3: Chapter 3 First Steps into the World of Superpowers

Inside the testing pod, Lin Wu stood quietly, feeling the strange tingling sensation as the instrument scanned him.

A few seconds later, the pod door opened.

Director Zhang stood outside, the expression on his face very peculiar—there was shock, confusion, and a hint of disbelief.

"Student Lin Wu, your test results... are a bit special." Director Zhang said, weighing his words. "The equipment shows that there is indeed a certain energy fluctuation in your body, but this fluctuation is different from any ability we know of."

Lin Wu understood in his heart.

Martial Dao True Essence was indeed not an ability.

"Director Zhang, what does this mean?" Lin Wu asked, feigning confusion.

Director Zhang shook his head. "The equipment detected clear energy fluctuations in your body, which means you are already in an Awakening state. However, this type of energy is very unique and doesn't belong to any ability type recorded in our database. Therefore, we cannot determine your talent Rank or initial Realm."

He paused and continued, "Judging by the energy intensity, your current strength is at least equivalent to the level of a Control Realm Ability User. But whether it is the Awakening Realm, Control Realm, or a higher Realm, the equipment cannot give an accurate judgment."

Unable to determine talent Rank and Realm!

The surrounding students immediately broke into an uproar.

This situation was extremely rare. Normally, an Awakening test can accurately detect an Ability User's talent Rank (from F-Rank to SSS-Rank) and current Realm (Awakening Realm, Control Realm, etc.). But Lin Wu's case was completely different—the machine acknowledged he had achieved Awakening but could not classify his ability type, let alone determine his talent Rank or Realm.

"Lin Wu is actually this strong?"

"No wonder he could survive an exotic beast attack!"

"This is just too incredible!"

Discussions rose and fell, but Lin Wu's expression remained as usual.

Unable to determine talent Rank and Realm?

Lin Wu understood. The martial arts cultivation system was independent of the ability system, so it didn't apply the talent Rank classification, nor did it use Realm names like Awakening Realm or Control Realm. Naturally, the equipment could not detect the so-called "talent Rank" and "Realm."

But judging by the energy intensity, his current strength was indeed equivalent to the level of a Control Realm Ability User. And this was only the beginning; as his martial arts cultivation improved, his strength would grow stronger and stronger.

"Student Lin Wu, here is your test result report." Director Zhang handed him a document. "I suggest you visit the Ability Association headquarters soon; they have more professional equipment there for further testing."

"Thank you, Director Zhang." Lin Wu took the report, turned, and walked out of the testing pod.

Chen Hao immediately approached him, looking excited. "Awesome, Brother Wu! The Control Realm! I heard that among the students who awakened this year in our school, fewer than ten reached the Control Realm!"

"It's alright," Lin Wu said indifferently.

"What do you mean 'alright'? This is the Control Realm!" Chen Hao gestured excitedly. "Even though the machine couldn't determine your talent Rank, having Control Realm strength is already amazing! You have to look out for me from now on!"

Lin Wu smiled and was about to speak when he suddenly felt a gaze land on him.

He turned his head and met Su Qingxue's ice-blue eyes.

Their eyes met in the air, and Lin Wu felt a jolt in his heart.

It was her!

The girl who had saved him!

Su Qingxue looked at him quietly, her eyes filled with scrutiny and curiosity. After a moment, she nodded slightly and turned to leave.

"Brother Wu, what are you looking at?" Chen Hao looked in the direction of Lin Wu's gaze but only saw a white figure from behind.

"Nothing." Lin Wu withdrew his gaze, but his heart was stirred.

Why was Su Qingxue here?

Was she a student at this school?

And what did that nod just now mean?

A series of questions swirled in Lin Wu's mind, but he knew now was not the time to think about them.

The testing continued, and Chen Hao also went in to be tested.

A few minutes later, he walked out dejectedly.

"How was it?" Lin Wu asked.

"F-rank talent, Reinforcement Type, Strength-based," Chen Hao said with a bitter face. "The most common talent Rank, and the potential is also very average."

Lin Wu patted his shoulder. "It's okay, talent Rank doesn't represent everything. As long as you work hard, even an F-Rank can become strong."

"Really? I haven't seen much of the world, so don't lie to me, Brother Wu." Chen Hao looked up, hope reigniting in his eyes.

"Really." Lin Wu nodded seriously.

He was telling the truth.

There was a saying in the martial arts inheritance: "The Heavenly Dao rewards diligence, and the Martial Dao is limitless."

As long as one is willing to work hard, there is no height that cannot be reached.

After the test ended, Lin Wu was preparing to go home when he was stopped by a man in a black uniform.

"Student Lin Wu, please come with me." The man's tone was polite, but his attitude brooked no argument.

"Who are you?"

"Jiangnan City Ability Association, Special Action Group." The man showed his identification. "Our president wants to see you."

Lin Wu's heart stirred.

The President of the Ability Association was one of the most powerful figures in Jiangnan City.

Why did he want to see him?

Was it because of the anomaly in the test results?

"Alright." Lin Wu didn't hesitate and followed the man into the car.

The car drove for about twenty minutes and stopped in front of a grand building.

This was the Jiangnan City Ability Association Headquarters, a fifty-story skyscraper. The entire building was constructed using special psionic materials, capable of withstanding attacks from Ability Users below A-Rank.

Lin Wu followed the man into the building and took a private elevator straight to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a spacious and bright office.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire view of Jiangnan City was visible.

A middle-aged man in a gray suit stood by the window with his back to the door.

"President, the person is here," the man in black said respectfully.

"Mhm, you may leave first." The middle-aged man turned around, revealing a dignified and wise face.

His gaze fell on Lin Wu, filled with scrutiny and investigation.

"Lin Wu, eighteen years old, a senior at Jiangnan City No. 3 High School." The middle-aged man spoke slowly. "Yesterday, you encountered a Blood Wolf exotic beast attack and were saved. Today's Awakening test showed you are in an awakened state, but your ability type is unknown, your talent Rank cannot be determined, your current Realm cannot be determined, and your energy intensity is equivalent to the Control Realm level."

"Am I correct?"

Lin Wu nodded. "Yes."

"Have a seat." The middle-aged man pointed to the sofa and sat down himself. "I am Zhao Tianxing, the President of the Jiangnan City Ability Association."

"Hello, President Zhao," Lin Wu greeted politely.

Zhao Tianxing sized up Lin Wu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This youth, facing a powerful figure like himself, was able to remain calm and neither humble nor arrogant. This Heart-Nature alone far surpassed his peers.

"Lin Wu, I invited you here to learn more about your situation," Zhao Tianxing got straight to the point. "Your test results are very special—the machine confirmed you are in an awakened state but could not identify the type of energy in your body, nor could it determine your talent Rank or Realm. This is extremely rare in the entire history of the Huaxia Alliance."

"Can you tell me exactly what ability you awakened?"

Lin Wu was silent for a moment.

The martial arts inheritance was his greatest secret. He wasn't sure if he should tell Zhao Tianxing.

But on second thought, although the martial arts inheritance was precious, in this era of Recovery of Spiritual Qi, it wasn't something shameful. Moreover, if he wanted to gain a foothold in the ability world in the future, he would have to reveal the existence of the Martial Dao sooner or later.

Instead of hiding it, it was better to be honest.

"President Zhao, what I awakened is not an ability," Lin Wu said slowly, "but the Martial Dao."

"Martial Dao?" Zhao Tianxing frowned. "What do you mean?"

Lin Wu stood up and assumed the opening stance from the Ancient Martial Scripture.

Instantly, an invisible Aura radiated from his body.

This Aura didn't have obvious elemental fluctuations like an ability; rather, it was a more primal and pure sense of power.

"This is..." Zhao Tianxing's pupils constricted, and he stood up abruptly.

He felt it!

That kind of power was indeed not an ability!

"The Martial Dao is a cultivation system from ancient times," Lin Wu explained while demonstrating. "By cultivating the Physical Body and tapping into human potential, one eventually reaches the Realm of entering the Dao through martial arts."

"Unlike abilities, the Martial Dao does not rely on external forces but instead stimulates one's own potential."

Zhao Tianxing was dumbfounded as he listened.

As the President of the Jiangnan City Ability Association, he was well-informed and had heard many legends from before the Recovery of Spiritual Qi. But he had never imagined that the legendary Martial Dao actually existed!

"Are you saying you received a Legacy of the ancient Martial Dao?" Zhao Tianxing's voice trembled slightly.

"You could say that." Lin Wu finished his stance and nodded.

Zhao Tianxing took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner shock.

This news was too important!

If the Martial Dao truly existed and could be cultivated, it would completely change the existing ability system!

"Lin Wu, are you willing to join the Ability Association?" Zhao Tianxing thought for a moment and asked solemnly. "I can give you the best resources and the best mentors to help you grow quickly."

Lin Wu shook his head. "Thank you for the kind offer, President Zhao, but I don't want to join any organization for the time being."

Zhao Tianxing was a bit disappointed, but he didn't push it.

"I understand." He nodded. "However, I hope you will consider the Huaxia Supernatural Academy."

"Huaxia Supernatural Academy?" Lin Wu was startled.

"That's right," Zhao Tianxing explained. "That is the highest-level supernatural institution in the Huaxia Alliance, gathering the most outstanding geniuses from across the country. Every year, the academy recruits new students nationwide."

"With your talent, you are fully qualified to enter the academy for study. There, you can come into contact with a broader world and even re-evaluate this world."

Lin Wu fell into deep thought.

The Huaxia Supernatural Academy—of course, he had heard of it.

It was the Holy Land dreamed of by all Ability Users, the cradle for nurturing top experts.

If he could enter the academy to study, it would certainly be of great benefit to his martial arts cultivation.

"What are the academy's admission requirements?" Lin Wu asked.

"An admission exam is held every August; as long as you pass the assessment, you can enroll," Zhao Tianxing said. "With your current strength, passing the assessment shouldn't be difficult."

"There are still three months until this year's admission exam."

Three months...

Lin Wu calculated in his head.

In three months, it would be enough for him to raise his martial arts cultivation to the third or even fourth level of the Body Refining Realm. At that time, although his strength might not match a Proficiency Realm Ability User, he might still be able to hold his own against one by relying on his own Cultivation Technique.

Passing the assessment shouldn't be a problem.

"Alright, I'll consider it." Lin Wu nodded.

Zhao Tianxing smiled with satisfaction. "I look forward to seeing you at the academy."

After leaving the Ability Association headquarters, Lin Wu didn't go home directly but instead went to a wasteland on the edge of the city.

This place was sparsely populated and a good spot for cultivation.

Lin Wu sat cross-legged and began to Cultivate according to the methods in the Ancient Martial Scripture.

Spiritual Qi gathered from all directions, merging into his body and being refined into Martial Dao True Essence.

Time passed minute by minute, and Lin Wu's Aura grew stronger and stronger.

Finally, at a certain moment, a slight roar came from within his body.

A Breakthrough!

First level of the Body Refining Realm!

Lin Wu opened his eyes, feeling the surging power within him, and a smile appeared on his lips.

The first level of the Body Refining Realm, in terms of physical strength alone, had already exceeded the limits of ordinary humans. If combined with Martial Skills, he would have the qualifications to fight a D-Rank Ability User.

"It's not enough." Lin Wu stood up and looked into the distance. "I need to become even stronger!"

In the following days, Lin Wu attended school normally while using his spare time to Cultivate the Martial Dao.

His cultivation progressed rapidly, and in just three short months, he broke through to the third level of the Body Refining Realm.

At the same time, he was also preparing for the Huaxia Supernatural Academy's admission exam.

After Chen Hao learned he was going to take the exam for the supernatural academy, his fighting spirit was also ignited, and he began to Cultivate desperately.

"Brother Wu, I want to take the exam for the supernatural academy too!" Chen Hao said vowedly. "Although my ability Rank isn't high, I believe that as long as I work hard, I will definitely pass the assessment!"

Lin Wu patted his shoulder with relief. "That's the spirit. Let's work hard together."

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Lin Wu encountered Su Qingxue a few more times.

Every time they met, Su Qingxue would look at him with a strange gaze, as if looking at some rare animal.

Lin Wu wanted to go up and talk, but Su Qingxue always turned and left, giving him no chance at all.

"Who exactly is this Su Qingxue?" Lin Wu's heart was full of curiosity.

Finally, the day of the Huaxia Supernatural Academy's admission exam arrived.

The exam location was set at the central plaza of Jiangnan City; candidates from all over the country gathered here, making for a spectacular scene.

Lin Wu and Chen Hao arrived at the exam venue early and lined up to enter.

"So many people..." Chen Hao looked at the dense crowd around him, feeling a bit nervous. "Brother Wu, do you think we can pass?"

"Believe in yourself," Lin Wu said calmly, his gaze looking toward the high platform of the exam venue.

There stood several people in white uniforms, likely teachers from the academy.

One of them caught Lin Wu's attention.

It was a slender young man with a handsome face and an arrogant Aura. He radiated a powerful presence, at least at the level of a Grandmaster Realm Ability User!

"Who is that?" Lin Wu asked in a low voice.

A nearby candidate heard him and whispered, "You don't even know him? That's Chu Tianjiao, the student council president of the Huaxia Supernatural Academy, and also the Young Lord of the Chu family!"

"The Chu family?"

"The number one family in Jiangnan City, controlling the entire economic lifeline of the Jiangnan region. Chu Tianjiao is a once-in-a-century Genius, an S-rank talent Lightning-type Ability User, reaching the Grandmaster Realm at only twenty years old!"

Lin Wu nodded and committed the name to memory.

Chu Tianjiao...

He had a premonition that sooner or later, his path would cross with this person's.

"Silence!"

A sonorous voice rang out, and the entire venue immediately fell silent.

Chu Tianjiao stepped forward, scanning the crowd with a faint look of disdain in his eyes.

"Welcome to the Huaxia Supernatural Academy admission exam." His voice was cold and arrogant. "I am Chu Tianjiao, one of the chief examiners for this exam."

"The exam is divided into three rounds. The first round is a strength test. The second round is a practical combat assessment. The third round is a comprehensive evaluation."

"Only those who pass all three rounds of assessment are qualified to enter the academy for study."

"Now, the exam begins!"

As Chu Tianjiao's words fell, the first round of assessment officially kicked off.