"1,681 kg!"
"1,726 kg!"
"1,732 kg!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After three punches, the Punching Power Tester shuddered nonstop.
A few breaths later, an electronic voice rang out.
"Test subject Ye Cang, average punching power: 1,713 kg! Passed the first Martial Artist test: punching power!"
Looking at the numbers that appeared, Ye Cang remained expressionless.
He had held back quite a bit of his strength.
But beside him, the female staff member's mouth hung open in shock.
It was her first time seeing someone post numbers this high on their first test.
Usually, those who wanted to enjoy the benefits offered by Divine Firmament Martial Arts Hall came to test as soon as their strength barely met the requirements, hoping to get the benefits as soon as possible.
It was rare for someone like Ye Cang to wait until his strength had reached this level before coming.
"Mr. Ye, follow me over here for the speed test!"
A few breaths later, the female staff member recovered from her shock and hurriedly spoke.
At her words, Ye Cang didn't move. Instead, he looked at her.
"I heard that the stronger you are when you demonstrate your abilities at Divine Firmament Martial Arts Hall, the better your benefits?"
Hearing his question, the female staff member was just about to answer when a man's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"That's right! From the sound of it, you haven't shown your full strength yet?"
Tap, tap...
Footsteps sounded, and a middle-aged man in plain clothes walked in through the doorway.
Ye Cang was confused at the sight of him, but the female staff member beside him showed a flash of shock in her eyes. She quickly bowed and respectfully saluted him.
"Greetings, Hall Master Tang!"
Then the female staff member tugged at Ye Cang to get his attention and said, "This is Tang Hong, the branch hall master of the Martial Artist section at Divine Firmament Martial Arts Hall. He's a General!"
There was respect and admiration in her voice.
At that, Ye Cang cupped his hands.
"Greetings, Hall Master Tang!"
Tang Hong casually waved off Ye Cang's salute, then studied him with interest.
He had originally planned to head home after work, but he hadn't expected to get a notification on his phone that the testing room had opened at this hour.
Driven by curiosity, he had come down for a look.
He hadn't expected to find an interesting Martial Artist.
After looking him over, Tang Hong spoke unhurriedly.
"Every Martial Artist who wants to join Divine Firmament Martial Arts Hall is eager to do so. Some even take the test five or six times before passing. Someone like you is rare."
"But Divine Firmament Martial Arts Hall determines benefits by strength. It makes no difference whether you join sooner or later. As long as you show the appropriate strength, you'll receive the benefits to match."
As he spoke, he gestured to the female staff member to start the second test.
"Come on! Let me see your true strength!"
Tang Hong pointed to the Punching Power Tester in front of them.
"If you have the strength of an Intermediate Martial Artist, I'll give you 3 million Huaxia Coins in starting funds. After that, as long as you complete your monthly assignments, you'll receive a base salary of 500,000 Huaxia Coins each month, plus bonuses for your assignments."
Tang Hong finished speaking, and Ye Cang's heart stirred.
3 million Huaxia Coins!
That was already close to his current net worth, not to mention the high monthly base salary.
With that thought, Ye Cang walked up to the Punching Power Tester.
"What if I have the strength of an Advanced Martial Artist?"
Ye Cang turned his head and asked curiously.
"Haha! If you really have that kind of strength, I'll give you 10 million in starting funds, along with other benefits to match."
Tang Hong laughed heartily.
At those words, a smile flickered at the corner of Ye Cang's mouth.
10 million Huaxia Coins!
All it would take was three punches!
Bang!
"6,320 kg!"
Seeing the number, Ye Cang kept punching.
This was only his current strength in its ordinary state!
But it had already reached the late stage of an Intermediate Martial Artist.
Bang!
Another loud impact.
"7,560 kg!"
The number climbed again.
He had used the force-generating technique of the Blood Shadow Flow Killing Sword Art.
Seeing the number that appeared, Tang Hong's eyes trembled.
An Advanced Martial Artist!
This man really did have that kind of strength!
And just then, Ye Cang threw his third punch.
Bang!
"8,820 kg!"
The Punching Power Tester rocked violently.
Tang Hong was so shocked by the sight that he couldn't speak.
A few breaths later.
The electronic voice broke the silence in the testing room.
"Test subject Ye Cang, average punching power: 7,566 kg! Rated as having the combat strength of an early-stage Advanced Martial Artist!"
Hearing the numbers announced by the machine, Tang Hong composed himself and spoke with a cheerful smile.
"Not bad! You used the force-generating techniques of a combat art in your last two punches, right? To get a fifty-percent boost in strength, you must have cultivated that combat art to perfection."
Tang Hong had seen through what Ye Cang had done.
Before Ye Cang could answer, Tang Hong continued, "Compared to improvements in strength, mastery of combat arts is the foundation. After all, every realm has a limit to its strength, but the deeper your understanding of a combat art, the stronger your combat ability will be at the same level."
"Besides, the greater your comprehension, the greater your potential, and the more likely you are to grasp that elusive state of intent. Then you'll have a chance of reaching the realm of a War Venerable!"
As he finished, a trace of longing flashed across Tang Hong's face.
The state of intent!
Who knew how many peak Generals had been trapped at this threshold, doomed to never reach the realm of a War Venerable and to regret it for the rest of their lives?
Beside them, Ye Cang's heart stirred as he listened to this information.
The martial path in this world was divided into Martial Trainee, Martial Artist, General, and War Venerable.
And above them was the War King, who had established a royal city.
He had thought that advancing in realm only required constantly increasing his strength.
But from the information he had just learned, it seemed that breaking through from General to War Venerable required more than just a breakthrough in strength.
In that moment, the gap between a Rogue Cultivator like him and a proper martial arts hall student was laid bare.
Knowledge of the martial path alone was an area where he was clearly lacking.
"The state of intent? Does my 'Blood Drop' intent count? Have I already met the prerequisite for breaking through to War Venerable?"
At the thought, Ye Cang's heart stirred.
"I originally planned to reveal my telekinetic power to improve my benefits, but now it seems there's a better option. The state of intent is part of the martial path; compared to telekinetic power, it seems a better way to show my worth."
"Divine Firmament Martial Arts Hall gives talented individuals benefits several times greater than those offered to ordinary Martial Artists. Since I've decided to join, I might as well show my full value all at once and get more resources."
After thinking for a few breaths, Ye Cang looked up at Tang Hong and spoke slowly.
"Hall Master Tang! I'd like to take the test again."
"Hmm? Are you still holding back some of your strength?"
"Yes!"
Ye Cang nodded.
"Good! I'll give you another chance. I want to see your limit!"
Tang Hong watched Ye Cang with a serious expression.
In front of the Punching Power Tester.
Ye Cang adjusted his breathing. A strange power surged within him.
The Blood Drop intent!
Unleash!
Boom!
The air hummed. Ye Cang's punch shot out like lightning and slammed into the Punching Power Tester in front of him.
"Not good!"
In an instant, Tang Hong's expression changed.
Sure enough, to his shock—
With a loud crash, the Punching Power Tester in front of Ye Cang exploded.
Parts flew in every direction, nearly injuring the female staff member beside it.
Ye Cang was left staring blankly at the scene.
"The Punching Power Tester..."
"Blew up!"
Before you continue