A week passed. The matter concerning Pei Hong and Luo Zhuo came to an end. The lieutenant personally investigated their crimes and dealt with them according to military law execution.
In truth, who among them was innocent?
Almost everyone committed crimes; most simply did so in secret. Not a single person in the military was a saint. But the unspoken rule had never been about purity, it was about concealment. Once a matter was exposed, it ceased to be an individual's failing. It became a threat to order, and the higher ups would deal with it swiftly and mercilessly.
What were rules and order for?
To maintain discipline over such vast manpower.
If everyone began breaking rules openly, chaos would follow. Without restraint, every man would act on impulse, every desire laid bare. Discipline would crumble. Authority would be reduced to a joke.
Qin Hao was considered the most promising trainee within the barracks. He would always be the first to finish training. Currently, his physical strength has reached a stagnation period. "From this point on it would be harder for me to gain strength through pure physical training." Qin Hao spoke as he examined his body. He could feel a distinct energy flowing within him, subtle, yet powerful. It coursed through his limbs, making him feel as though he could shatter stone and crush boulders with ease.
When one stepped into the Rank 1 Martial Master stage, their body would begin to absorb the energy of heaven and earth automatically, dispersing it throughout the body.
Not everyone could reach this stage.
Talent was the deciding factor.
Without it, one could train for decades and still never break through. In the military, many trainees remained trainees for life.
Qin Hao picked up a stone and pressed it in his palm.
Crack…
The stone shattered inch by inch under his grip.
He had broken through just yesterday and had yet to report it to his superior.
"Not bad." Qin Hao nodded to himself.
"Still a long way to go. You are only at the Foundation Stage," the second consciousness said.
Rank 1 to Rank 3, Foundation Stage.
Rank 4 to Rank 6, Energy Expansion.
Rank 7 to Rank 9, Extended Expansion.
Beyond Rank 9, Domain Control.
All of this knowledge came from the memories of that mysterious worm.
"Hey, Brother Qin." A sweet voice called out.
Jiang Fei approached with a bright smile. Ever since his clash with Pei Hong and Trainer Luo, their relationship had grown closer. After training, she would often seek him out to chat. Today was no exception.
Qin Hao turned to look at her.
The moment their eyes met, Jiang Fei froze, her breathing halted. Cold sweat appeared on her brows as she felt being stared at by a dangerous beast.
"Idiot, your aura is leaking. You'll scare her to death," the second consciousness scolded.
Qin Hao gave an awkward laugh. Having just broken through, he had yet to fully control his aura.
He quickly suppressed it.
Even so, Jiang Fei still felt her heart racing uncontrollably.
"You… you became a Martial Master?" she asked, her voice filled with shock.
Qin Hao nodded with a smile.
"Amazing." Jaing Fei felt happy. Thinking of something suddenly her face flushed red.
"What happened?" Qin Hao asked, staring at her.
They chatted for a while before parting. Jiang Fei seemed reluctant to leave, but Qin Hao excused himself under the pretense of training.
"She has already fallen for you." Second consciousness laughed.
"Hmm… I'm not sure," Qin Hao rubbed his chin, unconcerned.
Without dwelling on it, he immersed himself in training once more, not physical training, but technique.
"My understanding of the basic techniques are far more profound than the trainers in the military." Qin Hao thought.
"That's only natural," the second consciousness replied. "The worm's origin is far from ordinary. With its memories, you won't have to worry about an unstable foundation."
"True… Now I can finally learn that technique," Qin Hao grinned.
"Divine Demon Sealing Heaven Art."
The moment he first saw it within the worm's memories, he knew it was a peerless technique.
It was said to have been lost long ago.
By a stroke of fortune, the worm had obtained it… only to fall into calamity before ever cultivating it, reduced to nothing more than a lowly worm.
Qin Hao couldn't help but laugh.
That fortuitous encounter had now become his.
Despite its profundity, Qin Hao was not discouraged. However, after only a few minutes of practice, his body reached its limit.
He collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted.
"This technique is ridiculously difficult. I haven't even scratched the surface," Qin Hao complained inwardly.
"Humph. It's a peerless technique. Naturally, it surpasses anything in the military," the second consciousness scoffed.
"I know, I know… I'm just venting," Qin Hao rolled his eyes.
This bastard never missed a chance to refute him.
Barely managing to crawl back to his bed, Qin Hao fell into a deep sleep.
His roommates were astonished by his diligence.
"Boss, rest well and keep getting stronger… The stronger you are, the greater our influence," Wang Shou thought, his eyes gleaming.
Since the battle with Trainer Luo, Qin Hao's reputation had soared. No one dared provoke him anymore.
As his follower, Wang Shou's influence rose alongside him.
Many even tried to curry favor.
Wang Shou and others were extremely gleeful.
The next day, Qin Hao appeared before Trainer Mohim.
The moment Mohim saw him, his eyes widened in surprise.
"You've become a Martial Master?"
Qin Hao nodded.
"Good. Come with me."
Following Mohim, Qin Hao entered a secluded chamber.
At its center stood a tall, glistening crystal pillar.
"This is a Crystal Stone Pillar," Mohim said. "It is used to measure the overall strength of a Martial Master."
"My physical strength?" Qin Hao asked.
"Not just that," Mohim shook his head. "It measures internal energy, technique proficiency, and intent."
"The result is expressed in Jin Force."
"An average person produces 10–20 Jin. A trainee can reach 40–50 Jin. A Martial Master typically falls between 50 and 100 Jin."
Qin Hao listened carefully.
"Why can trainees exceed normal humans?" Mohim continued. "Because through training, you accumulate trace amounts of energy and cultivate martial intent."
"As for Martial Masters… they are on an entirely different level."
He nodded.
Qin Hao understood most of it. Through this crystalline stone pillar everything will be measured.
"What should i do?" Qin Hao was curious and eager. He wanted to see his own strength results.
Mohim smiled faintly. "You just need to punch once."
"Just once?" Qin Hao was surprised.
"Yes."