Chapter 17: Gifted

"100%?"

Luo Jun clenched his fist tightly, definitely feeling an increase in strength. As for the extent of the increase, he had gone through so many attribute enhancements that he was somewhat numb to it...

But he knew that Elder Yuan's assessment wasn't just based on that one punch; he could even spot the hole in his underwear. It was a piece of cake for him to do a physical check while passing on his skills.

"Is this the effect of a great success?" Luo Jun marveled at the magic of the dice, but he still asked knowingly, "Why is my improvement greater than others? Am I some sort of martial arts prodigy?"

"Not at all." Elder Yuan immediately dismissed that idea: "This technique to open up the meridians using external force is my unique method. Compared to common cultivation methods, it has the drawback of potential backlash, but the advantage is that the increase after a breakthrough is stronger than normal cultivation. Generally, it's about a 70% to 80% increase; theoretically, it can get infinitely close to 100%. Reaching the theoretical limit just means you have extraordinary luck."

"I see..." Luo Jun looked at his hands. "So, does that mean my cultivation method is different from others? Will I need help from my seniors every time I break through in the future?"

"Not necessarily. My method is also a cultivation technique; as long as you operate your vital energy according to it, you'll naturally grow stronger... but that's a story for later." Having discovered a "genius," Elder Yuan was in high spirits: "Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, the enhancement of your physique is just the basics. You should now feel the vital energy within you starting to generate on its own."

Luo Jun focused on his body. The surging energy that Elder Yuan had provided vanished after integrating into his limbs, but upon careful examination, he found a new energy beginning to form within him. It started off weak, but as it circulated in circles, it gradually grew stronger and began to fill his meridians.

"I can feel the vital energy!" Luo Jun exclaimed excitedly.

"Because your realm is stable, your body will automatically generate vital energy that matches your current level. As you cultivate, the vital energy and meridians will grow stronger. When you meet the requirements for the next level, you can once again channel the vital energy into your limbs, and if successful, you'll advance further. If you fail, you'll have to start over from this level."

"Of course, that's for ordinary techniques. The method I created carries greater risks and higher rewards." Elder Yuan looked into Luo Jun's eyes: "It's still too early to discuss cultivation with you now. First, channel the vital energy within you and concentrate some of it in your eyes."

Luo Jun followed the instruction, and soon, the objects in his view began to change.

For instance, Elder Yuan, sitting there, was surrounded by a thin layer of faint light, which should be protective vital energy.

But when he looked down at himself, he saw none of that.

"Projecting vital energy is a skill that can only be mastered in the Foundation Establishment stage; you need at least the third layer of Foundation Establishment to practice it." Seeing Luo Jun's confusion, Elder Yuan explained:

"The vital energy of the Foundation Establishment stage not only strengthens your physique but can also circulate within your body, specifically enhancing your bodily functions. For example, it can improve your vision, hearing, and sense of smell... In combat, it can also boost your strength, protect your organs, and sharpen your mind..."

"I understand now." Luo Jun concentrated the vital energy in his arm, threw a punch, and felt a force pushing him beyond his muscles, creating a whooshing wind with his fist.

His strength had already doubled, and with the boost of vital energy, Luo Jun felt an urge to take on that man-eating little girl again and slam her down!

Seeing Luo Jun's delighted expression, Elder Yuan knew he had grasped the wonders of vital energy and continued, "Now, concentrate the vital energy in your Sea of Consciousness."

"Sea of Consciousness?" Luo Jun blinked in confusion.

"That's your brain!"

"Oh..." Luo Jun complied, feeling his mind clear up, and at the same time, he received a piece of information he had never seen before.

Mission Location: Midnight Hotel

Background: The Midnight Hotel is a business hotel located at the foot of a secluded mountain, backed by a beautiful scenic area. The hotel has always had a high occupancy rate, catering to a large number of individual guests and being a long-term partner for many travel agencies.

However, everything in the hotel changed with their unexpected arrival. And completely unaware, you had just completed your check-in.

Main Task: Leave the Midnight Hotel

Time Limit: 24 hours

Task Type: Survival

Task Level: B-Class

Hint: Like humans, eat humans, become human.

Note: Welcome to Midnight Hotel, and today's main dish is you!

...

"This… is the mission briefing? Private information is directly implanted in the brain?"

Luo Jun exclaimed in shock.

Old Yuan across from him nodded, "See? You need to use your vital energy to receive and interpret this information. It's crucial for completing the mission!"

As he spoke, Old Yuan glanced at the time, "We have a little over twenty minutes to talk. You need to tell me about the mission hints and any intel you've gathered during this time."

"I can't directly interfere with your mission, but with my years of experience, I can help analyze things and give you some advice."

Luo Jun was taken aback, "Twenty minutes? Didn't you just say you could stay for over an hour? I only took less than half an hour to break through…"

"Did you forget the rules?" Old Yuan pointed to the door, "Right now, you're a human I brought in, and we can't share this room for more than an hour."

"So you mean, in twenty minutes, I have to leave the room?" Even though his strength had increased significantly, just thinking about going back to that terrifying corridor and stairwell made Luo Jun uneasy.

"No need," Old Yuan waved his hand, "I came in using a treasure, so I can leave early. According to the rules, as long as you stay in the room and don't act recklessly tonight, you'll be fine."

Luo Jun nodded and shared everything he knew in detail, then looked at the experienced elder with eager anticipation.

After listening, Old Yuan furrowed his brow and took a deep breath…

"You… have successfully touched upon my blind spot…"

"What?" Luo Jun's eyes widened. He had thought that this bald old man, as the leader of the branch, would have profound insights to share with a confused newcomer, but instead, he said something so disappointing!

Sensing the disbelief in Luo Jun's eyes, Old Yuan cleared his throat, "First of all, I'm the leader, a force in the organization. I don't like to think too hard about anything other than the study of vital energy. Moreover, your mission is indeed not simple."

Not simple… Luo Jun glanced at the mission briefing, "Is a B rank really that high?"

"Rank is just one aspect," Old Yuan explained. "A B rank is a bit above the standard for a first-time mission. This should correspond to the task related to that entity that opened the black hole."

"But the rank of the mission represents its overall level. A task filled with ordinary monsters and one with few but very powerful monsters can both be the same rank."

"Based on your description, even an ordinary person with good skills could barely handle it. The monsters in this task are average in strength and not numerous, posing little threat to practitioners at the Vital Cultivation stage. Judging by the monster strength, it's basically an entry-level D rank task. The fact that Chaos gives it a B rank suggests that there's likely a powerful existence hidden here!"

"Isn't that strong?" Luo Jun recalled his near-death experiences with the little girl, "Are those monsters considered a hindrance? What kind of existence could that powerful one be?"

"That's the problem," Old Yuan sighed, "Rule-based survival missions are generally designed for newcomers to adapt. They seem strange and terrifying, but as long as you follow the rules, they usually pose no real danger."

"However, your task is clearly more difficult, with rules that are hard to determine as real or fake. This is likely due to the interference of some hidden, extraordinary monster. In such tasks, a small misstep could lead to total disaster... it's hard for me to give you advice."

So your so-called experience is just about following the rules?

Luo Jun looked at the elder, feeling speechless.

"What kind of expression is that?" Old Yuan felt like he was being looked down upon. He cleared his throat twice and said, "Although I don't have specific suggestions, I can give you two pieces of advice."

"Please, go ahead, senior!" Luo Jun listened attentively.

"First, the hints and notes in the task description might also be hiding information for clearing the level."

"Second, as I mentioned before, there are false rules, indicating that something is interfering from behind. This often means that there are multiple forces at play in this task."

Luo Jun's eyebrows twitched upon hearing this.

He had some suspicions about the first point, but he hadn't thought about the second one at all…

"Are you saying that two forces are altering each other's rules?" Luo Jun recalled the handwritten rules in the hallway. "Why couldn't it be some strange ordinary person leaving clues?"

Old Yuan straightened up, stroked his beard, and chuckled, "Do you really think those rules were just written down, and anyone could add or alter them at will?"

Luo Jun was taken aback and turned to look at the rules on the door.

"Senior, do you have a pen?"

Old Yuan had come straight from a meeting and actually had a pen with him.

Luo Jun took it and walked to the door, trying to write on it, but the ink from the pen vanished as soon as it touched the surface, leaving no trace at all!

So, the two rules in the hallway weren't written by humans?

"Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that ordinary beings got caught up in this and left some messages..." Old Yuan pointed at the pen in Luo Jun's hand. "As for how to judge, it's quite simple..."

"If I can't write in a place, neither can anyone else." Luo Jun immediately thought of it. "Conversely, if others can write, then I can too!"

"Smart," Old Yuan praised him, glancing at the time. "Time's running out, let me remind you of a few things before you go."

"I believe you will come out safely. I'll be waiting at the exit, and once you're out, people from the Yuanxiu Association will definitely question you. Don't worry, they won't make things difficult for you with me around. But you must remember, if anyone asks you about Yuanqi, don't say I taught you. Otherwise, it'll cause trouble. Just say you learned it recently by chance; you can make up any excuse, as long as it's not too outrageous. After all, you're naturally different from others, and your previous performance is similar to someone who has practiced one or two layers of the Foundation Establishment stage, so it's plausible."

"Make sure to go to the south gate of Ningdong University at 10 AM on Monday. Tell the guard you're looking for Professor Yuan, and someone will take you to find me."

Luo Jun sensed the seriousness in Old Yuan's tone and nodded, "I understand."

"By the way, senior, you keep saying I'm different from others..." Luo Jun looked at Old Yuan, feeling a bit anxious. "Is there really no one else like me?"