Gao Wu: A centenarian old man, many children and good fortune! Chapter 028

As Zhou Kui’s voice fell, the other nine squad leaders, though silent, all focused their gazes on Xiao Yan, their eyes filled with anticipation and a hint of wanting to watch a show.

Lin Wei still stood expressionlessly to the side, her arms crossed over her chest, adopting a professional, non-interfering stance. However, the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her true thoughts.

Xiao Yan looked at Zhou Kui, who was radiating a chaotic aura and clear hostility, then swept his gaze over Lin Wei, who appeared to be detached but was secretly fanning the flames. A cold chuckle echoed in his heart.

A mere clown.

But… this is good too.

It saves him from wasting more words. Using the most direct method to make everyone recognize reality is also the most effective management tool.

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Yan’s face. To Zhou Kui, this smile looked more like disdain and contempt.

“Guidance is out of the question,” Xiao Yan’s tone remained calm, as if he hadn’t heard the provocation. “Since Captain Zhou wants to spar, let’s just exchange a few moves.”

He casually walked to the center of the training ground and beckoned to Zhou Kui: “Come on.”

Seeing his arrogance, Zhou Kui’s anger flared even more. He sneered, “Good! Then I won’t hold back! Captain, be careful!”

He let out a low roar, and the energy of a Transcendent Rank 2 exploded within him! It was no longer just pure vital energy, but Transcendent True Essence, initially condensed and carrying a destructive aura! The ground beneath his feet instantly cracked, and he transformed into a blurry afterimage, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountains, carrying a violent surge of air as he fiercely charged towards Xiao Yan!

On his right fist, a faint golden Transcendent energy was highly condensed, emitting a harsh tearing sound as if it would rip through the air! This punch was his strongest strike since stepping into the Transcendent realm, capable of shattering stone tablets and incredibly powerful!

However, just as Zhou Kui’s iron fist, condensed with Transcendent energy, was about to strike his face, Xiao Yan moved!

He also let out a low roar, his right foot stepping forward half a step, and the ground instantly sank slightly! The vast energy of Transcendent Rank 4 surged within him, without any fancy moves, also condensing on his right fist, carrying a terrifying might that seemed capable of tearing apart mountains and rivers, as it fiercely met Zhou Kui’s fist!

Two fists, containing Transcendent energy of completely different levels, collided fiercely under the gaze of all present!

“Boom—Crack!!!”

A deafening roar accompanied by a teeth-gritting sound of bones cracking exploded simultaneously!

A violent energy shockwave swept out like a hurricane, making the clothes of the observing squad leaders flutter wildly, almost making them lose their footing!

At the center of the collision, the sneer on Zhou Kui’s face instantly froze, replaced by extreme pain and horror! He felt a terrifying force, far beyond his understanding, like a mountain collapse and a tsunami, crushing all the energy condensed on his fist with destructive power, then slamming unimpeded onto his fist bones!

“Ah—!!!”

A shrill scream finally erupted from Zhou Kui’s throat! His right fist, wearing an alloy gauntlet, along with the bones of his forearm, instantly shattered like ceramics hit head-on by a battering ram! Pale bone fragments mixed with blood and flesh splattered outwards!

Immediately after, the unstoppable colossal force continued unabated, slamming into his chest!

Zhou Kui was like being hit by a high-speed maglev train, his entire body flying backward like a cannonball, drawing a parabolic arc in the air, tumbling over a dozen times before “thudding” heavily onto the edge of the training ground dozens of meters away!

He struggled to get up, but his right arm hung limply, completely numb, and his chest was churning with vital energy, a metallic taste in his throat. He opened his mouth and spat out another mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper, looking at Xiao Yan with boundless fear and despair.

One punch!

Just one punch exchange!

Transcendent Rank 2 Zhou Kui was completely incapacitated! His entire right arm was temporarily crippled!

The entire training ground once again fell into a deathly, suffocating silence!

The nine squad leaders were all frozen like statues, cold sweat pouring down their backs, looking at Xiao Yan, who slowly retracted his fist without even a hint of disordered breathing. Their shock was beyond words!

This… the gap is too huge! Hard-hitting resulted in this?!

However, Xiao Yan frowned slightly.

Something’s not right.

Very not right.

He could clearly feel that although his punch just now was terrifyingly powerful, the newly born True Essence within him, with its “Imperial-grade” characteristics, felt a clear sense of stagnation and… wastefulness when operating according to the fierce and direct脉络 (meridian pathways) of the Military Dragon-Subduing Fist.

It was like trying to drive a magnificent celestial horse with a rough hemp rope. Although it could be barely driven, it was completely unable to unleash the horse’s inherent agility and speed. Instead, it was constrained everywhere, and energy was greatly consumed during operation, far from being as smooth and harmonious as imagined.

The Military Dragon-Subduing Fist pursues ultimate power burst and an unyielding momentum, its energy circulation routes are grand and direct.

However, the True Essence condensed by the Imperial-grade Tai Chi Art carries a more introverted, purer, and more harmonious characteristic. It is not just power; it also contains a unique “intent” and “rhythm.”

Using a low-level combat technique to activate new, higher-level energy would naturally greatly reduce its effectiveness, and could even be called… a waste of treasure.

“It seems the Military Dragon-Subduing Fist needs to be replaced,” Xiao Yan understood in his heart, shaking his head inwardly. “I was so focused on cultivating the art that I forgot to look for a matching combat technique.”

“The Imperial-grade Tai Chi Art is so profound and powerful, there must be exclusive combat skills that match it and can perfectly unleash its power.”

“Otherwise, having powerful True Essence but being unable to fully utilize its power will greatly reduce combat effectiveness. Especially when facing opponents of the same level or stronger, this subtle difference could very well be the difference between life and death.”

Xiao Yan suppressed the thought of changing combat techniques and looked at Zhou Kui, who was struggling to get up and screaming in pain in the distance. A perfectly “startled” and “apologetic” expression appeared on his face.

He quickly walked over, stopping a few meters from Zhou Kui, frowning, and said with a hint of “annoyance”: “Oh dear! Captain Zhou, I’m truly sorry! I… I just broke through not long ago, and my power control isn’t very skilled yet. I couldn’t hold back just now and… you’re seriously injured! Should we quickly send you to the military hospital?”

As soon as he said this, the three weakest squad leaders seemed to wake from a dream, their faces filled with fear and panic. They rushed over, clumsily lifting the still wailing Zhou Kui and carrying him carefully, running towards the infirmary building as if fleeing for their lives.

Watching their retreating figures, Xiao Yan turned around and sighed heavily at the remaining squad leaders and Lin Wei, whose face was also somewhat pale, with a look of “self-reproach”: “Alas, it’s all my fault for not knowing my own strength and injuring Captain Zhou like this. I will definitely write a deep self-reflection report to the division headquarters.”

He seemed genuinely annoyed by his “mishap,” and when he looked up, his eyes met Lin Wei’s.

Lin Wei felt a sudden shock in her heart as if the other party’s calm gaze carried an invisible penetrative force!

Why was this old guy still sighing like that?!

He clearly… clearly crippled Zhou Kui with one punch!

But that calm gaze and the unchanged powerful aura made everyone present feel a chill from the depths of their souls.

Self-reflection? Who would dare make you write a self-reflection report?! This was clearly killing a chicken to scare the monkeys!

The squad leaders all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe loudly, cold sweat already soaking their combat uniforms.

Xiao Yan seemed not to notice their reactions. He turned his gaze to Lin Wei, his tone returning to its previous calmness, even with a hint of inquiry: “Deputy Captain Lin, Captain Zhou is suddenly injured. What do you think… should we continue with our next arrangements?”

Lin Wei’s delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead. How could she dare to make any arrangements? All she wanted now was to stay far away from Xiao Yan!

She quickly lowered her head, avoiding Xiao Yan’s gaze, her voice carrying a hint of respect and stiffness that she herself hadn’t noticed: “No… no! Captain! It was my oversight, delaying your time! Your subordinate… your subordinate will take you to the office now to familiarize yourself with the brigade’s documents and daily affairs!”

At this moment, she no longer had any arrogance or cunning, only awe and… fear of absolute power.