[Overgrowth: The evolution of an embryo requires extracting every bit of nutrition and energy. As a hungry baby, indulging in eating and frantically foraging are what you should be doing!]
[Characteristics: Extremely sensitive to substances rich in high nutrition and high energy, and endowed with superior absorption and digestion capabilities compared to similar organisms.]
[Advanced Route: Complete ten high-quality meals or twenty efficient forages to unlock corresponding skills.]
"Foraging... this word feels strange, kind of sounds like cannibalism."
Qin Shi's gaze swept past the newly activated achievement, still unclear about its specific effects.
He remained immersed in the joy and satisfaction of his body suddenly crossing a threshold.
This enhancement was so clear, akin to the suffering game he played in his previous life, enduring torment at the beginning just for the exhilarating moment of reaching the end!
The intense pain brought by the Golden Ambrosia repeatedly tormented him, akin to undergoing torture.
But as long as he endured, the benefits were enormous.
The enhancement from burning muscles not only strengthened the power of Qin Shi's mortal limbs, making his movements faster, more agile, and more flexible.
The abundance of physical stamina doubled, not to mention the increase of that warm flow of Qi Sensitivity, growing from strands into a particularly tough thumb-thick rope.
Moreover, he no longer needed to deliberately stand still and stimulate his muscles and bones to grasp it.
It seemed to be imprinted in his flesh, coursing through his veins.
Inborn, smooth and free!
"Almost like the legendary transformation. If I were still untouched by Old Martial cultivation, even seven or eight combined wouldn't match one of my current hands."
Qin Shi relished this moment, the reward for his effort being the strongest feedback in life's game.
Just like a trickling stream converging into a river, small grains accumulating into mountains, the constant accumulation and gradual progression are always the source of joy.
Yan Shuang, understanding well, did not interrupt him, silently standing by for several minutes.
"Shuang, where's Teacher Liang?"
Fortunately, Qin Shi didn't indulge too long, finally remembering his master.
"Teacher Liang rarely stays out overnight. After applying the Golden Ambrosia and confirming you were fine, he handed you over to me and went home directly.
He said once you woke up, you should rest well and go to class the next day. Your body needs an adaptation period, so avoid high-intensity training."
Yan Shuang relayed word by word.
"Old Liang underestimates my Legendary Endurance King physique."
Qin Shi felt he could recover most physical damage through Deep Sleep as long as he's not physically harmed.
Like a continuous healing buff!
"The intermediate achievement's effect is already so powerful, scaling up to advanced, wouldn't it be like flying on the spot!"
Using the disposable bathroom supplies, Qin Shi planned to head home; staying out without notice goes against the Qin Family tradition.
Mainly fearing his little sister Qin Lan would worry excessively and cause trouble.
"Teacher Liang explained to your sister."
Yan Shuang said, leaning by the window.
He always seemed able to keenly perceive others' emotions and thoughts.
"Old ginger is hotter; Teacher Liang does think thoroughly."
Qin Shi sighed with relief.
Just hope Old Liang doesn't expose staying overnight at Jin Se Impression, otherwise, his little sister might genuinely think he's going astray, leading to a united session with his elder sister someday.
"Shuang, did you also enroll in Teacher Liang's tutoring class?"
Qin Shi wiped his face with a towel, casually asking.
From Yan Shuang's natural tone when mentioning Golden Ambrosia and his familiar relationship with Teacher Liang.
It was easy to deduce this Jin Se Impression number 69 male technician might have engaged in Old Martial or understood Life Force development.
"Teacher Liang wouldn't favor me, he only accepts promising talents like you, Qin. I have poor basics and weak physique; if I were to follow, I wouldn't pass the muscle stretching stage."
Yan Shuang smiled gently with a quiet demeanor.
Yikes, Shuang sure is handsome!
Qin Shi shivered inexplicably, shaking his head to dispel the sudden thought.
He must be overworking in martial arts; why else would he find a guy attractive.
He diverted his attention:
"From your accent, Shuang, you're not from Old Factory Street?"
Yan Shuang softly nodded:
"My hometown's in Yan City, not far from Tai'an. My father lost money in business, so we moved to Old Factory Street as a family. I live with my mother in North Suburb, working here every afternoon before returning home to care for her."
Qin Shi scratched his head; the famous Qingshan Mental Hospital seemed to be there.
He was quite curious about Shuang's Life Force development level, wanting to inquire but his memory was triggered by the word "work".
"Damn! The Youth Palace assistant job! Shuang, thanks for last night, I'll request you next time to show my gratitude!"
Qin Shi rushed out, sprinting toward the bus stop.
It was hard to find a part-time job with free meals at the cafeteria, he couldn't afford to lose it.
Yan Shuang smiled softly, watching Qin Shi rushing like the house was on fire.
"Old Martial Limit Break, New Martial emulation. Enduring the muscle-burning pain at such a young age, Teacher Liang indeed found a treasure."
...
...
"Lao Xu, you know me well, working summer jobs for years, never had any record of unexcused absence."
Inside the phone booth, Qin Shi spoke sincerely:
"I enrolled in a tutoring class, got detained by the teacher, pure accident. Could you speak with Youth Palace, count it as leave, not absence?
Absence deducts full-day pay, doesn't qualify for the 200 yuan full-attendance bonus, leave only deducts half-day, huge difference!"
Qin Shi battled verbally for twenty minutes, finally convincing Lao Xu on the other end, securing his job and minimal full-attendance bonus.
After hanging up the phone, he silently cursed:
"How has Dongxia progressed technologically? Embarking on cosmic expansion, yet civilian life remains scarcely changed.
Would manufacturing phones and cars be more promising than becoming a Martial Artist!"
Even after a long while in Dongxia, Qin Shi couldn't fully adapt to its social conditions.
If the Great Cosmos Era still utilized manual labor and couldn't widely implement mechanical production, it could be barely attributed to Dongxia's overpopulation, cheaper human resources.
But the stark societal disparity between Old Factory Street and Urban Circle seemed more like deliberate control.
"Especially in network, communication aspects, restrictions are harsh. It's absurd there's no internet café in Old Factory Street, and I need identity verification for online courses at Xin First School… Developing mobile payment apps shouldn't be difficult."
Qin Shi pondered:
"Is it due to the existence of Mechanics and Spiritual Ability Users? Or intentional obstructions?"
Boarding bus 145, the wobbly ride eventually took him from Old Factory Street to Urban Circle, with towering skyscrapers in sight.
Qin Shi reached the Youth Palace in the city center by noon, the scorching sun equally beating down on everyone.
He stepped into the shade, entering the building. The fellow temporary worker, Brother Zhang, quickly said:
"Little Qin, why didn't you come yesterday? The newly appointed Teacher Lin waited for you a while."
The new teacher surnamed Lin?
Qin Shi showed a shy service smile:
"Something came up at home, forgot to inform Lao Xu to contact here, really sorry, Brother Zhang."
Brother Zhang, wearing glasses, looked refined, smiled:
"Ah, everyone faces difficulties, with reason, not blaming you. I covered your shift yesterday, not counting absenteeism."
Qin Shi felt touched, why hadn't he noticed Brother Zhang's kindness before?
Usually, Brother Zhang was the laziest during cleaning.
"Brother Zhang, where's the new teacher? I should apologize, being an absent assistant on their first day is too disrespectful."
Qin Shi inquired.
"Little Qin, let's discuss, this assistant job, you're young and may not handle it. Let me take over."
Brother Zhang pulled Qin Shi aside, fearful of being overheard:
"I know your family struggles, so here's the deal: the assistant's salary and meal allowance, I'll take none, all yours."
Then what's in it for you? Charity?
Qin Shi was baffled; it hadn't been that long, yet Brother Zhang became so benevolent?
This curiosity was soon answered by the rhythmic "click" sound from behind, flat shoes tapping the floor.
Looking up, a black pencil skirt, white fitted shirt, and a small blazer on top.
Long hair tied up, frameless glasses, tall figure, and delicate face.
Well then!
Qin Shi understood, a lady teacher had arrived at the Youth Palace!
"Little Qin, I've never begged anyone, but I really like this...."
Brother Zhang rambled on, almost kneeling to Qin Shi.
Actually, the Youth Palace supervisor had asked his willingness earlier.
But he felt assistant work was tiring and low-paying, decisively turned it down.
Who could predict the new teacher's outstanding beauty, akin to a dazzling celebrity in Central City.
"Brother Zhang, being assistant doesn't matter much to me; Xin First School also forbids early romance. But…"
Before Qin Shi could say "add money," the female teacher walked up to them.
"You're Assistant Qin, right? I'm Lin Yunqing, the new teacher for Martial Arts Class at Youth Palace, I'll rely on you for shared work."
With a graceful demeanor and ethereal voice, Teacher Lin lightly observed the boy-next-door-like youth.
Before Qin Shi could respond, she smiled kindly:
"Assistant Qin, you smell wonderful."