In the experimental field, Kong Ming'an remained unhurried. After ensuring every gaze was fixed on him, his eyes slowly settled on the soldier standing like a statue in the center.
Like an introduction, he spoke calmly:
"Test subject, serial number 037. Martial soul: 'Windbreaker Bear,' mid-tier martial soul. Innate soul power: level 5.
"Age: twenty. Current soul power: level 31.
"Has undergone systematic cultivation of the 'Body Tempering Method' for five months and seven days.
"During this period, his soul power broke through to level 32, and his third soul ring is 2,100 years old."
As his words concluded, the alloy door on the opposite side of the field slid open silently.
A young soldier in military uniform—without any test cables or armor—strode in confidently.
He was powerfully built, though slightly shorter than 037. His eyes gleamed with sharp arrogance and battle intent; a scorching aura subtly radiated with each step.
Kong Ming'an shifted his gaze to the newcomer, his voice still calm and unwavering:
"Opponent: reserve soldier of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Legion. Martial soul: 'Blazing Flame Exploding Bear,' high-tier martial soul. Innate soul power: level 7.
"Age: eighteen. Current soul power: level 38.
"Has not undergone 'Body Tempering Method' cultivation. Third soul ring: 1,500 years old."
Level-7 innate soul power versus level-5!
High-tier martial soul versus mid-tier!
Level 38 versus level 31!
Eighteen years old versus twenty!
On paper, the reserve soldier held an overwhelming advantage.
On the second-floor platform, every eye locked onto the two figures below.
Meng Hongchen unconsciously clutched the corner of Jing Hongchen's robe beside her, her ice-blue eyes wide and unblinking. Xiao Hongchen, standing nearby, temporarily set aside his usual pride; a hint of confusion flickered in his gaze as he tried to understand the setup.
Kong Ming'an ignored the reactions from above. He simply waited until both men were in position, then gave a casual wave:
"Begin."
The instant the command fell… *Roar—!*
The reserve soldier released his martial soul without hesitation. For this seemingly "unfair" test, he had been holding back his frustration for far too long.
Dark red fur erupted across his body; muscles bulged dramatically; his hands transformed into massive claws wreathed in crimson flames. A scorching heatwave instantly swept outward!
Without pause, his first soul ring lit up with bright yellow light. Like an ignited cannonball, he charged forward with raging flames and a piercing sonic boom!
Speed, strength, and overwhelming aura suppression—the full advantages of his high-tier martial soul were on vivid display.
Yet, facing this ferocious pounce, 037 remained exceptionally calm. He neither released his martial soul nor activated any soul rings.
He simply stood firm, body sinking slightly into a basic defensive stance.
"Is he insane?" Xiao Hongchen couldn't help frowning.
No soul skills, no martial soul—just relying on raw physical strength to withstand a level-38 assault-system soul master's charged attack?
Even as fellow Spirit Elders, the gap in martial soul quality and soul power level was undeniable! This was practically suicide!
Just as the blazing claw wind closed in, 037 moved.
His shift was minimal—yet precise to the millimeter.
He sidestepped gently right before the heatwave and sharp shadows struck.
*Boom!*
The flaming claw slammed into the ground where 037 had stood moments earlier, scorching deep marks into the sturdy alloy floor.
The miss sparked astonishment in the reserve soldier's eyes, but he didn't falter. His second soul ring ignited immediately.
He swept his claws in a violent arc, unleashing fan-shaped scorching flames that sealed off escape routes. At the same time, his third soul ring flashed purple; he opened his mouth and spat crimson fireballs straight at 037's face.
The soul skill chain was smooth and ruthless—battle-hardened experience at work.
Yet, against this omnidirectional fiery assault from above, below, and the sides, 037 still refused to use soul power. His movements were swift and ghostly, calmly dodging each fireball with unhurried precision.
Every evasion anticipated the opponent's trajectory perfectly, relying solely on physical coordination and reaction speed.
It was as if every muscle and bone in his body answered to absolute control!
"This..." Xiao Hongchen was stunned.
Was this really a Spirit Elder? A mid-tier martial soul user who had only recently entered the Spirit Elder realm—suppressing a high-tier martial soul veteran who'd been at that level for years and was close to Spirit Ancestor?
In the field, the reserve soldier grew increasingly alarmed as the fight dragged on; impatience crept in.
His prized soul skills—and the power and flame suppression from his high-tier martial soul—seemed utterly ineffective.
Soul power drained wildly, yet every strike landed like punching cotton—futile!
*Roar!!*
In fury, he poured his remaining soul power into his third soul ring, which erupted in purple brilliance!
Flames surged around him; his claws converged, condensing a violently burning Blazing Flame Exploding Bomb packed with terrifying energy—poised for a reckless blast!
An all-out gamble.
But in that split second—old force exhausted, new force not yet risen, bomb on the verge of release—a fleeting flaw appeared—
037, who had stayed purely defensive, suddenly exploded into motion.
No soul ring glow—just pure, extreme physical power. Fine cracks spiderwebbed the alloy ground beneath his feet as he blurred into an afterimage, closing the distance instantly!
Then, a simple yet lightning-swift straight punch hammered into the reserve soldier's slightly forward-tilted face!
*Bang—!!!*
A dull, resounding thud echoed.
The Blazing Flame Exploding Bomb's light dissipated instantly. The reserve soldier's triumphant expression froze, twisting into extreme pain and bewilderment.
His sturdy body flew backward several meters like a broken kite, crashing hard to the ground, rolling twice before lying still—completely unconscious.
In the field, 037 slowly withdrew his fist. His breathing remained steady; aside from light sweat from the exertion, no obvious injuries marred his body.
He glanced at his fallen opponent, then turned calmly toward Kong Ming'an, bowed respectfully, and—at a casual wave from the boy—moved to the assistant researchers for routine data recording.
The second-floor platform plunged into a silence deeper than when Kong Ming'an had first stood.
Every ninth-level Soul Engineer—and the high-ranking Sun Moon Empire officials invited to witness this—stared with eyes blazing in astonishment!
They fixed their gazes on the soldier below who had defeated a level-38 high-tier martial soul master using only his physical body.
And in that dead silence, Kong Ming'an's small figure stood out with exceptional clarity.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping calmly over the frozen faces above—as if everything had unfolded exactly as anticipated.
No trace of triumph or showmanship. With that steady voice—almost masking his youthful immaturity—he spoke slowly:
"This is the result of five months cultivating the 'Body Tempering Method.' Everyone... are you satisfied?"