Zhou Yuanjue began eating compressed nutritional food to replenish his energy and used the Peach Wood Bottle to refill the Star Magnetic Field of his Southern Dipper Immortal Seat. Meanwhile, Huang Ze and Ren Junhui’s four-man team were still reeling from the shock, a tingling numbness running through them as if they’d been electrocuted.

As professionals and the ace elites of their unit, they weren’t completely ignorant of the physical attributes of an S Class individual.

Even in the international threat level classifications, an S Class entity was considered a one-man army. However, that designation only applied to confrontations with conventional armed forces and heavy weaponry. The state-of-the-art modern equipment and ammunition they themselves wielded were not considered part of that "conventional" category.

As an ace unit privy to a great deal of classified intelligence, they had been tasked with preparing for potential crises in the nation’s capital. To that end, they had conducted detailed research on S Class individuals and run multiple large-scale exercises with them as the hypothetical enemy.

In this series of exercises, the advanced equipment within the "769" unit’s tank battalion was considered one of the greatest threats to an S Class individual.

It was classified as a "threat" rather than "lethal" not because the weapon lacked power, but simply because a tank’s chance of hitting an S Class entity—with their incredible reflexes and speed—was far too low.

Theoretically, even an S Class entity would have virtually no chance of survival if struck head-on by the tank battalion’s most advanced weaponry.

To address this low hit rate, multiple strategies had been developed during their exercises.

The power of Donghua’s latest Armor Piercing Bullet... it could be considered the most lethal heavy weapon short of missiles and other strategic armaments.

It could even be called the deadliest on land.

Its sharp alloy warhead, the immense impact force, and the intense heat generated upon detonation could destroy almost anything on land.

And yet, this terrifying weapon had struck him head-on. It had inflicted horrific damage, but in just over ten seconds, he had almost completely recovered, looking no different than he had before the attack.

’Just what kind of being is he?’

For a moment, the men couldn’t help but begin to doubt the very weapons they wielded.

"What terrifying power."

Huang Ze couldn’t help but exclaim. Despite being a high-ranking officer in an ace unit, his knowledge of Zhou Yuanjue was limited to hearsay. After all, given Zhou Yuanjue’s current status and power, his file was classified as top-secret. Only the highest echelons of command had the authority to view it.

"You all need to be ready. The power you face in the future will very likely be just like this."

Lei Yi, standing beside him with his hands clasped behind his back, spoke with a profound look in his eyes.

"You mean..."

Huang Ze’s eyes narrowed slightly as he seemed to grasp the deeper meaning behind Lei Yi’s words.

’Have international conflicts really escalated to this point?’

"Being prepared is never a bad thing."

"Besides, do you think this is that guy’s limit?"

Lei Yi said nonchalantly.

"Could he possibly be even stronger?"

Huang Ze asked in disbelief.

"If he couldn’t get any stronger, then there would have been no point in organizing this special test today."

Lei Yi stared intently in Zhou Yuanjue’s direction, a hint of anticipation in his gaze.

He was intensely curious to see what Zhou Yuanjue had spent two months in seclusion trying to comprehend.

’Could he really be even stronger?’

Huang Ze also looked toward Zhou Yuanjue, finding it hard to comprehend such a level of existence.

········

········

The new model tank’s Armor Piercing Bullet was indeed terrifyingly powerful. Even though Zhou Yuanjue had used nearly all his strength, the head-on collision had mangled his body into a bloody pulp and even consumed three of his Stars.

However, this was exactly what he wanted, because only this level of destructive power could truly test his

"The compressed nutritional food you make needs to be improved. This current formula is falling short."

Zhou Yuanjue said to Zhong Hongyu as he ate the compressed food.

GURGLE GURGLE!!

His digestive system worked like a machine, completely breaking down the large amount of food he’d swallowed in moments.

He was so much stronger now, both in terms of physical conditioning and digestive power. The compressed food Zhong Hongyu had originally developed was no longer suitable.

"I know. I’ve been studying the changes in your physiological data and should have a new formula ready soon."

Zhong Hongyu said with a nod.

"Also, can you prepare some small, high-energy compressed food? It doesn’t matter if it has harmful side effects. The main purpose is to provide a quick burst of energy during a fight."

Zhou Yuanjue suddenly recalled the Sugar Beans the Plague of Rebellion ate during battle and continued, speaking to Zhong Hongyu.

"I understand."

Zhong Hongyu nodded, understanding what Zhou Yuanjue was getting at.

This was the advantage of having the nation’s resources at his back. Zhou Yuanjue didn’t have to go to great lengths to handle such matters himself.

Soon, his stamina had fully recovered and his Southern Dipper Immortal Seat was replenished. Zhou Yuanjue stood once again in the center of the training grounds, drawing everyone’s full attention.

VMMMM!!

As before, Zhou Yuanjue first activated a series of combat states, including Yin Yang Life and Death and Southern Dipper Star Fire. His immense aura swelled rapidly like a balloon, and the Starlight Phoenix flared into existence behind him.

Next, was the most critical ability.

Zhou Yuanjue manipulated his magnetic field, activating the initial cells in his heart.

Star Cells, spread!!

To an outside observer, a gleam of starlight began to spread rapidly from Zhou Yuanjue’s heart, gradually covering his entire body.

The starlight illuminated his cells, giving his body a crystalline, translucent appearance and making him look otherworldly.

’This is...’

Lei Yi’s pupils contracted sharply, as if he’d made a connection.

"Let’s begin."

Zhou Yuanjue’s voice spread out, slow and majestic. Even Ren Junhui’s team inside the tank could hear it with perfect clarity.

This time, the team acted without a moment’s hesitation.

Load, aim, and then...

Fire!!

BOOM!!

The fearsome Armor Piercing Bullet shot out from the cannon’s muzzle, hurtling toward Zhou Yuanjue.

Once again, Zhou Yuanjue made no move to dodge. He faced the incoming shell and threw a heavy punch.

VMMMM!!

The instant he threw the punch, his immense physical power erupted. The Magnetic Field Power within every cell surged to its peak, causing his body to unleash a dazzling, silver-white light from the inside out. The light exploded outward the moment his fist shot forward!

The light was blinding. Accompanied by billowing smoke and dust, it obscured everyone’s vision.

But even so, no one looked away.

In the next moment, the light vanished and the smoke cleared. What they saw sent a jolt through everyone present.

A figure, radiating a silvery starlight from within, appeared in their line of sight.

The figure was still frozen in the posture of a forward punch.

His entire body...

Completely unscathed!!!