The examiner's eyes were filled with curiosity and doubt, but Zhou Zhiwen's gaze was firm and calm, like a deep, unfathomable lake.
The examiner broke the silence first, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "This energy block... where did you get it?"
Zhou Zhiwen took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay composed, and said, "I bought it on the black market."
The examiner frowned, clearly unconvinced by the answer. "The black market? Do you think I'd believe that? How could an energy block containing life energy appear so easily on the black market?"
Zhou Zhiwen gritted his teeth and continued, "It really was on the black market. My Pokémon felt off after eating it, so I came to get it tested."
The examiner let out a cold laugh. "Do you take me for a child? An energy block of this level appearing on the black market—does that make any sense to you?"
Zhou Zhiwen's palms were slick with sweat, but he kept his tone calm. "I'm not lying to you. Believe it or not."
The examiner fell silent for a moment, as if pondering something. He glanced at the test report again, a complex glimmer flickering in his eyes. "This isn't simple," he said slowly. "Do you know what this means?"
Zhou Zhiwen didn't answer, just stared intently at him.
The examiner sighed. "The value of this energy block far exceeds what you can imagine. If word gets out, it will cause a huge uproar."
Zhou Zhiwen's heart tightened, but he kept his expression unchanged.
The examiner continued, "I suggest you tell the truth, or else..."
Zhou Zhiwen cut him off. "What I said is the truth."
The two stood locked in a stalemate, the atmosphere growing more tense. The examiner's gaze grew sharper, as if trying to pierce through Zhou Zhiwen's mind.
But Zhou Zhiwen's eyes remained unwavering. He kept telling himself inwardly, *Hold on, don't slip up.*
Just then, the door to the testing room suddenly swung open, and a voice rang out: "What's going on? Is there a problem with the test results? And you're arguing over it!"
Both of them startled, turning to look at the doorway. A tall, stern-faced middle-aged man walked in, his gaze sweeping over the examiner and Zhou Zhiwen, filled with authority and interrogation.
Both the examiner and Zhou Zhiwen recognized the man—he was the head of this research institute, Dr. Chu Feng.
As for why Dr. Chu Feng had shown up, it was all because of the test results for that energy block.
For such an important place as the testing department, Dr. Chu Feng naturally took it very seriously, since sometimes the items tested could turn out to be precious treasures.
Thus, every test report from the testing center was sent to his office. He had also set up keywords, so that whenever a report contained one of his designated terms, he would be notified immediately.
This time, the report mentioned life energy, so the system had promptly alerted Dr. Chu Feng.
Originally, Dr. Chu Feng had been deeply focused on his research, but upon receiving the notification, he dropped everything and rushed over from the lab to the testing center.
Life energy was far too important to him.
After all, for his own Pokémon to level up quickly, aside from spending a long time slowly training, the only option was to rely on attribute essences. But with so many different attributes, he couldn't guarantee that every essence he encountered would be usable.
Beyond attribute essences, the most versatile and precious resource was life energy. Even champion-level Pokémon needed it to boost their strength.
Now that he knew the testing center had such an item, Dr. Chu Feng had to come immediately.
When the examiner saw Dr. Chu Feng enter, his face instantly broke into a fawning smile. His hands trembling slightly, he quickly handed the report to Dr. Chu Feng and said, "Doctor, look, it's these test results that are so strange—that's why I was arguing with this gentleman."
Dr. Chu Feng had rushed over as soon as he got the notification, not even bothering to read the report thoroughly on the way. He only knew there was an item related to life energy.
Now, taking the report, he scanned it eagerly. When he saw that life energy was present in an energy block, Dr. Chu Feng's eyes widened in disbelief, and he couldn't help exclaiming, "Impossible! How can this be?"
He stared hard at the report, as if trying to find an error in it.
But the data on the report was clear and precise, leaving no room for doubt.
Dr. Chu Feng furrowed his brow, fell silent for a moment, then said decisively, "Test it again!" His voice was low and firm, carrying an unyielding authority.
During the wait for the retest, no one spoke.
The testing room was so quiet that only the faint hum of the instruments could be heard, as if even their heartbeats were amplified.
Dr. Chu Feng stood with his arms crossed, his expression grave, occasionally glancing at the testing equipment with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
Zhou Zhiwen stood off to the side, his mind in turmoil, his heart pounding like fifteen buckets being drawn from a well—seven up, eight down. Sweat trickled down his forehead, and he had no idea what would happen next.
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere grew increasingly suffocating. Zhou Zhiwen felt his breathing grow heavy, as if the air itself had become thick and sticky.
Soon, the new test results came out, identical to the first.
Dr. Chu Feng took a deep breath, his face growing even more stern, as if it could drip with tension. He turned to the examiner and said, "Xiao Wu, my lab has been needing an assistant lately. Get yourself ready and report there. Go now, and don't contact anyone outside."
The moment Dr. Chu Feng spoke these words, everyone present understood their meaning.
For Xiao Wu, this was both a rare reward—a chance to access higher-level research work, a golden opportunity for a tester—and a restriction, ensuring he wouldn't leak a single detail of today's events.
Xiao Wu's face showed little change upon hearing this. He knew well that this was an arrangement he couldn't refuse. He nodded and said, "Alright, Doctor, I'll go pack up now."
Xiao Wu moved quickly, tidying his belongings briefly before leaving the testing room.
Now, only Dr. Chu Feng and Zhou Zhiwen remained in the room.
Dr. Chu Feng looked Zhou Zhiwen up and down, then said, "Let's talk somewhere else. It's too crowded and prying here. Follow me."
Zhou Zhiwen said nothing, just nodded silently and followed behind Dr. Chu Feng.
The two walked out of the testing room and proceeded down a long corridor. The hallway was dimly lit, and the shadows on the walls seemed to hide unknown secrets.