Five Hearts Facing Heaven Method

Before long, Chen Jian led Xiao Yang back from the room where they had tested his reaction speed to the training hall.

An instructor handed Chen Jian a contract he had prepared earlier and said enviously,

"You lucky old bastard. You stumbled across a genius like him."

Chen Jian took the contract and said with a smug grin,

"If you're so capable, go find a genius like Xiao Yang yourself."

"Now get going. My nephew and I have things to discuss."

The instructor said nothing more and left.

Once he was gone, Chen Jian grew serious.

He placed the contract in front of Xiao Yang.

"This is the application agreement for the Martial Artist Combat Assessment."

"You could also call it a liability waiver."

"Every year, people get hurt during the Martial Artist Combat Assessment. Some are disabled or even killed."

"So think carefully about whether you want to take part."

Without hesitating, Xiao Yang took the contract and signed his name.

"Uncle Chen, I made up my mind before I came."

Looking at the signed contract Xiao Yang handed back, Chen Jian sighed.

"Ah..."

"Since you've made your decision, come see me a few times over the next month."

"I'll teach you how to handle the low-level monsters in the Combat Assessment."

"And I'll see what you can do in a real fight."

At that, Xiao Yang glanced instinctively at Chen Jian's severed arm.

Chen Jian caught his look and laughed as he scolded him.

"What, you think a disabled man can't teach a great genius like you?"

"I'm a Warlord, you know."

"Even with one hand and my strength brought down to your level, I could still give you a beating."

As he spoke, Chen Jian's voice grew quieter.

"The death rate in the Martial Artist Combat Assessment is low, but plenty of people suffer lasting injuries. You must be careful."

"And that's only the beginning."

"When you venture into the Wilderness Area, you'll face far more dangers."

"It's much worse than the Martial Artist Combat Assessment."

"Look at my arm. An Advanced Beast Warlord-level Four-Tailed Demon Cat bit it off."

"Forget it. Enough about that."

"There's one more important thing."

Chen Jian set the contract on the table and walked over to a keyboard.

He tapped a few keys, and a huge transparent screen appeared on the training hall wall.

An article appeared on the screen.

Gene Origin Energy Cultivation Method

Xiao Yang's eyes lit up when he saw it.

This was the key to whether his game character could level up!

Martial Warriors were so powerful because of Genetic Origin Energy.

Through ordinary exercise alone, reaching a strength of over a thousand kilograms would already be impressive.

But by cultivating Genetic Origin Energy and using it to nourish the body, a person could gain the strength of tens or even hundreds of thousands of kilograms!

Once Genetic Origin Energy entered the body, it could also improve one's physique.

It strengthened the body's defenses as well.

"You should know what this is."

"This is the only Genetic Origin Energy Cultivation Method on Earth—the Five Hearts Facing Heaven Method."

"As for the Guidance Technique, you'll have to become a Martial Warrior next month before you can obtain it."

"With your talent, you should receive a substantial starting fund when you sign a contract with the Ultimate Martial Arts Hall or another organization."

"Memorize the method. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me."

Xiao Yang nodded and began committing the Five Hearts Facing Heaven Method to memory.

It was not complicated. After all, it was the most basic cultivation method.

He soon had it memorized.

Chen Jian asked him a few questions.

Once he was sure Xiao Yang knew it thoroughly, he shared some insights from his own practice of the Five Hearts Facing Heaven Method.

He also described what he had felt and experienced when he first succeeded.

These were basic matters to a Martial Warrior.

But to a Quasi-Martial Warrior like Xiao Yang, they were valuable.

Without a Martial Warrior he knew to guide him, he would have had to figure it out on his own.

Xiao Yang soon memorized everything Chen Jian told him.

"All right. I can tell you're eager to go home and try it."

"Go on, then."

"Once you pass the Martial Artist Combat Assessment next month, I'll treat you to a feast to celebrate."

Chen Jian smiled at Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang had no intention of staying longer.

"Okay. Thank you, Uncle Chen."

"I'll head back and give it a try."

"If there's anything you don't understand once you're home, call me anytime."

"And remember to come spar with me often this month. You need to prepare for the Combat Assessment."

Before Xiao Yang left, Chen Jian gave him a few more reminders.

Xiao Yang listened patiently before leaving.

Chen Jian had been good to him. Xiao Yang resolved to grow stronger as quickly as possible, then buy him a bottle of Water of Life to restore his severed arm.

After saying goodbye to Chen Jian, Xiao Yang returned to his villa.

He hurried straight to the underground training room.

Xiao Yang sat cross-legged in the center of the room. Rather than start practicing the Five Hearts Facing Heaven Method at once, he first calmed his mind.

According to Chen Jian, the most important thing when practicing the method for the first time was to remain calm—ideally, to clear his mind of all distractions.

Xiao Yang let his stray thoughts fade until he was thinking of nothing at all.

Then he assumed the proper posture and tried to sense the Cosmic Energy around him.

One minute...

Two minutes...

Five minutes...

Ten minutes...

Time slipped by little by little.

Xiao Yang did not move.

After an unknown length of time, he gradually felt faint wisps of energy enter his body through the soles of his feet, the palms of his hands, and the Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head.

The energy entered very slowly.

Suppressing his excitement, Xiao Yang followed Chen Jian's advice and focused his awareness as fully as possible on his "five hearts."

Sure enough, the rate at which his five hearts absorbed Cosmic Energy instantly increased a hundredfold!

The next moment, Xiao Yang shuddered. A blissful sensation that seemed to rise from the depths of his soul swept through his body.

His cells hungrily absorbed the Cosmic Energy.

Changes began throughout Xiao Yang's body.

He continued absorbing the Cosmic Energy around him.

Only when his cells were completely "full" did he slowly wake.

He discovered it was already evening.

Xiao Yang had spent nearly ten hours in the training room!

Though he had missed lunch and dinner, he did not feel hungry.

He had no idea when he had begun to sense the Cosmic Energy.

Xiao Yang stood and stretched.

Eager to see the result, he walked over to the testing machine.

He switched it on and punched it.

Bang!

1766 kg—