Buddha's Wrathful Vajra

Jiang Ran looked at the prompt, his expression slightly stunned. It required 3 Career Points?

That was just right.

In an instant...

The sound of Sanskrit chanting erupted!

His blood and qi were circulated to the limit, his muscles and bones resonated in unison, and his will became like a Vajra with glaring eyes, his fighting spirit burning the heavens.

In this state, his overall physical attributes would increase exponentially, his sensation of pain would be significantly dulled, and his fighting spirit would boil, knowing neither fear nor retreat.

But the cost was an extreme consumption of blood and qi, leaving him in a weakened state once it ended.

This was a trump card.

A trump card to be used to gamble with his life in a desperate situation.

Jiang Ran slowly opened his eyes, a faint golden light flickering deep within his pupils before vanishing.

He stood up and walked to the mirror.

The man in the mirror wore simple loungewear, his appearance delicate and gentle; anyone who saw him would think he was an outstanding youth of the new era.

But only Jiang Ran knew.

Beneath his skin, blood and qi were slowly circulating.

Between his muscles and bones, strength was quietly growing.

And deep within his consciousness, the phantom of that glaring Vajra stood right behind him.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

Haihua Food Stall.

The neon sign flickered in the night, and the scent of fireworks mixed with the aroma of stir-fried dishes filled the entire street.

Jiang Ran had just stepped out of a taxi when a middle-aged man in a polo shirt at a table further inside waved at him with a smile.

"Xiao Jiang! Over here!"

Jiang Ran looked up and walked over with a smile.

Old Chen was in his early forties and kept his figure well, lacking the small potbelly common at that age.

His hair was neatly combed, he wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and on his wrist was a mechanical watch of an unrecognizable brand but excellent texture.

"So early?" Jiang Ran sat down opposite him and checked the time. "Didn't you say nine-thirty?"

"I'd dare to be late for an appointment with others, but how could I dare with you?" Old Chen smiled and poured him a drink. "I just finished handling some things and thought since I was on the way, I'd come straight over."

Jiang Ran took the glass, shook his head with a laugh, and didn't respond to that.

He and Old Chen had met over a year ago.

At that time, Jiang Ran had just obtained his Career Panel and was frantically trying out various professions.

Once, he applied for a short-term coaching position at the most high-end golf club in Feng City. Originally, seeing that he was young and lacked a background as a professional player, they hadn't intended to hire him.

It just so happened that Old Chen was there that day.

Old Chen was a lifetime member of that club. It was said his background was very deep; no one could clearly say what he did, only that he had great influence in both the underworld and the legitimate world.

He had just been passing through the practice area that day and saw Jiang Ran teaching a wealthy second-generation heir who had absolutely zero foundation.

Half an hour later, that heir was actually able to consistently hit balls over a hundred yards.

Old Chen became interested on the spot.

Later, he found Jiang Ran privately to chat and discovered that this young man learned things at an outrageous speed and possessed a composure that transcended his age.

One thing led to another, and the two became friends.

Later on, when Jiang Ran wanted to learn shooting, Old Chen made a single phone call and introduced him to Meng Xi.

The owner of that shooting club was a junior whom Old Chen had watched grow up.

So, tonight wasn't exactly a meeting of strangers.

"How have you been lately?" Old Chen picked up a peanut. "Are you enjoying being a psychology teacher?"

"It's alright." Jiang Ran took a sip of beer. "But I might stop doing it soon."

Old Chen raised an eyebrow. "New plans?"

"I want to change subjects," Jiang Ran said. "A math teacher or something else."

"Sure." Old Chen nodded without asking further. "I'll have a word with Principal Li at Third Middle School later. Whichever subject you want, just take your pick."

He said it nonchalantly, but Jiang Ran knew that Old Chen truly possessed that kind of influence.

"Thanks." Jiang Ran raised his glass.

The two clinked glasses.

A few hot stir-fried dishes were served one after another, all signature items of the street food stall.

Old Chen ate quite casually, not at all like the picky, environment-obsessed wealthy people.

Halfway through the meal, Old Chen suddenly lifted his plastic chair and scooted closer to Jiang Ran.

The distance between them closed.

He lowered his voice, sounding as if he were asking a casual question: "Right, didn't you say before that you wanted to train in combat? How is that going?"

Jiang Ran's hand, holding his chopsticks, paused slightly.

He raised his eyes and gave Old Chen a meaningful look.

"Not bad," Jiang Ran said.

Old Chen nodded.

He knew Jiang Ran's learning speed.

Since Jiang Ran said it was not bad, then for an ordinary person, it was likely already very strong.

"Training in combat is good."

Old Chen took a sip of his drink, his gaze drifting toward the bustling street in the distance, his tone becoming somewhat profound. "In this world, it looks peaceful, and there are more and more high-tech things...

But when you really encounter trouble, you will realize.

No matter how advanced the technology is, it's not as reliable as having real skills of your own."

Jiang Ran slowly set down his chopsticks.

"I understand."

Old Chen looked at him for two seconds, then suddenly laughed and patted his shoulder: "As long as you understand. Come, let's drink."

Just then...

"Uncle Chen! Jiang Ran!"

A clear, bright female voice came from the side.

The two turned their heads to see a young woman in a white shirt and denim shorts walking toward them.

"Meng Xi is here." Old Chen waved with a smile. "We were just waiting for you."

Meng Xi walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat down naturally, first giving Old Chen a sweet smile: "Hello, Uncle Chen."

Then she turned to Jiang Ran, her eyes curving into crescents: "Long time no see, Coach Jiang. I heard you've been off corrupting the youth at school lately?"

Jiang Ran chuckled: "What kind of way is that to talk?"

"Isn't it true?" Meng Xi grabbed a glass and poured herself some beer. "When you were a coach at my place, the enrollment rate for female students soared by three hundred percent. I even wanted to give you a raise, but then you turned around and ran off."

Old Chen watched from the side, chuckling.

Jiang Ran shook his head and got to the point: "Let's talk business. I'm thinking of returning to the club as a coach. Is there still a spot?"

Meng Xi was stunned, then her eyes lit up: "Really? You're willing to come back?"

"Mm."

"Of course there's a spot, you're welcome anytime!" Meng Xi didn't hesitate. "When can you come? Next week? Or..."

"Tomorrow," Jiang Ran said.

"...Tomorrow?" Meng Xi was stunned again.

"Mm, I can start tomorrow afternoon," Jiang Ran said calmly.

"Fine." Meng Xi agreed immediately. "Then tomorrow it is. I'll arrange your schedule personally."

She spoke with such excitement that people at the surrounding tables looked over.

Jiang Ran nodded and raised his glass: "Then I'll be troubling you."

At 12:00 AM, Jiang Ran politely declined the offer from Old Chen and Meng Xi to drive him home.

He walked down the street alone.

The night breeze brushed past, carrying the chill of an autumn night.

Jiang Ran kept his hands in his hoodie pockets, his pace steady and unhurried.

The matters regarding the teacher and the shooting coach had been resolved easily, just as he had imagined.

This had been within his expectations.

He was very clear about Old Chen's influence and Meng Xi's personality.

But Old Chen's words tonight left him deep in thought.

Old Chen knew about the Abyssal Void.

Or at least, he knew a part of it.

Given Old Chen's connections and influence, it was only natural that he would have channels to know about this.

Some so-called truths.

They have always been intended only for ordinary people.

Judging by the reactions from above, and the fact that Old Chen also knows about this matter.

There must be many who have already begun to target Abyssal Void and initiated corresponding measures.

In other words...

Abyssal Void will likely descend into chaos very soon.

After all, setting aside the monsters, the world of Abyssal Void is equivalent to a second parallel world, containing double the resources identical to reality.

Not to mention that it also holds the inheritance of extraordinary means.

Everyone will go crazy for it.

Conglomerates, factions, and even the Federation will pour resources into it to fight for the opportunities within Abyssal Void.

A chaotic situation is inevitable.

He must also seize the time.

Before the chaos arrives, he must possess enough strength to protect himself and grasp the initiative.

Early the next morning.

Jiang Ran got up on time and arrived at the school.

Dean Zhou Wenbin was already waiting for him at the door of the psychological counseling room.

"Teacher Jiang, you know that the positions for teachers in various subjects are quite full right now...

Principal Li's meaning is to arrange for you to teach Chinese to Class 15 of the second year first. What do you think?"

"That's fine." Jiang Ran nodded, "I have no problem with that."

Zhou Wenbin clearly breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. I'll have someone send over the textbooks and the class schedule in a while. Can you start teaching tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Good, good, good." Zhou Wenbin stood up and patted Jiang Ran on the shoulder, "Then you go ahead and pack up. If you need anything, come find me anytime."

"Thank you, Director Zhou."

After Zhou Wenbin left, Jiang Ran continued to pack his things.

He didn't really care which class he taught.

Forty minutes later, two cardboard boxes were filled.

Jiang Ran carried the boxes out of the psychological counseling room and locked the door.

In the hallway, a few passing students looked at him with curiosity.

"Teacher Jiang, are you leaving?" a girl asked in a low voice.

"I'm just switching to a different position." Jiang Ran smiled, "You can still come to me if you have questions about Chinese in the future."

"Really?" The girl's eyes lit up, "Then which class will you be teaching, Teacher Jiang?"

"Class 15 of the second year."

A look of obvious disappointment appeared on the girl's face: "Ah... that class..."

Jiang Ran smiled and said nothing, carrying the boxes toward the stairs.

After moving his things home.

Jiang Ran didn't stay idle either.

After a simple lunch, he took a taxi directly to Hurricane Free Combat Gym.

This was one of the largest and most professionally equipped mixed martial arts training gyms in Feng City, and it was also where Jiang Ran worked as a part-time coach.

The gym was very large, divided into two floors.

The first floor was an open training area, equipped with various apparatus, punching bags, and a ring.

The second floor was the private coaching area and lounge.

It was currently the peak period for afternoon training, and there were at least forty or fifty people training on the first floor.

As soon as Jiang Ran walked in, a sharp-eyed regular student spotted him.

"Coach Jiang!"

A young man in his early twenties ran over excitedly. His name was Wang Kai, and he had been training with Jiang Ran for nearly half a year.

"Coach Jiang, how do you have time to come here today? Didn't you say you were working as a teacher at school lately?"

"I'm off today." Jiang Ran said casually, "Came to get some training in."

"That's great!" Wang Kai's eyes brightened, "Coach Jiang, can you guide me through a couple of moves later? I've been practicing that spinning whip kick lately and I just can't seem to find the feel for it..."

"Sure, go warm up first."

As soon as Jiang Ran finished speaking, several more veteran students crowded around him.

"Are you teaching a class today, Coach Jiang?"

At Hurricane Fighting Gym, Jiang Ran was nothing short of a legend to them.

When he first arrived, he had been a complete novice.

In just a few short months, he had attained the strength to compete in professional matches.

Several students in the gym who had previously competed in amateur bouts were unconvinced and sought to spar with Jiang Ran, but not one of them could last more than a minute.

The most exaggerated incident occurred last month when a lightweight athlete from the provincial team came to the gym for an exchange and sparred with Jiang Ran.

In three rounds, Jiang Ran won by TKO in the second.

Afterward, that athlete privately remarked that Jiang Ran's level was sufficient to compete in top-tier global events.

Yet, Jiang Ran chose to stay here as a part-time coach.

There were even rumors in the gym that agents from several professional clubs had approached Jiang Ran with generous offers, only to be turned down.

After greeting everyone, Jiang Ran walked alone to a corner.

He had no classes today; he had come to the gym to grind skill experience.

Free Combat Lv.8 (752/800), only 48 experience points away from leveling up.

Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo also had plenty of room for improvement.

More importantly, Jiang Ran wanted to try integrating the Blood-Qi Circulation Method with his combat techniques.

The force-generating method of the Dragon-Tiger Fist could mobilize blood-qi; if he could incorporate this into other combat styles, the power would increase exponentially.

Jiang Ran stood before a sandbag, adopting a standard Free Combat stance.

Then, he threw a punch.

Hum...

The moment his fist made contact with the sandbag, a dull boom resonated.

The sandbag didn't budge.

However, on the back of the sandbag, a clear fist print suddenly bulged out from the leather surface.

The force of this punch had completely penetrated the sandbag.

"Still not enough..." Jiang Ran muttered to himself.

He could feel that the mobilization of his blood-qi hadn't been smooth enough, and a portion of the power had dissipated during the transmission.

If it were a complete Dragon-Tiger Fist, this punch would have been enough to shatter the sandbag.

Jiang Ran didn't tire, trying one punch after another.

He was searching for that optimal balance point.

His sweat slowly evaporated as the experience points on his panel ticked upward.

[Free Combat Experience +3]