The Young Hero's Return
Thousands of people gathered at the coliseum, all eyes fixed on a good-looking man speaking through a magical loudspeaker.
The man was Gabriel!
He never bragged about his martial arts achievements, but he certainly had the right to.
Gabriel was one of the most famous martial arts geniuses in the history of the Martial Arts Hall. When he left to join the sect, his martial arts rank was Innate Realm!
He broke through to the Innate when he was just 14 years old! It had to be said that the overwhelming majority would never, in their entire lives, succeed in breaking through the Innate!
There was practically nobody in the hall who didn't know him. Today, it was announced that after cultivating immortality for two years, he had returned and was going to give a speech in the coliseum. No wonder everyone, no matter what they were doing, had quickly set it aside and come to listen.
Any advice from such a genius could help them overcome their bottlenecks. It wasn't just immortals who had bottlenecks—martial artists had them too!
Looking at the thousands of people staring at him quietly, Gabriel, who was standing behind the magic microphone, wanted to laugh—but he didn't.
As for why he wanted to laugh…
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
I haven't even said anything yet, and I'm getting so many points! Gabriel suppressed his laughter, cleared his throat, and began speaking.
"Do you guys remember me?" he asked jokingly.
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The crowd roared, their combined shouts roughly turning into a resounding, "Yes!"
"I know, I'm quite famous, huh?"
"As an orphan, the Martial Arts Hall took me in, gave me a house, a family… I'm deeply in debt to them. Let me thank a few people first off the bat, those who were like family to me!"
"Master Ravena, my literature teacher! She has been an amazing supporter that I can never repay. Master Wesley, my martial science teacher…" He spoke for a few minutes, and with every word, there were many soft dings coming from the system.
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost poi…"
But the points were only +1s and +2s, presumably because Gabriel was just talking and not doing anything particularly impressive.
After thanking all of his teachers and friends, he shifted the conversation to what everyone was eagerly waiting for.
"Let me tell you all," Gabriel began, "even though the cultivation of immortality is very different, from a certain perspective, it's all the same."
"It's all about control of energy. Cultivators are naturally talented to absorb and store energy, which is what makes us different from ordinary people."
"Martial artists also control energy, but because of their inability to control natural energy, they have to rely on their body's energy."
"Spirit Resonance Realm, Grandmaster Realm, and Martial Sovereign Realm martial artists can use their sheer physical energy to slightly mobilize and use natural energy—even though they cannot store any of it within their own body."
Although what Gabriel was saying was fascinating to the normal people in the crowd, most of the people in the coliseum already knew this.
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost poi…"
"Most of you already knew all of this," Gabriel said with a grin. "But here's what you don't know! I believe there's a way to permanently store and absorb a limited amount of natural energy—even without any cultivation talent!"
As soon as he said this, the thousands of people in the audience suddenly perked up. The coliseum went completely silent. Nobody dared to speak, all of them hanging on every word, afraid they might miss something important.
Being able to absorb natural energy without talent was absolutely world-changing and revolutionary.
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +4"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost point…"
After waiting for a few seconds until the dings stopped, Gabriel continued, "It's just a theory, but I believe it's true! A strong body can hold natural energy! If you manage to strengthen your body until it can rival a Foundation Establishment cultivator using physical strength alone, you would be able to store enough natural energy to break through the 3rd level of the Qi Condensation stage!"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +4"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost point…"
Hearing Gabriel's words, a few people in the crowd were excited, while most others were very disappointed.
It must be noted that even the physical body of a Martial Sovereign cannot solely fight on equal ground with a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The reason a Martial Sovereign can rival a Foundation Establishment cultivator is that they can mobilize natural energy and use it to their advantage. They can even cast martial arts techniques using natural energy. But if they were to fight relying only on their physique, they would lose to a Foundation Establishment cultivator pretty quickly.
Therefore, Gabriel's method was not a loophole; it was simply an impossible theory.
But he said it anyway, purely to milk points on both ends.
First, he excited everyone, earning points. Then, he disappointed them, gaining more points.
As for the theory itself, it was indeed something Gabriel had read in a book from the sect's library. It was an untested theory an elder put forward a few hundred years ago. Back then, Gabriel—who was deeply interested in martial arts—borrowed several books on ways to improve physical strength and martial arts techniques, and came across this theory.
Now, after achieving physical strength comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could say with certainty: the theory was absolute nonsense, completely false!
His Body can now match a foundation establishment cultivator, yet it still couldn't hold even the slightest bit of natural energy on its own. If it weren't for his A-level cultivation talent, he wouldn't have been able to cultivate, no matter how powerful his physique was.
It was a misguided theory based on false logic, but Gabriel didn't care. He just wanted to harvest points, nothing else.
Seeing the disappointment on many faces in the crowd, Gabriel wanted to smile. Even disappointment brought him points! At this rate, he might as well become a public speaker, milking points from people day and night!
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
"I see that you're disappointed," Gabriel said with a slight smile. "Well, you're right to be disappointed. After all, who could train their body to that level of strength? But let me tell you something useful, something that will help you in the future!"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The crowd grew excited, and the arena quieted down.
"Most cultivators are usually busy... well, cultivating. But we also train martial arts to strengthen our bodies. While I was in the sect, I learned a few training postures that, if done properly, will improve your physical abilities by leaps and bounds!"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +4"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The crowd looked on with eager eyes.
When the system dings stopped, Gabriel became more serious. "100 pushups, 100 situps, 100 squats, and 10 kilometers of running every single day!"
The audience's jaws dropped in disbelief.
"Ding! Powerboost points +4"
"Ding! Powerboost points +5"
"Ding! Powerboost points +3"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The crowd began murmuring loudly; clearly, most of them were martial artists. To them, such training was child's play.
Once the system dings subsided, Gabriel burst out laughing. "I was just joking! Alright, time to get real."
A few people in the crowd looked visibly annoyed by Gabriel's playful teasing.
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
This time, Gabriel decided it was time to teach something truly valuable. After all, reputation mattered. If he didn't offer something substantial, people might start seeing him as a scammer or a conman.
For someone who had spent the last two years buried in books, finding useful techniques and pointers wasn't difficult for Gabriel. The only real issue was deciding which ones he was allowed to share.
"Alright, here's a useful tip about diet!" Gabriel began, his voice full of confidence. "As everyone knows, food is the foundation of martial arts. If you eat good things, you'll get stronger! If I had to recommend one thing, it would be East Lake's Boneless Mudfish. They're cheap, and extremely useful for strengthening bones and purifying blood. Sure, they're bitter and disgusting, but hey, nothing's perfect, right? Just hold your nose and swallow it!"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +2"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The crowd exchanged confused glances, some doubting if Gabriel was joking or being serious.
"It's real, everyone! I broke through to the Grandmaster realm partially because of this fish's nutrients!" Gabriel shouted, seeing their uncertain reactions.
"Bring in a power measurement dummy! I'll prove it to you!" Gabriel ordered, full of determination.
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The points were lower than expected, and Gabriel quickly understood they were probably growing tired of his antics.
A few moments later, ten martial artists carefully carried a massive power measurement dummy, one sturdy enough to withstand the blows of a martial sovereign.
Gabriel stepped up, his expression serious. He held back his true strength and threw a punch.
The dummy absorbed the blow easily, and a text appeared on its chest:
Innate - Early
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
A murmur spread through the crowd, and some began to snicker.
"It was too weak!" Gabriel thought, frustration creeping in. His control over his strength was still far from perfect, so it made sense that he couldn't hit with the precise force of a Grandmaster.
"It's just a joke, look!" Gabriel smirked, stepping back in front of the dummy.
He punched again.
This time, when Gabriel's punch landed, the power measurement dummy was thrown back. A message flashed on its chest:
Grandmaster - Peak!
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
The crowd gasped. The energy in the coliseum shifted, a mix of awe and disbelief sweeping through the audience. There were fewer than 100 people in the entire Martial Arts Hall at this level of strength—and most of them were elderly. Yet here was a 17-year-old boy, who had reached a realm that even the most seasoned martial artists could only dream of after decades of hard work.
Some of the more cynical martial artists squinted, their brows furrowing in suspicion. They wondered if Gabriel had used natural energy to cheat the system.
Seeing that the dinging had slowed down, with most of them being just +1, Gabriel realized it was time to wrap up. He had made his point—and gathered his points—so there was no need to drag it on any longer.
The fish he'd introduced to the crowd might not have had the incredible effects he had exaggerated, but it did have some benefits. More importantly, it was cheap—affordable even for the poorer students, which made it accessible to everyone.
Gabriel moved back behind the magic microphone, his voice clear and authoritative once more.
"I'll be back in a few weeks. Wait for me," he said, his tone genuine. "I'll search for more useful advice in the sect library, and if I find anything, you can be sure I'll teach you!"
At that, the crowd erupted into applause, cheering for Gabriel's words.
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +1"
"Ding! Powerboost points +…"
Gabriel waved a hand with a smile. "See you later!"