Looking at the withered orchid, everyone felt their scalps tingle.
A single question came to all their minds...
"Can you use your Superpower on people?" Lin Xinghai asked.
âIf she could, did that mean Liu Miaomiao had power over life and death? That with a simple gesture, she could drain the Life Force right out of someoneâs body?â
"Yes, I can," Liu Miaomiao confirmed with a slight nod. "But itâs not that easy to use, especially on intelligent beings. The power is significantly weakened if the target consciously resists."
Hearing this, the group didnât know whether to be happy or horrified. Xu Haishui subtly scooted away a little.
Compared to the others, Lin Xinghai was relatively calm. After all, he knew Liu Miaomiao the best, and besides, he didnât believe any Superpower was invincible.
After a momentâs thought, he asked, "Can you be more specific about how much itâs weakened? Give me an example, if you can."
Liu Miaomiao didnât answer immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes as if sensing her Superpower. After a moment, she said, "For someone who has broken the first Genetic Lock, just like meâMr. Xu Haishui, for instanceâI could drain all their Life Force in about ten seconds, provided theyâre within range."
"Someone who has broken two Genetic Locks could probably last about thirty seconds. With three, they could likely hold out for a minute. As for anyone with four Genetic Locks or more, I estimate they could resist my Superpower completely."
"Of course, the times I mentioned arenât absolute. It also depends on their willpower, physical condition, and other factors, all things considered. For example, if theyâre injured, it would be much easier for me to extract their Life Force."
Having been used as an example, Xu Haishui stumbled back several steps. The terror on his face was now impossible to hide, and he almost sat right down on the ground.
Fang Tianhe glanced at him and snapped, "Look at you, what a coward. If you went up against my Heaven-Splitting Superpower, you might not even last a second!"
Lin Xinghai nodded in agreement. In terms of pure Attack Power, Liu Miaomiaoâs Superpower to control Life Force was indeed no match for the Heaven-Splitting Superpower. At least it couldnât instantly kill someone.
However, it possessed an eerie quality that other Superpowers couldnât match. If you didnât know what you were up against, you wouldnât even know how you died.
"So whatâs the range of your Superpower?" Lin Xinghai inquired. This was a key factor in determining a Superpowerâs strength. If the area of effect was large enough, it would be terrifying.
"Itâs five meters for now. But my Superpower isnât purely for attacking." As Liu Miaomiao spoke, she wiggled her slender, fair fingers, and the floating green speck of light above them danced along.
Then, the group watched as Liu Miaomiao flicked her finger, sending the speck of green light flying back into the withered orchid.
After the green speck entered it, the withered flower and shriveled leaves were instantly revitalized. In the span of a few breaths, the plant became lush and vibrant.
"This..." The shock the group felt now was in no way less than when Liu Miaomiao had drained the Life Force beforeâit was perhaps even greater.
âLife and death, decided in an instant!â
âNo wonder the Superpower is about controlling Life Force, not just draining it.â
"Can you infuse the Life Force you extract into someone else?" Lin Xinghai continued to ask.
"I can. When weâre on missions, I can extract the Life Force from Zombies and use it to heal you," Liu Miaomiao said with a dazzling smile.
Naturally, she was extremely satisfied with the Superpower she had awakened. It could be used for both offense and healing, so sheâd no longer have to worry about being a burden.
The group chatted for a while about the Superpowerâs various applications, and then Fang Tianhe led them away. He still had to lead the Mercenary Corps on a mission.
Of course, it was worth mentioning that because the Superpower Liu Miaomiao had awakened was completely undocumented, she was allowed to name it herself. After some discussion, they finally settled on "Life Control," a suitably imposing name.
Watching Fang Tianhe and the others leave, Liu Miaomiao looked at the suddenly empty base and asked, a little curious, "Arenât we going on a mission?"
She had already mentally prepared for it on her way here.
"The Mercenary Corps is intensifying its training these next few days, so they donât have time to take on a newcomer. If you want to go on a mission, youâll probably have to wait three or four days. For now, just come to the base to get familiar with everything," Lin Xinghai said.
Yesterday, the Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps had reached its full recruitment of 100 members. Fang Tianhe had begun intensive preparations for battle and was conducting various training drills.
âA complete rookie like Liu Miaomiao is different from the veteran Mercenaries they recruited. She canât just be thrown onto the battlefield. It would be better to wait a few days; it wonât be too late to train her after the big battle with the Morgan Conglomerate is over.â
"Oh!" Liu Miaomiao nodded, though she only half-understood. As a complete newcomer who knew nothing, she found Lin Xinghaiâs arrangement to be quite reasonable.
"By the way, now that youâre one of the Optimized, you should move to the Middle Level District."
"Iâll take you to apply for access first, then Iâll help you move. Your new room will be right next to mine. Is that okay?" Lin Xinghai said, pretending to be casual, but as he spoke, his heart began to beat a little faster.
"Okay." These arrangements were perfectly reasonable, so Liu Miaomiao naturally had no objections.
Next, Lin Xinghai found members of the logistics team and asked them to handle the paperwork.
With the Mercenary Corps as a guarantorâand a rapidly rising one like the Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps at thatâthe process was completely fast-tracked. After Liu Miaomiao verified her identity at the Government Hall, her residency status was transferred from the Lower Level District to the Middle Level District.
"Letâs go! Time to help you move," Lin Xinghai said, a faint, mischievous smile playing on his lips.
Unsuspecting, Liu Miaomiao nodded and led Lin Xinghai toward her dorm.
The dorms provided by the Government Hall were actually quite nice. Although not very large, it was at least a two-person room instead of the original six-person one.
Liu Miaomiao had already packed her belongings into a rolling suitcase. As for her other roommate, she was at work, so Lin Xinghai didnât see her. âBut judging from the size of the underwear, it has to be Wang Yao, without a doubt.â
âOf course, after coming inside, I made sure to keep my eyes fixed straight ahead. I only saw it by accident, and at a critical moment like this, I have to show off my sterling character.â
Soon enough, the two of them returned to the Middle Level District and, under Lin Xinghaiâs lead, headed toward the Star Shield District.
Standing at the entrance to the district, Liu Miaomiao was a bit stunned. Sheâd been in the Star Shield Shelter for a while now and wasnât completely clueless; she knew a thing or two about the famous locations.
Back in the Lower Level District, when people talked about their dreams, many of them dreamed of living in the Star Shield District.
Living there was a symbol of status and prestige.
"Our new rooms... are they really in there?" Liu Miaomiao asked hesitantly.
"Of course. Would I lie to you about something like this?" Without another word, Lin Xinghai took Liu Miaomiaoâs hand and walked through the gate.