According to legend, there's a sensation in this world where, at the moment of impending death, time slows down dramatically, allowing one to review their entire life.
This is a phenomenon of time compression, often experienced as a paradoxical sense of time during confrontations between two formidable warriors.
In the instant when true masters engage, a temporal contradiction arises, and they can even perceive each other's thoughts.
Information that would be unknown to anyone else can be heard. It's as if they enter a realm where their minds are mutually connected, allowing them to instantly discern their opponent's thoughts.
The sensation of a temporal paradox is common, but to simultaneously perceive an opponent's thoughts requires a clash between two masters. This is the confrontation of Nen against Nen. Time paradox plus the duel of masters.
A certain martial arts school has aptly named this phenomenon: "Sprit Echo" (Heart Drop Fist Listening)
Heart Drop refers to the sense of time, while Fist Listening pertains to understanding the opponent's thoughts. This is a phenomenon that truly exists in the world of hunters.
When Netero descended with Zeno using the Dragon Dive technique, Neferpitou leaped up to intercept them.
At that moment, she entered the state of Heart Drop Fist Listening and heard Netero's thoughts: "I anticipated several attack and defense patterns, but I didn't expect you to use this move, little ant."
In less than 0.01 seconds, Neferpitou heard these thoughts. At that moment, she also felt the immense pressure emanating from Netero.
Netero's strength was undeniable. His Nen was eerily calm, making it impossible for anyone to predict his next move from the flow of his aura. Moreover, his long years of Nen training had elevated his spirit to a plant-like state.
Morin could sense Netero's formidable power. As the two faced off, time in the air seemed to freeze. To the examinees, Netero and Morin appeared to be standing still. However, in terms of spirit, Nen, and aura, countless clashes had already occurred.
"This is the strength of standing at the pinnacle of the world!!" With a cloud of white aura in his eyes, using "Gyo," Hisoka, one of the few besides the Hunter Association members who could see this manifestation, had an unabashedly fervent gaze.
"Such intoxicating, mesmerizing power!!" Every cell and part of his body was shouting with genuine excitement. For Hisoka, who was eager to face strong opponents, this was a deadly poison!!
"No, it's not enough!"
"My strength is not enough!!"
"I can't yet participate in battles of this level!!"
"I need to fight more people to hone my skills!! I must become stronger, much stronger!!"
"Oh ho ho ho ho!!!" A silent smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. His face twisted with a terrifying, perverse expression.
"It seems evenly matched with Netero," Illumi wisely retreated to a safe distance, "Not just the tools, but that unfathomable, terrifying strength." "Even my grandfather and father's evaluations seem a bit low."
In the field, Netero slowly clasped his hands together. At that moment, Morin moved. The examinees felt as if their eyes were deceiving them.
Just a moment ago, he was standing there, but suddenly he turned into a blur and vanished. When Morin reappeared, he was already in front of Netero. At that moment, his fist and one of Netero's hand chops had already met.
There was no loud booming noise, no gusts of wind from the force, and no strong dust storms forcing the examinees to retreat. It was just an ordinary, gentle movement, like children playfully exchanging punches. A touch and then separation.
"Yo yo yo?" Netero placed his hand chop behind his back, "It seems I really am getting old," he remarked with a sigh. "No, Chairman, you are still in your prime."
---
Morin smiled as he retracted his fist.
Netero shook his head without saying much. "Let's go, we can't keep these examinees waiting too long." He shook his head and was the first to head towards the warehouse. "The second round of testing needs to have a result."
Morin watched his back, smiled gently, and followed. Satotz and Buhara stood still, watching the two walk away.
"I think I understand now why Chairman Netero gave such instructions," Satotz said after a long silence, finally squeezing out the words.
Buhara nodded repeatedly, wiping away nonexistent sweat from his forehead. "Luckily, we didn't take any drastic measures earlier, otherwise..."
Buhara looked visibly relieved. Even though neither of them fully understood what transpired between Morin and Netero, the level of Nen and aura they witnessed was beyond their imagination.
Though they were Nen users, they were not on the same level at all. The gap between people is greater than the gap between humans and pigs.
"Master has become even more formidable," thought Kastro, the only one present who could somewhat grasp what had happened.
He could feel that Morin's strength had surpassed what it was before. "Master is still master; I have a long way to go," Kastro thought, silently following along. The clash between the two once again solidified his unwavering pursuit of martial arts.
"What just happened?" Gon was puzzled by everything that had occurred. He wasn't the only one; the other examinees were equally baffled. It seemed as if the event had ended before it even began.
The exchange between Morin and Netero, which was supposed to be a spar, turned out to be just a simple, game-like encounter, leaving everyone confused.
"Perhaps something happened that we don't know about?" Kurapika speculated as he watched the figures depart. He had noticed that the examiners from the first round and the examiner who enjoyed roast pig were both visibly shocked by Morin and Netero's brief exchange.
Even Hisoka, not far away, was emanating a violently fluctuating aura. Clearly, the confrontation between Morin and Netero was far more complex than it appeared.
All the undercurrents remained hidden from the surface. "Is this the true strength of a hunter?" Kurapika clenched his fists tightly. "I must become a hunter and uncover the truth behind my clan's death! I must grow stronger to bring the criminals who killed my clan to justice!"
He, along with Gon and the other examinees, silently proceeded towards the warehouse. "So delicious... huh?!" Menchi, who had been resting her chin on her hands with a pouty face, suddenly snapped out of it. "What... what happened to me?!"
Realizing something was off, Menchi jumped up from the sofa. "Chairman Netero?!" After standing up, she noticed the warehouse was now filled with many people. Menchi rubbed her eyes in disbelief and, upon confirming she wasn't mistaken, widened her eyes in surprise. "Why are you here?!"
What do you think... Buhara and Satotz silently quipped to themselves.
"Ahem, I'll explain everything to you later. The main point is that the current 'Nigiri Sushi' is no longer suitable as a hunter test topic," Netero cleared his throat. "You need to seriously think of a new suitable topic as an examiner."
"Think of a new test..." Menchi was still a bit dazed. However, hearing Netero's words, she already had a backup plan in mind. Thus, the second round of the Hunter Exam was retested, with the new exam content being the retrieval of grape spider eggs.
The group traveled to Toad Tiger Mountain via a Hunter Association airship. This was the new location for the second round of testing. On the way there, Menchi learned from Buhara about her earlier state.