This isn't Chen Ming's limit, but the test's limit!

"10... Level 10?!"

"Are you serious?"

"Is this still a test?"

The expressions of many people in the crowd shifted.

Everyone gathered at the edge of the city district, without exception, knew that facing a Level 10 mechanical creature would mean they couldn't withstand a single blow.

This had completely exceeded the scope of a test!

However, not a single person voiced any objection.

Chen Ming's performance at Level 2 and Level 6 was enough to prove that there was no need to worry about his safety, even when facing a Level 10 test.

Moreover, at this moment, everyone wanted to see...

Where exactly Chen Ming's limits lay.

Could he truly withstand a Level 10 test?

On the high platform, the humming of metal resonated throughout the arena.

This time, no new creature appeared on the mechanical stage; instead, the entire platform began to shift and transform.

Its frame extended and reconfigured.

Moments later, amidst a series of roars, a Mechanical Great Ape nearly six meters tall landed on the stage.

With a loud thud, a steel hammer of equal size landed alongside the giant ape.

[Mechanical Great Ape]

[Level: lv.10]

Looking at the behemoth on the stage, its body shimmering with a metallic luster, many in the crowd couldn't help but swallow hard.

This is supposed to be Level 10?

If you told them it was a Level 20 exotic beast, they would believe it!

The Mechanical Great Ape grabbed the steel hammer and swung it, whipping up a gust of wind.

"ROAR!"

It let out a furious bellow, its violent aura erupting as if it were a true beast from the wild.

The Mechanical Great Ape lifted its foot and stomped down hard, causing the entire test platform to tremble.

Then, its massive form leaped into the air.

Gripping the steel hammer with both hands, it smashed down toward Chen Ming.

The momentum of this strike was immense, its intimidation factor staggering.

Even the class-changers standing near the platform felt their legs go weak, and they instinctively retreated.

If a hammer that big smashed down, wouldn't he be pulverized into bits and pieces?

"He moved, he moved! He finally moved!"

At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on Chen Ming.

They saw that Chen Ming had finally taken action.

That's right, he raised his hand!

Was he finally going to unleash a skill?

However, the next second, everyone was stunned.

Chen Ming had indeed raised his hand, but he had only raised his hand!

There was no follow-up action.

Was he planning to block the hammer strike of a Level 10 giant ape with his bare hand?!

BOOM—

Before anyone could react to this seemingly arrogant behavior, the Mechanical Great Ape's leaping hammer strike had already landed!

A violent, thunderous crash erupted.

On the high platform, a gale of wind surged outward, sweeping in all directions.

The fierce wind reached the crowd, and some class-changers who were only Level 2 were blown over, collapsing to the ground.

But no one cared; everyone's attention was locked on the high platform.

The moment the residual gale dissipated, everyone looked toward the center of the stage with bated breath.

On the platform.

The towering Mechanical Great Ape held its hammers with both hands, still locked in its attack stance.

Yet, no matter how much force its metallic arms exerted, the steel hammers remained frozen, as if held in place by a spell.

Beneath the hammerhead was a single palm...

[-1!]

"Finally, a bit of damage."

Chen Ming sighed.

But soon after...

[+1!]

The Battle-Hardened passive recovery ability took effect.

His health was full again.

The entire border was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned into a stupor.

That iron hammer, larger than a man, had descended with the force of ten thousand tons, only to be blocked by Chen Ming with a single hand.

To describe the absurdity of this visual, it was as if a mantis had truly stopped a chariot!

"He really... just caught it with his hand, without using a single skill."

"This defense is heaven-defying."

"Is Chen Ming even human? A human class-advancer's defense shouldn't be this outrageous."

Those who had previously claimed Chen Ming was just showing off were now silent.

When someone can take a terrifying blow from a Level 10 mechanical creature without changing their expression, let them show off.

In truth.

Chen Ming really didn't intend to show off.

After all, his defensive "mechanism" was just like that.

It wasn't that he used any defensive measures or skills to alter the damage calculation.

If it was -1, it was -1; if it was 0, it was 0!

Chen Ming simply felt that having such a massive steel hammer smash into his head was unsightly.

That was why he had raised his hand.

Raising his hand wasn't an apology; it was for the sake of dignity.

As for testing his limits?

Then he was sorry.

Because he didn't have such a thing as a limit.

Even if one were to call a god over to attack him ten times.

The result would still be [-10].

On the stage.

After the first failed attack, the Mechanical Great Ape ceased its movements.

It did not launch a second assault, but instead returned to its original position.

Moments later, its form shifted back into a mechanical platform.

[Test Complete!]

The next second.

Light flickered across the holographic screen above.

New information appeared at the very top of the defense test rankings, pushing the original first-place holder, Song Chuan, down.

[1. Chen Ming - C-rank Shield Guard - 9999 points]

[2. Song Chuan - S-rank War Soul Vanguard - 720 points]

"How much? One point shy of ten thousand?!"

"Holy crap, he's leading by over nine thousand points! He's crushed his way to the top!"

"No, this isn't Chen Ming's limit—it's the limit of the test!"

Once these words were spoken, the crowd finally realized.

Chen Ming could block the highest-level 10 test with one hand.

His true limit was far beyond this!

"He has completely refreshed my understanding."

"I can no longer look at his C-rank Shield Guard the same way."

Having witnessed Chen Ming's cheat-like defensive performance, the crowd finally understood why he dared to enter the Exotic Beast Forest alone to level up.

High up in the building, the principals were already stunned.

Having lived for so many years and seen batch after batch of new-generation class-changers, this was the first time they had ever encountered such a situation.

By the window, the Inspector stared at Chen Ming's figure, lost in thought.

Perhaps he had previously been driven by an inexplicable competitive urge to see just how far this young man could go. However, after seeing Chen Ming's performance against the level 10 test, he immediately calmed down. As an Inspector of the Alliance, the first thing on his mind now was the terrifying potential Chen Ming possessed!

Meanwhile, Chen Ming finished the defense test and stepped down from the platform. Then, under the gaze of countless people, he walked toward another high platform: the attack test platform.

"He's choosing to test his attack power?"

"Shouldn't a Shield Guard class be testing defense and recovery capabilities?"

Chen Ming ignored the strange looks and walked straight up. He then drew the Rock-Shattering Blade from his mental space. The next moment, azure flames ignited from Chen Ming's arm, spreading across the entire blade and turning the Rock-Shattering Blade into a long blade of fire.

"Damn, what is that?"

"Blade-Igniting Infusion, what kind of skill is that?"

"So cool!"