Dragons begin with courage

Facing that thunderous punch, Chu Zihang's expression remained as cold and calm as if he had caught a feather with ease.

"call--"

With a whoosh of wind, Chu Zihang's other hand flashed like a phantom from his specially designed equipment belt, pulling out a matte-finish metal tube—a portable alchemical bloodline testing device standard issue to the Executive Department. He gripped the other man's wrist with his right hand, and an overwhelming force pressed down. The young man named Os felt dizzy and was slammed onto the sand without any finesse, half his face buried in the gravel, struggling like an insect trapped in concrete.

"Pfft."

Chu Zihang pressed the switch on the side of the instrument with his left thumb, and a thin, hollow probe engraved with a miniature alchemical matrix popped out from the front. Without hesitation, it pierced into the side of Os's carotid artery. The moment the probe entered the flesh, Os's body convulsed violently, and the raging scarlet in his eyes momentarily blurred, as if injected with a cold dose of reality.

At the same time, Norman's distinctive, emotionless electronic voice rang out simultaneously in everyone's headphones, accompanied by a slight background noise of data streams refreshing:

[Portable "Rapid Assessment Unit for Dragon's Blood Contamination and Genetic Stability" activated. Testing in progress...]

[Target Individual: Codename 'Os'. Peak physical output assessment: Approximately 71.3% of the lower limit of the standard D-grade hybrid baseline. Energy intensity and controllability do not meet the minimum rating standards; therefore, it will not be included in the Kassel pedigree ranking sequence.]

[Deep physiological scan: High concentrations of alien dragon gene fragments were detected. The spectral characteristics matched 89.7% with the secretions from the surface of the third-generation subspecies dragon, the target species. Analysis conclusion: This is due to gene sequence contamination and forced physical transformation caused by direct contact with highly active dragon substances.]

[Final assessment of contamination status: Dragon blood erosion rate has exceeded the safety threshold of 247%. The genetic chain shows signs of systemic collapse. Major organs show signs of impending failure, nerve synaptic signal transmission is disordered, and dopamine and adrenaline secretion curves are abnormal... Comprehensive assessment: The target has entered the final stage of the irreversible process of 'Deadpool-ification'. Estimated remaining time after complete loss of human sanity: 168 hours (7 calendar days). Repeat, survival expectation: 168 hours.]

Norma's voice was cold and precise; every percentage and hour struck the listener's heart like a hammer blow. It wasn't a verdict, but a definitive conclusion.

Hearing Norma's cold, analytical pronouncement, the last, faint glimmer of inquiry in Chu Zihang's eyes, perhaps even imperceptible to himself, vanished. He had witnessed far too many similar cases: ordinary people accidentally corrupted or forcibly eroded by dragon blood, gaining temporary power while simultaneously embarking on a one-way path to the inhuman abyss, with no turning back.

After a brief peak of power, there is no exception to the one-way ticket to the abyss of inhumanity. There is no antidote, no reversal, only an end sooner or later.

Norma's assessment was also clearly transmitted to Lu Mingfei's earpiece. Susie, Leo, and Juliet remained calm, their eyes perhaps showing a hint of professional seriousness, but without much emotion. They were used to Deadpool and had cleaned up contamination; this was a cold, hard part of the Executive Department's work.

Lu Mingfei, however, was different. The theoretical description of Deadpool in class was one thing, but hearing a living person declared to have "seven days to live" and feeling the cruel inevitability behind that data was quite another. His throat went dry, and for the first time, he realized so clearly the heavy, rusty, and bloody meaning behind one of Chu Zihang's reasons for bringing him out—"to broaden his horizons."

"Os!!"

The eyes of the other three so-called "chosen ones" were instantly consumed by rage and bestiality! Their pupils constricted to needle-like levels, bloodshot and speckled with ominous dark gold, and low, inhuman roars escaped their throats. Their disguises were utterly shattered, and like three enraged, stimulant-injected beasts, they pounced on Chu Zihang from three cunning angles, leaving a trail of bloody gas! Their speed was so fast that they left blurry afterimages in the thin morning air.

"Don't move."

Susie's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an icy sharpness and an unquestionable authority, instantly stopping Leo's subconscious forward lean and Juliet's slightly raised gun barrel.

"Just watch. This level isn't even a warm-up for the president." She paused. "If you go over there now, you'll only disrupt his rhythm and make him work harder."

Faced with the triangular attack that surpassed the speed and power of human fighting champions, Chu Zihang finally made his move.

His movements were not parries, but rather the purest form of counterattack, striking first after being caught off guard.

Using his left foot as a pivot, his body spun gently like a bamboo in the wind, and at the same time, he threw the broken Os in his hand as if it were a piece of trash, heading straight for the enemy charging to the left! His body, wrapped in skillful force, became the most unexpected human cannonball. The enemy on the left was caught off guard and had to stop his attack to catch his companion, but the force of the impact caused him to lose his balance and stagger backward.

In the blink of an eye, as he spun and threw the man, Chu Zihang's right hand reached behind his shoulder.

"Zzzzt—!"

A clear, resonant sound, like a dragon's roar, accompanied by a subtle vibration, tore through the air as Murasame was drawn from its sheath.

The blade was not the dazzling gleam of an ordinary weapon, but rather shimmered with a cold light as deep as a midnight pool. With the long blade in hand, Chu Zihang's icy silence suddenly changed, transforming into a chilling, sharp edge like a drawn sword.

The enemy on the right was the first to attack, a swift, swift chop tearing through the air as it aimed a vicious blow at Chu Zihang's neck. The angle was so precise it resembled a military combat technique. Chu Zihang didn't even fully turn around; he merely flicked his right wrist, holding the knife, at an ergonomically unnatural angle, and the Murasame blade slashed upwards at an angle!

There was no loud clang of metal clashing, only a faint, almost inaudible hissing sound, like a red-hot knife slicing through cold butter.

The man's arm was severed at the elbow! The cut was smooth as a mirror, and the dark red, almost black, unusually viscous blood even lingered for half a second before gushing out. Chu Zihang's blade, using the momentum of his upward thrust, didn't stop, tracing a slight arc in the air before the heavy back of the blade struck the man's temple with precise accuracy. The man's frenzied body stiffened abruptly, the murderous intent in his eyes vanishing instantly. Without even a groan, he fell straight forward, raising a cloud of dust.

The third enemy launched a fierce attack from the front, unleashing both fists with the force of cannons. The pressure of the punches was so intense it made it hard to breathe, clearly a full-force burst intended to overpower Chu Zihang's skill and break through his center line. Instead of retreating, Chu Zihang advanced, taking a step forward to meet the punches head-on!

"Thump!"

The dull thud of his footsteps landing was like the beating of a war drum, and a clear ring of air rippled out from the sand where he landed!

He didn't use a knife, but instead unleashed a barrage of punches, choosing the most brutal, head-on collision! The instant the four fists met—

"Bang! Crack—!"

A series of chilling cracking sounds, like popping beans, rang out! The enemy's fists, attacking head-on, shattered at the very moment they made contact with Chu Zihang's fists, their finger bones, metacarpal bones, and wrist bones breaking off one by one! Fragments of bone mixed with blood pierced through the twisted and deformed flesh of his hands!

Their physical fitness levels are completely different!