CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 45, 5 MINUTES 31 SECONDS

Zhou Leng took Xu Qingjin to the entrance of the residential area, and then went with Hu Yi and Feng Wenhao to the barbecue place they used to visit, eating skewers and chatting together.

In the end, Hu Yi couldn’t hold it back and talked about his situation.

Before the college entrance examination, a small incident happened at home, and the money intended for buying pills went to pay off debts instead.

He didn’t do well in the exam, so he tore up the acceptance letter and planned to work long-term at Pioneer Company.

However, due to repeated interference from the deputy team leader Jiang Yan, he couldn’t bear it anymore, cursed at Jiang Yan, and quit.

Now, he is working as a waiter at a nightclub, doing odd jobs for a while and slowly finding another job.

After he finished speaking, Zhou Leng and Feng Wenhao were at a loss for words.

Feng Wenhao sighed and said, "Neither Zhou Leng nor I have much social experience, not sure how to help you, but I still suggest you find a stable job."

To their surprise, Hu Yi laughed and said, "Actually, I figured it out recently, and I’ve come clean with my parents, just lying flat."

"Well..." Zhou Leng and Feng Wenhao exchanged glances.

Hu Yi said, "Anyway, I suddenly realized, since it’s all about being a workhorse, might as well retire right after graduation, do some odd jobs, just don’t starve. If things get too tough, I’ll go to Demon City and fill the trenches with my life, it’s better than my parents working hard all their lives and getting nothing."

The two tried to persuade him for a long time, but Hu Yi maintained a smile throughout.

Finally, Hu Yi mocked himself and said, "I won’t just lie flat, I want to enjoy, lying flat and watching the fun is so comfortable. I know you mean well, but really, no need to persuade me. Retiring 50 years early, enjoy early, I’m already planning to buy a fishing rod."

Zhou Leng sighed and said, "Alright, we won’t persuade you anymore. But, I suggest you learn some basic skills to, at the very least, ensure survival, like getting a driver’s license. I don’t have much money, but if you need money for driving lessons, just come to me."

"Okay!"

Zhou Leng looked at Hu Yi and said, "If you ever need anything, as long as we can help, don’t hesitate to ask. No need to feel embarrassed."

Feng Wenhao said, "I can’t compare to Zhou Leng, but advancing to the Blood Transporting Period or even the Body Refining Stage shouldn’t be a problem. Zhou Leng will soon advance to the Blood Transporting Period, he’s a small expert, can’t handle big things but definitely can handle small ones."

"Okay!" Hu Yi laughed.

Things got lighter after the conversation.

Deep into the night, Hu Yi and Feng Wenhao got completely drunk, while Zhou Leng stayed clear-headed, paid the bill, and took them home.

Zhou Leng, smelling of alcohol, walked back under the Frost Giant Tree.

Huang sniffed him and barked at Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng flopped on Huang, rubbing its head, and said, "Your life is just full of worries."

Huang squinted its eyes, puffing its face angrily at Zhou Leng.

After a good sleep, Zhou Leng checked the time.

01:37.

Zhou Leng leaning on the Frost Giant Tree, lazily sat down, habitually opened the Demonized Watch.

No signal.

Huang lay belly up, snoring loudly, showing its pink-white belly.

Zhou Leng took out his backpack and counted his pills.

The Qi Nourishing Pills and Marching Pills were all consumed.

With the intense military training over the past few days, combined with practicing the first form of the Establishing Image Chapter twice, he consumed quite a few Great Nourishing Pills.

Due to ranking rewards constantly received, there are still 32 pills remaining, worth thirty-two thousand.

Zhou Leng meticulously calculated.

"Every time practicing the Ten Reversed Beast Fist, you must take a Great Nourishing Pill, or it will leave damage on the body."

"Regular school training can be supplemented with the canteen’s meat, but occasionally for high-intensity training, you need to eat at least one pill a day."

"According to the instructor, do not stop the Meat Herbal Cuisine, its value is second only to the first three Replenishing Essence Pills."

"A daily serving of Meat Herbal Cuisine costs a thousand a day, thirty thousand a month, until you save enough for the third Replenishing Essence Pill, you can’t afford it daily."

Thinking about this, Zhou Leng took out the Replenishing Essence Pill given by Principal Lu.

The second one.

Zhou Leng got up and went for a jog, then performed exercises, and after warming up, swallowed the Replenishing Essence Pill.

This time after swallowing the Replenishing Essence Pill, it didn’t expel waste as it did last time.

Just a thin layer of oil appeared on the surface of the skin, as if not having showered for days on a hot summer.

Zhou Leng checked the time, still early, so he proceeded with an energy observation.

There wasn’t a noticeable change in True Qi, but under the National Divine Techniques "Martial Arts Perception," his body seemed more refined compared to before.

Like rough gravel turning into fine sea sand.

The damage to the body was further repaired.

"No wonder they’re called Replenishing Essence Pills..."

Zhou Leng got up, jogged a bit, then began full efforts in Qi manipulation running.

True Qi exhausted, he looked down at the time.

minutes and 31 seconds.

The last test performed before the martial arts exam on the school playground was 3 minutes and 9 seconds.

For the Qi Nourishing Period, managing to run with Qi manipulation for 5 minutes is quite a threshold, that’s the basic level for Qi Nourishing Perfection.

minutes and 30 seconds would be the maximum for Qi Nourishing Perfection.

Zhou Leng, although in the Great Success Tenth Layer Heaven, is just a step away from Qi Nourishing Perfection.

Feeling his body in good condition, he first practiced some punches, then cultivation, completely exhausted his strength, and picked up the second Golden Page, learning the Divine Text representing the Establishing Image Chapter.

Only the image of the first form appeared in his mind.

Feeling his body condition, he first took a nap, then began the Establishing Image Chapter practice.

He leaned forward, his back arched, and arms one up and one down like an elephant.

A vision of the Establishing Image Chapter appeared in front, running True Qi along the route noted in the image.

Once, twice, thrice through the cycle...

The nineteenth cycle.

His body shook, expertly placing a Great Nourishing Pill into his mouth.

Lying on the ground, face up.

Previously, with the first form of Establishing Image Chapter, he could only perform eighteen cycles.

Now, capable of nineteen.

Monday morning, in the Martial Arts Dojo of Class 01, there was a lively discussion.

"Who do you think will take first in the practical competition?"

"Definitely Xu Kang’an, in the same Blood Transporting Period, others’ purple color barely shows, whereas veins show sharply purple on him."

"Is Zhou Leng possible?"

"For Zhou Leng to win, there are two conditions."

"Which two conditions?"

"First, the opponent he meets initially, fights him with a swift resolution, doesn’t consume his True Qi."

"Second, he still has True Qi by the finals."

"Yeah, Zhou Leng’s True Qi amount is a drawback."

"Therefore, Zhou Leng can surely make it to the top eight, and then due to lack of True Qi, fall short in the top-four match."

"He should aim for first in the monthly exam after entering the Blood Transporting Period."

Zhou Leng ate five rounds of breakfast in the cafeteria, then leisurely made his way to the Martial Arts Dojo of Class 01, and waited under the willow tree nearby.

Checking the message sent by Instructor Deng Zhijue, he realized he was five minutes early.

Before long, Deng Zhijue dressed in camouflage came by.

"Good morning, Instructor," greeted Zhou Leng.

Deng Zhijue nodded and asked, "How did you rest?"

"Very well."

"This time I’ve called you over to talk about scholarships and subsidies. Let’s first discuss the scholarship..."

Deng Zhijue recapped the scholarship information told to Wang Boxiong, and advised Zhou Leng on some details.

Zhou Leng listened carefully, noting certain contents on the Demonized Watch.

Deng Zhijue continued, "Besides that, there’s also a civilian subsidy. Do you have any research in the areas of pills, martial arts, demonized items, Ten Realms knowledge, or Divine Texts? Preferably the kind that could earn a qualification certificate, anyway just choose what you’re best at."