Chapter 9: S-Class Mental Capacity

An hour had passed since the containment of the contaminated spores was completed. Zhu Ning’s final purification value stood at 645, and the subsequent "cleanup" work was handed over to the cleaning team that arrived later.

The center notified Zhu Ning that she had to undergo data collection. She had no objection; after all, her behavior had indeed been peculiar. If she were part of the center, she too would want to send herself to the lab for study.

She just wondered if they could figure out that she had a system.

“Don’t worry,” Xu Meng soothed Zhu Ning’s nerves, “During data collection, wages are paid based on attendance, usually 15,000 New Coins.”

Zhu Ning was momentarily speechless.

Her irritation was instantly soothed by the mention of money. Two people came specifically to assist; they took the contained contaminated spores and also requested her helmet.

“Miss Zhu, may we have your helmet, please? It’s needed for data collection.”

The helmet had recording capabilities and some basic data monitoring functions; even without internet connectivity, those features could operate. They had already taken Li Nianchuan’s helmet and now needed Zhu Ning’s.

Since the helmet was property of the Cleaning Center, Zhu Ning handed it over. She wasn’t sent to the 49th floor cleaning department but was directly escorted to the 66th floor.

Ding—

The elevator doors slid open to reveal doctors in white coats waiting to greet her.

“Miss Zhu, this way, please.”

Following him, Zhu Ning walked around a corridor and noticed a sign: Observation Room A. The observation room was divided into sections A and B?

The male doctor pushed open a door, revealing the interior space.

Zhu Ning raised an eyebrow. She had assumed the observation room would be cold and sterile—a true “purge chamber”—but to her surprise, it was fresh and inviting.

The room was bathed in warm, soft yellow light; the walls adorned with cozy, comforting paintings. There was a self-service area and a space for free activities.

An assistant doctor handed her a device. “This is the data collector. One patch goes on your temple, and a band on your wrist.”

Zhu Ning took the box, and the assistant helped her put it on, explaining, “It monitors your bodily data and will alert us if any indicators become abnormal, so we can intervene promptly.”

The wristband contained a ring of fine needles that gently clung to Zhu Ning’s wrist like mycelium. It didn’t hurt at all—only a strange sensation when first inserted, which quickly faded.

Zhu Ning asked, “Is this all it takes to collect the data?”

She had imagined entering some kind of capsule for a full-body scan.

The assistant smiled, “Yes. We try not to interfere with your body, so we minimize the presence of the data collector.”

The higher one’s mental energy, the more sensitive their perception. A conspicuous device would interfere with the data.

“Is the data accurate?” Zhu Ning inquired.

The assistant chuckled, “Very accurate, rest assured. It not only measures your mental energy but also captures your various bodily functions.”

“And it’s painless. You can just sleep or rest in the activity area, and the data will be collected soon enough.”

Zhu Ning had been worried that her abnormalities might be detected, but the system had painted a grand picture for her—purifying contaminated land and saving the world—so there must be a way to prevent her from becoming a lab rat.

That night, Zhu Ning was settled into the Cleaning Center’s observation room. The bedroom allocated to her was vast—larger than her entire home.

The room was fully equipped with everything she might need. Zhu Ning was skilled at “lying low.” Not just for three days—she could lie here for three months. After a shower, she lay quietly on the bed, contemplating her future.

The bed was unbelievably soft, surrounded by a gentle cream-yellow glow that induced profound relaxation. Zhu Ning opened her system panel and began to examine it.

She exchanged her 654 purification points, and the system immediately notified her:

[Congratulations on redeeming 5 health points. Current health: 25. Purification points remaining: 154.]

At least her health had increased somewhat.

Suddenly, Zhu Ning opened her eyes. The system panel was in her mind; she had been looking at it with her eyes closed.

If anyone had come in at that moment, it would have appeared as if she suddenly woke from sleep without warning.

Something felt off. Zhu Ning frowned and glanced toward the door.

The door was pure white, with nothing around it. The entire room was arranged warmly to lower one’s guard, but Zhu Ning sensed someone was “watching” her.

…

Eyes—countless eyes blinked in unison.

The observation room contained a total of 9,635 eyes, designed for immersive observation. The contaminated spores couldn’t be eradicated, only contained. Some were sent for containment, others to research, laboratories, and tech departments.

The research department had crafted many harmless “tools” using the properties of the contaminants, such as the “Eyes of Surveillance” before her, which allowed data collection while the subject remained relaxed.

Behind the observation room was the research lab, where Zhu Ning’s face appeared on a large screen. She cast an abrupt glance toward it.

Researcher Fu Ming was analyzing data from Zhu Ning’s helmet and was startled. “Has she discovered us?”

“Possibly,” Qi Yun thought. “The higher the mental energy, the more sensitive one is to danger and anomalies.”

It was almost directly proportional. The “eyes” themselves were a form of contaminant, so Zhu Ning’s awareness confirmed her exceptional mental energy.

Fu Ming said, “But she’s too quick.”

Zhu Ning had only been lying down for fifteen minutes but was already aware of the eyes’ presence.

Fang Ying stood behind them, asking, “How are the data?”

She had come straight after a meeting, pressing a heavy atmosphere upon the lab. Everyone knew Fang Ying had center privileges; though called an assistant, she was highly respected.

Rumor had it that the bigwigs had held a meeting, though the outcome was unclear.

“Let me see,” Qi Yun replied as she examined Zhu Ning’s data. “The mental energy data is especially stable; there’s absolutely no contamination.”

In contrast, Li Nianchuan’s report showed significant fluctuations—valleys and peaks. Li Nianchuan was in another room, monitored and awake, crouching in a corner after treatment like a mushroom.

Qi Yun thought, “She’s quite extraordinary—recovering immediately after a mission.”

Ordinarily, one’s mental energy would suffer damage to varying degrees after entering a contaminated zone, especially cleaners who faced it frequently. Zhu Ning’s recovery was remarkably fast.

Fang Ying asked, “What’s her mental energy value?”

She had come specifically for this question.

Qi Yun, a professional researcher, manipulated the touchscreen, adjusting the eyes’ angles to capture all of Zhu Ning’s data.

She explained, “Mental energy is a broad term and typically fluctuates. It varies with context. Our theory is to record the peak rather than the average.”

Qi Yun elaborated, “Many believe the most stable data comes from the combat state, but we think the six hours following a mission are the most accurate. During combat, one is tense, and some people remain calm facing contaminants. After the mission, the brain relaxes, and alertness to the outside world lessens.”

That’s why subjects are sent immediately post-mission to the observation room; the data is most precise then. Missing this window means losing the best data.

Qi Yun paused her control and tapped once, announcing a number: “1200, S-rank.”

“What?” Fu Ming leaned over, incredulous. “An S-rank 1200 for a trash collector? You must be mistaken.”

Fang Ying wasn’t a researcher but knew enough—an average person’s mental energy hovers around 100.

Cleaners’ mental energy averages about 300, ordinary demon hunters about 800, and top-tier demon hunters around 1000. Anything above 1000 is rated S-rank.

Above 1400 is S+, considered a critical “talent asset” by the Federation, with only three holders nationwide.

They rarely saw anyone over 1000 in District 103, let alone 1200. Zhu Ning was currently the only S-rank mental energy holder there. Someone with such mental energy wouldn’t be sent to District 103 but to the military district as a vital “weapon.”

“No,” Qi Yun said calmly, “I never make mistakes.”

Fu Ming was speechless. Qi Yun asked, “What did your helmet data show?”

Fu Ming glanced at his screen, “1253.”

Qi Yun thought, “Then it’s correct. Generally, helmet data and my sampling differ by less than 100. She is definitely S-rank.”

“Are you sure?” Fang Ying asked.

“I’m confident,” Qi Yun glanced at Zhu Ning on the screen. “Her actual data might be slightly higher but not by much.”

Only higher, never lower.

“I roughly understand why she recovers so quickly. She’s the only S-rank in District 103.”

Qi Yun thought, “With this data, she can enter A-level contaminated zones without any device, recover smoothly afterward, and even enter S-level zones without brain damage.”

In other words, she could easily handle contamination below A-level and emerge from S-level zones without losing her mind.

Qi Yun said to Fang Ying, “You might have found a treasure.”

It wasn’t Fang Ying’s discovery but “its” selection.

The lab’s cameras, like cold eyes, scrutinized the room. Fang Ying glanced at them but could not decipher “its” intent. She folded her arms, thoughtfully tapping her arm, considering how to report this.

Should she report truthfully? Doing so might invite trouble not just for Zhu Ning but for the entire Cleaning Center in District 103.

Fang Ying asked, “What about the other physical indicators?”

This was routine—she was cautious and wanted comprehensive data. People with high mental energy usually had strong bodies; otherwise, they couldn’t sustain such mental strength.

“Please wait.” Fu Ming and Qi Yun began monitoring various metrics.

Collecting physical function data was more complicated—body, organs, blood, cells—each data point meticulously gathered.

After roughly half an hour, Fang Ying received the report she sought. As it generated, Fu Ming and Qi Yun set aside their tasks, patiently waiting.

Zhu Ning’s mental energy was so high that if her physical data matched, the Cleaning Center wouldn’t be able to keep her—she should be sent to the First Military District.

If her physical data was average, she could still outperform half the demon hunters.

Squeak, squeak, squeak—

A long sheet of reports printed from the machine. Qi Yun scanned it once, thinking she had made a mistake, then checked again.

Fu Ming grew anxious. Receiving the report from Qi Yun, he reacted even more strongly. “The data must be wrong?”

Unwilling to accept it, Fu Ming measured again, printed the data once more—same results, no errors.

Fu Ming slumped in his chair, bewildered. This was too strange—how could this be?

Now, Fang Ying treated Zhu Ning with “normalcy.” Given her strangeness, anything happening was to be expected.