Chapter 728: Baptism of Judgment

This was the first time Lu Xin had felt such a diverse array of powers at work.

He had handled many special pollution incidents and faced off against ability users of all calibers.

But this time, it felt entirely different.

For the very first time, he sensed a power that seeped into him gradually, edge by edge.

It reminded him of a training session where the Old Director, with Professor Bai’s words, explained that when abilities in the same group combine, they can work in a coordinated, orderly manner to produce a force far beyond that of ordinary people.

So, was this the power he was now encountering?

……

……

While lost in thought, he watched as the group of Enforcers rearranged before him, their formation shifting like a mirage.

Lu Xin saw them lining up neatly, each with their silver handcase already open. In every hand was a book that was originally blank, but as his gaze fell on them, different contents materialized on the pages—each page depicting a past version of himself engaged in different actions.

Unexpectedly, memories of his entire life began to rush back in an uncontrollable torrent.

From his curious days at the Orphanage, to meeting Teacher Xiao Lu and living as if he were normal, to leaving the Orphanage and starting work—he believed he had done his best.

And yet now, he felt a fierce rejection of his past.

Had everything he ever done been wrong?

Why had he ever played it safe by sticking to a company job?

Why did he accept recruitment from the Special Cleaning Department?

Why had he so willingly accepted red packets?

……

……

The impact of Judgmental Power on one’s level of self-awareness was punishing.

By denying everything he once upheld, he was overwhelmed with deep self-reproach and regret, further rejecting his very self.

Under this influence, Lu Xin instantly sank into profound self-doubt.

He hadn’t sensed any issues before, yet now images of his past surged forth, filling him with shame.

It was as if the secrets he had desperately tried to hide were suddenly laid bare.

He felt every step he had ever taken was wrong.

His former convictions now seemed shameful and laughable; he believed he should cast aside his past and become a new man…

He thought he should never have taken red packets, or accepted commissions.

His abiding fondness for money was nothing but a terrible habit.

If he had earned money he wasn’t meant to, shouldn’t it all be returned…

…No, it shouldn’t.

Shaking his head vigorously, Lu Xin cleared his mind.

Abruptly, he snapped awake, and with a look of bitter hatred he glared at the Enforcer in front of him who had used Judgmental Power on him. His pale right hand shot forward to grasp the Black Nail near that man’s heart.

Swish…

But right after he struck, a searing pain exploded in his heart.

He looked down in horror to see that his right hand had not reached his opponent—it had clutched his own chest instead.

He had grabbed so forcefully that it nearly tore his heart out.

What kind of power was this?

At the same moment, the group of Enforcers was taken aback.

They hadn’t expected that the gradual influence of this power, which had been progressing so smoothly, would suddenly falter at such a crucial moment.

What had triggered this breakdown?

It incited an immense self-repulsion that nearly nullified all his previous efforts.

Fortunately, the Fifth Level of power had already invaded Lu Xin’s mind, affecting his instincts.

The influence of Judgmental Power on one’s instinct was brutal.

Overwhelming guilt and self-denial reached deep into his subconscious.

His will to die began to counteract his instinct to live, with the two forces battling each other fiercely.

Inside him, a part of him already yearned for death.

He was, in essence, fighting himself…

……

……

Gasping for breath and clenching his teeth, Lu Xin endeavored to stay alert, carefully monitoring each of his movements.

Despite his strength, he fiercely glared at the nearby Enforcers. The shadow by his side soared upward abruptly, seemingly ready to engulf the enforcers ahead, until it suddenly froze in place.

Then his father’s tense voice rang out:

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Why would you harm yourself?”

……

It wasn’t until his father’s voice cut through the chaos that Lu Xin was jolted back to reality.

He realized that the Black Shadow was hovering right before him, nearly devouring him.

The effect of Judgmental Power on his instincts had become so extreme that he could no longer tell whether a seemingly normal reaction was an attack aimed at his enemy or a self-directed blow.

The world around him twisted and shifted, making truth indistinguishable from illusion.

Only within his body did strange thoughts and powers continue to rise relentlessly.

Unaware, Lu Xin’s left hand pressed his right as he stood trembling in place.

Shreee…

At the spot where his right hand had been pierced by the nail, blood began to flow profusely, dripping steadily onto the ground.

Where the blood touched the floor, fine threads sprouted like tender shoots, winding up his legs, piercing in and out of his skin as if weaving a bizarre tapestry of vegetation…

Whizz…

Lu Xin’s eyes snapped open, filled with blood threads writhing as if trying to form a number.

In the distance, the Black Enforcers had fallen silent.

They stood in neat rows, their faces cold, solemn, and utterly still.

Under their scrutinizing gaze, small lumps began emerging on Lu Xin’s skin.

It was as if an unseen hand was forcing them upward.

Soon, numerous bumps appeared—some even resembling a tiny hand, as though countless miniature beings were struggling and seething inside him, desperate to burst through his flesh…

At this sight, all the enforcers in black gradually smiled.

The effect of Judgmental Power on one’s memory was like a prison.

His perceptions warped until his memories were entirely false.

Every version of himself in those memories had committed unforgivable sins, starkly contrasting with who he was now.

Thus, he found himself trapped in a memory cage, unable to free himself.

……

……

“It’s time…”

Watching as Lu Xin’s body twisted into grotesque shapes, the faces of the Black Enforcers broke into smiles.

The judgment had been successful.

Even if this man seemed like a devil, under the power of Judgment, he was completely imprisoned in the cage of his own memory.

Now, only one final step remained.

One of the enforcers spoke, and then they all moved in unison.

They reached inside their suits and slowly drew out a sword.

Its exquisite hilt was adorned with a red gem, and the blade bore fine, intricate patterns, resembling a work of art.

They did nothing more than produce the sword.

Gently, they cradled it in their hands.

In the next moment, Lu Xin suddenly raised his head, his blood-red eyes revealing veins in stark detail as an invisible mental force field emerged. One by one, the swords flew toward him, and he caught them effortlessly…

But for every sword he grasped, another stabbed into his body.

Then another, and yet another.

Swords continuously pierced his flesh, impaling him like a porcupine.

At this terrifying sight, the enforcers’ faces lit up with victorious smiles.

……

……

The influence of Judgmental Power on the seventh facet of self—its ability known as Judgment Sword—was revealed.

At such a degree of pollution, Lu Xin had become utterly opposed to his past self.

Thus, he began to use the swords wielded by the enforcers to stab himself, killing one past version after another.

Once he eliminated all his former selves, his ‘self’ would be completely annihilated.

……

……

“What are you doing…”

His father roared as the shadow surged again, futilely trying to restrain Lu Xin.

The swords had embedded themselves in his body as if to pin him down.

He couldn’t help but cast a pleading look at his mother, silently begging her to help him.

But Mom stood nearby, watching silently without intervening.

“Brother…”

A small figure—his little sister, unwilling to leave—jumped to Mom’s side.

Worried, she whispered, “Brother, what will happen?”

“Before the true Mental Core is formed, one must undergo such a baptism,”

Mom replied softly, “Self-denial and self-judgment—only by a complete judgment can one see oneself clearly. Some collapse after this ordeal, while others discover their true self.”

She paused and sighed gently before adding:

“We can shoulder much for him, but in the end, he must bear it alone.”

“I think this is the real Trial of Strength…”

“Trial failure destroys humanity.”

“Trial success means he finally becomes…”

“…”

“Yes, that is the essence of the Trial of Strength.”

At that moment, the Old Director from the Orphanage stepped out of the Jeep.

He glared forcefully toward Qinggang, even raising his hands slightly to express his inner excitement with gestures:

“The Trial of Strength isn’t merely a test of one’s power.”

“His power comes from the god that first polluted him. Who would be foolish enough to test a god’s power?”

“There is no need to doubt the god’s strength—it’s infinite.”

“What we are truly testing is the pressure…”

“To see if he can withstand this pressure and truly bear his divine nature…”

“That is the real meaning of the Trial of Strength…”