Late on April 30, Zhang Junbao was alone in the enormous training hall of Villa 198 in Mingyue Residential Area, cultivating.
Ever since Luo Feng discovered that Zhang Junbao had sold him out, Zhang Junbao had never had another chance to drag him out.
Everyone else knew he was preparing for the Martial Artist Combat Assessment, so they had not disturbed him.
Dressed in a white training outfit, Zhang Junbao was practicing Tai Chi Chuan. Unlike other martial artists, who were drenched in sweat when they trained, he remained fresh even after cultivating all day. His bearing, once sharp and conspicuous, was also gradually becoming more restrained.
Unlike other martial artists, whose muscular contours were clearly visible, Zhang Junbao gave the impression of a scholar. As a result, the other martial artists in the residential area thought he was not a martial artist when they met him. Some even spread rumors that he had moved into Mingyue Residential Area through some personal connection.
Zhang Lin repeatedly argued against these rumors, telling people how strong her brother was, but she could not silence every wagging tongue on her own.
Zhang Junbao, on the other hand, paid the talk no mind. Whether it was true or false would become clear once he passed the Martial Artist Combat Assessment.
His body flickered constantly around the training hall, and soon he seemed to merge with the wind, drifting away without a trace. All the while, his hands continued moving through the forms of Tai Chi Chuan.
As his hand movements changed, the surrounding air actually churned and roiled, drawn along by his hands.
"Phew."
After a long while, Zhang Junbao reined in his aura and sat cross-legged on the floor, analyzing his own strength.
At my current level, drawing on the energy of heaven and earth is still too difficult. I can only barely guide a little of it, and that still isn't enough to do any damage.
After this month of secluded cultivation, my punching force has probably reached around 4,000 kg.
It can't be helped. I can't go to Limits Dojo to test it now. Surprising people once or twice is fine, but if I do it every few days, it won't be a surprise anymore. It'll be a fright.
Some ill-intentioned higher-ups might take notice of me. If someone drags me off to dissect me or forces me to explain why, that would be the real danger.
It was not that Zhang Junbao deliberately wanted to hide his abilities. Rather, he had no particular backing at present, and if he displayed an excessively monstrous talent for no apparent reason, he would be more likely to land in danger.
Limits Dojo could accept the emergence of geniuses, but how many people would be willing to give a monster, especially one who had yet to grow, the chance to develop?
Although it had not been written in the novel, that did not mean it never happened. Had there not been plenty of cases where powerful figures seized the opportunities of geniuses who had yet to grow, all to protect their own positions?
He had never dared gamble his life on human nature. Of all the things in the world, human nature was the one he could least afford to gamble on.
Therefore, before he had the strength to protect himself, he could display the level expected of a genius, or even exceed it a little, but he could not fully reveal his strength.
For that reason, he had not told Jiang Nian or Wu Tong that he had successfully cultivated Genetic Origin Energy and that his strength had greatly increased.
Even if he belonged to Limits Dojo, who could guarantee that everyone there was a gentleman?
The Martial Artist Combat Assessment is tomorrow. I never saw any of these so-called demonic beasts in my previous life. Who would have thought a bunch of animals could become so powerful? Doesn't that make them like the Demon Race in ancient legends? Could there be some connection between them?
Forget it. No point thinking about that. I should get some rest!
After cultivating, Zhang Junbao took a good hot bath and returned to his bedroom to rest, preparing for the next day's combat assessment.
On the morning of May 1, more than fifty martial artists, including Zhang Junbao and Yang Wu, headed to the train station under the guidance of a martial artist from Limit Hall.
Last time, with Zhang Junbao's help, Yang Wu had also passed the Quasi-Warrior Assessment.
"Clack-clack, clack-clack." The friction of the speeding train was barely audible, but the carriage was filled with noise.
The carriage was completely enclosed, with no glass or anything else through which to see outside. At that moment, a figure appeared on the large screen in every carriage.
Inside the carriage, a large group of Quasi-Martial Artists sat in twos and threes.
"Quasi-Martial Artists, future martial artists, I represent the HR Alliance." A middle-aged man was delivering an impassioned speech on the large screen in the middle of the carriage.
"I believe you have all heard of the HR Alliance!
"We are the most powerful organization in the world, the wealthiest organization, and the one with the most martial artists! We also have another name you all know-the Underground Alliance! Choose us, and you'll fight demonic beasts alongside more martial artists than anywhere else in the world!"
As they listened to the middle-aged man, the martial artists discussed the HR Alliance among themselves.
"Junbao, I didn't get a chance to thank you last time. Thanks for giving your big brother a hand!" Yang Wu said with a grin.
"Brother Yang, you succeeded through your own hard work. I only gave you a few words of encouragement. There's no need to thank me," Zhang Junbao said with a smile.
"Hahaha, then I'll take that as a good omen from you, brother." Yang Wu realized Zhang Junbao did not want anyone to know his secret. Shrewd from experience, he immediately changed the subject.
"You know about the Underground Alliance, right? They're loaded, the richest organization in the world. We're bound to deal with them plenty in the future."
"I know."
Zhang Junbao smiled. Lately, he had taken the time to learn quite a bit of basic information about martial artists. The Underground Alliance was an organization formed during the Great Nirvana Period, when major financial groups and prominent families joined forces to resist suppression by government forces.
"Future martial artists."
A different man with a serious face appeared on the carriage's mounted screen. "Allow me to introduce myself. My surname is Liu, and I am the deputy director of the Jiangnan Base City Security Bureau. In our Huaxia Country, government and military forces are unquestionably the strongest! Join the government, join the military, and wherever you are in Huaxia Country, you will receive the best support."
"Everyone." A moment later, another person appeared on the carriage screen. "I am the director of the Thunder Headquarters Hall in Jiangnan Base City. My surname is Wang. Our Thunder Dojo was founded by Thunder God, the world's fastest invincible powerhouse. We have Thunder Dojo branches all over the world..."
"Future martial artists, the previous three have introduced themselves. I don't need to say much; you all know I'm from Limits Dojo!" Yet another person appeared on the carriage screen. "My surname is Zhuge! Limits Dojo... is the largest dojo in the world, founded by the world's strongest powerhouse! Our dojo possesses the greatest strength in the world..."
Representatives of the major powers took turns giving speeches, trying to recruit these future martial artists to their sides. These people were fresh blood for martial artists, and no organization was willing to give them up.
"Junbao, I heard you joined Limits Dojo ahead of time. I'm planning to join too. Quite a few of our senior brothers and sisters in Yi'an District are with Limits Dojo, so we can look after one another," Yang Wu said.
"The terms Limits Dojo offers are good. It's certainly worth considering!" Zhang Junbao said calmly. Of course they were; he had already looked into all those terms.
Before long, the train stopped at a military district. The faint sound of beast roars could be heard rising and falling all around them.
"Everyone-"
A loud voice reached the ears of every Quasi-Martial Artist. "Welcome to the Jiangnan City North Military District. This time, the Martial Artist Combat Assessment for all 1,768 of you will be held here in our Northern Military Region. I hope most of you can pass the assessment, and I hope all of you can make it through this combat assessment alive!"