Chapter 11: Half Power
“An expert!”
Standing amid the crowd, Tang Mubai fixed his gaze on the middle-aged man at the forefront, his eyes narrowing slightly. His Sense attribute at level two allowed him to clearly perceive the man’s formidable strength.
Even though the man deliberately restrained his aura, the invisible pressure he exuded with each step still gave Tang Mubai a faint sense of oppression.
“A Professional-level martial artist?”
The hierarchy of martial artists was Amateur, Specialist, Professional, Master, and Grandmaster. Amateurs were ordinary people, Specialists were just getting started, and only upon reaching Professional level did a martial artist truly gain status.
Of course, this status wasn’t among ordinary people, but within the circle of martial artists—much like the difference between regular folk and the wealthy elite.
To the average person, a Specialist martial artist was already highly esteemed. But among martial artists, Specialists were mere rookies.
Only by breaking through to Professional level would one earn the respect of their peers.
“Chief, it’s just about time.”
Among the approaching examiners, a woman glanced at her wristwatch, then turned to seek instructions from the stern-faced middle-aged man.
He nodded slightly. “Let’s begin.”
“Yes.”
Clapping her hands, the woman called out loudly, “All registered candidates, please line up according to your numbers and follow us.”
The men and women who had been waiting in the hall sprang to their feet at her words, quickly forming an orderly line.
With the examiners leading, they headed to a corner at the back of the hall, passed through a corridor, and entered a spacious room.
Examination Room.
Tang Mubai cast a glance at the three large characters hanging on the right wall, indicating its purpose.
As the name suggested, this was the room for checking vital energy—to see if it met the minimum requirement of 10 units.
If your vital energy didn’t reach 10, there was no need to continue with the assessment.
Generally speaking, those bold enough to register had already met the baseline.
Yet this time, a short, chubby young man’s test result fell below standard.
He was dumbfounded!
When he finally reacted, panic seized him and he cried out, “No, that can’t be! I clearly tested at 11 units at the martial arts school—why is it only 9 here? The machine’s wrong, it must be!”
The chubby youth shouted frantically.
“Take him out.”
The stern-faced middle-aged man wasted no words, simply ordering two subordinates to seize and drag the youth from the room.
Tang Mubai watched the entire scene in silence, a hint of disdain flickering across his lips.
Trying to play dumb before a Professional-level martial artist—does he think he’s some kind of actor?
He shook his head and paid no further attention.
Soon, it was Tang Mubai’s turn. His result matched the system panel exactly—12 units!
He passed the vital energy test. Next was the strength assessment.
A young male examiner holding a clipboard opened the first registration form, stood before the strength-testing device, and called out without looking up, “First up, Chen Yang.”
As he finished, a staff member switched on the device and stepped aside.
A young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six, stepped forward, took a deep breath, assumed a bow stance, and drove his fist straight into the target.
Bang!
Numbers flashed rapidly across the display before settling.
“Three hundred twenty-five kilograms. Passed. Next, Li Yuan.”
…
The minimum requirement for the strength test was three hundred kilograms.
The bow stance punch was the fastest technique, engaging the most muscle groups and generating the greatest force.
With a single punch, one could immediately gauge a martial artist’s strength.
…
“Next, Tang Mubai! Hmm?”
The examiner called his name, then paused, lowering his head to study the form before looking up in surprise. “You’re really only eighteen?”
Tang Mubai stepped forward a few paces and nodded. “Yes.”
The examiner glanced at him again but said nothing.
Tang Mubai also remained silent. Standing before the device, he took a deep breath.
In the next moment, he twisted his waist, channeling power from the soles of his feet, transmitting it swiftly upward, and finally exploding through his right arm toward the target pad.
Though he didn’t use his full strength, the punch still whistled through the air.
Boom!
The air split with the abruptness of an explosion, a shockwave reverberating deafeningly through the room.
The onlookers instinctively flinched and took a step back.
All eyes then snapped to the display.
The numbers climbed rapidly, finally stopping at—
“Five hundred eighty kilograms! Passed!”
The examiner recording the results exclaimed in astonishment.
A punch of 580 kilograms—he himself couldn’t achieve such force.
In fact, apart from the stern-faced middle-aged man, no one else present could.
The room erupted in murmurs as the crowd buzzed with discussion.
Even the stern-faced man couldn’t help but glance Tang Mubai’s way.
He hadn’t needed to attend such assessments—he just happened to be free today. He hadn’t expected to discover such a promising talent!
Not a prodigy, though.
Eighteen years old, with a punch of 580 kilograms, was exceptional but not extraordinary.
He had seen true prodigies—seventeen-year-olds with over 700 kilograms of force!
Little did he know, Tang Mubai had only used half his strength.
Each physical test allowed three attempts.
Tang Mubai didn’t want to reveal his full power and arouse suspicion, so for his first punch, he’d held back.
Who would have thought…
“With only half my strength, I hit 580 kilograms. If I went all out, wouldn’t I break a thousand?”
Tang Mubai was inwardly delighted, the corners of his mouth lifting as he stepped away from the testing area.
“You’re impressive, kid. With strength like that, why not apply to Martial Arts University?”
A burly man who’d just finished his test asked curiously.
Others nearby looked on with puzzled expressions.
Tang Mubai sighed, “I wanted to, but half a year ago, my father hadn’t found a spirit fruit yet. Back then, I wasn’t this strong.”
It was the excuse he’d prepared in advance.
The truth was his alone to know.
The burly man and his companions exchanged glances.
So his strength came from eating a spirit fruit!
Indeed, the new world, for all its monstrous threats, also produced countless spirit fruits and herbs.
Some boosted mental power, others enhanced vital energy.
That Tang Mubai’s strength had surged after consuming one was surprising, but mostly enviable.
If luck favored them with such a find, their own punch force would break five hundred kilograms too!
Soon, the crowd lost interest and looked away.
Tang Mubai exhaled quietly, feeling a surge of relief.
…
After the strength test came the speed assessment.
“Ready—beep!”
At the sound of the whistle, Tang Mubai shot forward, his powerful legs churning across the track.
His speed was so great, the friction between his shoes and the synthetic track sent up wisps of smoke and a pungent odor.
He seemed to flicker like an afterimage—
In the blink of an eye, he had reached the finish line.
“Six point five seconds. Passed!”
The examiner checked the timer and announced loudly.
Tang Mubai shrugged and left the speed zone.
The minimum standard was to complete the hundred meters in under nine seconds.
Tang Mubai had again used only half his strength, clocking six point five seconds—if he unleashed his full power, he’d easily break four seconds!