He was drenched in sweat, his Martial Arts Uniform soaked through and clinging tightly to his body.

Steam rose from his entire body as waves of heat surged into his limbs and bones. A continuous stream of power welled up, accompanied by a tingling numbness.

His body was undergoing a profound transformation.

The fatigue throughout his body was rapidly dissipating.

’My Template Fusion Degree broke through 2%. My Talent has gotten stronger again, helping my Tiger Form Fist achieve a breakthrough.’

’My Comprehension was the first thing to strengthen, and my body is transforming too. By tomorrow, the efficiency of my Flesh Refining will increase even more.’

Lin Qi clenched his fists. The emergent power was intoxicating. He then looked at the various stats on his panel.

Now, his Tiger Form Fist had broken through to Great Success. The only thing left was his Qi and Blood Value.

’There’s still one day until the test. I can definitely get my Qi and Blood Value past 6.0.’

Lin Qi thought to himself. Seeing that only a few people were left in the Martial Arts Classroom, he also packed his things and prepared to go home.

「One hour later」

Lin Family residence, Apartment 4-301.

In the bathroom, Lin Qi stood at the sink when his throat suddenly twitched.

"PTOO—"

He opened his mouth and spewed out a mass of blackish-red fluid that splattered into the sink, reeking of a foul stench.

’This is the stagnant blood from inside my body. It all built up and was expelled in one go.’

Looking at the dark blood, Lin Qi recognized what it was.

Those who practiced Martial Arts would, to some extent, always have hidden injuries or stagnant blood within their bodies.

The wealthy would go to the hospital for regular treatment, but ordinary people who had no money could only let it be.

That was the case for Lin Qi. Even knowing his body was being overloaded, he continued to train desperately.

’All the superficial wounds on my body have healed, and the stagnant blood has been forced out.’

Lin Qi took a look and found that all the remaining bruises on his body had completely faded, and some of his scrapes had already scabbed over.

Waves of power flooded his body. He felt refreshed and clear-headed, and the fatigue in his muscles vanished.

’Could it be that increasing the Fusion Degree not only boosts my Talent, but also heals my injuries and cleanses my body?’

Lin Qi guessed, feeling he was pretty much spot on.

This effect was truly powerful. It saved him the time and money for muscle relaxation and recovery treatments, which was perfect for a poor person like him.

All that was left was to wait for the test.

Lin Qi’s gaze grew resolute.

...

Martial Arts Calendar, Year 2045, September 7th!

Time flew by, and a week had passed.

The students of Tianhai No. 2 Middle School were about to have their weekly quiz.

"The weekly quiz is a tradition at our No. 2 Middle School. Every week, we test the students’ Martial Arts progress."

"For ordinary students, it’s just a normal test. But for us, it’s the key to getting into the Elite Class."

Someone said to the students around them. All sorts of sounds filled the air: people practicing their fists, brandishing spears and swords...

In Class 3’s Martial Arts Classroom, it wasn’t even 6 a.m., but dozens of people had already arrived and started training.

"Brother Lei, how are your preparations coming along?"

Yang Lei, dressed in a Martial Arts Uniform, stood with his hands on his hips, chatting confidently with a few people beside him.

"But of course. I, Yang Lei, will definitely get into the Elite Class. Just you watch."

Yang Lei basked in the admiring gazes of his classmates, speaking with great confidence as he simultaneously glanced over at Lin Qi.

Meanwhile, Lin Qi was alone in a corner, practicing his stance as if no one else was there, drenched in sweat.

Time passed slowly.

"DRRRING!"

As the class bell rang, Wu Kang’s figure appeared punctually at the doorway. He held a thermos, quietly observing everyone.

Following behind him were two male teachers, acting as proctors.

"Today is the quiz!"

Wu Kang strode in. His single sentence silenced the entire class, and a tense atmosphere enveloped every corner of the Martial Arts Classroom.

"Two of you, carry the Punch Force Tester to the center. A few others, set up the timer."

Wu Kang directed two students to carry a huge, square, black machine to the middle of the classroom.

In its center was a red Punching Target, and on top of the machine was an electronic screen.

A few other students nearby set up four pillar-like devices to form a 20-meter track. When turned on, the pillars emitted infrared beams.

This was the speed tester.

The surrounding students gradually gathered around. Lin Qi had just finished his stance training and joined the crowd, and Jiangtao sidled up to him as well.

"Our No. 2 Middle School still uses this old-fashioned method of calculating Qi and Blood Value from Fist Power and speed."

"I heard No. 1 Middle School is already using new testing equipment. They can just scan your body to calculate your Qi and Blood Value."

Someone muttered under their breath, and many others nodded in agreement.

Lin Qi nodded as well. Qi and Blood Value represented a person’s Qi Blood intensity, Life Strength, bio-magnetic field...

It was difficult to measure accurately with instruments, so it could only be calculated using a grand-model formula based on qualities like Fist Power and speed. The accuracy rate was as high as ninety percent.

But he was different. With his data panel, he could check his Qi and Blood Value at any time.

"I’ll call out names according to student ID number. When your name is called, come up and test."

Wu Kang stood in front of the Punch Force Tester, holding a tablet, and called out the first student’s name.

"Zhou Ping!"

"Here!"

The first one was an ordinary-looking boy with a few pimples on his face.

He clenched his fist and walked forward. Under everyone’s gaze, his Qi Blood surged, and he threw a sudden punch.

"BAM BAM!!"

His fist struck the Punching Target like a bullet.

As the Punching Target shook violently, a string of numbers appeared on the electronic screen—"512kg!"

"Only 512kg!"

Wu Kang shook his head when he saw the result.

"Zhou Ping, the vacation is over, and your Fist Power has increased by less than 30 kilograms. What have you been doing for the past two months?"

Hearing this, Zhou Ping’s face flushed red with shame.

"Next, test your speed!"

Zhou Ping went to the starting point of the track, an infrared beam in front of him.

"WHOOSH—"

Like a gust of wind, Zhou Ping shot forward like a runaway horse.

"DING!"

In the span of a breath, the machine chimed. He had already crossed the finish line.

The electronic screen at the finish line lit up with a number—"11m/s!"

Wu Kang shook his head. "Next!"

Zhou Ping lowered his head and quickly returned to the crowd.

"Fist Power of 500kg, speed of 12m/s... his Qi and Blood Value is probably around 5.1. No chance of getting into the Elite Class."

In the Martial Arts Era, Source Energy poured out from spatial rifts, and the world’s plants and animals all underwent changes.

Humans ate Disaster Beast Flesh and absorbed Source Energy, which optimized their constitutions and greatly improved their physical fitness.

Even high school students had Fist Power that surpassed that of boxing champions like Tyson from the previous era.

"Wang Feng!"

"Li Shaodong!"

"..."

One by one, the students whose names were called began testing their Fist Power and speed.

"Fist Power of 605kg, speed of 14m/s! My Qi and Blood Value is definitely over 6.0."

"Looks like the Qi and Blood Pills I took this week and all my hard work didn’t go to waste."

The round-faced Li Shaodong burst out laughing.

"What? Li Shaodong improved that fast?" someone exclaimed, finding it outrageous.

Lin Qi’s heart skipped a beat. ’Li Shaodong, who’s ranked ninth in the class, actually improved so quickly?’

"Brother Qi, a lot of people in our class have been frantically taking all sorts of resources this week to boost their Qi and Blood Value."

"Taking two Qi and Blood Capsules before the test to make your Qi Blood boil so you can perform better... it’s an open secret."

Jiangtao whispered a reminder from the side.

Lin Qi nodded. He planned to do the same thing later. His principles were flexible; if it could get him a better score, why not do it?

...

"Fist Power: 645kg. Speed: 14.3m/s."

"Yang Lei is amazing!"

"Those are some strong numbers. His Qi and Blood Value is definitely over 6.0. He’s a shoo-in for the Elite Class."

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted.

Yang Lei held his head high, walking smugly off the track and shooting a provocative glance at Lin Qi.

"Lin Qi!"

Wu Kang called his name.

Jiangtao said from the side, "Brother Qi, show them what you’ve got."

Lin Qi nodded and stepped out from the crowd. Many people looked on with curiosity.

...