CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 171: DAN JIN’S MUTATION, A MOMENT OF LIFE AND DEATH! _4

These people now held even greater contempt in their hearts. It was only because Huo Honghao remained standing there; otherwise, confronted with Zhang Beixing’s current appearance, they would have departed long ago.

Zhang Beixing, however, was completely unaware of this.

He simply stood in front of a Wooden Dummy, closed his eyes, and focused on the changes in the Vital Energy within his body. He discovered that after his breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster state, an additional ’sphere’ had formed below his navel.

The ’sphere’ was shapeless and formless, exceedingly smooth, and condensed from Hidden Force. It was more apt to call it a ’sphere of Qi,’ and one could only sense it through a general sense. The sensation was akin to having a burp trapped in one’s stomach.

Is this... a Golden Core? Perceiving the ’sphere’ within his body, Zhang Beixing couldn’t help but think of something that often appeared in those fantasy novels. But then he felt that wasn’t quite right. After all, this is too nonsensical. I haven’t become Transcendent, and besides, this is the real world. Where would a Golden Core come from?

Thus, he flipped through Ancient Texts and soon found relevant records.

’Vital Energy Core!’

This was, in theory, an advanced state of Vital Energy. The text described this Vital Energy Core as an internalized essence, perfectly round and harmonious, a state achieved by ’embracing the core while seated in a stance.’ It was a phenomenon that could only occur when all the body’s Vital Energy, Essence, Qi, and Spirit, as well as all the marrow and plasma, were condensed into one point after breaking through to Great Grandmaster.

According to Ancient Texts, those who cultivated the Vital Energy Core could unleash a thousand pounds of force with every movement, leap ten steps in a single bound, and possess physical strength equivalent to seven or eight horses. If all of one’s Vital Energy Core was gathered in one place, its power would be truly extraordinary!

At the same time, those who cultivated the Vital Energy Core could also self-regulate their Qi and Blood to condition the body, which is why Great Grandmasters could extend their lifespan. Moreover, a Great Grandmaster’s Vital Energy Core contained an aura. Every movement was imbued with this core energy, allowing them to reach the state of ’Not a Feather Added, Not a Fly Would Land.’

It was also because of all these reasons that in ancient times, Great Grandmasters were revered as Land Immortals.

So that’s how it is! Zhang Beixing thought. Every movement can unleash a thousand pounds of force. I guess this is why, as I walked here, I unwittingly crushed the floorboards and deformed the dinner plate without even trying! The Great Grandmaster extends their lifespan; the reason Zhang Sanfeng lived so long was also due to the transformation of the Great Grandmaster’s Vital Energy Core, which could regulate Qi and Blood. ’Not a Feather Added’... it’s somewhat similar to being untouched by rain but even more ingenious.

Zhang Beixing understood. Then, his gaze fell upon the phrase ’gathering all the Vital Energy Core in one place results in extraordinary power,’ and he grew curious. I’m already so powerful in my usual state. What would the power of my punch be like if I condensed all my Vital Energy Core into one spot?

Let’s try!

Zhang Beixing stepped back, placing his hand at his waist and secretly gathering strength. He felt the ’Vital Energy Core’ within him, guided by his strength and will, slowly move from his core to his fist, enveloping it. Zhang Beixing knew this was the perfect moment to strike, without a moment’s hesitation.

"HA!" he bellowed, and forcefully threw his punch.

His fist cut through the air, creating a fierce gust of wind. His punch landed heavily on the Wooden Dummy in front of him.

THUD!

With a muffled sound, almost instantly, Zhang Beixing’s fist landed on the Wooden Dummy as if striking tofu. It met no resistance, punching straight through and boring a hole in the sturdy wooden post!

Seeing this, the pupils of everyone present contracted sharply!

Huo Honghao was dumbstruck! He knew Zhang Beixing was strong, incredibly formidable even. But this—a direct punch through the Wooden Dummy, followed by a stumble as if from overexertion and losing balance—was beyond belief.

What kind of monster is this?! Huo Honghao exclaimed internally, utterly bewildered.

If even he, who considered himself relatively familiar with Zhang Beixing, reacted this way, it was needless to say how the King of Soldiers and the elite troops, who were unfamiliar with Zhang Beixing, felt. This group now felt as if their brains were connected to that Wooden Dummy. When Zhang Beixing’s punch pierced the Wooden Dummy, it felt as though their own minds had been pierced as well.

They had been soldiers for many years and had seen many strange and extraordinary things. Take the Wooden Dummy, for instance. They had seen experts who could strike it once, leaving the surface unharmed while damaging the interior. They had also witnessed others who could shatter it into two pieces with a dozen or so punches. But to date, they had never seen anyone punch clean through a Wooden Dummy with a single blow!

While the technique might not have been highly refined, the sheer violent force was off the charts! Forget about hitting a person; a punch like that could pierce through top terrestrial predators like tigers or bears, allowing one to have a ’heart-to-heart’ chat with them, couldn’t it? Even Tyson wouldn’t be able to withstand it!

"Is this really something a human can achieve?!" someone exclaimed in complete astonishment.

His words immediately drew a wave of hushed agreement. "Damn, punched right through! How much power is that? He doesn’t even look that muscular, does he?"

"No wonder Colonel Huo regards him so highly. I feel like even ten of me wouldn’t be his match!"

"Ten of you? You’re overestimating yourself. The power of that punch is almost like a bullet. Bare-handed, he’s invincible. Only firearms could possibly stop him!"