Chapter 405

These thorn beasts may seem ferocious and nearly unstoppable to ordinary people, but to Wang Yu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they were even weaker than non-classed demons—merely somewhat powerful ferocious beasts.

Whether biting or spitting thorns, none could break through the protective spells of a Qi Condensation cultivator, let alone protective artifacts; the only real trouble was that these thorn beasts could fly and coordinated well, possessing considerable intelligence.

Though his body was now mortal and the "Skywing Standard Model" exosuit couldn't withstand direct attacks from thorn beasts, a single slash from its giant sword carried power no weaker than a Qi Condensation cultivator's spell.

Moreover, the star-nu energy he channeled through this "Skywing Standard Model" exosuit was at least one-third stronger than under normal conditions.

These exosuits could actually amplify a pilot's mental energy!

With such a massive advantage, combined with his years of battlefield experience from the cultivation world, he alone—while all other examinees had failed—managed to effortlessly slay the remaining thorn beasts using the exosuit.

If the future cataclysm of Blue Star were to be caused by demons of this caliber, he himself wouldn't believe it.

As Wang Yu pondered this, he moved his arm inside the cockpit; the white exosuit mirrored the motion, sheathing its giant blade into a massive scabbard on its back.

Just as he thought he'd be teleported out of the test scenario, a white beam suddenly descended from high above, engulfing him and the exosuit together.

At the same time, a mechanical, emotionless voice echoed in his ears:

"System detection: Designation GLX has been conscripted into Special Reserve, assigned to Star Tactical Exosuit Team, now recognized as a certified exosuit pilot. Special training scenario activated. Teleportation initiating: 10, 9, 8…"

A countdown echoed from the beam; Wang Yu suddenly realized something, his face flickering with surprise, and immediately piloted the exosuit down to the ground.

"Thud."

As the massive exosuit's feet crushed into the sandy soil, kicking up a cloud of dust, the countdown ended.

He felt a flash of white light, the surroundings blurred, and then he stood inside a vast transparent glass room, outside which stretched an endless ocean—as if stranded on a solitary island.

Wang Yu's gaze locked onto a flat, circular metal platform at the room's center.

Instantly, a white beam erupted from the platform, revealing an old man clad in a white robe.

The old man was small and thin, with an enormous head, his face wrinkled; as soon as he appeared, he began speaking within the beam, unperturbed:

"Star-nu energy has nine tiers. The first three focus on expanding and amplifying mental energy—these are spiritual techniques accessible to all exosuit pilots."

Even a Yubei exosuit pilot, if possessing the requisite talent, may receive the first three tiers' cultivation incantations and permissions; though in practice, few meet the conditions, this is a basic right granted by the Blue Star Alliance to all exosuit pilots.

But from the fourth tier onward, it is entirely different.

Star-nu energy beyond the third tier will, according to the cultivator's innate talent, assist in forming mental fields with unique properties; even without an exosuit, a pilot gains unimaginable destructive power. Thus, to cultivate beyond the third tier, two conditions must be met:

First, one must hold the rank of certified exosuit pilot or higher, with authority to customize a personal exosuit.

Second, one must have earned three B-class or higher merits for the Blue Star Alliance, or one A-class or higher merit.

Special supplementary clause: If the second condition is unmet, but the cultivator reaches the third tier of star-nu energy and is detected as a pure-blooded Blue Star human, they automatically gain permission to cultivate tiers four through six.

Detecting GLX's current data: First condition met, second condition unmet. Activating special supplementary clause. Star-nu energy detection initiating…"

No sooner had the white-robed elder finished speaking than he turned his head slightly, his gaze locking precisely onto Wang Yu, his pupils instantly turning silver-white.

"Puff."

An invisible wave of mental energy erupted from his eyes, like a flood crashing into Wang Yu.

Wang Yu's expression shifted slightly; without hesitation, he tapped his brow, releasing his own mental energy to meet the incoming force.

A muffled boom.

The two mental energies collided in midair, unleashing invisible shockwaves that surged outward like a hurricane.

The transparent walls, whatever glass they were made of, showed not the slightest tremor from the impact.

"Star-nu energy tier one detection passed. Initiating tier two detection," the large-headed elder said, his expression unchanged; instantly, a mental force several times stronger than before shot from his eyes.

Wang Yu narrowed his eyes; the mental energy erupting from his brow also surged several times stronger.

A thunderous crash echoed.

The two massive mental forces clashed in midair, locked in stalemate, making the surrounding air hum.

The previously motionless transparent walls began to tremble slightly.

"Star-nu energy tier two detection passed. Initiating tier three detection."

The large-headed elder spoke again without blinking; his silver-white pupils suddenly expanded nearly half the size of his eyes, appearing grotesque.

"Boom."

Wang Yu felt the opposing mental force surge again, a terrifying pressure pushing his own energy back step by step.

He raised an eyebrow, his face calm, and formed a hand seal; another near-identical torrent of mental energy burst from his brow, the air itself faintly hissing with the force.

"Boom."

A blinding white wave erupted at the room's center, slamming into the transparent walls.

The glass panels could no longer withstand such force—they shattered instantly, raining down as countless shards.

"Star-nu energy tier three detection passed. Subject still possesses residual capacity. Triggering special procedure. Initiating tier four detection." The white-robed elder's face finally showed a flicker of surprise, yet his voice remained emotionless; his pupils expanded again, turning fully silver-white. He raised one arm and extended his palm toward Wang Yu.

A muffled sound echoed from the empty space above, "puff."

A muffled sound came from above; Wang Yu looked up to see a massive, nearly transparent hand materialize in midair—crystal-like, the size of a house—its fingers pressing downward, unleashing invisible crushing force.

"Mental energy solidification."

Wang Yu gasped; without hesitation, he tapped both temples and released all his remaining mental energy upward, vaguely forming a colossal, indistinct shield.

A deafening crash as the crushing force struck the shield.

The shield's surface rippled like waves but barely held against the downward pressure—until the giant transparent hand sank slightly.

The downward force suddenly doubled!

"Crack."

Cracks spread across the shield's surface, widening rapidly; within moments, it shattered with a dull boom.

Wang Yu felt his head "buzz," staggered, and nearly fell.