Chapter 274: One Against Thirty

Just as the Science Council unified the strategic tone toward the Star Ring threat with an evaluation of "greater than or equal to 100%"—nearly a matter of faith—a "minor conflict" concerning honor, strength, and future discourse power was unfolding in the most primitive manner within a relatively obscure corner of the New Era: the subsidiary Grooming Training Field of the Deep Space Mothership Construction Base.

The atmosphere inside the training field was electric.

On one side stood over thirty young members from the Security Department, Engineering Department, and even some research divisions. Most were physically robust, having undergone basic combat training, with several among them being skilled fighters. Now, they spread out in a semicircle, glaring hostilely at the center of the arena.

Standing alone in the center of their encirclement was only one man.

Lei Dong.

The Security Minister of the New Era had removed his ceremonial uniform jacket, wearing only a tight black vest that outlined his lean, panther-like musculature. His face showed no expression; his eyes were as calm as deep still water. He simply stood there, and an aura of seasoned battlefield survival—cold, lethal, unshakable—naturally radiated outward, causing the thirty-odd men opposite to instinctively hold their breath.

The cause of the conflict was simple. As the New Era expanded, its personnel became increasingly diverse, and friction between departments was inevitable. The Security Department, by the nature of its duties, operated with an uncompromising style, and its enforcement of safety regulations inevitably infringed upon others' convenience or pride. Resentment had built over time, and with some young men fueled by youthful arrogance, this "friendly sparring" had been arranged—disguised as "promoting inter-departmental exchange"—but in truth meant to humiliate Lei Dong and the Security Department.

They simply didn't believe Lei Dong, no matter how skilled, could take on all thirty of them at once.

"Lei Minister, fists and feet have no eyes—if you get hurt later, don't blame us!" The leader was a burly man from the Engineering Department named Wang Meng, known for his brute strength and fiery temper, formerly a member of a moderately famous fighting club.

Lei Dong glanced at him. His gaze remained utterly still. He simply uttered three words:

"Come at me together."

Contempt. Utter, unvarnished contempt!

Wang Meng and the others were instantly enraged!

"Fuck! Too arrogant! Brothers, teach him a lesson!" Wang Meng roared, charging forward first. His fist, as large as a mortar, slashed through the air with vicious force, aimed straight at Lei Dong's face!

His movement was like a battle horn blown—twenty-nine others screamed and lunged from all directions! Fists, kicks, elbows, knees—even someone secretly pulled out a training rubber baton! In an instant, the training field was a blur of motion, a tidal wave of attacks swallowing Lei Dong whole!

Some onlookers who had rushed over to watch couldn't help gasping; the timid even shut their eyes, unable to bear the sight of Lei Dong being beaten down.

But what happened next made every jaw drop.

Facing attacks from every direction, Lei Dong moved.

His movements were not flashy—on the contrary, they were stripped down to absolute minimalism.

Sidestep. Slide. Block. Counter.

Every motion precisely intercepted his opponent's point of force; every step evaded lethal combinations with flawless precision. His punches weren't fast—but they were as heavy as mountains. Whoever he struck flew backward screaming, as if hit by a truck, instantly incapacitated.

Wang Meng's powerful punch was effortlessly blocked by Lei Dong's single hand, then countered with a seemingly gentle elbow strike to his ribs. The Engineering Department's brute turned pale, clutched his stomach, and collapsed to his knees, drenched in cold sweat, unable to speak.

A Security Department member attempting to choke him from behind was thrown over Lei Dong's shoulder and slammed into the ground—no sound, just unconsciousness.

The man with the rubber baton never even brought it down—his wrist was seized, twisted lightly, and with a crisp snap of bone, the baton fell to the floor as he screamed like a slaughtered pig, clutching his broken arm.

Lei Dong moved through the thirty attackers as if strolling through a courtyard. His efficiency was terrifying—he wasted not a single ounce of energy. Every strike brought down one man. He didn't kill, but every blow struck precisely where it would render the target unable to resist for the short term.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thump! Aaah!

Strikes, impacts, screams rose and fell in rapid succession.

Less than three minutes.

The thirty men who had charged in with roaring confidence now lay sprawled across the floor—some moaning, some unconscious, the few still conscious staring at the man standing calmly in the center, breathing as evenly as if he'd just taken a morning stroll.

The entire training field fell into deathly silence.

A pin could be heard dropping.

All onlookers stared wide-eyed, as if facing a war god.

One against thirty!

Total victory!

And with absolute, crushing dominance!

This was no longer a matter of martial skill—it was a chasm of pure, unbridgeable power.

Lei Dong smoothed out the slight wrinkles on his vest, his gaze sweeping over the scattered "defeated foes," his tone still calm:

"Now, does anyone still think the Security Department's rules are negotiable?"

Those still able to speak shook their heads frantically, their eyes filled with fear and awe.

Lei Dong said no more. He turned and walked toward the exit.

The crowd automatically parted, no one daring to meet his gaze.

At the doorway, he paused, not looking back, and dropped one final line:

"If you want to challenge me, feel free. But next time, bring real skill."

With that, he vanished beyond the door.

Inside the training field remained only the wreckage, thirty young men utterly stripped of their bravado, and a crowd of onlookers profoundly shaken.

The news spread like wings, swiftly reaching every corner of the New Era.

Lei Dong's "one against thirty" feat became legend.

It not only cemented the Security Department's unquestionable authority but also sent a clear message to all: in the New Era, true strength cannot be measured by numbers.

Whether it was Lei Dong, the peak of individual combat power, or Qin Feng's godlike abilities, or the Science Council's "greater than or equal to 100%" conviction…

The foundation of this city-state was deeper, and far more… terrifying, than anyone had imagined.

Before provoking it, better first weigh your own worth.