Looking at Pei Yan, who was panting heavily with his hands on his knees after deactivating the turret mode, Engineer Li stepped forward and patted his back, asking, "How does it feel? Is it strenuous?"

Pei Yan stood up, removed his face mask, and took a few deep breaths before answering, "It consumes too much power. If I hadn't fused with Song Mingyuan's ability, I wouldn't have been able to unleash this kind of power. Even as I am now, I can only fire three shots in succession. It would take at least four hours for me to recover enough to discharge my electrical power again."

"I've heard about your ability from Engineer Li. Can you miniaturize the electromagnetic cannon?"

Facing the question from a major general standing next to Engineer Li, Pei Yan thought for a moment and replied, "I can give it a try!"

"Good!" Academician Ma and Engineer Li exchanged glances and stepped back in unison, signaling Pei Yan to take the field.

Re-aiming at the remaining four relatively intact tanks, Pei Yan closed his face mask and raised his hands. In the astonished and curious gaze of Academician Ma, his palms started transforming into two barrels. Then, with a blue light shimmering, two shells shot out with a thunderous roar, piercing a large hole into two tanks with a violent shake of their bodies.

Re-targeting the last two tanks on the shooting range, they too were declared scrapped amidst the sound of explosions. Watching his handiwork, Pei Yan burst into laughter.

"Is your body under any strain in this state?"

Pei Yan shook his head, saying excitedly, "No, as long as the shots aren't too densely fired, my body's recovery speed can keep up!"

"Very well, let's proceed with the next test! What are your thoughts about the rockets you've absorbed?" Engineer Li asked, pulling out a form.

"I want to attempt hitting multiple moving targets simultaneously!"

Taken aback, Engineer Li looked up in surprise and said, "You sound confident! The rockets you've absorbed don't have guidance capabilities. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I want to try!" Pei Yan nodded affirmatively after communicating with his internal system.

Walking to the platform, Engineer Li discussed with the leaders before returning to approve his request. A series of moving targets were erected on a hill by the training field, moving back and forth slowly.

Pei Yan's Mechanical Eye instantly locked onto all the targets. His arms raised to shoulder level and mechanical armor plates unfolded from his arms. At the same time, sixteen rockets flew out, each implanted with nanomechanics, striking all sixteen targets under Pei Yan's visual guidance, creating a series of explosive roars.

"This kid is impressive! What a waste to keep him in the investigation hall! His abilities are practically made for the battlefield! Shall we put in more effort to get him?" Vice Admiral Mo admired Pei Yan's display of abilities, clapping while speaking to Vice Admiral Zhang.

"Don't think about it. Right now, things are more tense where he is than here. If needed, we can always deploy him when necessary!" Vice Admiral Zhang responded with a straight face and a smile.

After the rocket demonstration, Pei Yan showcased his abilities with the metal storm, nanomechanics, and control over various high-tech products, earning a round of applause from the spectators on the platform. Pei Yan was giving such an effort to not only acquire better equipment for further enhancing his strength but also to showcase the results of the state's investment in him.

He understood that only by demonstrating enough value would one gain appropriate attention and treatment. Otherwise, blind arrogance would only lead to a humiliating death, just like Song Mingyuan, who perished unnoticed in that cell.

Taking a break between demonstrations, Pei Yan sat cross-legged on the sandy ground. Engineer Li handed him a bottle of mineral water, smiling with delight, "The upper management is very satisfied with your performance. It looks like your upcoming equipment approval will be much easier!"

"That's good!" Pei Yan said, guzzling the mineral water, then removed the mecha from his upper body and rubbed his sore neck, casually asking, "Engineer Li, is there anything else for me next?"

"Next is the battle among the Awakened, something the higher-ups are eager to see. They want to witness firsthand your combat power after fusing abilities!"

"With whom? Someone from the Golden Eagle Special Forces?"

"No! It's them!" Engineer Li said, gesturing outside the training field. Pei Yan followed his gaze to see thirteen prisoners, each wearing restraint rings, being pushed out. Seeing this, he frowned in surprise, "Prisoners from the Secret Prison?"

Engineer Li squatted down, leaned beside Pei Yan, and joked quietly, "Looks a bit like the Beast Fighting Arena now, doesn't it? These people are all on death row—legally, they're already considered dead in society."

"Why is he here?" Pei Yan asked, puzzled, looking at He Yue, who was bewilderedly glancing around after having his black mask removed.

"After you extracted the nanomechanics from his body, the hall replaced him with someone else who mimicked his appearance to prevent the success of the Divine Intent prison break. Hence, the real one is now redundant and useless."

Listening to Engineer Li, Pei Yan nodded, recognizing a few familiar faces from that night among the crowd, as well as some strangers, and said, "They didn't replace everyone!"

"Changing everyone would be too conspicuous. Only those with lower awakening levels were replaced. Once combat starts, don't hold back—give it your all! A little heads up: among them, the one with the highest power is a third-stage Superpower Awakened. Though newly awakened, don't underestimate him!" Engineer Li patted Pei Yan's shoulder in reminder.

"Got it! Engineer Li, can you help me with a favor, if it's possible?" As he spoke, Pei Yan leaned close to Engineer Li's ear and whispered a few words. Although Engineer Li didn't understand why he made this request, he promised to relay it to the platform.

After Engineer Li left, Pei Yan glanced at the well-protected platform and the fortified sentries around him. He lit a cigar with a match, biting it between his teeth. The scent of diesel wafted from afar, evening wind brushed his face, and tremors were felt underfoot. Pei Yan closed his eyes and savored the last moment of peace before the battle.

"Pei Yan! Are you ready? You can start!" Engineer Li, withdrawn into the protective circle to prevent prisoner outbursts, loudly reminded through a megaphone.

Sitting on the ground, Pei Yan waved the cigar at him, then stood up casually and walked toward the center of the training field, where five retired tanks, five regular military off-road vehicles, and the thirteen death row prisoners from the Secret Prison awaited him.

"Pei Yan!" shouted He Yue hysterically, his hands still bound in shackles, as he spotted Pei Yan climbing onto a tank and crouching there with a malicious grin.

"Hey! Liu Yu! Aren't you and him done fighting yet?" Pei Yan ignored He Yue and laughed as he spoke to Liu Yu, who stood beside him.

"I hate you a thousand times more for sending me to that cannibalistic Hell than I hate him!"