Speed Training, Rudimentary Footwork

The morning light was just beginning to dawn, the eastern horizon turning a pale, fish-belly white.

Lin Fan stood in the center of the courtyard, closed his eyes, focused his mind, and slowly activated Origin Energy Perception.

In an instant, the world transformed once again into a marvelous scene composed of points of light and flowing air currents.

He first "looked" at himself—at his Tanzhong acupoint in the center of his chest, a stable white halo of light rotated slowly. That was his Sea of Qi, where 120 points of Origin Energy were gathered. Throughout his limbs and bones, faint white currents flowed along specific paths; this was his Origin Energy circulating on its own, nourishing his physical body.

"The perception range is about ten meters; it gets blurry beyond that," Lin Fan tested the limits of his new ability. "While active, the consumption of Mental Power is negligible. I can maintain it for a long time."

This was good news. It meant that during combat, he could keep his perception active at all times to detect danger in advance.

Next, he "looked" toward his sister's room.

That faint, pale red point of light was still there, but it was more stable than last night, no longer flickering. It seemed the Lung Cleansing Powder was indeed effective; his sister's body was recovering.

Further out, in the other houses of the Slum District, dozens of pale red points of light were mostly still asleep, with only a scattered few beginning to move—those were the neighbors waking up early.

Even further away, in the direction of the East District, those few bright points of light remained, appearing even clearer than last night. One of the crimson points was moving slowly, likely engaged in morning exercise.

Do these martial artists... wake up this early to train every day? Lin Fan pondered.

He deactivated his perception, and the world returned to its normal state.

Today was the last day before the test, and he had three things to do: first, break through his Basic Footwork to the Mastery level; second, test the speed boost provided by infusing his legs with Origin Energy; third, go to the night market to find Old Man Li and ask for advice on test precautions.

"Brother, you're up so early?"

Lin Xiaoyu rubbed her eyes as she walked out of the room. She was surprised to see Lin Fan already standing in the courtyard.

"Yeah, I'm training speed today." Lin Fan turned around and smiled. "Why are you up? You should sleep a bit more."

"I couldn't sleep." Lin Xiaoyu walked over to the water vat and scooped up some water to wash her face. "Brother, are you not going out to work today?"

"I'm not going. Uncle Chen, the foreman, told me to focus on preparing," Lin Fan said. "What do you want for breakfast? I'll make it for you."

"I'll cook some porridge," Lin Xiaoyu insisted. "You focus on your training."

Watching his sister nimbly light the fire and wash the rice, Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart. He didn't insist, instead walking to the corner of the courtyard to begin his warm-up exercises.

He had taken off his Weighted Gear while sleeping last night, and now his whole body felt light. But after a moment's thought, Lin Fan put it back on. The 55 kilograms of extra weight was a burden in daily life, but in speed training, if he grew accustomed to this weight, his speed would see an explosive increase once he took it off.

This was a principle he had learned from sports training materials in his past life: the Weighted Training Method.

"But I have to take it step by step." Lin Fan didn't start running at full speed; instead, he began by walking slowly around the courtyard to adapt to his balance while weighted.

After walking a few laps, he opened his panel to check the current status of his skills:

[Martial Arts: Basic Fist Technique (Mastery 625/1000), Basic Footwork (Proficiency 312/500), Iron Body Skill (Mastery 88/1000), Gale Sword Technique (Entry 12/100)]

Basic Footwork proficiency: 312 points. It is 189 points away from the Mastery level (501 points).

"Today's goal: reach at least the Mastery level."

Lin Fan took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing according to the rhythm optimized by the system, and began to accelerate.

He did not choose to run back and forth—the courtyard was too small to run properly. Instead, he chose a more efficient training method: high knees in place.

He lifted his legs alternately, raising them as high as possible, gradually increasing the frequency.

[Basic Footwork proficiency +1]

[Leg Strength Proficiency +1] (New Skill)

Two notifications popped up on the panel.

"Leg Strength?" Lin Fan's heart stirred. As expected, different ways of exerting force can unlock different skill bars.

He continued the high knees while carefully observing the details of his muscle engagement. The quadriceps on the front of his thighs, the hamstrings on the back, the gastrocnemius in his calves... the contraction and relaxation of every muscle were clearly presented in his consciousness.

This was the benefit of increased Mental Power—finer control over his body.

[Basic Footwork proficiency +1]

[Leg Strength Proficiency +1]

[Vitality -0.1, Recovery +0.15] (Net gain 0.05)

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

Vitality was participating in the training on its own!

He tried to actively guide the Vitality toward his legs. With a thought, a wisp of Vitality separated from the Tanzhong point, flowed downward along the optimized route, passed through the hip joint, split into the thighs and calves, and finally gathered in the soles of his feet.

When the Vitality was infused into the leg muscles, a warm sensation spread through them. It was as if the muscle fibers had been activated; their contractions became more powerful, and their relaxation more complete.

The speed of his high knees increased visibly!

[Basic Footwork proficiency +2] (Vitality bonus)

[Leg Strength Proficiency +2] (Vitality bonus)

Efficiency doubled!

"So that's how Vitality can be used..." Lin Fan felt excited. It's not just for a burst of power; infusing it into specific parts during regular training can also enhance the training results!

He maintained the Vitality infusion and continued his high-knee training.

One hundred, two hundred, three hundred...

Sweat slid down his forehead, glistening in the morning light. His clothes, soaked through from the Weighted Gear, clung tightly to his skin. Yet, Lin Fan did not stop. His breathing remained steady, his gaze focused and resolute.

"Brother, have some water." Lin Xiaoyu walked over carrying a bowl of warm water, her small face filled with concern.

Lin Fan stopped his movements, took the bowl, and drank it in one gulp. "Thanks, Xiaoyu."

"Brother, don't push yourself so hard..." Lin Xiaoyu whispered. "Your health is what matters."

"I know what I'm doing." Lin Fan ruffled his younger sister's hair. "Go eat; the porridge is going to burn."

Lin Xiaoyu let out an "Oh!" and hurried back to the kitchen.

Lin Fan smiled and resumed his training.

By the five-hundredth high-knee repetition, he felt his thigh muscles begin to ache and swell—a sign of Lactic Acid buildup. But he didn't stop; instead, he increased his pace. Breaking through limits was the key to growth.

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +3] (Limit Break Bonus)

[Leg Strength Proficiency +3]

[Vitality -0.2, Recovery +0.25]

The soreness intensified, feeling as if countless needles were pricking him. But Lin Fan gritted his teeth, only one thought in his mind: faster, higher!

In his past life, he was a programmer, sitting in front of a computer every day until his body collapsed, leading to his sudden death. In this life, he had a chance to start over, a System, and people he needed to protect. He absolutely could not waste it!

"Hah!"

Lin Fan let out a low roar, his legs alternating at their maximum speed, leaving afterimages in the air.

[Warning: Leg muscles approaching fatigue limit. Rest is recommended.]

A red alert popped up on the panel.

But Lin Fan did not stop.

He could feel it—right at the limit of that soreness, a new power was brewing. Like a compressed spring, it was gathering energy to rebound.

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +5] (Limit Break Reward)

[Leg Strength Proficiency +5]

[Vitality -0.3, Recovery +0.4]

"Hum—"

A soft chime rang in his mind.

The gathered power erupted.

The soreness in his leg muscles receded like a receding tide, replaced by a warm, full sensation. It felt as if his muscle fibers had been rewoven, becoming denser and more elastic.

[Basic Footwork proficiency reached 500, Realm upgraded: Proficient → Mastery]

[Effect increased: Movement Speed +20%, Evasion Rate +10%, Balance +15%]

[New trait unlocked: Dash]

[Dash: Consumes Yuanqi to increase movement speed for a short duration. Each point of Yuanqi increases speed by 1%, lasting for 3 seconds.]

Lin Fan stopped his movements, gasping for air.

Sweat dripped like rain, soaking into the ground and leaving dark patches. Yet, a brilliant smile spread across his face.

Mastery level!

And he had unlocked the Dash trait!

He tested it immediately—with a thought, he channeled 10 points of Yuanqi from his Tanzhong acupoint into his legs.

"Swish!"

His figure flickered. In an instant, Lin Fan moved from the east side of the courtyard to the west, a distance of about five meters, in... less than half a second!

"This speed..." Even Lin Fan was startled.

Without the infusion of Yuanqi, it would have taken him over a second to cover five meters. Now, his speed had more than doubled!

Furthermore, he could feel that this wasn't his limit. If he unleashed his full power in conjunction with the Dash trait, he could go even faster.

"Brother, you... just now..." Lin Xiaoyu stood at the kitchen doorway, holding a bowl of porridge, stunned.

She had only seen her brother's figure flicker, "floating" to the other side like a ghost. It was so fast that she thought her eyes had played tricks on her.

"Just a little trick." Lin Fan steadied his breathing and walked over to his sister. "Is the porridge ready?"

"Y-yes, it's ready..." Lin Xiaoyu still hadn't recovered from her shock.

The siblings sat at a small wooden table in the courtyard to eat breakfast.

Coarse grain porridge with pickled vegetables—it was simple, but Lin Fan ate with great relish. After high-intensity training, his body was in desperate need of energy, and every bite felt incredibly precious.

"Brother, that thing you just did... was that a martial technique?" Lin Xiaoyu asked curiously.

"You could say it's an application of footwork." Lin Fan didn't explain in detail, fearing his sister might 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 said earnestly, "But before that, you need to get your health back. Martial arts training is grueling; you won't make it if your foundation isn't strong."

"I'll make sure to take my medicine!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously.

After breakfast, Lin Fan brewed the medicine for his sister, watched her finish it, and then said, "Xiaoyu, I'm going out this morning to find a place to practice my speed. Stay home, keep the door locked, and don't open it for anyone."

"Where are you going to practice, brother?"

"The Abandoned Training Ground near the city wall," Lin Fan said. "It's spacious there, and no one will disturb me."

Near the city wall in the outer district of Jiangnan City lay an abandoned martial arts training ground. It was said to have been built decades ago, but after a Beast Tide destroyed some of the facilities, it gradually fell into disrepair. Children from the Slum District would sometimes go there to play, and occasionally, people looking to practice martial arts would use the space.

Lin Fan put on his Weighted Gear and pushed his bicycle out the door.

"Brother, come back early!" Lin Xiaoyu waved from the doorway.

"Got it."

***

The Abandoned Training Ground was about three miles from the Slum District, a fifteen-minute bike ride away.

It was indeed desolate. The damaged stone floor was overgrown with weeds, and several rusted iron frames stood crookedly. Stone locks once used for strength training lay scattered across the ground, some already shattered. Half of the perimeter wall in the distance had collapsed, and through the gap, one could see the barren fields outside, with the towering outline of the city wall further off.

In the early morning, the training ground was completely empty.

Lin Fan parked his bike, scanned the area, and chose a relatively flat spot.

"Let's test my current top speed first."

He walked to one end of the field, took a deep breath, and assumed a starting stance.

He didn't use any Yuan Qi; this was purely physical strength.

"Three, two, one... go!"

He pushed off with his feet, his figure shooting forward like an arrow!

He covered the fifty-meter distance in the blink of an eye.

Lin Fan counted the time in his head: about four seconds.

"Four seconds for fifty meters, so that's about eight seconds for a hundred meters," he estimated. "On Earth in my past life, this speed would already be at the level of a world-class athlete. But in this world..."

It wasn't enough.

For the physical fitness test at Jiangnan Academy, the speed portion was the "100-Meter Gale Array"—not only did you have to run fast, but you also had to pass through an array that created wind resistance. The average candidate's time was around ten seconds, excellent candidates could reach nine seconds, and it was said that the monsters in the Genius Class could run it in under eight seconds.

If he relied solely on his physical speed, Lin Fan would likely be between eight point five and nine seconds. It was considered excellent, but not stunning.

"I have to use Yuan Qi."

Lin Fan walked back to the starting point and reset his stance.

This time, he mobilized 10 points of Origin Energy and channeled it into his legs.

"Dash, activate!"

Whoosh—

His figure turned into a blurred gray shadow, instantly crossing a distance of fifty meters!

Time: two and a half seconds!

"Five seconds for a hundred meters!" Lin Fan felt a surge of excitement. "At this speed, I'll definitely stun the entire crowd!"

But he wasn't satisfied.

10 points of Origin Energy could only sustain the state for three seconds, while running a hundred meters took five. This meant he would need to replenish his energy midway, or... use more energy to run faster.

Lin Fan tested his speed under different levels of Origin Energy consumption:

20 points of Origin Energy increased his speed by 20%, resulting in about four seconds for a hundred meters.

30 points of Origin Energy increased his speed by 30%, resulting in about three and a half seconds for a hundred meters.

50 points of Origin Energy increased his speed by 50%, allowing him to break the three-second mark!

"Three seconds for a hundred meters..." Even Lin Fan found it absurd.

This was no longer human speed; it was the speed of a true martial artist.

However, he quickly discovered a problem—the Origin Energy consumption was too high.

50 points of Origin Energy could only maintain the Dash state for three seconds. His total Origin Energy was 120 points, and while his recovery speed wasn't slow (Basic Cultivation Technique +20% recovery speed), it couldn't keep up with this rate of consumption.

"I have to use it sparingly." Lin Fan adjusted his strategy. "I don't need to go all-out during the entire test. I only need to accelerate at critical stages to significantly improve my results."

He began targeted training: explosive starts, mid-run acceleration, and final sprints. He allocated different amounts of Origin Energy to each phase, searching for the optimal plan.

Basic Footwork Proficiency +2

Leg Strength Proficiency +2

Origin Energy Control Proficiency +1 (New Skill)

Another new slot opened in his Skill Bar!

"Origin Energy Control?" Lin Fan checked the description. "It seems to be the ability to use Origin Energy with precision. This is very important. In future battles, how much energy I use and how I allocate it will all require precise control."

He continued his training, keeping a close watch on the allocation and recovery of his Origin Energy.

The sun gradually climbed higher, and the temperature on the training ground began to rise.

Lin Fan was drenched in sweat, but his eyes grew increasingly bright. Through repeated attempts, he had found the most suitable Origin Energy distribution plan:

During the starting phase, use 5 points of Origin Energy for an instant burst to seize the initiative.

During the mid-distance steady phase, maintain only a basic infusion of Origin Energy (1 point/second) to keep his speed from dropping.

For the final thirty-meter sprint, use 15 points of Origin Energy to activate Dash and burst with full power.

Calculated this way, the entire run consumed about 25 points of Origin Energy, and his time could be stabilized at around four seconds. As for his Origin Energy recovery rate, he recovered about 1 point every ten seconds while moving. In other words, after one run, a two-minute rest would allow his Origin Energy to fully replenish.

"That should do it." Lin Fan stopped training and walked over to the shade of a nearby tree to rest.

He opened his panel to check his gains from the morning:

[Basic Footwork: Mastery (68/1000)]

[Leg Strength: Proficiency (155/500)]

[Origin Energy Control: Beginner (42/100)]

[Origin Energy: 85/120] (Training consumption + natural recovery)

The progress was significant.

Especially in Origin Energy Control, which had reached the Beginner level without him even realizing it. Although this skill didn't directly increase combat power, it was of great significance for actual combat—much like "mana management" in the games of his past life; used well, it could significantly improve his endurance.

"What should I practice this afternoon?" Lin Fan pondered.

With his strength and speed secured, he was even less worried about the practical test—his Minor Accomplishment level fist technique combined with Origin Energy bursts meant he could even fight a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, let alone mere combat puppets.

"I could practice the Gale Sword Technique." Lin Fan recalled the skill that was only at 12 points in the Beginner stage. "Although I might not necessarily use it in the test, having an extra skill is always good. Besides, if I master the sword technique, I'll have another option for future combat."

He took the old sword off the back of his bicycle—he had bought it at a second-hand market two days ago for 20 points. It didn't even qualify as a low-grade Mortal tier weapon; it was just an ordinary Refined Steel Sword, and the edge was even a bit dull. But for Lin Fan right now, it was enough.

"Clang—"

The long sword left its scabbard, a cold glint flashing.

Lin Fan assumed the starting stance of the Gale Sword Technique, recalling the key points from the manual: fast, accurate, light, and agile.

"First form, Breeze Brushing Face."

He flicked his wrist lightly, and the tip of the sword traced an arc, thrusting toward an imaginary target.

The movement was a bit stiff, and the application of force was not yet fluid.

[Gale Sword Technique proficiency +1]

But as long as there was proficiency, there would be progress.

Lin Fan repeated this move over and over, from awkward to proficient, from proficient to fluid.

Ten times, fifty times, one hundred times...

Sweat dripped down his chin, splashing into tiny droplets on the blade of his sword. His arm began to ache and go numb, but he did not stop. In his past life as a programmer, he could debug until three or four in the morning for the sake of a single bug; in this life, practicing martial arts, he possessed that same tenacity.

[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +2] (100-Combo Reward)

When he thrust the sword out for the two-hundredth time, Lin Fan felt the longsword in his hand suddenly become "lighter."

It wasn't a physical change in weight, but a change in feel—the sword seemed to have become an extension of his arm, striking exactly where he pointed, as responsive as a finger.

[Gale Sword Technique proficiency has reached 100, Realm upgraded: Novice → Proficient]

[Effect improved: Attack Speed +10%, Accuracy +15%]

[New Trait unlocked: Combo]

[Combo: When continuously using the same sword move, the speed of each strike increases by 1% (stacks up to 10 times)]

"Combo trait..." Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

This trait was perfect for him! With his "grinder" style, he could easily max out the combo stacks through sheer repetition, and by then, his attack speed would be increased by 10%!

"Continue!"

Lin Fan was invigorated and kept practicing.

The sun moved from the east to directly overhead, then slowly slanted toward the west.

On the training ground, the youth's figure flashed repeatedly, sword light weaving like a tapestry, sweat falling like rain.

[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +1]

[Origin Energy Control Proficiency +0.5]

[Arm Strength Proficiency +1] (New Skill)

Another new skill bar.

Lin Fan had already grown numb to it—anyway, as long as there was a new movement or a new way to exert force, the system would open a new skill bar. At this rate, he would sooner or later become an "all-around warrior."

But this was a good thing. You can never have too many skills; in this world where demonic beasts ran rampant and danger lurked everywhere, having more ability meant having a better chance of survival.

When the setting sun dyed the horizon a deep orange, Lin Fan finally stopped.

It wasn't because he was tired, but because his Origin Energy was running low—maintaining the infusion of Origin Energy into his arm while practicing sword techniques consumed more than he had imagined.

He sheathed his sword, walked into the shade of a tree, and sat cross-legged to begin meditating and recovering.

Following the optimized breathing technique, his Yuan Qi recovered rapidly. After about two quarters of an hour (half an hour), his Yuan Qi was fully restored to 120 points.

Lin Fan opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and having recovered most of his physical strength.

"Time to head back." He stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. "I still need to find Old Man Li at the night market tonight."

As he pushed his bicycle away from the training ground, Lin Fan glanced back at the desolate area one last time.

After tomorrow, if everything went well, he shouldn't need to come here again. The academy had better training facilities, more systematic guidance, and more abundant resources.

"I have to get in."

When he returned to the Slum District, the sky was already turning dark.

The scent of cooking smoke drifted from the houses in the alley, mixed with the cries of children, the scolding of adults, and the clatter of pots and pans. This was the unique, chaotic, yet vibrant atmosphere of the Slum District.

Lin Fan pushed his bike into the small courtyard, where Lin Xiaoyu was busy at the stove.

"Brother, you're back!" Hearing the commotion, Lin Xiaoyu turned her head, a smudge of soot on her small face. "Dinner will be ready soon. We have vegetables today!"

"What kind of vegetables?" Lin Fan parked the bike and walked over to take a look.

In the pot, a large bowl of cabbage and tofu was stewing. Although it lacked oil, it was steaming hot and looked comforting. Beside it, a small bowl of steamed egg custard was being prepared—using the two eggs Grandpa Li had given them.

"Why didn't you save the eggs for yourself?" Lin Fan frowned.

"Brother has an exam tomorrow, you need to build up your strength," Lin Xiaoyu said earnestly. "I'm fine with just my medicine; the eggs are for you."

Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart. He didn't say anything more, only ruffled his sister's hair. "Don't do this next time. I can earn money; I'll make sure you have eggs every day in the future."

"Mm!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously.

The siblings sat in the courtyard to eat. Lin Fan gave the majority of the egg custard to his sister, keeping only a small bite for himself. Unable to refuse, Lin Xiaoyu ate it in small mouthfuls, her eyes squinting in happiness.

After dinner, Lin Fan helped his sister prepare her medicine, watched her finish it, and then said, "Xiaoyu, I'm going out for a bit tonight to ask Old Man Li about something at the night market. Go to sleep early and make sure to bolt the door from the inside."

"Go ahead, Brother. I'll take care of myself," Lin Xiaoyu said, being very sensible.

Lin Fan changed into clean clothes and pocketed the remaining money—25 points—preparing to head out.

As he reached the door, he suddenly paused, turned back, and pulled a short blade from under the bed.

It was an ordinary hunting knife with a thirty-centimeter blade, a relic left behind by his father. Three years ago, his parents had died in a Beast Tide, and this knife was one of the few things that remained.

Lin Fan tucked the knife into the back of his waistband and covered it with his shirt.

"Just in case."

Although he didn't think Wang Hao would pull any major stunts on the eve of the test, it was better to be safe than sorry. This world was not the rule-of-law society of his past life.

The night market was just lighting up, and the crowd flowed like a tapestry.

Lin Fan pushed his bicycle, weaving through the throng, and soon found Old Man Li's book stall.

Just like yesterday, Old Man Li sat on a small folding stool, holding a book and reading. There were a few scattered customers browsing the old books in front of the stall, but no one was buying.

"Old Man Li." Lin Fan walked up to the stall and bowed respectfully.

Old Man Li looked up, and seeing it was Lin Fan, a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. "You're here? Sit."

Lin Fan sat down on a stool nearby.

"The test is tomorrow?" Old Man Li closed his book and asked.

"Yes, tomorrow morning." Lin Fan nodded.

"How are you prepared?"

"I've practiced everything I should," Lin Fan said. "Strength, speed, combat—I'm confident in all of them."

"Confidence is a good thing, but don't be careless," Old Man Li said slowly. "Every year, the Jiangnan Academy test produces dark horses, and every year there are accidents. Your opponents aren't just the other examinees."

Lin Fan's heart stirred. "Does Old Man Li mean...?"

"That boy from the Wang Family, Wang Hao, right?" Old Man Li's gaze was profound. "His father, Wang Zhenshan, is a director of the Jiangnan City Chamber of Commerce and has extensive connections. This afternoon, he went to the academy and met with Officer Liu, who is in charge of the combat test."

Lin Fan's heart tightened.

As expected, Wang Hao still wouldn't give up.

"Officer Liu... will he help him cheat?" Lin Fan asked in a low voice.

"He wouldn't dare cheat openly, but it's easy to trip you up behind the scenes," Old Man Li said. "For example, by increasing the difficulty of your combat puppet or playing tricks with the scoring criteria."

Lin Fan was silent.

He had expected Wang Hao to pull some small stunts, but he hadn't expected the other party's reach to extend to the examiner.

"But you don't need to worry too much," Old Man Li changed the subject. "The academy isn't the Wang Family's private domain. Many people will be watching on-site tomorrow, including several academy instructors, and perhaps even some high-level officials passing through. If Wang Hao goes too far, someone will step in."

"Thank you for the warning, Old Man Li." Lin Fan thanked him sincerely.

If Old Man Li hadn't told him this, he would have had no way of knowing.

"I'm telling you this not so you can scheme and calculate," Old Man Li looked into Lin Fan's eyes. "But so that you can be prepared and not panic when things happen. In the path of a martial artist, strength is the foundation, but one must also understand the ways of the world and know the dangers of the path."

"I understand." Lin Fan nodded.

"Also," Old Man Li said, pulling a small porcelain bottle from his robes and handing it to Lin Fan, "this is for you."

Lin Fan took it and uncorked the bottle. Inside were three pale red pills, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

"What is this?"

"Blood Condensing Pills, Mortal Tier Mid Grade," Old Man Li said. "They aren't for you to eat; they're for your sister. She has a congenital defect in her lung meridians. The Lung Cleansing Powder can only alleviate the symptoms; it can't cure the root cause. The Blood Condensing Pills can nourish her blood and qi and strengthen her constitution, which will be good for her condition. One pill a day, and you should see results in three days."

Lin Fan's hand trembled. "Old Man Li, this is too valuable..."

He knew about Blood Condensing Pills. The market price was at least 100 points per pill. Three pills meant 300 points—enough to keep him mining Black Iron Ore for half a month.

"Take it," Old Man Li waved his hand. "It's of no use to me. I've always been fond of that girl, your sister. Just consider it a small gesture from an old man."

Lin Fan gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, his eyes stinging.

Growing up, aside from his parents and his sister, very few people had ever treated him this well. Life in the Slum District had taught him to be guarded, to be calculating, and that it was a world of the strong preying on the weak. But Old Man Li had shown him another side of humanity—kindness, kindness that asked for nothing in return.

"Thank you, Old Man Li," Lin Fan bowed deeply. "I, Lin Fan, will remember this favor."

"Don't worry about favors," Old Man Li smiled. "Study hard, live well. If you have the ability in the future, helping those in need will be the best way to repay me."

"I will," Lin Fan promised solemnly.

"Go on, get back and rest early," Old Man Li picked up his book again. "Perform well tomorrow. I'll be waiting to hear the good news."

Lin Fan bowed once more and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly turned back. "Old Man Li, who... exactly are you?"

To be able to see through his soul state, to know the movements of the Wang Family, to be able to produce Blood Condensing Pills so casually... An old man like this could never be just an ordinary night market book peddler.

Old Man Li looked up. The moonlight spilled over his graying hair, and his smile was gentle yet mysterious. "Me? I'm just an old man who likes to read. Hurry back now, your sister must be getting impatient."

Lin Fan knew he wouldn't get an answer, so he said no more and pushed his bicycle into the flow of the crowd.

Watching Lin Fan's receding figure, Old Man Li sighed softly, whispering in a voice only he could hear:

"Soul fusion, a system at your side, a resilient character, and a heart that knows gratitude... Little one, don't let me down. This world needs someone like you."

Lin Fan did not go straight home.

He pushed his bicycle, weaving through the alleys on the edge of the night market, his mind replaying Old Man Li's words over and over.

Wang Hao would use Officer Liu to trip him up... The combat puppet's difficulty would be increased...

If that's really the case, I need to be prepared.

Lin Fan stopped in his tracks and looked at his panel.

[Vitality: 120/120]

[Basic Fist Technique: Proficient (625/1000)]

[Basic Footwork: Proficient (68/1000)]

[Gale Sword Technique: Skilled (135/500)]

His strength was sufficient, but not yet stable enough.

If I could break through another level...

Lin Fan thought of the Cultivation Acceleration function in the system. Previously, because his physical strength wasn't high enough, he could only use 1x speed for normal cultivation. But now, with his Iron Body Skill at the Proficient level and his physique significantly improved, he wondered if he could activate 2x or even 5x speed.

He focused his mind on the system panel, searching for the relevant options.

Soon, in the cultivation technique area, he saw several grayed-out icons:

[Cultivation Acceleration - 2x Speed] (Locked)

[Cultivation Acceleration - 5x Speed] (Locked)

[Cultivation Acceleration - 10x Speed] (Locked)

Each icon had unlocking conditions listed underneath:

2x Speed: Physical strength must reach the "Martial Apprentice Standard," Vitality must reach 50 points.

5x Speed: Physical strength must reach the "Martial Artist Standard," Vitality must reach 200 points.

10x Speed: Physical strength must reach the "Martial Master Standard," Vitality must reach 500 points.

"My Vitality is at 120 points now, which exceeds the 50-point requirement. As for physical strength..." Lin Fan felt his own body. "With the Iron Body Skill at the Proficient level, plus the physical improvements from the Lesser Marrow Cleansing, I should have reached the Martial Apprentice Standard, right?"

He attempted to click the [Cultivation Acceleration - 2x Speed] icon.

[Host conditions met. Unlock 2x speed cultivation mode?]

[Note: In 2x speed mode, stamina consumption is doubled, and proficiency gain is doubled. Please ensure you have sufficient energy replenishment.]

"Unlock!" Lin Fan did not hesitate.

[Cultivation Acceleration - 2x Speed unlocked]

[Currently available acceleration modes: 1x speed (normal), 2x speed (double consumption/double gain)]

Lin Fan felt a surge of joy and immediately put it to the test.

He walked to a secluded corner, assumed the stance for the Basic Fist Technique, and activated the 2x speed mode.

"Hah!"

He threw a punch, his speed a notch faster than usual!

No, it wasn't just the punching speed that had increased; his entire training rhythm had accelerated—his breathing was faster, his force was more explosive, and his movements flowed together more tightly.

It was as if he were watching a video at 1.5x speed; everything had sped up.

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2] (2x speed bonus)

[Stamina -2] (Double consumption)

[Vitality -0.2, Recovery +0.15] (Net loss 0.05)

The stamina drain was indeed significant. After only a few punches, Lin Fan felt his breathing grow ragged.

But the proficiency gain was also genuinely doubled!

"This function... it's too powerful!" Lin Fan's eyes gleamed.

Although he couldn't use it for long periods (his stamina couldn't keep up), it would have astonishing effects for a sprint during critical moments.

He continued to practice, cycling through Basic Fist Technique, Basic Footwork, and Gale Sword Technique.

Half an hour later, his stamina was exhausted, and he was forced to stop.

But the gains were immense:

[Basic Fist Technique: Proficient (745/1000)]

[Basic Footwork: Proficient (188/1000)]

[Gale Sword Technique: Skilled (235/500)]

Everything had improved by a significant margin!

Especially the Basic Fist Technique; it was only 255 points away from reaching the Minor Accomplishment stage (1000 points). If he could break through to the Minor Accomplishment stage, its power would increase by another 50%. Combined with a Vitality burst, his chances in actual combat would be much higher.

"If I push hard again tomorrow morning, I should be able to break through," Lin Fan estimated.

By the time he dragged his exhausted body home, it was already the end of the Xu hour (9:00 PM).

Lin Xiaoyu hadn't gone to sleep yet; she was sitting on the threshold waiting for him. Seeing her brother return, she quickly stood up. "Brother, you're back!"

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Lin Fan frowned.

"I was worried about you, Brother..." Lin Xiaoyu said softly. "Have you eaten? There's still porridge in the pot; I'll heat it up for you."

"I've already eaten," Lin Fan lied. "Go to sleep now. I have to get up early tomorrow."

"Mm." Lin Xiaoyu obediently went into the room.

Lin Fan took out the Blood Condensing Pill given by Old Man Li and poured 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 pill a day for three days."

"Mm, I'll remember." Lin Xiaoyu carefully put the pill away.

After his sister fell asleep, Lin Fan fetched some water to wash up briefly before returning to his own room.

He didn't go to sleep immediately, but instead sat cross-legged and began to recover his physical strength and Origin Energy.

Although 2x speed cultivation was highly efficient, it was also taxing. Right now, his muscles were sore and weak, and he only had about half of his Origin Energy left.

Following the optimized breathing technique, combined with the lingering scent of the Clear Heart Grass (though it was very faint now), his recovery speed was quite fast.

An hour later, his physical strength was fully restored, and his Origin Energy had recovered to 110 points.

Lin Fan opened his eyes, feeling that his condition had basically returned to normal.

"Time to sleep."

He lay down, but he didn't fall completely asleep; instead, he entered a meditative state of "replacing sleep with breathing." This way, he could rest while slowly improving—killing two birds with one stone.

The night deepened, and all was silent.

The lights in the Slum District went out one by one, leaving only the occasional sound of barking dogs.

Lin Fan's breathing was long and steady, his chest rising and falling slightly. In the darkness, his eyes would occasionally open to look out the window before slowly closing again.

Tomorrow was the moment that would decide his fate.

He could sense that there were some unusual movements in the night—at the far end of the alley, a few figures were swaying, whispering to each other, and occasionally glancing toward his house.

Origin Energy Perception activated automatically. Although its range was limited, he could vaguely sense the aura of those people... they weren't weak, certainly stronger than ordinary thugs.

"Wang Hao's men?" Lin Fan sneered inwardly. "They really can't wait."

He didn't get up, simply adjusting his breathing to keep himself in peak condition.

When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, earth covers it.

If those people dared to come, he wouldn't mind stretching his muscles a bit before the test.

The night was still long.