Getting injections and popping pills had become an increasingly popular trend amid the Life Force Development craze.
At least, that was how things were in Hengzhou.
Especially in the Metropolitan Area, where gyms had sprung up everywhere. Almost every trainer moonlighted as a drug dealer.
Trainers who sold their students protein powder, nutrients, various supplements, and muscle-building body wash could still be considered decent by industry standards.
The more outrageous ones even coaxed students into injecting hormones and taking unapproved "veterinary drugs."
All sorts of methods could rapidly increase a person's physical fitness, muscle mass, and even Life Force in the short term.
It was much like the "diet pills" that often appeared in TV commercials, promising weight loss without exercise, sweating, or changing one's diet.
Though crude and low-grade, they worked time and again on the particular audience they targeted.
It was like pushing "performance enhancers" on men with erectile dysfunction, or handing out lewd little cards to old perverts.
Cast a wide net, and you were bound to catch a few fish.
As for the side effects?
Qin Shi glanced at Zhou Ning, who was immersed in a dream of his Life Force rising, and thought to himself:
Aside from his pointy head, I haven't noticed any other problems yet.
Qin Shi focused his attention and entered the Internal Vision state. As he chatted with Zhou Ning, he also tracked his breathing to sense his Qi.
His mental strength had surpassed fifteen points, and he had just unlocked the new achievement [Super Sensory Perception].
Zhou Ning's muscular body, padded with fat, seemed completely unguarded, as though Qin Shi's gaze could pierce straight through it.
Is this even a human body?
Just a cursory look left him feeling mentally contaminated.
The blood coursing through Zhou Ning's veins was as thick as cream. Fat was wedged between his muscles like sludge in a sewer, to say nothing of his compressed organs and the chaotic, disorganized tissues.
The strangest part was that these catastrophic problems, any one of which should have destroyed the human body, had somehow reached a delicate balance, canceling out some of one another's effects.
"As a Silver Horse Gym's star trainer, Coach Luo does have some skill."
Qin Shi ended the Internal Vision state, which took a considerable toll, and gave his candid assessment:
"When it comes to injecting drugs, he's at least an 'alchemist.'"
At the very least, one thing Coach Luo had said was true. He hadn't lied about that.
Zhou Ning's Drug Resistance was insanely strong!
He could take twelve injections a day and still be full of energy, looking perfectly fine.
"He really is a born Drug Resistance Sacred Body!"
Qin Shi was deeply shaken. Even his Old Martial Arts physique paled in comparison to Zhou Ning's.
"Old Qin, what do you think? Wanna train with Coach Luo?"
Zhou Ning was eager, convinced he'd found Qin Shi a shortcut to getting into college.
"Classmate Xiao Zhou, are you sure those dragons and whatever don't have side effects?"
Qin Shi offered a tactful warning.
He knew that when consumers were being conned, it was best not to be too blunt.
In situations like this, what people often found hardest to accept wasn't the fact that they'd been tricked, but having others question or mock them as fools.
That dealt a serious blow to their self-esteem and could easily backfire.
"Coach Luo said individual differences mean injections and drugs can cause different levels of adverse reactions."
Zhou Ning scratched his head and said:
"Some students couldn't handle it and got sent to the hospital, but Coach Luo guaranteed after-sales service and promised he'd take full responsibility. I even went with him to visit a student at the hospital last time. Coach Luo paid all the medical expenses."
What was the difference between a drug dealer's after-sales service and a boss making empty promises?
Qin Shi's eyelid twitched. As a student, he didn't seem all that convincing when questioning a star trainer at a major gym in the Metropolitan Area.
"Xiao Shi, have some soda! Ningzi's finally doing something with himself. His dad spent a fortune on classes, and it's actually working!"
They came out of the alley and headed to the little shop next door. Aunt Zhou, who was minding the store, cheerfully handed Qin Shi a bottle of orange soda.
"If his Life Force goes up a bit more, he won't have to go to technical school. It'll be easier for him to find a job after he graduates..."
Aunt Zhou kept chattering, leaving Qin Shi with mixed feelings.
People like Aunt Zhou and Uncle Zhou, and even his parents' generation, hadn't had much access to education because of the times they grew up in.
Their greatest hopes for their children were probably to get into college, attend a good school, and find a good job.
Things were different from his previous life.
In Hengzhou New Star, most students who graduated from technical schools were funneled into labor jobs.
They earned low wages and had relatively little social status.
"Xiao Zhou."
Qin Shi, his head lowered as he sipped through a straw, suddenly asked:
"Can you really try Coach Luo's Nine Dragons Fusion Package for free?"
Zhou Ning patted his jiggling pectoral muscles and promised:
"Of course! Coach Luo even secretly told me to recruit people, but I haven't told anyone. Heh.
What if the number of students suddenly shoots up and there aren't enough drugs? I only told you. That's loyalty, right, Old Qin?!"
Qin Shi was at a loss.
What a great friend. He didn't forget to bring me along for the "good thing" of becoming a demonic muscle monster.
Ding.
Lin Yunqing, dressed casually and practicing a health exercise, opened her eyes and checked her phone.
She had messages set to Do Not Disturb, so if she still got a notification, it had to be from someone important.
[Qin Shi (Chance to Get Rich)]
Seeing the name and note, Lin Yunqing, who'd been radiating a lazy air, instantly perked up.
He messaged me first? He held out for all these days, but finally couldn't take it anymore, huh! I've got him wrapped around my finger!
She threw her head back and laughed as if she'd won a tug-of-war.
"Reading really works!"
Lin Yunqing smugly glanced at the book beside her: <One Hundred Flirting Tips to Make You His Dream Girl>.
[Qin Shi (Chance to Get Rich): Teacher Lin, can you get a reward for reporting sellers of fake drugs?]
"That's it?"
Lin Yunqing's smile froze. Wasn't he supposed to be hinting around to see if she was free, so he could ask her out to dinner or a movie?
She hurriedly picked up the book, supposedly a top-ten bestseller on Little Red Book, and began flipping through it seriously.
"Young men who are shy and introverted often start a conversation by 'talking about work' or 'asking for advice about something'... I see!"
Lin Yunqing tossed aside the bestseller and opened Little Red Book to cram in some last-minute reading. Then she put on a confident expression that said, "Now I get it."
"Offer help and advice, present yourself as a capable and impressive woman, but don't seem too distant. Get the balance right and make him fall completely under your spell!"
Lin Yunqing closed the article she'd already bookmarked, <High Charm Cultivation Guide! Ten Things You Need to Become a Bewitching Beauty!>, and rapidly typed out a reply with her slender, pale fingers.
[Soft Rabbit: I know some friends in the Inspection Department. If the amount involved is fairly high, the impact is widespread, and the case is serious, then once the report is confirmed to be valid, the reward can range from one thousand to two hundred thousand yuan.]
[Soft Rabbit: Little Qin Assistant Teacher, if the sellers of fake drugs are working as a group, it's best not to act rashly. Get the evidence, leave, and then report them.]
[Soft Rabbit: Are you in the Metropolitan Area? I can drive over and pick you up. It's safer to have someone with you.]
[Soft Rabbit: Cute cat posing cutely sticker.JPG]
"Would sending so many messages at once make me seem too eager?"
After she finished, Lin Yunqing furrowed her brows slightly and reflected:
"I should leave more time between messages. That way I'll seem calm and composed, and it'll be easier to take the lead! I'll do better next time!"
[Qin Shi (Chance to Get Rich): Sounds good. Thank you, Teacher Lin.]
"Hook, line, and sinker! Of course he doesn't want to miss a chance to meet me!"
Lin Yunqing's lips curled into a smile. She hurried to the wardrobe to pick out an outfit, then tapped out a message in the group chat.
[Super Invincible Tyrannosaurus God of War: A gorgeous Old Martial Arts guy just asked me out. Somebody teach me what to do!]
[Milky White Snow Child: Coral red is the color that makes men swoon! For a gentle vibe, pick a Morandi-colored dress. Silk fabric looks more luxurious and high-end...]
[Wearing Sophie Shows My Divine Might: Younger guys prefer an educated, elegant big sister. I suggest a light-colored linen or silk shirt with wide-leg pants in earth tones. Simple but classy.]
[Lightning Whirlwind Chop: Why go to all that trouble? Undo a couple more buttons and win him over with your assets!]
Taking everyone's advice to heart, Lin Yunqing finished getting ready in a flurry, rushed outside, started up her eight-cylinder Vast Sea Conqueror, and tore off with a roar.
"Just you wait! I'll get revenge for that punch! Heh heh heh!"
"Old Qin, I'm not trying to lecture you, but there are lots of scammers these days."
Zhou Ning sat on a bench at the bus stop and said earnestly:
"Not every teacher at the Youth Palace has a permanent position. She's a part-time assistant teacher. You barely know each other, so why would she go out of her way to be nice, picking you up and driving you around? Watch out. Something could be fishy!"
Qin Shi nodded.
"Mm-hmm, you're right. Teacher Lin's car is here."
He stood up. Zhou Ning, beside him, stared wide-eyed.
A teacher from the Youth Palace drove a Vast Sea Conqueror that imposing?
Just look at those strong lines, that classic waterfall grille, and the price tag of nearly two million!
The window rolled down, and Lin Yunqing called out:
"Little Qin Assistant Teacher, hop in. Which gym are we going to? I'll take you there."
Zhou Ning's eyes widened again, this time with a hint of gritted teeth.
"Old Qin! You never told me that working part-time at the Youth Palace could introduce you to a beautiful, rich teacher! What have you been up to while I've been working on myself all this time?!"
You wanted to share your progress with your best friend right away, but your best friend's success could really make you worry!
"I saved her from a few thugs a few days ago and helped her fight them off."
Qin Shi said it casually, while Zhou Ning felt like he had a bone stuck in his throat.
Looking at the imposing, rugged Vast Sea Conqueror and the beautiful, fair-skinned Lin Yunqing in the driver's seat, Zhou Ning's eyes brimmed with tears.
"Old Qin, you bastard! I want you to do well, but not this well!"
At three thirty in the afternoon, the group quickly arrived at Silver Horse Gym.
Walking into the place where he'd once worked part-time, Qin Shi couldn't help feeling as though a lifetime had passed.
Just a few weeks ago, he'd been working the front desk here, talking with his best friend about a future that seemed to hold no promise.
Now he'd already set foot on the path of Old Martial Arts, looking ahead to Qiguang Hengda University and Jiakai Keda University.
"Sure enough, every strong person has a cheat!"
Qin Shi sighed. Having a cheat was great!
"Coach Luo's training a student right now."
Zhou Ning pointed toward the equipment area, where a hulking man stood nearly one meter ninety tall. His muscles looked ready to explode, straining against his tight tank top.
Qin Shi walked closer. With his sharp senses and enhanced hearing, he could faintly make out a few lines of conversation:
"Coach, I'm out of money for drugs..."
"Xiao Zhao, you've got a lot of potential! I've already designed a special training plan for you..."
"But I heard that injections are bad for your body..."
"What do outsiders know? Sticking it in is science; pulling it out is natural! You want to become a bodybuilder, compete for a pro card, and become an influencer... How could you do that without injections!"
"But the package costs..."
"Xiao Zhao, you have to put in effort to get results. Don't worry, I'll cover the cost of the drugs..."
Qin Shi saw the young student's face fill with gratitude.
"This Coach Luo seems pretty considerate..."
Before the thought had even faded, a steady voice rang out, firm and decisive:
"Give me your phone. I'll recommend a few payday loan apps to you..."
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