Martial Ascent to Divinity

Zhou Leng's gaze sharpened.

The new six puppets were a whole size larger than the previous level, each standing two meters tall,

The six Copper Puppet's eyes flashed red as they spread out, surrounding from six directions.

Their iron fists and legs shot out swiftly and retracted rapidly, repeating back and forth with a clangor, occasionally swinging at high speed.

Six directions, no blind spots.

This sixth level wasn't just a test of combat skills; it was a comprehensive test of physical endurance.

If you couldn't withstand the frantic blows of the six Copper Puppets, no matter how high your martial arts techniques were, you couldn't pass this level.

Zhou Leng took a deep breath and proactively stepped forward.

The six Copper Puppets surrounded Zhou Leng, frantically punching and kicking.

Zhou Leng blocked with his left hand, constantly dodging with his head, but the rest of his body didn't avoid, taking the hits head-on.

Meanwhile, his right hand struck, continuously hitting the glowing points on the puppets.

As Zhou Leng attacked, he kept an eye on the numbers on the display screen with his peripheral vision.

The percentage number for this sixth level dropped much slower than the previous five levels.

As expected, it forced you to endure being hit.

Dozens of steel arms and legs punched and kicked, looking like a gang assault.

Zhou Leng's body was already terrifyingly strong, yet he was covered in wounds.

Slowly, the injuries reached his internal organs, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

This time's injuries were far more serious than the battle with the Demon Worship Sect cultist.

No retreat, no panic, no fear.

The indomitable will forged at the Gate of Purgatory completely adapted to such adversity.

The injuries were real, the danger was real, the pain was real.

But, the fearlessness was also real.

Zhou Leng was unwavering, enduring the strikes while frantically swinging his right fist, attacking the Copper Puppets.

He must pass the sixth level.

At least, to take a look at the Demonized Puppets of the seventh level.

Slowly, Zhou Leng was covered in blood.

Blood stained the hands and feet of the Copper Puppets as well.

Zhou Leng's gaze never wavered.

"Beep..."

On the display screen, 100% dropped to 0.

The six Copper Puppets dispersed, and the door opened.

"Whew..."

Zhou Leng dragged his heavy and exhausted body, slowly moving forward.

Breaking through the Copper Man Array of the Late Stage of Body Refining at the Early Stage was indeed strenuous.

Relying solely on Steel Skin, without such a strong body, even doubling improvements wouldn't get through.

The bones almost got broken.

But, he made it through.

Zhou Leng took a Pill and meditated.

His wounds healed rapidly.

Two hours later, he stood up.

Covered in wounds, but looking invigorated.

"I want to go to the seventh Copper Man Array." Zhou Leng submitted an application to the staff.

"We suggest you give up on the seventh Copper Man Array; your strength is insufficient to pass. That's the battlefield of the Vitality Stage."

"I just want to take a look and surrender after a few moves."

"Okay."

"Currently, the seventh Copper Man Array is unoccupied; you can enter directly."

Zhou Leng walked into the seventh level Copper Man Array.

The first six levels, rather than resembling Copper-men, were more like demonized machines.

But in front stood two humanoid puppets.

The ground lacked sliding tracks.

The two puppets, glowing with full copper radiance, walked forward with steady steps.

The humanoid puppets stood two and a half meters tall, their bodies several sizes larger than ordinary humans.

Like strong men clad in brass armor.

Zhou Leng carefully observed the stepping technique of the two humanoid puppets, there was no mechanical stiffness.

They seemed almost lifelike.

There's always been a rumor that these puppets were a fusion of Demon Spirit Masters and human martial arts, personally controlled by Demon Spirit Masters.

The two humanoid puppets approached, one stepped forward with a mighty stride, delivering a Mountain Charging Fist attack.

The other unexpectedly jumped into the air, kicking down from above.

The speed and ferocity of the two were unprecedented for Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng should have dodged but wanted to test the power of the humanoid puppets, so he took a step forward, evading the airborne Copper Puppet and executing a swift Wind Rises, Tide Swells to meet the brass giant fist.

Boom...

The humanoid puppet's form shuddered, while Zhou Leng was knocked off balance, stumbling backward.

The immense impact caused his right arm to go numb, his internal Qi Blood lightly stirred, leaving him temporarily unable to circulate Qi Blood, stopping him from halting his steps.

He retreated a full nine steps, True Qi gathering, finally stopping.

The other humanoid puppet approached, sweeping sideways with a forceful wind, directly slamming toward Zhou Leng's face.

Zhou Leng had no room to dodge, raising his arms to block in front of him.

The brass shin collided horizontally with Zhou Leng's lower arm.

Boom...

It was like getting hit by a carriage, and Zhou Leng slid back on the ice-like surface for more than ten meters, the soles of his shoes sizzling, and he couldn't steady his figure.

A mild pain came from the arm bone.

"I admit defeat."

If the fight continued this way, within ten moves his bones would shatter, delaying the midterm exam.

The two humanoid puppets retreated, the exit closed, the entrance opened.

As Zhou Leng walked, he recalled the force of every punch and kick from the humanoid puppets.

The force is so fierce, far surpassing that late-stage Fishman Cultist.

The two puppet's martial arts moves are steady and powerful, although somewhat rigid, the speed and force make up for their flaws.

"If Vitality Stage is all at this level of strength, then I'll need to reach the late stage of Body Refining to defeat it..."

Zhou Leng first received the rewards for clearing the first six levels and then entered the rest room.

Zhou Leng took a pill, adjusted his breathing slightly, cleared the bruises, reduced swelling, and walked out of the rest room.

While walking, he contacted Rao Mingxian.

"How are you?"

"Barely made it through the fourth level, got beaten up and vomited blood, I'll try the fifth level next year."

"I'll come find you," said Zhou Leng.

"And you?"

"Was beaten back by the humanoid puppet on the seventh level, the gap is too big. That guy from Mountain and River Origin cleared the seventh level two to three months ago, he's indeed formidable," Zhou Leng said.

Passing by a place with mirrors, he glanced at himself.

Only his face and head had fewer injuries, while other parts of his body were covered with small wounds and bruises.

He looked as if he had been sprayed with red and green blended paint.

Meeting Rao Mingxian again, the two looked at each other's wounds.

Zhou Leng's injuries were just flesh wounds, whereas Rao Mingxian was in a worse state, with bruises covering many parts of his body and large patches of broken skin.

"Your body is already close to Zhang Xinglie's," Rao Mingxian observed Zhou Leng's injuries and immediately noticed the difference.

As they walked, Zhou Leng said, "My skin and muscles should be similar to Zhang Xinglie's, but overall, I'm still a bit lacking compared to him. He's now reached the late stage of Body Refining, should be able to clear the seventh level."

"Indeed, Zhang Xinglie's talent grows stronger," Rao Mingxian agreed.

The two of them slowly walked outward, exchanging experiences of battling or being hit.

The Copper Man Array is nearly always crowded, and as they walked forward, they continuously encountered students coming to challenge.

Occasionally, acquaintances would give a simple greeting.

"Old Rao!" A group of students came over, one of them smiling and walking towards Rao Mingxian.

Seeing them about to chat, Zhou Leng walked towards the bulletin board introducing the Copper Man Array, near a holly tree, and looked down at his demonized watch.

He replied to Xu Qingjin's message.

Even though they used to have lunch together every day, Xu Qingjin only occasionally sent messages to chat.

Since they went to the snack street together, they've been chatting daily, occasionally having voice chats.

Rao Mingxian and the person chatted about how he and Zhou Leng came to challenge the Copper Man Array, exchanged a few more words, and then bid farewell.

That person was from Martial Arts Academy, glanced at Zhou Leng's back, and turned away.

"Let's go, just a neighbor, two years older than us," Rao Mingxian said.

Zhou Leng put away the light screen of his demonized watch and continued to walk outside.

After walking for a while, a disorderly sound of footsteps was heard behind.

"Zhou Leng, wait a moment."

"Hmm?" Zhou Leng and Rao Mingxian turned around together.

A group of over a dozen people hurriedly came, some wearing student badges.

The badges carved with Martial Arts Academy's emblem.

Zhou Leng and Rao Mingxian frowned in unison, many of the opposite party looking unfriendly.

Rao Mingxian looked into the distance, where his friend was walking ahead, not coming over.

This group of people were obviously his friend's team.

In just an instant, Rao Mingxian figured it out, his friend had told them Zhou Leng was here, leading his classmates to come seeking trouble.

Since that friend was in the third year, these should also be third-year students.

Seeing the situation arise because of him, despite being covered in injuries, Rao Mingxian still took a step forward, shielding Zhou Leng.

"Top Ten Martial Arts, ready to take advantage of others' weaknesses?" Rao Mingxian coldly swept his gaze across them.

"You're not Zhou Leng, move aside," said a tall and strong student.

Martial Arts Academy's leader raised a hand to stop others from speaking, smiling.

He clasped his hands towards Zhou Leng and Rao Mingxian, saying, "I'm You Lisheng, Minister of the Cultivation Department of Martial Arts Academy's Boxing Association. Since Brother Zhou consecutively heavily injured our association's two members, I would like to learn from him. Not taking advantage of today, but wait till you recover, you set the time and place, how about it?"

In the Martial Arts Era, martial spirit is prevalent.

Challenges and sparrings are common, dojo battles are routine.

Malicious murder incidents are dozens to hundreds of times more than those in the era of technological civilization.

Experts across the Human Race, the more famous they are, the more challenges they encounter, none can escape it.

However, unless there is deep enmity, experts often use skillful dueling to determine superiority, avoiding further deepening of grudges.

Rao Mingxian glanced at Zhou Leng, now, gradually enjoying Zhang Xinglie's treatment.

Rao Mingxian frowned, staring at You Lisheng.

This name, he heard mentioned by friends before, was a prominent figure in high school, and even in Martial Arts Academy, not a mediocre hand.

Generally, the position of Minister of the Cultivation Department in the Boxing Association of Martial Arts Academy is quite high, no less than a normal vice-chairman.

Being in third year and holding this position signifies great strength.

Rao Mingxian turned and asked Zhou Leng, "I know you've defeated a sophomore on the gambling stage, how did you also offend a third-year?"

"A fourth-year," Zhou Leng replied.

"Where did you clash?"

"Lieutenant Camp."

"Hmm? Wait, when did you go?"

"Two days ago."

"Hmm? Hmm! Did you complete the camp in a day?" Rao Mingxian lightly exclaimed.

Zhou Leng nodded slightly.

The people from Martial Arts Academy froze for a moment, only You Lisheng and a few others remained composed.

Someone among them said, "You Lisheng successfully challenged the Lieutenant Camp three months ago."

Rao Mingxian quickly responded, staring at You Lisheng, saying, "So, you're saying, as a third-year student from Martial Arts Academy, you're intending to retaliate against Zhou Leng due to the Lieutenant Camp incident, while he's injured?"

You Lisheng's expression remained unchanged, saying, "I said before, he sets the time and place, not today taking advantage. Our Martial Arts Academy would not stoop to that level. Zhou Leng, do you dare?"

Zhou Leng said, "Defeated one, attracted another, now again another comes. Is your Martial Arts Academy's Boxing Association planning to challenge me one by one every day?"

"This..." Martial Arts Academy's students didn't know how to respond.

Rao Mingxian said coldly, "Don't bully too much, Martial Arts Academy. Such repeated door challenges, aren't you afraid that after Zhou Leng reaches the late Vitality stage and walks the 'Innate Battle Path', he'll choose your Martial Arts Academy and challenge all your classes and clubs one by one?"

"Such big talk!" The people from Martial Arts Academy rebuffed together, but were stopped by You Lisheng.

Faces of the people from Martial Arts Academy turned grim.