With Brother Peng's "Pay-to-win Items" and "VIP Service" working together, plus the powerful effect of Chen Mo's Major Accomplishment skills, his Qi and Blood growth had gone into full "rocket mode."
On the third day, his Qi and Blood Value broke through 87 points.
On the fourth day, it neared 89.
His gains were steady and significant every day, far surpassing his progress before.
Late on the sixth night, inside the VIP Training Room.
Chen Mo had just finished his final set of Body Tempering Fist. His body was steaming with heat, sweat pouring down like rain. He slowly settled into a rest, adjusted his breathing, and felt the unprecedented fullness and surging strength within him.
Just then, the number representing his Qi and Blood Value on the System Panel in his mind gave a slight jump, changing from "89.9" to—
[Qi and Blood Value: 90.1]
He'd broken through!
Chen Mo stood rooted to the spot, stunned for two seconds. Then an immense, indescribable joy and sense of accomplishment surged through him, nearly making him throw his head back and shout! Ninety points! He had finally crossed this threshold that once seemed so far out of reach—a milestone signifying resources, recognition, and a whole new beginning!
"Creak—" The door to the training room swung open, and Zhao Peng poked his head inside. He was carrying another insulated food container. At a glance, he spotted the barely contained excitement on Chen Mo's face and the gleam in his eyes.
"You did it?" Zhao Peng's eyes lit up, and his voice brimmed with excitement.
Chen Mo nodded hard, his smile bright enough to light up the whole training room. "I did it! 90.1!"
"That's incredible, Brother Mo! I knew you could do it!" Zhao Peng cheered and rushed over, thrusting the food container into Chen Mo's hands. "Here! To celebrate you breaking through 90 points, I had the medicinal kitchen add something special—the Deer Blood, Ginseng, and Cordyceps Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup! Drink it while it's hot! Tomorrow, go see Instructor Xu and slap that Key Cultivation Student application on his desk!"
Chen Mo took the still-warm container and looked at Zhao Peng, who seemed even happier than he was. A warm current surged through his heart. This sprint would never have gone so smoothly without his seemingly carefree but actually thoughtful friend supporting him wholeheartedly with both Money Power and genuine friendship.
"Brother Peng..." Chen Mo's throat tightened. A thousand words crowded in his chest.
"Save it! Save the sentimental stuff for when you treat me to a big meal!" Zhao Peng gave him an exasperated look and clapped him firmly on the shoulder, though his smile was utterly sincere. "Drink your soup, then go home and get a good night's sleep! Tomorrow, we're going to harvest the school's wool together!"
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"Okay!" Chen Mo nodded firmly, unscrewed the lid, and let the rich, tempting aroma fill the room once more. He tipped the container back and took a big gulp. A warm current spread through his limbs, as if driving away all the fatigue of the past few days.
Moonlight streamed through the high window, illuminating the hopeful smiles on the two boys' faces.
Chen Mo knew breaking through 90 points was only the beginning. But with the school's resources, Zhao Peng's friendship, the System, and his Major Accomplishment skills, he had more confidence than ever in breaking through the 100-point Qi and Blood limit and pursuing the Martial Artist path beyond it.
With this second chance at youth, the road ahead grew broader and brighter with every step.
Early the next morning, Chen Mo woke just as dawn was breaking. It wasn't his alarm that had roused him. The excitement of having the school's resources within easy reach had him more energized than if he'd been pumped full of stimulants. Lying in bed, he felt like a sheep about to pounce on a delicious patch of grass. The metaphor was a little odd, but it captured his mood. Even his breathing seemed to brim with anticipation.
He tried to spring out of bed in one swift motion... and failed. His abdominal muscles protested. Sheepishly, he got up slowly instead. As he washed up, he looked at himself in the mirror and couldn't resist mouthing, "You've got this!" He nearly swallowed a mouthful of toothpaste foam. "Bleh, bleh, bleh... Stay calm, Chen Mo. Stay calm. You're a man about to harvest the school's wool. How can you let a bit of toothpaste beat you?"
Carrying his excitement—and feeling a little giddy—Chen Mo headed straight for the Martial Arts Hall. Even the smell of meat buns wafting from the Cafeteria, which usually stopped him in his tracks, seemed dull today. Meat buns? How much could those cost? Today, he was going after a fat, "sustainably harvestable" fleece!
Instructor Xu was stretching leisurely inside the Martial Arts Hall. When Chen Mo came rushing in like a gust of wind, Instructor Xu immediately broke into a knowing smile and stopped stretching his legs. "Well? Here early to share the good news? I don't even need to ask. Judging by that face, you must've broken through 90 points, right?"
"Instructor Xu, you really can see the future!" Chen Mo stopped and tried to look composed, but the corners of his mouth kept lifting. "I broke through! 90.1 points! I... I'm here to apply for Key Cultivation Student status!" He couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice.
"Good! Well done, kid! I've been waiting to hear you say that!" Instructor Xu beamed and came over. This time, his pat on Chen Mo's shoulder was just right, full of approval. "We'll need to follow the proper application process. Don't worry, I'll see you through it! First, go to the school clinic and have Doctor Zhang perform an official Qi and Blood test. He'll issue a report stamped with the official seal. It's a hard requirement, proof that your 90.1 points are the real deal and not something you made up."
"Understood! I'll go right now!" Chen Mo nodded vigorously.
"Not so fast. Second, take the report with me to the Martial Arts Department office and fill out the application. I'll write you a recommendation, too. Be sure to clearly state on the form that you've reached Major Accomplishment in both Black Tiger Stance and Body Tempering Fist. Those are shining bonus points! The school loves to see a promising student who's both 'exceptionally talented' and 'frighteningly hardworking.'" Instructor Xu reminded him, his eyes full of confidence that everything was in the bag.
The two of them set off at once. In the school clinic, Doctor Zhang—wearing thick, bottle-bottom glasses and moving as if he were always a beat behind—was holding a teacup and reading the paper. Seeing Instructor Xu come in with a student, he slowly pushed up his glasses. "Another one? Quite a few students have been applying for Key Cultivation Student status lately. They all want to harvest the school's wool?"
"Doctor Zhang, this isn't ordinary wool. It's the finest cashmere!" Instructor Xu pushed Chen Mo forward. "Major Accomplishment in two skills, and his Qi and Blood just broke through 90 points. He's the real deal!"
"Oh?" Only then did Doctor Zhang put down the paper and look Chen Mo over. He was still as unhurried as ever. "Young man, put your hand on the testing device and relax. Don't be nervous. If you're nervous, your Qi and Blood might fluctuate, and the reading could come out lower than your actual value. Then you'd be the one losing out."
Chen Mo grumbled inwardly: How can I not be nervous? This result decides whether I get to eat grass or feast! Still, he did as he was told and tried to steady his breathing.
The testing device started up with a soft hum. The numbers on the screen began to climb, from 85 to 88 to 89... They kept rising until they settled firmly at 90.1, then flashed twice as if to say, "Look closely! Guaranteed accurate!"
Doctor Zhang's normally sluggish movements came to an abrupt halt. His hand, holding the teacup, froze in midair, and his eyes widened behind his glasses. He leaned toward the screen until his face was almost touching it, checked the reading again and again, then rubbed his eyes. Only then did he turn to Chen Mo in disbelief. "Well, I'll be! It really is 90.1! Xu, you weren't pulling my leg! This kid... he's something else! It's rare to see young people willing to work this hard these days!"
As he clicked his tongue in amazement, he suddenly sprang into action, quickly printed the report, and stamped it with the clinic's bright red seal. When he handed it to Chen Mo, his tone had become much warmer. "Here you go. Officially certified. Keep at it, young man, and try to break through 100 points soon. Become a proper Martial Artist and bring honor to our school!"
"Thank you, Doctor Zhang!" Chen Mo accepted the report with both hands. The thin sheet of paper felt as heavy as a thousand catties. This was his ticket to the "VIP wool-harvesting lane"!
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