Bab 34: Darius Test Backfiring

Glancing at Yone for a moment, a brief look of surprise flashed across the guard's face before he returned to his bored expression.

"Step out of the line and enter that building to get your ID made," the man ordered, pointing to the small structure attached to the wall, its only feature being a small window.

Following the instruction, Yone stepped out of the line and moved toward the building.

Sara, on the other hand, simply presented her ID and passed through the gate without any issues, patiently waiting for Yone on the other side.

As Yone approached the metal door, it opened automatically.

Raising an eyebrow, Yone was surprised that such technology existed, though he suspected it was powered by Qi. After all, they had similar tools in his previous world.

Once inside, Yone's eyes widened in astonishment. The space within the building was at least ten times larger than it appeared from the outside. He didn't even notice any change in the environment as he crossed the door.

"I'm still too weak!" Yone thought, amused by his own lack of awareness.

The room was illuminated by Qi-powered light bulbs affixed to the ceiling. The smell of fresh paper lingered in the air, and the space was divided into various compartments, though Yone couldn't see all of them from where he stood.

Next, Yone asked the system to temporarily lift the seal on his cultivation, allowing it to be detected by others. He had a few plans in mind, and appearing weak wouldn't benefit him.

While Yone was inspecting the surroundings, a man approached him and stopped directly in front of him. The man scrutinized Yone, raising an eyebrow as he took in his appearance.

Yone tried to gauge the man's strength but was unable to discern anything due to his own limited cultivation base.

The man appeared to be in his early forties, dressed in a black martial outfit similar to the one Yone's mother had once given him, though this one seemed more expensive and radiated a slightly oppressive aura. Despite the apparent difference in quality, Yone didn't care much about the details.

Breaking the silence, the man spoke, "First time in a place like this?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Yone replied with a ridiculing smile.

'Are people in this world so dumb?' he thought.

The man frowned slightly, his face twitching. 'Are kids from powerful families all this rude these days?' he wondered, attributing Yone's behavior to his background.

"Yes, it was obvious. I noticed you from across the room, but that's normal to be surprised. Spaces that have been stretched are rare, and I had the same reaction when I first came here," the man explained with a short laugh, unfazed by Yone's earlier attitude, as if he was used to it.

Yone forced a smile before introducing himself, "I am Yone. Nice to meet you, sir."

Darius smiled in return and introduced himself, "I am Darius Cribley. I work for the Identification Branch under the royal family. Our job is to identify every citizen of our great nation."

Darius extended his hand for a handshake, which Yone accepted, his lips curling into a faint smile for a brief moment.

As soon as their hands met, Yone felt a heavy pressure descend upon him. Surprised, he glanced at Darius, quickly realizing what was happening. Yone's smile deepened, and he released his own aura in response.

Darius's expression shifted to one of surprise, a wide smile spreading across his face as he noticed Yone withstand his aura without flinching.

'This mental fortitude... To withstand my aura without any reaction—this kid is beyond any I've tested, except for a select few!' Darius thought, his heart tightening.

As their silent battle of auras continued, it began to draw the attention of other staff members. They glanced at Darius, sighing and shaking their heads, as if this were a regular occurrence.

Darius finally released Yone's hand and, astonished, remarked, "You're already at the 2nd layer?"

"But how did you..."

Before Darius could finish, Yone suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face growing pale. In the next moment, he collapsed to the ground, his body trembling slightly before going still.

He had lost consciousness.

The staff around them gasped in shock, their expressions darkening. Some shot questioning glances at Darius as if asking, 'What did you do to the kid?'

Darius could only roll his eyes at their reactions.

In his twenty years of working here, Darius had performed this test on countless young cultivators and had never caused any harm. Why would today be any different?

"Quickly, inject some Qi into his body and try to heal him. His internal organs must have suffered under the pressure of Darius's aura and couldn't hold up," a young woman in her mid-twenties instructed as she knelt beside Yone and began trying to heal him.

While tending to Yone, she glared at Darius and ordered sternly, "Go to the treasury and fetch some cultivation resources suitable for a child his age. When he wakes up, use them to compensate him and apologize."

Darius's face twitched in anger at her words.

The compensation she mentioned wouldn't come from the treasury of the Identification Branch but from his own pocket!

'Did he injure himself on purpose to get a few benefits out of me?' Darius couldn't help but wonder as he narrowed his eyes at the unconscious Yone.

Noticing that her subordinate hadn't moved an inch, Clair's voice turned colder, her gaze sharp and menacing.

"This kid is far from ordinary. Reaching the 2nd layer at just seven years old means his background isn't simple," she paused, her expression growing even more severe.

"Darius, get him a few Qi Gathering Pills, Healing Pills, and an uncommon-grade weapon," she ordered. Just as Darius was about to leave, Clair gritted her teeth and added, "And bring a thousand Spirit Stones."

Darius froze, sweat forming on his back and forehead at her words, especially the last instruction.

'Seven years old and already at the 2nd layer?' Darius and the other staff members stared in shock and disbelief.

With such astonishing cultivation speed, his background must be formidable, just as Clair had said. No wonder she had rushed in looking so anxious and fearful.

With a trembling voice, Darius pleaded, "Boss, please. I don't have that kind of wealth. If I pay all of this as compensation, I won't be able to feed my family for the next six months."

"Shut up and get what I asked for. I'll cover the cost. As for this incident, you'll be punished separately."

Darius heaved a sigh of relief at Clair's words, grateful he wouldn't have to shoulder the cost himself. Immediately, he rushed to the treasury to fetch the items. His body could be seen trembling, and his mind ran wild with countless thoughts about how the kid might react once he regained consciousness.

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