Ma Ran hasn't truly reached the Eighth Rank of Inner Qi.

Lately, his energy has focused primarily on two areas.

First is pondering how to utilize the skyrocketing spiritual power, and second is delving deep into the Youwen Illusion Technique system.

In both areas, Ma Ran has made progress.

The "conquering without fighting" of the Eighth Rank of Inner Qi actually has other terms—"sighting" and "momentum field."

Just now, Ma Ran easily subdued Su Qiangwei without using the Youwen Illusion System, but rather a mental power technique he developed recently.

Although he hasn't yet reached the level where he can directly distort the material world through spiritual power, yet...

A direct spiritual shock on a living being is achievable.

This way, it perfectly simulates the characteristics of the Eighth Rank of Inner Qi.

Ma Ran named this move "Mental Shock."

It can attack the opponent's mind directly through eye contact, making them lose their fighting spirit.

If fully unleashed, it could even shatter the enemy's consciousness.

Ma Ran must admit that Su Qiangwei's spiritual willpower far exceeds his expectations.

During the clash of will, Ma Ran could feel that, in terms of sheer spiritual power, Su Qiangwei was already comparable to superpower users active on the front lines in his last years before the rebirth.

Zhu Hanyi, however, fell significantly short.

Despite his earlier bold talk and fierce demeanor, a mere concentrated gaze from Ma Ran made him instantly falter.

"What's happening?"

In the same pose, Zhu Hanyi felt as if his body and spirit had suddenly been disconnected.

No matter how many signals his brain sent, his limbs couldn't respond at all.

This feeling...

Was like diving deep into the ocean, where the terrifying water pressure pressed upon every inch of skin, making a finger impossible to move.

Alarms blared in his mind: "Move, damn it!"

After numerous attempts, Zhu Hanyi sadly realized he was as immobilized as a quadriplegic.

No!

Zhu Hanyi could confirm that his current state was even worse than quadriplegia.

He couldn't even move his gaze freely; his vision, like metal drawn to a magnet, was locked onto Ma Ran's eyes!

Why is this happening?

Zhu Hanyi couldn't understand at all.

Was this technique indeed derived from the Black Rock Martial Arts System?

The style was entirely different!

Zhu Hanyi felt like he was being roasted over a fire, sweat pouring from his forehead and back, heart pounding, hair standing on end, and his legs trembled slightly.

A chill ran up his spine to the top of his head, causing goosebumps on his arms.

What Ma Ran displayed was...

Simply "incredible"!

Zhu Hanyi felt that the defenses he'd set up collapsed instantly under the opponent's might.

He couldn't even mount a token resistance!

The gap was too wide!

Zhu Hanyi watched as Ma Ran slowly lifted a finger.

Unhurried, with a confident air.

As a pure Black Rock Martial Arts cultivator, Zhu Hanyi could tell that the finger was concentrated with a vast amount of Inner Qi!

"This is bad!"

Zhu Hanyi's pupils widened, vision clouded, adrenaline surged, heart racing, blood pressure skyrocketing.

Getting struck by this finger wouldn't differ much from being shot in the face.

It would be fatal!

In the next moment, Ma Ran lightly flicked his finger.

Instantly, the previously concentrated Inner Qi dissipated by ninety-nine percent, leaving only a trace.

Thud!

It felt like his forehead had been flicked hard, causing Zhu Hanyi's body to lean back slightly.

At this moment, he suddenly regained his ability to move freely.

Zhu Hanyi slumped back into the chair, rubbed his sore forehead, and looked at Ma Ran in a daze.

After a long pause, he finally murmured, "Thank you."

This thanked Ma Ran for showing mercy.

He had provoked Ma Ran; if Ma Ran had knocked him out cold before an audience, it would've been justified.

But Ma Ran spared him at the critical moment and didn't embarrass him.

This kindness needed to be remembered.

Besides...

Zhu Hanyi realized—Ma Ran had truly reached a high level in Black Rock Martial Arts training!

If nothing else, just the burst of Inner Qi bullets he just displayed revealed a lot.

At least...

In terms of total Inner Qi, he was no match for Ma Ran!

Rationally, Zhu Hanyi found it hard to accept that someone could reach the Eighth Rank of Inner Qi in less than a month.

But emotionally...

He wanted to believe in Ma Ran.

Though they hadn't known each other long—not even half a day if counted precisely—

As the saying goes—one doesn't know another until they've fought.

Men often convey intentions via their fists, the most direct and effective means.

Zhu Hanyi felt he could now understand Ma Ran.

"Let me try!"

Wu Di, who had remained unnoticed until now, suddenly stepped up, eager to experience Ma Ran's power.

Normally, he hesitated to challenge Ma Ran, but now was a fitting opportunity.

It was a perfect chance to measure his gap with Ma Ran!

Zhu Hanyi quietly cast a sympathetic glance at the Iron Head.

The sensation of life not being in one's own hands was somewhat akin to sleep paralysis but more intense.

He even suspected that if Ma Ran wished, he could suffocate him through sheer pressure.

Wu Di's ordeal needs no elaboration.

He fared far worse than Zhu Hanyi.

After enduring a "Mental Shock," Wu Di collapsed on the table, drenched in sweat, with arms hanging limply like noodles over the chair's sides.

Subsequently, three other Qinglian Academy members and a youth named Dong Huaiming from Grass Hut Academy also experienced being under Ma Ran's gaze.

The process was excruciating, and those affected wore expressions of unspeakable horror when recalling the oppressive feeling.

Of course, one Su-surnamed girl, who was greedily eating and occasionally chuckling, wasn't among them.

She adjusted her mindset swiftly.

Zhu Hanyi glanced at Ma Ran, thinking quietly: "So composed..."

"It's as if a high schooler were tackling elementary school math problems—effortless and nonchalant."

He keenly noticed another twenty-something-year-old, probably a recent college graduate, hesitantly considering experiencing Ma Ran's technique.

If remembered correctly, that person was named Wan Haihao.

"Continue eating."

"Don't waste food."

Ma Ran's light words returned everyone to the dining state.

Perhaps trying to mask their embarrassment and shock with eating, people resumed dining, and the table's atmosphere became lively again.

Simultaneously, Ma Ran keenly sensed the abundant Inner Qi in his body accelerating its circulation, with filled acupoints rapidly expanding and transforming into mature micro-organs.

One hundred thirty...

One hundred eighty...

Two hundred nine...

Two hundred fifty-six!

Thus, Ma Ran truly entered the realm of the Eighth Rank of Inner Qi!

As if infinite power surged wildly within, his vital organs became more powerful, enhanced, and nourished by the abundant Inner Qi.

The so-called Eighth Rank of Inner Qi "conquering without fighting" essentially stems from the oppressive aura a strong life force field exudes.

At this stage, even encountering a tiger in the wild, just a glance would make the tiger retreat, submissive like a house cat, not daring to show aggression.

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