant, so you were mistaken for an infected entity. Please bear with us."

"Ah?"

Jiang Chuan had just walked out of the room, his mind still in chaos, instinctively nodding in response, "I understand, I can understand."

"Then you can go."

"Good, good..."

Hearing he could leave, Jiang Chuan quickly lifted his feet to go, but near the door, his steps suddenly stopped.

Wait, why was he leaving? Wasn't he here to find this Cheng Ye to probe his background?

"Eh, still have business?"

Cheng Ye's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of amusement, "Could it be Mr. Jiang is looking for me for something else?"

Right? Yes, I have business with him!

In just an instant, Jiang Chuan felt his chaotic thoughts suddenly clear, almost blurting out, "Inspector Cheng, the station received your medical application. Looks like you're badly injured, need at least ten days to half a month in the medical facility. So they sent me, a clerk, to check your situation, help pack your luggage, and handle procedures when you get to the medical facility, saving you trips back and forth."

Earlier when being examined by Cheng Ye, these words had nearly suffocated him.

Now saying it all at once, Jiang Chuan felt an unprecedented comfort throughout his body. That exhilarating feeling was quite like the satisfaction he'd felt years ago in Linjiang after battling fusion bodies in the water for three hundred rounds.

He straightened his back, looking at Cheng Ye, finally gaining some confidence in his eyes.

No matter how outrageous that interrogation was, at least now he'd connected with the task Ding Yishan had assigned.

"Great, let's go then. I just need someone to help move some things."

Cheng Ye nodded, taking the lead outside, leaving a completely bewildered Jiang Chuan standing in the passage.

After hesitating two seconds, he quickly caught up.

It was this simple?

Then why did he rack his brains, even get captured by community people? What was the point?

Exiting the mall, fresh air hit his face. Jiang Chuan suddenly felt like the world had gone so crazy he couldn't recognize it.

This B-7 District, this Tianyuan Community, this Inspector Cheng.

His past experience was completely ineffective here. Everything was moving in directions he'd never imagined.

"Mr. Jiang?"

"Uh..." Jiang Chuan coughed lightly, covering his chaotic emotions, "Inspector Cheng, just call me by name."

"Alright, thanks."

Cheng Ye extended his hand, gently patting Jiang Chuan's shoulder with warm eyes, "I think we're quite fated. If you need to find me in the future, just call, no need for such trouble."

"Fated?"

Jiang Chuan was stunned, looking down at his patted shoulder, feeling these two words contained some indescribable meaning.

He looked up at Cheng Ye. The other's face wore a frank smile, but the warmth in those eyes made this self-proclaimed shrewd clerk suddenly unable to see through him.

However, this was good news.

In the future, Station Chief Ding would inevitably have him come probe this Inspector Cheng's changes. Being able to get familiar would save him from hiding like today.

"Two blocks away, I live in Sunrise Electronics Factory residential compound."

Cheng Ye led while Jiang Chuan silently followed behind.

It was working hours, so there were no figures moving about in the compound.

Pushing open the security door and seeing the extremely simple furnishings inside, Jiang Chuan pursed his lips.

He wanted to say something, but felt their relationship wasn't at the level where he could speak freely.

"If it's convenient, please help me take these books. I can read them while hospitalized."

"Books?"

Taking the cardboard box and glancing at the cover contents, Jiang Chuan was slightly stunned.

Handwritten books weren't strange, but they were all about dealing with infected entities, not one old-era magazine.

You should know, even Station Chief Ding would flip through magazines for entertainment in his spare time.

"And these clothes, can you carry them?"

Cheng Ye opened the wardrobe, taking out several changes of clothes.

Jiang Chuan turned for a glance, but first saw a basket of rags in the wardrobe, stunned again.

"Hm?"

"Oh, oh, I can manage, just give them all to me!"

After taking the clothes and books, only some unopened bullets remained in the room.

Two long guns were hidden under the bed by Cheng Ye, inappropriate to take to the medical facility.

As for nutrition paste, the unfinished portions had expired, and presumably the medical facility wouldn't lack food for him.

"Let's go!"

[NEXT CHAPTER]