Chapter 249: Transformation
Chapter 249: Transformation
After the call ended, Chen Chuan reflected on the platform's evaluation of this teacher, Wu Bei. Although the rating wasn't exceptionally high, it wasn't too low either, making it average.
He opened the materials sent by Wu Bei and took a look. It was a technique called "Void Training," which, according to the introduction, involved a combination of specific still postures and both internal and external stimulation with the aid of drugs.
This didn't seem particularly extraordinary; most combat techniques had similar foundations. But there was an additional note stating that learning this technique would make mastering any other combat technique easier and more efficient.
It wasn't just an introduction; it also provided an example of a still posture, suggesting that students who understood it could try it out.
Chen Chuan took a look. It was a very peculiar posture. One foot was placed behind the other, the body bent downward and backward, then stretched forward with effort, while both hands curved upward along the body.
It was as if the entire person had been twisted into a spiral, a posture that didn't seem possible for a normal person to achieve.
He read further into the theory behind the technique and found it somewhat intriguing.
According to Wu Bei, practicing this Void Training technique stimulated the nerves and brain, promoting the growth of altered tissue, allowing fighters to experience some benefits of the third limit while still in the second limit, thus enhancing their learning speed.
Upon reading this, Chen Chuan lost interest.
What he needed was a solid foundation and overall improvement, not this kind of accelerated growth that felt like pulling up seedlings to help them grow faster. While it might not be considered as advancing at the expense of the future, it wasn't what he required.
However, while this technique might not be necessary for him, it could be valuable to others. If it were genuinely effective, there was no reason for such a low evaluation.
So, he searched further and immediately understood. The over three hundred students Wu Bei mentioned weren't all from Wu Yi Academy.
Just as there were numerous martial arts schools in Yangzhi City that accepted students, the same was true in Central City. Many people here also learned combat techniques.
The Mystic Palace Tower primarily trained its internal students, offering only a basic course to outsiders, mainly catering to security personnel from various companies and the upper-middle class. The lower-class demand for combat techniques was filled by these schools.
Apart from these two options, there were also private tutors. Those with some financial means would hire combat instructors for personal lessons or group training for small groups.
Many of Wu Bei's students came from such private tutoring. While they had numerous evaluations, they couldn't compare to Wu Yi students in terms of quality. The more evaluations he had, the lower his perceived status might become.
Recommended students wouldn't consider learning the same techniques as those from lower tiers. They had better options.
Most ordinary people indeed struggled to make significant progress, as the majority didn't receive training from a young age and rarely developed altered tissue.
These people were practical. After a few years of training, they would opt for a second-hand or third-hand implant, gaining basic combat capabilities.
It was inevitable. Ordinary people had limitations, and no matter how hard they trained, they couldn't surpass those with implants. Even years of dedicated training couldn't match the effects of a simple drug injection.
After careful consideration, Chen Chuan politely replied to Wu Bei, expressing his gratitude but declining the technique as unsuitable for him.
After sending the message, he left the room and, guided by the boundary token, found a telegraph station in the tower. He sent a telegraph to He Xiaoxing, inquiring about the Furnace Breath Method and if there were complementary usage methods. If so, he asked if he could learn it.
Returning to the dormitory, Chen Chuan picked up the upper jawbone from his desk, sat on a cushion, and placed the bone beside her, ready to cultivate the Furnace Breath Method.
This artifact required direct contact to produce its invasive effect, making cultivation slightly inconvenient. Still, he preferred this method, remembering that it could affect the boundary token. This might impact the bio-field, and if this influence leaked out, it might prevent him from bringing it with him.
At this moment, in a narrow, dimly lit room, Wu Bei lay motionless on the sofa, the curtains tightly drawn. As he stared at the boundary token, a reply appeared, and he immediately stood up to read it. But after reading, his expression twisted, and he growled, "You refused? You actually refused?!"
After this suppressed roar, he quickly calmed down, his face expressionless. "You shouldn't have refused."
In the evening, after a day of cultivation, Chen Chuan washed up and began browsing the news.
In Central City, unlike Yangzhi City, he didn't need to rely on broadcasts. With the boundary token, he could access news from various locations, although public news underwent some filtering.
However, Wu Bei had given him an edge-zone account, allowing him to see events from every corner of the city, greatly broadening his horizons.
As he browsed, a contact flashed, showing a swaying willow tree. On the riverbank, a figure sat facing the river, a desk with open scrolls before them.
This was Teacher Wu.
He hesitated for a moment before choosing to answer, asking, "Is this Teacher Wu? Is there something you need?"
Teacher Wu’s slightly low voice came through, "Chen Chuan, I want to talk to you about your studies."
Chen Chuan replied honestly, "Teacher Wu, thank you for your consideration, but I have my own thoughts. I don’t need to learn the technique you recommended for now. Thank you, Teacher."
Teacher Wu said, "No, I’m not talking about that. I just want to have a face-to-face talk with you. There are some things you should know." He spoke earnestly, "I promise, no matter what the outcome, I won’t bother you again in the future. Chen Chuan, can we meet?"
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, "Now?"
Teacher Wu said, "If it’s convenient for you, you can come to the Jin Wei Beverage Shop on the southeast side of Mystic Palace Tower. I’ll be waiting for you there."
Chen Chuan found the place on his Boundary Token. It was only a kilometer from the academy, so it wouldn’t take long to get there. He said, "Alright, I’ll be there soon."
He changed his clothes and left the room, taking the elevator downstairs. Following the route on his Boundary Token, he arrived directly at the beverage shop. At this time, there weren’t many customers. He glanced around and found the man sitting at a table, looking directly at him.
This was a man with a slightly melancholic gaze and deep forehead wrinkles. He looked to be in his late thirties, dressed neatly, but his style seemed a bit outdated compared to those around him. From his eyes, he seemed to be a gentle person.
Chen Chuan walked over, and Teacher Wu stood up, extending his hand for a handshake, smiling, "Hello, Chen Chuan. Please sit down. The hot drinks here are quite good. I often come here, and you should try one."
Meeting in person, his voice was more magnetic than it sounded over the Boundary Token, and it was very pleasant to listen to.
After shaking hands and greeting him, Chen Chuan sat down. They chatted briefly before he asked, "Teacher Wu, what is it you need to tell me?"
Teacher Wu smiled and said, "Chen Chuan, it seems you’re a person who values efficiency, so I won’t waste your time." He became more serious, "Chen Chuan, how much do you know about the Headquarters? In recent years, Wu Yi Academy has been changing its internal management methods. Are you aware of this?"
"Changing internal management methods?"
Teacher Wu nodded, "It seems you’re not aware. Let me explain briefly. Three years ago, Vice President Tan took office and started to actively push for these changes, addressing some of the lingering issues in the academy. Currently, he is trying to create star students and actively encouraging students to participate in the arena combat tournaments organized by the academy."
Chen Chuan raised an eyebrow and said, "Arena combat tournaments? Will the students agree to it?"
After all, most students at the Headquarters are recommended students, with backgrounds and wealth. Those who can enter the Headquarters are usually top students from the branches, trained to be managers and enforcers. How could they possibly go on stage to compete with others?
Teacher Wu said, "Of course, the original students wouldn’t agree. So, about three years ago, Vice President Tan selected a batch of talented and gifted students from various martial academies and recognized them as external students of Wu Yi Academy. They are the ones participating in the arena combat tournaments promoted and organized by the academy."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "I remember that arena combat tournaments have always existed nationwide, and many second-class students from the branches find their way through these tournaments. It doesn’t seem particularly special."
Teacher Wu shook his head, "It’s different. Those tournaments are mainly outside the Central City and have little influence on it. The unique aspect of the current arena combat tournament is..."
He paused, then slowly continued, "Every student participating in the arena combat tournament is implanted with implants produced by major companies. This has gained the support of these companies, and the citizens also welcome it."
Chen Chuan understood as he listened.
The arena combat tournaments with implanted combatants were distinctly different from those outside the Central City, making them highly attractive to the general public.
Moreover, this not only served as advertising for the major companies’ products but also utilized the students’ bodies as test subjects for these products.
Perhaps once this trend takes off, other places will gradually add implants to their arena combat tournaments, which would be something the major companies would be very happy to see.
After thinking about it, he asked, "Why did you specifically tell me all this, Teacher Wu?" Since it’s about external students, it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with him.
Teacher Wu said earnestly, "I’m telling you this because it might affect you."
Chen Chuan raised an eyebrow, "Affect me?"
Teacher Wu looked at him and slowly said, "You should know that you are one of the rare civilian students in recent years, not a recommended student. Yet, you are a formal student of the Headquarters, with no significant background. If you were to be implanted and participate in the arena, wouldn’t you be more attractive than those students who joined halfway through?"
...
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(End of Chapter)
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