Like elves from legend, the cute and lively Wind Elements surged madly into his body, tempering it.
With the help of these little darlings, the large amount of food he had consumed earlier was rapidly converted into energy and beneficial substances, building and strengthening his body's structure.
In this state of cultivation, Zhou Zhe could feel his body growing stronger almost every minute and every second.
His breathing became smoother, and his heartbeat more powerful.
His thoughts also became clearer.
Only now did he finally understand why, in ancient times, so many people had become obsessed with wielding blades and staffs.
This was an elevation of life's level, the most fundamental evolution!
It was countless times more direct than studying textbook knowledge and accumulating skills!
Why did modern people enjoy video games?
It was because every time they killed a minor monster or pressed the equipment enhancement button, they received immediate feedback and could instantly know whether they had gained anything!
As he cultivated, Zhou Zhe felt that the blood flowing through his veins brimmed with inexhaustible energy!
Suddenly, Zhou Zhe opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet.
The second level of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique had been achieved!
With a slight concentration of his mind, streams of light flashed before Zhou Zhe's eyes. The notebook automatically opened, its dark blue words glowing with fluorescent light.
Wind Element Body Tempering Technique, Level 2—Constitution slightly increased, Agility slightly increased. This skill's maximum level is 4.
Only after seeing this data did Zhou Zhe finally dare to confirm that his breakthrough in cultivation was not merely his own illusion.
It was hard to say about other aspects, but in cultivating the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique, Zhou Zhe improved as effortlessly as eating and drinking.
Zhou Zhe carefully sensed the changes in his body. He felt strong enough to punch a cow to death.
But Zhou Zhe knew very well that this was an illusion.
He tried hard to suppress that illusion, calming himself and maintaining an ordinary heart.
The Wind Element Body Tempering Technique's cultivation manual had never mentioned that it could increase strength, and the data panel further proved that this extraordinary cultivation method only enhanced constitution and agility, with no great increase in strength.
If only I had enough time to lie low until I reached the maximum level before coming out into the world...
Zhou Zhe shook his head, driving the chaotic thoughts from his mind. He raised his head to look at the wall clock, and the smile in his eyes faded by a few degrees.
He did not have much time left.
Work hard! Work hard! Work even harder!
Only by working harder than anyone else could he become the final winner, survive, and avoid letting down those who cared about him!
But before that, he had to figure out what exactly the Self-Configuration talent meant!
Only by making full use of his own advantages could he ensure his ability to survive in the Cosmic Arena!
In the data panel's evaluation, it stood shoulder to shoulder with Absolute Comprehension. No matter how he thought about it, it could not possibly be weak, could it?
Just as Zhou Zhe was planning to begin researching the Self-Configuration talent, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Zhou Zhe frowned slightly, and the notebook instantly turned into a stream of light that sank into his glabella.
Although the notebook seemed visible only to him, a cautious sailor could sail for ten thousand years. Being more careful would never lead to a major mistake.
After a brief thought, he said, "Come in."
The moment his words fell, a man around thirty entered the private training room.
The other man wore a black fitted martial outfit and a pair of ancient-style cloth shoes.
His forehead was full, his brows sharp as swords and eyes bright as stars. His nose hung like a gallbladder, his lips were as red as vermilion, and he was extraordinarily handsome, with an outstanding bearing as well. He gave the impression of a superstar king stepping into an ordinary person's life.
Coach Li Shanhe had also been an exceptional man, successful in his career and sharp in temperament, but compared to this man, he immediately seemed wretched, insignificant, and not worth mentioning.
Zhou Zhe knew him—the master of the Swift Wind Pavilion, Lin Ye!
Though he currently looked like a young adult in his early twenties, Zhou Zhe had also read his profile.
He knew that Lin Ye was already over forty years old!
However, as one of the first Earthlings to enter the Cosmic Arena and one of the first victors, he had received the gods' reward, gained superpowers, extended his lifespan, and naturally displayed signs of rejuvenation.
"You know me." Lin Ye looked Zhou Zhe up and down with great interest.
"Of course."
Zhou Zhe smiled. "You are my idol!"
"My greatest wish right now is to survive the cruel Cosmic Arena just like you did."
Lin Ye sighed, a trace of sorrow on his face. "To survive, huh."
"Even I do not know whether I can survive the next cosmic duel..."
Having experienced battles of life and death, Lin Ye managed his emotions exceptionally well. He quickly recovered from his dejection.
He looked seriously at Zhou Zhe and said, "As a senior who has participated in two Arena Combats, I do indeed have some experience I can share with you."
Hearing this, Zhou Zhe froze for a moment.
To be honest, before meeting Lin Ye, he had always thought the man was some financial-sector tycoon with extraordinary business talent.
To open Swift Wind Pavilions across the country in merely two months, even with policy support from above, was no simple feat.
Now that he had met him and exchanged only a few words, Zhou Zhe realized that he seemed to have been mistaken about something.
Seeing Zhou Zhe's reaction, Lin Ye seemed to guess what he was thinking. He chuckled. "We are all Children of Huaxia, Descendants of Yan and Huang. If we do not help each other, then who else can we expect to lend a hand?"
The greatest heroes served their country and their people.
Those words immediately surfaced in Zhou Zhe's mind.
But Lin Ye, standing nearby, suddenly said, "Would you be willing to call me 'mentor'?"
Faced with the olive branch Lin Ye had extended, Zhou Zhe considered it briefly before decisively nodding in agreement.
Ever since obtaining the mysterious notebook, he seemed to have developed a powerful sixth sense.
He could clearly sense the emotional fluctuations of others.
Goodwill, malice, killing intent...
Nothing could hide.
The mysterious notebook in his mind allowed Zhou Zhe to sense that Lin Ye was not the sort of hypocrite who said one thing and did another.
He was a true gentleman in every sense.
Broad-minded and concerned with all under Heaven, he was worthy of admiration.
"Good! Very good!"
Seeing Zhou Zhe nod, delight also appeared on Lin Ye's face. "I will arrange for someone to speak with Yanbei University's administration. You will become my graduate student."
"You do not need to worry about your student registration or degree."
Two months ago, Lin Ye had been nothing more than an ordinary person. But after winning two consecutive matches in the Cosmic Arena and gaining some fame, he had acquired many titles.
Campuses across the country had sent him invitations to become an honorary professor and honorary president.
"Then... Mentor, please guide me from now on!" Zhou Zhe said solemnly.
Lin Ye waved his hand. "No need for courtesy."
"Since you call me mentor, I will help and teach you wholeheartedly, and do my best to pass on all the knowledge and skills I possess."
At that, Lin Ye changed the subject. "That said, your batch of chosen ones is probably the unluckiest group of Earth gladiators."
"The Earth gladiators before your generation could all bring firearms into the arena, such as all kinds of guns. They could even apply to the state for restricted weapons with extremely destructive power."
"Although most firearms might not be able to effectively kill alien gladiators, they could at least improve one's chances of survival."
"What a pity... what a pity!"
"Starting with this generation, it is no longer allowed."
"The gods changed the rules. Black Iron Gladiators can only bring cold weapons into the arena. At most, they can make use of the items and terrain within the venue, adapting to circumstances and overcoming what comes."
Lin Ye sighed. "This is not fair to Earthlings at all."
"However... Cosmic Arena Combat is, at its root, merely that one's game. It is not some sporting event that cares about fairness."
"To be honest, if one day He finds it boring and simply wants to watch a one-sided slaughter, I would not be surprised in the slightest!"
He naturally referred to the god who had forcibly dragged Earth into the era of the greater universe.
They could not bring firearms in...
As a Cosmic Gladiator, Zhou Zhe had known that long ago.
However...
What did the Black Iron Gladiators Lin Ye mentioned mean?
Before you continue