Chapter 60: School for the Gifted

What was that? A chill ran up Zhao Li’s spine, straight to the crown of his head. Seventeen families ruined, and people actually scrambling to take the fall for her—taking the blame and then ensuring they could never speak a word again. What kind of criminal methodology was this?

Could Ban Yunshan, the sister who always appeared so tranquil and serene, actually be such a person? Zhao Li found it hard to believe from the bottom of his heart, but the old prison warden certainly wouldn’t lie about something like this.

"Everyone here is a heinous criminal. You must be careful!" The warning Jiang Hao had given him upon his arrival at the Mountbatten Special Prison echoed in his ears. Although Jiang Hao might not have known just how dangerous these people were back then, Zhao Li was now fully convinced.

"She... how did she do it?" While shocked by the ruthlessness of those people, Zhao Li remained puzzled. "Had they been hypnotized?"

"Hypnotized?" The old warden looked at Zhao Li. "Why would you believe in such things? No! She simply made them feel, in their everyday lives, as if she had already leaned into them, and those wretches fell hopelessly in love with her. So, after helping her transfer the funds, they willingly gave up everything they had to ensure their beloved could live a happy and stable life."

"That’s it?" Zhao Li was stunned.

"That’s it! Simple, isn't it?" The old warden watched him with a look that was neither a smile nor a frown, as if he could see right through him.

Cold sweat trickled down Zhao Li’s back, chilling him from head to toe. The sister he had always considered gentle and understanding was, in fact, a coldblooded demon. Although she hadn't killed those people with her own hands, it was her who had given them a false hope that led to their destruction.

Then, was her meticulous, caring behavior toward him also part of her routine? Was she merely habitually displaying her harmless side?

Zhao Li had no answer, nor did he want one. He would rather remain ignorant of Ban Yunshan’s past than see her image crumble in his mind.

Dazed as he walked out of the warden’s office, Zhao Li kept pondering one question: if it were him, would he have done the same thing had he known her past?

"Hey, what’s with you? Looking so dejected." Zhang Yingzhan happened to see him. "As a special operator, you must never display such emotions or low morale; otherwise, you’ll get everyone killed! Now, five thousand meters of full-sprint around the track, immediately!"

Perhaps a high-intensity workout was a good idea. At the very least, it would help him forget. Without a word, Zhao Li headed toward the track and began to run.

The frantic sprinting helped vent the emotions in his mind. Afterward, Zhao Li proactively started other training drills until he lacked the strength to even lift a finger, at which point he collapsed and lay there, gasping for recovery.

"You seem to have exceeded your usual limits today." Professor Hans’s wheelchair slowly appeared overhead. "Has your internal energy cultivation improved? However, I suggest you do not over-rely on the amplification effects provided by your internal energy. At this stage, it is better to focus on improving your base physical constitution."

"Why is that?" Hearing this, Zhao Li immediately found a perfect direction to shift his focus. He seized the opportunity to press for more information.

"Although there is no theoretical limit to how much internal energy can amplify physical attributes, your own base constitution remains the foundation for everything. Amplification is, by nature, an increase based on the original value. Suppose you have 100 kilograms of strength; a two-fold increase gives you 200 kilograms. But if you already possess 150 kilograms of strength, a two-fold increase results in 300 kilograms. It’s that simple; not hard to understand, right?"

It was a simple explanation, but Zhao Li understood it immediately. It was indeed a basic arithmetic problem, yet he had neglected it, always thinking that powerful internal energy was everything. Now he realized that wasn't the case. But then, why had he thought otherwise before?

"Because the amplification effect of internal energy is not fixed. In the practice of internal energy, some people are particularly adaptable. These are the so-called 'proud sons' of the Genius Schools." Professor Hans seemed to hold views different from the mainstream, especially regarding his attitude toward these geniuses. Zhao Li could sense the tone in his voice and felt a pang of relief that he hadn't attended a Genius School; otherwise, he would be one of those "proud sons" that Professor Hans held in such contempt.

"Adaptability manifests in several areas: cultivation speed, the effects produced by the energy, and what is currently measurable—the amplification of overall physical constitution. As for other special functions, they require further verification." Zhao Li had only known part of what the professor was saying. Seeing the professor enthusiastic, Zhao Li stood up and pushed his wheelchair to a cooler spot so he could be more comfortable.

"What do you mean by 'what is measurable'?" Zhao Li asked curiously.

"There is no complete consensus on the effects of internal energy on the human body yet. Only parts of it are observable and measurable. For instance, how much strength is gained or how much speed increases. In reality, science should start from these measurable aspects to peel away the mysteries layer by layer." Professor Hans had his own theories on research, and seeing that Zhao Li was listening, he continued.

"The Genius Schools' approach is to desperately seek special effects—directions that cannot be calculated, categorized, or mass-applied—and try to maximize the training of all students in these areas. Aside from research, their main goal is to acquire a powerful force, but this force isn't necessarily under proper control, which easily leads to problems." Professor Hans clearly laid out the practices of the Genius Schools, opening Zhao Li’s eyes.

"Professor, how do you know all this?" Zhao Li was curious. Could Professor Hans have come from a Genius School himself?

"I am an expert in human genetic technology; how could I not know?" Professor Hans said with pride. "Thirty years ago, when the research direction of the Genius Schools was being reformed, I proposed similar views, but no one paid any attention."

An expert in human genetics? Zhao Li didn't think so. If he were just that, he wouldn't have had access to the internal training mechanisms of the Genius Schools. Zhao Li felt a surge of curiosity about the professor’s specific projects, but he remembered the rules of military life and didn't ask.

"Following the Genius Schools' methods, one can indeed obtain a group of experts or even super-experts in a short time. But in terms of practical application, their research methods won't see significant progress for a hundred years or more. Humanity does not yet understand the mechanism of internal energy within the body, let alone its deeper applications. Conversely, following my direction, we could have major discoveries in twenty years or less. In this regard, I have already made a brand-new breakthrough." The professor grew more excited, as if pouring out years of pent-up thoughts.

"A brand-new breakthrough?" Zhao Li knew exactly when to interject to make someone reveal more. This wasn't just a simple conversational technique, but a skill used by intelligence officers to extract secrets, analyzed strictly by psychologists.

Unknowingly, Professor Hans fell into the atmosphere Zhao Li had carefully crafted, his speech becoming more fluid. "Of course. It is a major breakthrough, an unprecedented opportunity. You know? It was an accident—an accident!"

The excited professor began to gesture wildly, though he had no legs, so he just waved his hands. "An accident, do you know what that means? The accidental origin of life might have been just an accident during the natural synthesis of proteins. The famous VS nerve gas was also the result of a small accident. Of course, the delicious champagne you’re familiar with was also a beautiful accident, which is why it tastes so good. Many scientific miracles originate from accidents."

"What kind of accident was it?" Zhao Li was excited, too. The professor sounded so triumphant; it must be an amazing discovery.

"You really want to know, don't you?" Suddenly, the professor’s tone calmed down. He looked at Zhao Li with a look that was neither a smile nor a frown.

Zhao Li felt as if he had been interrupted at the height of an orgasm, feeling terribly frustrated. He urged, "Tell me, Professor, don't keep me in suspense!"

"Using what you learned from me on me? It seems your conversational skills are still not up to par!" With the calm Professor Hans saying this, Zhao Li knew it was impossible to get the details of those major discoveries out of him today.

"Hehe, Professor, continue, tell me about the Genius Schools. I'm very interested." Zhao Li was indeed interested. At least two people there made him desperate to know more. Each was a reason in itself.

Li Mengdie had entered the Genius School in her freshman year and there had been no news since. As for Christine, he didn't know when she had been a student, but she had clearly just graduated. Zhao Li wanted to know what they had experienced inside.

"Do you know people there?" Seeing Zhao Li’s expression, the professor seemed to have guessed something.

There was no need to hide this; knowing two students from the Genius Schools wasn't a state secret or anything shameful. Zhao Li admitted it frankly.

"There are basically two directions in the Genius Schools," Professor Hans said, not refusing to speak. He began to narrate slowly; perhaps these things didn't cross his bottom line.

"One is the combat direction, the other is the 'miscellaneous' direction." The professor spoke slowly, letting Zhao Li digest it. By now, Zhao Li could be certain that the professor truly knew the situation inside.

"It’s easy to understand. The combat direction is to cultivate personnel best suited for battle. The techniques practiced are those that can dramatically increase combat effectiveness in a short time. However, these techniques carry high risks; ordinary people could never practice them. Only those exceptionally suited have a chance to succeed." Professor Hans watched Zhao Li, observing his changing expression. "That is why these geniuses are required. Those who succeed in their training are the elite among the military’s finest."

"And the other direction?" Zhao Li couldn't help but ask.

"The other direction is called 'miscellaneous,' corresponding to the combat direction. It covers a wide range: rescue, cognitive enhancement, and even seduction. There are many such effects, all requiring large numbers of experimental subjects for observation."

When the professor mentioned rescue and seduction, Zhao Li couldn't help but think of Christine. Her charm, which could topple nations, was likely the result of this magical seduction path. And she seemed to have dual-specialized in rescue as well. She was truly a genius among geniuses; no wonder the higher-ups of the Genius School would sacrifice themselves for her.

"However, anyone who comes out of a Genius School is never simple in terms of martial arts and combat. Do you think Sanders and the others hold a grudge against the Genius Schools? It’s because the person they sent over was merely a graduate of the medical/rescue track, yet she could easily win the championship of the All-Military Martial Arts Tournament! They haven't even seen the real combat personnel yet!" The professor was extremely disdainful of how Sanders and his team constantly used training as an excuse to vent their dissatisfaction with the Genius Schools.

Was this the true strength of the Genius Schools? Zhao Li couldn't help but yearn for it. If he had joined back then, could he have been just as glorious? But he immediately shook his head, casting the ridiculous thought aside. Not only was it impossible now, but even if he had the chance, Zhao Li wouldn't send himself there to be a lab rat.

He wondered what kind of formidable combat techniques they practiced. Compared to his Nameless Internal Energy and his joint-locking techniques, which one would be stronger?