Chapter 13 Joy

"Instructor," Bai Yang couldn't help but ask, "I've heard the Guiding Technique is extraordinary. Just how magical is it? How does it actually accelerate the absorption of genetic energy?"

At that moment, a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair in the training hall spoke up: "Bai Yang, let me put it this way. If you don't practice the Guiding Technique and only use the 'Five Hearts Cultivation Method,' your cells will saturate after just five minutes of absorption each day—no more energy can be taken in!"

"But with the Guiding Technique, your cells' capacity becomes much larger. You could absorb energy for eight, ten minutes, or even an hour!" The man looked at Luo Feng and the others, "Do you understand now?"

Luo Feng suddenly grasped it.

"Guiding Technique essentially increases the 'appetite' of each cell, allowing you to absorb more cosmic energy daily," he thought. "It's like a person eating: if one can only consume three bowls of rice, practicing the Guiding Technique enables you to eat five or ten bowls a day."

Jiang Nian smiled, "If you don't practice the Guiding Technique, your cells can absorb energy equivalent to one unit. But once you do, that could double, triple, or even more! In other words, one year of your training might surpass ten years of others. That's the charm of the Guiding Technique."

The martial artists present began discussing animatedly, clearly well-versed in the technique.

"When it comes to the Guiding Technique, the world's number one powerhouse, our Limitless Martial Hall's Grandmaster 'Hong,' has created nine top-tier methods. If you join our hall and accumulate enough contribution points, you might have the chance to learn these supreme techniques," the martial artists tempted Luo Feng and the others with smiles.

All major forces in the world hope to increase their number of martial artists.

"Instructor," Luo Feng suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Instructor Jiang Nian looked at Luo Feng with a smile, "What is it?"

"Instructor, the silver-haired, black-robed martial artist who left with the chief instructor earlier—how did a single glance from him render us powerless? What kind of ability is that?" Luo Feng had never heard of such a fearsome skill and was very curious.

Jiang Nian chuckled, and the surrounding martial artists burst into laughter.

"Kid, the one who left with the chief instructor is a 'Spiritual Mind Reader '! They're even rarer than us martial artists." The martial artists laughed, "Of course, a Spiritual Mind Reader is still a type of martial artist, but they're the most terrifying beings among us."

"Spiritual Mind Reader ?" Luo Feng was taken aback.

With the internet now widespread, Luo Feng had read about Spiritual Mind Readers being a unique and fearsome presence among martial artists, though the specifics were unclear.

"Once you become a martial artist, you'll soon understand," Instructor Jiang Nian said with a smile. "Alright, today's prospective warrior assessment is over. You three can go home. The certificate will be stamped and entered into the national identity system, so it might take a few days to arrive. You'll be notified then. Dismissed!"

"Yes, Instructor."

Luo Feng, Yang Wu, and Bai Yang immediately left the training hall and were watched by armed soldiers as they exited the community.

...

At the entrance of Mingyue Community, the three wore broad smiles.

"I'm Bai Yang from the Jiangnan First Military Academy. My hometown is in Yangzhou City, and since it's summer vacation, I came here to take the assessment," Bai Yang said, shaking hands with Luo Feng and Yang Wu, "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"The Jiangnan First Military Academy? That's where I wanted to get in," Luo Feng replied with a smile, introducing himself and Yang Wu as members of the Yian District Limitless Martial Hall.

"Brother Luo Feng is bound for greatness; even in our academy's elite class, not many become martial artists," Bai Yang said enthusiastically, eager to make friends with Luo Feng, whom he saw as a young prodigy. Perhaps one day Luo Feng would become a towering figure.

Yang Wu laughed, "Enough talk. The three of us passed the assessment on the same day and place—it's fate. Let's find a good restaurant and have a meal together to celebrate."

"Agreed," Bai Yang smiled.

The trio, full of youthful vigor after passing the assessment, chose a restaurant for lunch before heading home separately.

...

Luo Feng had a bit to drink and only remembered to call home to share the good news when on the subway. But with the carriage so crowded, he feared that announcing "I passed the prospective warrior assessment" would draw unwanted attention: "Never mind, I'll call once I'm off the subway."

...

Taking the subway Line 1 to Zhong'an Road Station, Luo Feng got off and walked a while to transfer to Line 11.

"Mom, Dad, and little brother," he thought excitedly, "I've finally made it!"

The family had struggled for years, and his hard work had finally paid off. Standing on the street corner of Zhong'an Road, Luo Feng took out his phone.

"Beep... beep..."

After dialing, he waited.

"Hello?" His younger brother's voice came through, and Luo Feng said with a smile, "It's me."

"Of course, you should know what your brother is capable of. Passed with flying colors, right? Yeah, right. Got it," Luo Feng said happily, "Mom's home too? Let me talk to her."

"Hello, Mom, it's Xiao Feng," Luo Feng said, his voice brimming with joy. Hearing his mother's excited and emotional voice, his eyes moistened—after all, he had worked so hard for this day. "Mom, you asked that three times already. I really passed the assessment. The certificate will be delivered to our home in a few days."

"I've already eaten, with the other two who passed the assessment," Luo Feng said with a laugh, "Oh, calling Dad? Don't worry, Mom, I won't forget. Yeah, I know."

Ending the call, Luo Feng couldn't help but smile. Happy and fulfilled. All his years of practicing body movement and swordsmanship had led to this day.

"Take a deep breath," he told himself, calming his emotions before dialing his father's number. In their family, his father, Luo Hongguo, was the pillar of strength. Before becoming a senior student at the martial hall, almost all the family's expenses were supported by his father's hard work in home renovation, which often left him with back pain and injured hands.

"From now on, Dad, you don't have to work so hard," Luo Feng thought silently.

"Beep—beep—"

The ringing on the phone continued as Luo Feng waited for his father to answer.