Chapter 69: Strength Gap

Chapter 69: Gap in Strength

……

The next morning, at exactly five o'clock.

His internal clock roused Qin Feng from deep sleep.

He opened his eyes; the room was pitch black, but his vision could already faintly discern objects in the darkness.

In the next room, Shi Potian and Qian Duoduo also rose punctually.

The three had grown accustomed to waking early.

Although both Qin Feng and Shi Potian had been promoted to C-rank contracts and qualified for single-person quarters in the A-class zone, neither chose to move out.

They both loved the atmosphere of Room 402.

After washing up, they changed into training uniforms and left the dormitory.

Qin Feng no longer had the authority to enter the public martial arts hall for first-year high school students.

He could only go to the A-class zone public martial arts field, located at the heart of the entire dormitory area.

To enter the A-class zone public martial arts field, one needed C-rank contract clearance.

Passing through several quiet, tree-lined paths, a magnificent silver-white domed building appeared before him.

Its footprint was more than ten times larger than the first-year martial arts hall, and its outer walls were made of a memory metal that could adjust light, reflecting a soft luster in the morning glow.

The entrance featured dual iris and gene scanning. After the two passed verification, a gentle breeze swept by, and the door slid open automatically.

The interior space left Qin Feng awestruck.

Beneath a colossal dome nearly a hundred meters high lay a vast training space with clearly divided zones and an array of facilities.

To the left were rows of independent, advanced gravity chambers glowing with a faint blue light;

To the right were various unheard-of precision testing instruments, from neural reaction speed testers to cellular energy activity detection pods—everything was available.

In the center were expansive combat areas separated by energy shields.

At five in the morning, the place was already brightly lit and bustling with figures.

Nearly a hundred students were immersed in their own training.

Some were sweating profusely in the gravity chambers; others were practicing arcane killing techniques in the combat zones, the rushing wind howling.

Qin Feng could clearly sense that everyone here exuded a surging, condensed life force fluctuation far surpassing that of first-year students.

Most of them were senior students who had been enrolled for a long time.

Their life force indices were almost never below 15.0.

In fact, Qin Feng even detected a few faint, dormant volcanic-like auras—those individuals' life force indices had likely reached the 20.0 threshold, though they hadn't yet advanced to third year, probably making final preparations to break through to B-rank contracts.

"Everyone is too strong."

Beside him, Shi Potian uttered the same words in an extremely low voice.

A powerful pressure and an even stronger desire to catch up ignited within Qin Feng.

He wasted no more time. He and Shi Potian each found an empty corner.

He pulled up his wrist terminal, projecting the 3D instructional video of the *Intermediate Imperial Body-Training Method* before him. As he watched it repeatedly, he mobilized every muscle in his body and began to imitate.

"Hiss..."

The very first move, "Dragon Coil," posed a tremendous challenge.

His body's flexibility far exceeded that of an ordinary person, but he still felt his tendons and bones stretched to their limits, muscle fibers groaning under the strain.

Every bone in his body emitted faint cracking sounds.

Gritting his teeth, he matched the video precisely, executing the movement without a single deviation.

Just holding the posture for ten seconds caused beads of sweat as large as beans to form on his forehead, and his entire body ached unbearably.

After an hour, he barely managed to complete all 108 forms in sequence.

By then, he was drenched, collapsed on the ground, finding it difficult even to lift a finger.

The torment of the Intermediate Body-Training Method on the flesh was dozens of times greater than the basic version.

He didn't rest. From his storage box, he took out an intermediate psychic potion, redeemable only with a C-rank contract.

The pale blue liquid entered his mouth, transforming into a pure and vast warm current of energy that surged through his limbs and bones, repairing his damaged muscles and cells.

After a moment, his stamina recovered by thirty percent.

He stood up and began the second round of practice.

Another hour passed.

When he collapsed from exhaustion again, the long-awaited voice finally echoed in his mind.

[Through unremitting effort, you have initially grasped the cultivation secrets of the *Intermediate Imperial Body-Training Method*.]

[*Intermediate Imperial Body-Training Method* Proficiency +1]

Qin Feng immediately pulled up his data panel.

In the [Cultivation Method] column, the original *Basic Imperial Body-Training Method (Mastered)* had vanished, merged with the new method.

[Cultivation Method]:

Intermediate Imperial Body-Training Method (Uninitiated)

[Proficiency]: 1 / 10

[Effect]: At the current stage, passively increases life force index by 0.001 per hour. Body recovery speed and energy absorption efficiency receive a minor boost.

[Note]: When the *Intermediate Imperial Body-Training Method* reaches Mastery, you will undergo your first [Life Evolution].

[Life Evolution]: You will experience the first evolution in the life evolution surge, gaining a sturdier skeletal structure and muscle form better suited for martial arts. You will become more agile, stronger, and more efficient in psychic energy conversion!

Seeing the words "Life Evolution," a glint of light flashed in Qin Feng's eyes.

He felt even more motivated. Sustained by the psychic potion, he threw himself into training tirelessly.

The entire morning passed in the blink of an eye.

When he finished his practice, his proficiency had increased by another 2 points, reaching 3.

His life force index had also risen by 0.018 points in those few hours.

He walked over to the nearby comprehensive testing machine.

Taking a deep breath, he engaged his waist and back, and his right fist shot out like a cannonball. At the fist's edge, there was a faint hint of the spiral penetrating force from the *Thousand Army Spear*.

"Bang!"

[Punch Power Test]: 5502 KG

Nearly 400 KG higher than during the monthly exam.

Next came the speed test.

His footwork shifted, and his form darted through the testing area like a phantom—the "Wandering Dragon" movement technique.

【Composite Speed】: 29.4m/s

Just as he nodded at the data, a voice tinged with surprise came from beside him.

“Tsk tsk, impressive. With a vitality index just over 10.0, you can punch with 5500KG, and your speed is ridiculously fast. This classmate, you’re a freshman just up from first year, right?”

Qin Feng turned his head and saw a well-proportioned youth holding two alloy short rods, eyeing him with keen interest.

He could sense that the other’s vitality index was high.

“Hello.”

Qin Feng gave a slight nod.

“I’m Sun He, a senior from second year.”

The youth introduced himself with a smile, “I love sparring with rising talents like you. How about it, want to hit the private arena?” He added, “My vitality index is 17.8, my staff technique is at Grandmaster level, ranked 7200.”

Grandmaster!

Qin Feng’s heart stirred.

He hadn’t expected that a random second-year senior would match his own killing-art level.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Feng let it go.

Even with average talent, if you fought a dozen high-intensity matches in the private domain every day, that’d be over three thousand in a year.

Such massive practical experience could polish any killing art to an extremely high level.

Besides, anyone who got into Qiming First High wasn’t mediocre.

“It seems my talent in killing arts isn’t as unique as I thought. To keep my edge, I’ll have to put in extraordinary effort!”

These thoughts flashed through Qin Feng’s mind, but on the surface he calmly accepted the challenge.

“Alright.”

The two opened their subspace network terminals, entered the private domain, and added each other as friends.

[Connecting to Empire Arena – Qiming First High (Second Year) Private Domain…]

[Connection successful!]

A flash of white light, and Qin Feng and Sun He appeared in a virtual scene like an ancient Roman Colosseum, not the starry arena of the Empire Arena.

“Add me as a friend, we’ll do a friendly match, won’t affect points.”

Sun He sent a friend request with practiced ease.

After Qin Feng accepted, they entered the battle preparation interface.

[Combatant]: Qin Feng

[Equipment]: Light armor, 3-meter standard alloy spear

[Vitality Index]: 10.085

[Combatant]: Sun He

[Equipment]: Light armor, 0.8-meter dual-wield alloy short rods

[Vitality Index]: 17.8

The countdown ended.

Battle began!

Almost instantly, Sun He’s figure vanished from where he stood.

The speed he burst into from his feet far exceeded Qin Feng’s!

A vicious wind came from the left. Qin Feng’s pupils contracted. Without thinking, his spear shot out like a venomous snake striking left, while his feet moved with the “Wandering Dragon” footwork, retreating sharply to the right.

“Clang!”

The spear tip collided precisely with a whistling short rod. The immense force transmitted through the shaft numbed Qin Feng’s tiger’s mouth, and he uncontrollably stumbled back two steps.

Such power!

Before he could steady himself, Sun He’s second short rod had already turned into a blur, coming from an extremely tricky angle straight for his lower body.

Dual-wielding short rods, the assault was like a storm, relentless and unbroken!

Qin Feng immediately withdrew his spear to defend, spinning the three-meter alloy spear into a curtain of steel, shielding himself tightly.

“Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!”

The dense clatter of metal striking metal merged into a continuous roar, like rain hammering a tin roof.

Qin Feng was completely suppressed.

Sun He overwhelmed him in strength, speed, and reaction.

His staff technique was also at Grandmaster level, but his experience was far richer. The twin rods flew up and down without a flaw, each strike hitting Qin Feng’s defensive weak points, forcing him into a flurry.

At this rate, he’d lose in less than ten seconds!

Qin Feng could only rely on the reach of his spear to buy time.

“A Thousand Troops Yield!”

After another dozen seconds of grappling, Qin Feng seized a fleeting opening, pouring all his strength into the spear. A sweeping blow of immense force forced Sun He back, buying himself half a second.

Now!

“Flowing Light Chasing Shadow!”

His figure blurred instantly, man and spear becoming one, a bolt of lightning aimed straight at Sun He’s chest.

This was his fastest, strongest move!

A hint of appreciative smile crossed Sun He’s face.

“Well done!”

He crossed his two rods before his chest, using an exquisite technique of deflection, precisely clamping Qin Feng’s spear tip.

“Screech—”

In the harsh scraping sound, Qin Feng’s sure-hit strike was halted mid-flight.

At the same time, Sun He’s body shifted forward with the rods, his right foot shooting out like lightning.

Screech-screech—

The twin rods, gripping the spear, slid rapidly, sparking, as Sun He’s right foot slammed into Qin Feng’s abdomen.

“Thud!”

Qin Feng was struck hard, sent flying backward, losing balance midair.

Sun He’s figure followed like a shadow, his twin rods turning into final blurs, touching Qin Feng’s throat and heart.

[Battle Over]

[Winner: Sun He]

[Time: 32 seconds]

Qin Feng's figure dissipated in the arena.

His consciousness returned to reality; Qin Feng took a deep breath, his face etched with shock.

The gap was too vast.

Whether in physical strength or combat experience, an insurmountable wall stood between him and these second-year seniors.

They were too strong!

Even wielding a long weapon, he could only last thirty seconds against a short staff.

Sun He also withdrew from the subspace network. He walked up to Qin Feng and said with a smile, "Not bad! Really not bad! I thought I could take you out in one move. A genius, indeed a genius."

"Senior, your strength is formidable. I admit defeat wholeheartedly."

Qin Feng said sincerely.

"Haha, keep training hard. Your potential is far greater than mine."

Sun He patted him on the shoulder. "I'm going to eat now."

"Take care, Senior."

The two bid each other farewell, wishing each other good fortune in martial endeavors.

Qin Feng stood still, clenching his fist. The frustration of defeat was quickly replaced by an even stronger fighting spirit.

He too turned and walked toward the cafeteria.

He must keep striving!

(End of this chapter)