The "True" Advantage of Inner Qi

The members looked at Ma Ran in unison.

This was an unconscious action, done without any thought.

Their subconscious movements indicated that in just three to four days, Ma Ran had established his authority within their small circle, becoming a figure akin to the "hidden director" of Caolu Academy.

"Young people nowadays are truly remarkable..."

Huang Weiguo exclaimed inwardly and also looked at Ma Ran.

This young man had only been at Caolu Academy for three or four days, and hadn't done anything yet...

No!

Thinking about it carefully, that wasn't the case.

Over these past few days, Ma Ran had displayed his abilities, making the other members look up to him with awe, unable to match him – this was his authority.

Through the Black Rock Guidance Technique, he had helped everyone refine their first wisp of inner energy – this was his benevolence.

Unknowingly, his actions had already embodied the secrets of leadership.

What was most commendable was...

Ma Ran's combination of authority and benevolence felt completely natural, without any sense of artificiality.

Everything appeared extremely organic.

Over the past few months, Director Huang had reviewed numerous reports of supernatural phenomena from around the world. He knew that the times were changing, the situation was serious, and talented individuals were urgently needed.

Therefore, upon realizing the shift in Ma Ran's position, he didn't feel any sense of his own authority being usurped; instead, he felt gratified.

With a rising star like Ma Ran leading the way...

China would likely suffer fewer innocent casualties than other countries when facing unforeseen disasters in the future, wouldn't it?

It was a pity...

Ma Ran wasn't perfect.

With Director Huang's experience, he had realized this long ago...

Aside from his germophobia, a minor flaw, Ma Ran, who at first glance appeared gentle and approachable, was actually indifferent and aloof, keeping people at a distance.

Even Su Qiangwei, Dong Huaiming, and Wan Haihao, who were relatively close to him, had an invisible barrier between them.

However...

Taking everything into account and viewing it dialectically, Ma Ran was already outstanding enough!

Director Huang patted his face, rousing himself.

He was confident!

After a while, once everyone became more familiar with each other, he would create opportunities to organize some group activities and slowly help Ma Ran overcome his hidden personality flaws.

"Everything will get better."

Old Huang sighed, "I just don't know how much time we have left..."

Being looked at by everyone, Ma Ran didn't feel stage fright.

He confidently stepped forward, walked to the front, and said loudly, "I'll start with a humble offering of my own thoughts."

The small auditorium, which had been somewhat noisy, immediately fell silent.

Everyone sat up straight, listening attentively.

Dong Huaiming, Ma Ran's devoted follower who would have sworn an oath of brotherhood with him, was of course one of them.

Even Su Qiangwei behaved herself at this moment.

She didn't make any small movements; instead, she stared intently at Ma Ran, her eyes unblinking, as if trying to put some psychological pressure on him with her gaze.

Unfortunately, for a speech in such a small setting, Ma Ran's heart remained unmoved.

His tone was calm as he spoke slowly, "What is the true advantage of inner energy?"

"Increasing strength?"

"No."

"Suppose an extraterrestrial humanoid carbon-based life form is rampaging on Earth, burning and killing. You are holding a semi-automatic rifle. As long as you aim accurately and hit a vital spot with one bullet, you can kill it."

"In such a situation..."

"What difference does it make whether you can unleash a punch with 500 jin of force or a punch with one ton of force?"

"Increasing movement speed?"

"Enhancing resistance to damage?"

"Extending lifespan?"

"No..."

"None of these are it."

At this point, Ma Ran presented his viewpoint: "The most significant advantage of the Black Rock Stele Martial Way, when in a state of inner energy augmentation, is the massive increase in reaction capability!"

"As everyone knows, due to the limitations of nerve fiber conduction velocity and synaptic transmission, the reaction speed of a normal person is around 300 milliseconds."

"For gifted individuals, after prolonged, specific practice, their reaction speed to specific stimuli can be reduced to 150-180 milliseconds."

"And the ultimate limit of human reaction speed is currently recognized by the scientific community as 100 milliseconds."

When the phrase "specific stimuli" was mentioned, Little Ming immediately thought of suitable examples—track and field athletes reacting to the starting gun, or esports players reacting to an enemy's non-targeted skill.

He didn't offer his examples, simply listening patiently.

"A few days ago, I obtained some relevant research data through Director Huang."

At this point, Ma Ran's tone became somewhat fervent and highly infectious, causing the listeners to involuntarily become excited.

"Inner energy practitioners can surpass the 100-millisecond limit..."

"And approach the theoretical limit of human reaction speed!"

"That is to say..."

"0.3 milliseconds!"

The process of light signals reaching the eyes, being processed by the brain, and transmitted through nerves to the limbs to produce an action—that is the time consumed, the lower limit.

A reaction speed of 0.3 milliseconds, from a current materialistic perspective, cannot be any faster.

However...

No one could achieve this level.

Ma Ran knew that this number was actually a misinterpretation of the Martial Way stone tablet.

Even after cultivating to Nine Stages of Inner Qi and undergoing rigorous training, the fastest human reaction speed on Earth still had a physical delay of 50 milliseconds.

This was far, far too different from the 0.3-millisecond figure!

But...

It didn't matter!

Ma Ran could modify the Black Rock Stele Martial Way system and elevate it to a higher level!

Therefore, Ma Ran was sparing no effort in painting a grand picture for the members at this moment.

"What does this reaction speed truly mean?"

"Please speak your minds freely."

After speaking, Ma Ran returned to his seat, collected his thoughts, and focused on sketching the You script in his mind.

The members, however, became mentally invigorated, each opening up and talking non-stop.

"Dodging bullets!"

"Within their physical capabilities, they could even catch bullets with their bare hands!"

"That statement isn't quite accurate. You'd need to consider the data for limb short-range movement speed, the impact tolerance of skin, muscles, and bones, bullet caliber, and firearm type."

"If they have this ability, why would they catch bullets with their bare hands? This action has no practical meaning other than showing off."

"Isn't being cool enough?"

"If someone possessed this level of reaction speed... other than overwhelming firepower or carpet bombing, I can't think of any way to eliminate them."

"Even the most advanced weapons rely on people. Someone with this 'Exceeding Limit Reaction' can be a one-man army on a low-to-medium intensity battlefield, as long as the weapon isn't subpar!"

"Not necessarily... human vision has its flaws. Even if reaction speed is sufficient, one might not be able to dodge all stray bullets. Besides, have you forgotten about 'pig teammates'? What if the bullet comes from behind?"

"Even so, in small-scale special operations, such a person would absolutely be the main force on the battlefield!"

Watching the members argue heatedly, their faces flushed, Ma Ran felt very happy.

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes.

Before gathering together, they were all top students in their own little worlds, but even top students have their ranks.

Those who were used to being number one, now at Caolu Academy, who would be willing to be at the bottom?

Even if they couldn't compete for first place, they couldn't just give up and become the worst, could they?

Now, the cultivation and competitive atmosphere at Caolu Academy were very good.

Sensing the fighting spirit flashing in their eyes and words, Ma Ran felt happy.

Thank you to Grand Steward 2 for the 100-point reward!

Thank you to My Little Dried Fish for the 100-point reward!

Thank you to Midnight Eleven for the 500-point reward!

Thank you to Sky Blue Sea Blue for the 100-point reward!

Thank you to Thousand Illusions Demon of Love for the 100-point reward!

Thank you to Fatty Head for the 100-point reward!

Thank you to "Plump Salted Fish" for the 500-point reward!

Hehehe... See you all tomorrow, little friends!