"..." Chen Bai was speechless.

’He was electrocuted unconscious. How could he not be quiet?’

But what could he say?

He couldn’t say a thing. After all, Dr. Lan was one of the top senior researchers at this military training base. Even Shen Ning’Er treated Dr. Lan with the utmost respect.

"Don’t just stand there gawking. Check on Gao Neng’s physical condition first." Dr. Lan ignored Chen Bai and turned to the researchers observing nearby.

"Understood. Commencing physical status diagnostics..."

"Blood pressure is normal..."

"Heart rate is normal!"

"..."

"Emotional state is stable. He is no longer in an agitated state!"

"Dr. Lan, all readings are normal! We can begin injecting the energy materials!"

One by one, the researchers quickly reported Gao Neng’s condition.

"Lieutenant Chen, see? No problems, right?" Dr. Lan smiled again.

"Dr. Lan, you are truly a professional!" Chen Bai returned the smile. In any case, Gao Neng’s condition was stable and he had successfully entered the breakthrough state. His mission was as good as complete.

"Good. Begin injecting energy materials into the sealed pod. Remember, Gao Neng is breaking through to the Fourth Human Limit, so inject four times the normal amount of energy materials. Don’t be afraid he’ll burst—inject it boldly!" Dr. Lan gave the order.

"Understood!" The researchers nodded immediately.

"Initiating energy material injection!"

HUMMM!

The sealed pod trembled lightly.

Then, a status bar for the energy materials appeared on it. It started green, then turned blue, then purple. Finally, the status bar turned a blood-like red.

"Gao Neng’s absorption rate is incredibly fast. Just as expected of someone breaking through to the Fourth Human Limit!" A researcher glanced at the consumption rate on the status bar and offered a preliminary assessment.

"I never thought the Forgotten Land could produce a genius like this."

"I know, right?"

"Wait a minute. Does anyone else feel that Gao Neng’s absorption rate is a little too fast?" one researcher interjected, cutting off the others.

"It is a bit much. It’s been less than fifteen minutes since we started, and he’s already consumed one-tenth of it," another researcher agreed with a nod.

"That fast?" Dr. Lan was also a bit surprised now.

She didn’t wait for the researchers to report further.

She began to personally check all of Gao Neng’s data. Her hands tapped rapidly on the control console, then stopped a moment later.

"All his data is normal. Since he’s absorbing it so quickly, let’s increase the amount of energy materials. Try raising it to five times the normal amount!" Dr. Lan spoke again.

"Five times? Understood!"

"..."

...

Inside the sealed pod.

Gao Neng truly couldn’t hear a thing now. He had only one sensation: his body was floating quietly in the void of space.

But his consciousness was crystal clear.

’He remembered being zapped by something, right?’

’Who the hell dared to electrocute me?’

Just as he was thinking this, he felt the stars in the surrounding cosmos grow brighter, and a powerful energy began to flow from within them.

That energy surged out from the stars, gradually enveloping his body.

Instinctively, Gao Neng began to absorb it.

The energy was immense.

But his body’s capacity to store it seemed even more immense, like land that had been parched for thousands of years. He wanted to absorb every last bit of the surrounding energy.

With this thought in mind...

He kept absorbing, and absorbing, and absorbing...

He didn’t know where in his body the energy was going. He only knew that his body was thirsty, and he could still absorb much, much more.

...

Outside the glass enclosure.

Dr. Lan’s brow furrowed once more.

"Increase it again. Six times the energy materials!"

"Six times? Roger!"

"..." Chen Bai was speechless.

A while later.

"Increase it again. Seven times the energy materials!"

"Roger!"

"..." Chen Bai was speechless.

「Two hours later.」

"Twelve times the energy materials! I refuse to believe it! How can he absorb so much?!" Dr. Lan, now flustered and exasperated, changed the injection amount yet again.

"Dr. Lan, is this really okay?" Chen Bai finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

’Twelve times the normal amount?’

’Based on a simple time calculation, four times the amount would cost two million Alliance Coins for a month.’

’Twelve times the amount...’

’That would be six million Alliance Coins!’

’A single breakthrough costs six million Alliance Coins?!’

"It’s not enough. Increase it again. This time, go straight to fifteen times!" Dr. Lan ignored Chen Bai and continued addressing the researchers at the controls.

"Dr. Lan, are you sure fifteen times is okay?" A researcher also looked doubtful.

"Are you questioning my professional judgment?" Dr. Lan’s eyes narrowed.

"Ahem... Increasing to fifteen times!"

"Roger!"

...

Time flew by.

At noon the next day, Chen Bai appeared before Shen Ning’Er.

"Major, Gao Neng’s absorption rate is extremely fast. Dr. Lan has him on an eighteen-fold energy injection, and it seems that’s barely enough to meet his needs," Chen Bai reported on the previous day’s situation.

"An eighteen-fold energy injection?" Shen Ning’Er’s fingers tapped lightly on her desk. ’She tried to recall her own breakthrough. Was it over ten times the normal amount?’

’Sixteen times or eighteen?’

’If Gao Neng is at eighteen times, then I must have been at eighteen times too!’

’No!’

’It must have been at least twenty!’

"Major, isn’t this consumption a bit excessive? At this rate, the cost for one month could approach ten million Alliance Coins," Chen Bai pointed out.

"It’s fine. Let him consume it," Shen Ning’Er nodded.

"Let him consume it? Understood!" Chen Bai jolted, understanding immediately. ’So it’s true, those two really have a thing going on.’

’Otherwise, if it were just an ordinary relationship...’

’...how could she spend tens of millions of Alliance Coins without even blinking?’

"Is there anything else?" Shen Ning’Er asked.

"Nothing else," Chen Bai shook his head.

"In that case, arrange for a few people to protect Gao Neng’s mother. Remember, protect her covertly. Don’t disturb her normal work and life," Shen Ning’Er said, as if she had just thought of something.

"Yes, Major! I’ll arrange it right away!" Chen Bai immediately excused himself.

But as he left, his expression turned quite peculiar. ’She’s already starting to get on her future mother-in-law’s good side? How did this happen!’

’What kind of cunning trick did Gao Neng pull?’

’I have to ask him for tips when I get the chance. To be able to capture Shen Ning’Er’s heart? That’s some next-level skill!’

...

「Five days later.」

The college entrance exam application period officially began.

However, in the Forgotten Land, university applications weren’t filled out individually online. Instead, they were organized centrally at the major high schools, with teachers guiding the students through the process.

At the entrance of Third Senior High School.

Li Qingping watched the students returning to campus one after another, his mood excellent. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

This time, Third Senior High’s results were outstanding.

Barring any surprises, at least ten students would be able to get into the Alliance Military University. For him, this was a monumental breakthrough.

Furthermore, the Forgotten Land’s Inspection Committee had been formally established.

Li Qingping had been officially appointed as the Inspection Committee’s first chairman, which kept a constant smile on his face. However, among the returning students, he still couldn’t find Gao Neng.

’That kid Gao Neng couldn’t have forgotten what day it is, could he? If he misses the application deadline, that would be a disaster!’ After a moment of thought, Li Qingping decided to give Gao Neng a call.

The call went to an automated message saying the phone was out of power.

"..." Li Qingping was speechless.

’What the hell!’

...

While Li Qingping was pacing anxiously at Third Senior High School, a stunningly beautiful young woman was standing before Xu Zilan in the slums of the Forgotten Land.

"Ma’am, hello." Shen Ning’Er showed no disdain for Xu Zilan’s coarse-spun clothes; on the contrary, she was incredibly respectful toward her.

"And you are?" Xu Zilan was surprised.

"My name is Shen Ning’Er. I’m a friend of Gao Neng’s," Shen Ning’Er introduced herself.

"Oh, you’re Little Neng’s friend. I’m in the middle of something right now, did you need me for a particular reason?" Xu Zilan nodded, still a bit puzzled.

"I’d like to discuss Gao Neng’s university application with you. He’s unable to be here due to some business, so I wanted to hear your opinion before helping him fill it out," Shen Ning’Er explained.

"Are you from the Military Department?" Xu Zilan’s gaze swept over Shen Ning’Er.

Although Shen Ning’Er wasn’t wearing her black military uniform today, Xu Zilan could still detect the distinct aura of a soldier about her.

"Yes," Shen Ning’Er made no attempt to hide it.

"Then what is the Military Department’s opinion?" Xu Zilan asked.

"The Military Department doesn’t have an opinion. Moreover, I’m not representing the military right now. I only have my own personal opinion. Would you be willing to hear it, Ma’am?"

"Mm, go on."

"The Alliance has four major military academies. Although Eastern Capital Military Academy isn’t the best of the four, I personally hope you will consider it, Ma’am," Shen Ning’Er said directly, not beating around the bush.

"You want Little Neng to apply to Eastern Capital Military Academy? But... that’s one of the Alliance’s four major military academies. Little Neng, he..."

"If you’re only worried about whether Gao Neng will be accepted, I can guarantee that as long as you agree to him applying to Eastern Capital Military Academy, he will definitely be admitted!" Shen Ning’Er stated with certainty.

"I understand. Let’s do as you say," Xu Zilan said, without further comment.

"Thank you, Ma’am. There is one more thing I’d like to discuss with you. I was wondering if you would be willing to accompany Gao Neng to the City of Hope?"

"The City of Hope? Heh, poor people like us can’t go there. The rent is very expensive, and besides, I don’t have a residence permit for the City of Hope..." Xu Zilan shook her head.

"If you’re only worried about the residence permit, I can arrange it. As for a place to live, if you don’t mind, Ma’am, I have a house near the Eastern Capital Military Academy. If you’re willing to move, you could also take good care of Gao Neng. And regarding work..."

"May I be so bold as to ask what your rank is in the Military Department?" Xu Zilan interrupted before Shen Ning’Er could continue.

"Mm, my current rank is Major."

"An Alliance Major? I never imagined Little Neng would have a Major for a friend... Let me think about this matter and get back to you, is that alright?" Xu Zilan smiled.

"Of course. Please, carry on with your work. I will go arrange for Gao Neng’s application to be submitted!" After speaking, Shen Ning’Er gave a military salute, then turned and left.

Xu Zilan watched quietly as Shen Ning’Er departed. She let out a soft sigh and said nothing more, simply returning to her cleaning.

...

Not far away.

Chen Bai was sitting in the car when he saw Shen Ning’Er get back in.

"To Third Senior High."

"Third Senior High? But for the application, we have special privileges we can use directly," Chen Bai said, confused.

"Yes, we have privileges. But what the people of the Forgotten Land want to see is not privilege, but respect," Shen Ning’Er said calmly.

"Like how you came all the way here in person to explain the application process to Gao Neng’s mother?"

"I wasn’t explaining. I was asking."

"Asking? Major... Eastern Capital Military Academy is Gao Neng’s best option. Are you saying that if she had disagreed with him applying there, we wouldn’t have done it?"

"Correct. If she had disagreed, I wouldn’t have submitted it," Shen Ning’Er nodded.

"..." Chen Bai said no more. He didn’t quite understand Shen Ning’Er’s thinking, but he was once again certain that she and Gao Neng definitely had a thing.

’This early investment in her relationship with her mother-in-law...’

’...even he was left speechless!’