Chapter 18

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The state and the local authorities would give subsidies separately, and one could receive them concurrently.

Although the 8,000-yuan financial reward, the bottle of nutrition drink, and the silver combat skill could not compare to the resources of very wealthy people, they were already considered good resources.

After all, apart from the combat skill, the nutrition drink and money would all be issued monthly. These payments were pure subsidies, and Lin Yao could also find another job.

Of course, there were some differences between state subsidies and local subsidies. Lin Yao could only receive local subsidies in the city (school trips not included). Once he left the city, they would automatically become invalid. State subsidies were for Chinese citizens, so one could receive them regardless of where one was.

However, as Lin Yao was thinking about how to use the 8,000 yuan, the colonel spoke up with a stern expression.

“Bear this in mind: Before you receive the state subsidies, you are just a civilian. When there is a crisis, the first thing that comes to mind is escaping to a shelter or seeking help from the army and the armed police. We will do our best to protect you. However, if you receive the subsidy, you will be considered a militia. When the country is in danger, you must not back down. Otherwise, you will be subjected to military law.”

Although every citizen was considered a soldier, there were still some differences between regular soldiers and ordinary people who only went through basic training. Therefore, this was where the militia filled in the gap. They were not professional soldiers, but they were the country’s first strategic reserve.

Lin Yao did not care about this. “I’ve known this for a long time. If beasts really invade the city, I will have no place to run either.”

It was actually rare for the country to recruit militia. After all, China was different from other places. There were many people there, and some of them were passionate men who were willing to join the army. Some people even had to prove their talent and connections to join the military. This was unlike other countries, where conscription was mandatory.

Under normal circumstances, the military could solve anything. Once neither the military nor the armed police could solve something, the entire city would be in a crisis. In that case, there was no way Lin Yao could avoid his responsibilities. Therefore, almost all geniuses would join the militia establishment.

Upon seeing that Lin Yao already understood his responsibilities, the officer nodded in satisfaction and told Lin Yao, “You have yet to pass the college entrance examination. You cannot reject militia recruitment. However, this will only apply after you graduate from college. Before that, you are still a fledgling. Thus, when you are in danger, don’t hesitate to run right away.”

“Understood.”

As long as they were not at their wit’s end, they would never allow budding geniuses to go to the battlefield. That would be akin to destroying the country’s future.

After some explaining, the colonel even tried to recruit Lin Yao and told him to join the military academy after graduation.

Lin Yao was surprised. He knew why they were evaluated by so many people. One reason was that the country was wary of under-the-table manipulations. The country was giving money to the geniuses, so they sent many people to supervise each other.

The other reason was that various departments were trying hard to recruit newcomers. After all, there was a shortage of geniuses in all departments. However, Lin Yao could not understand why he was given special treatment. His ability had only received a bronze rating.

Lin Yao expressed his doubts.

“Can I ask all the chiefs here a question? Is sunlight absorption that special?”

The beautiful lady pondered the question for a moment and then replied, “What’s special is not sunlight absorption, but your light ability. There are some special areas where we need a light ability. Therefore, this group of geniuses will be given special treatment one level higher than their original rating…”

“Chief Shi!”

The beautiful lady had yet to finish her sentence when she was interrupted by Colonel Zhang from the military department. Lin Yao noticed that he was a very strict person.

“Don’t worry, Colonel Zhang. I won’t say anything that shouldn’t be said.”

Then, the lady turned her gaze to Lin Yao, and her expression changed from gentle to strict. “All you need to know is that those with the power of light will get preferential treatment. Don’t ask more questions. You absolutely cannot. When it’s time for you to know, you will know.

“However, I can give you a suggestion. Although you only have the ability of sunlight absorption and you cannot replenish yourself with light energy, the ability to absorb sunlight suggests that your physique is suitable for light-based abilities. You can work on light-based techniques in the future. This is the path that suits you best, and you will be able to get the most support and resources that way.”

“Chief Shi, thank you for your suggestion.”

“There’s no need to be so polite. I am also from Ninghai City. As your senior, it is only natural that I give you that piece of advice. I am also someone with the power of light.”

She paused for a moment before she took out a white spar the size of a rice grain and gave it to Lin Yao.

“This is the light spar produced in the secret realm. Wearing it on our body can accelerate the growth of our talent. Take it.”

“Uh, this is too expensive.”

“It’s okay, all of us are from Ninghai City. If you enhance your ability, you can better ensure the safety of our people in Ninghai. Besides, I am also somewhat selfish. I hope you will join the Abnormal Ability Department after your graduation. This way, I can ease my load as well.”

Chief Shi blinked several times while she spoke. Chief Shi had always been a gentle lady. Lin Yao’s heart missed a beat when she suddenly behaved that way. Since Chief Shi insisted on giving this to him, Lin Yao could only accept it.

At the same time, although Chief Shi told him not to go into it, Lin Yao could not help but wonder why the country needed the power of light so much.

‘Could it be a case of a rare thing being dear? Since the power of light is rare, preferential treatment is given to the people who have that ability?’

This was indeed a possibility. After planting the Tree of Light, Lin Yao had also surfed the Internet during his study break. He had discovered that talented people needed to register and that most geniuses underwent body mutation, like Jia Shi’s hair mutation or the person with the lengthened body parts.

Although Lin Yao was envious of the latter, this ability could be easily attainable. According to the video that Lin Yao had watched on the Internet, there were many techniques, especially some masterly skills, that could enlarge the body. As the whole body became bigger, that certain body part would be enlarged as well. There was also the high-speed impact method… Stop. He was overthinking now.

There was only one awakened genius in a million. 80% of the awakened geniuses had body mutations, followed by an energy mutation, which was related to the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. It was very rare to obtain abilities like light, thunder, ice, and darkness during one’s awakening. Among those abilities, ice and thunder might be good, but light was the rarest and most useful ability.

Rare things were dear. It was understandable that the light ability would receive special treatment.

Based on the available information, Lin Yao quickly made a deduction. He finally understood why, despite having the same bronze rating as one of the other candidates, he had garnered the attention of the big bosses and had even been invited by Chief Shi to join her department.

Indeed, people were different, and geniuses were given preferential treatment.

The only difference was that, in the past, Lin Yao had been the one who was envious of others. Right now, he was the subject of envy. This was a complicated feeling… Actually, it was not. He felt really pleased about being given preferential treatment.

After all, Lin Yao was just a layman.

Of course, apart from being happy, he also learned and reflected on the events of that day.

‘In this era, it is very true that the greater one’s ability and power are, the greater one’s responsibility is. Now that I received these benefits, I will have to work hard in the future. Otherwise, all the ordinary civilians in China, as well as the 70 million iron-blooded soldiers, will be my enemy. Fortunately, I do not intend to receive these benefits without doing anything.’

With that thought in mind, Lin Yao, who understood his responsibilities, looked at the light energy spar given to him by Chief Shi and accepted it with peace of mind.

“Chief Shi, thank you. If everything goes as planned, I will return to Ninghai to work after my graduation. My parents and family are here, and I will do my best to protect the people of Ninghai…”

Lin Yao was about to say that he would work hard with the country and the people of Ninghai, but he stopped mid-sentence. It was not that he wanted to go back on his word. However, something special had happened.

As soon as Lin Yao had taken the light energy spar from the chief, the tree-planting system, which had been mostly silent so far, had sent him a prompt.

[Ding! System prompt: You have received external unowned energy. Do you want to absorb it?]