Start with push-ups to gain experience

Fang Cheng slowly opened his eyes.

A flash of lightning suddenly streaked through the darkness, like light illuminating an empty room, instantly sweeping away the surrounding gloom.

He was sitting cross-legged on the small bedroom bed, surrounded by a faint golden aura emanating from his meditative state.

The sounds of woks sizzling and dishes being stir-fried came from the street downstairs, along with loud laughter mixed with local dialect.

Just moments before, he was in a chaotic, dark, and bloody mental world, facing a horde of ghouls surging towards him like a tidal wave.

The familiar hustle and bustle of the city at that moment completely pulled his senses back to the present world.

Fang Cheng's eyes fixed slightly as he looked up at the sky in front of him.

A pale blue panel flickered and emerged in the darkness, radiating a light several times brighter than usual.

[Congratulations! After a thrilling battle, your Muay Thai skills have greatly improved, and you have successfully advanced to the Grandmaster level.]

Muay Thai Level 3 (0/1000)

[Received enhancement reward: +12 free attribute points]

Seeing the notification message appear before him, Fang Cheng's eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Unexpectedly, all I did was visit Cheng Jiashu's dream and fight that thousand-year-old ghost.

There was an unexpected surprise.

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

Yesterday morning during my training, my Muay Thai skill progress bar was just one step away from the level cap, needing only a dozen or so more experience points to break through.

This time, facing the overwhelming ghoul army, they killed so many monsters.

With such a large number of people involved, it's reasonable to expect a huge experience bonus.

What truly excited Fang Cheng was the logic behind this mechanism.

The battles in the mental world can yield such a large amount of experience points, almost comparable to the effects in the real world.

Not only did he break through the original level restrictions of Muay Thai and steadily step into the Grandmaster level, but his skill progress bar also climbed dozens of points.

Fang Cheng looked at the updated skill bar:

Muay Thai Level 3 (59/1000)

Then, I looked down at the notifications indicating the increase in other skill experience.

Boxing Experience +80

Boxing Lv3 (652/1000)

[Sanda Experience +80]

【Sanda Lv3 (319/1000)】

[Palm Technique Experience +100]

【Palm Technique Lv1 (203/250)】

[Tai Chi Experience +40]

Tai Chi Level 2 (52/500)

[Jiu-Jitsu Experience +50]

【Jiu-Jitsu Lv3 (50/1000)】

[Qigong Experience +50]

Qigong lv3 (208/1000)

Lines of information scrolled and appeared one after another like a flowing stream.

Fang Cheng scanned the rows one by one, pleased with himself, and made a rough estimate.

The practical benefits gained in the spiritual world, when converted into monetary terms, are roughly two-thirds of those gained in real combat.

Just like before, he used jujitsu wrestling and grappling techniques to control Jiang Chen, forcing the opponent's remnant soul to leave Cheng Jiashu's body, almost completing the complete strangulation.

If you used the same methods to defeat a strong opponent of this level in real life, the experience points given by the system would definitely be close to 100.

Compared to the other two, although there are some differences, it is already quite good.

It is at least several times more efficient than daily air combat and routine practice.

After all, the battle in the spiritual world is never a virtual simulation; it also requires facing life-or-death dangers head-on.

The instinctive outburst, move breakdown, and on-the-spot adaptation when facing a crisis are not fundamentally different from real combat.

The only difference is that the source driving the moves is energy condensed from mental power, rather than the physical strength and agility of the body itself.

After a moment's thought, Fang Cheng turned his attention to the attribute interface.

【Strength: 80】

[Agility: 81]

[Physical Fitness: 83]

【Spirit: 70】

[Free Attributes: 12]

Looking at the attribute points given by the upgrade reward, Fang Cheng carefully weighed the direction of point allocation in his mind.

If all of this is put into strength, the explosive power of close-range punches and kicks, as well as the suppressive power of frontal attacks, will steadily increase.

If you continue to invest in agility, your movements and evasions will become more fluid, making it easier to seize the initiative in close combat.

If one's physique is enhanced, the body's ability to withstand blows, the speed of its self-healing, and the endurance for long battles can all be improved simultaneously.

Whichever of the three paths he chooses, it aligns with his current growth pace and actual needs.

However, in terms of strength, agility, and physique, there is still a considerable gap before reaching the next human limit.

Even if you pile all 12 points of free attributes onto a single dimension, you still won't reach the threshold of 100 points.

So, how do we push the relatively lagging spiritual attribute past the 80-point mark in one go?
That's a very tempting option.

Once one's mental attributes also overcome this hurdle, their strength will be beyond doubt, and they will inevitably experience a visible leap forward in their abilities.

Fang Cheng pondered for a moment, then shook his head inwardly.

While mental attributes are of utmost importance, the further one progresses in cultivation, the more one needs a strong will to stabilize one's mind and avoid superficial cultivation that is outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

Especially in combating those indescribable, mysterious beings in higher dimensions.

A strong will is arguably the only shield against mental pollution.

However, there are many ways to improve one's mental state.

For example, after advancing various life skills, there is a certain chance to trigger a reward of spirit attribute points.

Alternatively, one can subtly increase their spiritual foundation simply through visualization and practice.

Keep in mind that his mental attribute progress bar has already reached 99%, and it will soon automatically break through to 71 points.

Perhaps the daily increase is not considered fast.

However, when compared with the three physical attributes of constitution, strength, and agility, this speed is already far ahead.

Visualization practice is not restricted by location; it can be practiced in any spare moment.

If you consistently cultivate your mind before bed each night, your spiritual cultivation will gradually accumulate and steadily improve.

Compared to deliberately training one's physical body to improve attributes, this method is more casual and convenient, and the overall efficiency is also much higher.

With the added blessing of the Sun's Heart Network, as the Illuminati has grown and expanded, its followers have increased in number.

The collective power of countless believers flows back to nourish themselves, and their spiritual attributes naturally rise accordingly.

Therefore, there is really no need to prioritize investing precious free attribute points into the spirit attribute.

After weighing the options, Fang Cheng glanced at the life skills on the panel that were close to being upgraded and finally made a decision.

I might as well put all 12 free attribute points into Constitution.

On the one hand, physical fitness is currently the highest among the four dimensions. Concentrated points can quickly approach the human limit of 100 points, allowing one's physical foundation to achieve a qualitative leap.

On the other hand, the margin for error in combat and the speed of physical recovery are crucial. Only with sufficiently high physical attributes can one grant oneself a thicker health bar, more abnormal self-healing ability, and a longer endurance.

This allowed him to stand longer and fight more fiercely in intense battles.

Moreover, a high physique will further expand the capacity of the dantian, raising the upper limit of one's true qi and making the qi strength more powerful and fierce.

Overall, prioritizing the improvement of physical attributes offers the best cost-effectiveness.

Having figured everything out, Fang Cheng no longer hesitated.

With a slight thought, he went all in on those 12 free attribute points and added them to the [Constitution] column.

hum-

As the numbers jumped, the original 83 points instantly became 95 points.

A surge of scalding heat suddenly welled up inside my body.

Unlike true qi, which flows through meridians, it is like a flood that overflows a dam, instantly penetrating the limbs, internal organs, and even the depths of the bone marrow.

Fang Cheng felt warm all over, as if he were soaking in a hot spring and enjoying the SPA service of a top-notch gold-medal technician.

Every cell is greedily absorbing this energy, undergoing microscopic division and strengthening.

The skin becomes tougher and denser, muscle fibers twist together like steel cables, bone density increases dramatically, and it emits bursts of fine popping sounds.

Even the true qi circulating in the meridians, under the support of this powerful life force, flows much faster and becomes more agile and lively.

Fang Cheng slowly closed his five fingers and clenched them into a fist.

There was no restlessness or arrogance that came with a sudden surge in strength; instead, there was a full, rounded, and grounded sense of stability.

It was as if every bit of power within my body had been tamed, flowing gently through my limbs and bones like mercury spilling onto the ground.

Quietly sensing the immense energy dormant within his body, Fang Cheng felt a surge of powerful confidence.

This confidence stems not only from the current improvement in our capabilities, but also from our boundless expectations for the future.

95 points! Only 5 points away from the human limit of 100 points.

Logically speaking, large integer thresholds are often accompanied by insurmountable barriers that require a specific opportunity to overcome.

But he could foresee that once that line was crossed, what would follow would be more than just an increase in data.

Rather, it represents a complete leap in the level of life, far exceeding the changes brought about by previous breakthroughs in limits.

A complete transformation, breaking free from the shackles of genes, achieving physical sanctification?
Or perhaps it's stepping into some kind of divine realm?
Just thinking about the heights he might reach in the future was enough to make his blood boil.

"Gurgle..."

Just then, a thunderous noise, untimely, rang out from his stomach, interrupting Fang Cheng's reverie.

He touched his stomach, a helpless smile playing on his lips.

The body has just undergone energy tempering and reshaping, resulting in a surge in muscle consumption. The stomach is already empty and urgently needs food to replenish nutrients.

Fang Cheng reached for his phone on the table and turned on the screen.

The cold, white fluorescent light reflected on his face, indicating that it was almost 10 p.m.

The noise from the street downstairs didn't decrease much.

The charcoal fire at the night market stall next door sizzled, and the aroma of charred skewers wafted in through the gaps in the screen window, making one's mouth water even more.

"Let's go downstairs and get something to eat to fill our stomachs."

Fang Cheng couldn't resist the temptation and muttered something to himself.

She quickly got up from the bed, grabbed a short-sleeved shirt draped over the back of the chair, and put it on with light and quick movements.

He pushed open the bedroom door and saw that the living room was shrouded in darkness.

Only the faint light from the streetlights streaming in through the window could barely illuminate the outlines of the sofa and coffee table.

My mother's bedroom door was tightly closed, and there was no light in the room, so she must have been fast asleep long ago.

Fang Cheng tiptoed to the entrance, bent down and put on the sneakers placed next to the shoe cabinet.

Then he reached out and turned the security door, silently walked into the stairwell, and quickly blended into the bustling street below.

....................................

The summer night was unbearably hot and humid. The alleys of the old factory street were bustling with people and filled with the smoke of cooking fires.

Cooking racks and gas stoves were set up outside the shops along the street, and folding tables and chairs were placed all along the road.

Many diners sat shirtless around the table, their laughter and games echoing throughout the room.

The charcoal in the barbecue grill burned red-hot, and wisps of white smoke, carrying the aroma of cumin and chili, drifted leisurely into the night sky.

Fang Cheng walked straight to the corner, pulled out an empty table, and sat down alone.

Before long, kebabs, lamb legs, fried noodles, and braised dishes filled the entire table, piled high.

He grabbed a handful of lamb skewers, opened his mouth, bit into a piece of meat, and pulled hard.

The rich, oily flavor bursts in your mouth, and the crispy, charred crust, mixed with spicy spices, further stimulates your taste buds.

Fang Cheng then picked up the ice-cold draft beer and drank it down in one gulp.

The cool liquor slid down my throat and into my stomach, sweeping away the heat that had accumulated in my body.

After putting down his wine glass, he picked up the whole roasted lamb leg and began to devour it.

In a short time, the meat was completely removed from the bones.

Bamboo skewers, bone fragments, edamame shells, and peanut skins quickly piled up on the table, creating a mess.

He ate with gusto, oblivious to everyone else.

Several burly men drinking at the next table were drawn to his exaggerated eating speed and kept glancing at him sideways.

Fang Cheng, however, kept his eyes glued to the food and drink, ignoring everything else.

After finishing the food on the table, he raised his hand to signal towards the stall owner and called out for more food.

The boss walked over carrying a trash bag, casually tidying up the clutter on the table. Looking at the mess before him, he smiled and struck up a conversation:

"Ah Cheng, your appetite is getting better and better. I've been running this stall for so many years, and I've rarely seen anyone who can eat as much as you."

Fang Cheng smiled slightly and casually replied:

"I burn a lot of calories from exercising, so my appetite naturally increases. Of course, the main reason is that you're such a great cook."

Upon hearing this, the owner grinned and laughed heartily, then waved his hand modestly and turned back to the grill.

His hands never stopped moving, flipping the skewers, sprinkling seasonings, and brushing on oil in one smooth motion, busy preparing extra food for his most appreciative guest.

As night fell, the hustle and bustle of the old factory street gradually returned to calm.

After swallowing the last bite of fried rice noodles, Fang Cheng pulled out a tissue to wipe the grease from the corner of his mouth and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Cool!"

Constantly honing one's own strength, fighting against all kinds of powerful enemies, and then filling one's stomach with hot and plentiful meat afterwards—there is nothing more pleasant in the world than this.

Fang Cheng got up, paid the bill to the owner, and then started walking towards the tenement building.

A cool breeze swept through the streets in the evening.

As he walked slowly, he reviewed all the events of the evening, a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or reflection) welling up in his heart.

Acts of bravery and righteousness do indeed bring good fortune.

If Cheng Jiashu encounters a few more strange events and faces more life-or-death situations in the future, I will have a stable and efficient source of experience.

At the same time, in a luxury villa on the other side of the city.

Cheng Jiashu shivered inexplicably and suddenly opened his eyes.

He rubbed the goosebumps that had risen on his arms, picked up the remote, and turned off the air conditioner.

Then he reached out and pulled a thick blanket over himself, wrapping himself up completely.

"I'm so tired, and I'm having strange hallucinations again..."

Cheng Jiashu stared at the ceiling, his eyelids heavy, and muttered softly, "I need to lie down and rest early." (End of Chapter)