Too Weak, Body Nourishing Again (Part 2)

In Shi Tiexin's world, martial arts were divided into two major categories: Strength Arts and Heart Arts. Cultivating and nourishing essence was the first stage of practicing Strength Arts. The main goal of this stage was to regulate the body and mind, and accumulate vital energy. Once the vital energy was full, one could advance to the next stage.

During this stage, one couldn't say that physical fitness was particularly high; at least, most people hadn't surpassed the limits of ordinary humans. However, with sufficient vital energy, one could indeed be vigorous and strong, and practicing both Strength Arts and Heart Arts would be more effective. Some martial artists who cultivated essence to a very profound level could, to some extent, surpass mortal limits.

Furthermore, some basic martial arts movements, although called "basic," could not be used without a certain foundation of essence cultivation. Recklessly forcing their use would only harm oneself. Only when essence cultivation reached the corresponding level could their full power be unleashed without damage.

For example, the basic fist techniques today couldn't unleash their power because this body's foundation was too poor.

Moreover, just as a tall building starts from the ground, the smoothness of one's future martial path was directly related to how well essence was cultivated. Therefore, essence cultivation could absolutely not be neglected.

The Basic Essence Cultivation Technique was the most widespread and common method of cultivating essence.

Shi Tiexin cultivating the Basic Essence Cultivation Technique to an excellent level indicated that his essence cultivation efficiency would be higher than the "qualified" and "good" levels. But no matter how high the efficiency, as the saying goes, a clever housewife can't cook without rice. To cultivate essence quickly, one needed Body Nourishing Essence Food.

No, forget Body Nourishing Essence Food; one at least needed to eat enough to be full!

Take Shi Tiexin, for instance. From last night to noon today, he had only drunk a few bowls of wash water and eaten half a bowl of spoiled rice, with nothing else. Normally, not to mention fighting, just breathing would make someone shiver from hunger. That Shi Tiexin could still fight 1v5 was quite hardcore.

Speaking of eating... his stomach suddenly felt an unbearable emptiness.

He was hungry, so hungry, unbearably hungry, so hungry he couldn't even go to class!

The school cafeteria had fixed meal times. No matter how hungry Shi Tiexin was, he could only endure. To save a little energy, Shi Tiexin ran back to the dormitory and lay on the bed. He endured and endured until stars appeared before his eyes. Then, he heard a bell from the teaching area, and the morning session was finally over.

Shi Tiexin scrambled off the bed and dashed towards the cafeteria. It wasn't far from the dormitory area to the cafeteria, and he soon arrived at the entrance.

But what Shi Tiexin didn't expect was that many people had arrived even earlier than him. In this short time, a large crowd had already gathered at the cafeteria entrance!

The main doors opened, and a group of people squeezed in, heading straight for the food counters. Shi Tiexin, relying on his tall and sturdy build, pushed his way to the front. Before the lines at the windows could form, he firmly secured a front-row spot.

The window was lifted, revealing the cafeteria auntie's round and full face, and the aroma of food wafted out. No matter how bad the food tasted, to Shi Tiexin's nose, it was now the most exquisite fragrance.

"Auntie, there's something I've wanted to say to you for a long time—I still want ten big steamed buns!"

He took out his student card and swiped it against the reader. Shi Tiexin's eyes burst with hopeful light.

Beep.

The cafeteria auntie remained unmoved, her serving spoon not even showing a hint of intention to lift.

Shi Tiexin was confused. The auntie impatiently said, "There's no money in your card, don't you know? Hurry up and top it up, don't block the people behind you, move along!"

No money?

No money in his card?!

Shi Tiexin was dumbfounded. "Am I... am I naturally at odds with this cafeteria? Why can't I eat three times in a row!" But of course, without money, he couldn't buy anything. Shi Tiexin wasn't so shameless as to ask for credit at the cafeteria. He had to hurry back to get money to top up his card.

But when he looked back, Shi Tiexin's whole body trembled.

The line behind him had already extended far beyond the cafeteria entrance. A long row of hungry faces stretched out, reaching the end of his vision.

"Damn it, don't even talk about how long I'll have to wait to get back; even if I get in line, the food will probably be gone! And look at the Key Class over there; not only is their line less crowded, but they also get more food. The difference is too obvious!"

"No, this won't do. I'm so hungry I could chew on my own head. I absolutely must eat this lunch! But what can I do?"

"Hmm... Huh? Isn't that my kind roommate over there? I'll ask him to help me queue!"

Shi Tiexin's eyes lit up, and he strode towards Zhou Nan in the queue.

Zhou Nan was queuing, distracted and absent-minded. Teng Chaoguo being beaten into a pulp was something he never expected. But now he had to face a terrifying reality: if he couldn't handle Shi Tiexin, he would have to face Shi Tiexin's retaliation.

Thinking of Shi Tiexin's insightful gaze from that morning, Zhou Nan couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. Rationally, he didn't think Shi Tiexin could detect his behind-the-scenes scheming, as he believed he had acted very discreetly.

But emotionally... he always felt a prickle of unease, as if something bad were about to happen.

While lost in thought, smack, his shoulder was hit by a large hand. Zhou Nan shivered and was about to curse, but when he looked up, he found himself enveloped in shadow.

A chilling face with no expression appeared in his field of vision. Looking up at the other person, in the depths of those eyes, Zhou Nan saw a gaze like that of a vengeful spirit, as if it wanted to devour the entire world.

Zhou Nan, already timid, felt his calves tremble.

"G-Great one, what are you doing? You're not going to throw me into a soup pot, are you? This is the cafeteria, please be mindful of appearances!"

As Zhou Nan despaired, Shi Tiexin suddenly raised his hand. Zhou Nan instinctively flinched, fearing a blow, and then saw Shi Tiexin's thick, long fingers point towards the food counter, his mouth opening as if to say something.

"I understand, I get it, I know, big brother!" Zhou Nan, inspired, decided to show initiative. "You rest here first, and I'll go take care of everything!"

With that, Zhou Nan didn't wait for Shi Tiexin's next instruction and fled the line like he was escaping for his life, rushing towards the food counter. He began to forcefully cut in line, preparing to get the great one's lunch ready immediately.

Shi Tiexin watched Zhou Nan leave, a question mark appearing above his head.

"Uh... huh? This classmate is so enthusiastic? I've never met such a warm-hearted classmate before!"

Since the other person was so enthusiastic... he might as well sit down and rest, letting him handle it.

A moment later, Zhou Nan came trotting over with two meal trays. He placed the trays in front of Shi Tiexin and then subserviently handed him a pair of chopsticks, smiling obsequiously. "Big brother, please enjoy!"

Shi Tiexin looked down. "Heh, the standard meal for this Trash Class isn't exactly luxurious. There's a bit of meat and a bit of vegetables, but more fat than lean meat, and the vegetables are oily."