In the morning, on the way to school, Glenn Clark, with his backpack on, walked ahead.
At that moment, Glenn caught sight of a steamed bun shop by the road. Feeling a bit hungry, he turned to look at Jack, about to say something when he suddenly paused, surprised.
"Bro, you seem to have grown taller recently," he said.
Jack replied nonchalantly, "I know, it must be because of the cultivation."
The evolution of the Hexagonal Power Lycophyte increased his physique by 3 points, and during this period, his cultivation with Body Casting Skill to move Qi Blood strengthened his body, also raising his physique by nearly 2 points.
In such circumstances, not only had Jack's height increased from 1.7 to 1.73 meters, but his originally skinny figure had also gained some muscle definition, becoming straighter and more upright.
Even his pale face had more color, looking more handsome and healthy.
"Cultivation can also make you grow taller? Such a pity, I'm only thirteen and can't start cultivating yet," Glenn said a bit enviously, then pointed at the steamed bun shop.
"Bro, I'm still a bit hungry, I want to eat a couple of buns," he added.
Jack looked at him, puzzled: "If you want to eat, just buy some."
"Heh heh, I'm out of money."
Jack frowned, "Didn't I just give you your allowance on Monday?"
"...Well, I've been eating a lot lately, and it's all gone," Glenn said, his eyes shifting, somewhat afraid to meet Jack's gaze.
"Really?" Jack sounded skeptical.
Since they usually ate lunch in the cafeteria, Jack gave Glenn an allowance every week, on top of some pocket money daily.
Even though it wasn't much, it should have been enough for him.
As for Jack himself, he managed the living expenses at home; he had control over the monthly expenses and was responsible for grocery shopping and cooking after school.
However, lately, he had the additional responsibility of supporting his Avatar, which meant that the meals at home had declined in quality slightly.
Could that be why?
After thinking it over, Jack took out a hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to Glenn, saying irritably, "Take it, and next time, let me know earlier if you're out of money."
The purchasing power of money in this world wasn't much different from Earth in Jack's previous life; a bowl of noodles cost around ten yuan. Today was Wednesday, and a hundred yuan should be enough for Glenn for the next few days.
Originally, Jack had planned to give him fifty, but seeing Glenn's imposing figure at just thirteen, he felt fifty might not be enough for his appetite.
"Thanks, bro."
Glenn happily took the money, bought two big steamed buns, and ate them in just a few bites.
When the two reached the street corner, a group of girls in junior high uniforms walked by, and after spotting Glenn, they waved at him.
"Glenn, hurry up."
"Wait for me, bro, I'm heading off first."
"Go ahead."
Glenn ran off with a cheerful laugh.
"Glenn, is that guy your brother?"
"Yeah."
"Glenn, your brother is so handsome."
"That's right, my brother is the most handsome. Not only that, but he also has great academic performance. He was the top student in his grade and got into South Sky Martial Height. Now, he's Cultivating True Martial Arts."
"Wow, your brother is so cool."
Hearing the faint conversation in the distance, Jack shook his head.
......
Arriving in class, Jack glanced around the classroom and didn't see Freya. It seemed she had gone to seek the teachers for Foundation Establishment after her breakthrough to ten turns.
The already sparse classroom felt even emptier without her, and this sensation made most students more restless, distracted throughout the morning cultural class.
Half a month ago, everyone was still a freshman, chatting and laughing, horsing around.
But in just over ten days, with person after person achieving Foundation Establishment, the classroom was divided into different levels. There was a sense that the later someone had their breakthrough, the less capable they seemed.
Therefore, during the afternoon cultivation class, even without someone maintaining order, everyone practiced with exceptional diligence.
But many times, the harder they tried, the more despair they felt.
Because they realized that they might truly be incapable.
As the school bell signalled the end of the day and the Essence Blood Stone lamps were turned off, everyone in the cultivation classroom slowly ceased their practice, most of them showing exhaustion on their faces.
"Wuwuwu! I've only just managed to circulate Qi Blood to the fifth stage..." a female student, unable to bear the silent pressure, couldn't help but burst into tears.
Besides her, some other students had faces that showed unwillingness and bitterness.
They had been practicing for half a month, but could only continuously circulate Qi Blood to the sixth stage or reach the fourth stage in half an hour at the fastest.
Under these circumstances, it was impossible for them to complete ten turns in half an hour within a month, and even if they barely managed Foundation Establishment later, it would mean they had no talent for cultivation.
Jack Clark watched this, yet he had no opinion on it, and after a brief rest he packed up and prepared to go home.
Having no talent for cultivation is just that, there's no need to force it; in this world, not only cultivation exists—other industries can lead to success as well.
Of course, in any world, fists equate to power, and being able to cultivate True Martial and become strong without external help is naturally preferable.
Under normal conditions, Jack would be among these people, his innately weak constitution preventing him from cultivating Martial Arts despite his moderate Mental Talent.
It was his physique that restricted him.
With a faint sense of resignation, Jack, carrying a backpack over one shoulder, walked out of the school at a leisurely pace.
Night!
In his room, Jack's figure was like a dragon, practicing the Body Casting Skill, which was similar to a fusion of Tai Chi and ancient yoga.
The eighteen positions changed continuously, smooth and natural, a stark contrast to his initial awkwardness, the repeated practice of over two hundred times almost becoming instinctive.
At the same time, the Qi Blood, which had thickened several times within his body, circulated slowly, tempering his body and making him emit an astonishing heat like a furnace.
Hu!
Suddenly, Jack came to an abrupt halt, exhaling a long breath, from which a hot stream of air surged half a meter before dispersing.
"Finally reached half an hour to ten turns," Jack smiled, feeling a smooth circulation of Qi Blood and an absence of the usual fatigue.
After nearly half a month of continuous hard practice, he had finally made a breakthrough, forcefully surpassing the limits of his talent, and even Jack felt a sense of accomplishment at this moment.
On the desk, the axolotl that had grown to fifty centimeters and was as thick as an arm showed a human-like satisfaction on its face.
Taking a moment to collect himself, Jack willed the attribute page to appear.
Physique: 12
Strength: 11
Agility: 10
Spirit: 15
Talent: Soul Split
Cultivation Methods: First-grade Lotus Platform Meditation Method [Progress 100/100], Body Casting Skill [100/100]
Avatar Body: Hexagonal Power Lycophyte...
Evolution Value: 25/50
The two foundational methods had respectively increased his physique by 2 points and his Spiritual Attribute by 2 points, the increased physique also bringing an additional 1 point of increase to his strength attribute.
At this moment, his overall attributes were 20% higher than an ordinary person, with his spirit being 5 points higher.
The manifestation of this was his recent speed of thought and consciousness reaction being much faster than before.
Simultaneously, the growth of his Avatar during this time was steady, the consequence being he now required more sustenance.
However, this level of consumption was still within manageable limits.
Jack put away the attribute page, showing a faint anticipation on his face, "I hope the Foundation Establishment tomorrow won't disappoint me."
Just the preparation for cultivation before Foundation Establishment was this strenuous and difficult, and if tomorrow's Foundation Establishment didn't live up to his efforts, it would be a letdown to all his hard work.