According to theories from the Martial Arts Realm, one must build a foundation by practicing martial arts from a young age, learning all the fundamentals, from Pile Skills to Fist Techniques and finally to Weapons.

Once students become seniors, the initial focus is placed on Fist Techniques.

Only after achieving Great Success in the Five Elements Fist Technique, which drastically improves one’s control over their muscles, can they begin training with a Weapon. This ensures their efforts are twice as effective.

’Currently, in Class 3, only five students have reached the Great Success realm in the Five Elements Fist Technique: Yu Jing, Zhu Yuqi, Jiangtao, Kang Feiyue, and Du Lin.’

’From the looks of it, that kid Lin Qi is also about to have a breakthrough.’

Wu Kang thought to himself, and the more he watched Lin Qi, the more of a shame he felt it was.

’It’s a shame his family is so poor. While his Talent is certainly good, it’s not at the level of someone like Jiangtao, who’s in the top three of the class.’

’He can’t afford to buy various Cultivation Resources to raise his Qi and Blood like the others can, so his future prospects are limited.’

’And there are plenty of students like him stuck in the middle every year.’

’It’s a pity, but there’s nothing I can do to help.’

Wu Kang let out a sigh.

...

As class was about to end, most of the students had finished their training.

Lin Qi carried his large water jug to the dispenser and filled it with two full liters of drinking water.

GLUG GLUG GLUG~

He took big gulps, then wiped the sweat from his body.

’Martial arts training uses up so much water. But hey, the drinking water is free, so it’s totally worth it.’

Lin Qi mused to himself. He was always incredibly thirsty after practicing his fist techniques, so it was a good thing the drinking water was free. Otherwise, the cost would be massive every day.

"The school is about to form an Elite Class, and I know many of you want to get in."

Wu Kang stood among the students and suddenly spoke, drawing everyone’s attention.

Under their watchful eyes, he flashed a grin and continued to explain:

"I’ve been at No. 2 Middle School for eight years, so I’m very clear on the selection criteria for the Elite Class."

"The college entrance exam is mainly divided into three parts, ordered by importance: Qi and Blood Value, Martial Arts, and Academics."

"Of these, Qi and Blood Value carries the most weight, followed by Martial Arts!"

"So, if you want to get into the Elite Class, your Qi and Blood Value and your Martial Arts skill are extremely important. Your Fist Technique must reach the Great Success Realm, which is the late-stage of Tier One."

"In previous years, the minimum required Qi and Blood Value has been 6.0 or higher."

The moment he finished speaking, a stir went through the crowd.

"Great Success in the Five Elements Fist Technique and a Qi and Blood Value of 6.0 or higher? Aren’t those requirements a bit too high?!"

"I was ranked 13th in our class last semester, and my Qi and Blood Value is only 5.4 right now. With less than a week to go, how am I supposed to raise it by 0.6?" someone wailed.

"I think only four people in our class had a Qi and Blood Value over 6.0 last semester."

"Those requirements really are high."

"If I’d known, I wouldn’t have slacked off during summer break," someone said, filled with regret.

"Boss, with your Qi and Blood Value over 8.0, getting into the Elite Class is a sure thing for you."

In the distance, a handsome boy holding a Battle Saber heard his classmate’s praise, lifted his head, and curled his lips into a smirk.

Lin Qi’s brows furrowed. He needed a Qi and Blood Value of 6.0 to get into the Elite Class?

’If I hadn’t Awakened the Erlang God template and had my Talent enhanced, there’s no way I could’ve raised my Qi and Blood Value from yesterday’s 5.3 to 6.0 within a week.’

’But with my current Qi and Blood Value of 5.6, I’m still short by 0.4.’

’If I push myself hard for the next few days, there’s still a chance.’

...

In class, the teacher was giving a lecture.

Lin Qi sat at his desk, an intense hunger flooding his mind.

’So hungry!’

’I ate so much this morning, but I’ve already digested it all.’

Lin Qi suddenly remembered the notification on his panel.

[Your gastric functions have been enhanced. Your digestive ability has been greatly increased...]

He tapped on the notification to view the rest of it, and a flood of information instantly poured into his mind.

A moment later, he understood it all. As his body integrated the new Talent, it was undergoing a constant transformation. Part of this was the strengthening of his gastric functions, which had drastically improved his digestive ability.

At the same time, his ability to absorb nutrients had also increased significantly.

Everyone’s constitution and digestive abilities were different.

A weaker person might only absorb fifty to sixty percent of the nutrients from their food, while a stronger person could digest and absorb much more.

Lin Qi now possessed a top-level digestive constitution, allowing him to absorb over ninety percent of the nutrients from his food.

He could even perfectly absorb the effects of any resources he consumed.

"Taozi, do you have any more Qi and Blood Capsules?"

"Lend me a few!"

Lin Qi tapped Jiangtao’s shoulder and whispered.

Jiangtao’s expression changed at the request. He reluctantly pulled a silver blister pack from his bag and pushed out two red capsules.

Lin Qi teased with a smile, "Don’t be so stingy. Would it kill you to spare one more?"

’My best friend is great in every way, except for being abnormally stingy.’

’I actually learned a lot of my own money-saving and frugal skills from him.’

"I just learned it from you when we were kids," Jiangtao retorted with a smile.

Lin Qi had a moment of realization. That seemed right. Jiangtao’s family used to be quite well-off.

After his parents’ sacrifice, he and his sister started living a hard life. As his friend, Lin Qi had taught him quite a few money-saving tricks.

But after a few years, Jiangtao, the student, had surpassed the master, becoming even more frugal than him.

He looked at the two red capsules in his hand.

Qi and Blood Capsules could effectively replenish one’s Qi and Blood.

They were the most Low Level Martial Arts Cultivation Resources, cheap enough that even a poor family like his could afford them.

GULP~

Lin Qi washed down the two Qi and Blood Capsules with some water.

A moment later, he exhaled as the feeling of hunger gradually subsided, replaced by a warm sensation in his stomach.

...

「Final Period」

The homeroom teacher, Yan Hong, glanced at the time and addressed the drowsy students:

"There are just a few minutes left. Those who have filled out their application forms can bring them up to me."

RUSTLE~

The quiet atmosphere in the classroom instantly became restless.

Several students stood up one after another to submit their applications.

"Brother Qi, let’s go."

Jiangtao took out his application and patted Lin Qi’s shoulder.

"Alright!"

Lin Qi nodded. The two of them then stood up and walked toward the teacher’s desk with their forms.

Just then, a powerfully built boy with broad shoulders and spiky hair walked toward them.

When he saw Lin Qi, his eyes flickered, and he broke into a grin.

"Yo, Master of Basic Skills, you here to fill a spot too?"

Jiangtao’s expression changed, and Lin Qi frowned.

Everyone in the class turned to look, many of them watching the trio with amusement.

"Yang Lei, you’re just hovering around 50th in the grade. It’s not like you’re a shoo-in for the Elite Class. Maybe you’re the one just filling a spot!"

Jiangtao shot back with a cold smile, but Lin Qi’s expression remained calm.

Seeing this, Yang Lei didn’t dare to respond. He patted Lin Qi’s shoulder, feigning familiarity with a goofy grin.

"I was just kidding. Brother Qi will definitely get into the Elite Class, no problem. I apologize."

"Sorry, Brother Qi."

With that, he turned and swaggered away.

Among the students, some scoffed, some were just enjoying the show, and others began to discuss it in low voices:

"Yang Lei wasn’t wrong, though. Lin Qi’s results... he was only ranked 101st last semester. The gap is too big. Calling him a filler isn’t exactly incorrect."

"Did one comment really set him off that easily?"

"..."

The murmurs reached Lin Qi’s ears, but his expression remained impassive as he and Jiangtao submitted their application forms.

DRRRING~

Class was dismissed.

All the students poured out of the classroom and headed for the cafeteria.

On the way, amidst the crowd, Jiangtao tried to comfort Lin Qi:

"That guy Yang Lei just has a big mouth. Don’t pay any attention to what he said."

Lin Qi nodded. "I know. Guys like Yang Lei only bully the weak and fear the strong. He only trash-talks people he thinks are weaker than him."

"It’s best to just ignore him."

"Still, it’s because I’m not strong enough. See? He didn’t dare to provoke you."

"Brother Qi, I believe that with your Talent, you can definitely get into the Elite Class."

"Brother Qi, your Tiger Form Fist isn’t far from the Great Success realm either. You just need to find a way to raise your Qi and Blood Value," Jiangtao suggested from his side.

Lin Qi gave a bitter smile.

"Qi and Blood Value isn’t something you can raise through hard work alone. It requires resources, and that means money."

"Let’s get something to eat first!"

As he spoke, a massive building appeared before their eyes—the cafeteria.

The cafeteria of No. 2 Middle School was built next to the sports field.

It was a huge, square, two-story red building capable of seating several thousand people at once.

White steam drifted from the roof, and the aroma of food wafted over as bustling crowds of students filed inside in an orderly manner.

Lin Qi and Jiangtao entered the cafeteria and got in line for food.

BEEP!

"Total payment: 15 yuan."

After paying, Lin Qi carried his tray, which was piled high like a small mountain, and found a seat.

Jiangtao, sitting opposite him, was not to be outdone; his tray was also a small mountain of food.

The two chatted as they ate.

"If we want to raise our Qi and Blood Value quickly, we can’t eat on the first floor."

Jiangtao said with an envious expression as he watched some students head up to the second floor.

"The cafeteria has two floors. The food on the first floor is just Ordinary food. The vegetables, meat, and rice they use contain almost no Source Energy."

"The ones who eat here are students from the other tracks, and poor students like us..."

...