The first light of dawn appeared, and the eastern horizon had just begun to pale.
Lin Fan stood in the middle of the courtyard, eyes closed in concentration, and slowly activated Origin Energy Perception.
In an instant, the world once again became a wondrous sight composed of points of light and streams of energy.
First, he "looked" at himself. At the Tanzhong Acupoint in his chest, a steady white halo slowly revolved. That was the Sea of Qi, where 120 points of Origin Energy had gathered. Faint white streams of energy flowed along specific paths through his limbs and bones. That was Origin Energy circulating on its own, nourishing his body.
"My perception range is about ten meters. Beyond that, everything gets blurry." Lin Fan tested the limits of his new ability. "My Mental Power barely drains while it's active. I can keep it up for a long time."
That was good news. It meant he could maintain his perception during battle and spot danger in advance.
Next, he "looked" toward his sister's room.
That faint red point of light was still there, but it was steadier than last night and no longer flickered on and off. It seemed the Lung Cleansing Powder was working. His sister's health was improving.
Farther out, in the other houses of the Slum District, dozens of faint red points of light were mostly still asleep. Only a handful had begun moving—the neighbors who had gotten up early.
Even farther away, those few bright points of light in the direction of the East District were still there, and seemed even clearer than last night. One of them, a crimson point of light, was moving slowly. Its owner was probably doing morning exercises.
"Do those Martial Artists get up this early to train every day?" Lin Fan wondered.
He shut off his perception, and the world returned to normal.
Today was the last day before the test. He had three things to do: first, raise Basic Footwork to Mastery Level; second, test how much infusing his legs with Origin Energy boosted his speed; and third, go to the Night Market in the evening to find Old Man Li and ask him for advice on the test.
"Brother, you're up so early?"
Lin Xiaoyu came out of the house, rubbing her eyes. She looked surprised to see Lin Fan already standing in the courtyard.
"Yeah, I'm training for speed today." Lin Fan turned and smiled. "Why are you up too? Get some more sleep."
"I couldn't sleep anymore." Lin Xiaoyu went over to the water vat and scooped out some water to wash up. "Brother, aren't you going out to work today?"
"No. Uncle Chen, the foreman, told me to focus on getting ready." Lin Fan said, "What do you want for breakfast? I'll make it for you."
"I'll make porridge," Lin Xiaoyu offered quickly. "You focus on training."
Watching his sister briskly light the fire and rinse the rice warmed Lin Fan's heart. He didn't insist, but went to a corner of the courtyard and began warming up.
He had taken off his Weighted Gear before going to bed last night, and his whole body felt light. But after thinking it over, Lin Fan put it back on. An extra fifty-five kilograms was a burden under normal circumstances, but if he got used to that weight during speed training, he would move explosively faster once he took it off.
He had learned the principle from athletic training materials in his Previous Life: the Weighted Training Method.
"But I have to take it one step at a time." Lin Fan didn't start by running at full speed. Instead, he walked slowly around the courtyard to get used to balancing under the extra weight.
After a few laps, he opened his Status Panel to check his current skills:
[Martial Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Mastery 625/1000), Basic Footwork (Proficient Level 312/500), Iron Body Skill (Mastery 88/1000), Gale Sword Technique (Beginner 12/100)]
Basic Footwork had 312 proficiency points. He was 189 points short of Mastery Level (501 points).
"Today's goal is to reach Mastery Level, at the very least."
Lin Fan took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing to the rhythm optimized by the system, and began to speed up.
He didn't choose to run back and forth—the courtyard was too small. Instead, he chose a more efficient exercise: high knees in place.
He raised his legs alternately, lifting them as high as he could while gradually increasing the pace.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1] [Leg Strength Proficiency +1] (New Skill)
Two prompts appeared on the panel.
"Leg Strength?" Lin Fan's thoughts stirred. "Sure enough, different ways of exerting force can unlock different skill slots."
He continued doing high knees, paying close attention to the details of each movement. The quadriceps at the front of his thighs, the hamstrings at the back, the gastrocnemius muscles in his calves... The contraction and relaxation of each muscle were clearly reflected in his awareness.
That was the benefit of improved Mental Power—he had finer control over his body.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1] [Leg Strength Proficiency +1] [Origin Energy Value -0.1, Recovery +0.15] (Net gain 0.05)
Lin Fan's eyes lit up.
Origin Energy was helping with the training on its own!
He tried to guide it deliberately toward his legs. With a thought, a wisp of Origin Energy separated from the Tanzhong Acupoint and flowed downward along the optimized route, passing through his hips and branching into his thighs and calves before finally gathering in his feet.
When Origin Energy infused his leg muscles, a warm sensation spread through them. It was as if his muscle fibers had been activated; they contracted with greater force and relaxed more completely.
The speed of his high knees visibly increased!
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +2] (Origin Energy Bonus) [Leg Strength Proficiency +2] (Origin Energy Bonus)
His efficiency had doubled!
"So this is another way to use Origin Energy..." Lin Fan thought, excited. "It doesn't only boost me when I unleash it in a burst. Infusing specific body parts during ordinary training can improve the results too!"
Maintaining the flow of Origin Energy, he continued his high-knee training.
One hundred repetitions, two hundred, three hundred...
Sweat slid down his forehead, sparkling in the morning light. His clothes quickly grew soaked beneath the Weighted Gear and clung to his skin. But Lin Fan didn't stop. His breathing remained steady, and his gaze was focused and determined.
"Brother, have some water." Lin Xiaoyu came over with a bowl of warm water, her little face full of concern.
Lin Fan stopped and took the bowl, draining it in one go. "Thanks, Xiaoyu."
"Brother, don't push yourself too hard..." Lin Xiaoyu said softly. "Your health matters."
"I know my limits." Lin Fan ruffled his sister's hair. "Go eat, before the porridge burns."
"Oh!" Lin Xiaoyu hurried back to the kitchen.
Lin Fan smiled and continued training.
By the five-hundredth high knee, his thigh muscles had begun to ache and swell. It was a sign of lactic acid buildup. But he didn't stop. Instead, he quickened his pace. Breaking through his limits was the key to improving.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +3] (Limit Break Bonus) [Leg Strength Proficiency +3] [Origin Energy Value -0.2, Recovery +0.25]
The aching grew stronger, like countless needles pricking him. But Lin Fan gritted his teeth, with just one thought in his mind: faster, higher!
In his Previous Life, he had been a programmer, sitting in front of a computer every day as his body gradually fell apart, until he finally died from overwork. In this life, he had been given another chance. He had a system, and people who needed protecting. He absolutely couldn't waste it!
"Ha!"
Lin Fan gave a low growl. His legs moved at full speed, leaving afterimages in the air.
[Warning: Leg muscles are nearing the fatigue limit. Rest is recommended.]
A red warning appeared on the panel.
But Lin Fan didn't stop.
He could feel a new force building at the very edge of that aching sensation. Like a compressed spring, it was storing energy for its rebound.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +5] (Limit Break Reward) [Leg Strength Proficiency +5] [Origin Energy Value -0.3, Recovery +0.4]
"Vmmm—"
A faint ringing sounded in his mind.
The force he had been building up erupted!
The ache in his leg muscles receded like a tide, replaced by a warm, full sensation. It felt as though his muscle fibers had been rewoven, denser and more elastic than before.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency reached 500. Level increased: Proficient Level → Mastery] [Effects improved: Movement Speed +20%, Evasion Rate +10%, Balance +15%] [New trait unlocked: Swift Step] [Swift Step: Spend Origin Energy to increase movement speed for a short time. Each point of Origin Energy increases speed by 1%. Lasts 3 seconds.]
Lin Fan stopped and gasped for breath.
Sweat poured off him like rain, spreading into a dark patch on the ground. Yet his face was lit by a brilliant smile.
Mastery Level!
And he had unlocked the "Swift Step" trait!
He tested it right away. With a thought, ten points of Origin Energy flowed from his Tanzhong Acupoint into both legs.
"Whoosh!"
His figure flashed from the east side of the courtyard to the west in an instant, covering about five meters in less than half a second!
"This speed..." Even Lin Fan was startled.
Without Origin Energy, it would have taken him a little over a second to run five meters. Now he was more than twice as fast!
And he could tell that the burst he had just made wasn't even his limit. If he went all out and combined it with Swift Step, he could go even faster.
"Brother, you... just now..." Lin Xiaoyu stood in the kitchen doorway with a bowl of porridge, staring in astonishment.
She had only seen her brother's figure flicker. Like a ghost, he had "floated" to the other side so fast she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
"Just a little trick." Lin Fan steadied his breathing and walked over to his sister. "Is the porridge ready?"
"Y-yeah..." Lin Xiaoyu still hadn't recovered from her shock.
The siblings sat at the small wooden table in the courtyard and ate breakfast.
The coarse-grain porridge and pickles were simple, but Lin Fan ate with relish. After such an intense workout, his body desperately needed to replenish its energy, and every bite of food felt especially precious.
"Brother, was that thing you did just now... a martial skill?" Lin Xiaoyu asked curiously.
"It's one way of using footwork." Lin Fan didn't go into detail, afraid she'd worry. "Once I get into the academy, I'll teach you."
"Really?" Lin Xiaoyu's eyes sparkled. "I can learn too?"
"Of course." Lin Fan answered seriously. "But first, you need to get your health back. Martial arts training is hard. You need a healthy foundation."
"I'll make sure to take all my medicine!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded firmly.
After breakfast, Lin Fan helped his sister prepare her medicine and watched her drink it. Then he said, "Xiaoyu, I'm going out for a while this morning to find somewhere to practice my speed. You'll be home alone, so lock the door. Don't open it for anyone."
"Where are you going to train, Brother?"
"To the Abandoned Training Ground by the city wall," Lin Fan said. "There's lots of space, and no one will bother me."
Near the city wall on the outskirts of Jiangnan City stood an abandoned martial arts Training Ground. It was said to have been built decades ago, then partially destroyed during a Beast Tide. Gradually, it fell into disrepair. Children from the Slum District sometimes went there to play, and occasionally someone who wanted to train in martial arts would stop by to exercise.
Lin Fan put on his Weighted Gear and wheeled his bicycle out the door.
"Brother, come back early!" Lin Xiaoyu called, waving from the doorway.
"I will."
***
The Abandoned Training Ground was about three li from the Slum District. It took fifteen minutes to get there by bicycle.
The place was truly desolate. Weeds grew through the cracked stone paving, and several rusted metal frames stood crookedly. Stone locks once used for strength training lay scattered across the ground, some of them broken. Half the wall in the distance had collapsed. Through the gap, he could see barren fields beyond, and farther still, the towering outline of the city wall.
The Training Ground was empty in the early morning.
Lin Fan parked his bicycle, looked around, and chose a relatively flat patch of ground.
"First, I'll test my current top speed."
He walked to one end of the field, took a deep breath, and crouched into a starting position.
No Origin Energy, just the strength of his body.
"Three, two, one... go!"
He pushed off, shooting forward like an arrow!
The fifty meters flashed by in the blink of an eye.
Lin Fan counted the time in his head: about four seconds.
"Four seconds for fifty meters means about eight seconds for a hundred." He estimated, "That would have made me a world-class athlete on Earth in my Previous Life. But in this world..."
Not enough.
The speed portion of Jiangnan Academy's physical fitness test was called the 100-Meter Gale Array. Candidates had to do more than run fast; they had to make it through an array with wind resistance. Ordinary candidates usually finished in around ten seconds, the excellent ones could manage nine, and the monsters in the Genius Class were said to break eight.
With only his body's speed, Lin Fan would probably manage somewhere between eight and a half and nine seconds. That counted as excellent, but it wasn't enough to amaze anyone.
"I'll need to use Origin Energy."
Lin Fan walked back to the starting line and crouched into position again.
This time, he channeled ten points of Origin Energy into his legs.
"Swift Step, activate!"
"Whoosh—"
His figure blurred into a gray streak, shooting across the fifty meters in an instant!
Time: two and a half seconds!
"Five seconds for a hundred meters!" Lin Fan's spirits lifted. "That'll definitely leave everyone stunned!"
But he wasn't satisfied.
Ten points of Origin Energy could only sustain Swift Step for three seconds, while a hundred-meter run would take five. That meant he would have to replenish his Origin Energy midway or... spend more of it and run faster.
Lin Fan tested his speed with different amounts of Origin Energy:
Twenty points of Origin Energy increased his speed by 20%, bringing his hundred-meter time to about four seconds.
Thirty points of Origin Energy increased his speed by 30%, bringing the hundred-meter time to about three and a half seconds.
Fifty points of Origin Energy increased his speed by 50%, letting him run a hundred meters in under three seconds!
"Three seconds for a hundred meters..." Even Lin Fan thought it sounded absurd.
That wasn't human speed anymore. It was the speed of a true Martial Artist.
But he quickly spotted the problem—he was using up Origin Energy too fast.
Fifty points of Origin Energy could only sustain Swift Step for three seconds. His total Origin Energy was 120 points. His recovery rate wasn't bad, thanks to his Proficient Level technique increasing it by 20%, but it still couldn't keep up with that kind of expenditure.
"I have to conserve it." Lin Fan adjusted his approach. "I don't need to go all out the entire time during the test. If I only accelerate at key moments, I can improve my time by a lot."
He began training for the test: exploding off the starting line, accelerating midway, and sprinting at the finish. He assigned different amounts of Origin Energy to each stage, searching for the best approach.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +2] [Leg Strength Proficiency +2] [Origin Energy Control Proficiency +1] (New Skill)
Another new skill slot had opened!
"Origin Energy Control?" Lin Fan checked its description. "Looks like the ability to use Origin Energy with precision. This is important. In a fight, I'll need to control exactly how much Origin Energy to use and how to distribute it."
He continued training, paying close attention to how he distributed and recovered his Origin Energy.
As the sun climbed higher, the temperature on the Training Ground began to rise.
Lin Fan was soaked from head to toe, but his eyes shone brighter and brighter. After trying again and again, he had found the most suitable way to distribute his Origin Energy:
At the start, he would unleash 5 points of Origin Energy in an instant to seize the advantage.
During the steady middle stretch, he would maintain only a basic flow of Origin Energy (1 point per second) to keep his speed from dropping.
For the final thirty-meter sprint, he would spend 15 points of Origin Energy to activate a burst of speed and give it everything he had.
By his calculations, he would use about 25 points of Origin Energy over the whole run, keeping his time steady at around four seconds. His Origin Energy recovered at a rate of about 1 point every ten seconds while he exercised, which meant that after a run, two minutes of rest would be enough to refill it.
"That'll do." Lin Fan stopped training and walked over to rest in the shade of a tree.
He opened his Status Panel to check what he had gained that morning:
[Basic Footwork: Mastery Level (68/1000)] [Leg Strength: Proficient (155/500)] [Origin Energy Control: Beginner (42/100)] [Vital Energy Value: 85/120] (Spent on training + naturally recovered)
His progress was remarkable.
His Origin Energy Control, in particular, had reached the beginner level before he even realized it. This skill didn't directly increase his combat power, but it was hugely important in actual combat—like "mana management" in the games of his Previous Life. Used well, it could greatly improve his staying power.
"What should I work on this afternoon?" Lin Fan mused.
His strength and speed were taken care of, and he was even less worried about the combat test—with his fist technique at Minor Accomplishment Level and an Origin Energy burst, he could take on a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, let alone a combat puppet.
"I could work on the Gale Sword Technique." Lin Fan remembered that he had only 12 proficiency points in it. "I might not need it for the test, but there's no harm in learning another skill. And if I get good at swordsmanship, I'll have another option in actual combat."
He took the old sword off the back of his bicycle. He had bought it for 20 points at a secondhand market two days earlier. It didn't even qualify as Mortal Tier Low Grade; it was just an ordinary Refined Steel Sword, and the edge was already a little dull. But it would do for Lin Fan as he was now.
"Shing—"
The long sword slid from its scabbard, its blade glinting faintly.
Lin Fan assumed the opening stance of the Gale Sword Technique and recalled the key points from the manual: fast, precise, light, nimble.
"First move, Breeze Brushing Face."
He gave his wrist a light flick. The tip of the sword traced an arc as he thrust toward an imaginary target.
His movements were stiff, and his power didn't flow smoothly enough.
[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +1]
But as long as he gained proficiency, he could improve.
Lin Fan repeated the move again and again, going from stiff to practiced, then from practiced to fluid.
Ten times, fifty times, a hundred times...
Sweat trickled from his chin, spattering the blade in tiny droplets. His arm began to ache and go numb, but he didn't stop. In his Previous Life, he'd debugged bugs until three or four in the morning; in this life, he had the same grit when it came to martial arts.
[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +2] (Reward for one hundred consecutive strikes)
When he thrust for the two-hundredth time, the sword in Lin Fan's hand suddenly felt "lighter."
It wasn't physically lighter. It was the way it felt in his hand—the sword seemed to have become an extension of his arm. It went wherever he pointed, as obedient as his own hand.
[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency reached 100. Realm increased: Beginner → Proficient] [Effects improved: Sword Speed +10%, Accuracy +15%] [New trait unlocked: Combo] [Combo: When the same sword move is used repeatedly, each strike increases in speed by 1% (stacks up to 10 times)]
"Combo..." Lin Fan's eyes lit up.
This trait was perfect for him! With his "grind-it-out" style, he could easily stack Combo to the maximum through sheer repetition. Then his sword speed would increase by 10%!
"Keep going!"
Lin Fan's spirits soared, and he continued practicing.
The sun moved from the east to directly overhead, then slowly drifted west.
On the Training Ground, the youth's figure flickered as he wielded his sword, blade-light weaving through the air and sweat falling like rain.
[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +1] [Origin Energy Control Proficiency +0.5] [Arm Strength Proficiency +1] (New skill)
Another new skill slot.
Lin Fan was already used to it. As long as he performed a new movement or used a new way of exerting force, the system could open a new skill slot. At this rate, he'd eventually become an "all-around warrior."
That was a good thing, though. A skilled hand never went unrewarded. In this world, where Demonic Beasts ran rampant and danger lurked everywhere, every extra skill gave him a better chance of survival.
When the sunset dyed the horizon orange-red, Lin Fan finally stopped.
He wasn't tired; his Origin Energy was nearly depleted. Keeping it flowing through his arms as he practiced swordsmanship consumed more than he had expected.
He put his sword away, walked into the shade of a tree, and sat cross-legged to meditate and recover.
With the Optimized Breathing Technique, his Origin Energy recovered quickly. After about two quarters of an hour—half an hour—it had refilled to 120 points.
Lin Fan opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and mostly recovered.
"Time to head back." He stood and brushed the dust from his clothes. "I still have to go to the Night Market tonight to see Old Man Li."
As he wheeled his bicycle away from the Training Ground, Lin Fan glanced back at the desolate stretch of land.
After tomorrow, if everything went smoothly, he probably wouldn't need to come here again. The academy had better training facilities, more systematic instruction, and richer resources.
"I have to get in."
By the time he returned to the Slum District, dusk had settled.
The scents of home cooking drifted from the alley's houses, mingling with children's cries, adults' scolding, and the clatter of pots and bowls. It was the Slum District's distinctive scene: chaotic, yet full of life.
Lin Fan wheeled his bike into the little courtyard. Lin Xiaoyu was busy at the stove.
"Brother, you're back!" Hearing him, Lin Xiaoyu turned around, a little soot smudged on her face. "Dinner's almost ready. We have vegetables today!"
"What kind?" Lin Fan parked his bike and went over to look.
A big pot of cabbage and tofu was simmering on the stove. It had hardly any oil in it, but the steam rising from it made it look warm and comforting. Beside it, a small bowl of steamed egg custard sat cooking—the two eggs Grandpa Li had given them.
"Why didn't you save the eggs for yourself?" Lin Fan frowned.
"You have your test tomorrow, Brother. You need to build up your strength," Lin Xiaoyu said earnestly. "I can just drink my medicine. You should have the eggs."
Lin Fan's heart warmed. He didn't say anything, only ruffled his sister's hair. "Don't do that again. I can earn money. Soon, I'll be able to give you eggs every day."
"Mm!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously.
The siblings sat in the courtyard and ate. Lin Fan gave most of the egg custard to his sister, keeping only a small bite for himself. Lin Xiaoyu couldn't refuse, so she ate it in tiny bites, her eyes crinkling with happiness.
After dinner, Lin Fan helped his sister prepare her medicine and watched her finish it. Then he said, "Xiaoyu, I'm going out for a while tonight to ask Old Man Li something at the Night Market. Go to bed early, and bolt the door from the inside."
"Go ahead, Brother. I'll take care of myself." Lin Xiaoyu was very sensible.
Lin Fan changed into clean clothes and pocketed the money he had left—25 points. Then he prepared to leave.
At the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and pulled a short knife from under the bed.
It was an ordinary hunting knife, with a thirty-centimeter blade. It was one of the few things his parents had left behind. They had died in the Beast Tide three years ago.
Lin Fan tucked the knife behind his waist and covered it with his clothes.
"Just in case."
He didn't think Wang Hao would make any big moves on the eve of the test, but it was always better to be safe than sorry. This world was nothing like the rule-of-law society of his Previous Life.
As night fell, the Night Market blazed with lights and teemed with people.
Lin Fan wheeled his bicycle through the crowds and soon found Old Man Li's bookstall.
Just like yesterday, Old Man Li sat on a little stool, reading a book. A few customers browsed the secondhand books in front of the stall, but no one bought anything.
"Old Man Li." Lin Fan stepped up to the stall and bowed respectfully.
Old Man Li looked up. A hint of a smile flickered in his eyes when he saw Lin Fan. "You're here. Sit."
Lin Fan took a seat on the little stool beside him.
"Your test is tomorrow?" Old Man Li closed his book and asked.
"Yes, tomorrow morning." Lin Fan nodded.
"How prepared are you?"
"I've practiced everything I need to," Lin Fan said. "I'm confident about strength, speed, and combat."
"Confidence is good, but don't get careless," Old Man Li said slowly. "Every year, there are dark horses at Jiangnan Academy's test, and there are unexpected twists, too. Your opponents aren't just the other candidates."
Lin Fan's heart stirred. "You mean...?"
"That kid from the Wang Family—is his name Wang Hao?" Old Man Li's gaze was deep. "His father, Wang Zhenshan, is a director of the Jiangnan City Chamber of Commerce and has plenty of connections. This afternoon, he went to the academy and met with Officer Liu, who's in charge of the combat test."
Lin Fan's heart tightened.
As expected, Wang Hao still wasn't giving up.
"Officer Liu... will he help him cheat?" Lin Fan asked in a low voice.
"He wouldn't dare cheat in the open, but it'd be easy to trip you up behind the scenes," Old Man Li said. "For example, he could raise the difficulty of your combat puppet or tamper with the scoring criteria."
Lin Fan fell silent.
He had expected Wang Hao to pull some dirty tricks, but he hadn't realized his reach extended all the way to the examiners.
"But you don't need to worry too much." Old Man Li shifted gears. "The academy isn't the Wang Family's private domain. Quite a few people will be there tomorrow, including several instructors from the academy. Even some higher-ups might pass by. If Wang Hao goes too far, someone will step in."
"Thank you for warning me, Old Man Li." Lin Fan meant it.
If Old Man Li hadn't told him, he would never have learned any of this.
"I'm telling you this not so you can scheme and connive," Old Man Li said, looking Lin Fan in the eyes, "but so you'll know what you're up against and keep your head when trouble comes. A Martial Artist's path rests on strength, but you must also understand human nature and know how treacherous the world can be."
"I understand." Lin Fan nodded.
"One more thing." Old Man Li took a small porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to Lin Fan. "This is for you."
Lin Fan took it and pulled out the stopper. Inside were three pale-red pills, giving off a faint medicinal fragrance.
"What are these?"
"Blood Condensing Pills, Mortal Tier Mid Grade," Old Man Li said. "They're not for you. They're for your sister. She was born with damaged lung meridians. Lung Cleansing Powder can ease her condition, but it can't cure the root of it. Blood Condensing Pills can nourish her qi and blood and strengthen her body; they'll help with her illness. One a day. You should see an improvement after three days."
Lin Fan's hand trembled. "Old Man Li, these are too precious..."
He knew about Blood Condensing Pills. They cost at least 100 points each on the market; three of them were worth 300 points, enough to haul Black Iron Ore for half a month.
"Take them." Old Man Li waved a hand. "I have no use for them. I've taken a liking to that little girl. Think of it as a small kindness from an old man."
Lin Fan gripped the bottle tightly, his eyes growing hot.
Since childhood, hardly anyone besides his parents and his sister had treated him so kindly. Life in the Slum District had taught him to be wary, to scheme, and to understand that the strong preyed on the weak. But Old Man Li had shown him another side of human nature—kindness, kindness that asked for nothing in return.
"Thank you, Old Man Li." Lin Fan bowed deeply. "I, Lin Fan, will remember this kindness."
"Don't make a big deal about it." Old Man Li smiled. "Do well on the test and live well. When you're able, help those who need it. That'll be the best way to repay me."
"I will." Lin Fan made the promise solemnly.
"Go on. Head home and get some rest." Old Man Li picked up his book again. "Do your best tomorrow. I'll be waiting to hear good news."
Lin Fan bowed again and turned to leave.
After walking a few steps, he suddenly turned back. "Old Man Li, who... are you, really?"
He could see the condition of Lin Fan's spirit, knew what was happening with the Wang Family, and could casually produce Blood Condensing Pills... An old man like that couldn't possibly be an ordinary book peddler at the Night Market.
Old Man Li looked up. Moonlight fell across his graying hair, and his smile was warm and mysterious. "Me? I'm just an old man who likes to read. Hurry home. Your sister must be waiting for you."
Lin Fan knew he wouldn't get an answer, so he said no more. He wheeled his bicycle into the crowd.
Watching Lin Fan's retreating figure, Old Man Li sighed softly and murmured in a voice only he could hear:
"Fused spirit and soul, a system at his side, a tenacious nature, and a heart that remembers kindness... Little fellow, don't disappoint me. This world needs people like you."
Lin Fan didn't head straight home.
He wheeled his bicycle through a narrow alley at the edge of the Night Market, turning Old Man Li's words over in his mind.
Wang Hao might use Officer Liu to trip him up... The difficulty of his combat puppet might be raised...
"If that's really the case, I'll have to be ready."
Lin Fan stopped and looked at his Status Panel.
[Vital Energy Value: 120/120] [Basic Fist Technique: Mastery Level (625/1000)] [Basic Footwork: Mastery Level (68/1000)] [Gale Sword Technique: Proficient (135/500)]
His strength was enough, but it wasn't reliable enough yet.
"If I could break through another level..."
Lin Fan thought of the system's "Cultivation Acceleration" function. Before, his body hadn't been strong enough, so he could only cultivate normally at 1x speed. But now Iron Body Skill had reached the Mastery Level and his physique had improved considerably. Could he activate 2x speed or even 5x speed?
He focused his attention on the system panel and searched for the relevant options.
Soon, he spotted several gray icons in the cultivation section:
[Cultivation Acceleration—2x Speed] (Locked) [Cultivation Acceleration—5x Speed] (Locked) [Cultivation Acceleration—10x Speed] (Locked)
Each icon had its own unlocking conditions:
2x speed: Physical strength must reach "Martial Apprentice standard"; Vital Energy Value must reach 50 points.
5x speed: Physical strength must reach "Martial Artist standard"; Vital Energy Value must reach 200 points.
10x speed: Physical strength must reach "Martial Master standard"; Vital Energy Value must reach 500 points.
"My Vital Energy Value is 120 now, which is more than the required 50 points. As for my physical strength..." Lin Fan assessed his body. "With Iron Body Skill at Mastery Level and the minor marrow cleansing improving my physique, I should meet Martial Apprentice standard, right?"
He tried tapping the [Cultivation Acceleration—2x Speed] icon.
[Host meets the requirements. Unlock 2x speed cultivation mode?] [Warning: In 2x speed mode, stamina consumption and proficiency gains are doubled. Ensure an adequate energy supply.]
"Unlock!" Lin Fan answered without hesitation.
[Cultivation Acceleration—2x Speed Unlocked] [Available acceleration modes: 1x speed (normal), 2x speed (double consumption/double gains)]
Lin Fan was delighted and immediately gave it a try.
He went to a secluded corner, assumed the stance for Basic Fist Technique, and activated 2x speed mode.
"Ha!"
He threw a punch, faster than usual!
No, it wasn't that his punch was faster. His entire training rhythm had sped up—his breathing was quicker, his strikes more forceful, and his movements flowed together more tightly.
It was like playing a video at 1.5x speed. Everything had accelerated.
[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2] (2x speed bonus) [Stamina -2] (double consumption) [Vital Energy Value -0.2, recovery +0.15] (net consumption 0.05)
The stamina drain was real. After only a few punches, Lin Fan was already breathing hard.
But he was genuinely gaining proficiency at twice the rate!
"This feature... is incredible!" Lin Fan's eyes lit up.
He couldn't use it for long, since his stamina wouldn't hold out, but it was astonishingly effective for a last-minute push.
He kept practicing, taking turns with Basic Fist Technique, Basic Footwork, and Gale Sword Technique.
Half an hour later, his stamina was depleted, and he had no choice but to stop.
But he had made huge gains:
[Basic Fist Technique: Mastery (745/1000)] [Basic Footwork: Mastery (188/1000)] [Gale Sword Technique: Proficient (235/500)]
Every skill had improved by a large margin!
Basic Fist Technique had come the farthest. He was only 255 points away from Minor Accomplishment Level (1000 points). If he could break through to Minor Accomplishment Level, its power would increase by another 50%. Combined with an Origin Energy burst, he'd have a much better chance in a real fight.
"I should make another push tomorrow morning. I ought to break through," Lin Fan estimated.
By the time he dragged his exhausted body home, it was already late in the evening, around nine.
Lin Xiaoyu was still awake, waiting for him on the doorstep. The moment she saw her brother return, she hurried to her feet. "Brother, you're back!"
"Why are you still up?" Lin Fan asked with a frown.
"I was worried about you..." Lin Xiaoyu said softly. "Have you eaten, Brother? There's still porridge in the pot. I can heat it up for you."
"I've eaten," Lin Fan lied. "Go to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow."
"Okay." Lin Xiaoyu obediently went inside.
Lin Fan took out the Blood Condensing Pill Old Man Li had given him and tipped out one pill. "Xiaoyu, take one of these every day. It's good for your health."
"What kind of medicine is this? Is it expensive?" Lin Xiaoyu took it and asked cautiously.
"It's not expensive. An old doctor gave it to me." Lin Fan didn't want his sister to feel burdened. "Remember, one a day for three days."
"Okay, I'll remember." Lin Xiaoyu carefully put the pill away.
After his sister had gone to bed, Lin Fan fetched some water and gave himself a quick wipe-down, then returned to his room.
He didn't go to sleep right away. Instead, he sat cross-legged and began recovering his stamina and Origin Energy.
Training at 2x speed was highly efficient, but it also took a heavy toll. His muscles were aching all over, and he had only about half of his Origin Energy left.
Following the Optimized Breathing Technique and drawing on the faint lingering fragrance of the Clear Heart Grass, he recovered quickly.
An hour later, his stamina was full, and his Origin Energy had returned to 110 points.
Lin Fan opened his eyes, feeling more or less back to normal.
"Time to sleep."
He lay down, but didn't fall completely asleep. Instead, he entered the meditative state of Breathing to Replace Sleep. That way, he could rest while slowly improving—two birds with one stone.
The night deepened, and all was silent.
One by one, the lights in the Slum District went out, leaving only the occasional bark of a dog.
Lin Fan's breathing was long and steady, his chest rising and falling slightly. In the darkness, he occasionally opened his eyes to look outside, then slowly closed them again.
Tomorrow was the moment that would decide his fate.
He could sense something unusual stirring in the night. At the distant alley entrance, several figures shifted about, talking in low voices and occasionally glancing toward his home.
Origin Energy Perception activated on its own. Its range was limited, but he could vaguely sense their auras... They weren't weak, at least stronger than ordinary street thugs.
"Wang Hao's men?" Lin Fan sneered inwardly. "They really can't wait."
He didn't get up. He simply adjusted his breathing in silence, keeping himself in peak condition.
When soldiers came, he would meet them; when water came, he would dam it with earth.
If those people dared to come, he wouldn't mind loosening up before the test.
The night was still young.
Before you continue