49 Apocalypse Rules

This sort of challenge was a bit like a hand-locking spar between Martial Artists.

Unless they shared a deep-seated hatred, a full-power exchange could easily result in an uncontrollable situation leading to injury or even death.

So, for safer sparring, some Martial Artists invented hand-locking, a contest where they only use their forearms to collide, testing who has the superior technique.

The man who wanted to challenge Guan Tong now had the same idea.

For those who practiced Psychic Power Flow, victory was determined through physical contact. Whoever could use their Psychic Power to interfere with, or even disrupt, their opponent’s natural flow would win.

This type of challenge required no special venue or time; it could happen right here, right now.

"Come on, young man!"

The man shot his hand out, his movements swift. It was clear he was annoyed.

He was likely upset that a middle-aged man like himself, over a decade Guan Tong’s senior, was being looked down on by someone not even twenty years old. He couldn’t stomach the loss of face.

However, Guan Tong just found it laughable.

’Questioning my age is proof enough of his ignorance and arrogance.’

’Besides, it’s been over a year since the Apocalypse Rules took effect. How could this academy lecturer not know that in this new era, youth equates to greater potential?’

Items like the Genetic Optimization Liquid, for example, were always more effective the younger the person who used them.

’If he knew that and still looked down on young people, then he was just deliberately trying to assert his dominance.’

In that case, Guan Tong had no intention of indulging him.

He reached out and clasped the man’s hand.

The man’s Psychic Power immediately surged through their clasped hands. The rush was fierce, as if he intended to disrupt Guan Tong’s Psychic Power flow in a single, decisive move.

However, the man had no idea that to Guan Tong, his assault was like a single drop of water striking the ocean.

After all, not long ago, Guan Tong had been collaborating with the government, receiving daily inputs of Psychic Power in the millions, tens of millions, and even hundreds of millions!

When it came to properly handling, mobilizing, and absorbing external Psychic Power, the wealth of experience he had accumulated was second to none in the entire world.

This paltry 100 points of Psychic Power couldn’t even cause a ripple in his Psychic Power flow, let alone disrupt it.

Sure enough, the man’s expression changed in the next instant.

He felt the connection to the hundred points of Psychic Power he had just sent out get severed instantly, vanishing without a trace.

It was like two armies clashing, only for one general to discover at the onset of battle that all his soldiers had vanished. How the hell was he supposed to fight?

His opponent hadn’t even begun to attack, yet he had already lost.

The immense gap in power left the man stunned, his body freezing up.

The others in the meeting room couldn’t tell how the spar was progressing. Since this kind of contest was an internal one, it was difficult for outsiders to see who had the upper hand.

But their expressions offered a few clues.

Zhang Linliang, the one challenging Guan Tong, now had a dazed look in his eyes and a wooden expression. He was clearly not at an advantage.

Guan Tong, on the other hand, looked as calm and impassive as before, seemingly holding the upper hand.

Seeing this, a few of them whispered, "Guan Tong has the advantage?"

"Looks like Lin Liang miscalculated."

"It seems this young man really has some tricks up his sleeve. No wonder he was recommended by Lecturer Jingyi..."

Their discussion wasn’t loud, but it wasn’t quiet either; both Guan Tong and Zhang Linliang could hear them.

Zhang Linliang had been about to withdraw his hand and concede, but their words stung his pride. Mortified, he immediately channeled more Psychic Power.

Guan Tong felt it instantly.

Having overseen so many transfers, his ability to judge the specific ’value’ of Psychic Power had become extremely precise.

’Zhang Linliang had indeed used only 100 points before, but mobilizing more now pushed him over the agreed-upon limit. That was cheating.’

Guan Tong had only severed Zhang Linliang’s connection to his 100 points of Psychic Power, without launching an attack of his own. But now that the man was cheating, he felt it was necessary to teach him a lesson.

He immediately sent his own Psychic Power into Zhang Linliang’s body. When it came to manipulation techniques, the difference between them was like an adult trouncing a small child.

He had, in a sense, been practicing this skill ever since he first obtained his Shadow. Every summoning and manipulation was a refinement of his ability to control Psychic Power.

The moment he launched his attack, the spar was over.

Zhang Linliang felt his own Psychic Power flow spiral out of control. It was so sudden that a violent wave of dizziness washed over him, and his body fell backward uncontrollably.

"Lecturer Zhang?"

"Quick, help him!"

The other lecturers scrambled to their feet to catch him. Guan Tong withdrew his hand and settled back into his chair.

"Lin Liang, are you alright?"

It took Zhang Linliang a dozen seconds to come to his senses. When he realized what had happened, he looked at Guan Tong with a complicated expression.

"I admit, I lost. Your skill in manipulating Psychic Power far surpasses my own."

Guan Tong nodded and looked at Zhou Qinfeng. "Dean Zhou, can I be the substitute lecturer now?"

"No problem, no problem," Dean Zhou said. He told Guan Tong to head back for now, and that someone would contact him later to handle the academy registration, lecturer dormitory assignment, and other procedures.

After Guan Tong left, the others quickly asked about Zhang Linliang’s condition.

Zhang Linliang shook his head in embarrassment. "He’s truly incredible. I’m nowhere near his level. That’s the honest truth."

Another lecturer remarked, "Well, if you say so, Lin Liang, then I guess the kid really is skilled. His personality just seems a bit... unruly."

"I agree. The way he spoke to the Dean just now showed a lack of respect. He’s probably an arrogant brat at heart."

Zhou Qinfeng, however, just laughed it off. "He’s here as a substitute, why should he have to respect me? As long as he’s capable and can teach the students well, that’s all that matters."

"Dean, have we run a background check on this Guan Tong?"

"Not yet. But Lecturer Jingyi told me she and Guan Tong are from the same hometown, Yunhua. There shouldn’t be any issues."

"We should investigate just to be safe. After all, he’ll be interacting with students."

"That’s true. I’ll contact the authorities later."

The academy’s background check on Guan Tong was completed in just half a day, mainly because there was so little to find.

The results showed that before the advent of the Apocalypse Rules, Guan Tong was just an ordinary high school student in Yunhua City.

After the Apocalypse Rules, his records were sparse. The only incident on file was his involvement in a large-scale kidnapping plot targeting Ascenders. However, he was listed as a potential victim who narrowly avoided capture, so there were no red flags.

Two days later, on the 12th, the academy officially issued Guan Tong his written appointment as a substitute lecturer.

His contract was for six months, as Shi Jingyi was expected to return within that time frame.

It was uncertain whether he would stay on as a teaching assistant afterward, so they decided on a six-month contract and would revisit the matter upon its expiration.

Furthermore, although he was only a substitute, his compensation package was on par with that of a primary lecturer.

Room and board were a given, along with a fixed monthly salary in Sublimation Coins. He would also receive priority government support during a Rule Stage. If necessary, he could even use his lecturer status to requisition certain items from the authorities.

These were just the overt benefits; there were many hidden perks as well. For example, even powerful figures had to show some deference to an academy lecturer, and he would be among the first to receive classified intelligence when new rules were announced.

Of course, Guan Tong cared little for these things. He had only agreed to be a substitute lecturer to repay his debt to Shi Jingyi, not for any special treatment.

On June 15th, he officially moved into the lecturer’s dormitory on campus, beginning a new Chapter of his life.