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After so processing by the staff, the relevant files were quickly sorted and categorized, making them easy to understand. Once uploaded to the mission system, they were all printed out, compiled into a docunt, and delivered to Jiang Che’s desk.
None of the subsequent procedures involved Zhou Chen. He was sitting before an easel, drawing a map of the "Floor in the Crack" for the assault team to use in a future operation.
However, the space he had seen was limited. After a detailed comparison between the area he drew and the blueprints of the Eternal Comrce Building, it was clear that large parts of that floor remained unknown. Its actual strategic value wasn’t significant, but it was better than nothing.
After dealing with the mission follow-up, Zhou Chen took an elevator down to the underground research departnt. He handed the C-027 Blindfolded Sunglasses to Xiao Yan for inspection to confirm they were genuine and hadn’t been tampered with.
"What a great find. The C-027 Blindfolded Sunglasses is a Forbidden Object that can be used without containnt, and its side effects are relatively minor. Let think..."
In the lab, Xiao Yan, dressed in a white lab coat, stroked his chin in thought for a mont before quickly recalling information about the C-027 Blindfolded Sunglasses.
"The first owner of these sunglasses was a blind Ascender. He lost his sight in an accident, which also happened to trigger his awakening, granting him the ’Sensory Enhancent’ Extraordinary Ability."
"—Aside from his sight, his other four senses—touch, hearing, sll, and taste—were all drastically enhanced. When combined, they could even generate a 3D image of his surroundings in his mind. He could also perceive the micro-voltages emitted by the human brain, essentially turning him into a human detection radar with a maximum range of three thousand ters... Hmm, but that was after he beca a Tier Three Ascender."
"Later, he died of old age. The sunglasses he had worn his entire life were influenced by the Extraordinary Essence he released upon death, turning them into a Forbidden Object."
"Wearing the C-027 causes you to lose your sight, and the blindness lingers for three hours after you take them off. The upside is, while you’re wearing them, your other four senses are enhanced fivefold. Want to give it a try?"
"A fivefold enhancent?"
The compendium of Forbidden Objects only stated that the C-027 Blindfolded Sunglasses would enhance sensory acuity, but it didn’t specify by how much. Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Zhou Chen was stunned. ’An Ascender’s Superhuman Senses, enhanced fivefold? Just how powerful would that be?’
With his current sensory acuity, he could close his eyes and "Sense" a corresponding image of his surroundings in his mind. At best, he’d have a hard ti dodging a bullet. But if that was enhanced fivefold...
’He’d probably perceive an enemy’s intent to fire from over ten ters away, right as they made their move, wouldn’t he?’
"Mm... If you could acquire other Forbidden Objects that enhance physical power, you could stack their effects with the Blindfolded Sunglasses for a multiplied effect."
Xiao Yan gave an example: "There was a case a few years ago. A Tier Two Ascender obtained the C-027 Blindfolded Sunglasses, the C-036 Bear’s Strength, and the C-040 Boxing Champion Belt. Using them all at once, he single-handedly wiped out an Ascender rcenary squad. Later, the main rcenary Corps ca after him for revenge. He disappeared while fleeing and was probably killed."
’Forbidden Objects can be used simultaneously. If I also make a wish to negate their side effects, wouldn’t I get a massive power-up?’ The thought stirred sothing in Zhou Chen. "In that case, could I apply for similar Forbidden Objects?"
Xiao Yan shook his head. "I don’t know. You’d have to ask Jiang Che about that. But I think it’s highly unlikely. The higher-ups won’t approve an application without a good reason."
’Finding evidence of Fu Qing’s cris was a huge contribution. And Jiang Che wants to take him down so badly... it should work, right?’ Zhou Chen mused to himself, already scheming how to get so more benefits out of Jiang Che.
’To be honest, even he felt he was being a bit too greedy, his appetite too large. But then again, isn’t that what being a double agent is all about—playing both sides? It’d be inhuman not to take advantage!’
Xiao Yan was examining the Blindfolded Sunglasses closely. This Forbidden Object was several decades old and had passed through who knows how many hands. It was weathered by ti, yet didn’t have a single scratch on it.
According to the records in its file, even an armor-piercing round from an anti-materiel sniper rifle couldn’t leave a mark on it.
He explained as he examined it, "Forbidden Objects are different from Alchemy Tools. Alchemy Tools can be mass-produced, but every Forbidden Object is one-of-a-kind, created by a unique Extraordinary Essence. If one is destroyed, it’s gone forever."
"Furthermore, sotis one Forbidden Object can be used to counter another dangerous, uncontrolled Forbidden Object, allowing for its containnt. That makes them even more precious."
"Most importantly, Forbidden Objects are dangerous. Extrely dangerous. They must never be used carelessly."
"Take the C-220 Bloodthirsty Chainsaw Sword in your possession, for example. If you use it for too long, you’ll be affected by its side effects and turn into a true killing maniac..."
Xiao Yan’s head snapped up to look at Zhou Chen, his face a mask of shock. "Holy shit, I just rembered! You just slaughtered everyone in a smuggler’s factory a couple of days ago! I saw the photos—the scene was incredibly brutal. Maybe you should hurry over to the psychological counseling office?"
ntal health issues are no small matter for an Ascender. If negative emotions accumulate unchecked, they will eventually exceed one’s capacity to endure, easily leading to a ntal breakdown and subsequent corruption.
"Relax. I only used it once. The chainsaw is just collecting dust in my dorm right now. It’s too bulky to carry around, so I never have a chance to use it."
Zhou Chen waved his hand dismissively, indicating there was no need to worry. His ntal state was perfectly healthy.
Then, he took the Blindfolded Sunglasses from Xiao Yan’s hand and walked into a spacious training room nearby. The room was built within a massive Alchemy Matrix, a true "Room in the Crack."
As the na implied, it was a room built in the cracks between spaces, remarkably similar to that floor in the Eternal Comrce Building.
"Let’s test your sensory perception range first."
Xiao Yan tapped on his tablet a few tis. In the distance, a section of the smooth, white floor opened up, and several tal dummies rose from below.
Zhou Chen put on the sunglasses. Instantly, his vision plunged into absolute darkness.
"Not bad. They suit you. Style 1, success rate at picking up girls in a bar 1," Xiao Yan quipped.
Zhou Chen didn’t respond. At that mont, it felt as if so kind of shackles on his other four senses had been released, allowing them to soar freely. In an instant, they fed back an imnse amount of information he had never perceived before.
He could feel the slow, calm air currents flowing through the training room, brushing against his skin and the tips of his hair.
He could hear the beating of his own heart and Xiao Yan’s, the rush of blood in their veins, the faint hum of distant machinery, and the conversations, footsteps, and breathing of the researchers outside.
He could sll the mixture of scents on his own body and the strong sll of disinfectant, alcohol, and other chemicals on Xiao Yan, even distinguishing each one individually. His sense of sll was sharper than a dog’s.
Everything blended together, weaving countless outlines in his mind and forming a surreal, three-dinsional picture.
"Nineteen tal dummies. The closest is seven ters away from , and the farthest is fifteen ters away."
Zhou Chen said calmly, "My Sensing limit is about thirty ters. Within this range, I basically have a God’s Perspective. I can ’see’ movents invisible to the naked eye with perfect clarity through my senses."
In a way, perceiving the World like this was even clearer than seeing it.
Xiao Yan put one hand behind his back. Before he could even ask, he heard Zhou Chen say coolly, "Two."
"Four. Five. Nine. Zero. One. Middle finger."
Zhou Chen raised his middle finger in return.
"Impressive," Xiao Yan marveled.
"Let’s move on to a combat simulation. My nervous system has also been enhanced, and my muscle coordination seems to have improved a lot. I want to see how I’ll perform in a real fight."
Zhou Chen stretched his body, starting his warm-up exercises.
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