Mental Cultivation

The morning mist had yet to disperse, and the city lazily awakened beneath the faint dawn light. The classroom was filled with the scent of fresh ink from new books, mingled with the faint fragrance of grass drifting in through the windows. Sunlight slanted through the glass, casting beams of light in which tiny specks of dust danced silently.

Xiang Yi sat upright by the window, his back straight and his focused gaze resting on the open middle school mathematics textbook before him. At the podium, the teacher calmly explained basic geometric theorems, the scratch of chalk across the blackboard especially clear. Yet in Xiang Yi's eyes, those simple diagrams and formulas seemed to have gained new dimensions. The heightened perception brought by his increased mental power allowed him to easily catch the subtle refraction of light across the page and "hear" the faint sound of fibers snapping as the student in front of him wrote on scratch paper. Even the path of falling chalk dust through the sunbeam was as clear as slow motion.

His deskmate Zhang Hao lounged against the wall, propping up his chin with one hand while idly spinning an expensive pen beneath the desk with the other. The occasional looks he cast at Xiang Yi carried undisguised contempt, along with a lingering trace of apprehension he refused to acknowledge. His heavy breathing, carrying the distinct scent of an adolescent boy, reached Xiang Yi's ears clearly enough that he could even vaguely distinguish traces of last night's meal.

Xiang Yi showed no outward reaction and continued listening attentively and taking notes. Only he knew that beneath his textbook lay a black hardbound notebook with slightly curled edges. Its pages did not contain class notes, but rather an analysis report on the global arms market, compiled from fragments of his memories from his previous life using a unique method he had created that combined English abbreviations, Chinese annotations, and simple charts.

Stark Industries: Monopoly on cutting-edge weaponry, but excessively dependent on Tony Stark's personal genius, creating a fatal single-point failure risk. Its stock price had fluctuated sharply recently due to rumors of its founder's disappearance.

Hammer Industries: A giant in low-to-mid-range weapons and imitation products, with deep government connections but lacking innovation. Recent signs indicated that it was attempting an aggressive push into the high-end market.

Ten Rings Syndicate (suspected): Its activities were concentrated in the Middle East and Central Asia, with complicated weapons sources and a preference for older Stark models and Soviet equipment. Its recent activity frequency had risen abnormally...

His pen moved quickly, leaving behind cold, sharp characters. His mind operated at high speed, and the information retrieval and analysis skills of his former life as an office drone became twice as efficient under the enhancement of mental power. He built models in his mind, analyzed supply and demand, assessed risks, and predicted flashpoints, attempting to find possibilities hidden in the cracks of the gray zone that might contain clues to "Energy Crystals" or "system missions."

The class-break bell shattered the quiet. Xiang Yi closed his notebook and carefully tucked it into the hidden compartment of his backpack. He picked up his water bottle and headed for the dispenser at the back of the classroom. Several boys were chasing and roughhousing in the aisle, and one reckless figure was about to crash into him.

At the instant before contact, Xiang Yi's body seemed to possess a will of its own. His left foot silently drew back half a step, his center of gravity adjusted slightly, and he smoothly and naturally slipped aside like a swimming fish, avoiding the collision path. The boy brushed past him in a gust of wind and nearly slammed into the wall, drawing a burst of laughter.

Xiang Yi calmly filled his water bottle, as though he had merely stepped aside naturally. Only he knew that this was the subtle transformation of his body brought about by the basic meditation of the Returning to the Hidden Formula, as well as the initial manifestation of the system-granted basic body art at the level of neural reflexes. His strength was limited by his young body, but this fine degree of control was a precious reward brought by his increased mental power.

On the way home from school, the setting sun stretched his shadow long and thin. He deliberately slowed his pace, seemingly admiring the tender new buds along the roadside, while actually repeatedly breaking down the light-and-shadow figure from [Basic Body-Tempering Art: Star Scar] that had appeared in the system space the previous night.

The humanoid movements in the light projection looked simple—sink the shoulders and drop the elbows, hollow the chest and straighten the back, paired with a peculiar breathing rhythm that simulated the trajectories of the stars. Every movement required power to rise from the heels, pass through the spine, push upward segment by segment, gather at the fingertips or knuckles, then disperse back into the limbs and body. This was not merely exercise for the muscles. It tempered the tendons and bones, guided the faint sensation of "qi" within his body along specific routes, and strengthened his body's limit for bearing mental power.

As he walked, he matched the rise and fall of his steps with minute adjustments to the depth and rhythm of his breathing, feeling the subtle expansion and contraction of his chest and abdomen at a particular frequency. Strands of barely perceptible heat, like young snakes lying dormant, began to slowly move through the depths of his muscles and the gaps between his meridians. They were weak, but real. That filled him with anticipation for his training that night.

He pushed open the front door, and the fragrance of cooked food washed over him.

"Back already? You must be hungry. Go wash your hands and eat!" His mother, Lin Wan, leaned out of the kitchen in an apron, her smile warm. She hurried over and naturally reached out to help Xiang Yi take off his backpack.

Xiang Yi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly before relaxing. He obediently let her take it, quickly putting on a childish, spoiled smile. "Mom, I can carry it myself. It's not heavy!"

"Alright, alright, Little Yi is the best." Lin Wan smiled and ruffled his hair, her eyes full of affection and relief. "Go wash your hands. I made your favorite sweet-and-sour pork ribs today."

The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm. Xiang Haishan asked about the usual happenings at school, and Xiang Yi picked out a few lighthearted stories to answer, making his parents laugh happily. He ate quickly and efficiently, his cheeks stuffed full.

"Slow down. Don't choke." Lin Wan watched him wolf down his food, both pained and content. "After being sick, your appetite has improved, and you've become much more lively and sensible." Her tone was full of emotion. "I used to worry that you were too withdrawn. Seeing you like this now puts your mother at ease."

Xiang Yi's chewing paused almost imperceptibly, and a faint, hard-to-notice bitterness and guilt rose in his heart. His mother's relief was so genuine, yet beneath the carefully woven appearance of being "sensible" lay the soul of an adult and a system secret capable of overturning everything she knew. He swallowed his food, looked up, and gave her a dazzlingly bright smile. His voice was clear. "Mm! I'm better now! I'll be even more sensible from now on and protect you and Dad!"

After dinner, Xiang Yi returned to his room. The instant the door closed, the radiant smile on his face vanished like chalk writing wiped from a blackboard. He walked to his desk, but instead of immediately starting his homework, he closed his eyes and sank into the pale-blue system perception space.

Host: Xiang Yi

Age: 12

Mental Power: Abundant (110)

Energy Points: 50

Hero: Lanling King (Loyalty 120%, rested, awaiting orders)

Skill: Returning to the Hidden Formula · Beginner (Meditation Recovery +1.5/minute) | [Basic Body-Tempering Art: Star Scar] (Not Activated)

His gaze lingered on [Star Scar] for a moment before shifting to Lanling King's status. Rested and recovered, the loyal shadow assassin had fully regained his strength.

My lord. Lanling King's steady thought came through.

"Mm." Xiang Yi responded through his consciousness. "I need intelligence. Target: underground distribution channels in this city, especially trading locations involving antiques, special metals, and goods from abnormal sources. Keyword: 'Ghost Ward.'" He used the detailed outline as an entry point. "Also, keep an eye on Zhang Hao's father, Zhang Tianlin. Pay particular attention to any trace connected to The Hand."

As you command. Lanling King's voice was utterly calm, carrying absolute obedience. In the system perception, the light-and-shadow figure representing him shifted slightly, fading and vanishing like ink dropped into water. He merged into the shadows of reality and silently left the Xiang family home.

Xiang Yi opened his eyes and walked to the center of the room. He moved aside the desk and chair, clearing an open space for training. Taking a deep breath, he recalled every detail of the guiding light figure in the system space. His feet spread shoulder-width apart, toes turned slightly inward, knees slightly bent, shoulders sunk, elbows lowered, hands hanging at his sides—[Star Scar]'s opening stance, [Stars Hanging Over the Open Plain].

His mental power became intensely focused as he guided his breathing into a long, deep rhythm. When he inhaled, it seemed as though cool starlight poured in through the Baihui point atop his head; when he exhaled, turbid air flowed out through the Yongquan points beneath his feet. His mind remained firmly focused on his tailbone, imagining it as the source of power.

He began to move slowly. The movements were simple, even a little clumsy—his arms slowly rose before his chest as if embracing a round ball, then gradually pressed down to his lower abdomen. His waist and hips rotated slightly, and his center of gravity shifted from side to side. The first form: [Stars Shift and the Dipper Turns].

The movements looked simple, but they demanded an extremely high degree of bodily control. Every motion had to be precise, the breathing rhythm had to be perfectly synchronized with the rise and fall of the movements, and his mind had to constantly guide that faint sensation of qi through his body along a specific route. After only a few minutes, fine beads of sweat seeped across Xiang Yi's temples, and his breathing became heavy. The untrained muscles and tendons of his twelve-year-old body sent waves of soreness and strain through him. The sharp pain of overstretched immature ligaments was distinct, while his joints produced faint stiffness and popping sounds.

Sweat slid down from his temples and dripped onto the floor, spreading into dark circles. Xiang Yi gritted his teeth and struggled to maintain the accuracy of his movements and the focus of his mind. He could clearly feel that as the exercise continued, the faint warm current deep within his muscles grew more active, like a tiny stream washing through a clogged riverbed. It brought soreness, but also a strange sense of comfort. Yet that sensation of qi was as slippery as a loach. Under the interference of exhaustion and pain, the moment his mind wavered, it slipped away through his "fingers," dispersing into the depths of his aching muscles and forcing him to gather it again.

As he shifted his center of gravity and tried to complete a somewhat more complicated spinning movement, his supporting leg weakened slightly from muscle fatigue. His body instantly lost balance and toppled sideways!

"Ungh!" Xiang Yi let out a muffled grunt as he was about to fall!

The instant his body tilted past forty-five degrees, the shadow in the corner of the room shifted almost imperceptibly. A phantom too fast for the naked eye to catch appeared at his side in an instant. A palm covered in dark armguards swiftly and steadily supported his shoulder and arm, leaving only an afterimage behind. Its strength was precise and gentle, like catching a falling leaf, without stirring even the slightest ripple in the air.

It was Lanling King! He had not gone far.

Xiang Yi used the support to regain his footing, breathing heavily as his heart pounded. He looked at Lanling King, who had condensed from the shadows beside him. His face was hidden beneath the darkness of his hood, with only his eyes glimmering in the dim room with concern and loyalty.

"My lord, you..." Lanling King's voice carried a trace of worried disapproval, and the shadow beneath his hood seemed to dip slightly.

"I'm fine." Xiang Yi waved him off, interrupting him. His breathing had yet to settle, but his eyes were unusually bright. "I'm just not proficient yet." He pushed Lanling King's hand away, indicating that he was standing steady on his own. Lanling King silently stepped back, once again blending into the shadows in the corner, but Xiang Yi knew he was there.

This accident did not discourage Xiang Yi. Instead, it made him more clearly aware of his body's limits and the urgency of improving himself. He adjusted his breathing, resumed his stance, and began practicing [Stars Shift and the Dipper Turns] once more. His movements remained slow and clumsy, carrying the awkwardness unique to a young boy, but the determination and persistence within them far surpassed those of his peers.

Time passed amid silent sweat and repeated movements. The night beyond the window grew darker, and the lights of countless homes gradually went out.

"Knock, knock, knock." A soft rap sounded at the door, accompanied by Lin Wan's gentle voice. "Little Yi? Are you still studying? Mom warmed up some milk for you."

Xiang Yi immediately stopped moving, quickly wiped the sweat from his face, calmed his still-rapid breathing, and went to open the door.

Outside, Lin Wan held a steaming cup of milk and said with concern, "You're still working so hard this late? Take care of yourself. Don't tire yourself out." She entered the room and placed the milk on the desk. Her gaze fell on Xiang Yi's slightly flushed, sweaty face, then moved to the cleared training space behind him. Although he had stopped, the room still carried the lingering scent of exertion.

"Mom, I wasn't staying up doing problems." Xiang Yi wore an obedient smile, still carrying the excitement from exercising. "I just... well, I was following an online video and learning a simple fitness routine! It's pretty interesting. Moving around feels good, and I think it even improves my study efficiency!" He used "fitness routine" to explain both his actions and the cleared space.

Lin Wan looked at her energetic son, then at the workbook spread open on his desk, filled with neat solution steps. Her gaze lingered on the open space for a moment before she asked, "A fitness routine? What kind of routine needs this much room?" The suspicion in her tone gradually faded, replaced by relief.

Xiang Yi responded naturally, "It's just some stretches and basic movements. You need a bit of space to do them properly. It's really fun learning along with the videos!"

Lin Wan reached out and tidied the sweat-damp strands of hair on Xiang Yi's forehead. "Working out is a good thing, but don't overdo it. You're still young. Drink your milk and get some rest early."

"Mm! Got it! Thanks, Mom!" Xiang Yi nodded firmly and picked up the milk, warmth passing through the walls of the cup into his hands.

Lin Wan gave him a few more reminders before finally leaving with peace of mind, gently closing the door behind her.

The room fell quiet again. Xiang Yi took small sips of warm milk, the sweet liquid sliding down his throat and bringing warmth with it. He walked to the window and gazed at the scattered lights beneath the heavy night sky.

With a slight shift of consciousness, he could clearly sense the abundance of his mental power. His mind entered the meditative state of the Returning to the Hidden Formula, and the recovery speed was indeed slightly faster than before. The dual benefits of continuous cultivation and an increased limit were beginning to show.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the floor and closed his eyes. His mental power spread outward like invisible feelers. His perception range was farther and clearer than it had been the previous night. He could "see" the blurry, flickering images of the evening news playing on the television in the downstairs neighbor's home and "hear" the sounds of cars passing along more distant streets.

More importantly, there was his perception of his own body. Through inner sight with his mental power, he vaguely "saw" extremely tiny pale-white points of light, like fireflies, throughout his limbs and body. Accompanied by the lingering warmth left behind after training in [Star Scar], they were very slowly merging into his muscles and bones—these points of light were the remnants of pure energy that had settled in his body after absorbing the crystal the night before and had not been completely converted by the Returning to the Hidden Formula. Now, guided by the movements of [Star Scar] and the faint tremors of his muscles, they were like activated stardust, slowly but steadily nourishing his tendons, bones, skin, and flesh.

My lord. Lanling King's voice sounded again, interrupting his inner sight.

Xiang Yi's spirits lifted. "Speak."

Regarding 'Ghost Ward.' The rumors are true. It is located deep within the abandoned warehouse district at the old western docks. The precise area requires further confirmation. It opens at midnight every Friday. Entry requires a specific token—commonly a specially made copper coin, cast with a snake pattern on one side and the character 'Ghost' on the other—or an introduction from a regular customer. A low voice came from the shadows. According to accounts from lower-level informants—I listened to their mutterings and transactions in the humblest shadows of streets and alleys—its background is complicated. The local Black Serpent Gang is involved in maintaining order, while the deeper controllers remain unknown. There have been rumors that people traded untraceable antique artifacts there.

Lanling King continued: Regarding Zhang Tianlin. His transport company has recently made frequent trips between East Sea Port and this city. Customs records clearly do not match the actual goods in some warehouses. On the inner wrists of his personal bodyguards are tattoos of three snakes biting one another's tails, identical to Zhang Hao's. Last night, Zhang Tianlin secretly met three Asian men with mysterious movements and cold auras in a private room at his club. They are suspected to be mid-level members of The Hand.

The amount of information was enormous! Xiang Yi's thoughts raced. The entry rules for Ghost Ward, its connection to the Black Serpent Gang, concrete evidence of Zhang Tianlin's smuggling with The Hand... Especially those "untraceable antique artifacts"—they were highly likely to point toward the Kunlun Ancient Jade required for the system mission!

"Very good." Xiang Yi conveyed his approval through his consciousness. "Continue closely monitoring the details of Zhang Tianlin's contact with The Hand, especially the specific times, locations, and handoff methods for cargo transport. At the same time, identify a target carrying a Ghost Ward token who can be easily dealt with, and prepare an operational plan. Stay hidden. Safety comes first."

As you command! Lanling King's voice carried absolute resolve, then fell silent.

Xiang Yi opened his eyes. His dark pupils shone startlingly bright in the night. He spread open his black notebook and sharply wrote several key phrases onto a new page:

Ghost Ward - Friday - Token (Copper Coin) - Black Serpent Gang

Zhang Tianlin - The Hand - East Sea Port - Cargo Ship?

Energy Crystal - Ancient Jade - Ten Rings Pattern?

A clear course of action took shape in his mind. Obtain the token, infiltrate Ghost Ward, and find the ancient jade! The Zhang Tianlin lead was his breakthrough for removing the poisonous thorn at his side, gaining Energy Points, and striking at The Hand's outer network!

He checked the system status once more.

Energy Points: 50

Mental Power: Abundant (110)

Fifty Energy Points were still far from the three hundred needed to summon a second hero, Guiguzi. The trip to Ghost Ward was imperative! It was not only for the mission, but also to accumulate the initial capital needed to support his plans from the shadows!

He rose and walked to the window once more. The night was deep, and the city slept beneath his feet. Reflected in the glass was the thin, immature outline of a child, but deep within his pupils lay abyss-like calm and burning ambition. Within that body, not yet fully grown, a power capable of stirring this city and even broader shadows was taking shape.

Beneath the disguise of an academic prodigy, a secret network built on mental power and using summoned heroes as its reach was silently spreading.

The night was deep and still, and all sounds had fallen quiet. Every adjustment of his breathing, every difficult attempt of his mind to grasp that faint sensation of qi, every tremble of his aching muscles—each was silently tempering a blade pointed toward the future in the stillness of the night.