Testing His Strength

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The advanced Heaven-Piercing Shuttle's 1,008 cicada-wing-thin curved blades hovered around Zhou Hao like dense raindrops, each blade's surface covered in intricate secret patterns.

"The four forms are divided into two offensive forms and two defensive forms. The offensive forms are the first form, Wind-Rolling Magic Dragon Drill, and the final killing move, Peacock Spreading Feathers. The defensive forms are the second form, Sword Shield, and the third form, Iron Cage." Zhou Hao recalled the advanced version of the "Heavenly Escape" secret technique and muttered to himself.

It was different from the original version.

Other than the first form, "Wind-Rolling Magic Dragon Drill," which was somewhat similar to the "Mountain Piercing Cone," the other three forms were completely different in both control methods and execution steps.

Accordingly, the Mental Power amplitude levels required for control were also entirely different.

The first form required a Mental Power amplitude of 21.

The second form required... an amplitude of 36.

The third form required... an amplitude of 54.

The fourth and final form had even higher requirements, needing a Mental Power amplitude of 72.

Mental Power amplitude referred to the number of hidden weapons one could control at the same level of power. After Zhou Hao had fully mastered the Control Chapter of Fundamentals of Mental Power Master, his amplitude had long surpassed 72. Therefore, all he needed now was some practice before he could quickly execute every form of the advanced Heaven-Piercing Shuttle.

Sizzle, sizzle.

Very quickly, under the control of his immense Mental Power, the curved blades gathered in the blink of an eye into a Magic Dragon Form.

Zhou Hao split off 21 strands of Mental Power and swiftly extended them along the secret patterns on every blade. In an instant, like the original version, 21 golden secret patterns lit up across the surface of the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle in its Magic Dragon Form.

As the golden secret patterns suddenly brightened and rapidly spiraled around the Magic Dragon in a full circle—

The Heaven-Piercing Shuttle in Magic Dragon Form spun wildly like a tornado, and an enormous tearing force quickly formed around it.

"Go!"

With a low shout from Zhou Hao, the spinning Magic Dragon instantly turned into a streak of golden light and blasted a circular passage three meters in diameter through a high-rise building in the distance.

Rumble, rumble~

In less than a few seconds, cracks spread with sharp snaps around the circular passage, and the entire building collapsed with a thunderous crash.

"Besides its powerful penetration, this Wind-Rolling Magic Dragon Drill also adds tearing force. It should have tremendous killing power even against Planetary level and Stellar level experts with extremely strong vitality!" Zhou Hao watched the scene with satisfaction.

Next, he used the remaining three forms one after another.

The final form in particular, Peacock Spreading Feathers, had simply astounding destructive power.

Zhou Hao even suspected that, with his current War God Limit Mental Power, he might be able to instantly kill a Councilor at the fourth or fifth stage of the Planetary level.

Since his sister was staying overnight at Shen Hong's house, he spent the entire night in the Wilderness Zone repeatedly testing his control over the advanced Heaven-Piercing Shuttle.

After all, practice made perfect. Although signing in allowed him to directly master the "Heavenly Escape" secret technique, secret techniques were like theoretical courses. Even after fully mastering them, one could still be awkward and make mistakes during actual execution.

Four or five days passed in a row.

The major base cities of China were all immersed in the joyful celebrations of the New Year.

During the day, Zhou Hao accompanied his sister as she visited relatives and friends. At night, he went to the Wilderness Zone to familiarize himself with the advanced Heaven-Piercing Shuttle, while also taking a Smart Fighter Jet to the Limit Martial Hall headquarters to sign in.

His days were quite fulfilling.

February 15, 2042.

With the New Year festivities fading, Zhou Ying'er dragged Zhou Hao to the Sixth Floor of the Limitless Gym in Mingyue Residential Area early in the morning.

The other members of Rose Squad were all there.

"Ying'er." Seeing Zhou Ying'er and Zhou Hao arrive, they all came forward to greet them.

Shen Hong's gaze quickly shifted to Zhou Hao. She pulled him into her arms, and for once, she did not pinch his cheeks. Instead, she said seriously, "Xiao Hao, test your physical fitness later. Give it your best, and don't be nervous."

Zhou Hao could not help looking at Zhou Ying'er in surprise. "Sis, why didn't you tell me yesterday?"

"Your sister was afraid you'd get nervous," Zhang Yi said with a smile.

"Oh? Is this test somehow different?" Zhou Hao raised an eyebrow, his little face filled with confusion. It was just a test, yet they were treating it like he was heading onto a battlefield.

Zhou Ying'er hurriedly said, "It's just a normal test. Sister Shen, let Xiao Hao warm up first."

Shen Hong nodded and set Zhou Hao down.

Before long.

Four or five boys and girls entered through the Sixth Floor entrance one after another. They were generally six or seven years older than Zhou Hao.

Less than a minute later, Manager Zhu entered with a middle-aged man who had a cross-shaped scar beside his left cheek.

"Manager Zhu, Instructor Fei!"

Upon seeing the two, the Rose Squad members hurried forward to greet them and bow.

Manager Zhu and Instructor Fei gave slight nods, their gazes coincidentally landing on Zhou Hao, who was warming up.

"So young?" Instructor Fei frowned slightly.

"Instructor Fei, don't let his age fool you. This little fellow can already maintain his basic Stake Standing for over three hours, and he normally consumes one or two jin of Gene Meat a day," Zhou Ying'er quickly said.

Manager Zhu laughed. "Old Fei, he's from our Mingyue Residential Area and hasn't been tested until now. We're taking this opportunity to see whether he meets the selection requirements for the Youth Training Camp!"

Instructor Fei nodded in realization. "All right, then let's test him together with the others."

He clapped his hands. "Come over here, all of you."

"Xiao Hao." Zhou Ying'er called out and pointed toward Instructor Fei.

The other five boys and girls had already quickly gathered in front of Instructor Fei, standing straight and upright.

Zhou Hao hurried over and took his place at the far right of the line.

"You are the most gifted children in all of Jiangnan Base City. This test is mainly to see whether you meet the admission standards of the Youth Training Camp. So when the testing begins, give it everything you have, and don't be nervous. You're all still young, so even if you fail this time, it doesn't matter," Instructor Fei said warmly.

"All right, starting from the left!" As he spoke, he looked at the older boy on the left.

The boy's expression was calm, with no sign of nervousness.

He immediately walked to the Punch Force Tester, drew his body back, and threw a fierce punch at the target.

Bang!

A number appeared on the Punch Force Tester's screen: 621 kg.

Instructor Fei secretly shook his head. Punch Power exceeding 600 kilograms barely qualified as that of an Intermediate Trainee, but this boy was no longer that young. If he could reach the minimum Punch Power of an advanced trainee, he could enter the Youth Training Camp.

Noticing Instructor Fei's reaction, the boy's eyes dimmed.

Next was a thirteen-year-old girl. Even her movements while testing her Punch Power were unsteady. In the end, her Punch Power did not even reach 400 kilograms, making Instructor Fei frown.

The remaining three boys tested one after another, but none met Instructor Fei's requirements.

"Only the last one remains. Zhou Hao, go test yourself." Manager Zhu's expression was unpleasant. These boys and girls had all been recommended by other martial artists from Jiangnan Base City, yet not a single one met the standard. It made him feel ashamed.

"Xiao Hao, don't be nervous!" Zhou Ying'er could not help reminding him.

"Good luck!" Shen Hong and the others encouraged Zhou Hao.

In truth, neither Instructor Fei nor Manager Zhu paid much attention to how Zhou Hao would perform. After all, he was too young. At his age, it would not matter even if he failed several times.

Zhou Hao stood before the Punch Force Tester, his head level with the punch target.

"Lower the target," Manager Zhu called out.

Whoosh.

The punch target was quickly lowered to Zhou Hao's waist.

I should show a little of what I can do. Otherwise, if I want to help my sister improve her strength later, I'll have to be overly cautious every time! With that thought, he casually slammed a fist into the target.

His movement was not standard at all.

Instructor Fei and Manager Zhu watched without any change in expression.

Shen Hong lowered her voice. "Ying'er, didn't you teach Xiao Hao the most basic way to exert force?"

Zhou Ying'er said awkwardly, "Xiao Hao is usually too smart. I taught him a few times and thought he had already mastered it!"

Shen Hong was completely speechless.

"How much Punch Power?" Manager Zhu casually asked.

The Training Hall staff member standing beside the Punch Force Tester immediately replied, "Manager, Punch Power: 1,310 kg."

Manager Zhu froze, suspecting that he had misheard. He could not help asking again, "Didn't you eat? Speak louder. How much Punch Power?"