In the experimental field, Kong Mingan remained unhurried. After making sure everyone's gaze was fixed on him, his eyes slowly fell upon the soldier who stood like a statue in the field. Like he was giving a formal introduction, he spoke with a calm and steady voice:
"Test subject, serial number 037. Spirit is the Windbreaker Bear, which is an Intermediate Spirit. His Innate spirit power was Rank five. He is twenty years old, and his spirit power is currently Rank thirty-one.
This man has undergone systematic cultivation of the Body Tempering Method for exactly five months and seven days. During his cultivation, his spirit power broke through to Rank thirty-two, and the age of his third spirit ring is two thousand one hundred years."
As his words fell, the alloy door on the other side of the experimental field silently slid open. A young soldier, also in a military uniform but without any test cables or armor, strode into the room. He was also well-built, though he was slightly shorter than subject 037. His eyes were sharp and filled with a sense of pride and battle intent that he didn't try to hide. A scorching aura subtly drifted from his body with every step he took.
Kong Mingan's gaze turned to the newcomer, and his voice remained calm and unwavering as he continued:
"His opponent is a reserve soldier from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Legion. His Spirit is the Blazing Flame Exploding Bear, which is an Advanced Spirit. His Innate spirit power was Rank seven. He is eighteen years old, and his spirit power is Rank thirty-eight. He has not undergone any cultivation with the Body Tempering Method, and his third spirit ring is only one thousand five hundred years old."
The difference between them was clear to everyone watching. It was Innate spirit power Rank seven versus Rank five. It was an Advanced Spirit versus an Intermediate Spirit. It was Rank thirty-eight versus Rank thirty-one. It was an eighteen-year-old genius versus a twenty-year-old common soldier. Purely from the data on paper, this reserve soldier held an overwhelming advantage in every way.
On the second-floor platform, all eyes were focused on the two individuals below. Meng Hongchen unconsciously clutched the corner of Jing Hongchen's robe, her ice-blue eyes watching without blinking. Xiao Hongchen, standing beside them, finally put away his arrogance for a moment. His eyes showed a hint of confusion because he didn't understand what this test was trying to prove.
Kong Mingan ignored the reactions from the people above him. He simply watched until both men were in their starting positions, then he waved his hand very casually and said:
"Begin."
The moment the command was given, a loud roar echoed through the lab. The reserve soldier attached his Spirit without any hesitation. He felt this test was a bit unfair and had been holding back his anger for a long time. Dark red fur covered his entire body, his muscles bulged, and his hands transformed into giant claws burning with crimson flames. A scorching heatwave instantly spread out across the room.
Without any hesitation, his first spirit ring shone brightly with a yellow light. He was like an ignited cannonball, rushing fiercely toward 037 with raging flames and the piercing sound of breaking air. His speed, strength, and the natural suppression of an Advanced Spirit were fully displayed.
However, facing this fierce pounce, subject 037 remained exceptionally calm. He did not attach his Spirit, nor did he light up any of his spirit rings. He simply stood firmly rooted to the ground, his body sinking slightly into the most basic defensive stance.
"Is he crazy?" Xiao Hongchen couldn't help but frown as he watched.
He couldn't believe his eyes. The man was not using a Spirit Ability, not using his Spirit, and was relying solely on his physical body to withstand an attack from a Rank thirty-eight attack system Spirit Master. Even if 037 was also a Spirit Elder, the difference in Spirit quality and spirit power Rank was a real gap. To Xiao Hongchen, this looked like the man was just looking for a way to die.
Just as the blazing flame claw reached his body, 037 moved. His movement was tiny, yet it was precise down to the millimeter. His body gently turned sideways just before the scorching heat and sharp claws struck him.
A loud boom followed. The blazing flame claw slammed hard onto the ground where 037 had been standing just a second ago. It left scorched marks on the sturdy alloy floor that were clearly visible to everyone. Missing his attack, a trace of surprise flashed in the reserve soldier's eyes, but he didn't stop. His second spirit ring lit up immediately after.
He swept his claws violently to both sides, and scorching flames erupted in a fan shape to trap his opponent. At the same time, his third spirit ring flashed with a purple light. He opened his mouth to spit out balls of crimson fire, shooting them directly at 037's face. His Spirit Ability connections were smooth and ruthless, showing the experience he had gained in real combat.
Yet, facing this all-around fiery attack from every direction, 037 still didn't use any spirit power. His movements were as fast as Yu Xiaogang's old friend Gui Mei. He calmly and unhurriedly dodged each fireball.
Each evasion seemed to precisely predict where the attack was going. He used only pure physical coordination and reaction speed to dodge one attack after another. It seemed as if every muscle and every bone in his body was under his absolute control.
"This..." Xiao Hongchen was completely stunned.
He wondered if this was really a Spirit Elder. How could a Spirit Master with an Intermediate Spirit, who had just entered the Spirit Elder realm, use pure physical strength to suppress an Advanced Spirit Master who had been at Rank thirty-eight for a long time?
In the experimental field, the reserve soldier grew more and more alarmed as he fought. He was losing his patience. His proud Spirit Abilities and the power of his Advanced Spirit seemed to have no effect at all. His spirit power was being used up quickly, but every attack he made was like hitting cotton. It was all for nothing.
He roared in fury and poured all his remaining spirit power into his third spirit ring. The purple light burst forth. Flames surged around his entire body as his claws came together to create a burning Blazing Flame Exploding Bomb. It was filled with terrifying energy and he was ready to blast his opponent away. This was his final, all-out gamble.
However, just as he was concentrating all his power and before he could release the bomb, he left a small opening. 037, who had been defending the whole time, suddenly moved. There was no spirit ring light, only pure and extreme physical strength. Fine cracks appeared on the hard alloy ground beneath his feet as he transformed into a blurred afterimage. He closed the distance instantly.
Then, a simple but lightning-fast straight punch slammed heavily into the reserve soldier's face. A dull, ear-splitting thud rang out through the laboratory. The light of the Blazing Flame Exploding Bomb vanished instantly.
The confident expression on the reserve soldier's face froze and turned into extreme pain. His strong body flew backward several meters like a kite with a broken string. He crashed heavily to the ground, rolled twice, and then lay motionless, completely unconscious.
In the field, 037 slowly retracted his fist. His breathing was steady. Apart from a little bit of sweat from the effort, there were no injuries on his body. He glanced at his fallen opponent, then turned toward Kong Mingan and bowed with deep respect. At Kong Mingan's casual wave, he went over to the researchers to begin recording his data.
The entire second-floor platform fell into a silence that was even deeper than before. All the Rank nine Soul Engineers and the high-ranking officials stared at the scene below. Their eyes were filled with absolute shock. They couldn't stop looking at the soldier who had defeated a Rank thirty-eight Advanced Spirit Master using nothing but his physical body.
In this dead silence, Kong Mingan's figure appeared exceptionally clear. He slowly raised his head and looked at the frozen faces of the powerful people on the second floor. It looked as if everything that had happened was exactly what he expected. Without acting proud or showing off, he spoke in that calm voice that made him sound much older than he was:
"This is the result of cultivating the Body Tempering Method for five months. Everyone... are you satisfied?"