Above green!
That is to say, at least blue-level potential, most likely blue!
A rare talent!
Fang You had been busy all over Baijiang City these past few days and had only found eleven talents, all of them merely green potential. Yet, at this very moment, a blue talent had appeared at his doorstep?
If games had stats like reputation or prestige, Xin Huo would at least be somewhat well-known in Baijiang City by now—well, only among those in the know.
Master Ming Deng not only had a high potential rating but also a profound foundation.
Through his detection skill, he determined that Master Ming Deng possessed potential in 'physique,' which was why he could train to such an astonishing degree.
His physical strength was significantly greater than Brother Hei Dao's initial physique!
Imposing and tall, with bronze skin and muscles coiled like pythons.
In terms of potential and ability, this Master was absolutely qualified.
Regarding his character, simply by the fact that Master Ming Deng was someone who truly understood Buddhism, he felt there were no issues.
He would observe him a bit more.
The first secondary apostle might be recruited very soon.
...
On the training ground, a group of auxiliary personnel were undergoing weighted training.
After less than one lap, Luo Jianxing was already gasping for breath.
He was exhausted!
He had been a wage slave for several years, constantly busy with work and having no time or inclination to exercise. His stamina was no match for those young students still in school!
Luo Jianxing immediately fell to the back, already being lapped by more than three times by the monk called Ming Deng.
This was nothing to be surprised about.
This monk clearly could not be judged by ordinary standards. The real competitors were the others, most of whom were current students, all of whom had much better stamina than him.
After trying to catch up for a while, Luo Jianxing dejectedly realized he couldn't keep up.
Even the older brother he had been chatting with so happily was now sprinting ahead... Liar! He thought we were alike, but then he secretly took off!
He was left all alone, falling far behind.
Oh no, there was one other person running worse than him, that girl with a bit of baby fat, who looked like she would collapse after just a few steps.
But, if Luo Jianxing remembered correctly, this was the girl who had given him directions when he first came in. She was an insider!
So, he was still the worst!
_(:з」∠)_!
He panted and grunted, and sometimes, when his steps slowed even slightly, a chill would surge from his spine straight to the crown of his head.
Forcing him to keep running.
This was too difficult! Luo Jianxing had suffered through many job searches, but this was the first time he had endured such physical hardship. He couldn't stand this kind of mistreatment, he...
Of course, he would continue to run!
It had nothing to do with the auxiliary staff being provided with room and board and a fixed salary. It had nothing to do with the coveted supernatural power!
Nothing else, he just didn't want to be outdone by those youngsters.
No matter how bitter or tiring the wind and rain, it would not stop him from passing the assessment and staying.
He declared it!
But that monk was truly outrageous!
...
Unlike Luo Jianxing's constantly wandering thoughts, Xu Tian's mind was focused on one thing: run! Run! Keep running!
Having witnessed the eldritch and understood the true nature lurking beneath the world, he knew how incredibly rare this opportunity was.
He wanted the power to protect himself and his sister!
He wanted the power to kill the eldritch!
He also wanted... to follow in that person's footsteps!
He could not stop!
...
"The most dedicated person among them is this young man."
Inside the building, Hei Dao said calmly, looking outside.
No matter the time, Hei Dao never seemed to show emotional fluctuations, except when facing the eldritch.
He added, "This young man's physique is not strong, but he has been running at the forefront. I barely need to stimulate him with killing intent."
This was under the premise that Master Ming Deng was not included.
However, this also presented some issues: "Without a healer, I dare not further increase the training intensity."
So, this training was not yet up to Hei Dao's expectations!
But without healing means, this was indeed a problem.
Fang You also realized this.
He, Hei Dao, and An Jianyou possessed inherently strong physiques, and when 'practicing skills,' no matter how tiring or extreme, there were no lingering side effects.
These auxiliary personnel were different; they were almost all ordinary people.
Until they passed the assessment, he would not bestow these individuals with medicinal pills for physical enhancement.
But high-intensity training was prone to injury. Of course, these people all had considerable potential, so it wouldn't be a major issue to push themselves, and Hei Dao had exceptionally rich experience and keen judgment in training, so this training method should not pose any problems.
An Jianyou had also purchased a great deal of supplies, including medicine, when acquiring equipment.
There was no shortage of facilities or supplies.
However, what Hei Dao wanted was a healing method that could produce immediate results, which would allow him to employ faster and more aggressive training models.
Fang You also desired this.
He still remembered that Brother Hei Dao had been injured during the battle at the Gate of the Eldritch Realm, and he had healed himself through his own formidable physique.
Minor injuries could be managed, but what about severe injuries?
Or some special types of wounds?
Fang You hoped that next time he could draw a healer apostle. If not, a healing-type eldritch artifact or a blue or purple skill would also be acceptable.
"Master Ming Deng, I believe he has qualified. The rest is up to you, Mentor."
...
In the evening,
When Luo Jianxing and the others were eating in the first-floor mess hall, they heard shocking news.
Someone had passed the assessment!
Master Ming Deng!
Thinking about it, it seemed normal. That monk was not a normal human to begin with, right?
They heard there was an initiation ceremony, but it was not made public to them. Luo Jianxing and the others were both envious and expectant. If the monk was officially accepted in one day, they wouldn't take too long either... would they?
...
On the sixth floor,
Master Ming Deng followed the instructor to this location.
It was very spacious, devoid of any furniture, almost an empty floor.
Suddenly, the wall in front rippled, and a figure walked out from the water-like ripples.
Wearing a white robe, his face was visible yet his features were impossible to recall.
But this figure was one Master Ming Deng would never forget; it was deeply imprinted in his mind.
It was that person!
The one who commanded heavenly lightning, instantly destroying three terrifying giants and saving Baijiang City!
The Xin Huo Mentor!
To think that he himself had come.
Even with Master Ming Deng's composure, ripples surged, and he felt a surge of excitement.
"Xin Huo has no tedious initiation ceremony; we just want to tell you one thing."
"This is a path shrouded in darkness, with no visible end. We are not people who are surrounded by flowers; where there is no light on this path, we must become the light. Where there is no fire on this path, we shall become the fire."
"We are merely lonely pioneers, torchbearers in the dark, guardians in the absence of light."
"This is a path of no return. Once you embark on this path, you will have no opportunity to regret."
"Now, you still have one chance to choose."
"Are you willing, for the sake of this world, for the sake of humanity, to transform into the light of hope and the fire of faith, to resist the slumbering darkness, day after day, until death?"
"Tell me, your choice."
Master Ming Deng hesitated not at all, his gaze firm and burning.
He took a step forward and said loudly,
"I am willing!"