Chapter 6: Provocation
According to the theories researched by the martial arts world, one started practicing martial arts from a young age to build a foundation. From stance work to fist techniques and then to weapons, all the basics had to be learned once.
After students entered their third year of high school, the focus would first be placed on fist techniques.
Only after achieving Great Accomplishment in a Five Forms Fist technique, when their control over their body's muscles had greatly improved, could they cultivate weapons. This way, they could achieve twice the result with half the effort.
"Currently in Class 3, there are only five people who have reached Great Accomplishment in a Five Forms Fist technique: Yu Jing, Zhu Yuqi, Jiang Tao, Kang Feiyue, and Du Lin."
"From the looks of it now, this kid Lin Qi is also about to break through."
Wu Kang thought to himself. The more he looked at Lin Qi, the more of a pity he felt it was.
It was a pity that the other's family was poor. Although his talent was certainly good, it didn't reach the level of Jiang Tao, who was in the top 3 of the class.
Furthermore, he couldn't afford to buy various resources to increase his Qi and Blood like others could. His future was limited.
And there were quite a few students like this, who were neither at the top nor the bottom, every year.
It was a pity, but there was nothing he could do to help.
Wu Kang sighed.
...
As the end of class approached, most of the students had already finished their training.
Lin Qi carried his large water bottle and filled it with two full liters of drinking water from the water dispenser.
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!~
He took large mouthfuls, and finally wiped the sweat from his body.
"Martial arts practice consumes way too much water. But I can get drinking water for free, so it's worth it."
Lin Qi lamented. After finishing his fist practice, he was unbearably thirsty. Thankfully, the drinking water was free; otherwise, the daily cost of water alone would be a huge expense.
"The school is about to form an elite class. Many people in our class want to get in."
Wu Kang stood in the crowd and suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention.
Under their gazes, he revealed his white teeth and continued to explain:
"I've been at No. 2 High for 8 years, so I'm very clear about the selection criteria for the elite class."
"The college entrance examination is mainly divided into three parts. In order of importance, they are: Qi and Blood value, martial arts skill, and cultural studies."
"Among them, Qi and Blood value accounts for the largest proportion, with martial arts skill coming second!"
"So, if you want to get into the elite class, your Qi and Blood value and martial arts skill are very important. Your fist technique must be at the Great Accomplishment realm, which is the late stage of the First Order."
"In previous years, the minimum Qi and Blood value required was 6.0 or above."
The moment his voice fell, many people became restless.
"Great Accomplishment in a Five Forms Fist technique, and a Qi and Blood value of 6.0 or higher? Aren't these requirements a bit too high!"
"I was 13th in the class last semester, and my Qi and Blood value is only 5.4 now. In less than a week, where am I supposed to raise it by 0.6?" someone wailed.
"Last semester in our class, it seems only four people had a Qi and Blood value over 6."
"This requirement is indeed high."
"If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have slacked off during the summer vacation," someone said, filled with regret.
"Boss, with your Qi and Blood value of over 8.0, getting into the elite class is a sure thing."
In the distance, a handsome boy holding a battle saber heard his classmate's praise, raised his head, and the corners of his mouth curled up.
Lin Qi's brow furrowed. Getting into the elite class actually required a Qi and Blood value of 6.0.
If he hadn't awakened the Erlang Shen template and improved his talent, with his Qi and Blood value of 5.3 from yesterday, it would have been impossible to raise it to 6.0 within a week.
However, with his current Qi and Blood value of 5.6, he was still short by 0.4.
If he went all out for a few days, there was still hope.
...
In the classroom, the teacher was giving a lecture.
Lin Qi sat in his seat, a strong sense of hunger filling his mind.
So hungry!
"I ate so much this morning, how did it digest so quickly?"
Lin Qi suddenly thought of the notification on his panel.
[Your stomach function has been strengthened, digestive ability has been greatly enhanced...]
He clicked on this notification and continued to check it. In an instant, a large amount of information flooded his mind.
A moment later, he understood everything. His body was currently fusing with the talent and constantly transforming. Among these changes, his stomach function had been strengthened, and his digestive ability had greatly increased.
At the same time, his ability to absorb nutrients had also greatly increased.
Everyone's constitution was different, and so was their digestive ability.
A weaker person might only be able to absorb fifty to sixty percent, while a stronger person could digest more nutrients from food.
Now, Lin Qi had a top-tier digestive constitution and was able to absorb and digest over ninety percent of the nutrients from food.
Even with consumable resources, he would be able to perfectly absorb and digest their effects.
"Taozi, do you have any more Qi and Blood capsules?"
"Lend me a few!"
Lin Qi nudged Jiang Tao's shoulder and said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Tao's expression changed greatly. He reluctantly took out a silver foil packet from his backpack and squeezed out two red capsules.
Lin Qi smiled and teased, "Do you have to be so stingy? Would it kill you to give one more?"
This best friend of his was great in every way, except that he was exceptionally stingy.
He himself had learned many money-saving and frugal skills from the other.
"Didn't I learn it from you when we were kids?" Jiang Tao retorted with a smile.
Lin Qi was stunned. It seemed that was the case. Jiang Tao's family had once been well-off.
After his parents' sacrifice, he and his sister began to live a hard life. As a friend, Lin Qi had taught him many money-saving tricks.
As a result, after a few years, Jiang Tao had already surpassed his master, becoming even better than him.
He looked at the two red capsules in his hand.
Qi and Blood capsules could effectively replenish one's Qi and Blood.
They were the lowest-level martial arts cultivation resource, and their price was low enough that even poor families like his could afford them.
Gulp~
Lin Qi swallowed the two Qi and Blood capsules with some water.
Hooo~
A moment later, he felt the feeling of hunger gradually subside, and a warmth spread through his stomach.
...
The last class of the day.
The homeroom teacher, Yan Hong, glanced at the time and said to the drowsy students:
"There are still a few minutes left. Those who have filled out the application form can come up and hand it to me."
Rustle~
The atmosphere in the class went from quiet to restless.
Several students stood up from their desks one after another to submit their application forms.
"Qi-ge, let's go."
Jiang Tao took out his application form and patted Lin Qi's shoulder.
"Alright!"
Lin Qi nodded, and the two of them immediately stood up together and walked to the podium with their forms.
They happened to come face to face with a well-built boy with a stocky frame and a spiky hairstyle.
When he saw Lin Qi, his eyes suddenly flickered, and he grinned.
"Yo, Master of Basic Skills, you're here to make up the numbers too?"
Jiang Tao's expression changed, and Lin Qi's brows furrowed.
The gazes of the entire class focused on them. Many looked at the three of them with playful interest.
"Yang Lei, you're only hovering around 50th place in the grade. It's not a sure thing you'll get into the elite class. Maybe you're just here to make up the numbers too!"
Jiang Tao retorted with a cold smile. Lin Qi's expression remained indifferent.
Seeing this, Yang Lei didn't dare to respond. He patted Lin Qi's shoulder, feigning closeness, and said with a grin:
"I was just kidding. There's definitely no problem for Qi-ge to get into the elite class. My apologies."
"Qi-ge, sorry about that."
After speaking, he turned and left with a swagger.
Among the students, some were dismissive, some were enjoying the show, and some discussed in low voices:
"Yang Lei wasn't wrong. With Lin Qi's current results, he was only 101st last semester. The gap is too big. It's not wrong to say he's just making up the numbers."
"Did he get his feelings hurt by a single sentence?"
"..."
The sounds of discussion reached Lin Qi's ears, but his expression remained indifferent as he and Jiang Tao submitted their application forms.
Ring! Ring! Ring!~
"Class dismissed."
All the students headed out of the classroom and towards the cafeteria.
On the way, in the crowd, Jiang Tao comforted Lin Qi:
"That Yang Lei has a nasty mouth. Don't pay any attention to what he says."
Lin Qi nodded and said, "I understand. People like Yang Lei bully the weak and fear the strong. He only talks trash to those who are weaker than him."
"It's best to just ignore him."
"But, it's still because I'm not strong enough. See, he doesn't dare to provoke you."
"Qi-ge, I believe that with your talent, you can definitely get into the elite class."
"Qi-ge, your Tiger Form Fist isn't far from Great Accomplishment either. You just need to find a way to raise your Qi and Blood value," Jiang Tao suggested from the side.
Lin Qi gave a bitter smile:
"Qi and Blood value can't be achieved through hard work alone. It needs resources, it needs money."
"Let's eat first!"
After they spoke, a huge building appeared before their eyes—the cafeteria.
The cafeteria of No. 2 High was built next to the athletic field.
It was a huge, square, red two-story building that could accommodate several thousand people eating at the same time.
White steam drifted from above the cafeteria, and the aroma of food wafted towards them. Bustling students entered in an orderly fashion.
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao entered the cafeteria and queued up for food.
Beep!
"The total payment is 15 yuan."
After paying, Lin Qi carried his tray, which was piled high like a small mountain, found a seat, and sat down.
Jiang Tao, opposite him, was not to be outdone, with a small mountain of his own.
The two chatted as they ate.
"If we want to quickly increase our Qi and Blood value, we can't eat on the first floor anymore."
Jiang Tao looked at some students walking up to the second floor, his expression envious as he said:
"The cafeteria is divided into two floors. The food on the first floor is all ordinary food. The vegetables, meat, and rice used contain almost no Source Energy."
"The ones who come to eat here are students from other departments, as well as poor students like us..."
...
(End of this chapter)
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