Chapter 6: Provocation

According to the theories studied in the martial arts world, one must start training from a young age to build a solid foundation. This begins with stance exercises, progresses to fist techniques, and finally to weapons mastery, ensuring every fundamental aspect is thoroughly learned.

When students reach their senior year, the focus shifts primarily to fist techniques. Only after mastering the Five-Form Fist style, which significantly enhances muscle control throughout the body, can one begin training with weapons, thereby achieving twice the result with half the effort.

"Currently, in Class 3, only five students have fully mastered the Five-Form Fist: Yu Jing, Zhu Yuqi, Jiang Tao, Kang Feiyue, and Du Lin," one voice announced.

"Judging by now, Lin Qi is about to break through as well," another added.

Wu Kang mulled this over silently, feeling increasingly regretful about Lin Qi. It was a pity that although Lin Qi’s talent was decent, his impoverished family background meant he couldn’t reach the top three standards like Jiang Tao in the class. Nor could he afford the resources to boost his vitality like others; his future was limited. Many students found themselves stuck in this middle ground each year. Unfortunately, Wu Kang felt powerless to help.

He sighed deeply.

As the class neared its end, most students had finished their training. Lin Qi carried a heavy bucket and filled it with two liters of drinking water from the dispenser.

Glugging it down in large gulps, he then wiped the sweat from his body.

“Training consumes so much water, but at least the drinking water is free—worth it,” Lin Qi remarked, feeling parched after the session. Without free water, daily expenses alone would be overwhelming.

“The school is about to form an elite class, and quite a few from our class want to join,” Wu Kang suddenly spoke from the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention.

Smiling, he continued, “I’ve been at Second High School for eight years and know the elite class selection criteria well. The college entrance exam mainly divides into three areas, ranked by importance: vitality, martial skill, and academics. Vitality counts the most, followed by martial skill.”

“To enter the elite class, one must have a fully mastered fist technique—meaning late first stage—and a vitality score of at least 6.0,” he declared.

The moment he said this, a stir ran through the crowd.

“Mastery of the Five-Form Fist and vitality above 6.0? That’s such a high bar!” one student groaned.

“I was ranked 13th last semester with only 5.4 vitality. How am I supposed to raise it by 0.6 in less than a week?” another lamented.

“Only four in our class broke 6.0 vitality last semester,” someone observed.

“Such a tough requirement,” another muttered. “If only I hadn’t slacked off during summer break.”

“Boss, with your vitality over 8.0, making the elite class is a sure thing,” praised a handsome boy wielding a battle knife, grinning confidently.

Lin Qi frowned. To qualify for the elite class, a vitality of 6.0 was required. Without awakening the Erlang God template to enhance his talent, his 5.3 vitality from yesterday made it impossible to reach 6.0 in a week. But now, with a vitality of 5.6, he was only 0.4 short. With a few days of effort, hope remained.

...

In class, the teacher lectured as Lin Qi sat in his seat, a fierce hunger gnawing at his mind.

So hungry!

“I ate so much this morning, yet it was digested so quickly,” he thought.

Suddenly, he recalled a notification on his status panel.

[Your stomach function has been enhanced, significantly improving digestion…]

Opening the prompt, a flood of information poured into his mind. Moments later, everything became clear: his body was merging with his innate talent, constantly evolving. His stomach function had been strengthened, and his digestion and nutrient absorption greatly improved.

Everyone’s constitution varied, affecting digestion. Weak individuals might absorb only fifty to sixty percent of nutrients, while strong ones could digest much more. Lin Qi now possessed a top-tier digestive system, capable of absorbing over ninety percent of nutrients from food. Even when consuming resources, he could maximize their effects perfectly.

“Taozi, do you still have any vitality capsules?” Lin Qi nudged Jiang Tao’s shoulder, whispering.

Jiang Tao’s expression changed drastically. Reluctantly, he pulled out a silver pill case from his backpack and dispensed two red capsules.

Lin Qi rolled his eyes. “Do you have to be so stingy? Would it kill you to give me one more?”

His best friend was great in many ways but notoriously tightfisted. In fact, many of Lin Qi’s frugal habits were learned from Jiang Tao.

“Not really, I learned it from you when we were kids,” Jiang Tao retorted.

Lin Qi suddenly remembered—it was true. Jiang Tao’s family had been well-off before his parents’ sacrifice. Since then, he and his sister had struggled, and as a friend, Lin Qi had taught him many money-saving tricks. Over the years, Jiang Tao had surpassed his teacher.

Holding the two red capsules—vitality capsules that effectively replenish vitality—Lin Qi swallowed them with water.

Within moments, his hunger began to subside, and his stomach felt warm.

...

During the last class, homeroom teacher Yan Hong glanced at the clock and addressed the drowsy students:

“Only a few minutes left. Those who have completed their application forms can come up and submit them.”

A ripple of excitement spread through the class as several students stood up to hand in their forms.

“Qi Ge, let’s go,” Jiang Tao said, handing Lin Qi his form.

“Alright,” Lin Qi nodded, and the two rose together, walking to the front.

At that moment, a burly boy with a tiger-like broad back and a spiked hairstyle approached. Upon seeing Lin Qi, his eyes flickered, and he grinned broadly:

“Yo, Master of Basics, you’re just here to fill the numbers?”

Jiang Tao’s face darkened, and Lin Qi frowned. All eyes turned to them, many watching the confrontation with amusement.

“Yang Lei, you hover around 50th in the grade. You’re not guaranteed elite class entry yourself—maybe you’re just filling the quota!” Jiang Tao retorted coldly.

Seeing this, Yang Lei dared not respond. Instead, he patted Lin Qi’s shoulder, feigning friendliness with a smile:

“Just joking. Qi Ge, you’ll definitely make the elite class. Sorry about that.”

“Qi Ge, sorry,” he added, then turned and walked away with flair.

Some students sneered, others found it entertaining, while a few whispered:

“Yang Lei’s not wrong. Lin Qi was ranked 101st last semester—far from elite. Calling him a filler isn’t inaccurate.”

“Did a single comment really break his defense?”

“...”

Lin Qi heard the chatter but remained calm. He and Jiang Tao submitted their applications.

“Ding ding ding—Class dismissed.”

All the students poured out of the classroom, heading toward the cafeteria.

On the way, Jiang Tao comforted Lin Qi:

“Yang Lei’s just a loudmouth. Don’t take his words to heart.”

Lin Qi nodded. “I know. People like him only pick on the weak. He won’t dare provoke you.”

“Just ignore him.”

“Still, it’s because I’m not strong enough. Look, he didn’t dare challenge you.”

“Qi Ge, I believe with your talent, you’ll definitely get into the elite class,” Jiang Tao encouraged.

“Qi Ge, your Tiger-Form Fist is close to mastery—you just need to find a way to boost your vitality,” he advised.

Lin Qi smiled wryly.

“Vitality isn’t something you can raise by effort alone. It requires resources and money.”

“Let’s eat first!”

They arrived at the massive building—the cafeteria of Second High School. Situated next to the sports field, it was a huge two-story red brick structure, capable of seating thousands simultaneously. White steam rose from its roof, and the aroma of food wafted through the air as bustling students filed inside.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao queued for their meals.

“Beep!”

“Total: 15 yuan.”

After paying, Lin Qi carried a tray piled high with food and found a seat, with Jiang Tao’s equally hefty tray opposite him. They ate while chatting.

“If we want to raise our vitality quickly, we shouldn’t eat on the first floor anymore,” Jiang Tao said, watching some students head upstairs with envy.

“The cafeteria has two levels. The food on the first floor is ordinary—vegetables, meat, and rice contain almost no source energy.”

“Those who eat downstairs are mostly students from other departments or poor students like us...”