Ace returned from the World Purification Furnace, radiating a restrained yet astonishing heat, and the whispers of Pluton Ark flowed once more. This time, the energy stream, a convergence of countless civilizations' wisdom and fragments of history, seemed to have found the perfect processor, precisely surging towards Sabo was analyzing data in front of the screen.
Meanwhile, on the upper level of the Pluton bridge, in an area near the core of the holographic star map projection, the ceiling silently opened, and a soft white light staircase descended, leading to a circular platform emitting a faint glow and filled with countless tiny energy circuits—the " Dragon Soul Corridor."
Sabo pushed up his glasses. He could feel the ancient and profound aura emanating from the platform, which shared the same origin as his Dragon Claw Fist but was far more powerful, as well as a force field that greatly enhanced calculation and perception. His Omniscient Domain spontaneously activated, yearning to connect with that space.
"Your turn, Sabo," Koala (if she were present) said with concern. "Knowledge is power," Sabo smiled slightly, put down his work, and stepped firmly onto the light staircase. "I'll be right back."
As you step into the Dragon Soul Corridor, the entrance behind you quietly closes. There is neither scorching heat nor freezing cold here, only countless tiny energy streams flowing like nerve endings in the platform and the air, weaving together an incredibly complex information network. Countless tiny, ever-changing phantom images of Poneglyph and civilization data streams float in the air.
First Trial: Physical Mastery - Dragon Bone Reshaping
As soon as Sabo stood still, the energy flow within the corridor instantly became violent, creating immense pressure that squeezed in from all directions! This pressure wasn't directed at the surface of his body, but rather acted directly on every cell of his bones, muscles, and internal organs, as if to completely crush and reshape him!
"Ugh!" Sabo groaned, immediately using the power techniques of the Dragon Claw Fist and Armament Haki to Resistance, but found that traditional techniques had limited effectiveness in the face of this pressure that penetrated to the cellular level. His bones made a sound of being unable to bear the burden, and his muscle fibers seemed about to break.
In this critical moment, his powerful computing ability ( Omniscient Domain ) instinctively began to analyze the patterns, frequency, and weaknesses of the pressure. At the same time, fragments of information about biological evolution, extreme physical abilities, and ancient body-building techniques from the data streams of those civilizations in the corridor flooded into his mind.
"I see... It's not Resistance, it's guidance and adaptation!" A realization flashed in Sabo's eyes. He stopped resisting and instead relaxed his body, guiding his Armament Haki to penetrate every cell in an extremely subtle way, mimicking the body structures of those ancient powerful races in the data stream, and refining and reorganizing it under pressure!
This process was extremely painful, like experiencing the rebirth of shattered bones every moment. But Sabo persevered with astonishing willpower and calculation ability, constantly optimizing and adjusting. His bone density increased dramatically, showing a faint metallic sheen; his muscle fibers became more resilient, containing explosive power; even his internal organs were strengthened. His basic physique was undergoing a qualitative leap, laying a solid foundation for greater power output.
Second Trial: Ascension of Haki - Dragon Scale Plating
Once the body has initially adapted, the trial changes. Countless attacks composed of high-density energy, simulating various attributes, appear in the corridor—extremely cold ice spikes, blazing fireballs, lightning arrows, mental shocks... They attack from all sorts of tricky angles, fast, powerful, and with different attributes.
Sabo immediately used Observation Haki to anticipate the attack and Armament Haki to defend. However, he soon discovered that while the traditional full-body Armament Haki coverage provided comprehensive defense, the defensive strength per unit area was insufficient to completely withstand these high-intensity, multi-attribute attacks, and it also consumed a great deal of energy.
The data flow in the corridor changed again, revealing a massive amount of information about energy conduction, attribute restraint, and local enhancement. In particular, in the legends related to "dragons," the defense of dragon scales was not about rigid defense, but rather contained the wisdom of flow and change.
"Local enhancement... ultimate concentration... attribute adaptation..." Sabo's brain was calculating frantically. He no longer distributed Armament Haki evenly, but instead, based on the attribute and intensity of the attack, he instantly condensed Armament Haki at the point of impact, with an intensity far exceeding that of before. Its concentration was so high that it even formed a fine, layered structure on his body surface, similar to dragon scales, and it could be finely adjusted according to the attribute of the attack (such as enhancing the toughness of ice spikes and enhancing the heat insulation and reflection of flames).
At the same time, his Observation Haki also improved under pressure, allowing him not only to predict attack trajectories but also to vaguely perceive the energy attributes and weaknesses contained in attacks.
He was like a precise dancer in a storm, using minimal effort and the most accurate defense to withstand the relentless attacks.
Third Trial: Dragon's Breath - One Point Breaks All Laws
The final trial has begun. In the center of the corridor, energy converges, forming an incredibly thick, multi-faceted composite barrier that shimmers with various energy luminescence, seemingly an absolute defense. This barrier simulates the world's most robust defense—perhaps a combination of the general's armor, Barto's barrier, and even Red-Haired's Haki.
Sabo attempted to attack with his ordinary Dragon Claw Fist, but only managed to leave faint white marks on the barrier, which instantly disappeared.
"I need... even stronger penetrating power! Ultimate single-point destruction!" Sabo focused his mind. The results of the first two trials merged at this moment—his powerful physique provided the foundation for explosive power, while his sublimated Haki provided the method for ultimate concentration and control.
He recalled the legend of the Dragon's Breath, and concentrated all his strength, will, and the weakest point of the barrier calculated by his Omniscient Domain into the tip of his right index finger!
The Armament Haki at that point was compressed to an unprecedented degree, its color becoming deep and almost pitch black. The surrounding space was slightly distorted, and even a low, deep dragon's roar was faintly emitted! The air in front of the fingertip was extremely compressed and ionized, emitting a sharp hiss!
" Dragon's Breath - Piercing Star!"
With a single finger, he pointed! There was no grand display, only an extremely thin, highly condensed black light containing an indomitable will, instantly tearing through the air and striking the only weakness and power node calculated by the barrier with perfect precision!
• Crack--Boom!!! That incredibly thick composite barrier, like a balloon punctured by a needle, or a giant beast struck in a vital spot, cracks instantly spread throughout its entire body from the point of impact, and then it exploded with a bang! Turning into countless energy specks!
This is not brute force destruction, but a combination of ultimate skill, ultimate focus, and ultimate insight! It is the ultimate manifestation of breaking through the surface from a single point!
Sabo slowly withdrew his finger, breathing slightly heavily, as the terrifying energy remaining at his fingertip gradually dissipated. The light of data streams reflected off his glasses, and a confident smile appeared on his face. He felt as if his body had been forged into a divine weapon through countless trials, Haki with effortless ease, and mastering a technique powerful enough to threaten the World's Strongest defense.
The light in the Dragon Soul Corridor gradually faded. Sabo stepped out, his aura more composed, his eyes sharper, the wisdom and power befitting the Revolutionary Army Chief of Staff perfectly elevated.
"Looks like you've made quite a haul," Allen said, looking at him. Sabo adjusted his glasses, a faint glint of light flashing between his fingertips. "Yes, we've found some... ways to break through the 'Absolute Defense'."
The trials of Pluton transformed the wisdom of the " Light of Revolution " into a sharp edge capable of piercing through the darkness.