Regarding what kind of training facilities were on the third and fourth floors, the Patrol Team members had some expectations but also some doubts.
Director Tang's abilities were very powerful. Not only could he create constructions full of immense power like the Arrow Tower Cannon, he could also produce the delicate equipment found on the first and second floors. Previously, people thought Director Tang's abilities were related to the Earth Series, as he could create buildings out of thin air. But now they felt that Director Tang's abilities were far broader in scope than that, and if one had to describe it, 'Creation' would be more fitting.
Creating buildings, creating equipment, creating items.
Ability users' powers were strange and varied, and theoretically, it wouldn't be strange for any ability to emerge, even those related to time, space, destiny, creation... However, before witnessing them firsthand, most people considered these abilities to be mere legends. It was only in their opinion that if someone truly possessed the ability of creation, it would be someone like Director Tang.
These powers were indeed defying the natural order, but they weren't without restrictions.
Many people had noticed that Director Tang needed to collect materials before constructing a building.
Furthermore, even with creation, it had to follow certain rules. Take the defensive constructions like the Arrow Tower and Cannon; they already existed. They believed that Director Tang first conceptualized these referential buildings and then enhanced them through his power, resulting in the terrifyingly powerful Arrow Towers and Cannons.
There was a traceable logic to all of this, including the training equipment on the first and second floors, which also bore the shadow of the pre-apocalypse.
Because there were limitations, they found it normal.
That's why when Captain Luo said that the training facilities on the third and fourth floors could help them rapidly improve their strength, they were quite skeptical in their hearts.
At this stage, to improve their strength, aside from absorbing soul power, one would either have to improve through combat experience and techniques or by pushing one's own potential to the limit. But neither of these could be achieved by simply training with equipment.
Unless it was battling with Demonized Beasts.
Just like today, after actually fighting, the members of the Patrol Team felt that they had made quite a lot of progress. But aside from that, what kind of training facilities could achieve this?
The facilities on the third floor were not as numerous as those on the first and second floors. After checking them out, the Patrol Team members were even more puzzled. Their eyes went round in confusion. What was this? How was it used? What was the use?
It was not like the first and second floors, where not a single one of them understood!
Luo Zhe hadn't actually used the facilities either. However, as a follower, his authority in the territory was second only to Tang Yu. He knew a thing or two about the training camp's equipment.
He came in front of the high-speed track, briefly explained the purpose of this device, and then asked, "Who wants to try it out first?"
Peng Bo looked at the track that was only ten meters long, his face full of confusion. Then he looked at the others, who all had the same expression. He felt reassured.
Although he was uneducated and couldn't understand the intricacies here... as long as the others also didn't understand, that was okay. However, what was the use of a track of this length?
He was tempted to give it a try when he saw Lu Xiaopeng stepping forward once again and walking straight into the range of the high-speed track.
He watched intently, trying to see any changes.
The track activated, and the strange patterns drawn on the ground lit up. Other than that, there didn't seem to be any changes—save for Lu Xiaopeng's figure, which seemed a bit blurred... No, Peng Bo noticed a significant change. Lu Xiaopeng's complexion was getting paler.
At first, there was a baffling transformation, as if he had received some fright, sweat sliding down his forehead, his expression getting more and more terrified. In the next moment, Peng Bo saw him lean forward and plunge into a run, swinging his arms wildly and dashing forward frantically.
This... Just running was one thing, but what's with this horrified expression?
He didn't understand, nor did the others.
As time passed, Lu Xiaopeng's face grew paler, but his speed kept increasing. Eventually, with a 'ding' sound, the track ceased operation, and the next thing Peng Bo saw was Lu Xiaopeng's body going limp and collapsing on the ground.
"That didn't take long, yet he looks so drained."
He approached Lu Xiaopeng, poked him, and was met with an angry glare from Lu Xiaopeng.
Peng Bo shook his head, then stepped onto the track. A few minutes later, he too emerged with a pale face and lay on the ground, his belly fat undulating, looking even more miserable than Lu Xiaopeng.
The other members of the Patrol Team who had not yet had the experience were even more confused. They felt particularly ignorant today, whether it was in terms of combat skills, equipment, or this training camp—there was a lot they did not understand.
Luo Zhe stepped forward and manipulated a blank panel beside the track. The others saw a human silhouette emerge on the panel, shadowing a figure running swiftly with various data flickering around it.
Aside from Peng Bo and Lu Xiaopeng, who were too exhausted and wanted to be as inert as salted fish, everyone else crowded around to take a closer look at the panel.
"This is the recording of their running just now, along with these numbers. They seem to be speeds, but how could there be such a huge increase?"
"Could it be that they didn't start running at full speed?"
"Bullshit!" Lu Xiaopeng struggled to speak. "Do you... see me... as if I wasn't running... at full speed?"
The others exchanged glances. Indeed, from the beginning, the two of them were sprinting like mad, which was evident from their expressions and movements. But logically, running at full speed should make one's pace slow down over time, not increase.
Moreover, what they couldn't comprehend was why both Lu Xiaopeng and his companion initially looked overly frightened?
However, not understanding was not an issue; they had already noticed that the sprinting track could stimulate a person's potential, allowing one to run faster and faster within it.
They jostled to go next, completely oblivious to the pitiful glances from Lu Xiaopeng and Peng Bo on the ground.
A few minutes later, the first one came out, lying on the ground, lifeless.
It seemed that the time spent in there wasn't dependent on personal strength, so those contestants who had already experienced it and turned pale were simultaneously frightened and curious about how long the following contestants could last.
"Three and a half minutes..."
"Four minutes, that's impressive."
"Only two minutes, bro, you're not up to it."
When Tang Yu came down, he discovered this bizarre scene but did not disturb the Patrol Team members and went straight out of the training camp.
Under the clear sky, a group of people sweating profusely with gleaming eyes continuously counting time, was this really... all right?
After leaving the training camp, Tang Yu didn't return to the castle but instead walked outwards.
Though he felt mentally drained, he had no desire to sleep.
In just half a day, it seemed like a lifetime had passed for him.
Having experienced death over and over again – whether by venom corrosion, being impaled by sharp limbs, or being bisected at the waist... Tang Yu felt he could compile an encyclopedia of elaborate deaths.
He wasn't sure how many times he had died in the Spirit Space; from the initial fear that prevented him from entering, to later, when his senses were still stuck in the last moment of death, his mind had already chosen to enter again.
It was not an Awakening of some attribute but, although the intense pain of the injuries and deaths was still there, the clear sense of progress was addicting.
Just like refining soul power.
Painful, yet joyful...