I Contracted Myself

Zhang Ping spent the entire morning picking out the iron beads from the dough.

In the afternoon, Liu Tiefeng assigned him to familiarize himself with various materials. Most of the special materials in Mingzhu City come from mutated beasts and mutated plants.

For example, the Red Chain Snake, originally a non-venomous snake, becomes a venomous snake after mutation. It grows fangs that secrete fire poison, and its scales undergo a transformation, becoming highly defensive and capable of emitting high temperatures, leaving scorch marks wherever it goes.

Zhang Ping didn't mind learning these things. In fact, he was more attentive than he had been to studying math, physics, and chemistry in his previous life. Liu Tiefeng, while teaching, would also casually mention methods he used in his youth to collect materials and deal with mutated beasts.

These methods were invaluable experiences.

***

For the next two days, Zhang Ping spent his time learning until the night of the 22nd.

The other party had asked him to meet at the small park behind the sirloin noodle shop on the 23rd, but he planned to scout the area first and get familiar with the environment.

After all, it had been three years since the original owner last visited the orphanage after enrolling in Mingzhu Academy of Powers, and Zhang Ping had no idea what changes had occurred there.

Once he confirmed that Liu Tiefeng was asleep, Zhang Ping left Iron Soul under the cover of night.

He was wearing the Assassination Ring, moving like a ghost in the night.

Not far from Iron Soul, a Tianchang Fox with a human skin mask on its forehead was staring idly at the shop's sign.

It hadn't noticed Zhang Ping leaving through the side window of the shop, and it subconsciously ignored its task, simply staring blankly at the shop.

Suspicious, suspicious.

How could a fox not be suspicious?

'Luo Shiyu' had never let go of her suspicions about Zhang Ping.

But she believed that if Zhang Ping was indeed a suspect, he was not the main leader.

Therefore, she had her subordinates monitor Zhang Ping's every move, hoping to uncover the human resistance forces.

The problem was that Zhang Ping's behavior was normal during the day, and at night, due to the effects of the Night Walker and Assassination Ring, the Tianchang Fox she sent out would subconsciously ignore key information, resulting in no findings after several days.

Tonight was the last surveillance.

If nothing was discovered, the Tianchang Fox would give up monitoring Zhang Ping.

***

The journey was uneventful.

Ten minutes later, Zhang Ping arrived at the small park.

The park was quite different from what he remembered. The originally flat open space now had many trees. These trees weren't tall or particularly dense, but they gave the park a forest-like feel.

Something was off.

Zhang Ping gripped the dagger hidden in his sleeve.

He had a feeling he was being watched; there were others in the woods.

Suddenly, he saw a red light flash to his right. He adjusted his stance and saw a rat about the size of an adult house cat slowly emerge from behind a tree.

It was a mutated beast!

Zhang Ping immediately identified it and activated his appraisal skill.

[Appraisal Successful]

[Mutated Beast: Armored Poison Tail Rat]

[Race: Mutated Rat]

[Potential: ☆☆]

[Lifespan: 50]

[Rank: Primary Mutated Beast]

[Level: 5]

[Talent: Poisonous Tail: The bone spike at the end of its tail contains deadly poison]

[Hardened Fur: Its fur is like armor, greatly enhancing its defense but reducing its agility]

***

Fortunately, it was just a primary mutated beast.

A level two versus a level five, although there was a level difference, it wasn't too significant.

Zhang Ping felt slightly relieved. If it had been a mid-level mutated beast, he might not have survived the night.

But even a primary mutated beast couldn't be underestimated.

The appraisal had already shown that the Armored Poison Tail Rat's tail was poisonous.

Due to his lack of experience, Zhang Ping hadn't brought any antidote with him.

As far as he knew, the poison of all mutated beasts acted quickly.

Without a universal antidote on hand, getting poisoned would almost certainly mean death.

He couldn't afford to be careless.

But there was no need to be overly fearful either.

Just like encountering a venomous snake, as long as you don't get bitten, you'll be fine.

Zhang Ping gripped the dagger tightly in his right hand, focusing on the Armored Poison Tail Rat.

The rat didn't make any rash moves but circled around Zhang Ping, looking for an opening.

Mutated beasts weren't low in intelligence; traps that worked on ordinary animals were often ineffective against them.

They would cautiously test their prey, retreating if the prey was too strong and attacking if they found a weakness.

Zhang Ping ordered himself to stay calm, recalling all the knowledge he had learned about dealing with mutated beasts. He decided to take the initiative.

He launched himself like a leopard in the night.

The Armored Poison Tail Rat's entire body was covered in hardened fur. Most Awakeners, except those with elemental abilities, would target its eyes, the most obvious weak point.

The sharp tip of Beauty's Tears aimed for the rat's weak spot. The rat couldn't dodge in time and curled into a ball, spinning clockwise to deflect the force. Zhang Ping's strike, aimed at its weak point, landed on its hardened fur, with most of the force dissipated.

The rat's fur was extremely tough.

Even though Zhang Ping's dagger was razor-sharp, it couldn't penetrate the rat's fur after most of the force was deflected.

Missing his mark, Zhang Ping immediately retreated.

The rat uncurled its body, its red eyes fixed on Zhang Ping, and its tail lashed out.

Due to its height, the rat's tail aimed at Zhang Ping's knees. Unable to block, Zhang Ping had to tiptoe backward, quickly distancing himself from the rat.

Seeing its attacks miss, the rat stopped to conserve its energy.

A meter away, Zhang Ping panted, sweat forming on his forehead.

His initial attack had used almost all his strength, and the subsequent dodging had been equally strenuous.

Indeed, actual combat was far more exhausting than training.

Mingzhu Academy of Powers had courses on how to distribute and conserve stamina.

Zhang Ping thought for a moment and changed his grip on the dagger, altering his stance. He placed his left foot forward and right foot back, raising both hands.

Ming Fist: Chase Mouse Style!

Zhang Ping knew that his fists alone couldn't unleash the full power of Chase Mouse.

So he didn't abandon the dagger but incorporated techniques from Ming Fist for dealing with small mutated beasts.

His speed was faster than the Armored Poison Tail Rat's. After creating some distance, the rat didn't dare to act rashly. He could have continued retreating to completely escape the rat.

But the Patrol Guard had been taken over by the Tianchang Fox, leaving him with no one to turn to for help.

If he didn't deal with the rat now, any children from the orphanage playing in the park tomorrow could be in danger.

That was an outcome he couldn't accept.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped towards the rat again.

The rat's body tensed, its tail raised high like a scorpion's.

Suddenly, Zhang Ping accelerated, first attacking the rat's right side, then switching to the left as its tail struck right.

But the rat reacted quickly, its tail twisting in an 'S' shape to strike Zhang Ping's outstretched arm.

A flaw.

Zhang Ping's eyes lit up, and he dropped into a horse stance, shifting his weight down.

As he lowered his stance, his hand changed trajectory, avoiding the rat's tail.

The rat's defenses were wide open, and it couldn't avoid the sudden change in attack. It could only retreat with all its might.

But it was too late.

Before it could move, Zhang Ping's fist struck its head.

The punch was powerful, and despite the rat's hardened fur, it was momentarily blinded.

As it regained its sight, a flash of a blade came down.

Zhang Ping's dagger pierced the rat's eye, driving deep into its brain.

In its final moment, the rat's body curled up, its tail striking at Zhang Ping's wrist.

Zhang Ping had been wary of the rat's tail, pulling back as it curled up.

In the blink of an eye, the fight was over.

The rat's final strike missed, and its body fell to the ground, blood oozing from its eye socket.

"Phew."

Zhang Ping took a few steps back, exhaling in relief.

The outcome was expected.

It was night, and his Night Walker talent gave him a significant advantage.

Moreover, the rat's weakness was obvious.

Its hardened fur increased its weight, slowing it down. Zhang Ping's speed increased at night due to his reduced weight, making it hard for the rat to avoid him.

However, the rat's appearance was suspicious, and theoretically, it shouldn't have noticed him with the Night Walker and Assassination Ring.

He looked around, considering his stamina was depleted, and decided to leave rather than stay.

***

A few minutes later, a woman in a light green military uniform appeared beside the rat's body. She squatted down to examine the cause of death.

"Sister Sisi, do you think your old friend is human or a mutated beast?" she asked, lifting the rat.

At some point, a woman in white had appeared behind her, wearing an ice mask and emitting a faint white mist from her hair.

"I don't know, but I hope he's human," the woman said calmly.

The organization had confirmed that mutated beasts had infiltrated the city, but they only knew the identities of a few. Each time an organization member entered the city, it was extremely dangerous.

If Zhang Ping's unusual and even bizarre behavior hadn't caught the organization's attention, she wouldn't have contacted him rashly.

"But... if my Life Talisman shatters tomorrow, just blow up the Black Chamber," she added after some thought.

After all, she had insisted on contacting Zhang Ping, so she had to take responsibility for any mishaps.

The Military Woman was silent for a moment before saying, "I think Zhang Ping is definitely a mutated beast. We should just kill him."

"No, I can at least confirm that Zhang Ping's killing intent that night was real," the woman in white disagreed.

The Military Woman stood up, looking at the rat's body, and sighed, "I hope you're right, Sister Sisi. At least he didn't eat this stinking rat whole, so maybe he is human."

"Alright, we shouldn't stay here long. Let's go," the woman in white said.

The two quickly cleaned up the rat's body and disappeared into the night.

***

The next day, Zhang Ping got up early.

Today, he decided to try the Dough Forging Technique again in the morning.

For the past two days, he had been taking the Contract Gem every morning. Although his training method had changed to kneading dough, it actually consumed more stamina than usual. Feeling his progress, he had given up his regular training to focus on the dough practice.

After taking the Contract Gem, he picked up the prepared materials and put them into the furnace. Liu Tiefeng, smoking a cigarette, guided him from the side.

Perhaps because he was mentally prepared, the high temperature didn't force him back this time. He gritted his teeth and continued his actions, crushing and mixing the materials.

Suddenly, he felt a burning pain in his stomach and couldn't help but gasp.

To his surprise, as he inhaled, the flames in the furnace were drawn out like a stream of water, entering his nose. The warm fire flowed down his throat into his stomach, instantly revitalizing him and making his movements smoother.

A new talent?

Zhang Ping wondered but didn't dare to lose focus. He concentrated on his actions, knowing the forging wasn't finished yet.

Liu Tiefeng watched silently. In Mingzhu City, every Awakener had different abilities, each more peculiar than the last. He was used to it.

But after a moment, he sensed something was wrong and said, "The furnace temperature is too low. Add more wood."

Zhang Ping realized he had absorbed too much heat and quickly added more wood.

Once the flames were roaring again, he continued his work.