Cosmic-Level Demon God-Chapter 31 - 28: Introspection, Red and White Colors

Where does that fragrance come from?

Qin Shi really wanted to scratch his head. He didn’t even have time to take a shower before heading out today, and wash off the sweat from last night’s tendon-burning pain.

"Qin, you really care about your image, huh? Did you spray some cologne? Got a new girlfriend lately?"

Brother Zhang spoke with a sour tone, deliberately sniffing.

He was just standing here alone, why didn’t Teacher Lin give him a look?

"I use a 3-in-1 body wash, can’t afford cologne. By the way, Brother Zhang, you covered for me yesterday, let me treat you to a meal in a bit."

Qin Shi quickly changed the subject to avoid becoming a target for his male colleagues at the Youth Palace.

Being a temporary worker, just earning a meal, there’s no need for palace intrigue just to win favor.

He knew very well that sometimes men can be just as dramatic as women once they get competitive.

"Teacher Lin, would you like to join us?"

Qin Shi added, also creating an opportunity for Brother Zhang to repay the favor for covering his shift yesterday!

Lin Yunqing adjusted her glasses, gently shaking her head:

"No, thanks. I’m just here to meet Assistant Instructor Qin. Let’s draft a course schedule in the afternoon to prepare for the new classes."

"Got it, Teacher Lin."

After brief courtesies, Qin Shi watched Lin Yunqing leave.

His eyes flickered. Teacher Lin had a tall figure, but a very slender waist, walking like a willow branch swaying in the wind, looking unstable but actually steady.

"To be a proper teacher at the Youth Palace, her Life Energy Level shouldn’t be low."

After the tendon-burning, Qin Shi’s five senses seemed sharper than before, vaguely catching other people’s breath fluctuations.

Normal people’s breathing frequency isn’t too stable and can be easily disrupted, but those who’ve developed their Life Force are different.

Their physical qualities improve significantly through high-intensity training, and if they’ve practiced New Martial or Old Martial, the internal and external transformation becomes even more apparent.

"Beautiful, isn’t she? Teacher Lin’s waist and legs are really killer..."

Brother Zhang laughed lecherously on the side.

Indeed, killer, literally!

Qin Shi had no interest in such unhealthy conversations, quickly using the excuse of needing to pee.

As for Brother Zhang wanting to switch positions with him to woo the beautiful teacher...

That’s not up to him to decide.

"Teacher Lin is so young, teaching martial arts at the Youth Palace, probably to gain grassroots experience for her resume.

Brother Zhang likely doesn’t stand a chance. How could a peacock fancy a barn chicken?"

Qin Shi thought to himself, deciding to continue playing the harmless obedient student role.

For the benefit of free meals at the cafeteria and a not-too-busy weekly job.

He must do well as an assistant instructor!

...

...

"In the New Martial-favored Tai’an Metropolitan Area, there’s actually an Old Martial prodigy emerging, and at the Youth Palace?"

Lin Yunqing returned to the second-floor office building, her fair fingers skillfully twirling a pen, making a whirring sound.

She was sure the faint smell on Assistant Instructor Qin was the result of a secret medicine used for personal refinement, a Mortal Body transformation "scent."

And this violent and intense method, apart from those Old Martial lunatics, no one else would use it.

"Which Barrier challenge is he facing?"

Lin Yunqing’s eyes flickered with curiosity.

"The most difficult Divine Barrier? The most aggressive Force Barrier? Or the most time-consuming Qi Barrier?

At his age, it’s most likely the Bone Barrier or Tendon Barrier.

The former is painful, the latter torturous, one called ’Dismantling the Skeleton,’ the other ’Burning Flesh.’ Neither is easy to overcome."

The long-haired female teacher squinted her eyes, suddenly finding this "internship" arranged by the Martial Arts Association not so boring.

"A rare Old Martial junior, possibly a genius from some dojo.

If I use the superior New Martial curriculum to break the Dao Heart of a promising Old Martial junior and make him switch allegiances, it would be very amusing, wouldn’t it?"

The demure and elegant-looking Lin Yunqing curved her red lips slightly, suddenly bubbling with excitement.

This might be fun!

...

...

At sunset, Qin Shi walked out of the cafeteria, satisfied. He had flaunted his ability to down five portions of nutritional meals, astonishing the cafeteria lady serving the food.

Accomplishing his first notable act since his arrival!

"Qin, after all this, you’re treating us to cafeteria food?"

Brother Zhang said unhappily while picking his teeth:

"You’re too slick."

Qin Shi laughed:

"I’m tight on money waiting for payday, next time for sure. Speaking of which, in the Youth Palace, there’s no one better suited for Teacher Lin than you, Brother Zhang, so young and handsome, and a university graduate."

Brother Zhang felt pleased to hear this, smoothing his slick, side-parted hair:

"Well said! But old Zheng is stubborn, he didn’t agree to switch positions. Qin, you need to help me out, be my wingman more often!"

Qin Shi vaguely agreed:

"I haven’t dated much, don’t know these things. Besides, with your charm, Brother Zhang, you don’t need my help."

The two chatted a bit before going their separate ways.

Watching Brother Zhang drive off in his second-hand Santata car, then looking at Lin Yunqing’s Hanhai Conqueror, Qin Shi’s mouth twitched:

"In my past life, it would be like a second-hand Alto owner chasing a Porsche-driving rich beauty, quite the gap."

Beep!

The black beast-like Hanhai Conqueror screeched to a halt by the roadside.

The window rolled down, revealing Lin Yunqing’s delicate face:

"Assistant Instructor Qin, where do you live? If it’s on the way, I can give you a lift."

Teacher Lin seemed quite friendly.

Qin Shi directly said:

"No need, I live in the Old Factory Street area, too far from the urban circle."

Lin Yunqing looked surprised:

"Old Factory Street... Assistant Instructor Qin, you’re working very hard. I heard from Teacher Zheng that you study at the New No. 1 High School."

Qin Shi smiled shyly, acknowledging it.

There’s a big difference between Tai’an Metropolitan Area and Old Town District’s Old Factory Street, like between a town and a city.

To settle in the latter, besides working hard, you also need to meet various conditions to gain residency.

This was Dongxia’s initial policy for New Star development, dividing residential areas based on "citizen contribution," providing different welfare benefits accordingly.

Students from Old Factory Street attending public schools in the urban circle must pay extra "school choice" or "study transfer" fees.

If Qin Shi hadn’t gotten into the special honors class, this fee would be unavoidable.

As for other public healthcare and subsidies, they’re also based on citizenship status.

Old Factory Street workers’ children only have basic compulsory education and job training.

"I’m quite interested in the history of Dangyang East Suburb. Next time you’re free, Assistant Instructor Qin, could you be my guide?"

Lin Yunqing’s tone was warm, like a close elder sister.

"Sure, no problem. I’ll give Teacher Lin an 80% discount."

Qin Shi readily agreed, then added:

"Here comes the bus, see you next week, Teacher Lin."

With that, he turned abruptly and rushed, aiming to get a prime seat by the window on the crowded rush hour bus.

"80% discount? This kid, he’s actually going to charge me!"

Lin Yunqing was momentarily stunned, then understood, her gentle persona disappearing as she clenched her small fists tightly:

"Don’t let me catch you, or I’ll make you experience the power of New Martial’s Military Boxing!"

...

...

At 8:20, Qin Shi returned to the shack. After a busy day, he could finally rest for a bit.

There was rice and meat left by his youngest sibling, Qin Lan, warming on the stove, ready to eat.

He had already feasted at the Youth Palace cafeteria, replenishing his energy, so he wasn’t hungry.

Entering the small bedroom, sitting on the bed, a translucent black frame suddenly appeared.

[Anchor Point: Qin Shi]

[Growth Stage: Embryonic]

[Progress: 0.009%]

[Monument Number: Deep Sleep (Intermediate), Muscle Memory (Basic Level), Overgrowth (Basic Level)]

[Skills: Combat Retrospect]

"Even after eating so much today, there’s no indication of any food intake reminder, proving that meeting the ’eating’ or ’foraging’ needs for [Overgrowth] isn’t easy."

Qin Shi felt slightly disappointed, shifting his attention to another achievement.

[Basic Level Achievement - Muscle Memory (98%)]

"Old Liang’s Golden Ambrosia Burned Tendons nearly exhausted me multiple times, almost maxing out the progress in one go."

He glanced outside; it wasn’t nine yet, no need to rush to the Midnight Imperial Palace.

He decided to continue Capturing Qi Sensitivity, maintaining his training intensity.

"Use breathing to mobilize that Qi, guiding the heat flow through the limbs..."

Having completed the first tendon-burning limit break, Qin Shi didn’t need to stand still to activate his body.

Sitting cross-legged, his chest and abdomen heaved significantly. This kind of breathwork, enough to burst the lungs, couldn’t have been attempted before, as it could damage the internal organs with the slightest mistake.

But now it was different.

His strengthened Mortal Body could withstand it.

The warm Qi flowing in his body moved like a fine snake, passing through dense undergrowth, soaking into the flesh and bone joints, slowly immersing him.

"Gradually refining, seemingly converging into some sort of form..."

As the Qi Sensitivity became more distinct, Qin Shi noticed the rapid consumption of stored heat and nutrition in his flesh.

He was getting hungry again.

"Nutritional Paste is the way to go; regular synthetic food isn’t enough to sustain the practice."

Qin Shi sighed lightly, seeing it was nearly nine, planning to stop capturing Qi Sensitivity.

His visual cortex suddenly flickered, streams of information flashing past.

[Basic Level Achievement - Muscle Memory (100%)]

[Unlock Skill: Introspection]

Immediately, Qin Shi’s vision changed. Though his eyes were closed, he "saw" a glowing humanoid shape, with different areas on its surface covered in red and white.

"Is this my body? Red and white representing muscle training intensity?"