When Qin Fen and Feng Hua Danyun first clasped hands, everyone had wildly speculated about his Active Value—some even guessed a heaven-defying figure like two thousand—but no one anticipated it would reach three thousand five hundred.
If a genius's Active Value was three hundred, then Qin Fen was ten times that of a supposed genius. If a genius’s was five hundred, Qin Fen was seven times that.
The term ‘genius’ could no longer describe Qin Fen.
Only ‘monster’ was the title best suited to his current state.
The Active Value in the Nirvana Great Innate state? Caesar looked at Solomon beside him; both of their eyes were filled with confusion and shock.
How vast was the gap between Marrow Replacement Nirvana and Blood Replacement Rebirth? Caesar and the others had deduced and guessed countless times, yet none had imagined the disparity could be this immense.
Three thousand five hundred Active Value? Asura Feng Hua Danyun scrutinized Qin Fen from head to toe. What did this figure truly represent?
“Head Elder…” Caesar finally recovered from his shock and confusion, his curiosity overcoming his bewilderment. “Having seen Qin Fen’s Active Value, I am now even more eager to know what the Mad Martial Artist’s Active Value was back then.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, deep curiosity swirling in their eyes. That young warrior, already a fifteen-star and on the cusp of sixteen, how high had his Active Value been in his youth? This number, in a way, directly related to the possibility of Qin Fen one day surpassing the Mad Martial Artist.
At this question, Qin Fen’s gaze also settled upon Feng Hua Danyun’s beautiful face. Since learning that Active Value could be tested, the Mad Martial Artist’s number had constantly cycled through his mind.
“Three thousand five hundred…”
“What?” Caesar nearly jumped up in surprise. Qin Fen reached three thousand five hundred only after achieving Marrow Replacement Great Innate; did this mean the Mad Martial Artist had also achieved Marrow Replacement Nirvana back then?
The vast, empty room echoed with the exclamations of the few young people.
If the Mad Martial Artist’s Active Value had been that high in his day, Qin Fen’s chance of victory had just significantly dropped.
“I didn’t explain clearly enough,” Feng Hua Danyun said again, observing everyone’s astonished expressions. “Little Madman reached an Active Value score of three thousand five hundred after training with me for half a year.”
The others let out a collective sigh of relief. That delivery was a real heart-stopper. The peak value achieved after six months of special training versus the peak value before any training—that difference was far more than a simple step.
“Even after half a year of specialized training, a value of three thousand five…” Yang Lie gently shook his head and praised, “His talent is frighteningly high.”
“Little Madman? His talent was quite excellent,” Feng Hua Danyun’s expression shifted to one of clear admiration. “I heard that by the age of seventeen, he could already control Qi Vibration. Thinking back, that was before he even entered his prime growth period. He was already using Qi Vibration to enhance his physique; of course, his Active Value peak would be high.”
At this moment, Qin Fen finally understood a crucial component of Active Value: the figure naturally soared as all aspects of comprehensive strength were stimulated.
Having one or two extra years of Qi Vibration compared to ordinary people meant the transformation of the physique was akin to deepening one's foundation. When the growth period arrived, this foundation could all be converted into Active Value figures.
“Seventeen?” Yang Lie’s eyes twitched several times. When he was seventeen, he had only heard elders mention Qi Vibration, but he couldn't execute any so-called Qi Vibration at that time. This Mad Martial Artist truly wasn't an ordinary genius; being prioritized for cultivation by the Sacred Martial Hall, he certainly had skill.
Seventeen years old. Caesar and Solomon exchanged wry smiles. Apart from Shangguan Chuanqi on Mars, here was someone else who could perform Qi Vibration using merely two-star strength Qi, all before entering his prime growth phase.
A genius! The Mad Martial Artist was truly a rare talent!
“Now that Little Madman is already a fifteen-star warrior, having successfully undergone Marrow Replacement Nirvana, his Active Value should be even higher.”
Feng Hua Danyun’s brow furrowed in serious contemplation. “When there is time, I must bring him back for further development.”
Everyone was still struggling to process the shock of the Mad Martial Artist achieving Qi Vibration at seventeen.
They all knew that even a monster like Qin Fen had only begun Qi Vibration after the age of eighteen. The Mad Martial Artist’s innate talent was truly enviable.
“Still marveling at Little Madman’s timing for Qi Vibration?” Feng Hua Danyun smiled, shaking her slender, pale hands. “That’s nothing to be amazed about. Although I haven’t seen it, based on my calculations and reasoning, there should be even more outstanding young warriors in this regard. Perhaps, on the very first day they touched martial arts, as soon as they possessed even a tiny trace of Qi, they could discover and control Qi Vibration.”
Caesar stared blankly at Feng Hua Danyun’s serious, thoughtful expression, completely unable to laugh.
Solomon softly shook his head and sighed. The first day of touching martial arts? A tiny bit of Qi? And immediately discover and control Qi Vibration?
A pipe dream! This ancient idiom flashed simultaneously through the minds of nearly all the young warriors.
“If that were the case…” Feng Hua Danyun continued her serious fantasy, her beautiful face glowing with the intense excitement only a scholar deeply immersed in their work possesses. “If such a person developed well, they might become a Divine Beast Warrior before turning thirty.”
Azure Dragon! Without any hesitation or extra thought, Qin Fen’s mind immediately landed on that word.
Azure Dragon! The most mysterious of nearly all Divine Beast Warriors—Jupiter’s Azure Dragon! Qin Fen recalled the legends surrounding the Azure Dragon, and Wang Ying’s speculation that the Azure Dragon might be Qin Zhan.
If everything Feng Hua Danyun speculated was true, then his brother Qin Zhan’s chances of becoming the Azure Dragon Divine Beast Warrior were even greater! Qin Fen excitedly clenched both fists.
Regarding the possibility of the Azure Dragon being Qin Zhan, Qin Fen had felt an increasing, subtle certainty ever since learning about the White Tiger’s death and the Azure Dragon’s seclusion.
Qin Fen still remembered the image from his childhood when he and his brother relied on each other: the sight of a body, splattered with blood but not tall or robust, standing defensively in front of him against wild dogs.
Though he didn't know why his brother had left, Qin Fen never forgot Qin Zhan’s repeated protection in his youth.
“Little brother, whoever bullies you, I will definitely beat them back for you!”
This phrase, once Qin Zhan’s catchphrase, Qin Fen still remembered vividly—it came from a pair of eyes shining with unyielding battle intent.
“Kid, what are you thinking about?” Feng Hua Danyun leaned close to Qin Fen’s face, her watery eyes sparkling as she stared at him. “Are you considering your fight with Little Madman? Thinking about that is useless; you should spend that time training and developing. Your Active Value potential is the most astonishing I have ever seen.”
The most astonishing? The young warriors traveling with him collectively showed looks of doubt.
Qin Fen’s strength, his foundation—there was no question about that! None of Caesar and the others would deny it. But to say his Active Value was definitively the highest stirred a trace of suspicion in their hearts.
There was one person whose Active Value hadn't been tested yet! Xue Tian, leaning casually to the side while holding his Iai sword, was universally acknowledged as having the most terrifying talent, matched only by his equally terrifying laziness!
Qin Fen was equally curious, staring intently at Xue Tian. What was this lazy genius’s Active Value?
“What are you guys trying to do?” Xue Tian said, crossing his arms over his chest, his expression somewhat exaggerated, like a small, weak woman cornered by thugs in a dark alley. “I still want to keep a little secret.”
The group shuddered at Xue Tian’s words. This kid’s star rating was skyrocketing, but his capacity for being annoying seemed to grow even faster than his star level. Whoever fought him in the future would be cursed with truly bad luck—if they weren't beaten to death, they’d be nauseated to death by him.
Feng Hua Danyun approached Xue Tian with curiosity. “You really don’t want them to see your Active Value?”
Xue Tian smiled slightly awkwardly, reaching up to scratch the back of his head. “I’ve been compared to others since childhood. Honestly, I really dread this comparison. What’s the point of comparing? Every time I see parents holding their children up for comparison, I feel sad for those kids. Every child has different strengths; why must they be forced into the same mold by parents, teachers, and school?”
Qin Fen stared at Xue Tian, momentarily stunned, then slowly nodded in understanding of his feelings.
Young children are easily compared by parents, teachers, and schools; a genius like Xue Tian would naturally be compared even more frequently.
Perhaps it was because of these comparisons that Xue Tian began to cultivate the image of being lazy, letting people down to avoid being brought up in comparison again.
“I don't want to be compared to Qin Fen again,” Xue Tian’s smile became very genuine. “Whether I win or lose, it holds no meaning. Qin Fen and I are companions, not rivals that must be pitted against each other for comparison.”
Caesar re-examined Xue Tian. It turned out this genius had another side unknown to others; his thinking was far more mature than many adults.
“Of course, if you insist on comparing me and Old Qin,” Xue Tian rested his chin in his hand and looked seriously at Qin Fen, “I’m very interested in having a competition over who chases girls better.”
…
The glorious image Xue Tian had just built in everyone’s minds instantly collapsed. This guy’s thought process was too unpredictable; who knew what he’d say next.
Qin Fen retreated a few steps, and Caesar and the others followed suit, leaving a sufficient open space between them and Feng Hua Danyun for the Active Value testing.
The data wasn't meant for comparison, but as a trainer, Feng Hua Danyun needed to know Xue Tian’s data to budget for the future and design appropriate training plans based on his Active Value score.
Beep… beep…
The large device began to emit a series of electronic numerical changes. Qin Fen focused on Xue Tian’s data in his mind but didn't actually step forward to watch.
As a friend, he needed to respect his friend’s request more than anyone else.
The display screen of the large device stopped changing. Feng Hua Danyun looked at the final settled number, her eyes alight with pleasant surprise.
At this moment, everyone knew Xue Tian’s score couldn't be low; it must be far higher than Yang Lie’s, otherwise, Feng Hua Danyun’s expression wouldn't be so delighted.
As for whether Qin Fen was higher or Xue Tian was higher?
Since Feng Hua Danyun didn't say, Xue Tian naturally wouldn't either, leaving a temporary mystery hanging over this small group.
“Wonderful, wonderful,” Feng Hua Danyun patted Xue Tian’s shoulder, then looked back at Caesar, Qin Fen, and the others, her face radiating excitement. “Since I started researching Active Value, I have never encountered a situation where an entire group had such high values!”
Qin Fen exchanged a look with those beside him, his chest instinctively swelling with pride. Being acknowledged by the head of the Martial Theory Department of the Sacred Martial Hall, the only martial artist known to study the issue of Active Value during the growth period, was certainly something to be happy and proud of.
“Once the Active Value is developed, it won't weaken; it will remain with you permanently,” Feng Hua Danyun clapped her hands. “The reason many warriors say their growth period is over is that every increase in star level involves a significant jump. When their Active Value lags far behind that jump, it naturally seems like their growth period has passed, and they must wait for the next Active Value surge to advance again.”
Everyone’s eyes instantly brightened. No matter what, they had to fully develop their current Active Value during this special training, aiming to extend their prime growth period as much as possible.
“Yes! Very good,” Feng Hua Danyun wiggled her ten fingers, a smile on her face. “I won’t be polite to you all. Now, we start with the first exercise, called the ‘No Injury Striking Training.’”
No Injury Striking? Qin Fen was confused, as were the others.
But soon, Feng Hua Danyun used the most practical method to show everyone what this ‘No Injury Striking Training’ entailed.
It involved one party attacking and the other defending.
The attacker had to maintain precise control, not causing genuine injury to the defender, but ensuring the blows were intensely painful.
This was a technical art. Too hard, and injury occurred; too light, and there was no sensation.
According to Feng Hua Danyun’s research, during the growth period, warriors often entered a relatively faster growth phase of inexplicable strength for a period after enduring tough battles.
Usually, these warriors had been beaten up during combat. This served as stimulation—painful stimulation—and the Active Value would increase amid the pain, but the amount of growth was hard to gauge, and sometimes the stimulation wasn't enough, leading to no growth at all, leaving potential untapped.
Pain, she believed, was the best stimulus for Active Value. Many scientists had studied this, but after repeated failed experiments, they chose other methods.
Feng Hua Danyun firmly believed this method must work, so she experimented tirelessly. Finally, she discovered that every person’s pain tolerance was different. As long as the warrior was kept in pain, even if Active Value didn't increase initially, persistence in enduring the pain would gradually activate their instincts.
‘Be in pain!’ became the first crucial lesson for the young warriors undergoing training.
Qin Fen realized he had never encountered such a perverse training method, and at the same time, he began to understand why everyone who trained under Feng Hua Danyun was reluctant to undergo her training again.
When fighting, warriors wager their very lives; why would they fear pain? Many warriors held this belief.
But Qin Fen and his team fully subscribed to another fundamental truth:
“In this world, death is not the most terrifying thing. What is truly terrifying is a life worse than death.”
Feeling pain once or twice was not frightening, but what if you experienced it twenty-four hours a day, every minute and every second? Who could bear that?
Feng Hua Danyun not only made them punch, kick, twist, and bite each other, but the beds they slept on were equally unbearable.
To ensure everyone could enjoy the torment of pain twenty-four hours a day, even receiving the treatment in their dreams, all the beds were made of special material: nail beds.
These nail beds were strange: they wouldn't pierce the epidermis, but they could dig deeply into the flesh. Furthermore, these nails possessed the ability to actively breach protective internal energy shields.
Caesar and the others had reached the ten-star level. Though they couldn't yet release their Qi externally, their ability to guard their bodies was unusually strong when used internally.
Especially after Qin Fen modified his internal cultivation, Caesar no longer needed to dedicate specific time to practicing his body-guarding techniques. The New Nine Yang Divine Art not only included his original guarding methods but also incorporated some ultimate guarding skills similar to his internal energy attributes.
“Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover” was one such technique. If the protective Qi was fully manifested, the resistance to impact would be astonishing.
Even if the nail beds could partially break through the internal energy shields, they likely couldn't breach Caesar’s divine guarding technique.
Asura, the Head Elder of the Martial Theory Department, naturally saw that everyone’s martial arts were formidable, so she issued a direct order: no one was allowed to use Qi shields for protection. If caught, they would be beaten senseless and thrown onto the nail bed to lie there for a week.
Pain, pain, pain!
Since their debut, Qin Fen’s squad had mostly inflicted pain upon others. Only during that seaside sniper engagement and White Tiger’s punch did Qin Fen and the entire squad experience what it felt like to be in agonizing pain.
But during their hospitalization, painkillers helped ease the suffering somewhat.
Now, this level of agony—even with Qin Fen’s endurance—had him lying on the nail bed, grimacing and making faces constantly.
It hurt too much! During the day, under Asura’s supervision, they kicked, hit, pulled, and bit their companions; not an inch of skin or muscle was free from screaming agony. At night, the pain grew even worse.
Two days, three days, four days…
One week, two weeks, three weeks… five weeks…
In Feng Hua Danyun’s special training base, Qin Fen never stepped outside, remaining indoors like a young lady of a noble house, enduring pain day after day.
When they finally reached a period free from pain, they were immediately dragged into other special training sessions—life-and-death combat drills involving weightlessness and oxygen deprivation, along with other bizarre experiments.
In Feng Hua Danyun’s words: “The Active Value development isn't fully complete yet, and some theories still require experimental assistance. Since you are training, you might as well help with the tests.”
And so, the most promising warrior squad from the Sacred Martial Hall gloriously joined the ranks of white mice.
The ‘Extreme Suffocation Method’ involved creating a room completely devoid of oxygen to see if occasional breakthroughs during the brink of death related to Active Value. For this, Qin Fen rolled his eyes and foamed at the mouth twelve times, nearly dying for real.
The ‘Camel’s Last Straw Method’ involved piling heavy objects onto one person, continuously adding weight until the person was truly on the verge of collapsing under one final straw, then stopping, keeping them perpetually in that state for a test of extreme pressure.
Little Dragon King Yang Lie developed a chronic condition from this experiment: he would go berserk upon seeing a sack of grain. His combat prowess indeed became ferociously stronger than usual, but Qin Fen firmly believed this was due to the Little Dragon King bordering on mental derangement, rather than the experiment having genuinely worked.
After all, society had a saying: the combat power of the mentally unstable far exceeds that of the normal.
Solomon never showed a flicker of complaint during any experiment, always maintaining his cool demeanor, but whenever he saw ice cubes, without even needing to approach them, his lips would turn blue.
Qin Fen called this a conditioned reflex. Anyone thrown into extremely cold ice water, kept there for three days and nights, pulled out, slightly adjusted, and then thrown back in for testing—after a long time, they would all end up like Solomon, their lips automatically turning purple at the sight of ice.
Brooks frankly stated that Feng Hua Danyun was usually very lovable and charming. But if she became engrossed in conducting experiments, anyone who could still like her must be insane!