Shen Hao leaned back on the bench, arms crossed, still watching Kael quietly hum beside him.
"Master," Shen Hao spoke in his mind, "this DNA upgrade thing… what exactly is it?"
Mo Han's voice came gently, as steady as always.
"It's exactly what it sounds like. A treatment that unlocks hidden potential within your bloodline — by altering the structure of your cultivation-related genes."
Shen Hao blinked. "Wait… you mean… like rewriting your body's limits?"
"Precisely."
Mo Han continued,
"Take Kael, for example. If he had undergone a DNA upgrade seven hundred years ago… it likely would've taken him only around three hundred years to reach his current cultivation level."
Shen Hao sat up straighter. "What?! That big of a difference?!"
"Yes. That's why DNA upgrades are one of the most sought-after — and most expensive — services in the universe."
Shen Hao shook his head in disbelief.
"So… it's not just some little boost. It actually shaves centuries off your cultivation time?"
"Exactly. It opens doors in your potential that might have never been accessible otherwise."
Shen Hao exhaled. "No wonder it costs so much. That's basically… buying your future."
Mo Han's tone remained calm, but firm.
"That is why so many powerful clans hold their dominance. They can afford it for their heirs — while the rest of the universe struggles with slow progress and dead ends."
Shen Hao let the thought settle in his mind.
"So… if I had the money…"
Mo Han replied softly,
"...You could rise far beyond what even I could guide you to."
Shen Hao's heart thudded once in his chest.
A whole world of opportunity — locked behind a price tag.
He didn't know whether to feel inspired… or furious.
But before he could answer —
A loud voice echoed across the hall.
"Contestant Number 312. Shen Hao! Prepare for your exam!"
Shen Hao stood up as his name echoed again through the massive hall.
"Contestant Number 312. Shen Hao! Report now!"
He took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders lightly.
"Here we go," he muttered.
Before he could take a step, Kael — still seated beside him — gave him a nod and a friendly smile.
"Hey."
Shen Hao turned slightly. "Yeah?"
Kael's eyes were calm, his expression genuine.
"Stay sharp. Give it your all. You've made it this far — don't hold back now."
Shen Hao blinked… then smirked faintly.
"Thanks."
No luck talk. No fake encouragement. Just honest words.
That… he could respect.
Kael leaned back with a small chuckle.
"Maybe when you're done, you can tell me how it feels to actually pass this thing."
Shen Hao shook his head. "I'll let you know — if I'm still breathing."
With that, he turned and made his way toward the arched door at the side of the hall.
The crowd parted slightly as he walked past — some giving him curious glances, others not even bothering to look.
Shen Hao stepped through the door… and into a long, dim corridor.
At the far end… a faint light glowed.
Mo Han's voice came quietly.
"Remember the rules: No giving up without thought. No reckless bravado. You survive. That's the goal."
Shen Hao nodded slightly.
"Survive. Got it."
With steady steps, he moved toward the light… and into the examination chamber.
The examination chamber wasn't grand or flashy.
It was a simple, circular arena with smooth stone floors and faint silver runes etched into the walls — glowing softly like a quiet heartbeat.
Standing calmly at the center was a tall man in dark battle robes. His presence wasn't loud… but it pressed against the air like a silent mountain.
Shen Hao froze the moment his eyes landed on him.
"Master…" he whispered mentally.
Mo Han answered without hesitation.
"Yes. That's him."
"…How strong?"
Mo Han's voice grew firm.
"Peak of Beginning Realm Level 9. His foundation is so stable… he's on the verge of breaking through into the Demi-Conqueror Realm."
Shen Hao felt a cold chill race down his spine.
"He's… that close?"
Mo Han confirmed.
"A few days. Maybe a few hours. Or… even right now if the right spark hits him."
Shen Hao swallowed hard.
"How am I supposed to survive that?"
Mo Han's voice remained calm.
"You've survived worse situations, Shen Hao. Focus."
Before Shen Hao could respond —
The man at the center turned his head.
"You must be… Shen Hao."
His voice was smooth, steady — almost kind.
Shen Hao blinked.
"Uh… yes, sir."
The examiner gave him a light nod and actually smiled faintly.
"From a place called… Earth, right? A rather mysterious world — interesting."
Shen Hao nodded slowly, unsure how to respond.
"No need to be tense," the examiner said, clasping his hands behind his back. "I'm not here to humiliate you… or hurt you. I simply want to know why you're standing here."
Shen Hao took a slow breath and met his gaze.
"This is my first time in Void Gate. My UID is still processing… and I need money. But more than that… I want real combat experience. I need to grow stronger. And this… seemed like the right place to start."
The examiner gave a thoughtful hum.
"A fair answer."
Then his eyes sharpened — just a little.
"And you know the rules, I presume?"
Shen Hao nodded. "Survive seven strikes."
The examiner smiled lightly.
"Correct. You don't have to defeat me… you just have to withstand seven of my attacks. Head-on. If you fall, pass out, or surrender… you fail."
He raised one hand slowly.
"I won't kill you. This is a test — not a death match. But I expect you to push yourself honestly. Give up only if you truly believe you cannot continue. Understood?"
Shen Hao clenched his fists… and gave a short nod.
"Understood."
The examiner's smile held no malice — only a silent challenge.
"Then… let us begin."
The examiner lifted his right hand… and the air itself grew heavy.
No chanting.
No flashy energy surge.
Just pure, condensed pressure rolling off him like a silent wave.
Shen Hao's body tensed on instinct.
Mo Han's voice echoed in his mind, calm… but sharper than usual.
"Brace yourself. He's controlling his aura perfectly. This is no casual attack."
Shen Hao took a stance, planting his feet firmly on the polished stone floor.
"No dodging… no countering… Just endure."
The examiner nodded once, almost respectfully.
"First strike."
He swung his hand down gently — like swatting away dust.
A ripple of force — sharp, dense, invisible — blasted toward Shen Hao.
The impact hit his crossed arms like a battering ram.
A crack of sound exploded in the air.
Shen Hao grunted, feet skidding back half a step, arms numb from the blow.
"That… was one?" he gasped.
Lingfeng's voice rang in his head, "Six more! Not that I'm counting!"
Mo Han said quietly, "Focus."
The examiner didn't even move from his spot.
"Second strike."
His fingers flicked upward — a sharp, slicing gesture.
A thin arc of Qi split the air, slamming straight into Shen Hao's chest.
He barely got his arms up in time.
The force pushed him back another full step. His knees bent slightly, a faint tremor running through his legs.
Shen Hao hissed through his teeth.
"That's… number two…"
The examiner nodded slowly.
"Good. You're adapting."
"Not sure if that's good or bad," Shen Hao muttered under his breath.
"Third strike."
The examiner stomped his foot — softly.
The ground under Shen Hao's feet erupted with a shockwave.
"Whoa—!"
He slammed his foot down, channeling Qi into the soles of his boots, anchoring himself just in time to avoid being launched into the ceiling.
The shock ran up his spine like a hammer blow.
"Third," he whispered, breathing heavier.
Mo Han spoke in his mind,
"Don't block only with strength. Use your core to distribute the force."
"Easier said than done," Shen Hao growled.
The examiner smiled faintly.
"You're holding well."
Shen Hao managed a tight grin.
"Yeah… I'm having the time of my life."
The examiner gave a small chuckle.
"Fourth strike."
This time, he extended a finger… and tapped the air.
The pressure hit Shen Hao like a giant hand slapping him from every direction.
His body shook, teeth clenched, arms crossed in front of his face as the force tried to compress him into the ground.
"Ngghhh—!"
A crack formed on the floor beneath his boots.
Mo Han's voice rang sharp in his mind.
"Reinforce your spine — let your Qi flow with the impact, not against it!"
Shen Hao focused, forcing his purple Qi into his limbs, absorbing some of the crushing weight.
The pressure eased.
He exhaled hard, heart pounding.
"Four down…"
The examiner's eyes narrowed slightly — a glint of genuine interest sparking in his gaze.
"Shall we continue?"
Shen Hao gave a short, sharp nod.
"Let's."
The examiner's expression remained calm… but his stance shifted ever so slightly.
"Fifth strike."
He brought both hands together — not a clap, but a slow, smooth motion.
The air between his palms shimmered… and then a pulse erupted outward.
The pressure slammed into Shen Hao like a giant wave crashing on a brittle shore.
His arms flared with pain as he braced again, feeling the shock run up to his shoulders, slamming into his core like a hammer blow.
His feet slid back half a meter — deep grooves scraping along the arena floor beneath him.
Shen Hao gritted his teeth.
"Fifth…"
Mo Han's voice came sharp but steady.
"You're absorbing the impact better. Hold your center!"
"I'm… trying…"
The examiner gave a nod — there was no mockery in his eyes.
"Impressive."
"Yeah, I'm a real inspiration," Shen Hao muttered between clenched teeth.
"Sixth strike."
This time, the examiner raised one hand slowly… and simply pressed his palm forward.
No wind. No sound.
The moment his palm stopped — a dense wall of force exploded directly toward Shen Hao.
He had half a heartbeat to react.
"NOW!" Mo Han barked.
Shen Hao slammed both palms forward, forming a quick Crimson Qi barrier with all the energy he could muster.
The impact hit like a mountain crashing down.
His barrier cracked instantly.
The force blasted through and drove him down to one knee.
The stone beneath him split wide open with a loud snap.
Pain screamed through his arms, his core shaking violently.
Shen Hao roared through gritted teeth.
"I… won't… fall!"
The wave passed.
He coughed — a thin trickle of blood staining the corner of his mouth.
Mo Han spoke softly,
"Your body is almost at its limit… but your will is holding."
Shen Hao forced a thin smile.
"One more…"
The examiner gave him a slow, respectful nod.
"Last one."
He shifted his stance… and drew a deep breath.
"Seventh strike."
His hand shot forward — a single, open palm.
This wasn't a punch.
It wasn't a wave.
It was pure, focused force… condensed into a single, silent blast.
It struck Shen Hao dead center.
For a split second — everything went white.
He felt himself lifted off the ground… his back slamming against empty air.
But somehow… somehow… his feet slammed back down before he could fall.
Shen Hao dropped to one knee — shaking, sweating, his body screaming at him to collapse.
But his eyes… stayed open.
His chest heaved… his arms trembled…
But he was still conscious.
Still breathing.
The examiner lowered his hand slowly, watching him with a faint, approving smile.
"…You've passed."
Shen Hao managed a crooked grin… even as his limbs refused to move.
Mo Han's voice echoed quietly in his mind,
"Well done… disciple."
Shen Hao stayed on one knee… breath shallow… arms hanging at his sides like dead weight.
He tried to move his fingers.
Nothing.
He tried to speak.
A faint grunt escaped his throat.
The examiner walked over — slow, steady steps echoing softly in the silent chamber.
He stopped in front of Shen Hao and looked down at him… not with pity… but with something far rarer.
Respect.
"You endured all seven."
Shen Hao managed to move his lips just enough for a single word.
"Yeah…"
The examiner's faint smile grew by a fraction.
"You've got heart."
Shen Hao let out something between a laugh and a cough.
"Or… a death wish…"
Mo Han spoke gently in his mind,
"You've done more than enough. Rest now."
Shen Hao exhaled slowly.
His body refused to move — every muscle locked, his vision blurred — but…
He hadn't fallen.
He hadn't given up.
He was still here.
The examiner gave him one last nod.
"Welcome… to the Hunter's Palace."
And just like that…
Shen Hao let the world tilt slightly… his body falling forward — not unconscious… but finally letting go.
The examiner caught him by the shoulder before he could hit the ground.
"You'll recover," the man said softly. "And when you do… we'll see what you're really made of."
Shen Hao's lips curved into the faintest grin.
"…Can't wait…"
Darkness crept into the edges of his vision… and then, he passed out.