Chapter 21

Basement.

This time, Li Hao felt a significant improvement after the absorption.

However, he still had doubts about whether he had reached the level of Zhan Shi (Level 10). Liu Long's explanation was too vague, possibly because he thought Li Hao hadn't reached that level yet, and it would be useless to tell him. Li Hao still didn't know what the characteristics of Zhan Shi were.

Was it just that his body became stronger?

At this moment, seeing that Liu Long was more talkative than before, perhaps because Li Hao had performed well, the cold and proud captain wasn't as arrogant as before.

Seeing this, Li Hao asked again, "Boss, besides actual combat, is there no other way to determine if I've reached the Zhan Shi level?"

"There is!"

Liu Long nodded, "Previously, Liu Yan was probably too lazy to tell you because you were just cannon fodder. You might die before reaching Zhan Shi, so you didn't need to know... Besides, you only needed to focus on actual combat, not these things..."

What a jerk!

Li Hao suddenly felt that he didn't regret kicking him; it was a good kick.

Liu Yan, that woman, was smiling on the surface but probably thought he wouldn't live long.

Indeed, women are one way on the surface and another in their hearts.

"What are the differences at the Zhan Shi level?"

Liu Long thought for a moment and said, "First, let's set a premise: we don't distinguish levels based on actual combat... Remember, actual combat is the foundation!"

Li Hao nodded, understanding this.

"If we look at actual combat, you can understand it from the name. You need to experience it yourself, whether it's breaking a hundred or fighting a thousand. You'll understand once you try it out in the military camp."

Li Hao laughed dryly, "Don't joke."

I don't want to die.

Moreover, if you really reach the level of fighting a thousand, the other side won't fight you hand-to-hand. They'll bombard you with cannons and a thousand guns. You'd be dead in that situation.

You don't seek death like that!

Liu Long continued, "If we don't look at actual combat, just at the level itself, there are clear characteristics. At the Zhan Shi level, you become a true martial artist. A martial artist, qi is generated internally! This is what we call internal skills... or you can think of it that way! Before the emergence of superpowers, martial artists were already beyond ordinary people. The biggest characteristic is the vigorous internal qi!"

Li Hao's eyes lit up, "Internal skills?"

"Yes!"

Liu Long nodded, "It's actually a kind of force. Internal force converges, transforming into qi. To put it more plainly, at the martial artist level, your blood and qi are abundant, your blood surges, and your tendons and bones resonate..."

As he spoke, Liu Long suddenly shook his arm.

At that moment, it seemed like his bones were resonating.

"Crack, crack, crack!"

Like a whip cracking in the air, the sound of air exploding.

Liu Long smiled, "See that? This is a martial artist, or the Zhan Shi level, the most obvious characteristic! When you punch or kick, your tendons and bones resonate, and internal force fills... The final result is just that!"

Li Hao's eyes sparkled.

Zhan Shi!

This is the weakest martial artist, the most basic level, and yet a punch can make the bones resonate. Amazing!

He can't do that yet!

This also means he hasn't reached the Zhan Shi level, even if we don't consider actual combat, just the level itself.

"What about breaking a hundred?"

Li Hao asked, becoming more interested.

Liu Long frowned slightly, "Breaking a hundred... you'd better not think about it. Martial artists have declined! At the Zhan Shi level, you still have a good chance of directly entering the superpower domain. Once you enter the breaking a hundred level..."

He sighed softly and said calmly, "Don't pursue breaking a hundred! Many martial artists at the Zhan Shi level have advanced to Starlight Masters, but those at the breaking a hundred level... I've almost never heard of them. Maybe there were some a few years ago, but now there's probably none left."

"Li Hao, remember, don't absorb attributeless mystic energy in the future. Attributeless mystic energy is a treasure for martial artists, but it's also a curse! Absorbing too much makes your body too strong, your strength too great... making transformation harder! If you really reach the breaking a hundred level, your chances of becoming a superpower user will be slim."

A bit self-deprecating.

At some point, powerful martial artists at the breaking a hundred level became a burden.

Being weaker allowed you to advance to superpower.

Being strong to the breaking a hundred level made it much harder, as the amount of mystic energy required was too much. Even with enough mystic energy, you might not advance.

He and Yuan Shuo, if they were twenty years ago, would have been leaders in the martial arts world.

But now... one is teaching and doing archaeology, the other is a frontline law enforcement officer.

Their status seems high, but it's not really that great, not as good as a young superpower user just entering the superpower domain.

Liu Long seemed to be lost in thought.

Li Hao also didn't ask anymore.

According to Liu Long's explanation and some things his teacher mentioned, Li Hao understood that the stronger your martial arts skills, the less likely you are to advance to superpower.

Attributeless mystic energy mainly enhances martial arts skills.

To advance to superpower, you should absorb attribute mystic energy.

If you encounter a highly compatible attribute mystic energy, you might directly become a superpower user, of course, provided you survive. The mortality rate is high, but in the Night Patrol organization, the survival rate is about 90%.

In the Demon Hunting Squad, it might be only 10%, so Liu Long didn't let Li Hao absorb attribute mystic energy, but rather focused on improving his physical condition.

"Don't aim too high!"

Li Hao reminded himself, reaching the Zhan Shi level isn't bad.

Internal qi surging, tendons and bones resonating, this is the mark of Zhan Shi. As for actual combat, who cares, just focus on the basics.

Actual combat is actually simple: more battles, more kills. If someone fights a hundred battles in ten years, I can fight a hundred in one year and still keep up. It's not a big deal.

"Boss, I'll stop practicing for today. I want to go to Yincheng Ancient Academy later."

"Go to the Ancient Academy?"

Liu Long came back to his senses, looked at Li Hao, frowned slightly, and said solemnly, "To see Yuan Shuo?"

"To see my teacher."

Liu Long thought for a moment and said, "That's up to you, but one thing: you must leave by night!"

Li Hao was puzzled.

Liu Long explained, "We need more clues and information about the people behind the scenes. If you stay at Yincheng Ancient Academy, they might not appear again! At the Ancient Academy, since Yuan Shuo will soon go on an expedition, some Night Patrol members might come early... Of course, if you're afraid of death, you can stay there and wait, never coming out!"

Li Hao shook his head, "I want revenge more!"

He hesitated a bit, "Boss, if it really can't be solved, should we notify the Night Patrol?"

Liu Long had a cold expression, "Remember, if the Demon Hunting Squad can't solve it, ordinary Night Patrol members... are just asking for death! Don't think too highly of the Night Patrol. As a martial artist at the breaking a hundred level, not many Night Patrol members can defeat me, and most have important missions, stationed in major cities! A small place like Yincheng, do you think the Night Patrol coming here will solve the problems I can't solve?"

Confident, proud!

The pride of a martial artist at the breaking a hundred level!

Even with superpowers being dominant, Liu Long still has his pride.

Li Hao didn't say anything this time. He believed that Liu Long wouldn't be unaware of the danger and still insist on this. It's not entirely because of the mystic energy from killing the other side. The bigger reason is what he said: if he can't solve it, weak Night Patrol members can't either.

The higher-ups of the Night Patrol wouldn't come to Yincheng for something that hasn't happened yet.

Understanding this, Li Hao felt relieved.

Moreover, he had discovered Wang Ming.

This guy, who came to infiltrate, must be exposed before the rainy season arrives. A superpower user infiltrating could cause trouble.

...

Leaving the basement.

Li Hao walked out of the law enforcement building, just about to leave the inspection office, his eyes moved slightly. It was really... coincidental!

"Hao Ge!"

In front of him, Wang Ming smiled brightly, "Hao Ge, let's go eat? I just arrived and don't know what the inspection office canteen has to offer."

It was already noon.

Meeting here wasn't unusual.

But Li Hao knew