Strategic-level fantasy syndrome patient

Abnormal Human Research Center, No. 9 Training Ground.

A brief welcoming ceremony had given Ji Tianqi the treatment of a hero returning home.

This made him less concerned about the "probing behavior" of the research center. But he would not forget what happened, nor would he forget the warning he had given to Bai Xiuchu and the research center.

Or rather, it was a relatively mild threat!

"Luo Xiancheng's superpower is starting to recover."

The person in charge, with a serious expression, mentioned to Ji Tianqi the issue regarding Luo Xiancheng's recovery, though the operational matters weren't brought up immediately.

"That's normal," Ji Tianqi said without surprise. "Although the Beiming Skill can absorb someone's inner strength and cause complete loss of their power, they do have an innate foundation, and the speed to recover through re-cultivation is much quicker than normal cultivation."

"???"

"It's like a fat person who uses liposuction to lose weight successfully but is prone to quickly gaining it back."

Besides, the analogy was quite vivid.

The person in charge nodded and said, "That's exactly what I meant. However, his recovery rate is very slow at present. If he continues to recover at the rate of the past few days, it will take him about seven years to return to his previous energy value."

"So?" Ji Tianqi suddenly asked. "By the way, what's your name?"

The person in charge looked down at the nameplate on his left chest, confirmed that his name was written there, and with a smile, responded to Ji Tianqi, "Cong Wen, the Cong of bushes, the Wen of culture."

"Hello, Cong Wen. So, what about it?"

"So..." Cong Wen hesitated, then said, "Luo Xiancheng hopes that you can absorb some of the energy from his body every once in a while. He said he doesn't want his superpower."

Ji Tianqi pondered this.

Such a reaction surprised the members of the research team—free energy, why not take it?

"Did he say anything else?"

"He said he wants to live a normal life, to marry and have children like an ordinary person. Because he feels that's what his family would want."

"Then there's no problem," Ji Tianqi finally nodded. "I have no issue with it, until he changes his mind."

"That is great."

Cong Wen expressed thanks on behalf of Luo Xiancheng but did not arrange a meeting between them immediately.

On one hand, Luo Xiancheng needed to undergo a very strict ability and psychological assessment; on the other hand, the current Luo Xiancheng was far too weak, with too little energy value inside him.

Based on the absorbing and refining efficiency shown when Ji Tianqi used the Beiming Skill to convert Luo Xiancheng's energy value of 76 into his own 20.

It seemed like a waste of time.

Because it was not only Luo Xiancheng who needed his energy absorbed by Ji Tianqi; there were also others like Luo Xiancheng, as well as those who were genuine criminals but needed to be stripped of their superpowers.

And even demons!

Of course, these people or demons were already captured; letting Ji Tianqi use the Beiming Skill to absorb their energy was not a problem.

From this standpoint, Cong Wen firmly agreed with a point previously made by Bai Xiuchu—Ji Tianqi needed them.

-----------------

"We have arranged very professional instructors to give you highly specialized training," Cong Wen said confidently. This stemmed from Ji Tianqi's sudden increase in strength and the unfathomable potential he had shown, which led to a substantial upgrade in authority for the research group he led.

If Ji Tianqi had only been practicing the Nine Yang Skill and making slow progress, it would have been difficult for them to obtain such authority.

"The current question is, do you wish to seek the adventure of acquiring the Orchid Acupoint Skill?"

"Yes," Ji Tianqi asked eagerly. "Are the ten thousand taels ready?"

"No," Cong Wen quickly explained after denying. "We believe that compared to silver, we can actually provide you with items of greater value."

"Oh?"

As Ji Tianqi looked on in curiosity, Xiao Wu approached with a tray, her expression somewhat excited.

The tray was covered with a piece of red cloth, obscuring the contents.

After Xiao Wu drew nearer, Cong Wen nodded to Bai Xiuchu, who promptly lifted the red cloth.

The gesture was as solemn as unveiling a bride's red veil.

And so, Ji Tianqi's eyes lit up, as the reflection from the objects on the tray, combined with the glow from some of them, was truly dazzling.

"Jewels? Night Pearls?"

"Yes, artificial gems and artificial Night Pearls, as well as synthetic jade," Cong Wen confirmed, then explained, "It's not that we grudge lending you ten thousand taels of silver, but that amount has a considerable volume, which is inconvenient to carry. These, on the other hand, are much more portable."

"Indeed."

Ji Tianqi nodded in satisfaction. He patted Cong Wen on the shoulder, ignoring the sudden tension in Cong Wen's body.

"You researchers are the clever ones. I, the madman, hadn't even thought of that."

"…"

"Actually, there's no need for you to keep stressing that point."

Cong Wen and the others understood that Ji Tianqi was being sarcastic.

Having worked with Ji Tianqi for up to seven years, they all knew he firmly believed he was not mentally ill and that traveling to an otherworldly realm was not a figment of his imagination.

But they all insisted that Ji Tianqi was mentally ill, which was the primary point of contention between them.

"Then I'll use these."

Ji Tianqi took the tray and instructed, "Bring me my ancient costume and sword, and prepare a bag for these things. I need to make a trip to the otherworldly realm to find that inn."

"Ah? So soon?"

Cong Wen suggested, "You've just completed a field operation and caught a real criminal. Why not rest for a while? There are also some rewards and merits to be given to you."

To tell the truth, the Abnormal Human Research Center was actually not hoping for Ji Tianqi to acquire the Orchid Acupoint Skill.

Setting aside the prospects of successfully obtaining it, there was an issue if Ji Tianqi did indeed acquire and master the skill.

Or to say, imagined it.

That would lead to a problem—he could control others using acupoints without needing to use inner strength.

In other words, the restrictions of the Genetic Lock would become somewhat ineffective for Ji Tianqi.

Of course, there was also a possibility that the acupoint martial arts Ji Tianqi imagined was actually a new superpower that would not affect the constraints of the Genetic Lock.

All in all, the old saying holds true: risks and benefits coexist.

"No need to rest. Let Bai Xiuchu handle those things. Isn't she my Guardian?"

Ji Tianqi was in a hurry.

Even more so than he wanted to acquire the God-shining Skill and other offensive martial arts.

After all, it was a society governed by the rule of law, where martial arts used for offense could easily harm others. Even criminals had certain human rights before they were formally judged.

He couldn't always use "I'm mentally ill" as an excuse to avoid the trouble of injuring or killing someone, right?

After all, his goal was to be fully discharged and to prove that he was not mentally ill.

The benefits of being considered mentally ill, compared to the freedom he yearned for, were actually negligible.

"Alright, we'll arrange that immediately."

Cong Wen dared not actually stop him, as there had just been a conflict between them, and he was somewhat at fault, although the outcome was fairly positive.

Moreover, based on their previous analysis, if Ji Tianqi was indeed becoming mentally ill because his superpowers were too strong,

then Ji Tianqi's eagerness to enhance his own power meant that he "believed" he could handle more strength now.

This might help alleviate Ji Tianqi's condition. If they forcefully stopped him, the consequences would be hard to predict.

...

...

The corresponding arrangements were quickly made, and Ji Tianqi, who had changed back into his ancient costume, did not need to have his Genetic Lock removed.

That was because Bai Xiuchu hadn't put the Genetic Lock on him since he returned from the recent field operation.

Bai Xiuchu's reasoning was that Ji Tianqi could have run away but chose not to, so they should not pressure him too much, as it could easily cause a rebellious mentality.

Cong Wen found this reasoning fairly sound, so he did not propose fitting Ji Tianqi with a Genetic Lock after his return to the Research Center.

Ji Tianqi himself, of course, was not going to request to be locked.

He definitely didn't want to end up like Runtu.

Sitting cross-legged at the center of the No. 9 Training Ground, Ji Tianqi closed his eyes and circulated his inner strength for cultivation while repeatedly chanting in his mind.

"I want to cross over, I want to cross over, I want to cross over…"

After several circulations, he opened his eyes, which had become vacant.

"He's having an episode!"

"Shh!"

Except for Bai Xiuchu and four security personnel, everyone had already entered the safe house.

But their voices, wanting to discuss, were still interrupted by Cong Wen.

Cong Wen looked at Xiao Wu, encouraging her with his gaze, "You do the commentary."

"Ah?"

"Imagine, and then explain his perspective."

"Yes."

"Little Wang," Cong Wen called out again, "You take notes."

Little Wang felt a bit wronged—commenting and imagining used to be my job.