Wang Zhan almost got his eyes dazzled, but it didn't do any good; despite a long wait, he didn't hear a peep from his brain. Not a single increase, not even a notification.
"System? Why aren't the attributes increasing?"
Wang Zhan silently mused, probing with his inquiry.
"Are you dreaming? If this could increase attributes, wouldn't you become the Human Peak in minutes? You call this combat? Do you think I'm stupid or are you stupid?"
For once, the System responded, although in text. But Wang Zhan could feel its strong disdain.
Meanwhile, Wang Zhan started to understand. In this world, there really are no shortcuts. Over the afternoon, Wang Zhan essentially figured out some things. First, at the same level of power, anyone weaker than oneself cannot provide attribute value; second, these shortcuts can't earn attributes. In other words, only combat—and real combat—can earn attributes.
Looks like I have no choice but to fight! Looking at Wang Qi's helpless expression, Wang Zhan suddenly felt angry! The opportunity to gain attributes can't be missed. Rarely is there such a powerhouse at home. It can be confirmed he is at least not in danger. Such risk-free opportunities to gain attributes are scarce. Today must be seized well, otherwise, when Wang Qi goes to school, there won't be such a good chance.
"Are you going to get up?" Wang Qi looked down, a cold expression on his face. In an extremely calm tone, he said, "If you don't get up, I'll make you lie here till the College Entrance Examination!"
"Get up it is, afraid of you?" Wang Zhan sprang up in a move called the carp jump, standing upright.
Just as his mother, Yang Cui, came out of the kitchen with a dish. Wang Zhan moved, swinging his fist towards Wang Qi. But intended to punch squarely at Wang Qi's face, it veered off course.
And then, he ended up sprawling on the floor like a dog. However, to Wang Zhan's delight, there came a notification in his mind: Agility +7...
…
"Making trouble as soon as you get home. I must be cursed for eight generations to have given birth to you two. Why on earth did I fancy your deadbeat dad back then? Hurry over and eat! This is the level 5 beast meat your sister was rewarded with by her school. She even begrudges eating it, what's wrong with her hitting you a few times?" A woman, about forty, with yellow, big wave curls came out of the kitchen; her flip-flops and flowery pants swishing with a somewhat fierce air.
Wang Zhan felt a bit moved, this is family; he hadn't seen his father. When he was young, his mother, Yang Cui, lied to him, saying his father was watching him from the sky. Little Zhan must strive and be strong; later, Wang Zhan discovered it was merely from a cartoon plot.
His mother was fierce, daring to sweep a knife through the entire E11 district. His sister was tough, able to fight with boys to protect him when he was young. Previously, Wang Zhan did not understand, but later he did. All the fierceness, toughness, was solely to protect themselves and family from harm, nothing more. Because they also didn't have the power to harm others, nor would they. So, with the growth of age, unknowingly, he, Wang Zhan, had now also become what others call a mad man.
"Little Zhan Zhan, do you know why the outer perimeter of Chu State City consists of twenty- or thirty-story buildings, with only a meter or two between them? Do you know why houses in the slum area have three or four iron doors?" Yang Cui asked, looking at Wang Zhan.
Without waiting for Wang Zhan to respond, next to him, Wang Qi, as though reminiscing, said in a low voice, "15 years ago during the Beast Tide, it shattered the light screen barrier! Rushed up the thirty-four-meter city wall. At that time, the entire outer slum area became the new city wall. Remember that year, Uncle Wiell, Uncle Xiao died in the Beast Tide."
Beast Tide!
Wang Zhan's memory was somewhat vague, almost nonexistent. After all, he was only two years old then. But Wang Zhan could imagine, when beasts from the wilderness crossed the city wall and shattered the light screen. Those seemingly tedious iron doors became the last reliance of the slum area.
"This is extremely precious level 5 beast meat, eat more, you're about to graduate." Although Wang Qi was tough, at this moment, she was continuously adding meat to Wang Zhan's bowl.
Containing rich spiritual energy and essence, beast meat, even if only level 5, let alone Wang Zhan, is extremely precious even for Martial Artists like Wang Qi at level 5. It can enhance martial arts cultivation.
After eating two pieces, Wang Zhan lost all interest. He could clearly feel the essence of the meat being swiftly absorbed, his strength also growing. But this growth was not apparent. Moreover, this couldn't compare to the comfort from combat. In just one short afternoon, he was already transforming from a complete weakling into the dazzling star of No. 33 Middle School. Why bother eating meat? Combat is mainstream!
"I'm full! I'm going out." Wang Zhan quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks. Then swiftly opened the complex door and escaped before his mother and Wang Qi could react. This is why Wang Zhan's agility outstrips his strength.
"Mom!" Wang Qi felt somewhat resentful.
Yang Cui looked at her daughter, who resembled her greatly, both in appearance and character. Yang Cui sighed: "Never mind. Being an ordinary person isn't bad. Although there won't be much achievement, at least it won't be like your deadbeat dad, died without even seeing his corpse."
"You too!" At this point, Yang Cui's brow twitched as she scolded, "You little brat, remember this. After you graduate, if you really join the army, don't stupidly charge forward. What the hell does being a slave have to do with me? All I want is for you two siblings to be good. Just be good!"
...
In District E11, on the Eighth Floor Street Rooftop. It wasn't as dirty and messy as imagined. Instead, there were structures similar to city battlements. Below the three to four meter high battlements, rows of houses had their doors tightly locked. Seals were pasted on the doors, with solemn words written on them — War Preparedness Materials.
With a leap, Wang Zhan soared two to three meters into the air, even scaring himself. He was careless. The rapid increase in attributes made it difficult to control his body perfectly. He needed some time to adapt.
According to the Federation's Martial Arts Education System, no specific teaching is arranged before the age of eighteen, except for those with martial artist heritage in their families.
Of course, in the Federation's hundred-year history, this policy has resulted in an unavoidable fact — class stratification.
Simply put, children from martial artist families usually undergo basic training from a young age, like running, boxing practice, strength training, etc. These help enhance strength, neural reaction speed, and endurance. By their teens, top noble families, especially those with ancestors who were Grandmasters, Martial Kings, or even stronger, have a deep background in martial arts techniques. At this time, they would begin the cultivation of martial arts techniques and skills.
Ordinary families can hire martial artists or go to martial arts schools for early learning.
But what about poor families without background or foundation? They can only follow the routine. According to the school's schedule, they run and train, honing the basics in the most superficial way. But how many with real talent are there? Naturally, only a few.
In the past, it was hard to escape from being a farmer; now, it's even harder to become a martial artist!
After a session of running, push-ups, sit-ups. A thousand in each set, set after set completed by Wang Zhan in just an hour. Yet he could clearly feel a more perfect control over his strength and body.
Once again leaping high, this time there was no sense of losing control. Instead, he elegantly landed on top of the battlement.
Then, he sat down. As the lights came on, several kilometers away, luxurious skyscrapers stood out vividly. Under the dark light screen, the projection created an illusory sky full of dazzling stars, with a crescent moon rising high. This was the world beneath the light screen. Everything seemed so illusory, so unreal.
Facing the city wall, he could see past a few slum buildings, and outside was the wilderness. On the exterior side of every building, there were incredibly sharp metal spikes. Although it was unclear how effective these were for defense, they served as a psychological comfort.
Dangling his legs, Wang Zhan began to plan for his future. Wang Qi made a valid point. The College Entrance Examination was approaching. Why did Wang Qi provide the precious meat of a level 5 beast?
Wang Zhan could imagine that the cost for Wang Qi must have been considerable. For someone who's just a fifth-level martial artist and only a third-year cadet at Chu State Military Academy, it wasn't easy to procure. Clearly, his sister had her concerns.
One thing was absolutely certain — the path of becoming a martial artist. There was no question about it. In this era, martial artists were the backbone. And he had to become a Martial Master or above, or else he'd still be living in the slums. Then, he needed to quickly improve his strength. His sister was an excellent sparring partner. At least he didn't have to worry about life danger when gaining attributes from her. But with other martial artists or beasts from the wilderness, that was not guaranteed.
"What are you thinking about?" A gentle breeze brushed by, and Wang Qi was already sitting next to Wang Zhan.
Wang Qi's short and neat hair didn't diminish her charm. Instead, her heroic and elegant demeanor added a unique aura to her.
Seeing Wang Qi sit down, Wang Zhan immediately flipped onto the rooftop and wiggled his fingers at Wang Qi, saying, "Nothing, just want to have a fight with you!"
"A fight? With me?" Wang Qi seemed to hear a joke, pointing at herself, looking at Wang Zhan with a face full of confusion, and said disdainfully, "I say, Wang Zhan, did you eat bear's heart and leopard's gall today? Who gave you the courage? Have you ever won against me since childhood?"
"Enough with the nonsense!" Wang Zhan immediately interrupted, "Afraid? The Boss Wang doesn't need to eat bear's gall. The Boss Wang is just this tough. Before, I was letting you win. Today, I'll show you my prowess."
"Are you sure?" Wang Qi glanced at her brother and said, "What madness is this? Got dumped by a female classmate?"
Wang Zhan glanced once, then stopped speaking. With a sprint, his entire body rose into the air, kicking towards Wang Qi.