In an empty classroom, Chen Yan sat at his desk and carefully opened the metal box in his hands.
Streaks of crimson light, blazing like Blazing Flame, shot into Chen Yan's eyes. The tiny blood-red cube glowed from within, brilliant and fiery, and a warm current flowed into his palm.
As the red light entered his eyes, a faint, aching soreness surfaced in Chen Yan's mind. He could barely keep his eyes open.
Within the Saint Breaking Realm, orange, golden, and green lights shimmered together, shifting in dazzling patterns as they streamed toward the Saint Breaking Tree.
The golden light, which represented Skill Energy, was the most abundant, followed by the green light, which represented Physique energy.
Unfortunately, the Saint Breaking Realm hadn't leveled up yet, so it couldn't absorb Physique energy.
The green light was stopped by an invisible barrier three feet from the Saint Breaking Tree, while the orange and golden lights poured into its roots.
[Saint Breaking Realm: Level 2 (3/15)]
[Saint Breaking Fruit:
Strength: (44/100)
Blood: (35/100)
Skill: (15/100)]
Chen Yan looked at the three fruits hanging from the branches like strings of pearls, each a different color: orange, red, and gold.
Before long, the orange [Strength] fruit began to grow.
The outline of the [Skill] fruit grew clearer, and it began to mature as well.
Chen Yan's heart pounded. But at that moment, he shifted his attention to the Origin Crystal in his hand.
Faint threads of red light slowly reflected in Chen Yan's eyes. Fighting the stinging soreness, he saw a figure within the glow.
It stood upright, faceless and featureless. Its body began to turn transparent, revealing its blood vessels, meridians, bones, and organs.
The figure began to breathe, over and over.
With each breath, its lungs expanded and contracted. The flow of blood in its vessels alternately slowed and quickened, and flecks of blood-colored radiance appeared in its meridians.
This was a Breathing Technique!
Through breathing, one mastered the body's instincts, altered the flow of its strength, and enriched the True Self Physique!
This was the [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon]!
Chen Yan began imitating the figure's breathing. At first, he felt nothing, but gradually, his brow furrowed.
It hurt. His lungs hurt, and so did his flesh.
Was this pain because he was learning it correctly, or because he was getting it wrong?
Chen Yan felt lost, but he continued absorbing the Origin Crystal.
If he gave up absorbing it just because it hurt, then it was only natural for him to stay weak.
Creak.
Next door to Chen Yan's classroom, Gao Yuan emerged with a dazed look and handed the iron box to Principal Zhang Yue, who was seated in the hallway.
"One hour and three minutes," Zhang Yue said with a smile, glancing at the clock on the table.
"Principal, it was one hour, two minutes, and forty-three seconds!" Gao Yuan quickly corrected her, pointing at the clock.
"I'll count it as an hour." Zhang Yue blinked.
"Martial Division Officer Chu Feiyuan isn't here, anyway."
Zhang Yue placed the metal box in the case beside her. It could only be opened once; after that, Chu Feiyuan would have to come and open it himself.
Although Chu Feiyuan didn't mind other people trying to comprehend it, he hadn't left the matter entirely unattended.
"Thanks, Principal." Gao Yuan grinned, scratching his head.
"How did it go? Couldn't figure it out?" Zhang Yue asked.
Gao Yuan's energy immediately drained away. He shook his head.
"It felt so hard. I was afraid of wasting time, so I stopped for today. I'll come back tomorrow."
"Mm. Buy something tasty tomorrow," Zhang Yue murmured. "Yu Zhiwen's grandfather used to be a martial artist, but his Qi and Blood have dried up. He has experience. Write down what you don't understand, then go ask her."
A sly glint appeared in Gao Yuan's eyes. He hurriedly bowed to Zhang Yue, and just as he was about to leave, he noticed the classroom next door.
"Principal, is Chen Yan still inside?"
"Mm." Zhang Yue nodded.
Gao Yuan furrowed his brow. Instead of leaving, he dragged over a stool and waited for Chen Yan.
He looked toward Chen Yan's classroom, waiting for him to come out.
There were hardly any Hardening Martial Artists in Green Mountain Town, but Qingshan High School had a few books on Horizontal Refinement.
Zhang Yue had the same idea for Chen Yan.
Let him try to comprehend it first and write down what he didn't understand. Then Zhang Yue could look through some books and explain it to him.
Why hadn't he said so earlier?
It was simple. If he told Chen Yan now, Chen Yan would take it for granted. But once Chen Yan realized how difficult it was, Zhang Yue could offer guidance from the books, and Chen Yan would feel grateful.
Xia Tong privately trained students for his own benefit. How could Zhang Yue be any different?
He was simply more thoughtful and more cautious.
As for Gao Yuan, it was even simpler. He'd lasted an hour before giving up. High school students all had a competitive streak, and Zhang Yue wanted to see when Chen Yan would come out.
Time passed slowly.
Two hours.
"Whew!"
Inside the classroom, Chen Yan let out a long breath.
The pain in his body was growing worse.
Fortunately...
It was almost done.
Skill: (100/100)!
The progress on the [Skill] Saint Breaking Fruit, which had already been emptied that afternoon, was full again!
Directly comprehending the Origin Crystal had an unimaginable effect on his skills!
A glint flashed in Chen Yan's eyes. Within the Saint Breaking Realm, another version of him seemed to appear. It grabbed the golden fruit with one hand and swallowed it whole.
Understanding of the [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon] flooded Chen Yan's mind in an instant.
It was as if he'd spent a long time comprehending the Origin Crystal.
One day, two days, three days...ten days!
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Chen Yan gradually absorbed the understanding he'd gained over those ten days.
His earlier insights became much clearer.
"I wasn't learning it wrong. The Breathing Technique changes the muscles, bones, skin, and strength!"
A glint flashed in Chen Yan's eyes. What he'd learned this time told him something shocking: the Breathing Technique itself could optimize his physique.
In the end, his body would transform and optimize, perfectly matching the external cultivation martial arts of the [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon].
But even without practicing external cultivation, his body would still grow stronger, and his muscles, bones, and skin would become powerful.
No wonder comprehending the [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon] produced green light representing Physique energy and orange light representing Strength energy.
He settled his mind again.
Keep going!
By nine that evening, five and a half hours had passed.
A trace of concern appeared in Zhang Yue's eyes. He went to Chen Yan's classroom, but lowered the hand he'd raised to knock.
"Gao Yuan, is Chen Yan's family well-off?" Zhang Yue asked, uncertain.
"Not at all. His family lives in the neighboring village. I've passed by their place—it's a mud house," Gao Yuan replied, his eyes full of bewilderment.
"Mm." Zhang Yue nodded, feeling even more perplexed.
It was Chen Yan's first time absorbing an Origin Crystal. He ought to treasure the opportunity and come out as soon as he ran into something he couldn't understand.
Why hadn't he come out after five hours?
A Horizontal Refinement Breathing Technique was even harder than an ordinary Qi and Blood Cultivation Method.
Inside the classroom.
Chen Yan swallowed another [Skill] Saint Breaking Fruit containing insights into the [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon].
"Awesome!"
Chen Yan cried out inwardly. Today had definitely been the most rewarding day of his life!...
Under the night sky, the streets of Green Mountain Town were still lively, while the houses lining them stood quietly.
At the far end of a row of self-built homes stood a luxurious three-story house.
On the third floor, inside a room.
"Martial Division Officer Chu, the Purple Hazel Mushrooms from our Green Mountain Town really are the best."
The dining table was covered with an array of fragrant dishes. Zhang Ge placed a piece of Purple Hazel Mushroom coated in sauce into Chu Feiyuan's bowl.
Chu Feiyuan smiled faintly.
"I don't quite understand. You've opened a martial arts hall and a restaurant in the county, so why insist on sending your son to school in this backwater?"
"I'm sentimental about the old days." Zhang Ge smiled. He took a black plastic bag from someone standing behind him.
"I noticed you like Purple Hazel Mushrooms, Martial Division Officer Chu, so I took some more from the kitchen for you to bring home."
Chu Feiyuan furrowed his brow. If he wanted mushrooms, couldn't he get them in the county?
Though that was what he thought, Chu Feiyuan still took the bag. Feeling its weight, his eyes flickered. He opened it slightly and looked inside.
It was stuffed with Town Martial money. A quick count put it at a million.
Chu Feiyuan nodded and set the bag down by his feet.
"Is this about the Town Martial Class?"
"Yes." Zhang Ge narrowed his eyes, his expression full of flattery.
"Should be easy enough." Chu Feiyuan nodded.
Things were going far too smoothly. Zhang Ge was stunned for a good while.
"But my son didn't get the Town Martial Bonus."
Chu Feiyuan put a piece of beast meat in his mouth and glanced at the stunned Zhang Ge.
"I can't speak for all of Yunmeng City, but in Luoshan County, let me ask you: what's your surname?"
Zhang Ge's eyes widened. He quickly replied,
"Of course it's Chu."
Zhang Ge marveled inwardly. The Chu Family was a true powerhouse, having firmly hitched itself to Gong Hengwen's wagon. They were already a renowned clan throughout Yunmeng City.
Now they had Chu Xuansheng as well. The family was truly at the height of its power.
Chu Feiyuan narrowed his eyes at Zhang Ge.
"Zhang Ge, I looked into you. You were an ordinary villager, but last year you suddenly rose to prominence and entered my line of sight."
Zhang Ge jolted, but Chu Feiyuan smiled.
"Relax. I just wanted to get to know you.
"Everyone else does it too. There are only 143 students in the Town Martial Class. How many of them do you think got in through connections?
"One more like you makes no difference."
Zhang Ge gave a strained smile and nodded. Then he went out. When he came back in, he had another black plastic bag in his hand.
Chu Feiyuan paused, then smiled.
"More Purple Hazel Mushrooms?"
"I noticed how much you like them." Zhang Ge smiled, holding the bag out to Chu Feiyuan and opening it.
Chu Feiyuan's eyes narrowed. He asked in a low voice,
"You want your son to become my disciple?"
"No." Zhang Ge replied,
"I just want you to tamper with Chen Yan's Horizontal Refinement Breathing Technique Origin Crystal." Zhang Ge lowered his voice.
"Hmm?" Chu Feiyuan narrowed his eyes.
"You want me to change Chen Yan's slot to your son's, then ruin Chen Yan as well?"
Zhang Ge didn't answer. Chu Feiyuan said coldly,
"Does Chen Yan have connections in the Town Martial Division?"
"No, really!" Zhang Ge hurriedly replied.
"He's just a down-and-out nobody."
"Then why..." Chu Feiyuan frowned. He couldn't simply take his word for it. He'd have to investigate himself.
"I hold a grudge." Zhang Ge smiled.
"I was bullied by his father in the past."
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