Chapter 182: Abilities Unleashed

Chapter 182: Abilities Unleashed

Feng Xiangming was so startled that the lollipop in his mouth fell out. Although he knew that new leaders often painted rosy pictures to boost morale, Lu Yan's pie in the sky was just too big. The Monitoring Institute had been researching for over a decade without figuring out how ordinary people could acquire abilities, yet Lu Yan claimed he could help them awaken their powers?!

Meng Xichuan chuckled. "See? I told you he's not right in the head."

Chen Yan swiftly pulled Lu Yan off the stage, immediately muting the loudspeaker, and whispered, "Captain, don't say things like that!"

The yearning of ordinary people for abilities was unimaginable. Lu Yan's newly formed team was already drawing attention, and now, rashly promising to help them awaken abilities could be disastrous. If he failed and Sky City exploited this to stir up trouble, it could lead to instability within the ranks.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan didn't elaborate further. After all, such a claim did sound far-fetched. He patted Chen Yan on the shoulder, instructing him to have the patrol team brothers guard nearby to prevent eavesdropping. Then, he called out a few names: "Tang Xiao, Chen Yan, Feng Xiangming, Meng Xichuan, come with me."

Behind Cloud Road, there was a storage room in the office building. Lu Yan initially wanted to find a private place to talk, but when he opened the door, he found people sleeping on mats everywhere. After searching around, he realized that every habitable space was occupied. In the end, he could only squat in an open, small grove of trees to hold their meeting.

Lu Yan's expression was grave as he lowered his voice. "Listen carefully. What I'm about to tell you is crucial, possibly even related to the survival of our entire Devil City."

Feng Xiangming tried to look serious, but the sight of the five of them squatting by a flower bed was absurd. He swatted a mosquito on his leg and urged, "Captain, just tell us what's going on."

Meng Xichuan interjected, "You don't have to say anything. Let me buy the office building outside first."

He didn't want to discuss matters while squatting in the grass.

Lu Yan flicked his wrist, and a blue-violet lightning bolt appeared in his palm, crackling softly. "What I said about helping you gain abilities is true. All it takes is a zap from me."

Feng Xiangming jumped in fright, thinking Lu Yan might have lost his mind. Stuttering, he asked, "W-w-we... still need to get zapped by you?"

Meng Xichuan also looked perplexed. "Are you kidding? One zap from you would turn us to ashes. Where would the abilities come from then?"

Lu Yan replied, "Of course it's true. You'll know if you try."

Frightened, Feng Xiangming plopped onto the ground and hurriedly hid behind Meng Xichuan. "Captain, don't scare me. I'm still young; I don't want to die so soon."

Seeing his reluctance, Lu Yan turned to Meng Xichuan, extending his hand. "How about you?"

Meng Xichuan, seeing this, stuffed his hands into his sleeves, shaking his head vigorously. He refused to reach out, "Do I look like a fool? If one zap from you grants abilities, why bother with all the research at the Monitoring Institute?"

That was indeed the truth.

Lu Yan scanned the surroundings, raising his eyebrows slightly. "You're really not coming? Should I find someone else outside to test it on?"

He had been grooming Feng Xiangming and the others as his trusted confidants, which was why he chose them first to awaken their abilities. He didn't expect them to be so timid. Just as Lu Yan stood up to search for targets outside, Tang Xiao, who had remained silent, suddenly rose to his feet. With his dark, bright eyes fixed on Lu Yan, he declared, "Captain, I want to give it a try!"

Hearing this, Lu Yan paused, looking somewhat surprised. "Are you sure?"

Feng Xiangming secretly tugged at Tang Xiao, whispering anxiously, "Hey, don't be foolish. He's just trying to trick you, and you actually believe him!"

After a moment of silence, Chen Yan also stood up. "I'll give it a try too."

He didn't fully believe that a single zap could grant abilities, but his boldness, coupled with his position as Lu Yan's subordinate, made him feel obligated to follow orders.

Lu Yan fiddled with the red button hidden in his sleeve, thinking that this kid was quite brave. Chen Yan's agreement was expected, but he hadn't anticipated Tang Xiao's courage. "Aren't you afraid I might accidentally electrocute you to death?"

Tang Xiao pursed his lips, resolute. "There's no reward without risk in this world. If I die, it's just bad luck. I won't blame you."

With that, he extended a slightly calloused hand, trembling slightly due to nervousness. The palm was scarred and rough, silently narrating the hardships of life in Devil City's slums.

Lu Yan smiled. "Good. You'll be the first. It might hurt a bit when you get zapped, but you'll just have to endure it."

As he spoke, he reached out toward Tang Xiao, deliberately slowing down to observe his reaction. Though Tang Xiao closed his eyes in fear, he didn't retract his hand, his body tensing up.

"Zap—!"

The moment Lu Yan grasped his hand, Tang Xiao felt a jolt of electric pain surge through his entire body. Every blood vessel seemed on the verge of bursting, causing unbearable agony. His body convulsed and trembled, emitting a pained cry before collapsing to the ground. His originally fair skin flushed red and purple, a terrifying sight.

"Tang Xiao!"

"Are you okay?!"

Frightened by the scene, Feng Xiangming and the others rushed forward to intervene. However, just then, Lu Yan's wrist flicked again, and a large mass of blue energy flowed along Tang Xiao's arm to his heart. Under such extreme pressure, Tang Xiao couldn't withstand the pain any longer. He raised his head, roaring loudly as he forcefully broke free from Lu Yan's grip. A visible layer of pale blue frost covered his entire body, indicating that he had awakened ice-based abilities!

A sharp ice spike shot out, but Lu Yan nimbly dodged, avoiding being accidentally injured by Tang Xiao's cold aura. He hadn't expected the button obtained from the System Store to actually work, and the heavy burden in his heart finally lifted:

"It's ice-based abilities!"

Drenched in cold sweat, Tang Xiao still felt residual tingling from the electric shock, making it difficult for him to stand. Hearing Lu Yan's words, he finally regained some clarity. Looking at his own hands in disbelief, he muttered, "Do I have abilities now?"

Was he dreaming?

Tang Xiao was an orphan who had survived by scavenging since childhood. He barely managed to live by doing hard labor with a few friends. At his most desperate times, his life points had dwindled to just thirty minutes. He thought he would spend his entire life living among garbage. When Lu Yan mentioned it earlier, he hadn't held much hope. Yet, he had actually awakened abilities, feeling as if it were all a dream.

Stunned, Feng Xiangming and Meng Xichuan doubted their sanity, suspecting they were hallucinating. Holy crap, they didn't see wrong, did they? Tang Xiao actually gained abilities?! The Monitoring Institute had poured massive funds and professional talent into researching how to awaken abilities in ordinary people, but after more than a decade, they hadn't figured it out. And here, Lu Yan had done it with just one zap? Too freaking unbelievable!

Meng Xichuan forcefully jabbed Feng Xiangming, feeling disoriented. "Quick! Pinch me. I'm not dreaming, am I?!"

Feng Xiangming's mind was blank, unable to think straight. He pinched Meng Xichuan hard upon hearing this, only to receive a slap on the head in the next second. "Bastard! Why did you pinch so hard?!"

Now, both of them were hopping in pain. Damn, it wasn't a dream after all!

Chen Yan's face was filled with shock. Although he tried to remain calm, his increasingly heavy breathing betrayed his inner turmoil. "Captain, how is this possible?"

It was too unscientific! Too unreasonable! Everyone present felt like their CPUs were overheating.

"This story is long, and I'll explain it to you later. Who's next?"

Lu Yan casually brushed aside the matter, intentionally extending his hand to ask who was next. Feng Xiangming and Meng Xichuan exchanged glances and immediately rushed forward, behaving like retired grandmothers fighting over discounted vegetables at the supermarket:

"Me, me, me! I'll go!"

"As your senior, of course, I should go first!"

"Why didn’t you yield to your junior brother!"

"If you’re not afraid of death!"

Lu Yan held grudges, raising his eyebrows as he said, "The two of you weren’t just saying that you were afraid of being electrocuted by me, so why are you vying for a turn now? Get in line, the next one is Chen Yan!"

The last sentence was merciless and left no room for regret, leaving Feng Xiangming and Meng Xichuan to rue their shortsightedness inwardly. How could they have let Tang Xiao, that young punk, get ahead of them!

Chen Yan had experienced life and death on the battlefield; he could remain calm even when Mount Tai collapsed before him. But hearing Lu Yan’s words, he was unusually nervous, sweat breaking out in his palms. He wiped them forcefully on his clothes before shakily extending his hand. "C-Captain, I’m ready."

With the experience from the first time, the second attempt went much more smoothly. Lu Yan firmly grasped Chen Yan’s hand and secretly pressed the button. A blue current flowed down his arm to Chen Yan’s heart, then suddenly spread throughout his body. Chen Yan was resilient, enduring the pain with bulging veins on his forehead, his face turning red and purple, but he gritted his teeth and didn’t utter a sound. It wasn’t until Lu Yan abruptly withdrew his force that he finally stumbled back a few steps. A cluster of dark blue flames instantly shot up before his eyes, the scorching heat making people feel the burn. It was fire-elemental power, most suitable for group attacks!

Rubbing his chin, Lu Yan couldn’t hide his surprise. "It’s actually fire-elemental, and it’s the highest temperature blue flame. Chen Yan, you have good potential. Hunt more wanderers these two days and quickly level up."

Chen Yan’s skills and intellect were top-notch among ordinary people, but due to lacking abilities, he had been suppressed in the patrol team. Now, unexpectedly awakening abilities, his excitement matched Tang Xiao’s, his hands trembling. "Captain, am I dreaming?!"

Lu Yan smiled ambiguously. "How old are you? Tang Xiao acting silly like a kid is understandable, but why are you following suit?"

This left both of them blushing.

Feng Xiangming was envious to death, hesitantly saying, "Captain, captain, don’t forget about me. Electrode me too, okay?"

Lu Yan remained silent.

Meng Xichuan was also desperate, awkwardly coughing once. "Captain, we were ignorant earlier. You’re the bigger person, don’t hold it against us. There are many people around, so it’s better to be quick. Let’s not waste time."

He was much smarter than the foolish boy Feng Xiangming, hitting the nail on the head. Lu Yan was originally just teasing them, so he didn’t drag it out any longer. Grabbing one in each hand, he acted:

"Zzzt!"

"Zzzt!"

Feng Xiangming and Meng Xichuan spent their time in the lab, looking weak. They lacked Chen Yan’s endurance. The simultaneous sounds of electric currents made them cry out in pain, tears and snot streaming down their faces. An outsider might think Lu Yan was slaughtering pigs.

Feng Xiangming’s body sensed immense danger, a layer of pale golden protective shield covering his skin, clearly gold-elemental. Meanwhile, several wind blades appeared out of nowhere around Meng Xichuan, surprisingly wind-elemental.

Lu Yan decisively released his grip, nimbly avoiding their attacks caused by energy loss of control. "Gold-elemental, wind-elemental, not bad. From today onwards, form a five-element team."

Feng Xiangming was still smoking from the electric shock, dazedly asking, "W-What’s a five-element team?"

Hands in his pockets, Lu Yan inconspicuously hid the button inside. "Later, I’ll help the ordinary people outside activate their abilities and manage them accordingly. You’ll be in charge of the gold team, Meng Xichuan will manage the wind team, Chen Yan will oversee the fire team, and Tang Xiao will handle the ice team. If there are any lightning-elementals among them, they’ll join the lightning team under my management."

Of course, this possibility was minuscule. Everyone knew how rare and precious lightning-elementals were, with barely one appearing among thousands.

Meng Xichuan was somewhat surprised. "You’re going to help all the ordinary people outside activate their abilities? Isn’t that a bit risky? What if there are people with ill intentions among them? We’ve already caught Sky City’s attention by forming teams. Who knows if they won’t send spies over? I suggest we screen out a trusted group instead."

Meng Xichuan’s concerns weren’t without merit, but his theory only applied during peaceful times. With disaster looming, the more people with abilities, the safer Devil City would be, increasing its chances of survival.

Lu Yan patted his shoulder. "Even if Sky City sends spies, at most, they’ll find out how I activated your abilities. The red moon is about to disappear soon. If ordinary people have self-defense capabilities, their chances of survival increase. My purpose in forming teams is to ensure their safety. If I also divide them into different classes for screening, what’s the difference from Sky City?"

Meng Xichuan realized the logic and fell silent.

Chen Yan calmed down from his earlier surprise, hesitating. "Captain, I’m worried that some people will sneak into the defense team to activate their abilities, claiming they registered when they didn’t. Maybe we should keep this quiet for now. I’ll immediately organize the teams and classes with the brothers below. Once the numbers are confirmed, we can activate their abilities."

While Lu Yan wanted all ordinary people to have self-defense capabilities, his resources were limited. He would naturally prioritize the defense team members. Some people wanted abilities without contributing. This situation needed to be screened out first.

Lu Yan nodded. "You came from the military, so you’re better at personnel management than I am. Leave this matter to you."

Thus, the crowd waited outside for about half an hour before finally seeing Lu Yan and the others emerge. Chen Yan gave some instructions to the armed brothers below, though no one knew what he said. The soldiers who had left the patrol team immediately dispersed to either side, moving in an orderly fashion. They separated the defense team members from the onlookers:

"Everyone, look at me! We’re now conducting the first round of personnel screening. Unrelated bystanders, scatter immediately. Defense team members, ten in a row, form groups freely. Stand in position within two minutes! Those who haven’t found their place when time’s up will be directly eliminated!"

Obedience was the first test. If someone was so confused they couldn’t find their team, they couldn’t be relied upon to kill wanderers. With Chen Yan’s command, the previously quiet crowd panicked, scurrying around like ants, causing chaos:

"What, there’s still screening? Isn’t enrollment enough to get in!"

"Excuse me, if you’re not joining a team, move aside, don’t block me!"

"Our row is full, go to the back!"

Lu Yan stood high up, timing with a stopwatch. Patrol team members held guns around the perimeter, occasionally helping to organize the teams. When there were ten seconds left, a massive formation had taken shape. Only seven or eight slow individuals were still buzzing around like bees, unable to find their place.

"Time’s up! Those who haven’t found their place are directly eliminated!"

Chen Yan was strict, giving no extra time. After speaking, he approached Lu Yan for permission, then stood beside him with a megaphone. "Next, team assignments. Rows 1-5 to Class 1, rows 6-10 to Class 2, and so on. If the rear lacks numbers, form independent classes, adjusting later!"

"Everyone, immediately claim your class and count heads, rearranging by height!"

This last sentence was an order for the patrol soldiers. Seeing them salute and shout "Yes," they promptly stepped forward to allocate teams. Each took charge of a class, then adjusted formations and counted off on the road. The crowd that had been chaotic like porridge was now orderly, standing straight like javelins.

A patrol soldier jogged forward, saluting Lu Yan. "Report to Captain! The team has assembled, headcount completed. 2003 people expected, 2003 people present. Fifty per class, five classes per row. Three extra people assigned to the last class. Currently divided into forty classes, totaling eight rows. Please give orders!"

Normally, a class wouldn’t have so many people, but there were only about forty patrol soldiers with Chen Yan, so they could only temporarily distribute them this way.

Lu Yan imperceptibly nodded. "From now on, Chen Yan will serve as deputy captain. If you can’t find me, report matters to him first. Now disperse the unrelated crowds on the roadside and conduct ability training according to class order!"

Although the soldier didn’t quite understand what ability training was, he still saluted and carried out the order. "Yes!"

With traffic paralyzed, Cloud Road was filled with ordinary people sleeping on mats, occupying the entire road. The teams definitely couldn’t train like this. The defense team dispatched a group to help move their bedding elsewhere, and the road was quickly cleared.

Of course, not all the crowd was cooperative. An elderly man threw a tantrum, lying on the ground and refusing to leave. "Why are you chasing me away! This place is closest to Sky City, it’s the safest spot. I’m staying here, no one can make me leave!"

If the elderly man could understand this logic, he wouldn’t be lying here making a scene. Clutching his tattered bedding roll, he stubbornly refused to budge. "I won’t move so far away. I think this spot is good. No matter how powerful you are, can you compare to Sky City’s ability users?! If you have the guts, kill me!"

Meng Xichuan chuckled. "You think they’re powerful, yet they don’t bother with you. Uncle, we need some self-respect. Being a舔dogisn’t done this way."

His usual sharp tongue infuriated the elderly man, almost leading to a street shouting match between the two. In the end, a few kind-hearted onlookers stepped in, dragging and pulling him away.

Lu Yan, seeing the unexpected situation resolved, surveyed his surroundings from atop a shipping container, raising a megaphone to deliver his words with gravity. "Next, I will conduct a training session for your abilities. You must be curious about what this entails; as the name suggests, it's a regimen designed to help ordinary people awaken their latent powers."

He had already mentioned this earlier, but even so, his repetition sparked a commotion among the crowd. Even the squad stationed on Sky City's defensive walls perked up their ears in curiosity.

Lu Yan deliberately exaggerated the peril involved. "However, there is one crucial point I must impart: This training involves enduring the agony of electric shocks, which is highly dangerous. Not everyone can withstand it. If any of you wish to withdraw now, you still have the chance. I'll give you one minute to decide."

As soon as he finished speaking, the previously quiet group erupted into a flurry of agitation. The fact that Lu Yan was an electrical ability user was no longer a secret. With a single move, he could reduce wanderers to ashes; how much more so for flesh and blood humans? Could they survive a jolt from him? Sky City itself couldn't grant abilities to commoners. Was Lu Yan's claim alone enough to warrant belief?

Meanwhile, Lu Yan held the megaphone aloft, counting down aloud:

"59!"

"58!"

...

"25!"

"24!"

Gradually, some succumbed to the pressure and opted out. Once the first stepped forward, others followed suit. By the time the count reached the final ten seconds, nearly thirty individuals had hesitantly left the ranks.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

The countdown concluded, and although the formation was slightly diminished, its spirit remained intact. Under the watchful eyes of all present, Lu Yan strode to the front of the group and repeated his question sternly. "Is anyone else considering withdrawal?!"

"No! No! No!" came the resounding chorus from the ranks, their voices piercing the heavens. Their morale had reached its zenith. Chen Yan, upon receiving Lu Yan's signal, barked out the order: "Form up! Begin the ability training!!"

Lu Yan stood at the head of the line, beckoning to the first young man. "What's your name?"

Caught off guard by being the first, the young man snapped to attention. "Reporting, Captain! My name is Qian Fang!"

Lu Yan asked with a smile, "Afraid of death?"

Qian Fang shook his head vigorously. "If I were afraid, I wouldn't have joined the team!"

"Excellent!"

Due to the necessity of physical contact with many individuals, Lu Yan donned a pair of gloves. Without further ado, he gripped Qian Fang's right hand firmly. A blue current flashed between them, and the young man reacted similarly to Feng Xiangming and the others. He convulsed under the electric shock, screaming in pain, while a patch of red flame materialized before him, leaving everyone agape in astonishment.

"Fire type, report to your captain."

Feng Xiangming, Meng Xichuan, Chen Yan, and Tang Xiao stood like the Four Guardians on the shipping containers, hands clasped behind their backs, ever vigilant against any disturbances. Hearing Lu Yan's words, Chen Yan flicked his wrist, conjuring a cluster of eerie blue flames in his palm. "All fire types will form a separate unit; report to me."

Feng Xiangming also displayed his metal ability. "Metal types, report to me!"

Meng Xichuan chimed in. "Wind types, come to me!"

Tang Xiao showcased his ice blade. "Ice types, report to me!"

"Ho—!!"

Their demonstration of abilities was akin to a bomb dropped into the group. Now, not only the security team members but also the onlookers outside were thrown into a frenzy, staring at each other in shock. What?! Lu Yan could really help people awaken their abilities?! Were their eyes deceiving them?!

The patrol teams from Sky City, witnessing this scene, were equally stunned. They pressed themselves against the defensive walls for a closer look. A soldier scrambled to report the news, causing the General Director, who was in a meeting, to nearly fall out of his chair in surprise:

"You're saying what?!! Those ordinary people gained abilities after a zap from Lu Yan?!"

The soldier nodded nervously. "Yes! I saw it with my own eyes! Chen Yan, Feng Xiangming, and the others are all from Sky City, and now they have abilities!"

"Nonsense!"

The General Director refused to believe it at first. However, when he checked the surveillance footage, he saw Cloud Road packed with people. Every individual Lu Yan shocked awakened with various abilities. In the blink of an eye, Devil City had gained dozens of new ability users!

"How could this be possible..."

The General Director muttered to himself, his face ashen, as he collapsed into his chair, drained of strength. He felt that this event transcended his understanding. All the funds and manpower invested over the years seemed like a mockery now. His gaze inadvertently fell upon the disinterested man in black sitting to his right, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Xing Yuan!"

Xing Yuan, caught off guard by the sudden call, slowly raised an eyebrow, silently questioning the interruption.