Being forced to grow like a pig? But I'm immune to the consequences!

In an instant, Wu Sheng understood the essence of this sphere—it was called the "pronucleus".

Its function is simple and clear: to display data information, to bear the costs on behalf of the host, and to have both active and passive growth capabilities.

"9/10". The number "10" represents his current maximum vitality, while "9" is the current value. In addition, the Protocore itself also has an independent vitality reserve. When he is in normal condition, the Protocore's vitality can recover half of its vitality every day. It can evolve along with his own growth and will also be passively strengthened by external damage. However, the evolution effect can only be triggered once by the same type and level of damage.

"Wu Sheng? How are you? Don't push yourself! I'll call someone for you!" Mo Han's anxious voice came from beside him. He saw Wu Sheng staring blankly into space and thought he had reached his limit.

Wu Sheng immediately snapped out of his daze and whispered, "I'm fine, Mohan, I was just a little distracted."

Mohan breathed a sigh of relief, his face pale from the effects of the medicine, but he still tried to urge, "Don't push yourself... Our family is still waiting."

"I understand." Wu Sheng nodded, but his attention returned to the data in his mind.

[Wu Sheng]: Vitality 9/10+ (8-/10+)

Time passed quietly. In less than twenty minutes, the primordial core's life force had been depleted by two points, but its upper limit was slowly increasing.

The silence in the factory began to be broken by painful groans and heavy breathing. One by one, people couldn't hold on any longer; their faces were ashen, their eyes bloodshot, and their bodies swayed like candles in the wind.

"I...can't take it anymore..."

Upon hearing the shouts, the hyena gang members who were waiting nearby immediately stepped forward, swiftly injected the neutralizing agent, and then helped or dragged the person away from the scene.

Forty minutes later, only half the players remained on the field.

The ordeal continued. Another twenty minutes passed, and countless people left. A young man sitting cross-legged on the ground suddenly stiffened, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and collapsed to the ground. The Hyena Gang members quickly examined him, shook their heads, and injected him with a neutralizing agent.

"You should have said so earlier, instead of stubbornly pushing yourself." The middle-aged man distributing the injections spoke in a cold, echoing voice. "This isn't something you can overcome with willpower alone. Giving up sooner will reduce the damage; dragging it out will leave you half-dead."

With only twenty minutes left, there were only about thirty players remaining on the field.

"Wu Sheng... I think I'm not feeling so bad anymore." Mo Han's voice was weary, but he managed a weak smile. He looked haggard, but there was a faint light in his eyes.

[Wu Sheng]: Vitality 9/12+ (6-/12+)

With the original nucleus bearing the cost, Wu Sheng felt no discomfort, except for a strange, faint sensation of heat and tingling in his spine.

"I see... The evolution potion, if you can get through it, will raise your life limit. But if your body doesn't have the corresponding aptitude and can't adapt, then this potion is a deadly poison." Wu Sheng understood, and looked at Mo Han, "Hold on. The rest of you should be able to get through."

Time, agonizing and filled with anticipation, finally came to an end. As recorded by the Hyena Gang members, the last minute ticked away. The data in Wu Sheng's mind also stabilized:

[Wu Sheng]: Vitality 9/13 (Original Core: 5/15)

"My own life force limit has increased by three points, and my original core has increased by an additional two points... This is passive evolution." Wu Sheng calculated in his mind, while looking at Mo Han:

【Mohan】: Vitality 5/11

"The upper limit only increased slightly... Was the process too overbearing, causing irreversible damage to the body and diminishing its potential?" Wu Sheng pondered. "According to that person, spending contribution points to enter the inner city would allow this process to be completed gently, avoiding losses... So, what exactly does vitality represent? Lifespan? Potential? Or something more fundamental? And what exactly are the nobles of the inner city...?"

"Wu Sheng! We did it! We all passed!" Mo Han's excited voice interrupted Wu Sheng's thoughts, and an uncontrollable joy bloomed on his haggard face.

Wu Sheng smiled and said, "Yes, at least... we made it through the initial test."

At this moment, the middle-aged man's voice rang out again:

"Congratulations to the rest of you. You have passed the preliminary test and will now enter the gang's intensive training phase. Before that, you can go and say goodbye to your families."

He paused, then added, "Also, remember to bring some money. You might need it during your training."

The crowd slowly walked out of the factory. In the open space outside, most of the losers and their families had already left dejectedly, leaving only the relatives of the survivors and a few onlookers who had not yet dispersed.

Upon seeing Wu Sheng and Mo Han emerge, Wu Yu and Mo Han's family members immediately came to greet them.

"Mohan, my child, I knew you were the best!" Mohan's mother hugged her son tightly.

"Young man, how are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?" Wu Yu asked anxiously, looking her younger brother up and down.

Wu Sheng shook his head to indicate that he was fine, then solemnly instructed, "Sister, I will be staying with the Hyena Gang for the next period of time. You must take good care of yourself. Spend the money I left you as needed, don't be stingy. Try not to go out alone, and spend more time with the Mohan family. If you encounter any trouble that you can't handle, be sure to come here to find me."

Listening to her younger brother's clear and logical instructions, Wu Yu was slightly taken aback, then a gentle smile appeared in her eyes. She raised her hand and gently stroked Wu Sheng's cheek.

"Young man, you seem... to have grown up all of a sudden. Before, it was always your older sister who took care of you, but now, it's your turn to take care of your older sister."

……

After saying goodbye to their families, Wu Sheng, Mo Han, and the other passersby completed the formalities under the guidance of members of the Hyena Gang.

In addition to formally registering their information, each person must also pay 100 yuan to purchase two sets of crudely made Hyena Gang uniforms and a thin quilt.

Two sets of coarse cloth clothes and a sheet/quilt cost a whopping one hundred yuan. This was undoubtedly an exorbitant price in the outer city. Someone timidly asked if they could bring their own, but was flatly refused on the grounds of "unified management." Clearly, this was also one of the gang's methods of extorting money.

After completing the formalities, everyone was led to a spacious dormitory room. Dozens of bunk beds were neatly arranged inside, and the air was filled with the smell of dust and wood.

"You'll be living here from now on. Formal training begins tomorrow. Remember, don't wander off."

After saying that, the Hyena Gang members left.

The group silently made their beds and lay down, exhausted. The long and grueling day had nearly drained them of all their strength.

There are always active people in a crowd. A dark-skinned, thick-lipped, slightly overweight young man greeted those around him with a friendly smile:

"Everyone, those of us who passed the preliminary test are all people with potential. How about we get to know each other? My name is Liao Xing, you can just call me A-Xing."

Perhaps because they came from different communities, there was still a sense of distance and unfamiliarity between them, and many people reacted coldly and did not respond.

Liao Xing didn't seem to mind, his smile remaining unchanged. A thin boy next to him, probably not wanting to embarrass him, responded in a low voice, and the two began chatting.

Neither Wu Sheng nor Mo Han were particularly sociable, and they had little interest in such casual small talk. They went to bed early, closed their eyes, and rested on their simple beds, awaiting the unknown tomorrow.

The dormitory gradually filled with even breathing, occasionally interspersed with a few suppressed words of conversation. Under the dim light, young and tired faces sank into the first night after the selection.