Chapter 520: New Talent, Rock Core Barrier

The maximum number of talent awakenings in each dimension had the same cap; it was difficult to unlock them more than four times.

He shook his head and looked away.

Before he could carefully observe this mental space and sense the source of the towering pillar’s immense power…

BUZZ!

A sudden, intense pain struck him, spreading through his limbs and bones. Lu Chao’s spirit jolted, and his consciousness quickly withdrew from the boundless gloom.

Ten-odd minutes later.

“Phew…”

In the Cultivation Chamber, Lu Chao opened his eyes. His flushed face gradually returned to normal, and the bulging veins beneath his skin slowly subsided.

Sweat rolled down his spine and hit the floor, forming bead-like marks.

“It’s finally over.”

Every talent transformation was exceptionally painful. Even though he had experienced it countless times, he still found it extremely difficult to endure. However, as he gradually steadied his breathing and adapted to his new power, Lu Chao slightly raised his head and looked at the panel.

[Life Energy: 240 → 245!]

The talent transformation was painful, but it was not without other rewards. His Life Energy had shot up by five points at once, which was enough to save him a lot of time in arduous training.

Besides that, Lu Chao clenched his fists, carefully sensing his own strength.

“Transcendence Level…”

He had completely crossed that threshold and broken through a new limit of life. Strength, speed, the power of his Qi Flame… every aspect had at least doubled.

To put it bluntly, his current strength was enough to overturn a tank. A single punch or kick could destroy a low-rise building. When moving at full burst speed, even those at the Limit-Breaking Level would find it hard to track him with the naked eye.

Particularly his physique. Thanks to the bonuses from the Rock Martial Skill and [Ten Thousand Jins Return Flow]—two hard-body Martial Arts techniques—his stamina, endurance, and especially his physical toughness had experienced the most exaggerated improvements.

Even without using his talents, he felt his physique was almost on par with Cade alloy. Low-gravity firepower weapons, especially the low-speed missiles fired by helicopters and tanks, would hardly pose much of a threat to him anymore.

All of this represented a qualitative difference from the Exploration Level. It seemed like his Life Energy had only increased by a small margin, but in essence, it was a rebirth.

Looking across the entire Earth Star, whether it was the Five Major Enterprises or the Alliance Country, or the Dark Web and the Rebel Base, even if the major Wilderness Warlords and Al-Qaeda were added to the mix, the number of Transcendence Level experts was extremely scarce. Combined, they would hardly exceed a hundred people. No matter which faction they belonged to, they were true VIPs who demanded ample respect.

If it weren’t so, Lu Weilong wouldn’t have been so overconfident and arrogant in his schemes back then.

Thinking of this, Lu Chao took a deep breath.

The Qi Flame on his body rapidly retracted, seeping into his pores like liquid water. Containing it without releasing it was like keeping a liquid bomb perfectly balanced. The technique of Qi explosion had almost become his instinct; it was no longer as strenuous as before.

Relying on this, he could not only temper his flesh, bones, and internal organs a second time, pushing his Life Energy to develop further upwards, but he could also use the shockwaves of the Qi explosions to deflect most close-range threats.

Low-speed missiles, close-quarters Superpower threats, solid objects… he could blast them all away with a Qi explosion. He could even combine it with his layered force counterattack, making the shockwave’s power far exceed that of other Transcendence Level experts!

“Not bad.”

Having gradually adapted to his Martial Arts power after reaching the Transcendence Level, Lu Chao turned his gaze to the black cat by the window.

Their eyes met, and as if understanding his intention, the Ghost Elemental Beast let out a cry.

“YOO~~”

The Ghost Elemental Beast’s eyes flashed, and its Spiritual Power once again interfered with reality.

SWISH!

The [Shockwave Edge] gauntlet, manipulated by it and wrapped in Spiritual Shock, smashed heavily toward him. Lu Chao stood silently, taking the attack head-on.

BAM!!

A muffled sound rang out, and a ring of white air exploded at Lu Chao’s shoulder and elbow.

No abnormalities appeared. He thought for a moment and quickly understood the reason.

“So, an attack that’s too weak won’t work…” he thought.

The layers of [Rock Core] required effective attacks to accumulate, and just now, Ghost Element had deliberately held back most of its strength. Thinking of this, he looked at it and nodded.

“Again.”

“YOO~~”

THUD!!

The [Shockwave Edge] gauntlet slammed into his body, and Lu Chao swayed slightly.

The powerful impact was like a truck crashing into him. It caused the floor to tremble as cracks spread outward. Invisible waves of air tore through the room, sending the tables, chairs, and empty medicine bottles shuddering and rattling.

“Yoo?”

Ghost Element blinked innocently; it had just used almost all of its strength. It was a strike approaching that of a veteran Transcendence Level expert, with all the Spiritual Shock converted into physical impact.

Lu Chao didn’t blame it. Instead, he carefully sensed his own body. Soon, he noticed a slight abnormality.

A portion of the impact force had penetrated his cells, acting as kinetic energy that seemed to activate something. His muscles seemed to flash faintly, rippling with a bronze glimmer.

In a moment of clarity, Lu Chao knew he had accumulated a layer of [Rock Core].

“Again.”

THUD!

THUD!!

THUD!!!

The Cultivation Chamber vibrated continuously, causing the entire building to shake along with it. Dust and debris rained down from the windows and eaves.

The Superpower Bureau personnel stationed nearby all looked stunned. Filled with curiosity, they stood downstairs, pausing to look up. Yet they dared not interrupt. Over the past few days, they had grown accustomed to the massive commotion Lu Chao made, knowing he was in secluded cultivation.

THUD!

Finally, another muffled boom exploded, shaking the building.

Inside the room, Lu Chao’s body steadied. The faint bronze light rapidly gathered and coalesced over his left chest.

In an instant, he shouted, “Barrier!”

BUZZ!

His body jolted as the faint light on his chest rapidly expanded, covering him completely.

Lu Chao looked down and found that his skin tone had taken on an even deeper bronze hue. His muscles bulged inch by inch, appearing more swollen and rigid, like blocks of rock. His veins, resembling steel cables, were pulled even tauter.

“Is this the barrier state?” he wondered.

He felt as if every single cell in his body had been augmented. It wasn’t a surge in physical strength, but rather a temporary infusion of energy that fortified their density. As a result, his physical toughness skyrocketed, receiving a massive boost.

Moreover, he seemed to have gained a certain heavy, grounded characteristic. His entire body felt as if it had turned from cotton into steel. Although the weight was the same, the actual substance was worlds apart.

This difference would be infinitely magnified, especially when enduring external attacks, allowing him to better mitigate the negative effects of physical damage.

“In this state, if I encounter the Electromagnetic Kinetic Energy Weapons of those Clare People again,” he deduced, “I’ll suffer minor injuries at most.”

Lu Chao’s eyes brightened. Comparing it to his previous battle, he made a rough calculation. The dual augmentation of physical resistance and the barrier state undoubtedly elevated his defensive means to a qualitative leap.

He even suspected that in this state, it would be difficult for some Non-human Level experts to severely injure him, even if they attacked with their full strength.

“Excellent.”

Nodding in satisfaction, Lu Chao clenched his fingers into a fist, letting out a CRACK. If he were to face those Clare People right now, he was confident he could easily inflict heavy damage on them within three moves.

Furthermore, an intense surge of confidence welled up from the bottom of his heart.

His breakthrough to the Transcendence Level and his talent awakening had drastically elevated his strength. He knew exactly how powerful he was right now.

Non-human Level?

This term, which once felt like an insurmountable mountain, was no longer so oppressive. It could no longer give him immense pressure. He was extremely confident that his current self possessed true Non-human Level combat power. With all his talents unleashed, he could even shake someone at the Non-human Level.

With this in mind, Lu Chao gradually retracted his power. He adapted to every minute change from his breakthrough until he achieved perfect mastery.

Finally…

PHEW!!

He exhaled a breath of stale air, concluding his cultivation. The augmented power from the barrier state faded away right on cue.

The Cultivation Chamber in his line of sight was riddled with holes and covered in cracks. He paid it no mind; there would be people to handle this for him.

However, Ghost Element gently leaped and landed on his shoulder.

“YOO~~”

Lu Chao naturally stepped forward, walking to the window and looking outside.

The Fortress Mountain City was bustling with people. The aftermath of the previous battle with the Clare People had gradually subsided. The ruined buildings had been leveled once more, and the pothole-ridden stone-paved roads had been filled with cement.

He shifted his gaze further away.

Armored vehicles drove into the fortress one after another, their heavy machine guns and howitzers being continuously loaded. Light land tanks were parked to the side under the direction of dedicated personnel. More and more troops were gathering here, preparing to march north.

“Finally, I’ve reached this step.”

A trace of inexplicable emotion rose in his heart as Lu Chao’s gaze swept over the fortress walls, passing the camouflaged soldiers on patrol. Over the distant lands, a scorching sun hung in the sky while eagle beasts soared.

After nearly three years of cultivation, he had finally reached the very end of the Superpower Three Gates. He could even truly contend with the Non-humans who stood above the three gates. The hardships involved were beyond words, and he had experienced his fair share of grudges and enmities.

Suddenly, the emotion in his eyes gradually faded, returning to a tranquil calm. Lu Chao thought of his enemies one by one, and a faint smile gradually formed on his lips.

“Then…” he murmured. “It’s time to turn the tables.”