Ding ding ding!
Buzz buzz buzz!
The urgent vibrations and ringing were incredibly irritating.
Li Qingshan struggled to open his eyes, the edges of his eyeballs bloodshot.
"Late again?"
Li Qingshan frowned and turned off the alarm.
In the past, he would wake up naturally every morning, the alarm was just a backup.
However, due to the Martial Arts Space, his sleep had been severely lacking these past two days, and he was woken up by the alarm.
"The Martial Arts Space ignores physical exhaustion, but it seems it doesn't restore mental energy?"
In two days, Li Qingshan had basically confirmed this suspicion.
However, this wasn't really a flaw.
The Martial Arts Space had a time flow rate of 1:10, so he could completely put his rest time into the space.
"The key is still to eliminate the Langdu projection!"
Li Qingshan shook his head, collected his thoughts, and looked at the panel.
[Li Qingshan]
[Realm: Body Refinement 10/100]
[Technique: The 36th Set of Radio Gymnastics: 'The Stars Are Calling' 10/1000 (Proficient)]
[Martial Skill: Phantom Step 2/500 (Skilled)]
[Function: Martial Arts Space Lv1 (1/100)]
[Available Time: 364 days]
[Time Flow Rate: 1:10]
The available time had already decreased by a day, though he wasn't sure exactly how many hours.
Anyway, last night he died over a thousand times just to practice Phantom Step to "Skilled."
And to verify the pattern of skill level improvement, he forced himself to die dozens more times, completing two sets of steps.
Indeed, the "Skilled" level of Phantom Step required two completions to improve by 1 point.
However, once skilled, the steps were no longer awkward, and the efficiency wasn't much slower.
"Almost there, almost there."
Li Qingshan lightly slapped his cheeks, trying to invigorate himself.
"In just a few days, Phantom Step will reach 'Proficient.'"
"At the proficient level, the steps become instinctive, and maybe by then, I'll be able to dodge Langdu's attacks."
......
First High School, Martial Arts Hall.
Zhao Hongzhou noticed the bloodshot eyes of Li Qingshan and exclaimed in surprise:
"Brother Shan, didn't you quit your job? Why are you still staying up late?"
Yu Lei and Hong Qian turned their heads curiously upon hearing the voice.
"It's nothing, just practicing a bit late."
Li Qingshan waved his hand, not saying much.
Hong Qian hesitated for a moment and asked:
"Li Qingshan, if it's convenient, can you tell me how many times you do Body Refinement after going home?"
"What's inconvenient about that?" Li Qingshan lightly pinched his brow and casually replied:
"Four times."
Hong Qian's pupils shook, and he showed a look of shame.
He could barely manage two sessions of Body Refinement at home each day.
Li Qingshan had better talent, a higher technique realm, and practiced even harder than him.
Yu Lei, seeing Hong Qian's thoughts, shook her head and said:
"Don't think too much, I can only manage two sessions of Body Refinement too. It's the difference in technique realm."
"When doing Body Refinement, try to grasp the breathing coordination, and aim to improve your technique realm as soon as possible."
Hong Qian nodded gratefully, his expression improving significantly.
Yu Lei then turned to Li Qingshan, carefully observing the bloodshot in his eyes, and hesitantly said:
"Li Qingshan, were you practicing martial skills last night?"
Body Refinement would deplete energy, but deep sleep would allow the body to recover quickly.
Just Body Refinement wouldn't leave someone this exhausted.
Li Qingshan nodded, surprised:
"Did Teacher Wan tell you?"
"No." Yu Lei shook her head and softly advised.
"Excess is as bad as deficiency, human energy has its limits."
Last night, when her sister Yu Man came home, she casually asked about Li Qingshan's situation.
Coupled with Li Qingshan's appearance today, it reminded her of her sister's past experiences.
"Thanks, I know my limits."
Li Qingshan nodded with a smile, accepting Yu Lei's goodwill.
This period of exhaustion was inevitable,
Once Phantom Step reached mastery and Langdu was slain, things would get easier.
As they spoke, Wan Keshan walked in from the front door of the hall.
As usual, he scanned all the students, his gaze lingering on Li Qingshan for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly, but he said nothing.
Soon, the students dispersed again, beginning their Body Refinement practice.
......
The practice at school was routine, day after day, seemingly unchanged.
Except for the increasing fatigue on Li Qingshan's face.
However, the consumed energy was not wasted.
The proficiency of Phantom Step was increasing rapidly!
[Phantom Step 2/500 (Skilled)] → [Phantom Step 65/500 (Skilled)]
[Phantom Step 65/500 (Skilled)] → [Phantom Step 127/500 (Skilled)]
[Phantom Step 127/500 (Skilled)] → [Phantom Step 190/500 (Skilled)]
......
......
On the eighth day, in the afternoon.
After completing another round of Body Refinement, all the students collapsed on the ground.
Dark circles were faintly visible around Li Qingshan's eyes,
But after glancing at the panel, he couldn't help but smile.
[Li Qingshan]
[Realm: Body Refinement 12/100]
[Technique: The 36th Set of Radio Gymnastics: 'The Stars Are Calling' 22/1000 (Proficient)]
[Martial Skill: Phantom Step 2/1000 (Proficient)]
[Function: Martial Arts Space Lv1 (1/100)]
[Available Time: 356 days]
[Time Flow Rate: 1:10]
In eight days,
Almost every night, he spent at least 20 hours in the Martial Arts Space.
Phantom Step was forcefully pushed to "Proficient,"
Not only Phantom Step, but the progress in Body Refinement also didn't fall behind, increasing by 2 points.
At the proficient level, Phantom Step became instinctive.
What was once awkward and stiff now felt incredibly clever, showcasing its full agility.
If he were to be tested again, he might end up like Yu Lei, a "specialist."
"Now I should be able to dodge Langdu's attacks a few times, it's time to try the sword technique."
Li Qingshan's eyes shone brightly, filled with excitement.
Being able to dodge attacks naturally meant having the chance to counterattack with a sword.
Eight days of intense improvement came at the cost of dying tens of thousands of times to Langdu.
His grudge against Langdu was irreconcilable!
"In the future, I must kill it ten thousand times, no, at least a hundred thousand times!!!"
Li Qingshan's gaze was fierce as he forced himself to stand, preparing to head to the cafeteria for a meal.
"Li Qingshan, wait!"
Wan Keshan's voice came from behind,
Li Qingshan paused, turned around.
Wan Keshan looked up and down at the student in front of him, his brow furrowing deeper.
Since eight days ago, he had noticed that Li Qingshan hadn't listened to him and started practicing martial skills, investing a lot of energy.
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At this moment, he somewhat regretted giving Li Qingshan the two martial skills that day.
But ultimately, the path must be walked by oneself, especially in martial arts.
Wan Keshan pondered for a moment before finally speaking.
"Tonight, when you go home, don't practice anything, just rest well!"
"Okay, teacher."
Li Qingshan replied with a smile, readily agreeing, and turned to head to the cafeteria.
But after taking a few steps,
He paused, turned to face Wan Keshan, and bowed.
"Thank you, teacher!"
"Get lost, get lost, I'm not dead yet, why are you bowing!"
Wan Keshan frowned and waved him off,
Li Qingshan chuckled, turned, and ran to the cafeteria.
He understood Wan Keshan's concern, but he couldn't explain because of the panel.
But he could do better, so others wouldn't worry about him.
"Take a day off, consider it a celebration!"
After quickly finishing his meal at the cafeteria,
Li Qingshan hurriedly left the school gate, heading to the mall he visited last time.
The 10 bottles of nutrient solution were used up, time to spend more money.
"40 bottles of Basic Nutrient Solution, please take them!"
The sales girl was the same as last time, but her smile was even brighter this time.
Li Qingshan took the insulated box, his left hand trembling as he swiped his communicator over the payment machine.
-120,000
Only 10,000 left in savings...
"Please come again, we look forward to your next visit!"
The sales girl bowed in farewell, and Li Qingshan quickly left.
Back home,
Li Qingshan set down the insulated box and rushed into the bathroom.
After a quick shower, he lay down on the bed.
Li Qingshan closed his eyes, emptying his mind...