Chapter 39: Accumulate Thinly, Break Out Thickly

Chapter 39: Accumulation Breaks Forth

On Qin Feng’s tray lay a standard D‑grade contract energy meal:

a palm‑sized patty pressed from high‑protein synthetics, its surface seared to a light crisp, exuding an enticing aroma; a clump of dark‑green algae nutrient paste rich in vitamins and trace elements; and a small bowl of thick congee boiled from high‑energy grains.

He picked up his utensils and began to eat in silence, swiftly.

Each mouthful turned into streams of pure energy, sliding down his esophagus into his stomach, quickly absorbed by his body to replenish the massive consumption from the morning’s training.

Yet when the last bite went down, Qin Feng frowned slightly.

The meal that once left him feeling distinctly full and energetically saturated now only warmed his belly; that influx of energy, like a trickle merging into a great river, vanished in an instant, bringing little satisfaction.

“The spiritual energy this meal provides is no longer enough,”

he stated, setting down his utensils.

“Normal,”

Shi Potian, who had just finished eating as well, wiped his mouth with a napkin and explained.

“Your Vitality Index has already broken through 3.0. Your body’s demand for energy grows geometrically. According to the Imperial Martial Association’s *Standard Energy Intake Guide for Martial Artists*, those in the 3.0‑to‑6.0 range need at least the pure energy equivalent of four ‘Primary Spiritual Energy Potions’ per month to sustain high‑intensity training.”

He held up two fingers.

“With our current D‑grade contract, the school only provides two free primary potions per month. The energy meals in the cafeteria can supplement, but the energy is mixed, the conversion rate low, and the efficiency poor. So it’s inevitable that you feel it’s insufficient.”

Qin Feng looked at Shi Potian and asked, “What about the C‑grade contract?”

“The C‑grade contract is a qualitative leap,”

Shi Potian’s expression turned serious. “Each month the school provides two ‘Intermediate Spiritual Energy Potions.’ The quantity looks the same, but the quality is a completely different concept.”

“The pure spiritual energy contained in one intermediate potion is at least ten times that of a primary potion. Moreover, its purity, absorption efficiency, and conversion efficiency far surpass those of the primary. When you absorb an intermediate potion, very little energy is wasted. With a primary potion, nearly half the spiritual energy is lost during absorption and conversion, and it also imposes a considerable metabolic burden on the body.”

He summed it up: “In simple terms, the resources from a C‑grade contract are, in actual training effect, at least ten times that of a D‑grade contract. That’s why everyone fights tooth and nail to reach C‑grade. With a C‑grade contract, your Vitality Index can truly enter a period of rapid growth.”

After hearing this, Qin Feng’s gaze grew even more resolute.

“This afternoon, I’ll first go play my placement matches,”

he calmly announced his decision.

“Great! Should have done it long ago!”

Qian Duoduo immediately perked up. “With your current ‘Minor Achievement’ level in the *Thousand‑Army Spear*, securing a First‑Grade rank will be a piece of cake! Fifty merit points in hand, plus your current fifty‑five, that’s a total of one hundred and five! Apply directly for the C‑grade contract!”

Shi Potian nodded in agreement. “Yes. Getting the C‑grade contract early is crucial for your subsequent cultivation.”

“Speaking of which, Brother Shi,”

Qian Duoduo shifted the topic, looking at Shi Potian curiously, “your Vitality Index should be close to 10.0 by now, right? Past ten points, you’d be a Second‑Rank martial artist. Why haven’t you applied for early promotion to the second year?”

This was an unspoken question among the three in Dorm 402.

Shi Potian’s strength was almost at the Second‑Rank level.

In theory, he could choose to apply to move up to the second year, but he never had.

“Promoting now isn’t the right time,”

Shi Potian shook his head and patiently explained.

“If I go now, my Vitality Index would be at the bottom among Second‑Rank martial artists. In the second year, whether it’s the difficulty of monthly exams or the intensity of academy tasks, everything is calibrated to the Second‑Rank standard. If I go there with a D‑grade contract, my resources won’t keep up, my training speed will slow down, and competing with those true second‑year prodigies would be extremely tough—I’d struggle to earn high merit points.”

His eyes held a calm and rationality beyond his years.

“My plan is to wait until after next month’s exam. I’ll earn another batch of merit points, add them to the current fifty, make it one hundred, and first upgrade my contract to C‑grade. Then, using the intermediate spiritual energy potions, I’ll push my Vitality Index steadily past the 10.0 threshold, or even higher. Only then will I promote to the second year. By that time, both my foundation and resources will be enough to let me stand firm in the new environment and seize more opportunities.”

“I see!!”

Qian Duoduo suddenly understood and sincerely gave a thumbs‑up.

This strategy of staying at the novice rank to maximize resource acquisition was nothing short of shrewd.

Of course, it only applied to a genius like Shi Potian, who was already on the threshold of the next rank. For Qian Duoduo himself, there was still a long way to go before reaching Second‑Rank, so he didn’t need to worry about such matters.

The three finished lunch, rested briefly in the dorm to digest, and at 1:30 p.m. headed to the public martial arts hall.

Unlike the morning’s bustle, the hall was now sparsely populated.

Most students were either resting in their dorms, studying cultural courses in the library or virtual classrooms—the crowd would only start to build after two o’clock.

Arriving half an hour early and leaving half an hour late—that was the trio’s creed; accumulated day by day, it would always give them an edge!

They found a secluded corner.

Qian Duoduo and Shi Potian voluntarily stepped aside and began their sparring.

Blades flashed, shields spun, and the clang of metal rang out from time to time.

Qin Feng, meanwhile, sat cross‑legged and opened the silver sub‑space network pass on his wrist, now in the form of a wrist terminal.

He raised a finger and lightly tapped the smooth metal surface.

A pale blue light screen instantly projected before him.

【Imperial Arena】

Without any hesitation, his consciousness followed the command and sank in.

【Connecting to Imperial Arena…】

【Identity verified…】

【Welcome back, Martial Artist “Qin.”】

A cold mechanical prompt sounded in his mind.

The scene before him shifted; when his vision cleared again, he found himself standing on that familiar, enormous arena suspended above a vast nebula.

Beneath his feet was solid metal flooring; above his head, a magnificent, flowing river of stars.

Boundless splendor and desolation rushed toward him.

Qin Feng stood silently in the center of the arena, regulating his breath, adjusting his mind to the optimal state—calm as a still lake.

The next ten battles would be the ultimate test of his spear technique training over the past month, and the key to whether he could knock open the door to a C‑grade contract.

After a moment, he raised his head, his eyes sharp and focused.

Before him, a huge virtual option box materialized.

【Match Battle】

【Ranked Mode】

【Friend Battle】

【Spectator Mode】

He reached out and, without hesitation, tapped the second option.

【You are about to begin your ranked placement matches. There will be ten matches in total. The system will assess your overall performance in these ten bouts to determine your initial rank.】

【Confirm to start?】

"Confirmed."

Qin Feng silently recited in his heart.

[Command confirmed.]

[Matching your first opponent in the placement matches...]

(End of this chapter)