Virtual Reality Cultivator-Chapter 32: Clash with Zenith

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The first shots were fired. Ethan immediately moved to evade, using Shadow Wind Step to dart to the other side of the room. Claire and Adrian took cover behind the control table, returning fire with their weapons.

"Ethan, take cover!" Claire shouted.

However, Ethan didn't do so. He stared at the invading enemies—five fully armed Zenith soldiers, led by a man with red eyes.

"They're not just ordinary humans."

Ethan could feel a faint Qi flowing through their bodies. These weren't just regular soldiers—they had undergone genetic modifications or possibly special training to face threats like him.

Their leader scrutinized Ethan. "So you're the one they call the 'Qi Pioneer'?"

Ethan clenched his fists. "And who are you?"

The man smiled coldly. "You can call me Specter. I'm Zenith's executor, tasked with eliminating nuisances like you."

"Nuisances?"

Specter raised a weapon that seemed like a hybrid of a pistol and an energy absorption device. "Exactly. This experiment is the first step towards human evolution. And you are nothing more than a small obstacle in our grand plan."

Ethan clenched his fists tighter. "Then I'll destroy your plans!"

Specter smiled slightly. "Feel free to try."

And in an instant—he vanished from sight!

The Battle Against Specter

Ethan only had time to sense the Qi vibration before an attack came from his side!

BAM!

A powerful kick struck him, sending him flying back several meters before he managed to regain his balance.

"Fast!"

Specter reappeared right in front of Ethan, his arm already raised with an energy blade extending from it.

"You can't win just by relying on brute strength."

Swoosh!

Specter swung toward Ethan, who barely managed to dodge. With quick reflexes, Ethan jumped backward and channeled Qi into his hands.

"Then I'll use everything I've got!"

He lunged forward with a Rapid Slash, channeling his strike with his own fighting style.

BAM!

This time, Specter was forced to block the attack.

Ethan could see a hint of surprise on his face before the man jumped back.

"Interesting... So you can truly use Qi in the real world."

Specter smirked. "Then let's see how far your strength can go!"

He activated a device on his arm, and his black armor began to glow with strange red patterns.

Claire cursed from a distance. "Ethan, be careful! That's a synthetic Qi-enhancement augmentation! They're using technology to mimic cultivation effects!"

"Synthetic Qi?"

Ethan didn't have time to think further before Specter attacked again—and this time, he was much faster.

A Fierce Clash

Ethan tried to hold his ground, but Specter was now three times faster than before.

BAM! BAM!

Hard punches hit Ethan's stomach and shoulder, making him stagger.

Ethan gritted his teeth. "I need to stay calm... I need to read his moves!"

He took a deep breath, activating the Qi Awareness he had recently learned.

The world slowed down...

And this time, he could see Specter's movements before he even moved!

"Now I can strike back!"

As Specter launched another attack, Ethan moved one step ahead, dodging the punch with precision and retaliating at the weak point.

BAM!

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Ethan's punch landed directly on Specter's ribs!

The man was knocked back, his eyes widening slightly.

"You... you're starting to understand your potential."

But instead of getting angry, Specter smiled.

"But you're still not fast enough."

In an instant, he pressed something on his wrist—suddenly, an explosive burst of synthetic Qi erupted from his body!

BZZT!

Ethan felt the pressure in the air change. Specter was now filled with a power that wasn't his own.

"Damn... This is getting tougher."

The Team Moves

While Ethan fought, Claire and Adrian were still busy dealing with the invading Zenith soldiers.

Adrian fired his weapon while shouting toward Vincent. "We need an exit! How long can you hold their security systems?"

Vincent's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Not much longer! I can open the emergency exit, but you'll need to hold on for another two minutes!"

Claire gritted her teeth. "Two minutes in a firefight feels like two hours!"

She threw a smoke grenade to obstruct the enemies' vision.

Adrian glanced at Ethan. "We need to get out now! Can you take him down?"

Ethan was still locked in a fierce fight with Specter, but he knew they couldn't stay here much longer.

He clenched his fists.

"Then I need to finish this now!"

Final Strike

Specter attacked with full force, but Ethan wasn't left behind anymore.

"I can feel it... I can read his movements!"

As Specter launched his final attack—

Ethan shifted slightly to the side, dodging the punch perfectly.

And before Specter could react—

"Break!"

Ethan channeled all his remaining Qi into a single strike.

"Thunder God Slash!"

BOOM!

A Qi-infused blow slammed into Specter's chest, shattering his armor and sending him flying across the room!

His body crashed into the wall and fell to the ground with a thud.

"Done."

Ethan panted heavily, but he could still stand.

Specter, now kneeling with broken armor, let out a small laugh. "Heh... Interesting... It seems Zenith really needs to be more cautious of you."

But before Ethan could seize the opportunity—Specter pressed something on his wrist and vanished in a flash of light.

"Teleportation?!"

Claire grabbed Ethan's arm. "Forget him! We need to leave now!"

Vincent shouted through the radio. "The exit is open! Hurry!"

Ethan nodded and ran to follow his team.

They managed to escape the Zenith facility just before the backup forces arrived.

Inside the van speeding away from the location, Ethan looked at his hands.

"I'm getting stronger... but this is just the beginning."

Adrian patted his shoulder. "Well done, kid. Now Zenith truly sees you as a threat."

Ethan clenched his fists.

"If that's the case, let's show them... that I'm not someone they can control."