Chapter 8 Skill Effect "Iron Fist

Fang Cheng raised his head.

He saw the panel emitting a brighter light than before.

On the right side of the "Boxing" skill column, two small arrows appeared.

They respectively listed the specific content of two enhancement directions.

[Enhancement One: 6 Free Attribute Points Reward]

[Enhancement Two: 1 Constitution Point Reward, Skill Effect "Iron Fist"]

[Note, this effect allows the bones and muscles of the palm to attain twice the toughness of the total Constitution attributes]

Enhancement choice.

Previously, when upgrading the "Speed Reading" skill, Fang Cheng had encountered this situation.

At that time, in order to improve his learning efficiency as soon as possible, he had forsaken a 4-point Spirit Attribute enhancement.

He chose another enhancement direction.

1 Spirit Attribute point, and a skill effect that quadrupled reading memory — "Eye Rapid Rotation".

Now, a similar choice appeared again.

Only this time, both enhancement rewards were more generous and highly compatible with Fang Cheng's current needs.

Choose Enhancement One.

Adding these 6 Free Attributes to Strength and Agility could instantaneously bring him up to the physical quality of a professional boxer.

Choose Enhancement Two.

Although it would only add 1 Constitution point, having fists as hard as iron undeniably enhances one's combat ability.

More crucially, the skill effect has growth potential.

10 points in Constitution could achieve the effect of 20 points; 20 points would equate to 40 points.

And so forth, one could barely imagine how terrifying these hands would become as they developed.

Perhaps, tearing apart a Gundam isn't just a dream!

One choice offers a short-term gain, the other focuses on long-term development.

After pondering for a few seconds, Fang Cheng made his decision.

"Choose Enhancement Two!"

As he silently wished in his heart, it felt as if the blood in his body started to boil, rushing toward his palms.

Fang Cheng felt his hands suddenly tighten.

Palms, finger bones, and the muscles attached to the joints seemed to be compressed powerfully from the outside inward.

This intense pain occurred in just a moment and then abruptly disappeared.

The two small arrows on the panel also vanished with it.

Fang Cheng looked down at his hands.

Under the sunlight, his fingers appeared pale and slender, with distinct joints.

From the surface of the skin, there were seemingly no traces of enhancement.

Yet, the savage strength contained within was tangibly palpable.

"Now I..."

Fang Cheng muttered to himself, slowly clenching his hands, his knuckles cracking.

Possess the fists of a Boxing King...

At least in terms of hardness!

However—

The next second, a wave of weakness hit him.

His stomach growled, and stomach acid churned.

His body uncooperatively protested, as if he had been starving for days.

Fang Cheng suddenly realized.

After starting "Potential Activation," he had been too engrossed in the delightful sensation of tormenting his body.

He had even forgotten to eat breakfast!

Glancing at the clock on the table, it showed 10:59.

It was almost noon.

From 5 a.m. up until now, he had been training for a whole six hours.

For an ordinary person, this was practically a death-seeking pace.

"Fortunately, my Constitution isn't what ordinary people can compare to now!"

Looking at the Constitution attribute that had risen to 10 points on the panel.

Fang Cheng, with a steady mindset, unflustered, walked into the bathroom to grab a towel and wipe his sweat.

An average adult male's level is about 9 points.

10 points would roughly be the level of someone who exercises regularly, an amateur fitness enthusiast.

This was what Fang Cheng deduced by comparing his situation with others.

As for above 10 points, that clearly surpassed most ordinary people, reaching the physical quality of professional athletes — truly an elite.

If he could continue to successfully unlock and upgrade "Prisoner's Six Arts," the attributes would at least approximate 20 points.

By then, his physical stamina and recovery rate would be incomparable to now.

Perhaps he could compete on the same stage with the world's top athletes.

For instance, participating in an international marathon to compete for the championship prize.

Or, doing 1000 push-ups continuously without breaking a sweat...

Fang Cheng wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel, his eyes filled with the joy of growing stronger and his visions for the future.

"Thinking about these things now is still a bit premature."

After wiping off his sweat, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, opened the old, yellowed fridge at home.

But the inside was empty except for two cabbages and a half box of yogurt, nothing else.

The food he had stocked for a week had already been finished early due to his increased appetite.

A bit disappointed, Fang Cheng picked up the half box of yogurt and slowly licked it.

He then put on a jacket, stuffing clothes and toiletries into his shoulder bag.

Decided to take a half-day off today, first he would go to the public bathhouse downstairs for a hot bath to relax the body.

Then head to the supermarket to buy some groceries, come back to cook, and practice Cooking Skill.

Especially eating a few more honey braised chicken legs he just learned to make.

Exercise, rest, and nutrition replenishment have always been the three major elements of fitness.

As for the afternoon, he planned to visit his grandfather in the hospital and bring a meal to his mother.

The day's schedule was packed full.

West Gate District, Ren'an Hospital.

This place is near a suburban park at the foot of West Mountain, far from the bustling city center.

Though remote, it is one of the rare public Grade-A hospitals in East Capital.

Fang Cheng changed into a white hoodie, carrying a shoulder bag and a thermal lunch box, entering the crowded lobby.

He didn't look around, heading straight for the hospital ward's elevator.

While waiting for the elevator, he could hear the intermittent cries of children and scolding of adults.

There were even family members of patients arguing and throwing tantrums with the staff.

Problems between medical staff and patients are the same everywhere, with no difference.

The noise of the crowd and the pungent smell of disinfectant mixed together, creating a typical anxious hospital atmosphere.

Watching the slow-moving numbers on the elevator's display screen.

Fang Cheng entered into a mode of Concentration, silently reciting content from a law textbook.

"Ding."

The elevator finally arrived on the ground floor and the door slowly opened.

He looked up, letting the people inside exit first before stepping into the elevator.

Just as he pressed the door close button, a yell stopped him: "Wait!"

Rapid footsteps followed.

A tattooed hand stopped the closing elevator doors.

"Agh, honestly..."

With a rough voice, a burly man dressed in a tight elastic shirt, with bulging pectorals, squeezed in.

He glanced at Fang Cheng and forcefully pressed the floor button, complaining:

"Young people these days lack the cooperative spirit we had, not helping to press the button when they see someone coming."

The two other flashy-dressed young men who followed him were cursing under their breath.

One of them, a short man with dyed blonde hair, even jumped up, pointing at Fang Cheng and shouting:

"Pretty boy, are you blind or what?"

"Sorry about that."

Fang Cheng slightly bowed in apology.

He had been too focused on memorizing and hadn't noticed them approaching.

It was just a minor incident.

Appropriate concessions, like a spring breeze, can peacefully resolve unnecessary disputes.

However…

These three guys were sloppy, not only occupying most of the elevator space,

but also smoking and making a fuss, which was genuinely annoying.

Fang Cheng could only stand in the corner, silently listening to their trivial conversation.

"Damn it, been chasing debts for days just for two thousand bucks, the boss won't kick us out, will he?"

"What can we do, they're all poor bums, can't squeeze much out of them, this job is worse than street fighting."

"Yingjun, you have to be ruthless in life, if you're not, people will look down on you, it's your turn to show it soon."

"Bro, I know, I'm trying to learn..."

The elevator stopped at each floor, opening and closing its doors.

People outside who wanted to get on, seeing the three formidable figures, dared not enter.

Luckily, by the 7th floor, the gang-like trio finally left.

The elevator returned to peace, continuing to ascend.

Ding.

The display showed "8", and Fang Cheng stepped out of the elevator.

He looked up at the sign "Oncology Department 2", then towards the nurses' station.

There, several nurses in white uniforms and round caps were chatting.

Fang Cheng, familiar with the place and the staff, directly approached them.

A young nurse with a flush face pointed towards the corridor end, room 812.

Fang Cheng smiled, thanked her, picked up his lunch box, and headed in the direction indicated.

Pushing open the door, the smell of disinfectant hit him.

It was a newly vacated double room.

Blue sheets, white floor tiles, almost spotlessly clean.

Winter sunlight shone through the opened curtains, casting a tranquil light.

By the window, a slender, middle-aged woman was mopping the floor.

Dressed simply without any lavish decoration, she exuded a unique warmth and elegance.

Fang Cheng set down the lunch box, walked over, and took the mop.

"Mom, haven't you had lunch? Let me mop for you."

The woman, seemingly preoccupied with her thoughts, startled and immediately looked up.

Her furrowed brows then relaxed, revealing a surprised joy.

"Chengcheng, how come you're here?"