Deduction and Optimization

When the dismissal bell rang, the students left the training hall one after another, carrying all manner of complicated emotions. Many of them could not help looking back before leaving, casting reverent glances at Lin Feng as he followed Instructor Li Zhenhai away.

Inside the instructor's office, the fragrance of tea curled through the air.

Li Zhenhai did not sit behind his desk. Instead, he sat across a tea table from Lin Feng, his solemn expression unable to hide a trace of excitement.

"Lin Feng, tell me honestly. Was the technique you used to defeat Zhang Kuang just now the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade from the library?" Li Zhenhai's gaze was sharp as lightning as he stared fixedly at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng had long been prepared. He nodded calmly. "Yes, Teacher Li."

Though he had already suspected it, hearing the confirmation with his own ears still made Li Zhenhai draw a deep breath. His body leaned forward slightly. "You... you mastered it? And you even reached the point of stirring a trace of the True Meaning of Thunder? How is that possible? That incomplete manual places an enormous burden on the body and meridians. In modern times, almost no one has even managed to enter through its gate!"

Lin Feng had already prepared his explanation and answered calmly, "It may have something to do with my previous Blocked Meridians. Although my meridians were blocked, that also made them somewhat tougher than ordinary people's. Besides, I did not cultivate entirely according to the incomplete manual. After bringing the Basic Body Tempering Technique to perfection, I made some... adjustments to its methods of exerting force to suit myself."

His words were half truth and half lie, attributing the system's contribution to his own "adjustments" and the "special nature" of his meridians.

"You adjusted it yourself?!" Li Zhenhai's pupils contracted. He looked at Lin Feng as though he were looking at a monster. Altering a cultivation technique on one's own, even the lowest-grade kind, required extraordinary martial wisdom and a spirit willing to gamble with one's life. One misstep, and the meridians would shatter completely! This was no longer something that could be described merely as exceptional talent.

He fell silent for a moment, seemingly digesting this astonishing information. At last, he let out a long breath, and his gaze became incomparably grave. "Lin Feng, do you know the saying, 'A man is guilty by the jade he carries'? Although the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade is only an incomplete manual, it involves the True Meaning of Thunder, and its value is beyond measure. You displayed it publicly today. Word will likely spread very soon."

Lin Feng's eyes sharpened. "Teacher, you mean..."

"Zhang Kuang's family will not let this go, and some forces outside the school may set their sights on you as well." Li Zhenhai spoke gravely. "Before you possess enough strength to protect yourself, keep as low a profile as possible. Unless necessary, do not use the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade so lightly again."

"I understand." Lin Feng nodded. He knew full well that the temptation of power was enough to make people risk everything.

Seeing how steady he remained, Li Zhenhai nodded in satisfaction. He took out a palm-sized jade box from a drawer and pushed it before Lin Feng.

"There are three Junior Gene Repair Fluids inside. They can speed up recovery from injuries and nourish the body. They should be of some help in stabilizing your realm. Consider it this teacher's personal investment in you."

Lin Feng's heart stirred. A single Junior Gene Repair Fluid cost tens of thousands of Federal Currency on the market. To him, it was an astronomical price. Teacher Li's favor was no small thing.

He did not refuse. Taking the jade box with both hands, he said solemnly, "Thank you, Teacher! Lin Feng will remember this favor."

"No need to be so polite. I hope to see you shine in the martial arts exam." Li Zhenhai waved a hand, his voice full of anticipation. "Go, prepare well. Remember, the true stage lies in the martial arts exam, across the nation, and even farther beyond!"

After leaving the school, Lin Feng did not go home. Instead, he returned to the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

This time, he went straight to the front desk and presented his trial card, which still had two uses remaining.

It was the same receptionist from last time. When she saw Lin Feng, surprise flashed through her eyes. Then, her attitude became far more respectful than before, and she even forced a sincere smile onto her face. "Mr. Lin, you're here. The Beginner Training Room has already been prepared for you."

Lin Feng keenly noticed the change in her attitude. His heart stirred, but he did not ask further, merely nodding faintly. "Thank you."

Entering the familiar Beginner Training Room, he shut the door and cut himself off from everything outside.

He did not begin cultivating immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and sank his consciousness into the system.

[Host: Lin Feng]

[Realm: Martial Apprentice (Late Stage)]

[Strength: 215kg]

[Agility: 15m/s]

[Physique: Good (Meridian Unblocking 15%)]

[Spiritual Power: 28]

[Technique: Basic Body Tempering Technique (Perfect Version)]

[Martial Skill: Nine Heavens Thunder Blade (First Chapter), Mastery: 8%]

[Projects Available for Deduction: Basic Body Tempering Technique (Perfect Version), Nine Heavens Thunder Blade (First Chapter)]

His strength and agility had improved again during his battle with Zhang Kuang and his subsequent cultivation, while his meridian unblocking had reached 15%. Yet Lin Feng's gaze fell upon [Projects Available for Deduction].

"System, what conditions are needed to deduce and optimize the Basic Body Tempering Technique (Perfect Version) and the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade (First Chapter)?"

Detailed information immediately appeared on the light screen.

[Deduction of Basic Body Tempering Technique (Perfect Version) requires: 1. 50% of the host's own spiritual energy reserves; 2. external energy equivalent to 10 Junior Gene Repair Fluids. Deduction direction: improve spiritual energy absorption efficiency, strengthen the foundation, with a chance of deriving basic traits, such as rapid recovery or strength amplification.]

[Deduction of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade (First Chapter) requires: 1. 80% of the host's own spiritual energy reserves; 2. external energy equivalent to one Thunder Grass or a similar object containing thunder energy. Deduction direction: complete the subsequent technique, beginning from the fourth layer, increase the purity of the True Meaning of Thunder, and optimize energy consumption.]

Looking at the conditions listed by the system, Lin Feng frowned. Energy, again energy! His own spiritual energy reserves were manageable, but external energy sources were a problem. Ten Junior Gene Repair Fluids? Even selling himself would not get him that much. Thunder Grass? Just from the name, he knew it was a rare spiritual plant.

Looks like I'll have to find a way to make money, or seek out a fortunate opportunity. Lin Feng pondered. The spiritual energy concentration in the martial arts hall's Beginner Training Room was insufficient, and he only had two uses of his trial card left.

His gaze fell upon the three Junior Gene Repair Fluids Teacher Li had given him.

"System, if I only use these three repair fluids, what can be deduced?"

[Initial optimization of Basic Body Tempering Technique (Perfect Version) may be performed. Estimated increase in absorption efficiency: 20%. There is a low chance of obtaining a basic trait. Proceed?]

Only 20%? And the chance was low? Lin Feng was somewhat disappointed, but something was better than nothing. Just as he was about to choose "Yes," a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

"System, can the optimization direction of the Basic Body Tempering Technique focus on 'physical strength' and 'meridian unblocking'?"

He remembered the term "deduction direction" from the system's explanation.

[Command received. Resetting deduction direction: focus on physical strength and meridian unblocking. Estimated optimization results: absorption efficiency increased by 10%, physical strength increased by 15%, meridian unblocking speed increased by 30%, unable to derive traits. Proceed?]

This result made Lin Feng's eyes light up! Although the increase in absorption efficiency was smaller, the improvements to physical strength and meridian unblocking speed were far more important for his current cultivation of the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade and for improving his foundation!

"Begin the optimization!"

He took out the jade box and held the three Gene Repair Fluids, which glimmered with pale blue fluorescence, in his hands.

[External energy source detected. Requirements met. Beginning deduction and optimization...]

The repair fluids in his hands turned transparent at a visible rate. Their essence was drawn out by an invisible force and flowed into Lin Feng's body. At the same time, he felt nearly half of his spiritual energy being drawn forth by the system.

Within his mind, the rune representing the Basic Body Tempering Technique began flashing violently. Its structure underwent minute adjustments, becoming more intricate and efficient. The sections focused on tempering the body and nourishing the meridians were especially strengthened.

A few minutes later, the deduction ended.

[Deduction complete! Basic Body Tempering Technique (Perfect Version) has been optimized into Basic Body Forging Technique - Quenching Chapter!]

[Mastery: 100% (automatically inherited)]

[Effects: Spiritual energy absorption efficiency increased by 10%, physical strength increased by 15%, meridian unblocking speed increased by 30%]

[Evaluation: The foundation is more solid, laying a firm base for the subsequent cultivation of profound martial skills.]

It worked!

Lin Feng immediately felt the difference! The already dense spiritual energy around him now flowed into him more smoothly. He tried circulating the technique, and as his blood and vitality surged, his muscles conveyed a more distinct sense of strengthening. Especially those blocked meridians, which seemed to be continuously washed by a gentle force, their tingling numbness growing markedly stronger!

"The effect is immediate!" Lin Feng was overjoyed. This was only an initial optimization. If he had sufficient energy in the future and could fully unleash the system's functions...

He did not delay any longer. He immediately began cultivating the new Basic Body Forging Technique - Quenching Chapter, while interspersing it with practice of the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.

With the support of the optimized technique, the damage to his muscles while cultivating the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade was noticeably reduced, his recovery speed increased, and he could train with far less restraint.

"Thunder Flash!"

"Thunderclap Break!"

His figure darted rapidly through the cramped training room, his fists howling through the air with the faint sound of wind and thunder. His mastery began rising slowly but steadily.

By the time he finished cultivating and emerged from the martial arts hall, it was already late at night.

[Strength: 235kg]

[Agility: 16m/s]

[Physique: Good (Meridian Unblocking 18%)]

[Nine Heavens Thunder Blade (First Chapter) Mastery: 11%]

Feeling the increasingly abundant power within his body, Lin Feng was filled with anticipation for the upcoming citywide mock exam.

"Zhang Kuang, Liu Feifei... what you saw was only the tip of the iceberg of my strength."

"The martial arts exam will be my true starting point!"