Gao Wu: A centenarian old man, many children and good fortune! Chapter 009

Cheng Li led Xiao Yan through an alloy gate and into a quiet corridor with soft lighting and sound-absorbing carpets.

Compared to the noisy and bustling main hall outside, this place was like another world.

The “thump-thump-thump” of high heels on the floor echoed exceptionally clearly in the silent passage.

“Lord Xiao,” Cheng Li said, leading the way while turning slightly to face Xiao Yan. She spoke in a gentle yet professional tone, introducing the upcoming process. “Our initial assessment for transcendent qualification is actually quite simple. First, there will be a strength test.”

She paused, then explained, “Although the evaluation criteria for the transcendent realm are comprehensive, involving aspects like qi and blood vitality and mental strength, power is the most intuitive and fundamental hard indicator. According to Alliance regulations, as long as your instantaneous burst punch force can consistently exceed 12, 000 kilograms, then the initial transcendent qualification test is considered passed.”

Xiao Yan nodded, indicating his understanding. 12, 000 kilograms might be an insurmountable threshold for a peak Ninth-Rank, but for him, having just entered the Innate Realm, it was no longer an issue.

Cheng Li continued, “After passing the initial test, your information will be entered into the transcendent reserve archives. Within one month, the Alliance Transcendent Management Committee will assign a dedicated certification officer to conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation test. The re-test will be more detailed, including qi and blood purity, mental resilience, and preliminary control over energy.”

“As long as the re-test also passes smoothly,” Cheng Li’s voice carried a hint of subtle envy. “You will officially receive the ‘Transcendent Qualification Certification’ issued by the Alliance.”

“At that time, your personal file will be directly entered into the Alliance’s highest talent pool, enjoying Level 1 confidentiality. Simultaneously, you will also gain a series of new privileges and benefits, including but not limited to exclusive cultivation resource allocation, higher-level medical care, and… retirement pensions far exceeding those of Ninth-Rank warriors.” Cheng Li’s voice held a touch of envy as she finished.

Xiao Yan nodded, not surprised by this. Transcendent and mortal were inherently two different life levels, and their treatment naturally differed greatly.

“Alright, Lord Xiao. The strength testing room is just ahead.” Cheng Li led Xiao Yan to a heavy metal door. The metal door silently slid open to both sides, revealing the scene inside.

This was a much smaller space than the ordinary testing hall outside, but it was clearly more advanced and solemn.

The room was circular, with a high dome that emitted a soft, even white light.

In the center stood a massive strength testing machine, entirely crafted from some dark silver alloy, with sleek lines and a futuristic feel, infinitely more advanced than the old models outside. The screen was also larger, and the data display was clearer.

Inside the room, besides the central testing machine, there were also some precise instruments that Xiao Yan couldn’t name, flashing various indicator lights. Several focused staff members in white research coats were busy at their respective control panels, occasionally conversing in low voices, their words absorbed by the excellent soundproofing, making it exceptionally quiet.

However, this quiet was now shattered by a rough roar.

“Bullshit! I wasn’t even ready just now! My hand slipped! Do you understand, my hand slipped?!” An old and angry voice echoed in the room, sounding particularly harsh. “Test me again! Just once! Why won’t you let me test?!”

Xiao Yan and Cheng Li’s gazes simultaneously turned to the source of the sound—in front of the advanced strength testing machine.

There, a tall but somewhat hunched old man was yelling at a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, spittle almost spraying onto his face.

The old man had a full head of silver hair, but one could vaguely tell that he must have been a burly man in his youth.

He wore a well-tailored dark training suit, and despite his anger, a trace of the dignity of someone long in a high position still lingered in his brows.

Only now, this dignity was replaced by unwillingness, anxiety, and deep fatigue on his face.

And the middle-aged man he was pointing and cursing at was the testing specialist here.

His face held a professional, helpless smile, but fine beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, clearly indicating that he found the “old senior’s” anger very difficult to handle.

“Senior, please calm down…” The middle-aged man tried to appease him, his voice tinged with weariness. “Rules are rules. For the annual re-evaluation test, everyone only gets three official recording opportunities. You’ve already had your third, and… your score indeed did not reach the 12, 000-kilogram standard line…”

“I don’t care about any damn rules!” The old man suddenly waved his hand, interrupting the middle-aged man’s words, and shouted emotionally, “I’ve bled for the Alliance! I’ve killed more mutated beasts than you’ve ever seen! When I was at my peak, I could punch 15, 000! Now I’m just old and not in good condition! What’s wrong with giving me another chance?!”

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, his withered fingers trembling slightly from exertion, and his cloudy eyes were bloodshot.

Xiao Yan stood at the doorway, listening to this conversation, and instantly understood.

This old man was clearly a former transcendent powerhouse.

But time was merciless; even transcendent beings could not remain at their peak forever.

As they aged, their qi, blood, and strength would inevitably decline.

And according to Alliance regulations, transcendent qualification was not lifelong; a re-evaluation was required every five years. Once strength fell below the 12, 000-kilogram standard line, it meant they no longer met the minimum standard for a “transcendent,” and many of their privileges and high benefits would be significantly reduced.

For the old man, who was accustomed to his transcendent status and benefits, this was tantamount to falling from the clouds into the mud, and the blow was undoubtedly immense.

“Senior, it really can’t be done…” The middle-aged man was still trying to persuade him patiently, but his voice already carried a hint of firmness. “The three test records have already been uploaded to the system and cannot be changed. This is also to ensure the fairness of the assessment…”

“Fairness my ass!” The old man roared, seemingly wanting to argue further.

Just then, the security guards in black combat suits, who had been standing silently on both sides of the room, moved.

There were four of them in total, their auras steady, their eyes sharp. They were clearly skilled military personnel, at least Eighth-Rank warriors or higher. They said nothing, simply stepped forward, subtly surrounding the old man. Their movements were not rough, but the invisible pressure they exuded instantly made the air heavier.

The old man seemed to feel this pressure, and his agitated emotions cooled slightly, but the unwillingness and despair in his eyes grew even thicker.

He panted heavily, looking at the cold testing machine, then at the expressionless security guards around him, and finally cast his gaze towards the doorway, precisely meeting Xiao Yan’s eyes.

At that moment, Xiao Yan saw a complex emotion in those cloudy eyes: residual pride from being a former powerhouse, anger at the rules, powerlessness in the face of his own aging, and a hint of… subtle sorrow in accepting reality.

If the system were to disappear one day, Xiao Yan might very well face the same outcome.

Seeing this, Cheng Li bowed slightly and whispered, “Lord Xiao, I’m truly sorry to have made you witness this. This is Senior Luo, an old-timer transcendent of the Alliance, but… alas, he’s getting old. Please wait a moment, we’ll handle this.”

Her tone was apologetic, yet it also conveyed a calm, business-like demeanor. Clearly, she had likely encountered similar situations before.