Fifth Stage of Inner Qi!

"This is a classified project, isn't it? Did you sign any confidentiality agreements? Then… can your dad and I post about it on social media?"

It was truly his mother speaking.

Her concerns were very practical.

Ma Ran smiled, "Director Huang specifically mentioned this to me last night."

"As my family, you are also allowed to know some related information."

"It's perfectly fine to give a general description of my identity."

"Just don't reveal the specifics of the research project."

"Mhm… that's right."

"Not every member of Caolu Academy has this privilege."

Saying this, Ma Ran chose his words carefully and said modestly, "My situation is rather special."

"It's because my research achievements are a little bit more than others."

"From now on, what I'm about to tell you, just keep it in your hearts for now. Don't tell anyone else yet."

"The project I'm currently researching is similar to the 'inner energy' mentioned in traditional wuxia dramas."

"I'm not joking, I'm very serious."

"This energy is essentially a highly concentrated form of bio-energy, and it has many uses. We usually call it 'inner energy'."

"Just knowing this is enough for you. Don't tell anyone else for now."

"Because inner energy cultivation has a rather high threshold, and there are still many problems."

"However…"

"I will slowly improve it, making it better and more accessible."

Speaking of this, Ma Ran joked, "Perhaps by next year, the ninth set of broadcast gymnastics in elementary and middle schools will be replaced by inner energy cultivation."

After chatting with his parents for a few minutes, Ma Ran hung up the phone.

The remaining rewards for the Black Rock Guidance Technique still required some time for Ma Ran's files to be entered into the internal database.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Ma Ran opened the door and saw quite a few people standing outside.

A dense crowd, which was quite intimidating at first glance.

Leading the group were Dong Huaiming and Wan Haihao.

Ma Ran rubbed his slightly throbbing temples.

For two consecutive mornings, people had been waiting at his door…

And the crowd seemed to be growing larger…

If the uninformed onlookers saw this, they would probably think he was starting some kind of cult here.

Seeing Ma Ran push the door open, Xiao Ming excitedly exclaimed, "Brother Ran! You're just too amazing!"

"We already heard from Fulan Academy and the senior students!"

"You've already reached the Fifth Stage of Inner Qi, haven't you?"

"This news has already spread throughout the entire academy!"

"There were a few guys who were unconvinced by you before and wanted to compete in secret, but now they're completely convinced."

"Hahahaha!"

Among the crowd, two young men scratched their heads, looking a bit awkward.

They had cultivated their first wisp of inner energy through their own talent, without the help of Ma Ran's Black Rock Guidance Technique.

Initially, although they didn't say it out loud, they felt a sense of superiority, believing that Ma Ran was their only competitor.

However, the behind-the-scenes footage from yesterday's superpower awakening process truly convinced these young men of Ma Ran's capabilities!

To reach the Fifth Stage of Inner Qi in just three, or at most four, days of practicing the Black Rock Martial Way!

This was already beyond the scope of what normal humans could achieve through effort!

They hadn't even reached Inner Qi Stage One yet…

Within the entire Caolu Academy, the closest to Inner Qi Stage One was that fellow Su Qiangwei!

Ma Ran casually closed the door, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone present, and said in a gentle tone, "If you have any questions about cultivating the Black Rock Martial Way, you can all ask me during breakfast."

After speaking, he waved his hand and walked towards the cafeteria.

From within the crowd, a disgruntled snort suddenly sounded.

Ma Ran glanced back and chuckled softly.

He really hadn't expected Su Qiangwei to be among this group.

Wrapped up tightly, the girl wore a fluffy pink pig hat, her face hidden by a mask, revealing only her eyes.

Thanks to the girl's unconscious cooperation yesterday, Ma Ran's performance was a resounding success!

On the way to the cafeteria, [Acting] began providing multiplicative feedback.

Ma Ran could clearly feel...

In the blink of an eye, two more acupoints within his body were filled and transformed into mature, miniature organs!

This brought the total number of filled acupoints to eighteen!

Then twenty!

Twenty-five!

Thirty!

Before he even reached the cafeteria, all thirty-two acupoints were filled and perfectly organified!

This meant Ma Ran's Black Rock Stele Martial Way cultivation had truly reached the Fifth Stage of Inner Qi!

During the enhancement process, not a single nutrient stored within his body was consumed.

Sugars, fats, proteins...

The total amount of these nutrients remained almost the same as before the advancement.

Ma Ran's heart was filled with joy, though his expression remained calm.

These past few days, he had dedicated most of his energy to researching the You script illusion system and refining the character settings for Scripts One and Two, leaving him no time for Inner Qi cultivation.

But the feedback from [Acting] was always so unreasonably powerful!

Upon reaching the cafeteria entrance, Ma Ran looked around for a moment, as if searching for something.

The members of Caolu Academy following behind him also stopped, waiting patiently.

"What is this guy up to now?"

From within the crowd, Su Qiangwei pulled her mask up higher.

It was one thing that [Myriad Transformations] couldn't replicate [Limited Precognition].

After all, Ma Ran was a special case, no need to compare himself to him.

But the application to go to Yingchuan Academy for an exchange study had also been swiftly rejected by Old Huang!

She was still feeling quite annoyed about that.

What new trick was Ma Ran planning now?

Just as Su Qiangwei was about to ask, Ma Ran's voice suddenly echoed in everyone's ears.

"Yesterday, on the way to awakening my superpower, I seriously cultivated for a while and broke through the bottleneck of the Fourth Stage of Inner Qi."

"Now, I'll give you all a rough explanation of the experience of the Fifth Stage of Inner Qi."

Ma Ran stood beside the cafeteria and, without any warning, started an impromptu mini-lecture.

"The Fifth Stage of Inner Qi isn't actually that special."

"You can think of it as an enhanced version of the Second Stage of Inner Qi."

"Like this."

As he spoke, Ma Ran flicked his right index finger, lightly poking the ground beneath his feet.

With a soft "pop," dust immediately flew up around Ma Ran's feet!

A dark pit appeared on the granite floor.

"At this stage, you can construct high-speed Inner Qi channels within your body."

"Compress and create Inner Qi projectiles, transmit them, and then release them."

"This allows it to possess a certain degree of attack power."

"According to my tests..."

"The effective range of the Inner Qi projectile is 10 meters."

"The maximum initial velocity is around 145 meters per second."

"Based on my judgment, even if I continue to increase my Inner Qi stage, it's unlikely this ability will become much stronger."

"After all, humans are flesh and blood, unable to withstand too much Inner Qi chamber pressure."

Ma Ran spread his hands and said calmly, "The origin of the Black Rock Martial Way, compared to Earth civilization, seems to have lagged in technological development, but it shouldn't be underestimated."

"Though their paths are different, they lead to the same destination."

"To put it in a more easily understandable way..."

"The Fifth Stage of Inner Qi is using Inner Qi as a projectile and the human body as a gun."

"Compared to actual firearms, its destructive power is inferior, only superior in aspects like concealment, convenience, durability, and reliability."

"Overall, each has its own advantages and disadvantages."

Hearing this, Su Qiangwei parted the crowd and crouched beside Ma Ran.

She reached out, touching the pit left by the bio-energy projectile, and fell into thought.

After a moment.

Su Qiangwei stood up, staring intently at Ma Ran, and said something incomprehensible: "That's it? Ah... Pfft! No! Let me try again!"

She cleared her throat and said earnestly, "Ma Ran, remember this."

"From now on..."

"I'll go easy on you too."

Ma Ran → LV up!

Hehehe