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Translator's note:
996 Slavery: This refers to a super intense work schedule that's common in some Chinese companies, especially in tech. It means working 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. People call it "slavery" because it's exhausting and leaves no time for personal life.
Tsinghua: Tsinghua University is one of the top universities in China, similar to Harvard or MIT in the U.S. Getting into Tsinghua is incredibly competitive, and it's a dream school for many students.
Thousands of Swords in One: This is a fantasy concept from martial arts and cultivation stories (popular in Chinese culture). It refers to a super cool move where a swordmaster controls thousands of flying swords all at once, combining them into one powerful attack or formation. It's a way to show off how strong and skilled they are.
Just as the fear in the venue reached its peak, SNAP!
Fang Xiu snapped his fingers, and in an instant, every Specter vanished, dissolving into nothing as though they had never existed.
"This," he said, his calm voice reverberating through the venue and into every household across Huaxia via the broadcast, "is what a Specter is."
The room fell into a profound silence.
The terror of what they had just witnessed lingered heavily in the air.
For many, the horrifying spectacle was far beyond anything they could have imagined. Fictional movies might make hearts race, but what they had seen today was a visceral, undeniable reality.
Fang Xiu knew he couldn't let the fear spiral out of control. If unchecked, it could spread like wildfire, plunging society into chaos.
So, he shifted his tone.
"Specters may be powerful," Fang Xiu said, his voice steady and reassuring, "but humanity is not defenseless. The best way to fight Specters is by... becoming a psychic."
…
For the first time, "Psychics" were introduced to the public.
Most people had never heard it before, but the younger and more curious viewers quickly began to speculate.
On livestream platforms and social media, the chatter was deafening:
"Wait, does psychic mean superpowers? Or is this just another way of saying cultivators?"
"Probably! Did you see Fang Xiu's blood-red eye earlier? He calmed down the reporters with a single look and summoned those Specters! That's got to be a psychic power!"
"Oh my god, does this mean we can cultivate now? Finally, a way out of 996 slavery! I'm taking charge of my fate from today on!"
"Calm down, dude. Even if it's real, it's probably harder than getting into Tsinghua. You couldn't even pass your exams, and now you want to be a psychic?"
The comment sections exploded with speculation, while campuses and workplaces buzzed with excitement.
The idea of gaining extraordinary abilities was irresistible, and no one seemed immune to the allure.
…
"A psychic," Fang Xiu continued, his gaze steady as he addressed the nation, "is someone who has awakened the power of their mind. Every psychic develops their own unique ability. And that ability... is humanity's greatest weapon against Specters."
"To give you an example…"
Fang Xiu's voice sharpened.
"Domain Activated. Sword Infinity."
BUZZ!
A low hum resonated through the venue as the air around Fang Xiu shimmered and rippled.
Suddenly, gleaming swords began to materialize from thin air.
One after another, they emerged, their cold light glinting under the harsh glare of the cameras.
Within seconds, thousands of blades filled the space behind Fang Xiu, hovering in perfect formation.
The swords shone brilliantly under the lights, forming a dazzling sea of steel that radiated chilling, otherworldly power.
At the center of it all, Fang Xiu stood calm and unmoving. His commanding presence, combined with the overwhelming display of power, made him appear like a celestial swordmaster, descended from the heavens, with ten thousand blades bowing in submission.
…
The hall erupted into chaos as gasps and cries of disbelief filled the air.
Viewers at home were no calmer.
Across Huaxia, countless phones, tablets, and remote controls slipped from stunned hands, clattering to the floor.
For the umpteenth time that day, people were so shocked they physically couldn't hold onto their devices.
On livestream platforms, the comments section exploded into a frenzy:
"OH MY GOD! IT'S REAL! THIS IS REAL!"
"This is swordsmanship! Freaking swordsmanship! Is this 'Thousands Back in One' or what!?"
"Fang Xiu, you liar! You're not just a psychic—you're definitely a cultivator!"
"This is insane! I don't care how hard it is. I'm joining the Investigation Bureau. I'm going to become a psychic!"
"Forget the Specters and the Other Side! Once I awaken as a psychic, I'll make those monsters kneel before me!"
…
While most people were consumed by awe and excitement, one man in the crowd burned with rage and resentment.
It was Fang Moli.
His bloodshot eyes locked onto Fang Xiu, his breathing ragged and shallow, as jealousy consumed him.
"That's my ability," he growled through clenched teeth, his voice low and venomous. "It's mine!"
Fang Moli's fists trembled at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he glared at Fang Xiu.
The composed, dignified image of a high-ranking psychic was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Fang Moli looked like a man on the brink of collapse, seething with bitterness.
To him, watching Fang Xiu display Sword Infinity felt like watching the love of his life embrace someone else. His resentment boiled over, threatening to consume him entirely.
Backstage, Fang Moli's furious outbursts had reached a near-comical level, his voice echoing across the room. He trembled with rage, his words a barely coherent torrent of frustration.
"HOW CAN I NOT BE ANGRY?! That was supposed to be my moment to shine—not his! Fang Xiu abused his authority, pressured me, and stole my chance to stand on that stage! And to make it worse, he used my ability! Sword Infinity is mine! I'd rather have stayed stuck at the fourth tier than let him rob me like this! This is killing me!"
Li Xiaoru, standing nearby, folded her arms and rolled her eyes. Her patience was worn thin. "Oh, stop shouting already. We get it—it's your ability. But so what? What would you have done up there? Can you summon a Specter? Can you predict the future? Besides waving a sword around, what else do you have to offer?"
Fang Moli froze, his mouth agape as anger clashed with the brutal truth of Li Xiaoru's words.
The other squad captains, watching Fang Moli's meltdown, quietly edged away from him, whispering among themselves.
"Fang Moli's losing it."
"Yeah, it's like jealousy short-circuited his brain. Let's stay out of his way before he explodes."
Despite their intentions to avoid him, they couldn't let the situation escalate.
Reluctantly, they approached him, determined to prevent him from doing something reckless.
"Fang Moli, stop it! If you keep this up, your Spiritual Energy will spiral out of control!"
"Let me go! LET ME GO! That was supposed to be my moment!" Fang Moli roared, struggling against their grip.
One of the captains, desperate to reason with him, said, "Think about it, Fang Moli… This is just one broadcast. Fang Xiu already promised you a spot in the Global Psychic Friendly Exchange Program, right? You'll have plenty of chances to show off. Imagine flying on your sword to every presidential palace in the world. Won't that be way better than this?"
The mention of the program snapped Fang Moli out of his frenzy. His breathing slowed, and the manic light in his eyes dimmed.
"That's… true," he muttered reluctantly, allowing the others to drag him away.
…
While chaos reigned backstage, Fang Xiu remained composed.
The dazzling dragon-like formation of swords swirled gracefully above the venue, their shimmering blades carving intricate patterns in the air.
The crowd watched in awe, mesmerized by the smooth, precise movements of the blades, which wove together like a celestial dragon in flight.
At the heart of this breathtaking display stood Fang Xiu, steady and commanding, his figure silhouetted against the sea of swords.
He appeared like a figure from legend—a noble swordsman descended from the heavens, riding his flying blades with unparalleled grace.
After circling the venue once, the swords slowly descended, and Fang Xiu returned to the stage. As his feet touched the ground, the thousands of blades behind him dissolved into thin air, their cold light vanishing like mist under the morning sun.
Raising a hand, Fang Xiu addressed the audience once more, "What you've just seen… is the power of a psychic."
…
The audience stared at Fang Xiu with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of disbelief, reverence, and wonder.
To them, Fang Xiu was no longer just a man. He was the embodiment of their childhood fantasies—a lone, heroic figure wielding the power of the extraordinary.
Across Huaxia, millions of viewers shared the same sentiment.
A young reporter in the venue, overcome with excitement, could no longer contain himself. His face flushed as he blurted out a question:
"Sir, what are the requirements to become a psychic?"
The room fell silent at his words.
All eyes turned to Fang Xiu, anticipation heavy in the air. The same anticipation gripped viewers at home, many of whom leaned closer to their screens, eager to hear his answer.
Fang Xiu's gaze swept across the crowd, calm and steady.
"Everyone," he said simply, "has the potential to become a psychic."
The moment Fang Xiu spoke those words, the entire nation erupted into cheers.
The fear and despair that had hung over them earlier were replaced with hope and ambition.
If the Specters had been symbols of terror, then the promise of becoming a psychic was a beacon of possibility.
For generations, humanity had dreamed of transcending the ordinary, of unlocking extraordinary powers. Now, that dream was within reach.
The young reporter, his voice trembling with emotion, managed to ask the question on everyone's mind.
"Sir… how can we become psychics?" someone asked.
Livestream comments exploded with praise for the reporter's boldness:
"That's it! That's the question we all want answered!"
"Give this man a raise! He's speaking for all of us!"
Fang Xiu let the anticipation build for a moment before delivering his answer, "I will implement a National Psychic Plan.
"Soon, specialized instructors will be deployed across the country to teach the fundamentals of becoming a psychic.
"In time, psychics will become a formal discipline, a field of study taught in schools and universities.
"And perhaps, in the near future…" Fang Xiu's voice carried a faint trace of amusement as he concluded with an earth-shattering statement. "The psychic exam may even replace the college entrance exam."