100: Chapter 100 Every punch lands hard! The elder was secretly shocked: This kid's strength...

The Ultimate Invitation Without Protective Gear

The midday sun at the Xingyi Sect branch academy baked the training ground until it was scorching. Zhao Lie suddenly ripped off the black iron token at his waist and slammed it heavily onto the bluestone slab. Pale black Baji Energy spread along the stone, drawing a circle with a five-meter diameter next to the "Xingji" totem. "Chen kid, I held back during our previous sparring," the old man clenched his fists in front of his chest, his knuckles turning white from the force, and pale black Qi Energy condensed into a dense layer of hard energy shell on his knuckles. "Now, let's have a round of 'flesh against flesh without protective gear.' No using any Qi Energy to disperse force, just relying on pure energy to clash. Let me see exactly how hard your Yijin Energy is!"

Lin Mo's tactical tablet instantly popped up a System notification: "Triggered 'Energy Trial' Ultimate Mission — Engage in real combat without protective gear against Elder Zhao Lie and demonstrate the depth of the hardness and softness of Yijin Energy. Mission Reward: 1.5 million Legacy points + 'Hard and Soft Combined' Mind-Cultivation Technique, unlock ultimate authority for the underground palace 'Yijin Pavilion'." The youth's fingertips flew across the virtual keyboard, and sweat droplets from his temples dripped onto the touchpad. "The live stream viewership has directly broken 30 billion! The Baji Sect fans are flooding the screen with 'No protective gear, true man,' and the Xingyi Sect fans are not to be outdone; the barrage of 'Yijin Energy, harder than steel' is about to dye the screen gold!" The tablet suddenly popped up Zhao Lie's limit data: In his youth, he had used his fists to strike a bronze tripod, leaving half-inch deep fist marks on the tripod body. His ability to withstand strikes without protective gear is known as a "human shield" in the ancient martial arts world.

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe tapped out rapid, dull thuds on the edge of the training ground. The old man flipped out the "Energy Records" left by his grandfather, and tucked between the yellowing pages was an X-ray from 1960 — a diagram of Chen Wus Great-grandfather's hand bones after clashing with Zhao Lie. The former's metacarpal bones had three tiny cracks, and the latter's phalanges also showed fractures; those were the traces of the "sparring without protective gear" from back then. "When your great-grandfather clashed with Elder Zhao back then, he lost because his 'hard energy was too scattered'," the pipe bowl pointed to the cracks on the X-ray. "The key to a confrontation without protective gear is not hard resistance, but letting the energy flow along the bones like water through a pipe. It neither dissipates nor hurts people. You must use the 'Spiral Condensed Energy' of Yijin Energy to condense the dark golden energy three inches into your palm." A bronze heart protector suddenly flew out of the camphor wood box, with the words "Hard and Soft" carved on it. Pale golden Qi Energy spread along the mirror surface, drawing a trajectory of "Energy Flow" on Chen Wu's palm.

In the Flower Girl's basket, the dark brown petals of the inheritance grass suddenly curled into a fist shape. Dewdrops rolled on the leaf surface, reflecting the hard energy shell on Zhao Lie's knuckles — that was the Baji Sect's "Iron Shirt" energy, which could compress hard energy onto the surface of the skin, increasing strike resistance by 300%, but there was a 0.5-centimeter weak point at the joints, an old injury from years of hard clashing. The young girl mixed the sap of thorn flowers, tiger bone grass, and snow lotus. When the black-gold "Condensed Energy Dew" dripped onto the leaves, the petals suddenly unfolded toward the center of the training ground. "Elder Zhou said this is an 'Energy Coagulant'," she lightly tapped the dewdrop with her fingertip. "It can make your Yijin Energy condense without scattering, just like wrapping your palm in a layer of liquid steel!"

The Section Chief of the Special Incident Response Department ran over holding a silver detector, the screen displaying the real-time energy data of the two: Zhao Lie's fist energy peak was 1300 kg, and his strike resistance threshold was 1500 kg; Chen Wu's Yijin Energy peak was 1200 kg, and his strike resistance threshold was 1400 kg. The gap wasn't large, but Zhao Lie had more experience. "The Technical Department has prepared emergency equipment," the Section Chief suddenly stuck the detector onto Chen Wu's wrist. "Once the bone stress is detected to exceed the safe value, it will immediately trigger Qi Energy buffering. Don't force it!" The tablet showed that Zhang Hao had already tensed his right arm at the edge of the training ground. Although his iron arm lacked alloy reinforcement, its hardness was higher than before under the nourishment of Five Elements Energy, and he was ready to rush into the field to save someone at any time. "Elder Zhao's 'Iron Fist' never holds back, you must be careful!"

When Chen Wu's palm pressed against the bronze heart protector, the dark golden Yijin Energy suddenly resonated with the mirror surface. Pale golden light spread along his palm, condensing into a rotating Qi Energy ball on his knuckles — the slow-motion footage of the global live stream showed that the density of the Qi Energy ball reached an astonishing 1.2 grams/cubic centimeter, 50% higher than the density of ordinary hard energy. This was the effect of what Grandpa Wang called "Spiral Condensed Energy." "Good kid, interesting," Zhao Lie's fist suddenly attacked Chen Wu's face, the pale black hard energy carrying a whistling sound, the fist wind distorting the surrounding air. "Take my first Move, 'Straight Punch Hard Clash'!"

The Energy Collision of the Straight Punch

Zhao Lie's straight punch attacked with 1300 kg of hard energy, the pale black Qi Energy forming a sharp airflow on his knuckles, like a cannonball fired from a chamber — the global live stream camera zoomed in, and one could clearly see his fist turning red, a sign that the hard energy was condensed to the extreme. The bluestone slabs of the training ground were swept by the fist wind, raising a layer of fine dust.

Chen Wu's "Spiral Condensed Energy" suddenly erupted in his palm. The moment the dark golden Qi Energy ball collided with the pale black fist, there was no earth-shattering explosion, but instead a crisp "clang" sound, like two pieces of bronze clashing — slow-motion footage showed Chen Wu's palm sinking slightly, the dark golden energy flowing along his arm, passing from his shoulder to his waist and abdomen, and finally being imported into the ground through his soles. A tiny crack appeared on the bluestone slab, and Zhao Lie's fist also showed a 0.1-second pause, a trace of dissipation appearing in the pale black hard energy.

"This... this energy flow!" Zhao Lie's pupils suddenly dilated. He withdrew his fist, and a tiny crack appeared on the hard energy shell on his knuckles. "When your great-grandfather clashed back then, the energy would dissipate by 30% in his palm. How can you manage to dissipate only 5%?" The old man's gaze was fixed on Chen Wu's arm, the dark golden Yijin Energy still swimming under the skin like a flexible little golden snake. "This is not ordinary spiral energy; it also hides the 'Five Elements Energy' of Xingyi Fist, which can make the energy flow along the meridians!"

Lin Mo's tablet instantly popped up an energy analysis chart: "When Chen Wu's Yijin Energy collided, it automatically split into two strands. One strand clashed with Elder Zhao's hard energy, and the other flowed along the meridians to disperse the force. The energy utilization rate reached 95%!" The barrage suddenly exploded with exclamations. The golden "Holy crap" sent by 30 billion viewers simultaneously formed a wall of light in the virtual space. For the first time, the pale black barrage from the Baji Sect fans appeared with the words "I'm convinced," and even Zhao Lie's Disciple couldn't help but applaud.

Zhao Lie suddenly stepped back three steps, crossing his fists in front of his chest. Pale black hard energy spread along his arms, forming an "X"-shaped hard energy shield in front of him — this Move was "Double Fist Strike," and the fist energy increased by 20% compared to before, reaching 1560 kg, approaching his limit. "Take this Move, 'Double Fist Strike'," the old man's voice carried excitement, his footsteps grinding half-inch deep footprints into the bluestone slab. "If you can take this Move, I will acknowledge you as the hardest junior in the ancient martial arts world!"

Chen Wu's "Spiral Condensed Energy" suddenly split into two. Dark golden Qi Energy condensed on both left and right palms simultaneously, forming two rotating Qi Energy balls. When the Double Fist Strike attacked, he didn't dodge, but instead stepped forward against the hard energy — the slow-motion footage of the global live stream captured a shocking scene: Chen Wu's palms collided with Zhao Lie's fists simultaneously, and the pale black and dark golden Qi Energy exploded at the contact point, forming a two-colored Qi Energy ball. The bluestone slabs of the training ground showed spiderweb-like cracks, but not a single piece shattered; that was proof that the energy was perfectly imported into the ground.

"This energy control..." Zhao Lie suddenly staggered back two steps, the hard energy shell on his fists shattered completely, and his knuckles showed faint redness and swelling. "No one has ever been able to hard-receive my Double Fist Strike. You not only received it but also didn't let the energy hurt your bones. What on earth is this kid's energy made of?" A trace of shock suddenly rose in the old man's heart. He had practiced Baji Fist for sixty years and had never seen a junior who could control hard energy so precisely. This was no longer "hardness," but a perfect combination of "skill" and "hardness."

Zhao Lie suddenly took a deep breath. Pale black Baji Energy spread from his Dantian, condensing into a giant "Mountain" character on his back. His feet moved rapidly on the bluestone slabs, each step causing the ground to tremble. This was the opening stance of the "Mountain-Leaning Strike," but it was a "gearless version" more ruthless than before—no Qi Energy buffer, purely relying on physical impact. In the ancient martial arts world, no one had yet been able to withstand this Move without protective gear. Back in the day, Chen Wus Great-grandfather had his ribs fractured by this very strike.

"Watch out! This is Elder Zhao's 'Desperate Strike'!" Grandpa Wang's voice reached Chen Wu's ears through the Qi Energy. Chen Wu's "Spiral Condensed Energy" suddenly erupted throughout his body. Dark golden Qi Energy flowed along his meridians, forming a rotating layer of Qi Energy on his back—not to resist it head-on, but to let the Qi Energy flow along the trajectory of the "Mountain-Leaning Strike," like water flowing around a reef. The moment Zhao Lie's back collided with Chen Wu, the global live stream image suddenly froze.

The 100x slow-motion footage showed Chen Wu's back sinking slightly. The dark golden Qi Energy layer flowed along Zhao Lie's rigid force, diverting the 1,560 kg of hard impact force to the sides, while simultaneously using "Spiral Condensed Energy" to push back at the point of contact—Zhao Lie's body suddenly lost its balance, as if pushed by an invisible hand, stumbling back three steps. The clothes on his back were torn by the Qi Energy, revealing bronze-colored skin underneath with faint redness, the traces of the force being pushed back.

"This... this is 'Using Force to Control Force'!" Zhao Lie's voice was filled with disbelief. He touched the redness on his back, his face showing shock for the first time. "I have practiced the 'Mountain-Leaning Strike' for sixty years, and no one has ever been able to push back without protective gear. Your Yijin Energy can not only withstand hard impacts but also counter-control along others' force. What kind of energy is this?" A trace of awe suddenly rose in the old man's heart. He finally understood that the young man before him wasn't relying on luck, but had truly grasped the essence of "Unity of Hard and Soft," a Realm he had pursued his whole life but never reached.

Lin Mo's tablet suddenly popped up a System notification: "Detected 'Using Force to Control Force' ability, unlocked 'Unity of Hard and Soft' Mind-Cultivation Technique, energy control precision increased to 99%." The live stream donation area was suddenly flooded with golden gifts. Su Chen's "Xuanshui Pavilion Pays Respects" and Liang Yue's "Wing Chun Sect Pays Tribute" occupied the top spots. The number of online viewers exceeded 32 billion, and the barrage was filled with a uniform "Chen Wu, King of Energy." Fans of different schools reached a complete consensus for the first time.

The Flower Girl's inheritance grass suddenly bloomed with gold and black flowers. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the flow of energy within Chen Wu's body—the dark golden Yijin Energy moved flexibly through his meridians, neither collapsing nor harming his bones. Instead, it absorbed part of Zhao Lie's rigid force during the counter-push, converting it into his own energy. The little girl sprinkled the "Condensed Energy Dew" into the air, and the gold and black light merged with Chen Wu's Qi Energy, forming a rotating Qi Energy ring around him. "Elder Zhou says this is the 'Energy Circulation Ring,'" she said, her fingertips lightly touching the dewdrops. "It allows you to absorb the opponent's energy during hard impacts, becoming stronger the more you fight!"

Section Four: Inheritance Recognition After Flesh-to-Flesh Combat

When Zhao Lie's final Move, "Baji Serial Collapse," struck, Chen Wu's "Unity of Hard and Soft" Mind-Cultivation Technique suddenly erupted. The dark golden Yijin Energy condensed into a rotating Qi Energy ball in his palm, carrying both the ferocity of Baji Fist and the softness of Xingyi Fist. When it collided with Zhao Lie's pale black rigid force, no damage occurred—the global live stream's slow-motion footage showed that every time Chen Wu's fist made contact with Zhao Lie's, he could precisely control the direction of the force, letting the pale black rigid force flow along the Qi Energy ball and finally diverting it into the ground, while his own Yijin Energy remained like a steel ball, constantly condensed and unbroken.

"I... have lost." Zhao Lie suddenly retracted his fist and bowed deeply to Chen Wu. This action made the whole venue instantly quiet—the Disciples of the Baji Sect were stunned for three seconds, then collectively knelt on one knee, and the pale black Qi Energy formed a "Submit" character above their heads. The Disciples of the Xingyi Sect also followed suit, kneeling on one knee, and the light brown Qi Energy intertwined with the pale black Qi Energy, forming a huge "Legacy" totem in the center of the martial arts arena. "Your energy is ten times stronger than your great-grandfather's was back then," Zhao Lie said, taking a black brocade box from his bosom containing a yellowed manuscript. "This is the 'Unity of Hard and Soft' Mind-Cultivation Technique, my life's work. I pass it to you today. With it, you will be able to Move unimpeded in the Yijin Pavilion of the underground palace."

Lin Mo's tablet instantly popped up the System settlement interface: "'Energy Trial' mission complete, Rating: SSS+, obtained 1.5 million Legacy points, 'Unity of Hard and Soft' Mind-Cultivation Technique, unlocked ultimate authority for the underground palace 'Yijin Pavilion'." The youth's fingertips danced on the virtual keyboard, integrating the "Unity of Hard and Soft" Mind-Cultivation Technique with the "Yijin Energy" simulation model. The System prompted: "After Fusion, the energy can be hard or soft. When hard, it is three times harder than bronze; when soft, it is ten times softer than cotton. It can break all energy traps in the underground palace." The number of online viewers finally settled at 33 billion, creating the highest record for a global live stream. The barrage was filled with a uniform "King of Energy, Chen Wu," and fans from different countries and schools reached a complete consensus for the first time.

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe tapped out a brisk rhythm on the side of the martial arts arena. The old man flipped to the last page of the "Record of Energy." On the yellowed page, the eight characters "Unity of Hard and Soft, Peak of Energy" were written in cinnabar, and a bronze fist print was left beside it—that was left by Chen Wus Great-grandfather and Zhao Lie back then. Now, Chen Wu's fist print covered it, overlapping perfectly with the original, only the dark golden Qi Energy was more solid than it was back then. "The 'Unity of Hard and Soft' Mind-Cultivation Technique that your great-grandfather didn't get back then, you have received today," he said, pointing the tobacco pipe at the manuscript in the brocade box. "This Mind-Cultivation Technique can not only improve energy but also summon the energy support of the eight major schools in times of crisis. It is the key to the Yijin Pavilion in the underground palace."

In the Flower Girl's basket, the gold and black petals of the inheritance grass suddenly all faced the manuscript. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the real-time image of the underground palace's "Yijin Pavilion"—the keyhole of the pavilion door perfectly matched Chen Wu's Yijin Energy. As long as the "Unity of Hard and Soft" Mind-Cultivation Technique was injected, the pavilion door could be opened, and the full volume of the "Muscle Tendon Change Classic" could be obtained. The little girl sprinkled the last drop of "Condensed Energy Dew" onto the manuscript, and the gold and black light merged with the halo of the manuscript, condensing into a miniature "Yijin Pavilion" model in Chen Wu's palm. "Elder Zhou says this is the 'Pavilion Key,'" she said, her fingertips lightly touching the model. "It allows you to directly locate the Yijin Pavilion in the underground palace, just like installing GPS for the pavilion door."

The Section Chief of the Special Incident Response Department walked over holding a holographic report. The tablet showed that the ultimate authority for the underground palace "Yijin Pavilion" had been activated, and the energy fields of the eight major schools resonated with Chen Wu's Yijin Energy. They could set off for the underground palace early tomorrow morning to obtain the full volume of the "Muscle Tendon Change Classic." "All remaining forces of Grey Shadow have been completely cleared," the Section Chief said, her voice filled with excitement. "We have prepared 'Yijin Supply Vehicles' at the entrance of the underground palace, containing Medicinal Pills that can enhance hard and soft energy and potions to repair bones, ensuring everyone is in the best condition in the underground palace!"

When Chen Wu walked out of the martial arts arena side-by-side with Zhao Lie and Li Xuantong, the Elders of the eight ancient martial arts schools collectively raised their weapons. Pale black Baji Energy, light brown Xingyi Energy, light blue Mystic Water Energy, and other eight-colored Qi Energies intertwined in mid-air, forming a huge "Unity of Hard and Soft" totem—the final image of the global live stream froze at the moment Chen Wu held the "Unity of Hard and Soft" manuscript, with dark golden Yijin Energy and eight-colored Qi Energies flowing around him, like a river of light guarding the Legacy.

When the System's final prompt popped up, Chen Wu suddenly understood that this "flesh-to-flesh" contest was never about "who is harder," but "who understands energy better"—true energy is not hard resistance, but the combination of hardness and softness, allowing opposing energies to become symbiotic forces. As the moonlight washed over the martial arts arena, the "Xingyi" totem and the "Hard and Soft" totem slowly merged, forming a brand-new "Energy" character, as if predicting: The gate of the underground palace's Yijin Pavilion has opened for the successor of the "Peak of Energy."

In the barrage of the global live stream, the last row of uniform text appeared: "Unity of Hard and Soft Energy, Muscle Tendon Change Classic complete." This message was lit up by 33 billion viewers at the same time, like a river of light crossing mountains and seas, flowing forever above the Xingyi Sect branch, illuminating the ultimate journey of the underground palace exploration.