Combat Power Surges

They stood there quietly for a moment before Gaino and Laiya opened their eyes in unison.

If one looked closely, the aura surrounding Gaino and Laiya had become increasingly dense and refined.

Gaino spoke up: "Mr. Popo, I am going to strike."

"Me too," Laiya added.

"Very well, come at me!" Popo beckoned them forward.

Gaino and Laiya launched their attacks instantly, reaching Popo in the blink of an eye. Without any wasted movement, they both threw punches directly at Popo's face. Popo was taken aback; it was as if the two had suddenly had an epiphany, as both their speed and the force of their strikes had risen to a new level.

Popo quickly threw out both fists, colliding with the strikes from Gaino and Laiya. The moment their four fists met, the surrounding air trembled violently.

Then, Gaino, Laiya, and Popo engaged in a fierce battle, the air filled with the constant sound of impacts as white shockwaves flashed repeatedly around them.

The intense combat caused the entire Kami's Lookout to shake incessantly. Kami emerged from the temple and, seeing such a terrifying scene, felt cold sweat break out on his green cheeks.

Kami muttered to himself: "If these two held any hostility toward Earth, the planet would truly be finished. It is fortunate that they did not come to conquer Earth."

The battle continued, with Popo constantly parrying the attacks of Gaino and Laiya while offering guidance: "Gaino, that punch was completely unnecessary; you wasted your stamina for nothing."

"Laiya, what are you doing? Your punches aren't fast enough—faster! The force is lacking, add more power."

"Too slow, too weak, and your movements are too wide. Your evasion is not sharp enough."

Under such tutelage, the strength of Gaino and Laiya grew rapidly, and in this manner, a month passed.

On this day, while sparring with Popo, Gaino and Laiya caught a slight error in his defense and managed to send him flying.

This was the first time Gaino and Laiya had managed to knock Popo back since they began training under him.

As Popo went tumbling backward, Kami appeared at the critical moment and pointed a finger toward him. A hexagram-like construct appeared behind Popo, blocking his momentum.

Popo regained his footing, bowed to Kami, and said: "Many thanks, Kami."

"No need for formalities, it was the right thing to do."

Popo then walked over to Gaino and Laiya and said: "Popo has nothing left to teach you. Popo's task is complete."

Gaino and Laiya expressed their gratitude to Popo.

Kami remarked: "You two are truly geniuses. In just one month, you have managed to defeat Mr. Popo. This is truly worth celebrating."

Gaino replied: "It is thanks to Mr. Popo's excellent teaching."

Kami said: "You are too modest. A genius is a genius. The humans of Earth do not possess your level of comprehension; your talent for combat is terrifying."

"Now that you have completed your training, are you planning to return to your own planet?" Kami asked.

"We do intend to return, but before we leave, we have one final request. We hope Kami will grant it."

"Speak! What is it?"

"I know that there is a place within Kami's Lookout where one year of training is equivalent to one day in the outside world."

Upon hearing this, Laiya asked: "Does such a place really exist? That is truly a miraculous location." Laiya's gaze drifted toward Kami.

Kami was stunned; he had not expected them to know about the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Kami said: "Indeed, such a place exists. It is called the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Training inside can yield twice the result with half the effort."

"Popo, take these two to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber," Kami commanded.

"Very well, Kami."

"You two, follow me!"

After thanking Kami, Gaino and Laiya followed Popo toward the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

They arrived inside the temple and approached a door. Popo pushed it open and said to Gaino and Laiya: "Go on in. Remember, you can only stay inside for two years; those two years are equal to two days in the outside world. If you exceed two days, you will never be able to come out again. Do you understand?"

Laiya asked hurriedly: "Then what will we eat?"

"There is plenty of food and water inside, enough to last you two years. Now, go on in!"

Gaino and Laiya walked directly into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. They followed the corridor downward until they reached the interior of the chamber.

As soon as they entered, Laiya remarked: "It's so hot in here. It feels so desolate."

Gaino replied: "That is exactly the point. The strong are forged in silence and solitude. Laiya, hurry, we only have two years."

"Right, let's begin our training!"

Gaino and Laiya erupted with power. The entire Hyperbolic Time Chamber shook violently, though it soon stabilized.

Gaino and Laiya began to spar, utilizing every technique they had learned during their time here. Their exchange caused the heat within the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to circulate even faster.

Outside, Kami asked Popo: "Popo, what level of strength do you think Gaino will reach once he emerges from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber?"

"Popo does not know, Kami, but Popo feels that Gaino's strength will become truly formidable."

In the blink of an eye, the two days in the outside world were nearly over. Popo and Kami waited at the entrance of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for Gaino and Laiya.

Suddenly, the door to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber opened, and Gaino and Laiya stepped out.

As they emerged, Kami felt that the aura on Gaino and Laiya had vanished entirely. Only Popo's eyes flickered slightly before his expression returned to normal.

Kami walked up to Gaino, observing him and Laiya with the curiosity of a child.

"What's wrong, Kami? Is something the matter?" Gaino asked.

"Wrong? It's far too wrong! Where is the ki in you and Laiya? I can't sense your ki at all."

Gaino explained, "This is the materialization of ki. It's as if it has transitioned from a gaseous state to a liquid one. Now, the ki within Laiya's and my bodies exists in every single cell; as soon as we enter a fight, it will deploy automatically."

"Is it that impressive? I never imagined ki could be used in such a way."

Laiya added, "This was Brother Gaino's idea."

Kami replied, "Gaino, you truly are a genius. I wonder how much your strength has grown."

"Oh, it seems Kami intends to test us."

"Laiya, show Kami the results of our training."

"You got it! Kami, you'd better hold onto your staff tight."

As soon as she finished speaking, Laiya began to power up.

"Haa, aaaaaah... huh?" The entire Kami's Lookout—no, the entire West City—trembled under this surge of ki. Sweat poured incessantly down Kami's face.

During her two years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Laiya's combat power had reached 500,000.

Laiya then retracted her ki.

Kami turned his gaze toward Gaino, who said, "I don't really need to, do I, Kami?"

Laiya urged, "Brother Gaino, go ahead and do it too. Let Kami see the results of your training!"

Hearing Laiya's words, Kami nodded frantically at Gaino.

"Alright! Then Kami, you should stand back a bit." Kami immediately scurried inside the Kami's Lookout.

Gaino began to power up. With a shout, the ki erupting from his body swept across the entire sky, causing the winds to shift and dark clouds to gather overhead.

Having trained for two years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gaino's own combat power had reached 2,000,000.

The rapid growth in combat power made even Laiya envious.