Chapter 26: The Plan

Chapter 26: The Plan

After the figure of homeroom teacher Wu Shangfeng disappeared beyond the classroom door, the entire martial arts room fell into a brief, suffocating silence.

Everyone was still immersed in the immense shock brought by his final words.

Self-study.

No teacher's supervision, no fixed class schedule—everything depended on self-discipline.

To obtain more resources, one had to use sweat and strength to compete for grade points.

This extreme law of the jungle, like a basin of ice water, woke up all the freshmen still immersed in the joy of being admitted to a top-tier martial arts high school.

After a moment, the silence was broken.

The group of top students led by Shi Potian were the first to act.

Without any exchange, they silently stood up, packed their belongings, and walked straight out of the classroom, their target clear—the school's central training hall.

Their actions were like a silent command.

The other students also reacted one after another; some left in pairs or groups, while others, like Qin Feng, left the classroom alone.

From this moment on, the cruel yet free self-study life at Qiming No.1 Martial Arts Senior High School officially began.

...

Evening, the public cafeteria.

The three of them—Qin Feng, Shi Potian, and Qian Duoduo—still sat in their usual seats by the window, each having collected a standard D-level nutritious meal.

"No, I need to make a plan."

Qian Duoduo put down his utensils, and on his round face appeared an unprecedented serious expression.

He called up his personal data pad and began writing and drawing on it.

"My biggest problem is my lack of self-discipline. Without someone watching over me, I could sleep until the sun is high in the sky."

He looked up at Qin Feng and Shi Potian, his eyes extremely sincere. "Brother Shi, Qin Feng, we're brothers in the same dorm. I propose that from now on, we follow a unified schedule, act together, and supervise each other. What do you think?"

Shi Potian didn't speak; he just glanced at him, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"Okay."

Qin Feng nodded.

"Great!" Qian Duoduo excitedly slapped the table and pushed his data pad in front of the two. "Look, the plan I've initially drawn up."

On the light screen, a schedule precise to the minute was clearly listed.

[Draft of Cultivation Pact for Dorm 402, Class 3, Grade 1]

[Wake-up time: 5:00 AM daily]

[Rest time: 9:00 PM daily]

[Sleep duration: Ensure 8 hours of adequate sleep—this is the golden time for body recovery and growth, not to be compressed.]

[Cultivation content: Daily cultivation is divided into three modules—Body Tempering Method, Killing Method, and Meditation Method.]

[Time schedule:]

[5:00 - 11:00 (morning): Public martial arts room, practice the Imperial Body Tempering Method.]

[13:00 - 18:00 (afternoon): Public martial arts room, practice individual Killing Methods.]

[19:00 - 20:30 (evening): Public martial arts room, second round of Imperial Body Tempering Method practice.]

[20:30 - 21:00 (before sleep): In the dorm, practice the Imperial Meditation Method.]

"What do you think?"

Qian Duoduo looked at the two expectantly. "Morning and evening, we focus on the Body Tempering Method—that's the foundation, must be solid. Afternoon, we practice the Killing Method exclusively, drilling the techniques into our bones. Before sleep, half an hour of meditation to temper our mental strength. The time for meals and breaks in between is all accounted for. Over the whole day, apart from 8 hours of sleep, all remaining time is used for cultivation!"

His plan was simple, crude, but exceptionally efficient.

It utilized every moment of the day to the extreme.

"I definitely couldn't stick to it alone. But as long as I think that both of you are going to cultivate, if I don't go, I'll feel like a waste. That way, I can force myself to keep up with your pace."

Qian Duoduo scratched his head, saying a bit sheepishly.

"Okay."

Shi Potian spoke this time, his voice still cold but carrying an unmistakable note of approval.

"I have no problem."

Qin Feng also agreed.

"Good!"

Qian Duoduo punched the air forcefully. "Then it's settled! Supervise each other, urge each other, work hard together, and progress together!"

After dinner, the three did not return to the dorm; instead, they went directly to the central training hall as planned.

When passing the cafeteria, each of them swiped their card at a vending machine to collect a bottle of basic spiritual energy potion included in the D-level contract.

Arriving at the public martial arts room of the central training hall, there were already many students sweating profusely in cultivation.

The three did not exchange much conversation; each found an empty space.

They unscrewed the milky-white basic spiritual energy potion and drank it all in one gulp.

Vast and pure energy exploded within their bodies, providing ample fuel for the high-intensity training ahead.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged and adjusted his breathing.

He did not immediately begin practicing the Body Tempering Method; instead, he first reviewed in his mind the techniques of the new version of the Imperial Body Tempering Method (Basic) that Wu Shangfeng had taught that afternoon.

The new Body Tempering Method was largely similar in movements to the basic version, but the core lay in the routes of qi and blood circulation and the details of force exertion, which were much more refined.

He slowly stood up and assumed the starting posture.

Exhale—inhale—

His movements were very slow, striving for every detail to match the description in the technique diagram exactly.

A stream of qi and blood, more condensed than before, flowed slowly along the new meridian route under his guidance.

Muscles, fascia, and bones all emitted a subtle, joyful hum under the wash of this new energy flow.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

He was completely immersed in this ultimate control over his body.

Time passed quietly with the dripping of sweat.

When he had fully practiced the new Body Tempering Method dozens of times, until his body felt the familiar soreness of nearing its limit, the panel deep in his consciousness finally stirred.

[Imperial Basic Body Tempering Method has been updated to Imperial Body Tempering Method (Basic). Proficiency inheriting...]

[Inheritance complete.]

[Imperial Body Tempering Method (Basic) Proficiency +1]

[Cultivation Method: Imperial Body Tempering Method (Minor Achievement)]

[Proficiency: 16/1000]

The new body-tempering method seamlessly connected with the old version, and the increase in proficiency was unaffected in any way.

Qin Feng did not stop.

Relying on the vast energy provided by the basic psionic potion, he continued with the second and third rounds of extreme compression.

When the electronic clock on the wall pointed to half past eight in the evening, Qian Duoduo walked over, panting heavily, and plopped down on the ground.

“I... I can’t go on. It’s time, we need to head back.” He wiped the sweat from his brow and called out to Qin Feng and Shi Potian, who were still cultivating.

Shi Potian also slowly withdrew his practice, his training clothes already soaked through with sweat.

Qin Feng finished his last movement and stopped as well.

He pulled up his panel and glanced at it.

[Imperial Body-Tempering Method (Basic) Proficiency +1]

[Practice Method: Imperial Body-Tempering Method (Minor Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 17/1000]

An evening of cultivation had increased his proficiency by two points.

The three of them left the Central Training Hall together, dragging their weary bodies back to the dormitory.

After each returned to their own rooms and took a shower, Qin Feng sat at his desk and tapped on the communication terminal on his wrist.

He placed a video call to his father, Qin Dahai.

The light screen flickered to life, and his father’s familiar face, tinged with a hint of concern, appeared on the display.

“Dad.”

“Mm, all settled in?”

Qin Dahai asked.

“All good.”

Qin Feng nodded and briefly recounted his experiences at the school to his father, including the grade-level academic year, the importance of GPA, and the brutal self-study model.

Qin Dahai listened quietly, his face showing no sign of surprise.

“‘No. 1 High School’ has always been like this. It only provides the platform; how high you stand depends entirely on yourself.”

He looked at his son, his gaze steady. “The road is hard, but it’s the only way to become a strong one. Don’t be afraid. Go for it.”

“I understand, Dad. Take care of yourself, don’t overwork. Especially your injury—at No. 1 High School, students can’t bring in resources. Dad, earn some money, go see a doctor, and look after your health.”

“Don’t worry.”

The father and son chatted a bit more about everyday matters before ending the call.

Afterward, Qin Feng also called his uncle, Wang Ming, to report that he was safe.

When all this was done, the clock on the wall already pointed to half past eight.

There was still half an hour until the nine o’clock rest time.

This was the time planned for the Emperor Meditation Method.

Qin Feng turned off the light in his room, sat cross-legged on the bed, and closed his eyes.

He once again began to try to visualize in his mind the majestic figure of the emperor, clad in golden armor.

This time, with the experience from the daytime, he constructed the image much faster.

That supreme authority, commanding the universe, once again descended upon his spiritual world.

He steadied his mind, immersing himself in this spiritual tempering, resisting the immense pressure brought by that oppressive aura.

Time passed minute by minute.

Half an hour later, when he emerged from the meditative state, he felt only a mental exhaustion, as if he had engaged in an intense mental labor.

He pulled up his panel.

[Emperor Meditation Method (Not Yet Initiated)]

[Proficiency: 0/10]

The proficiency had not changed at all.

Qin Feng was not surprised by this.

The cultivation of the spirit was inherently far more difficult and obscure than the tempering of the body; it could not be achieved overnight.

He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

The fatigue of the body and the exhaustion of the mind intertwined, and soon, he fell into a deep sleep.

(End of this chapter)