https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-2-Breakthrough-in-Harmony-Stance/13499605/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-4-Template-Erlang-Deity-Yang-Jian/13499607/
Chapter 3: Physical Limits
Chapter 3: Physical Limits (Please Follow for Updates)
“Qi, you’ve broken through again? You really are a genius!”
The speaker was a tall, broad-shouldered boy with tanned skin and striking features.
“Don’t exaggerate. I just got lucky breaking through. I’m nowhere near your level.”
Lin Qi chuckled, shaking his head. He knew his talent wasn’t exceptional at Second High—a top-tier school—just average among the upper ranks.
His best friend, Jiang Tao, nicknamed “Old Black” and “Part-Timer,” was the real prodigy. They’d grown up together, attending the same elementary and middle schools, and would likely end up at the same university.
Jiang Tao’s parents had died when he was young, leaving him to raise his younger sister alone. They survived on government aid while he worked grueling part-time jobs to support them. Despite his hardships, he consistently ranked in the top three of their class and top fifteen in the grade.
Parentless, raising a sibling, brilliant, and handsome—Jiang Tao had all the makings of a protagonist.
Jiang Tao leaned closer, watching Wu Kang walk away. “No Virtue never demonstrates during martial arts class—just lectures. He makes everyone watch you instead.”
“He’s just lazy,” Jiang Tao scoffed.
Lin Qi smiled faintly. “Teacher Wu’s teaching skills are solid. He’s among the top martial arts instructors at Second High. Just listening to his lectures is incredibly helpful.”
“Our class maintaining top-three martial arts scores in the grade proves that.”
“Fair point,” Jiang Tao admitted.
…
“Ding ling ling!!”
The shrill bell signaled the end of the one-hour martial arts class.
“Class dismissed!”
Wu Kang’s thunderous voice boomed, and the students relaxed.
Lin Qi stood, surprised at how quickly time had passed. His Vital Energy Stat had broken through on the first day of school—a promising start.
He glanced at the status panel hovering in his vision:
[Template: None (99.8% + 0.1%)]
“Template progress is at 99.9% now. It’ll hit 100% today for sure.”
Lin Qi’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. He wanted nothing more than to train another hour and max it out.
Suddenly, a calm voice cut through his thoughts:
“Your body has reached its physical limit from prolonged training. Pushing further will break it completely.”
“You should seek treatment.”
Wu Kang had walked past him, delivering the warning before leaving.
Lin Qi’s heart sank. The joy on his face faded instantly. He clenched his fists.
Had his body truly hit its limit? No wonder he’d felt unusually exhausted lately, his muscles aching constantly. The status panel’s progress had distracted him from the pain.
“So my body’s finally at its breaking point…”
He understood why. Years of relentless training had drained him. Without resources for proper recovery, his body had deteriorated.
Recovery wasn’t impossible—professional massages or hospital treatments could help. But both options were expensive. Even the cheapest sessions cost hundreds, requiring multiple visits totaling thousands.
With only 66 yuan left in his pocket, Lin Qi felt the weight of reality.
Jiang Tao approached, holding a shirt. “That No Virtue bolted the second class ended. Doesn’t want to waste a second of his time.”
“Other teachers stay to help students after class. He barely gives us pointers.”
He turned to Lin Qi. “Let’s shower and head back to class.”
“Yeah.”
Lin Qi took a deep breath, adjusting his mindset before grabbing his towel.
…
The third-year, third-class classroom at Second High was brisk despite the cold wind. Slogans plastered the walls:
“Fight through one spring and autumn, battle for a lifetime without regrets!”
“Don’t live like a beaten dog—fight like a wild jackal!”
The class gathered for their homeroom session. Their homeroom teacher, Yan Hong, in her early thirties, stood in a crisp black blazer, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
“You’re in your final year now—the most critical one. This year decides whether you’ll crawl or soar.”
“You chose martial arts and came to Second High. Your goal is to enter a top Martial Arts University.”
“Second High has a 70% acceptance rate for martial artists. Out of 500 seniors, only 350 get in. The rest become nobodies.”
“Martial artists don’t get second chances. Fail, and you’ll either switch careers, join the military, or become a street-level fighter.”
“Without a Martial Arts University diploma, you’ll be cannon fodder against Disaster Beasts—working yourself to death while earning less than others make in an hour.”
“The gap between lives opens in your senior year.”
She gestured to the data overlay screen displaying their semester grades.
The room tensed. Many paled—those at the bottom of the rankings knew they were expendable.
The screen updated:
[1st: Yu Jing]
[2nd: Zhu Yuqi]
[3rd: Jiang Tao]
…
[10th: Lin Qi]
Lin Qi stared at his name—barely scraping into the top ten of their class, ranking 101st in the grade.
Jiang Tao, third in class, had always been a top-tier talent.
Lin Qi clenched his fist. Despite equal poverty, Jiang Tao’s efficiency dwarfed his own.
“Another announcement,” Yan Hong said, switching the screen to a new table.
“Each year, we form an Elite Class from the top 50 students. They’ll receive our best instructors and resources.”
“Applications are available at my desk. A test in a week will determine eligibility—focus on martial arts, Vital Energy Stats, and fist techniques.”
The class erupted.
“Elite Class again! Best instructors, top 50 students—it’s a dream!”
“Li Shaodong, stop daydreaming. You’re 90th in grade—you’ve got no shot,” someone teased.
Li Shaodong groaned. “We’ve got six in the top 50: Yu Jing, Zhu Yuqi, Jiang Tao, Kang Feiyue, Du Lin, Yang Lei. The top five are safe, maybe top eight. The rest are just fillers.”
…
“Check your phone, Qi,” Jiang Tao nudged.
Lin Qi pulled out his phone to a Weixun notification:
[You received 3,000 Xia Kingdom Currency from “Taozi”!]
“This is your part-time pay. I added 1,000 extra,” Jiang Tao said casually.
Lin Qi frowned. “Wasn’t it 2,000?”
“I heard what No Virtue said. Use this to recover. We’re getting into Elite Class together.”
Lin Qi’s chest tightened. Jiang Tao’s family wasn’t rich either, yet he gave without hesitation.
“Thanks,” Lin Qi muttered, swallowing his gratitude.
…
The evening bell rang. Students scattered.
Lin Qi cycled home, the wind biting his sore muscles.
“My body’s truly at its limit. This fatigue won’t leave me—it’s even affecting class.”
He sighed.
Minutes later, he entered his dimly lit apartment.
His father, Lin Zhen, sat with a frail woman—his mother, Fang Huiyi.
“Mom!” Lin Qi rushed in.
Fang Huiyi smiled weakly. “I’m healed now. Don’t worry.”
“She’s still weak. Needs rest,” Lin Zhen added.
“You’re back early?” Fang Huiyi asked.
“I wanted to see you.”
After chatting briefly, Lin Qi retreated to his room.
The fan whirred as he stared at his phone—3,000 yuan. His body ached, but his mind raced.
“Mom’s treatments drain us. Dad works nonstop just to keep up. No money left for my resources.”
He clenched his fists.
The status panel glowed:
[Template: None (99.9%)]
One percent left.
He pocketed his cracked antique phone and stepped into the footprints on the floor—beginning the Harmony Stance.
…
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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