Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 64: Revelation

’It’s not just strength. This enhancement seems to be a comprehensive improvement to my physique.’

Hu Qi looked down at his palm.

The lines of his palm were clearly visible under the light. Even after being scraped by shards of broken glass, they were completely unharmed.

Moreover, the difference between using his Qi Blood Power and not was like night and day.

The effects were astounding whenever he used his Qi Blood Power.

Although he didn’t have a Force Tester to check, he estimated his strength had more than doubled.

His strength had originally been over five hundred kilograms. Now that it had more than doubled, he felt like he could punch right through the wall in front of him.

This wasn’t just a feeling. If the bones and skin of his arm were tough enough, he really could punch through a wall made of ordinary bricks or lightweight materials.

But he definitely wouldn’t be able to do it to a specially reinforced wall, one built with high-strength materials, or one that was exceptionally thick.

Hu Qi looked at the wall, considered it, but decided against trying.

’It’s late. I’d better not disturb the neighbors.’

’Besides, I’d probably have to pay for it if I broke it...’

’And I have no idea how much that would cost.’

He shook his head. The thought had only flickered through his mind for an instant before he dismissed it.

With a thought, Hu Qi summoned the Crimson panel.

[User: Hu Qi]

[Status: Normal]

[Age: 21]

[Skill: Snake Form Posture (Third Layer)]

[Mixed Martial Arts (Perfection)]

...

[Modification Point: 1 (98%)]

He originally had seven Modification Points, but after raising Snake Form Posture to the Third Layer, only one remained.

That meant it cost two Modification Points to advance each layer.

This cost was a significant increase compared to ordinary Fighting Techniques, which only took one or two Modification Points to raise to the Perfection level.

However, considering this was a Dharma Gate capable of breaking the body’s limits, it was naturally beyond comparison to ordinary Fighting Techniques.

As he was thinking this, Hu Qi took a step, but his legs suddenly gave out. He staggered, nearly collapsing to his knees.

The color drained from Hu Qi’s face. He felt overwhelmingly powerful, yet at the same time, utterly weak, as if his body had been squeezed dry.

He immediately understood why. It must have been from raising his Snake Form Posture to the Third Layer all at once, which had condensed too much Qi Blood Power.

The importance of Qi and Blood to the human body was self-evident. Consuming and concentrating such a massive amount of Qi Blood Power was bound to leave his body in a state of deficit.

Fortunately, his body was robust enough, and he still had his original Dragon Spirit and Tiger Fierce Trait. This so-called deficit was only temporary.

He circulated his Qi and Blood twice through his body with his mind. The feeling of weakness gradually subsided. After resting for a moment, he recovered.

Hu Qi braced himself against the wall and managed to stand up straight.

’Looks like I can’t upgrade so much at once next time unless it’s absolutely necessary.’

Previously, as his physique had grown stronger, the strain on his body from modifying other Fighting Techniques had lessened to the point that he eventually felt nothing at all.

Which was why he had nearly forgotten about it.

At this thought, he got up, walked to the window, and took out a milk chocolate bar he had bought from the canteen. He tore open the plastic wrapper and popped a piece into his mouth.

Instantly, a milky flavor and a faint sweetness spread across his tongue.

...

「Two days passed in a flash.」

As far as Hu Qi was concerned, life at Anshan Academy—also known as the Shexin Sect—wasn’t much different from his university days in his past life.

In fact, it was even more comfortable.

At least he didn’t have to share a dorm room with four or five other people.

Besides, room and board were covered, and he even got a stipend at the end of the month.

He didn’t have to worry about other matters, nor did he have to fear being ambushed by Black Blood Species lurking in the shadows.

The only imperfect part was, perhaps, the lack of Exotic Beasts.

His only source of Modification Points was the Camphor Tea Duck, but the little guy seemed to be slacking off lately. It hadn’t laid an egg in two days, preventing him from making any upgrades.

To remedy this, Hu Qi bought it supplements like dried fish, vitamins, and fresh grass. When he was free, he even took it out for walks, creating a peculiar sight on campus.

It wasn’t that other students didn’t have pets. The Shexin Sect had no rules against it.

It was just that most people raised cats or hamsters.

After all, people who kept an animal bred for food as a pet were extremely rare.

During this time, the Camphor Tea Duck’s unusual appearance even drew crowds of female students who would gather to take pictures.

But even so, the Camphor Tea Duck’s condition hadn’t improved much.

’Don’t tell me egg-laying is seasonal?’

Hu Qi recalled reading online that regular ducks tend to lay more eggs in the spring and autumn.

For now, he didn’t have any better ideas. ’It’s a shame. You’d think an Exotic Beast would be more special, maybe lay five or six eggs at once.’

Of course, Hu Qi knew that was impossible.

In the nearly one month he’d had the Camphor Tea Duck, the most it had ever laid at one time was just two eggs.

...

"Hm? What did you just say? You’ve developed Qi Blood Power?"

Wang Luo’s expression changed dramatically. He stared at Hu Qi and shot up from his stool.

"That’s right."

Hu Qi nodded.

It had now been four days since he had first condensed his Qi and Blood, and seven days since he was first taught the Snake Form Posture.

Hu Qi figured it was about time, so he had come to find Wang Luo.

As he spoke, he raised his palm and channeled about one-fifth of his Qi Blood Power—roughly the amount equivalent to the First Layer of the Snake Form Posture.

Instantly, his arm swelled slightly and his skin flushed red.

"Well, I’ll be damned!"

Wang Luo’s expression shifted, a look of utter disbelief on his face.

As an instructor, he naturally had a discerning eye.

He could tell at a glance that Hu Qi had reached the First Layer of the Snake Form Posture, where his Qi and Blood was self-generating—the sign of having achieved the Qi Blood First Transformation.

And how long had it been? Just seven days.

"You’re full of surprises!"

Wang Luo spoke again, staring at Hu Qi as if he were examining some kind of monster. His expression was incredibly complex.

On top of that, the thought of losing another bet to that punk Lin Tong soured his mood completely.

"It was just a fluke. If Second Senior Sister hadn’t given me a bottle of Snow Snake Ointment, I couldn’t have developed Qi Blood Power so quickly," Hu Qi said with a smile.

At his words, Wang Luo’s expression flickered.

"I see. But even if the effects of Snow Snake Ointment far surpass those of Spiritual Snake Ointment, it’s ultimately just an aid for a Secret Martial Artist.

If your physique isn’t strong enough, it’s impossible to break through in just seven days by relying on it alone."

The greatest effect of Snow Snake Ointment was to accelerate the circulation of a Secret Martial Artist’s Qi Blood Power, and it was typically used when breaking through a bottleneck.

It couldn’t directly generate Qi and Blood.

Hu Qi was, of course, aware of this.

After all, he had already felt the hot spots formed by his Qi Blood Power before; he just hadn’t been able to control them effectively.

The Snow Snake Ointment had merely helped him quickly master the Entry-Level of the Snake Form Posture.

Therefore, even without the ointment’s help, mastering the basics of the Snake Form Posture was only a matter of time.