Twentieth Chapter: Entry in a Single Day!

"Principal, I can't hold on anymore. Chen Yan is seriously insane."

At ten in the evening, Gao Yuan rubbed his bleary eyes and glanced toward the classroom where Chen Yan was. If the principal hadn't just asked and Chen Yan hadn't responded, he'd have really thought Chen Yan had died in there.

Watching Gao Yuan leave, Principal Zhang Yue could only sigh helplessly. It seemed Chen Yan was genuinely determined to use up all twelve hours in one go.

If he used them all up at once, what use were the books she had prepared?

Wasn't the Body Refinement Breathing Technique supposed to be hard to grasp on the first try, even excruciatingly painful?

How was Chen Yan this monstrous?

Or was Chen Yan purely wasting time, failing to comprehend the core within the Origin Crystal?

"Chen Yan, if you can't hold on, don't force it. Twelve hours is fixed."

Zhang Yue spoke up.

"It's fine, Principal. I'm still okay!" From inside the classroom, Chen Yan replied.

"Heh..." Zhang Yue was exasperated. She was already old bones; she couldn't hold on. She needed to sleep.

"Principal, is Chen Yan still at it?"

Wang Yang approached, carrying four portions of rice. After learning the situation, he had specifically gone to inform Chen Yuxu not to wait, then bought some food and came back.

"Wang Yang, you came, you came just in time." Zhang Yue smiled as she took the rice from Wang Yang's hands. "Let's chat for a bit. That Martial Division guy has no idea where he went. Watching the time was supposed to be his job."

Wang Yang shook his head. That man was a martial artist, and not an ordinary one at that. The rules ordinary people had to follow, in their eyes, didn't need to be obeyed.

Inside the classroom.

Chen Yan pulled off his bloodstained shirt. His entire body was drenched in blood and sweat, and the corners of his mouth twitched from the pain from time to time.

Who knew practicing the breathing technique would be like this?

Following the breathing of the person inside the Origin Crystal, every breath seemed to tug at his own flesh, blood, and bones. Chen Yan even felt his skin writhing, every pore struggling.

Aside from the pain, though, there was a sense of exhilaration.

He knew he was truly getting stronger.

He could feel his bones thickening, his flesh and skin developing toward greater solidity and resilience.

Pain, exhaustion, suffering—there had even been several moments when he felt like he was suffocating.

But compared to having his dignity trampled for a thousand bucks, was any of this harder?

Compared to knowing something was wrong after the car accident that hit him and his sister, yet being completely powerless to do anything—was this more painful?

Sometimes, for the sake of a shred of dignity, he had to train day and night, struggle with himself every single day and night.

Compared to all that, even though this was bitter, being able to feel himself growing stronger was far too easy.

If he learned everything today, he could start practicing on his own tomorrow. The sooner he got on track, the sooner he'd become stronger.

"Saint Breaking Tree!"

Chen Yan shouted inwardly. While comprehending the Origin Crystal of the Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon, he also kept an eye on the changes within the Saint Breaking Realm.

[Saint Breaking Realm: Level 2 (5/15)]

[Saint Breaking Fruits: Strength: (95/100) Blood: (36/100) Skill: (55/100)]

The condensation speed of the [Skill] Character Saint Breaking Fruit had slowed down.

But it had still grown past the halfway mark again. Right now, Chen Yan's main focus was on the [Strength] Character Saint Breaking Fruit.

Although the [Strength] Character Saint Breaking Fruit's growth wasn't as fast as the [Skill] one's, it was now visibly about to fill up.

His physical condition was terrible right now, with plenty of negative effects.

But as long as he consumed one [Strength] Character Saint Breaking Fruit, not only would his strength increase, but most of his negative physical state would also disappear.

Once he recovered, he could last as long as he could!

Time passed slowly.

Midnight arrived.

"This Chen Yan..." Principal Zhang Yue pursed her lips and gave a wry smile. "Nonsense."

Wang Yang, setting down his newspaper beside her, chuckled. "Then just sleep, Principal."

"No." Zhang Yue quickly shook her head.

"This is a direct order from a Second-grade Martial Commander—do you dare to disobey?"

"Woo!"

A cry came from inside the classroom. Zhang Yue was delighted: "Chen Yan, are you coming out?"

"No, Principal, I'm continuing!" Chen Yan replied. Inside the classroom, he swallowed a [Strength] Character Saint Breaking Fruit. The soreness in his body vanished instantly, and his mental state returned to its peak. He couldn't help but let out that cry.

Feeling his now stronger power and body, a smile crept onto Chen Yan's lips. Continue!

Outside the classroom, Zhang Yue was helpless. He propped his head on his hand and let out a soft sigh.

As for Wang Yang beside him, his eyes flickered with thought.

Time passed slowly.

3:30 AM.

"Wang Yang." Zhang Yue spoke.

"Principal, what's wrong?" Wang Yang asked.

"I'm going to sleep for a bit. You keep an eye on the time for me. Chen Yan went in at 4:30 PM. When it hits 4:30 AM, call him out."

With that, Zhang Yue handed the key to Chen Yan's classroom to Wang Yang, then picked up his own box and walked into another classroom to rest.

Wang Yang began watching the time.

Time passed slowly.

4:30 AM—the coldest and darkest hour of the day.

"Teacher, is it time?"

Inside the classroom, Chen Yan had already consumed a [Skill] Character Saint Breaking Fruit half an hour earlier, one brimming with the full technique of the Breathing Technique.

His understanding of the Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon had reached an entirely new level, and the rate of his breathing and body tempering had increased dramatically.

Wang Yang stood up. Hearing the faint sound of snoring from the next room, he whispered: "Do you think you can hold out?"

If you find this book good, to avoid losing it next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.

"I can hold out, Teacher Wang." Chen Yan said.

"Chen Yan..." Wang Yang's eyes flickered: "Move to the door to absorb. The moment I cough, you must immediately hand over the Origin Crystal to me."

Inside the classroom, Chen Yan was stunned. He could hear the conversation outside and knew what Wang Yang intended to do.

Outside the classroom, Wang Yang spoke in a low voice: "Chen Yan, you were born in obscurity, and I know you're an upright person. But sometimes, you have to seize your opportunities. They might not be happy about it, but they don't care. They sit high above and naturally don't care. If you want to swim against the current, you have to cherish every single chance."

Inside the classroom, Chen Yan opened his mouth. This was a risk, but he could gain benefits from it. What about Wang Yang, though?

But Wang Yang was helping him—purely helping him.

There might be conflict in his heart, but he couldn't let down Wang Yang's painstaking efforts.

If he refused, what would Wang Yang think?

"Teacher..." Chen Yan said quietly.

Disappointment flickered in Wang Yang's eyes. He shook his head slowly.

"Can you prepare a set of new clothes for me?" Chen Yan whispered from inside the classroom.

7:30 AM. The morning glow had long since illuminated all of Green Mountain Town.

Ding ling ling!

A bell rang, startling the entire town.

"Cough!" Wang Yang cleared his throat dryly at the door. Through the crack, he took the Origin Crystal handed over from inside. He quickly closed the classroom door, then placed the Origin Crystal into the box.

"7:30!"

From the next classroom, Zhang Yue exclaimed in surprise. He strode out quickly and saw Wang Yang sitting on a bench in the hallway. On the table sat the iron box containing the Origin Crystal.

"Chen Yan's gone back?" Zhang Yue glanced at the closed classroom door across the way.

"He left."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Zhang Yue complained slightly as he took the metal box.

"You're the boss—I wouldn't dare." Wang Yang laughed.

"It's my fault too..." A trace of regret flashed in Zhang Yue's eyes. He picked up the box and prepared to leave: "By the way, how much time did Chen Yan use?"

Wang Yang's eyes flickered as he was about to speak, but he caught the subtle look Zhang Yue was giving him. He pursed his lips.

"This kid... ah, he used it all up in one go."

"Mm." Zhang Yue nodded.

"After all, it was a task given by a Second-grade martial artist. We wouldn't dare take it lightly."

Zhang Yue headed to the office first, while Wang Yang went to Class Three.

It wasn't until around eight o'clock that Chen Yan, hiding inside the classroom, heard the sound of the door opening.

A set of clothes was slipped in through the crack in the door.

"Go home first. You can rest for the next three days, but you must come to school on the fourth day.

The principal just said that this time, the Town Martial Bonus recipient can enter the county to join the Town Martial Class. I'll notify you in a few days."

Wang Yang's voice came from outside the door. Chen Yan changed into the clothes, and when he stepped out of the classroom, Wang Yang had already disappeared down the corridor.

A trace of gratitude and complexity flickered in Chen Yan's eyes. Then he skirted around the other students and ran toward home.

On the country road, Chen Yan exhaled a puff of white mist.

"Have I already entered the threshold?"

Chen Yan murmured to himself. He had comprehended the Origin Crystal and had some understanding of what it meant to enter the Breathing Technique.

He should have entered the threshold now.

Entering in one day!

At ten in the morning, Chu Feiyuan, yawning, arrived at the principal's office.

At that moment, Yu Zhiwen and Gao Yuan were seated upright on the sofa.

"You're here this early?" Chu Feiyuan said, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah, we've been waiting for you," Principal Zhang Yue said with a flattering smile.

Glancing at Yu Zhiwen and Gao Yuan, Chu Feiyuan remarked casually:

"Isn't there one more?"

As soon as he said this, Gao Yuan and Yu Zhiwen's expressions turned strange.

They exchanged glances. They had just learned in Zhang Yue's office that Chen Yan had used up all twelve hours of absorbing the Origin Crystal in one go.

Gao Yuan was still reeling from the shock, while Yu Zhiwen simply furrowed her brow and muttered two words.

Waste.

"Chen Yan, ah." Zhang Yue said with a hearty laugh:

"Last night, he already used up all twelve hours."

"Huh?" Chu Feiyuan was stunned for a moment:

"All of it?"

"Mm." Zhang Yue said helplessly:

"This kid, for some reason, insisted on using it all at once."

Chu Feiyuan frowned:

"To tough it out for twelve hours on the first try—even Chu Xuansheng couldn't do that."

"How could that kid compare to Chu Xuansheng? He's just stubborn. I tried to persuade him several times," Zhang Yue said with a smile.

Chu Feiyuan nodded, walked to the window, and let out a light sigh.

He had just been speaking offhandedly. How could this backwater place possibly have someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Chu Xuansheng?

If every Tom, Dick, and Harry could be compared to Chu Xuansheng, then Chu Xuansheng would be exhausted.

It seemed that what Zhang Ge had talked about last night was a bust. He couldn't very well just go and lay hands on Chen Yan directly.

Destroying someone's talent through an Origin Crystal could be done without a trace, but if he made a move himself, wouldn't that just be making enemies for himself?

Zhang Ge could swallow his own loss. If he hadn't insisted on calling those two women over last night, Chu Feiyuan wouldn't have come this late in the morning.

As for the money, naturally, he wouldn't return it.

Zhang Ge didn't have the standing to make Chu Feiyuan spit out money that had already landed in his pocket.