[Intermediate Achievement - Deep Sleep (1/30)]
The next day, Qin Shi still got up early. The whole night of meditation training did not cause any trouble.
He was still energetic and full of vigor.
The "beating" he received in the training room yesterday—slight bruises from punches and kicks—healed quickly.
The few bruises on his arms, calves, and lower back had already disappeared, leaving only very shallow red marks.
"As the saying goes, eating ginseng is not as good as sleeping soundly. The wisdom of the old generation is indeed profound.
It's like playing a game and returning to the city, closing your eyes and recovering health in the hot spring, and opening your eyes again to be fully charged."
Qin Shi pondered, Old Liang often talked to him about the theory of Old Martial Arts, frequently quoting large chunks of mystical and antiquated texts. Of these, the impression on him was deepest regarding the topic of "sleep."
Such as "In all cultivation of Qi, good sleep should be prioritized. Sleep can restore essence and benefit the body, strengthen bones and muscles," "A thousand gold cannot buy a good sleep, seek sleep instead of seeking the elixir."
"From a scientific perspective, ensuring golden sleep every day helps maintain cellular vitality, balance endocrine, enhance the immune system and physical condition."
Qin Shi exhaled slowly, feeling that the sense of daily progress made one unconsciously relaxed.
Just like knowing there's an oasis ahead, there's no fear of the current heat and thirst.
Just bury your head and move forward to reach the destination.
"Sediment! Keep settling! By the first day of school, I will come back as a top student, soaring high!"
Qin Shi silently cheered himself up, dressed and walked outside, fetched a basin of cool water, and wiped his face with a towel.
During his washing, he focused on the semi-transparent Monument Panel.
[Basic Achievement - Muscle Memory (72%)]
"Keep exercising; by next week, I can unlock related skills."
Qin Shi couldn't help but hum a few tunes, Combat Retrospect had greatly helped him.
All-night meditation training was highly efficient, deeply imprinting the basic moves of techniques into his mind.
And the muscles wouldn't accumulate fatigue, surpassing the body's load limit.
"Beating up Yuan Ge a dozen times was quite stress-relieving, venting all negative emotions."
After having breakfast with his younger sibling Qin Lan, Qin Shi headed to the Ninth Middle School.
Today, he arrived late, but he couldn't see any students from the tutoring class. The playground was deserted, with only the lame Old Liang sitting on top of the stands.
Feeling the almost tangible gaze, Qin Shi couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart.
"Old Liang is serious today, perhaps he lost money drinking and playing cards last night."
It's said that martial artists at a high life force level can extend their spirit, change the surrounding environment, and even cause near-calamitous weather changes.
Although Old Liang isn't that powerful, Qin Shi remembered their first meeting, the feeling of being electrified and frightened by a single glare.
It was truly unforgettable!
Therefore, he believed that this unremarkable-looking P.E. teacher indeed competed in the Star Cup, his life force at least Seventh Rank Amateur.
"Qin Shi, come up here, let's talk."
Old Liang's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't slept a wink.
"Whoa, didn't he go home last night?"
Qin Shi walked up the stands and approached, smelling the pungent alcohol and seeing cigarette butts scattered on the ground.
He had seen this kind of scene only twice before; once when a childhood friend was publicly rejected by his goddess, turning around to drown his sorrows; the other time was when he learned his father gambled away the house, left in debt, facing the tragic fate of paying off his father's debts before even graduating.
"Looking at Old Liang with all these bottles and butts, feels worse than my two experiences combined."
Qin Shi silently grumbled but outwardly expressed concern:
"Mr. Liang, why are you drinking so early in the morning? You should at least have some dishes, it's bad for your stomach empty-handed."
Old Liang stared at the young man in front of him, eyes clear with no trace of drunkenness, speaking decisively:
"I want to teach you skills, Qin Shi."
"Mr. Liang, I've been learning Old Martial from you for quite a while. Although I haven't paid tuition, I can be considered your student, right."
Qin Shi felt uneasy, somehow sensing that Old Liang's gaze was odd, too fervent.
I don't have white socks nor a buzz cut, shouldn't attract flirts, right?
He decided, if the situation turned bad, he'd run!
"Teacher and student, in the end, it's just a business transaction, fulfilling duty.
I'm not exactly kind-hearted, I don't have the compassion to help every fallen soul."
Old Liang propped his hands on his knees, his gaze intense like a crouched tiger, sweeping away the usual image of a despondent, middle-aged cripple.
"Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng, these two kids have some talent, enough diligence, and toughness, but they can't enter the door and won't become promising pillars in the future.
After learning martial arts, whether they dig mines or hustle on the streets, I'm not involved.
I only help them develop life force, giving them the results they want."
Hearing this, Qin Shi didn't find anything wrong.
After all, no matter how you look at it, being a teacher is just a salaried job.
If fulfilling personal duties and doing what's required is enough to be considered qualified.
That kind of selfless mentor, like gardeners or candles, is rarely seen.
"But you're different, Qin Shi. You grasp the training method in two days, master the technique in one day; I've taught at Sons and Daughters Ninth Middle School for nearly ten years, and I've never seen such a good seedling."
Old Liang's gaze was sharp, staring at Qin Shi's young face, as though seeing time flash by and many past events surfaced in his mind.
"I've been called a 'genius,' so I know what a genius is like."
Is he praising me or himself?
Qin Shi's mouth twitched.
With the fast energy recovery buff from [Deep Sleep] and the enhanced training speed from [Muscle Memory], he indeed deserved to be called an "Old Martial Arts genius!"
"Having the top-tier buffs 'No wasted practice' and 'Quick learner,' who can compete with me!"
Seeing Qin Shi silent, Old Liang's gaze dimmed slightly, his tone softened:
"I know I'm just a P.E. teacher at Ninth Middle School, without much accomplishment. Soon, the school may turn into a sports school, losing the public institution status, and I might end up unemployed.
But I'm not a scam artist in the urban circle, my real skills are enough to let talents like you reach a professional threshold, aiming to become a Martial Artist!
You don't need to worry about this. The New First Middle School's computer class is connected to the urban circle public network, and with your high school student ID card, you should be able to log into the Martial Arts Association website. My past competition record is detailed there.
Please trust me, Qin Shi."
Old Liang said the last few words sincerely.
In his youth, he lived recklessly, couldn't stand any grievances, always seeking justice, ending up with many setbacks and injuries.
When he matured a bit, he still couldn't bend his spine, remained unwelcome, and ended up crippled.
After decades of wasted years, his temples showed gray hairs, without children.
Old Liang himself thought there wasn't much heart left; his remaining life could only be spent quietly as a disabled person.
But the heavens liked to play with people, sending Qin Shi before him.
Making this long-extinguished rusty furnace finally emit a bit of spark.
"Mr. Liang, what do you want to teach me?"
Qin Shi asked solemnly.
"The Old Martial Arts says, the mortal body's seven limits tightly bind it. Without breaking the shackles, one cannot become a true saint!"
Old Liang spoke word by word, his expression solemn:
"Muscle, bone, skin, membrane, Qi, strength, spirit! I can help you break the major limits and open four gates!"