I fabricated myths to guide the revival of spiritual energy.

Chapter 41 Survivor Bias: They Think It's Luck

[Xiangxi, a temporary field hospital on the front lines]

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent and onto the cot.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of disinfectant mixed with the stench of blood. Dozens of special forces soldiers who had survived last night's "battle between gods and demons" were lying in beds undergoing emergency medical examinations.

Logically speaking, after experiencing that level of kinetic energy impact, infrasound oscillation, and that final red light that seemed capable of evaporating everything, these people, even if they didn't die, should have suffered internal organ rupture, eardrum perforation, or even severe radiation contamination.

However, the military doctors in charge of the examination looked at each other in disbelief, staring at the medical reports in their hands as if they had seen a ghost.

"Is...is this instrument broken?"

An old military doctor removed his stethoscope and patted the chest of the young soldier, who was covered in charred sores and appeared to be seriously injured, with disbelief.

"What's wrong, Director Wang? Is it serious?" the nurse next to him asked anxiously.

"Serious? No...it's practically too healthy."

The old military doctor pointed to the strong waveform on the electrocardiogram monitor:

"His heart rate is 50 beats per minute, steady and powerful, pumping 1.5 times more blood than a normal person. Bone density tests show that his bones are as hard as granite. And his white blood cells... his immune system is as active as if he just took stimulants."

"But... he was clearly thrown more than ten meters by the shockwave!"

"I know." The old medic wiped his sweat. "That's the unscientific part. His body wasn't damaged at all; on the contrary, it was as if it had been 'forged' in that explosion."

It wasn't just this one soldier.

Throughout the entire camp, the thirty-six warriors who persevered to the end under the "Chi You Banner," without kneeling or falling unconscious, all experienced an "unnatural" surge in physical fitness.

Some people's old wounds healed without medicine.

Some people who originally had mild myopia suddenly regained the vision of a pilot.

Some people even feel as if there is a fire burning inside their bodies, giving them inexhaustible energy.

They thought it was a stress response from surviving a disaster.

They thought it was good luck that they had avoided the blind spot of the shockwave.

Only Gu Qing, who was thousands of miles away, knew the truth.

……

[Changsha, Hotel]

Gu Qing had just finished showering and changed into clean casual clothes. His reconstructed body made him feel more relaxed than ever before; every breath that used to torment him was now a pleasure.

He looked at the field hospital surveillance footage displayed on the system screen, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Survivor bias".

Gu Qing uttered the word softly.

"In statistics, people only see the survivors and often ignore the dead, thus drawing wrong conclusions."

"Those experts would argue that these soldiers survived because they were physically fit or because they were lucky."

"But in reality..."

Gu Qing's fingers traced the thirty-six names in the air.

"They survived because I chose them."

Last night's devastating "Chiyou Banner" was ostensibly designed to counter attacks from space-based weapons, but in reality, it was a meticulously planned "full-range qualification screening" by Gu Qing.

The red light contained not only destructive evil energy, but also the [Primary Tendon-Changing and Marrow-Cleansing Elixir (Atomized Version)] that Gu Qing had exchanged for with a huge amount of faith power.

That energy was extremely domineering.

Those with weak willpower will be overwhelmed by the evil energy, faint, and thus miss this opportunity.

Those with weak constitutions cannot withstand the effects of the medicine and will be thrown off balance. Although they may survive, they are still just ordinary people.

Only someone like Zhao Feng, with an iron will and a body of steel, who dares to face gods and demons without kneeling, can forcibly absorb the medicinal power in the air under such high pressure and complete the first "physical awakening".

"So-called 'luck' is nothing more than a passport for the strong."

Gu Qing turned off the surveillance camera.

"The first batch of 'Dao soldiers' seeds have been planted."

"Next, let them sprout, and then... wow the world."

……

[Field hospital, isolation ward]

Zhao Feng sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his hands.

His palms were originally covered with calluses and tiny scars, marks left by years of holding guns and training.

But now, those scars have fallen off, revealing the new skin underneath. Although it's still rough, he can feel the resilience beneath this skin; it could probably even jam a small-caliber pistol bullet.

"team leader."

Li Sen pushed open the door and came in, holding a newly printed report in his hand, his expression complicated.

"People from above have arrived. It's Professor Zhang Bowen from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and... a special envoy from Director Li Guozhong."

"What are they trying to do?" Zhao Feng frowned.

"Draw blood, biopsies, do tests." Li Sen lowered his voice. "They're using us as guinea pigs. Because only the thirty-six of us showed signs of 'body enhancement,' while those brothers who fainted at the beginning didn't change at all when they woke up."

"They said it was a 'biological radiation mutation,' and that it was a high-risk condition."

Zhao Feng sneered and clenched his fist.

The knuckles made a popping sound like popping beans.

"Mutations?"

He recalled the old Taoist priest's words from last night—"If your heart is filled with thunder, your hand will wield lightning."

"No, this is not a mutation."

Zhao Feng stood up and pulled a long, black box from under the bed. It was his broken sword, Tiger Warrior, which he refused to part with even in death.

"This is a blessing."

"That senior gave his life to bring us this blessing."

Li Sen stared blankly at Zhao Feng's burning eyes for a moment, then straightened his back.

"Captain, you're right."

"Who cares how they define it? I feel like I could kill a bull with one punch right now. Now that I have this power, next time I encounter those bugs..."

A ruthless glint flashed in Li Sen's eyes.

"I don't need to hide behind cover anymore."

Just then, a commotion of footsteps and arguing came from outside the door.

"Comrade Zhao Feng! Please cooperate with our work! This sword is a national-level cultural relic and carries high-energy radiation; it must be sealed off immediately!"

A researcher in protective gear tried to rush in and snatch the box from Zhao Feng's hands.

Zhao Feng turned his head sharply, his eyes as cold as knives.

There was no movement, just a glance.

The researcher froze as if he had been targeted by a wild beast, and was so frightened that he took two steps back and sat down on the ground with a thud.

[A malevolent aura emanates outwards].

This is the accompanying spiritual pressure that comes with the baptism of the "Chiyou Flag".

"As long as the sword is here, I am here."

Zhao Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire corridor.

"If you want the sword, have Director Li come and talk to me personally."

"besides……"

Zhao Feng looked at the group of dumbfounded experts and agents, a mocking smile curving his lips.

"Don't use your outdated scientific theories to analyze us."

"We are not survivors."

"We are... the Night's Watch."

……

[System Prompt]