104: A being stronger than a superpower

Huang Qiusheng answered all of Tian Ming's questions without reservation, revealing many details that greatly surprised Tian Ming.

After the zombie virus outbreak, there were far more Shelters than Tian Ming had imagined; in areas controlled by overseas consortiums, new ones had been built since Gaia's arrival, and in some places, test subjects were openly recruited to produce more Super Serum.

The Shelter Huang Qiusheng belonged to was just one of many smaller Shelters.

After a long silence, Tian Ming finally asked, "What about official news? Do you know anything?"

Huang Qiusheng smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "There's none. In the Apocalypse, everyone is fighting for themselves. They are willing but powerless. Even with a large number of Ability Users and resources, they find them extremely scarce."

"So, you know a lot about the Super Soldier Project?"

Huang Qiusheng gave a bitter laugh, nodded, and said, "I know some things. Currently, the highest level isn't the First-Class Ability User; they are called Superpower Users, capable of controlling six elements. If a Shelter has a Superpower User, it means they have an inexhaustible supply of certain resources."

"And you? How many elements can you control?" Tian Ming asked with a hint of interest.

"One, and it's hydrogen element. I'm only a Third-class ability user. In terms of physical mutation, I have self-healing abilities, and my physical strength is higher than that of ordinary people. In terms of object control, I can change the state and temperature of matter, like turning water into ice. These are just minor abilities. The official classification of abilities is based on elemental control."

Tian Ming asked, "How exactly is it classified?"

"Those who control one element are called Third-class ability users, those who control two are Second-Class Ability Users. Those who control four are First-Class Ability Users. The highest, Superpower Users, can control six elements. Boss Tian Ming, you can control carbon, which makes you a relatively powerful existence among Third-class ability users."

Tian Ming chuckled disdainfully and asked with interest, "You said you can control hydrogen element, so you can decompose water to produce hydrogen gas, right?"

Huang Qiusheng smiled bitterly and said, "No, water molecules contain oxygen element. I need to control both oxygen and hydrogen to decompose compounds formed by the two. The element I control is quite useless; I can only manipulate hydrogen gas, and I can't even produce it. Among Third-class ability users, those who control carbon, silicon, and metallic elements above iron are considered truly valuable."

Huang Qiusheng glanced at Tian Ming and asked curiously, "I wonder, Boss Tian Ming, besides carbon, have you controlled any other elements?"

A playful smile appeared on Tian Ming's lips. He spread his palm, and a cup appeared in his hand. The water vapor in the air condensed, and the water swirled and surged, turning orange-yellow as it flowed into the cup. The cup of orange-yellow liquid slowly flew towards Huang Qiusheng, who was instantly too astonished to speak.

The cup was transparent, indicating that Tian Ming controlled at least the silicon element, in addition to the carbon fiber from earlier, and now water. A simple calculation showed four elements. And this water was clearly not pure water; it had color, which meant Tian Ming controlled at least five elements.

Looking at the cup in front of him, Huang Qiusheng fell into deep thought.

"You, you're a Superpower User?"

"Take a sip, and you'll know," Tian Ming said slowly, pointing at the cup.

Huang Qiusheng didn't hesitate at all. He tilted his head back and took a sip. He wasn't afraid of Tian Ming poisoning him; for a Superpower User, killing him would be effortless, so there was no need for such a roundabout method.

As the liquid entered his mouth, a cool sensation slid down his throat. It was sweet and sour—damn, it was orange juice. If it were just artificial sweeteners and citric acid, it would only contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. But judging by the taste, it didn't seem like a high-tech product; it tasted like freshly squeezed juice, even with pulp. If it perfectly simulated orange juice, then the trace elements in orange juice would also have to be present.

Huang Qiusheng looked at Tian Ming in a daze. This was no longer just a Superpower User; it was an existence beyond a Superpower User.

Tian Ming's power made Huang Qiusheng's emotions difficult to calm at that moment. He was silent for a long time before finally asking, "Boss Tian Ming, how many Super Serum injections did you endure to gain so many abilities?"

In Huang Qiusheng's understanding, the first serum injection had a certain probability of granting superpowers and was relatively the safest. After gaining superpowers and receiving another injection, the risk of death would rapidly increase. However, it was also possible to upgrade from a Third-class ability user to a Second-Class Ability User, and so on.

The highest ability from a first injection was a Second-Class Ability User, and Superpower Users with six elements were already the highest. Therefore, the number of Superpower Users, as far as he knew, could be counted on one hand.

And anything above a Superpower User simply didn't exist; to date, there hadn't been a single successful case. Even top research institutions didn't dare risk injecting Superpower Users with Super Serum again.

Tian Ming stood up and said, "Alright, you've told me so many secrets, and I'm not an unreasonable person. I'll give you two choices: first, stay here and work for me. Second, die!"

Huang Qiusheng's heart trembled. It seemed like a choice was given, but in reality, there was no choice. However, defecting to Tian Ming would undoubtedly be an act of betrayal.

Seeing the hesitation on Huang Qiusheng's face, Tian Ming didn't waste words. The collar around his neck suddenly tightened, and Huang Qiusheng's expression instantly changed.

"Don't kill me, Boss Tian Ming, please spare me! I'm willing to pledge my loyalty to you!" Huang Qiusheng knelt on the ground in pain, begging Tian Ming.

"Wouldn't it have been easier to agree earlier? How does it feel, does it hurt?" Tian Ming's expression changed. He reached out to help Huang Qiusheng up, but the latter scrambled back in fear.

"Boss, if I join you, it's betrayal. Our Shelter will definitely not let me go."

Tian Ming was delighted and said, "That's great! Can you contact them? Tell them to come. I'm short on people here, short on everyone."

Huang Qiusheng was speechless, thinking Tian Ming was joking.

"Boss, the strongest person in our Shelter is a Second-Class Ability User. Besides being able to control two elements, he can also control airflow to fly."

Tian Ming remained unfazed and said, "It doesn't matter. I'll subdue as many as come."

Huang Qiusheng's heart trembled, and he asked weakly, "Boss, how many elements can you actually control?"

Tian Ming patted Huang Qiusheng's shoulder and said, "I can control all things, all elements. Don't worry, since you've chosen to join me, no one can cause trouble on my territory. If they really come, let them come. As I said, I'll take as many as come, the more the merrier."