Chapter 43: Planning to Train Potential and the Departure of the Group

The expressions on Yellow Teeth and the others were less than pleasant. They had originally expected all five of them to successfully break through to Tier 3 and enter District B together, but their captain had failed the breakthrough.

None of them spoke, smoking one cigarette after another, until a pile of butts quickly littered the ground.

After recovering for quite a while, Li Xingyue finally accepted the result. Seeing the downcast looks on all four of his companions, he quickly forced a smile.

"What a big deal, stop acting like a bunch of softies. It's not like I'm dead! You guys go on to District B first, and I'll figure something out. Don't worry, I'll come find you soon!"

Yellow Teeth muttered gloomily, "What other way could there be? If you're not around, I don't even want to go to District B."

Liu Yi and the other two nodded in agreement. Through their time together over this period, they had grown into sworn brothers, and the thought of separating now left a heavy knot in their hearts.

"Damn it, Old Huang, cut the mushy crap. Act like a man! Have you forgotten what you said during the preliminary tests?"

"Besides, I don't believe everyone above Tier 2 has such high potential. Don't worry, there has to be a way. You guys go get settled in District B and wait for me there!"

Liu San, who had been staring at the ground lost in thought, suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He raised his head, his face lighting up with excitement.

"Right! I remember something. When Huang Qian took us to buy weapons before, she mentioned there are all sorts of training programs there. Maybe one of them can trigger potential!"

Liu Yi slapped his thigh. "That's right! I remember hearing someone mention that too. They do have training designed to awaken potential. Let's go check it out!"

"Alright, let's go right now!"

Unable to wait any longer, the group grabbed Li Xingyue and headed straight for the Zombie Hunter Branch.

Arriving quickly at the lobby, Liu San scanned the surroundings and spotted an acquaintance—the young man who had previously tallied their mission supplies, whom they later learned was named Wang Hai.

"Wang Hai, do you guys have programs for training potential here?"

Wang Hai was nodding off behind the front desk when he suddenly heard someone speaking. Looking up, he was surprised to find Li Xingyue and the others, and he quickly came out to shake their hands.

"Oh, it's you guys! Long time no see!"

"No time for pleasantries right now. Can people train their potential here?"

Wang Hai pushed up his glasses. "Oh, awakening potential? Yes, we certainly do. What's wrong, did someone fail a breakthrough?"

Li Xingyue stepped forward and said awkwardly, "Yeah, I failed my breakthrough."

Wang Hai nodded. "In that case, follow me and let's run a check first."

***

Wang Hai led them into a room and had Li Xingyue lie down on a bed covered in instruments.

Once the equipment was secured, Wang Hai operated the computer beside the bed, and the machinery sprang into action. After a few minutes, the devices came to a halt.

Staring at the screen in utter astonishment, Wang Hai turned his head to look closely at Li Xingyue, asking with a puzzled frown, "You actually have two types of genes in your body, and neither of them resembles normal human DNA!"

After racking his brain for a long time without finding an answer, Wang Hai walked over to Li Xingyue. "The data shows that your innate potential was actually quite exceptional, but it's enveloped by this other strange gene in your system, which led to the breakthrough failure."

Li Xingyue understood immediately that the other gene Wang Hai referred to belonged to a zombie, a result of having been bitten by an 8th-tier Zombie King previously.

"Is there any way to fix this now? Does it require training to awaken potential?"

Wang Hai shook his head. "It's hard to say right now, and I can tell you probably don't know much about potential awakening."

"You could say that every single one of us has layers of chains inside our bodies. These locks restrict most of our abilities, and awakening potential is the process of breaking those chains open."

"Once unlocked, everything from strength and speed to reflexes will improve significantly. Evolution potions are essentially the keys used to unlock those chains!"

"Generally speaking, everyone's innate potential is roughly similar, with most improvements coming from acquired training. Acquired growth is divided into two types: one is the continuous tempering of the physical body, and the other occurs when facing extreme danger, which can also cause the potential chains to snap open, though that happens very rarely."

"For example, take Einstein; his intelligence was innate, something that happens maybe once in a million people. But people like special forces soldiers or athletes push past various human physical limits entirely through relentless acquired training."

"Although evolution potions act as keys, your current physical condition simply cannot support them in breaking those chains. That's why many people who fail their evolution undergo frantic training before injecting the serum again."

"However, this method only works for Tier 6 and below, because higher tiers rely much more heavily on spiritual force—specifically the explosive breakthroughs triggered when facing danger—to loosen the chains."

After finishing his explanation, Wang Hai glanced at Li Xingyue. "Since your physique is different from an ordinary person's, it's hard to say for sure, but we can give it a try. After all, nothing is absolute."

Li Xingyue nodded upon hearing this. "I understand. So, how does the potential training work here?"

Wang Hai picked up an A4 sheet of paper from the desk. "Take a look at this. Everything is on here."

Li Xingyue took it and read it carefully, realizing it was a price list featuring various packages.

The cost to reach Tier 3 ranged anywhere from 100 to 2,000 credits, with the price difference mainly depending on the tier of the training room and the duration of the cycle.

"How many people are in the standard training room?"

"The standard training room accommodates a minimum of fifty people. It's cheap, but you often have to wait in line."

***

"And the advanced training room?"

"The advanced room holds a maximum of ten people, and basically requires no waiting."

"Alright, what about the most expensive VIP option?"

"The VIP room is a single suite, with a minimum cycle of half a month."

Li Xingyue immediately decided on the VIP training room. Checking the price, it cost 2,000 credits—matching the price of a Tier 3 potion. It certainly wasn't cheap!

Stepping out of the examination room, Li Xingyue explained the situation to the four of them.

"How about this? I'll train here, while you guys go get settled in District B. You can take on small missions or train over there. Once I successfully break through to Tier 3, I'll come find you. How does that sound?"

Liu Yi and the others agreed that this seemed like a viable plan. Afterward, they all returned to the dormitory to pack their belongings since none of them would be staying here anymore.

Yellow Teeth and the three others were heading to District B today, where they would either live in the dorms there or rent a place outside.

As for Li Xingyue, he would be moving into the VIP training room and wouldn't be returning here either.

After packing their gear, the group walked out of the dormitory building. Just past noon, people were constantly coming and going. Li Xingyue turned back for a final glance at their third-floor dorm, feeling a twinge of reluctance.

"All right, Old Li, stop looking. The dorms in District B are bound to be even better. We'll get settled first and wait for you to arrive!"

"That's right, Captain. Train with peace of mind these next few days, and make sure to come find us the moment you break through!"

Liu Yi pulled out a cigarette, lit it for Li Xingyue, patted his shoulder, and spoke just two words: "We'll wait."

Li Xingyue didn't say much more. He intended to distribute the more than 100,000 credits in his wristband among everyone, but all of them immediately refused.

"Captain, each of us already has several thousand credits, which is plenty to live on. Just keep the rest for yourself for now!"

"Yeah, Captain, these are enough for our meals. If we run short, we'll ask you for more!"

Yellow Teeth grinned broadly, his face full of smiles. "That's right, but you brat better not squander your money. Gambling and drugs are bad enough, just make sure you stay away from women!"