After eleven consecutive steals, Gao Teng gained 301 points of cultivation, 0.15 points of physical strength, and 0.68 points of mental strength.
That 0.15 points of physical strength might seem insignificant, but under normal cultivation, reaching this level of progress would require a long, arduous effort.
So when this energy poured into Gao Teng's body, the bruises on him immediately faded at an astonishing speed, and his broken bones healed along with them. Not only had his injuries completely recovered, but his body had also grown even stronger.
Gao Teng carefully felt the changes in his body, then brought up his status panel for a look.
[Realm: Level Two (Mid Qi Condensation) (567/800 cultivation)]
[Physical Strength: 3.46]
[Mental Strength: 3.16]
Gao Teng only glanced at those three values. After all these days of arduous cultivation, his mental strength had finally broken through level three, and his cultivation was nearing a bottleneck. A new breakthrough was just around the corner.
Gao Teng snapped his fingers. After that one steal, Zhou Xing's mental strength had fallen below level one.
If Zhou Xing woke up now, he would surely feel mentally drained, his head heavy as a mountain, and his strength utterly spent.
Gao Teng chuckled. Zhou Xing's expression when he woke up would surely be a sight to see, but Gao Teng didn't have time to stick around and watch.
He straightened his clothes and strolled unhurriedly down the mountain.
When Zhu Hong spotted him, he hurried over at once.
"G-Gao Teng."
Zhu Hong was utterly shocked. He stammered, "Y-you... you weren't hurt? How did you beat Zhou Xing and his group?
"There were so, so many of them. How come you're completely fine? When did you get so strong?"
The corners of Gao Teng's mouth lifted. He patted Zhu Hong's shoulder. "I told you I'd help you get your money back. You believe me now, don't you?"
Zhu Hong nodded vigorously. "I do, I do. I'll believe anything you say now.
"They gave me all my money back just now. Thanks for standing up for me."
Then he apologized. "I was wrong before. I didn't know you'd gotten stronger. I thought you were still the same as before. I'm sorry."
Gao Teng smiled. "It's fine. I only recently discovered that I'm a genius, too. It's only natural you'd have the wrong idea about me."
Zhu Hong gave an awkward laugh, then asked cautiously, "Bro, how did you get so strong? Could you give me some pointers?
"I want to raise my grades as much as I can while there's still time. Of course, it's fine if you don't want to tell me."
Gao Teng spread his hands. "It's pure talent. I trained, and then I broke through. There's no shortcut, so I'm afraid you'll have to cultivate through your own hard work, just like me."
Zhu Hong pursed his lips. He really couldn't believe Gao Teng's explanation.
Throughout all three years of high school, Gao Teng's grades had been remarkably consistent: always dead last. Now his strength had suddenly shot up. There had to be a reason. How could it possibly be because of hard work?
If hard work actually worked, Gao Teng's grades would have taken off long ago, like a rocket launched from his backside. Why wait until now to start making progress?
Gao Teng glanced at Zhu Hong, already guessing what he was thinking. "I know you don't believe me. Honestly, I find it strange myself. Lately, it's like some kind of limit has been lifted from my body, and everything feels remarkably clear.
"Every time I practice a cultivation method or martial skill, I gain new insights.
"When I take pills, I can completely refine all their medicinal power, without wasting the slightest bit.
"Especially when refining true qi, there's no obstruction at all. With every circulation, my cultivation genuinely grows stronger.
"So I think I wasn't completely untalented in martial arts. It just took until now for my talent to show."
Zhu Hong listened quietly, and to some extent, he believed him.
Actually, Gao Teng didn't need to explain so much to him. Who was he to deserve an explanation?
Gao Teng was treating him like a person. He could just as easily have ignored him and walked away.
"Ah!"
Zhu Hong sighed deeply. "I thought I might benefit from your success and have a little more hope for the future.
"If it's just talent, then there's nothing I can do."
Gao Teng reassured him. "You can still get into a junior college. Your life isn't hopeless. Maybe you'll hit your stride late, just like me."
Zhu Hong gave a bitter smile. He wouldn't dare indulge in that kind of wishful thinking.
Gao Teng's situation couldn't just be called rare. It was unheard of!
"Come on, it's time for class."
Gao Teng raised a hand and patted Zhu Hong's shoulder. Then they headed for the classroom building together.
The bell had rung ages ago. They were already very late.
This was the Martial Arts Research Course, which mainly covered various basic cultivation methods and martial skills.
Gao Teng explained things to the teacher, but his excuse was too flimsy. Only after being scolded did he get permission to enter the classroom.
About ten minutes into class, a commotion suddenly erupted in the hallway.
The next moment, someone ran past the classroom, stark naked, shouting and screaming, laughing and crying.
"????"
A string of question marks appeared above Gao Teng's head. If he hadn't mistaken what he'd just seen, the person running by should have been Zhou Xing.
But he hadn't gotten a clear look at the face, so he wasn't entirely sure.
Just then, that pale figure ran back the other way.
Gao Teng's expression turned strange. Now he was completely certain: Zhou Xing had gone mad!
After so many days of effort, he'd finally driven that bird-brain crazy!
"Let me go! I'm a free bird! I want to fly! I want to run!"
Gao Teng burst out laughing. He hadn't expected Zhou Xing to be a poet, too.
Like many of his classmates, he leaned out the window and saw several teachers pinning Zhou Xing to the ground as he thrashed about like a catfish.
"Let me go! Do you know who I am? Do you know how strong I am?
"With just a twitch of my finger, I could wipe you all out!
"Today, I'll spare you because your cultivation hasn't been easy. I'll give you a chance to live. How dare you offend me?"
"How bold! How bold! How very bold!
"Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for showing no mercy.
"Today, I'll teach you what it means to offend the Martial Emperor and die for it!
"Unleash!"
Zhou Xing frantically circulated the true qi throughout his body, but he couldn't move at all. He was pinned firmly to the ground.
His face turned pale with terror. "Who are you? Why is every one of you at least as strong as I am?
"I am Emperor Zhou Wu, the peerless Martial Emperor who swept away every opponent beneath the heavens and stood above all living beings!"
"You're putting on quite a show!"
One of the teachers raised a hand and slapped Zhou Xing hard across the face. "If you're a Martial Emperor, then I'm an Immortal Emperor!"
"An Immortal Emperor? You're an Immortal Emperor?"
Zhou Xing trembled all over, his voice breaking into a sob. "Why, when I've become invincible in this world, has a powerful enemy come from the heavens?
"Heavens! Why do you treat me this way? I hate you! I hate you!"
The teachers found it hilarious. They exchanged glances, then couldn't help laughing aloud.
"I trained in martial arts for eighteen years, and then there was no one left in this world who could rival me. Everyone admired me, everyone looked up to me. How dare you laugh at me so brazenly? What gives you the right?"
"You've completely lost your mind."
One of the teachers chopped Zhou Xing on the back of the neck, subduing him and plunging him into endless darkness.
Before you continue