In the experimental field, Kong Ming'an was unhurried. After making sure everyone's gaze was on him, his eyes slowly fell upon the soldier standing like a statue in the field.
Like an introduction, he spoke calmly:
"Test subject, serial number 037, Spirit "Windbreaker Bear", Intermediate Spirit, Innate spirit power Rank five.
"Age twenty, spirit power Rank thirty-one.
"Underwent systematic cultivation of the "Body Tempering Method" for five months and seven days.
"During cultivation, his spirit power broke through to Rank thirty-two, and his third spirit ring's age is two thousand one hundred years."
As his words fell, the alloy door on the other side of the experimental field silently slid open.
A young soldier, also in military uniform but without any test cables or armor, strode in.
He was also well-built, but slightly shorter than 037. His eyes were sharp, carrying unconcealed arrogance and Battle Intent, and a scorching Aura subtly emanated with his steps.
Kong Ming'an's gaze turned to the newcomer, his voice still calm and unwavering:
"Opponent, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Legion reserve soldier, Spirit "Blazing Flame Exploding Bear", Advanced Spirit, Innate spirit power Rank seven.
"Age eighteen, spirit power Rank thirty-eight.
"Has not undergone "Body Tempering Method" cultivation, and his third spirit ring's age is one thousand five hundred years."
Innate spirit power Rank seven versus Innate spirit power Rank five!
Advanced Spirit versus Intermediate Spirit!
Rank thirty-eight versus Rank thirty-one!
Eighteen years old versus twenty years old!
Purely from the paper data, this reserve soldier held an overwhelming advantage.
On the second-floor platform, all eyes were focused on the two individuals below.
Meng Hongchen unconsciously clutched the corner of Jing Hongchen's robe beside her, her ice-blue eyes unblinking. Xiao Hongchen, beside them, also temporarily put away his arrogance, his eyes showing a hint of confusion, not understanding what this was all about.
Kong Ming'an ignored the reactions from above. He simply watched until both men were in position, then waved his hand very casually:
"Begin."
The moment the command was given… "Roar—!"
The reserve soldier attached his Spirit without any hesitation. For this somewhat "unfair" test, he had been holding back a fire for a long time.
Dark red fur covered his entire body, his muscles bulged, and his hands transformed into giant claws burning with crimson flames. A scorching heatwave instantly spread out!
Without any hesitation, his first spirit ring shone brightly with yellow light. He was like a ignited cannonball, rushing fiercely and incomparably towards 037 with raging flames and a piercing sound of breaking air!
Speed, strength, and an unparalleled Aura suppression—the advantages of this Advanced Spirit wielder were fully displayed.
However, facing this fierce pounce, 037 remained exceptionally calm. He neither attached his Spirit nor lit up any spirit ring.
He simply stood firmly rooted to the ground, his body slightly sinking, adopting the most basic defensive stance.
"Is he crazy?" Xiao Hongchen couldn't help but frown.
Not using Spirit Ability, not using his Spirit, but relying solely on his Physical Body to withstand a Rank thirty-eight attack system Spirit Master's Spirit Ability pounce?
Even if he was also a Spirit Elder, the difference in Spirit quality and spirit power Rank were real! This was simply courting death!
Just as the blazing flame claw wind reached his body, 037 moved.
His movement was minimal, yet precise to the millimeter.
His body gently turned sideways just before the scorching heatwave and sharp claw shadows struck.
Boom!
The blazing flame claw slammed hard onto the ground where 037 had been standing, leaving scorched claw marks on the sturdy alloy floor, the marks clearly visible.
Missing his attack, a trace of astonishment flashed in the reserve soldier's eyes, but he didn't pause. His second spirit ring lit up immediately after.
He swept his claws violently to both sides, and scorching flames erupted in a fan shape, sealing off the surrounding evasion space. At the same time, his third spirit ring flashed purple, and he opened his mouth to spit out balls of crimson fire, shooting directly at 037's face.
The Spirit Ability connections were smooth and ruthless; this was experience honed in actual combat.
Yet, facing this all-around fiery pincer attack from above, below, and to the sides, 037 still didn't use spirit power. His movements were as fast as Gui Mei, calmly and unhurriedly dodging each fireball attack.
Each evasion seemed to precisely anticipate the opponent's attack trajectory, using pure physical coordination and reaction speed to dodge attack after attack.
It seemed every muscle and every bone in his body was under his absolute control!
"This..." Xiao Hongchen was somewhat stunned.
Is this a Spirit Elder?! A Spirit Master with an Intermediate Spirit who just entered the Spirit Elder realm, using physical strength to suppress an Advanced Spirit Master who had been in the Spirit Elder realm for a long time and was not far from becoming a Spirit Ancestor?
In the experimental field, the reserve soldier grew more and more alarmed as he fought, gradually becoming impatient.
His proud Spirit Abilities, and the power and flame suppression brought by his Advanced Spirit, seemed to lose their effect against his opponent.
His spirit power was being consumed wildly, but every attack was like hitting cotton, all in vain!
"Roar!!"
In his fury, the reserve soldier unreservedly poured his remaining spirit power into his third spirit ring, which burst with purple light!
Flames surged around his entire body, his claws came together, condensing a violently burning Blazing Flame Exploding Bomb filled with terrifying Energy, ready to recklessly blast towards his opponent!
This was an all-out gamble.
However, just as his old strength was exhausted, new strength had not yet arisen, and the bomb was on the verge of being released—a momentary flaw—
037, who had been on the defensive, suddenly moved.
There was no spirit ring light, only pure, extreme Physical Body strength. Fine cracks appeared on the hard alloy ground beneath his feet, and he transformed into a blurred afterimage, instantly closing in!
Then, a simple yet lightning-fast straight punch slammed heavily into the reserve soldier's face, which was slightly tilted forward due to his concentration of power!
"Bang—!!!"
A dull, ear-splitting thud.
The light of the Blazing Flame Exploding Bomb instantly dissipated, and the triumphant expression on the reserve soldier's face froze, turning into extreme pain and bewilderment.
His strong body flew backward several meters like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, rolling twice, then lying motionless, completely unconscious.
In the field, 037 slowly retracted his fist. His breathing was steady, and apart from a slight sweat from the intense exertion, there were no obvious injuries on his body.
He glanced at his unconscious opponent, then calmly turned towards Kong Ming'an, respectfully bowed, and then, at the latter's casual wave of hand, went to several assistant researchers to begin the routine data recording.
The entire second-floor platform fell into a silence even deeper than when Kong Ming'an had first stood up.
All the Rank nine Soul Engineers, including the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire who had been invited to witness this achievement, burst out with incredibly astonished light in their eyes!
They stared intently at the soldier below who had defeated a Rank thirty-eight Advanced Spirit Master with only his Physical Body, their gazes burning with intensity.
And Kong Ming'an's figure, in this dead silence, appeared exceptionally clear.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over the frozen faces on the second-floor platform, as if everything that had just happened was within his expectations.
Without any hint of triumph or display, he simply used that calm voice, which almost masked the youthfulness and immaturity of his age, and slowly spoke:
"This is the result of cultivating the 'Body Tempering Method' for five months, everyone... are you satisfied?"