Chapter 147: The Protagonists' Intensive Training

【Steam Capital, Lower City, Rust Iron Hell】

"Here we are. Everyone out."

Yu Qianxia pushed open the car door first, glancing up at the towering, steam-veined gray-black building before her.

Liu Ma and Chen Kong stepped out behind her, and almost immediately, their eyes locked onto the massive sign hanging from the rooftop: Qianxia Group · Yu Qianjian Construction Co.

"Big sister," Liu Ma scratched his horned brow, puzzled, "when did our group expand into Steam Capital?"

Yu Qianxia pulled a fresh tooth-seal from her pocket and slipped it into her mouth, tilting her head with a smirk. "Didn’t I tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"That we’re expanding our construction business. Steam Capital was our first target—its Lower City has massive development potential."

"Otherwise, you really think I'd make a trip all the way from Wudou Tian Du just to bail you out? You're not that important, Mr. Liu."

"...Uh..."

Liu Ma rubbed his horns, his expression turning awkward. He’d honestly believed Yu Qianxia had come all this way out of loyalty, to stand by him. Turns out, she’d just used the opportunity to scout a new business deal—and checked in on him along the way.

"Enough dawdling. Come on in."

Chen Kong and Liu Ma nodded, falling into step behind Yu Qianxia as they entered the half-constructed building of Yu Qianjian Construction Co.

Inside, the air hummed with the clamor of ongoing renovations. But unlike the cybernetically enhanced citizens of Steam Capital, the workers here were different—every one of them a towering, unmodified human, pure and raw.

No implants. No prosthetics.

Yet their strength and vitality defied normal limits.

Amid the din of hammers and drills, one worker lifted a half-ton steel beam with a single hand and shouldered it effortlessly. Another, his arms thicker than an average man’s thighs, swung a massive sledgehammer with ease, compacting the foundation with each strike.

Despite the cold, damp air of Rust Iron District, Chen Kong was instantly hit by a wave of intense heat as he stepped inside the site.

His pupils narrowed instinctively.

Based on his experience, any one of these Qianxia Group laborers could match the strength of a common mutant beast.

And if they faced a non-combatant First-Rank Stellar Envoy with only average battle talent? One solid swing of that hammer might just crack their skull.

The realization sent a jolt through Chen Kong. He now burned with curiosity—what kind of city, what kind of culture, could cultivate such raw, unyielding masculinity?

After a quick glance around, Chen Kong caught up to Yu Qianxia and Liu Ma, following them into a vertical shaft lined with exposed gears.

As Yu Qianxia pressed the elevator button, the three began descending—plunging deep beneath the city, finally stopping a hundred meters below Rust Iron Hell.

"Here."

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a vast, open training ground stretching out before them.

Silent and empty—no bustling crowds, no distractions. Just Yu Qianxia, Chen Kong, and Liu Ma.

In the silence, Liu Ma and Chen Kong exchanged confused glances.

Yu Qianxia led them to a massive, obsidian-black stone that shimmered with a metallic sheen.

"Little Liu," she said, "you weren’t fully developed back then, so I didn’t push you too hard with technique."

"But now? Times have changed. It’s time for real training."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a single egg, cradling it in her palm.

Pang!

With a single, thunderous punch, she struck the stone.

The sound cracked through the air—sharp, clean, and final.

The obsidian monolith shattered instantly, crumbling into fine dust at her feet.

Then she opened her palm.

The egg remained intact—unbroken, untouched.

To maintain the egg’s integrity while delivering such a forceful blow… Yu Qianxia’s control over her body and Stellar Energy was nothing short of extraordinary.

Chen Kong mentally recalibrated. If Ink’s earlier assessment was accurate, Yu Qianxia’s Strength and Precision were both at least A-tier for her current rank.

And she hadn’t even used a single Stellar Source.

She’d done it with nothing but raw physique and fundamental Stellar Energy.

Her foundational mastery was beyond comprehension.

Seeing the two men lost in thought, Yu Qianxia grinned and tossed the egg to Liu Ma.

"My rules are simple," she said. "For the next two weeks, forget about Stellar Sources and Stellar Cores. Pretend you’re ordinary humans—no powers, no advantages."

"Your goal? Break this obsidian rock… without breaking the egg in your hand."

"If you succeed, I’ll teach each of you a unique Wu Clan martial art—personally."

Chen Kong knew better than to expect free gifts.

"Fine," he said. "But what if we fail?"

Yu Qianxia smirked.

"If you fail, Liu? Your entire salary for the next year goes toward my training expenses."

She turned to Chen Kong, eyes glinting with playful cunning.

"And you? You’ll work for Qianxia Group—free—for three years."

Liu Ma and Chen Kong locked eyes. Then, without hesitation, they both nodded.

Yu Qianxia’s smile widened.

"Good. Straightforward."

She brushed dust from her hands, then pointed to a three-meter-tall obsidian block.

"Liu—your type’s strength. That one’s yours."

Then she turned to Chen Kong, eyeing his lean frame with a hint of amusement.

She gestured toward a smaller stone—roughly one-third the size of Liu Ma’s.

"You? Go with that one."

Without another word, she walked back toward the elevator shaft.

"For the next two weeks, someone will bring supplies down regularly. If you need anything else, use your Data Terminal to contact my assistant—she’ll deliver whatever you need."

"I’ve got real estate deals to close with Steam Capital’s officials. I’ll be back to see what kind of progress you two have made."

And with that, she vanished into the shaft.

Watching her retreating silhouette, Liu Ma and Chen Kong exchanged a glance.

In each other’s eyes, they saw the same spark—fierce, familiar, and long-dormant.

Like back in the old days at Yujin Base.

A new competition had begun.

Who could finish the task first?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end