Life is More Than Chicken Soup

"The genius from Fa City in the Twelve Cities, with red hair and green eyes, has a thunder-based ability in the element system, with power above A-level but below S-level. Perhaps he can break through to S-level in this trial, and has the highest odds in the black market."

"Ranked second is the girl from Eastern Continent Sakura City who carries a very conspicuous sword with her and sailed across the ocean alone to get here. You know the dangers of crossing the ocean, her ability is unknown, and her odds are ranked second."

"The third is a guy from the Eastern Continent like you, who didn't awaken his ability until age thirteen. His ability is only known to be combat-based, with no one knowing the specifics. Coming from the slums, he is extremely ruthless, leaving no survivors."

Li Changan listened silently. He was familiar with the information on the third person, after all they were both from the Eastern Continent. It had been over twenty years since abilities started appearing among humans. Humans had also categorized different "systems" based on the characteristics of the abilities, with combat systems universally recognized as best suited for fighting.

The combat system included abilities like [Biological Lock-on] and [Guaranteed Hit] which made no logical sense whatsoever. There were even people immune to elements, the natural nemesis of the elemental system.

But Li Changan was curious not about the information on these people, but why the unfamiliar boss was telling him all this.

Seemingly noticing Li Changan's confusion, the boss laughed and shook his head, "Don't look at me like this now. I was pretty awesome back in the day. You should be able to tell I was a soldier."

"Back on a mission I encountered a second evolution beast, and I was the only one in the team who survived. Since then I could never fight anyone again."

As he spoke, the boss rolled up his sleeve, revealing a pair of mechanical arms under it.

"So you're a strength enhancer?" Li Changan realized, losing both arms, his originally unremarkable strength enhancement ability had been completely wasted.

"That's right." The boss let out a hearty laugh, rolling down his sleeve, and continued, "That's why I'm especially fond of you kid. So what if it's strength enhancement? When I was a C-rank I killed a first evolution beast with my own hands!"

He slapped Li Changan on the shoulder with force, and the slightly overweight boss suddenly became serious, "Kid, you're not bad. Don't die in there. I know I should advise you that the future is long and there's no need to take risks now, but I'm afraid the trials are your best way out."

"There are no useless abilities, just that their time hasn't come yet. So survive and wait, or make it happen yourself... Haha, I'm just joking."

"Even though you're as handsome as I was when I was young, there's no way someone could single-handedly initiate a new era."

Looking at the big hand on his shoulder, it took Li Changan a long time to stand up and nod before turning to walk out. After taking two steps, he inexplicably wanted to stop, and said lightly,

"My name is Li Changan."

Watching Li Changan's receding figure blankly, the boss suddenly shook his head with a wry smile, "Is he asking me to remember his name, so I can witness him initiating a new era with my own eyes? Are the young people these days all so arrogant?"

"Youth is beautiful."

Having eaten his fill, by habit Li Changan should head to the underground market. The city was filled with all kinds of shady characters, but no one could escape the eyes and ears of the information dealers.

The trials did not require participants to enter naked. Families with means would certainly bring better equipment, just that the trials had their own set of rules. Relying too much on crushing force or external aid had been proven to negatively impact the intensity of the final baptism.

But preparing to target weaknesses was not prohibited. Making every effort to gather intelligence on opponents and prepare things to restrain them before entering the Trials Facility was considered one's own ability.

There was no absolute fairness in the world, only relative fairness.

There were bookies in the underground market, people who squatted outside the Trials Facility every day, running around the city, all to collect information on the participants for the gamblers, to help them place bets. There were only a few chances to play each year, but every game was played with great stakes.

The bookmakers were also happy to sell information to other contestants. Upsets were where the money was made, since nothing could be rigged here.

But today, Li Changan decided to head to the Trials Facility first. There was no hurry for the information, it'd be better to go take a look at what fearsome characters were there, facing terrifying opponents directly was not the same as learning about them from data.

The Trials Facility had sufficient rooms for participating contestants to rest, and they could get free room and board just by registering to participate. If one fled midway, they would be hunted down by the local guards for mocking the Federation, which was a criminal offense.

The fifty-foot tall main gate was wide open. This gate never closed, the majestic architecture did not appear delicate, exuding a rough beauty, like a beast with its mouth agape awaiting prey, yet people kept streaming in endlessly, always someone hoping to be the hero to slay the dragon.

From afar, Li Changan already spotted the underground market's informant planted here. Clearly unprofessional, he had actually set up a fruit stand, which was of no use no matter how far it was from the Trials Facility entrance. Not only was there no shortage of food supplies in the apocalypse, surplus production had actually led to low grain prices.

But most ability users had large appetites, just like cars that guzzled gas when driven fast, but that was the extent of it. Expensive fruit did not sell well in the apocalypse, it was a luxury exclusively for the rich.

Setting up a fruit stand in the street was basically putting up a sign saying "I'm shady".

Every person entering the Trials Facility would be recorded, then thoroughly investigated by these people. Li Changan did not want to become a target for their betting just yet, so he only lingered at the entrance briefly before heading to the fruit stand.

"Boss, how much for this apple?" Li Changan asked with a faint smile.

The boss, whose face was full of sagging flesh that made him look more like a butcher, now had an obsequious smile. "207 each, handsome guy, want a few? Giving apples to girls is supposed to be a confession technique. I heard that's what they did before the apocalypse, one apple gets you a room, and a night till daylight!"

"Sounds good, but I just want to eat it myself." Li Changan picked up an apple, wiped it clean, and took a big bite. "Pretty sweet."

The boss' expression tensed slightly. "Bro, you haven't paid yet, that's not right." As he spoke, his hand reached under the stand.

Li Changan smiled and said, "Don't get agitated, I didn't say I wouldn't pay. How about this, give me the info on the top three, and I'll pay for it all together."

The boss' brows relaxed as he smiled, "You should've just said so, bro. What's one apple? Consider it a free drink for you. I've got the info, but we can't make the deal here. Come with me, bro?"

"Sure, but what about your stand?" Li Changan eyed the oranges on the stand.

"It's not my stand, it's our stand. Someone will keep an eye on it." Following Li Changan's gaze, the boss decided not to be stingy after all. He grabbed two oranges and put them in Li Changan's hands.

Nice! Li Changan nodded with a smile. The man looked dumb but was actually pretty savvy at business. The black market here was well-developed, must be dominated by one group.

One dominant group meant outsiders should tread carefully.

It was just that he had so little money left on his ID card, which troubled Li Changan somewhat. It was that restaurant owner's fault, chatting nonsense and wasting his time to earn money.

The copper bell atop the Trials Facility tolled four times.