The morning mist had cleared, and the sunlight was growing harsh.
After finishing his morning practice at the Abandoned Workshop, Lin Fan ate a little dried food and headed for the Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy registration site. According to the notice, registration was being held in the plaza outside the academy gates for three days. Today was the second day.
Walking from the Slum District to the academy took more than an hour. Lin Fan couldn't bear to spend money on a ride, so he decided to go on foot—he might as well use the trip for weight training.
He tied the hemp rope he'd used to haul cargo the night before around his legs, then stuffed a few bricks into his backpack, bringing the total weight to about thirty pounds. Then he set off at a jog.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1] [Strength Proficiency +1]
The Status Panel's notifications popped up at regular intervals.
Practicing while making his way there was the most efficient use of his time he could think of. He had only two Qi Recovery Pills left, so he needed to save them for crucial moments.
The scenery gradually changed along the way.
The dilapidated shacks of the Slum District gave way to neat brick houses. The streets widened, and the dirt roads turned into stone paving. The passersby were noticeably better dressed. Now and then, Martial Artists in training clothes hurried past, swords at their waists and sharp auras about them.
"The Outer City..." Lin Fan slowed down, taking in his surroundings.
Life here was clearly much better than in the Slum District. Shops lined the streets: grain shops, butcher shops, pharmacies, blacksmiths, and even a "Martial Arts Supplies" store. Weapons, armor, and pills filled its display windows. The numbers on the price tags made Lin Fan's jaw drop.
Even the cheapest Mortal Grade Low-rank Iron Sword cost 500 Credit Points.
A bottle of the most basic Body Tempering Pills, with ten pills inside, was marked at 2,000 points.
"Resources..." Lin Fan drew a deep breath.
Without resources, even the finest talent would struggle to grow. The Martial Arts Academy provided basic resources; this was an opportunity he had to seize.
After another half hour's walk, an expansive plaza came into view.
A stone monument, three zhang tall, stood in the center of the plaza. The six characters "Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy" were carved into it, their strokes bold and powerful. Behind the monument stood the academy's vermilion gates. Four guards in black martial outfits stood on either side, their auras steady and their eyes sharp. They were at least 2nd Grade Martial Artists.
Hundreds of people had already gathered in the plaza, most of them boys and girls around sixteen or seventeen. Their faces were tense, yet full of anticipation. They stood in three long lines, each marked for a different preliminary test: "Strength Test," "Speed Test," and "Combat Test."
The preliminary test was the first step in registration. Only those who passed it could take the official test.
Lin Fan glanced over the lines and headed for the shortest one: the preliminary Combat Test. Most people lacked confidence in their combat ability, so that line was the shortest.
He had barely taken his place when a mocking laugh sounded beside him.
"Well, look who it is! Isn't this the kid from the slums yesterday?"
Lin Fan turned and saw Wang Hao approaching with two lackeys. All three had changed into more extravagant clothes. Wang Hao was even wearing a brocade robe embroidered with gold thread. A jade belt encircled his waist, with a piece of green jade hanging from it, its surface gleaming softly in the sunlight.
"Brother Hao, this kid really dared to come," one of the lackeys sneered. "Doesn't he know his place?"
"His place? What place does trash from the slums have?" the other lackey chimed in. "He must be so desperate for money he thinks the academy's a charity."
The people in the nearby lines turned to look, but no one dared speak up. The Wang Family carried considerable weight in the Outer City, and nobody wanted to offend Young Master Wang over some poor boy.
Lin Fan ignored their mockery and stood quietly in line.
"Playing deaf and dumb?" Wang Hao walked up to Lin Fan and looked him over. "You're dressed like a beggar, and you stink of sweat. Tell me, did you sleep in a garbage heap last night?"
"Hahaha!" The two lackeys burst out laughing.
Lin Fan raised his eyes to Wang Hao, his expression calm. "Move. You're in the way."
Wang Hao's face darkened.
He hadn't expected this poor kid to speak to him like that. Yesterday, at the notice board, the boy had been just as unyielding. Today, he was acting like Wang Hao didn't matter at all.
"In the way?" Wang Hao scoffed. "Did you build this road? I can stand wherever I want. You, on the other hand, are trash from the slums. You think you deserve to take the Martial Arts Academy test? Do you even know how many resources it takes? The Strength Testing Monument needs maintenance, the Gale Formation consumes energy, and the puppets need repairs. Those costs are paid for by the taxes of families like ours. Have you paid even a single coin in taxes?"
His words struck a vicious nerve.
Several youths from ordinary families looked indignant, but no one dared to argue.
Lin Fan remained calm. "The academy's admissions notice says 'citizens of Blue Star.' It doesn't say you have to pay taxes. I meet the requirements, so I have the right to register."
"The right?" Wang Hao sneered. "You think registering means you can get in? Naive! I'll tell you this: even if you're lucky enough to pass the preliminary test, I have plenty of ways to make sure you fail the official one."
He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Believe me, all it takes is one word from me, and you'll get 'special treatment' during the Combat Test."
Lin Fan's pupils contracted slightly.
Wang Hao's meaning was clear: he could manipulate the test arrangements. Lin Fan didn't know whether it was true, but with the Wang Family's influence, it wasn't impossible.
"What do you want?" Lin Fan asked.
"Simple." Wang Hao grinned smugly. "Kneel down now, kowtow to me three times, say, 'Young Master Wang, I was wrong. I don't deserve to practice martial arts,' and then crawl back to your slum. I might consider letting you off."
Silence fell over the crowd.
Everyone stared at Lin Fan.
This was blatant humiliation. Those who practiced martial arts valued their dignity above all else. Being made to kneel and kowtow in public was worse than having their legs broken. If he did it, he'd never be able to hold his head high in martial arts circles again.
Lin Fan looked at Wang Hao for three seconds.
Then he said, "Move."
Wang Hao froze. "What?"
"I said, move." Lin Fan repeated himself. "You're blocking the line."
"You..." Wang Hao's face flushed red. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
He suddenly reached out and shoved Lin Fan hard.
The shove carried all his strength. Wang Hao might have been arrogant, but he had indeed trained. He'd soaked in medicinal baths and eaten pills since he was young; his strength far surpassed that of his peers. At last year's strength test, he'd managed 450 kilograms, nearly the peak of 1st Grade Martial Trainee.
An ordinary person would have at least stumbled from that shove.
But Lin Fan wasn't ordinary.
[Struck by external force, Iron Body Skill Proficiency +1]
A notification popped up on the Status Panel.
Lin Fan's body swayed slightly, but his feet stayed rooted to the spot. His actual strength now exceeded 200 kilograms, and his Iron Body Skill was nearing Mastery Level, greatly improving his defense. To him, Wang Hao's shove was no more than a tickle.
Wang Hao was stunned.
It felt as if he'd shoved a wall instead of a person.
"What's going on?" Even the lackey beside him noticed something was wrong.
"Again!" Wang Hao shouted in fury. This time he turned the shove into a punch, driving a Straight Punch toward Lin Fan's chest.
The wind whistled around his fist. He was clearly using a martial technique.
[Hostile intent detected. Evasion recommended]
The Status Panel suddenly displayed a warning.
Lin Fan shifted his weight. His foot moved slightly, and his body drifted half a foot to the side like a willow catkin on the breeze.
Basic Footwork: Side Slip.
Wang Hao's punch missed. Momentum carried him forward, and he nearly fell. He stumbled two steps before regaining his balance, then looked back at Lin Fan in astonishment.
"You... You've practiced footwork?"
Lin Fan didn't answer. He simply regarded him calmly.
A low murmur rose from the crowd.
"Was that... footwork?"
"I think so. It was simple, but definitely a footwork technique."
"That kid from the slums isn't simple..."
Wang Hao's face turned pale, then green. He had meant to humiliate Lin Fan in front of everyone, but instead Lin Fan had shown off a skill. It had only been a basic side slip, but the precision with which he'd evaded Wang Hao's attack showed he'd at least grasped the basics of footwork.
A kid from the slums had grasped the basics of footwork?
How was that possible?!
"Fine. Very well." Wang Hao gritted his teeth. "Looks like I underestimated you. But you think a few crude steps will get you through the test? Dream on! The combat-test puppet moves ten times faster than you!"
"Then there's no need to worry about it." Lin Fan turned away and looked toward the front of the line. "It's my turn."
The line had indeed moved forward a few places. It was his turn.
Wang Hao wanted to say more, but when he saw the displeased look from the instructor overseeing the preliminary test, he could only snort and leave with his lackeys.
Before he left, he shot Lin Fan a vicious glare. The message in his eyes was clear: Just you wait.
The preliminary Combat Test station stood on the eastern side of the plaza, in a row of temporary wooden sheds.
Three academy instructors sat inside, two men and one woman, all around thirty and with steady auras. The broad-faced, middle-aged instructor in the center was the chief examiner. A desk stood before him, holding a register, a box of ink, and a black crystal.
"Name, age, address," the broad-faced instructor said without looking up.
"Lin Fan, sixteen, West Street in the Slum District," Lin Fan replied.
"The Slum District?" The female instructor beside him frowned. "Have you practiced martial arts before? Who taught you?"
"I've just practiced on my own," Lin Fan said.
"Practiced on your own?" The woman shook her head. "Do you know how dangerous the Combat Test is? Last year, seventeen candidates were seriously injured, and three were left with permanent disabilities. If you haven't trained, I recommend you take the Strength or Speed Test instead. At least those are safer."
"I want to give it a try." Lin Fan's voice was firm.
The broad-faced instructor looked up at Lin Fan. "The combat-test puppet is War Soldier No. 1. Its strength is close to that of a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, and it's fairly fast. You have to last one minute in the ring without leaving the boundary or being knocked down. Are you sure you want to register?"
"I'm sure."
"Fine." The broad-faced instructor stopped trying to dissuade him and pointed to the black crystal on the desk. "Put your hand on it and channel a trace of your essence energy into it."
Lin Fan did as instructed. He began circulating the Basic Breathing Technique and channeled a faint trace of essence energy into the crystal.
A dim white light glowed from the crystal.
"Essence energy... acceptable. You barely meet the 1st Grade Martial Trainee standard." The broad-faced instructor made a note. "Next test: reaction speed."
He picked up a small copper bell from the desk. "I'll ring this bell. When you hear it, hit that button as quickly as you can."
There was a red button on the desk.
Lin Fan nodded and focused.
"Ding—"
The bell rang clearly.
Lin Fan hit the button almost the instant the bell rang.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]
The Status Panel notification appeared. The burst of movement just now had been recognized by the system as "footwork application."
"Good reaction." The broad-faced instructor looked a little surprised. "0.12 seconds. That's an excellent result among candidates from ordinary families. Are you sure you've never trained before?"
"I'm sure," Lin Fan said.
"You have talent." The broad-faced instructor allowed himself a rare smile. "But talent alone isn't enough. The Combat Test measures your overall ability. Are you sure you want to register for it? You still have time to change your mind."
"I'm sure."
"Very well." The broad-faced instructor said no more. He entered Lin Fan's information into the register, then handed him a wooden plaque. "Keep this safe. It's your candidate number. Three days from now, on the morning of September 18, bring it to the official test. It'll be held in the academy's Third Training Hall. If you're late, you'll forfeit your place."
The wooden plaque was about the size of a palm, with the words "Combat-147" carved into it.
Number 147. He was apparently the 147th candidate to register for the Combat Test.
"Thank you, Instructor." Lin Fan took the plaque and put it away carefully.
"Next!"
Lin Fan walked out of the shed. The sunlight was a little harsh.
He drew a deep breath and looked toward the other two preliminary-test stations in the plaza.
The line for the preliminary Strength Test was the longest, with nearly a hundred people waiting. The Speed Test line was shorter, with about fifty or sixty.
Should he register for another one?
Lin Fan thought it over, then decided to check out the Speed Test line. One more test meant one more chance. He was confident in his speed, but if Wang Hao tampered with the Combat Test, at least he'd have the Speed Test as a fallback.
He walked over to the Speed Test line.
He'd barely taken his place when a familiar mocking voice sounded beside him.
"Well, here you are again? The Combat Test wasn't enough, so now you want to take the Speed Test? Think you're some kind of all-around genius?"
Wang Hao had somehow turned up again. This time, several more people stood beside him, all boys and girls in fine clothes, apparently his friends.
"Brother Hao, is this the poor kid you told us about?" A girl in a pink dress covered her mouth and giggled. "He's rather good-looking, but too bad he's a peasant."
"What's so good-looking about him? He reeks of poverty." A lanky youth curled his lip. "Brother Hao, want me to teach him a lesson? I just mastered Stone Splitting Palm. He'd make a perfect target."
Wang Hao waved a hand. "No need. We're at the academy gates, so don't start a fight. Besides, he won't pass the test anyway. Isn't it more fun to let him waste his time?"
"Brother Hao is right." The girl in pink giggled. "He's trying so hard now, but it'll all be for nothing. His face will be priceless."
Lin Fan paid them no attention and waited quietly in line.
He'd seen people like this plenty of times. In his previous life, some of his rich second-generation coworkers had acted the same way, looking down on ordinary employees because their families had money and influence. The best way to deal with them was to slap them in the face with your strength.
But the time wasn't right yet.
He needed to pass the test, get into the academy, and obtain resources. Once he was strong enough, he'd have plenty of opportunities to settle the score.
The line crept forward.
The preliminary Speed Test was simple: candidates sprinted down a ten-meter track, and their times were recorded. The examiner judged their potential based on their results.
When it was Lin Fan's turn, the examiner was a lean, middle-aged man with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.
"Name and candidate number."
"Lin Fan, Combat-147."
"Combat Test candidate number?" The examiner raised an eyebrow. "You registered for the Combat Test?"
"Yes."
"Interesting." The examiner took another look at him. "Run. Give it everything you've got."
Lin Fan took his place behind the starting line and bent forward slightly.
[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]
The system notification appeared again. Any action related to "movement" could potentially increase his proficiency.
"Go!"
Lin Fan shot forward like an arrow loosed from its bow.
He used his Basic Footwork to its fullest, placing each step where it took the least effort and gave him the most speed. He leaned forward, swinging his arms in time with his breathing, and moved like a cheetah.
He covered the ten meters in an instant.
"1.82 seconds." The examiner recorded the result. "Not bad. That would put you in the top twenty among candidates from ordinary families. Have you practiced footwork?"
"I've just practiced on my own."
"You got this good practicing on your own?" The examiner didn't believe him, but didn't ask any further. "All right, you passed. Come to the Second Training Hall on the morning of the official test, three days from now. Don't be late."
"Thank you, Examiner."
Lin Fan took another wooden plaque. This one bore the words "Speed-89."
He put the wooden token away and didn't go over to the strength test. It was getting late, and he still had to return to the docks for work. He also had a private job that night.
Just as he turned to leave, Wang Hao blocked his way again.
"You signed up for the speed test too?" Wang Hao sneered. "You're pretty greedy, aren't you? But you think signing up means you'll pass? Let me tell you, the 'Gale Formation' in the speed test has winds that change at random. If you go in without having trained in a specialized movement technique, you'll get blown away. The Wang Family has a legacy technique called 'Wind Chasing Steps.' I've trained in it since I was a kid, and even I need it to stay steady. You? Heh."
Lin Fan walked around him and left without a word.
"Stop!" Wang Hao barked.
Lin Fan didn't stop.
"I said stop!" Wang Hao chased after him and grabbed his shoulder.
This time, he used all his strength. His fingers curled like hooks, digging into Lin Fan's shoulder blade. An ordinary person would have had their shoulder dislocated by a grab like that.
But Lin Fan's shoulder jerked, and Iron Body Skill activated on its own, his muscles tightening like iron in an instant.
[Grab attack sustained, Iron Body Art proficiency +2]
Wang Hao felt as though he'd grabbed an iron plate. He didn't manage to get a hold, and the impact instead left his fingers numb.
"You..." He let go in shock.
Lin Fan turned and looked at him. His expression was calm, but he carried an invisible pressure.
Wang Hao found himself taking half a step back.
By the time he came to his senses, Lin Fan had already gone far.
"Brother Hao, what's wrong?" The girl in the pink skirt came over. "That kid just now..."
"Shut up!" Wang Hao's face turned ashen.
Had he just been scared off by some slum kid? It had only lasted an instant, but that feeling... It was like being watched by a beast.
Impossible!
It had to be his imagination!
How could a piece of trash from the Slum District have that kind of presence?
"Brother Hao, should I find someone to..." The tall, lanky boy made a throat-slitting gesture.
"No need." Wang Hao gritted his teeth. "Making a move at the academy gates would be too obvious. During the tests... I've got plenty of ways to make sure he gets 'accidentally' injured. The combat test even has a target injury rate."
He watched the direction Lin Fan had gone, a vicious glint in his eyes.
"When the time comes, I'll make him kneel and beg me."
Lin Fan left the plaza but didn't head straight back to the Slum District. Instead, he went to a secondhand market in the Outer City.
He needed a bicycle.
The secondhand market was huge, with all sorts of goods for sale: old furniture, old clothes, old tools, and even old weapons—though most were covered in rust, they were cheap.
Lin Fan made a round of the market and found a stall selling old bicycles in one corner.
The vendor was a one-eyed old man, dozing on a low stool. Five or six bicycles sat in front of him. Some were missing their handlebars, others their chains, and only two looked mostly intact.
"Boss, how much for this one?" Lin Fan asked, pointing at a black bicycle.
The one-eyed old man opened his eyes and glanced over. "That one? 300 points."
"Too expensive." Lin Fan shook his head. "The tire's cracked, and the brakes don't work properly."
"Then how much are you offering?"
"150 points."
"That's no way to haggle!" The one-eyed old man glared. "200 points, lowest I'll go. The frame's made of Black Ironwood. It's sturdy as can be; it'll last another ten years without breaking."
Lin Fan examined the frame. It was indeed Black Ironwood, a common low-grade spirit wood. It was hard and more durable than ordinary steel. He could fix the tire and brakes himself, and it wouldn't cost much.
"180 points. I'll take it." Lin Fan pulled out his money pouch.
The one-eyed old man hesitated, then nodded. "All right. You seem like a decent kid, so I'll sell it at a loss."
Lin Fan counted out 180 Credit Points. He'd earned them from last night's private job, along with what he'd saved before. He had 216 points in total, leaving him with 36 after buying the bike.
That was enough. At least he'd have food for the next few days.
He pushed the bicycle out of the secondhand market and found a quiet spot. Then he took some tools out of his backpack. He'd picked them up in the Slum District. They were crude, but good enough for bicycle repairs.
After half an hour, he'd replaced the tire, adjusted the brakes and chain, and oiled the bearings.
"Done."
Lin Fan climbed onto the bicycle and gave it a try. It still squeaked a little, but it was rideable.
He set off toward the docks.
The wind whistled past his ears.
[Basic Footwork proficiency +1] (Riding was counted as "movement training")
Lin Fan's heart stirred. That worked too?
He tried following the breathing rhythm of Basic Footwork as he rode, matching it to the cadence of his pedaling. Sure enough, it was more efficient, and he used less energy.
"The system's getting more and more lenient with its judgments," Lin Fan thought. "Seems like any activity related to martial arts could trigger a proficiency increase."
That was good news for him.
The path of a grinding addict meant using every moment and every opportunity to grow stronger.
The docks were still busy that afternoon.
After finishing his work and collecting his pay, Lin Fan prepared to pick up Chen Dahu. They'd agreed that he'd teach him footwork that day.
He rode back to the Slum District and found Chen Dahu waiting at the Abandoned Workshop.
"Brother Fan!" Chen Dahu's eyes lit up when he saw the bicycle. "You bought a bike?"
"Yeah, secondhand." Lin Fan parked it. "Come on, let's start training."
"Okay!"
Lin Fan first had Chen Dahu run a few laps while he watched his posture and breathing. Chen Dahu was strong, but poorly coordinated. He ran stiffly, his breathing was ragged, and he wasted a lot of energy.
"You're using too much energy running like that," Lin Fan said. "I'll teach you the breathing method for Basic Footwork. Match it to your steps, and you'll save thirty percent of your effort."
"Thirty percent?!" Chen Dahu was stunned. "It's that amazing?"
"Try it and see."
Lin Fan began explaining the essentials of Basic Footwork: how to place his feet, swing his arms, breathe, and keep his center of gravity steady. These were lessons he'd worked out himself through training with the system. They were simple, but practical.
Chen Dahu studied hard, practicing over and over.
[Basic Footwork proficiency +1] (Teaching was counted as "skill application")
Lin Fan froze for a moment, then smiled.
Could teaching someone else martial arts increase his proficiency too?
This system really was a boon for grinding addicts.
He threw himself into teaching with even more enthusiasm.
An hour later, Chen Dahu had gained a basic grasp of the breathing method, and running had become noticeably easier for him.
"Brother Fan, I think... it really does take less effort!" Chen Dahu said excitedly. "I used to be out of breath after one lap. Now I don't get tired until the third."
"Keep practicing until it becomes instinct," Lin Fan said. "You've still got half a month. Train for an hour every morning and evening, and your speed is bound to improve."
"Mm!" Chen Dahu nodded firmly. "Brother Fan, thank you."
"No need to thank me." Lin Fan patted him on the shoulder. "You're my brother."
Chen Dahu's eyes reddened. He rubbed them hard. "Brother Fan, from now on, my life belongs to you!"
"Don't say stupid things." Lin Fan smiled. "Your life is your own. Live well, grow stronger, and protect the people you want to protect."
"Mm!"
Night fell.
Lin Fan said goodbye to Chen Dahu and rode to Warehouse No. 2 at the docks.
The private job was the same as before: hauling heavy crates. Thanks to the previous night's experience, Lin Fan worked more efficiently and finished in just over half an hour.
He collected 30 points in wages, bringing his total to 66.
On the way back, he stopped by the pharmacy and spent what he had left on three days' worth of medicinal herbs. They weren't for his sister; they were for himself. Iron Body Skill needed medicinal baths to support its progress. He couldn't afford the expensive "Body Tempering Elixir," but boiling ordinary herbs in water and soaking in it would still help.
When he returned to Grandpa Li's courtyard, Lin Xiaoyu was already asleep.
Grandpa Li sat beneath the eaves, holding a yellowed old book and reading by lamplight.
"You're back?" Grandpa Li asked without looking up.
"Yeah," Lin Fan replied softly.
"Did the registration go smoothly today?"
"Yeah."
"Did you run into trouble?" Grandpa Li asked suddenly.
Lin Fan paused. "A little trouble. I can handle it."
Grandpa Li set down his book and looked at him. "That boy from the Wang Family?"
"You know?"
"The Slum District isn't that big. Word travels fast," Grandpa Li said. "The Wang Family has some influence in the Outer City, but they're nowhere near powerful enough to call all the shots. The academy tests have oversight, so they won't dare make things too obvious. But... they'll definitely try to trip you up behind the scenes."
"I understand." Lin Fan nodded.
"Good." Grandpa Li picked up his book again. "Go to bed. You'll have to get up early tomorrow."
"Grandpa Li," Lin Fan said suddenly. "Thank you."
Grandpa Li waved a hand and said nothing.
Lin Fan returned to his room and looked at his sleeping sister. Gently, he tucked the blanket around her.
Then he went to the outer room and began preparing the medicinal bath.
He filled an ordinary iron pot with water, added the herbs, and lit a fire beneath it. Soon the medicinal smell filled the room. It was a little pungent, but Lin Fan could sense the faint spiritual energy it contained.
When the water boiled, he poured it into a wooden tub. Once it had cooled a little, he took off his clothes and climbed in.
The scalding medicinal water stung his skin, but the pain soon became a warm sensation, seeping into his body through his pores.
[External energy stimulus detected; Iron Body Art proficiency growth accelerated]
A Status Panel notification appeared.
It really worked!
Lin Fan closed his eyes and practiced Basic Breathing Technique, guiding the medicinal energy through his body.
[Iron Body Art proficiency +1]
[Iron Body Art proficiency +1]
His proficiency was increasing noticeably faster—almost twice as fast as usual.
"At this rate, Iron Body Skill should reach Mastery Level within three days," Lin Fan estimated. "Then my defense will improve considerably, and I'll have a much better chance in the combat test."
He soaked for a full hour, only getting up to dry himself once the water had cooled.
He checked his Status Panel:
[Iron Body Art (Proficient 421/500)]
He was just 79 points short of Mastery Level.
"Just a little more effort."
Lin Fan didn't rest. Instead, he began practicing his punches. Late at night, when all was quiet, was the golden hour for a grinding addict.
His fists flashed beneath the moonlight.
[Basic Fist Art proficiency +1]
[Basic Footwork proficiency +1]
[Combat experience +0.1] (Simulated combat)
Lin Fan kept practicing until the early hours of the morning, then finally collapsed, exhausted.
He had a dream.
He dreamed he was standing on a vast arena. Across from him stood a three-meter-tall metal puppet, its eyes glowing red. The puppet swung a fist at him. He couldn't dodge, and the blow sent him flying, pain ripping through his chest.
Then he saw Wang Hao standing by the edge of the arena, laughing uproariously.
"Slum trash, you think you're fit to practice martial arts?"
Lin Fan woke with a start, drenched in cold sweat.
Outside the window, the sky was growing faintly bright.
He sat up, took a few deep breaths, and calmed his pounding heart.
"It was just a dream."
But he knew that without enough strength, the scene from his dream could easily become reality.
Wang Hao's threat, the academy tests, his sister's illness, his father's keepsake... He needed strength to deal with all of it.
"Keep training."
Lin Fan got up and headed for the courtyard.
In the morning light, the boy's frame looked slender, but every punch was firm and powerful.
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