After saying goodbye to Lin Qingxia, Xiao Han did not return to the crowded freshman dormitory.
He changed direction and headed straight for the deeper part of the Zero Class's exclusive area.
Core Sequence members deserve better treatment.
After passing through a light curtain that required special access verification, the space in front of me suddenly opened up.
No longer the bustling public area, this place is now a series of independent courtyards, quiet and filled with an incredibly thick spiritual energy that makes you feel refreshed with just one breath.
Each courtyard is surrounded by invisible energy fluctuations, formed by small spirit-gathering arrays and defensive barriers, with some flowers, plants, and trees separating them so that they do not disturb each other.
"A-07."
Xiao Han found his room number and swiped his card on the access control.
"Drop."
The door opened.
The interior is very spacious, with a meditation room, a bedroom, and even a small alchemy room—it has everything you need.
He focused his attention on the innermost cultivation room, where the spiritual energy was almost impenetrable, and the walls were covered with densely packed runes that glowed faintly. This was definitely the A-level cultivation room that Lin Qingxia had mentioned.
"Tsk, this place..." Xiao Han looked around, feeling much more at ease. "It's much better than that pigeon coop."
That makes sense.
Just as he was about to look around again, the protective barrier around the courtyard suddenly trembled slightly.
Someone outside has triggered the communication array.
Someone came knocking on our door so quickly?
Xiao Han walked to the door and lifted the restriction.
A large man was standing outside the door.
The young man was nearly two meters tall, with bulging muscles all over his body and tanned skin. Just his presence made the air seem heavier.
He glanced at Xiao Han from head to toe, his gaze direct and sharp, undisguisedly assessing him, and tinged with a hint of hostility.
"You are Xiao Han?" the young man asked, his voice deep and muffled, resonating in his chest.
"I heard you knocked Luo Bing down with one punch?"
Xiao Han's expression remained unchanged. "What is it?"
"My name is Shi Lei." The young man grinned, revealing very white teeth. Combined with his physique, the smile looked somewhat naive, but the eagerness to fight emanating from him was even stronger.
"Fifth in the Core Sequence."
"Luo Bing is quite arrogant, but he's actually quite capable. It's interesting that you managed to take him down with one punch."
Shi Lei raised his hand and patted his chest twice with a muffled sound, like the beating of a drum.
"However, simply defeating Luo Bing isn't enough."
"If you want to gain a foothold in the Core Sequence, you have to show people your true abilities. How about it, do you dare to come with me to the training grounds for a couple of rounds?"
Challenge.
They came so quickly.
Xiao Han wasn't surprised. In places like the Core Sequence, might makes right. As a newcomer who rose through the ranks in that manner, it would be strange if he wasn't being watched.
"Two trips?" Xiao Han raised the corner of his mouth.
"Okay."
"However, I won't be responsible if you accidentally break it."
Shi Lei was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. His laughter was so loud and powerful that it made the courtyard gate vibrate.
"Good lad! You're arrogant enough! I like it!"
"Let's go! Right now! To the core training ground!"
The core training ground is located in the very center of the Zero Class area.
That place was much sturdier than ordinary martial arts arenas outside, and its energy protection was much stronger. Even if two Martial Grandmasters were fighting fiercely inside, no one outside would feel anything.
When Xiao Han followed Shi Lei here, he found that there were already a few scattered figures standing around the training ground.
Clearly, news of Shi Lei challenging the newcomers has already reached the ears of the other core members.
One of the figures stood out, Xia Yubing, who had previously invited Xiao Han to team up with her. Upon seeing Xiao Han, a look of worry crossed her face. She seemed about to say something, but was stopped by a cold-eyed woman beside her.
Instructor Qin Zhen stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, but a hint of curiosity lingered in his eyes. He wanted to see for himself how Xiao Han, whom he had misjudged, would perform when facing the truly formidable opponents in the Core Sequence.
"Shi Lei 'Titan Body (SSS-) awakening level has increased again. In a pure physical defense Martial Master Realm who can break through it."
"Luo Bing lost because she underestimated her opponent and was careless. Shi Lei is different; he'll make it difficult for you to hit him even if you just stand there."
"What kind of skills does this newcomer Xiao Han have? Can he really withstand Shi Lei's Titan Body?"
Several core members whispered among themselves, their gazes shifting between Xiao Han and Shi Lei. They admitted that Xiao Han's victory over Luo Bing was astonishing, but Shi Lei was a different kind of formidable opponent, renowned for his defense and strength, and was the undisputed "tank" of the Core Sequence.
In the center of the training ground, Shi Lei stretched his limbs, producing a series of crackling sounds. He looked at Xiao Han, his fighting spirit high. "The rules are simple: stop when you've made your point. Surrendering or losing your fighting ability means you've lost. Are you ready?"
Xiao Han nodded. "Anytime is fine."
"Good!" Shi Lei shouted, his internal energy and blood suddenly erupted, and dense rock patterns appeared on his bronze skin. His figure seemed to grow taller, and a heavy, mountain-like aura spread out.
Titan Body! Martial Soul Possession!
"Come on! Let me see how powerful your punch is!" Shi Lei planted his feet firmly on the ground, assuming a defensive stance, intending to take Xiao Han's attack head-on.
Xiao Han's eyes narrowed slightly. Shi Lei's aura was indeed much stronger than Luo Bing's; his pure physical strength and defensive power could be felt from a great distance.
Without any politeness, he moved swiftly, employing the "Close at Hand, A Step to the Ends of the Earth" footwork technique, his figure closing the distance like a ghost. His right fist clenched, his blood and qi surging, and the Destruction Intent coalescing.
It's still "Annihilation Divine Fist"!
Facing an opponent like Shi Lei, Xiao Han also wanted to test the limits of his punch.
"Bang!"
The fist slammed solidly into Shi Lei's forearm as he blocked, producing a dull thud, like a heavy hammer striking tough leather.
The violent power was unleashed, and the special alloy ground beneath Shi Lei's feet sank slightly, but he himself only swayed slightly and his blocking arm went numb. He didn't even take a single step back!
"Hiss--"
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd outside the stadium.
"It's blocked?!"
"He took Xiao Han's punch head-on?!"
"Shi Lei's defense is truly freakish!"
Xia Yubing covered her mouth, her face filled with disbelief. The power of that punch that instantly killed Luo Bing was still vivid in her mind, yet Shi Lei had actually blocked it head-on!
A hint of surprise flashed in Instructor Qin Zhen's eyes.
Shi Lei shook his slightly numb arm and grinned, "Such powerful strength! Such bizarre fist intent! I almost couldn't withstand it! Let's go again!"
He stomped his foot, and a wave of earthy yellow energy spread out, causing the entire training ground to tremble.
Instead of backing down because of Xiao Han's attack, he took the initiative to charge forward, his huge fist smashing towards Xiao Han with a whistling sound that tore through the air.
It wasn't fast, but it was powerful and heavy, sealing off all of Xiao Han's escape routes.
Xiao Han's eyes remained calm, his steps shifted, and "So Close Yet A Step to the Ends of the Earth" began to move again.
This time, his figure was no longer simply rushing forward or dodging in a straight line. Instead, under the shadow of Shi Lei's punch, he seemed to blend into the shadow in the air, narrowly avoiding the powerful punch at an extremely tricky angle that defied the laws of physics.