Fang Yan practiced Basic Fist Technique in the dormitory over and over again.
"Ha!"
His right fist shot straight out with a sharp whoosh. The wind from his punch swept across the desktop, making the water cup on it wobble slightly. He could clearly feel his qi and blood circulate with every punch, while his understanding of the fist technique deepened bit by bit.
[Basic Fist Technique practice completed 100 times. Proficiency +1%. Vitality slightly increased.] [Basic Fist Technique practice completed 500 times. Proficiency +5%. Vitality slightly increased.]
The system's notification chimes kept ringing in his mind, each one giving Fang Yan's spirits a boost. He did not pause at all. Sweat soaked through his clothes, and his arms began to ache, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Finally, when he threw his thousandth punch, the system's notification chime rang out again, carrying a hint of something special.
[Daily Task 1 completed! Rewards issued: Vitality +0.01, current vitality 0.78. Willpower +10, current Willpower 65/100.] [Basic Fist Technique proficiency increased to 40%. The Novice Realm has been stabilized. You may attempt to comprehend the first form of Basic Fist Technique, "Straight Punch."]
"Comprehend a move?" Fang Yan's heart stirred, and he immediately focused his mind, recalling his insights into the Straight Punch from his practice.
The previous 10% proficiency had only allowed him to grasp the basic framework of the fist technique. Now that he had reached 40%, he felt his understanding of "Straight Punch" become instantly crystal clear. This punch was no longer a simple stacking of force, but a perfect combination of qi and blood, bodily coordination, and force-exertion technique.
He drew a deep breath and punched again.
This time, the sound of his fist was deeper, and its speed was several notches faster. A faint current of air seemed to cling to his fist. It was weak, but undeniably real.
[Successfully comprehended the first form of Basic Fist Technique, "Straight Punch"! Punch power increased by 20%.]
"Great!" Fang Yan could not help clenching his fist as he felt this entirely new strength. He could sense that his power had climbed another step.
After resting for a moment, Fang Yan did not relax. He dragged a heavy backpack out from under the bed. It was packed with specially made lead weights and weighed a full fifty pounds. He had scrimped and saved for months to buy it. Before, he had been too weak to train under a load, but now it had finally come in handy.
He put on the backpack, felt the pressure bearing down on his shoulders, opened the dormitory door, and ran toward the athletic field.
[Daily Task 2 started: Run ten kilometers with a load. Current progress: 0/m.]
There were hardly any people left on the athletic field in the evening. Only the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze remained. Fang Yan adjusted his breathing, strode forward, and began running at an even pace.
Fifty pounds was no light burden for him, having just broken through to the Body Tempering Fourth Layer. After only two kilometers, he felt his breathing grow rapid, while both legs became as heavy as if they had been filled with lead.
[Willpower -5, current Willpower 60/100. Host's physical strength is insufficient. Would you like to consume 10 Willpower to temporarily increase the rate of physical recovery?]
"Yes!" Fang Yan chose yes without the slightest hesitation.
A warm current once again surged through his entire body. His legs, heavy a moment ago, instantly became much lighter, and his breathing smoothed considerably. He clenched his teeth and quickened his pace.
Five kilometers, eight kilometers, ten kilometers!
When Fang Yan finished the final meter, he could hold himself up no longer and collapsed straight onto the grass, gasping heavily. The lead weights in the backpack dug painfully into him, but a satisfied smile spread across his face.
[Daily Task 2 completed! Rewards issued: Vitality +0.01, current vitality 1.52. Willpower +15, current Willpower 65/100.] [Host detected completing the first Daily Task. Additional reward: basic footwork "Wind-Treading Steps" unlocked at the Novice Realm (10% proficiency).]
"Wind-Treading Steps?" Fang Yan's heart leaped with joy. He had not expected an unexpected windfall. Footwork was just as important in battle. Nimble footwork could not only evade an enemy's attacks, but also find the perfect moment to strike.
He struggled to his feet and tried moving according to the essentials of "Wind-Treading Steps" in his mind. Though he was still quite clumsy, he could clearly feel that he moved faster than before, and his steps had grown lighter.
Just then, his phone rang. It was a notification text from the martial arts school.
"At nine tomorrow morning, all Body Tempering Class students are to assemble on the athletic field for the monthly assessment. Assessment contents: Vitality Test, Basic Fist Technique demonstration, and Exotic Beast Combat Simulation. Students who fail the assessment will face expulsion."
Fang Yan looked at the message, and his expression turned solemn. The monthly assessment was an entirely new challenge for him, but also a chance to prove himself.
"Expulsion?" He let out a cold laugh. "This time, not only will I not be expelled, I'll make sure everyone knows the name Fang Yan!"
Back in the dormitory, Fang Yan washed up briefly, then sat cross-legged on the bed and began circulating the qi and blood within his body. After a day of high-intensity training, his body was exhausted, but his qi and blood were unusually active.
He opened the system panel and looked at the data displayed on it:
Host: Fang Yan Realm: Eighth Layer of Body Tempering Vitality: 0.80 Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Novice Realm 40%, "Straight Punch" comprehended), Wind-Treading Steps (Novice Realm 10%) Items: None Willpower: 65/100
"There are still more than ten hours before the assessment. I have to improve my strength as much as possible." Fang Yan muttered to himself. He remembered that there seemed to be a "Novice Gift Pack" still unopened in the system space.
"System, open the Novice Gift Pack."
[Novice Gift Pack opened. Obtained: 2 Body Tempering Realm Qi and Blood Pills, 1 Basic Sword Technique Beginner's Manual, Willpower +50.]
"Fantastic!" Fang Yan was ecstatic. Two Qi and Blood Pills would be enough to push his vitality up another step. As for Basic Sword Technique, although he did not have a sword right now, having one more skill under his belt was always a good thing.
He immediately took one Qi and Blood Pill. A warm current once again surged into his body. This time, he did not waste it, instead guiding his qi and blood along a specific route through his body to accelerate the absorption of the pill's medicinal power.
[Vitality increased to 0.86]
Fang Yan did not stop. He picked up the Basic Sword Technique Beginner's Manual and began studying it carefully. The system's power manifested once again. The contents of the manual seemed to come alive, imprinting themselves directly into his mind.
[Basic Sword Technique unlocked at the Novice Realm, proficiency 10%.]
Only after finishing all this did Fang Yan feel a wave of intense exhaustion sweep over him. He lay on the bed and soon drifted into dreamland. In his dreams, he saw himself punch Lin Hao into the air, shine brilliantly in the assessment, and stride step by step toward the peak of the martial path.
Early the next morning, Fang Yan awoke on time. He felt refreshed, with surging and vigorous qi and blood coursing through his body. After a night's digestion, the pill's medicinal power had been completely absorbed, and his condition had reached an unprecedented peak.
"Assessment, here I come!"
Fang Yan straightened his clothes and walked toward the athletic field with a determined gaze. He knew that today would be the turning point in his fate.
Before you continue