Chapter 225: Chapter 143: Master, the World of the Superpower Level (Part 2)
He reached out and touched the stone table. The rock distorted and disintegrated inch by inch, as if it were melting, or perhaps being crushed by an object of incredible mass.
Then, he threw a punch.
BOOM!!
Lu Chao’s eardrums rang. He felt the air tremble as if a barrel of dynamite had exploded right next to him.
Even his vision distorted for a moment. It was clearly the high temperature of the Martial Arts Flame searing the air, its destructive potential far greater than a simple burst of several tons of force.
"The Martial Arts Flame is a Martial Artist’s greatest weapon. It has endless uses, whether for defense, offense, healing, and so on."
Seeing the surprise on his face, Luo Qianshan slowly retracted his Qi Flame and asked, "Do you still remember what I told you before?"
Lu Chao paused for a moment before coming to his senses.
"Master, are you referring to how, for a fighter, Martial Arts Power largely determines the strength of their Life Energy?"
"Mm, that’s right."
Luo Qianshan nodded in satisfaction, pleased that he had always remembered this.
"The same logic applies to the Martial Arts Flame."
"It’s a special energy unique to Martial Artists, stimulated from within their cells. In essence, it’s a synthesis of all biological power, and it’s inextricably linked to a Martial Artist’s strength."
"When the Martial Arts Flame grows stronger, it can better temper the body, nourishing it in return. When the body becomes stronger, the Martial Arts Flame it generates will also be more formidable. The two complement each other."
Lu Chao fell into thought, understanding the key point.
’So, at the Superpower Level, the Martial Arts Flame isn’t just for executing Martial Skills or augmenting power, speed, and defense.’
’It’s also closely tied to all sorts of training.’
"So, after reaching the Superpower Level, training requires using the Martial Arts Flame to some extent?"
"Correct."
Luo Qianshan nodded again, not surprised that Lu Chao could grasp the implications so quickly.
"Some external tools, like gravity rooms or equipment made from higher-quality alloys, can also aid in training and help a Martial Artist temper their body. But in the end, the Martial Arts Flame is what has the greatest effect."
He said gravely, "Therefore, there are also different tiers of strength within the Superpower Level."
"With every increase in Life Energy, the gap in power index corresponding to each point of Life Energy widens, far more than the average person can imagine... As for how we divide the levels of strength, we often call it the Superpower Three Gates."
He shared a lot of Superpower Knowledge, and Lu Chao felt his horizons broaden as he understood much more.
Finally, out of curiosity, he asked what level of the Superpower Level his master was currently at.
"Ahem, as for me, I’m injured."
"It’s inevitable that my strength isn’t at its peak."
Luo Qianshan raised a hand to cover his mouth, his expression a bit unnatural. He cleared his throat and said, "Alright, that’s enough for now."
"It’s getting late. You should go back and rest."
Lu Chao was stunned for a moment, then he understood.
A quiet smile touched his lips. He nodded, gave a fist-and-palm salute, and then left.
As he walked out of Jinshi Boxing Hall, Lu Chao’s mind kept replaying the Superpower Knowledge Luo Qianshan had revealed.
’The Superpower Three Gates...’
The *Life Energy Development Theory* only covered levels below the hundred-point mark.
As for the realms and information beyond one hundred Life Energy, there was only a single line of description.
[Universe Exploration Warrior!]
[Can adapt to the gravitational environments of most planets and complete initial landing and exploration!]
In other words, no matter how vast the power disparities were within the Superpower Three Gates, as long as he could officially step into that level, he would be able to stand his ground anywhere in the Alliance Country.
Correspondingly, the so-called pressure and threats would no longer be so suffocating.
The thought flashed through his mind, and Lu Chao’s anticipation grew stronger as he quietly set a new goal for himself.
’The Superpower Level!’
’I have to reach the Superpower Level as soon as possible!’
...
「In mid-June, the weather grew warmer.」
For seven or eight days straight, because his special promotion had been officially approved and his transfer orders were about to be issued, and with Miss Su and the others preparing to leave, Lu Chao was completely relieved of his security duties. He no longer had to go to the inner ring of the city or Ring Academy.
Thanks to this, he had enough time every day to devote all his energy to his Martial Arts training and the development of the Superpower Potion.
BANG! BANG!
On this day, the floor of the quiet room on the second floor of Jinshi Boxing Hall vibrated from his steps, sending dust motes flying.
The solid Ironman Hard Stake standing in the room was dented and deformed from the impacts.
The difficulty of training at the Elite Level was far greater than before, and the requirements for training equipment were also much stricter.
Even so, over the past week, Lu Chao had already destroyed three Ironman Hard Stakes.
*Phew!*
Finally, with sweat dripping down his face, his white training uniform was already soaked through. Waves of soreness spread from the muscles and bones all over his body.
After more than two straight hours of all-out exertion, even a veteran Elite Level practitioner would feel exceptionally exhausted.
Lu Chao gasped for breath several times before finally pausing his training.
He then wiped his sweat, walked to the side, picked up a water bottle, and chugged the entire thing.
As he drank, he glanced at the Ironman Hard Stake. From its head to its torso, it was covered in concave Fist Seals, twisted and broken. It was clearly about to be scrapped.
’No wonder Master Luo said that Martial Artists need to rely more on their Martial Arts Flame for training.’
’At the Elite Level alone, my fists can already shatter steel. To temper my body and practice Martial Arts methods, I need high-quality equipment. As for a Martial Artist...’
GULP. GULP. GULP.
Lu Chao shook his head to himself.
’With physical strength that surpasses ordinary mortals... I suppose only equipment made from special steel alloys could even be used to assist with training, right?’
The thought passed, and he looked out the window, his gaze sweeping over a car parked on the street.
For the past few days, although the special task force hadn’t come to question him again, the people from the Biotechnology Company were still tailing him, not letting up much.
He was still a target of suspicion. The matter wasn’t over yet.
However, as soon as the special envoy from Yao Capital arrived in Ring City and gave him his transfer orders, he could start preparing to leave.
At this thought, a glint appeared in Lu Chao’s eyes.
’I already have a plan to get away.’
However...
"Hey, I heard from my uncle that the punitive expedition force still hasn’t been able to assemble its troops. It seems they ran into some trouble. But Lu Shan’s army is already camped a hundred kilometers outside the city. I wonder if they’re going to attack."
"For real? You can’t just say things like that."
"What do you mean, ’say things like that’? It’s true! Haven’t you seen the prices at the supermarket go up again? I’m telling you, you’d better start preparing. A war might break out again."
"What’s there to be afraid of? We’re all here at the boxing hall. With Master Luo and Senior Brother Lu around, nothing will happen to us."
His Elite Level hearing had long surpassed that of an ordinary person, so he could naturally hear the discussions among the disciples downstairs.
Nearly a month had passed since the punitive expedition’s defeat.
It didn’t seem like a long time, but the situation in the wilderness was changing in the blink of an eye.
At some point, the Wilderness Daily had quietly become the most popular news source, getting nearly ten million views every day.
The warlord Lu Shan had not only occupied Ogrin’s territory but had also absorbed numerous scattered warlords and wiped out many of the settlements outside the city.
Judging by his posture, no one would dare disbelieve it if you said he would attack the city tomorrow.
Thinking of this, Lu Chao felt a sense of urgency.
’With the situation so complicated, it would naturally be better to get away a day sooner.’
’But, Yuanqing, Master Luo, and the others...’
BZZZT!
Suddenly, his wrist device vibrated, interrupting his thoughts.
It was a message from Yang Wangtao.
[Captain Yang: The envoy from Yao Capital has arrived.]
After reading the message, Lu Chao stood in silence for several breaths.
"Hoo!"
Finally, he let out a long breath and strode out of the quiet room.
’Regardless of what the transfer orders say, I’ll go to the Patrol Department first and see what’s going on.’
Pushing the thought aside, he quickly went to the shower, rinsed off, and changed into a clean set of clothes.
He then walked out of the boxing hall, following the familiar alley straight toward the tram station.
The concrete buildings on both sides were mostly low-rises, and the concrete walls along the street were less than two meters high.
It was afternoon, and there were few pedestrians. Most were elderly folks sunbathing downstairs, chatting about everything under the sun, or a few unemployed middle-aged men and women hurrying about nearby.
It should have been an ordinary scene. But...
’Hm?’
His heart skipped a beat as his keen senses picked up on something unusual.
The feeling of being watched crept over him. Lu Chao glanced at the side of the street behind him.
A black car was parked at the corner of the alley, its front end peeking out, as if someone inside was watching him.
At the same time, he saw a figure in a trench coat with his hands in his pockets, wearing black sunglasses and leaning against a telephone pole.
The cybernetic implant patterns on his neck were quite conspicuous; he was clearly an Armored Transformer.
"Finished your training?"
he asked nonchalantly, glancing sideways at Lu Chao as if he had been waiting for some time.
[Carbon-based Human]
[Life Energy: 99]
’An Armored Transformer infinitely close to the Superpower Level.’
The information from his intuition surfaced in his mind. Lu Chao frowned slightly as a suspicion arose.
’Someone from the Biotechnology Company?’
’Or maybe...’
"And you are?"
"I’m here to see what you’re made of."
The man spoke indifferently, his hands still in his pockets, looking down on him. "To see if the genius from a small place like Ring City is a dragon or a worm."
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