Chapter 82 - 69: Strength Gap
...
「The next morning, at five o’clock sharp.」
His biological clock woke Qin Feng from a deep sleep right on time.
He opened his eyes. The room was pitch black, but his vision had already improved to the point where he could faintly make things out in the darkness.
In the next room, Shi Potian and Qian Duoduo also got up on time.
The three of them were used to waking up early.
Although Qin Feng and Shi Potian had both been promoted to C-rank contracts and earned the right to live in single dorms in the Class A Area, neither of them chose to move out.
They both really liked the atmosphere in Room 402.
After washing up and changing into their training clothes, they left the dormitory.
Qin Feng no longer had permission to enter the first-years’ public Martial Arts Room.
He could only go to the one located in the heart of the entire dormitory complex—the Class A Area’s public Martial Arts Dojo.
Entry to the Class A Area’s public Martial Arts Dojo required C-rank contract clearance.
After passing through several quiet, tree-lined paths, a magnificent, silver-white domed building came into view.
It covered an area more than ten times larger than the first-years’ Martial Arts Room. Its outer walls were made of a light-adjusting Memory Metal that reflected the soft glow of the dawn.
The entrance used a dual iris and genetic scan. After the two of them were verified, a gentle breeze swept past as the doors slid open automatically.
The space inside was even more stunning to Qin Feng.
Beneath the massive, hundred-meter-high dome lay an enormous training space with clearly defined sections and rows of facilities.
To the left were rows of independent Advanced Gravity Rooms, each flickering with a faint blue light.
To the right were all sorts of unheard-of precision testing instruments, from nerve reaction speed testers to cellular energy activity detection pods—they had everything.
In the very center were vast combat areas, separated by Energy Shields.
Even now, at five in the morning, the place was already brightly lit and bustling with figures.
Nearly a hundred students were engrossed in their individual training.
Some were sweating buckets in the Gravity Rooms, while others practiced Mysterious Killing Techniques in the combat zones, the force of their movements creating whistling gusts of wind.
Qin Feng could clearly feel that every single person here emanated a life force fluctuation that was far more powerful and condensed than any first-year student’s.
Most of them were senior students who had been enrolled for a long time.
Almost none had a life force index below 15.0.
Qin Feng even sensed a few faint but terrifying auras, like dormant volcanoes. Those people’s life force indexes had probably already reached the 20.0 mark, but since they hadn’t been promoted to the third year, they were likely making a final push to accumulate enough for a B-rank contract.
"They’re all so strong."
Shi Potian, who was beside Qin Feng, muttered the same thing in a very low voice.
A powerful sense of pressure, and an even stronger desire to catch up, ignited within Qin Feng’s heart.
He wasted no more time. He and Shi Potian each found an empty corner.
He brought up his wrist terminal and projected the 3D instructional video for the Intermediate Imperial Body Refining Method in front of him. He watched it repeatedly while mobilizing all the muscles in his body to begin imitating the movements.
"HISS..."
The very first movement, "Dragon Coil," presented a huge challenge.
His flexibility was far beyond that of a normal person, but he still felt his tendons and bones being stretched to their absolute limit, his muscle fibers crying out in protest.
All the bones in his body emitted faint "KRAK" sounds.
Gritting his teeth, he followed the video, executing the movement with perfect precision.
Just holding the pose for ten seconds caused beads of sweat to form on his forehead, and his entire body ached immensely.
An hour passed before he finally managed to complete the full set of one hundred and eight forms.
By now, he was completely soaked in sweat and slumped on the floor, feeling it was a struggle to even lift a single finger.
The physical torment of the Intermediate Body Refining Technique was dozens of times greater than the beginner version.
He didn’t rest. From his storage container, he took out a Mid-Level Spiritual Energy Potion, something only exchangeable with a C-rank contract.
The pale blue liquid entered his mouth and transformed into a pure, immense warm current of energy that surged through his limbs and torso, repairing his damaged muscles and cells.
A moment later, he had recovered thirty percent of his stamina.
He stood up and began his second repetition of the training.
Another hour passed.
When he collapsed from exhaustion once more, the long-awaited voice finally sounded in his mind.
[Through your unremitting efforts, you have gained a preliminary grasp of the Cultivation Techniques for the Intermediate Imperial Body Refining Method.]
[Intermediate Imperial Body Refining Method Proficiency +1]
Qin Feng immediately pulled up his data panel.
Under the [Refining Method] section, the original [Beginner Imperial Body Refining Technique (Perfection)] had disappeared, integrated into the new Body Refining Technique.
[Refining Method]:
Intermediate Imperial Body Refining Method (Uninitiated)
[Proficiency]: 1 / 10
[Effect]: At the current realm, passively increases life force index by 0.001 points per hour. Body recovery speed and energy absorption efficiency receive a minor boost.
[Note]: When the Intermediate Imperial Body Refining Method reaches Perfection, you will experience your first [Life Evolution].
[Life Evolution]: You will undergo your first evolution in the tide of life evolution, obtaining a sturdier bone structure and muscle form better suited for the Martial Dao. You will become more agile, stronger, and your Spiritual Energy conversion efficiency will be higher!
Seeing the two words "Life Evolution," a sharp glint flashed in Qin Feng’s eyes.
He felt even more motivated. Supported by the Spiritual Energy Potion, he threw himself tirelessly into his training.
The entire morning passed in the blink of an eye.
When he finished his training, his proficiency had increased by another 2 points, reaching 3.
His life force index had also risen by 0.018 points in just a few short hours.
He walked over to a comprehensive testing machine nearby.
He took a deep breath, channeled power from his waist and back, and shot his right fist out like a cannonball. The fist’s edge carried a faint hint of the Thousand Army Spear’s spiraling, piercing force.
"BANG!"
[Punching Power Test]: 5502 KG
It was nearly 400 KG higher than during the monthly exam.
Next was the speed test.
His footwork shifted, his figure darting through the testing area like a phantom. It was the Wandering Dragon Body Technique.
[Comprehensive Speed]: 29.4 m/s
Just as he was nodding at the data, a somewhat surprised voice came from the side.
"Tsk tsk, impressive. Your life force index just passed 10.0, but your punching power can reach 5500 KG, and your speed is ridiculous. You must be a new student who just came up from the first year, right?"
Qin Feng turned his head and saw a well-built young man holding two short alloy batons, sizing him up with great interest.
He could sense that the other party’s life force index was high.
"Hello."
Qin Feng gave a slight nod.
"My name is Sun He, a second-year student."
The young man introduced himself with a smile. "I love fighting against geniuses like you who have just come up. How about it? Interested in having some fun in the private arena?"
He added, "My life force index is 17.8, my baton technique is at the Great Success Realm, and I’m ranked 7200."
’Great Success!’
Qin Feng’s heart skipped a beat.
He hadn’t expected that a random second-year student would have a Slaughter Realm equivalent to his own.
After a moment’s thought, Qin Feng came to terms with it.
Even with ordinary talent, fighting a dozen high-intensity matches a day in the private domain would amount to over three thousand matches in a year.
Such a massive amount of combat experience was enough to hone any killing technique to an extremely high realm.
Besides, no one who could get into Qi Yi High School was a mediocrity.
’It seems my talent for killing techniques isn’t as unique as I thought. To maintain my edge, I’ll have to put in an extraordinary amount of effort!’
As the thought passed through his mind, Qin Feng calmly accepted the challenge.
"Alright."
The two of them opened their Subspace Network terminals, entered the private domain, and added each other as friends.
[Connecting to the Imperial Arena - Qiming First High School (Second Year) Private Domain...]
[Connection Successful!]
With a flash of white light, Qin Feng and Sun He appeared in a virtual scene resembling the Ancient Roman Colosseum, rather than the starry arena of the Imperial Arena.
"Add me. We can have a friendly match so it won’t affect our rankings."
Sun He skillfully sent a friend request.
After Qin Feng accepted, they both entered the match preparation screen.
[Combatant]: Qin Feng
[Equipment]: Light Armor, 3-meter Standard Alloy Long Spear
[Life Force Index]: 10.085
[Combatant]: Sun He
[Equipment]: Light Armor, 0.8-meter Dual-Wield Alloy Short Batons
[Life Force Index]: 17.8
The countdown ended.
The battle began!
In an instant, Sun He’s figure vanished from his spot.
The speed erupting from his feet far surpassed Qin Feng’s!
A vicious gust of wind assaulted him from the left. Qin Feng’s pupils shrank. Without a second thought, his Long Spear shot out like a striking viper, thrusting to the left, while he simultaneously activated the Wandering Dragon Body Technique to retreat rapidly to the right.
"CLANG!"
The spear tip precisely collided with a whistling short baton. The immense force transmitted through the spear’s shaft made the webbing of Qin Feng’s hand go numb, forcing him to stumble back two uncontrollable steps.
’Such incredible strength!’
Before he could regain his footing, Sun He’s second baton had already become an afterimage, striking at his lower body from an extremely tricky angle.
Dual-wielding short batons, his assault was like a relentless storm!
Qin Feng immediately pulled his spear back to defend, weaving the three-meter alloy weapon into a curtain of afterimages that shielded him completely.
"CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!"
The dense cacophony of metal clashing sounded like a torrential downpour on a tin roof.
Qin Feng was completely suppressed.
Sun He’s strength, speed, and reflexes completely crushed him.
His opponent’s baton technique was also at the Great Success Realm, but his experience was far greater. His twin batons flew up and down without any openings, each strike landing on a weak point in Qin Feng’s defense, forcing him to scramble.
’At this rate, I’ll be defeated in less than ten seconds!’
Qin Feng could only leverage the length of his Long Spear to maneuver.
"Thousand Soldiers’ Evasion!"
After grappling for another ten-odd seconds, Qin Feng seized a fleeting opening. He poured all his strength into his Long Spear and executed a powerful, heavy sweep, forcing Sun He’s aggressive attack back and buying himself half a second.
’Now!’
"Flowing Light Chasing Shadow!"
His figure blurred in an instant. Man and spear became one, transforming into a flash of lightning chasing the light as he thrust straight for Sun He’s chest.
This was currently his fastest and strongest move!
A smile of appreciation appeared on Sun He’s face.
"A good move!"
He crossed his batons before his chest, using an exquisitely skillful force-dissipating technique to precisely clamp down on Qin Feng’s spear tip.
"SCREEECH—"
Amid the ear-piercing screech, Qin Feng’s attack, which he was sure would succeed, was forcefully stopped in its tracks.
At the same time, Sun He moved forward instantly, batons still in hand, and shot out a lightning-fast kick with his right foot.
SCREEECH—
The two batons slid rapidly along the clamped Long Spear, scraping out sparks, as Sun He’s right foot squarely struck Qin Feng’s abdomen.
"THUD!"
As if struck by a heavy blow, Qin Feng was sent flying backward, losing his balance in mid-air.
Sun He’s figure followed like a shadow. His dual batons became final afterimages, tapping against Qin Feng’s throat and heart.
[Battle Over]
[Victor: Sun He]
[Time Elapsed: 32 seconds]
Qin Feng’s figure dissipated within the Beast Fighting Arena.
His consciousness returned to reality. Qin Feng took a deep breath, shock written all over his face.
The gap... it was too wide.
Whether in terms of physical strength or combat experience, there was an insurmountable wall between him and these second-year seniors.
’Too strong!’
Even with a long weapon, he could only last thirty seconds against the short batons.
Sun He also logged out of the Subspace Network. He walked up to Qin Feng and laughed, "Not bad! Really, not bad! I thought I’d be able to take you out in one move. A genius is a genius, after all."
"Your strength is formidable. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."
Qin Feng said sincerely.
"Haha, just keep training hard. You have far more potential than I do."
Sun He clapped him on the shoulder. "I’m off to eat."
"Take care."
The two bid each other farewell, wishing the other success on their Martial Dao.
Qin Feng stood his ground and clenched his fists. The frustration of defeat was quickly replaced by an even stronger fighting spirit.
He also turned and headed toward the cafeteria.
’I just have to keep working harder!’