"What an incredible force!" Lu Haitao remarked, his face flushed, as he slowly lowered his trembling arms.
Chen Chu, too, let out a breath and gradually calmed the surging blood in his body. He gazed at Lu Haitao, who stood a few meters away, and smiled, saying, "Lu, you're not too shabby."
Just then, the elevator door in the distance slid open, revealing several other students.
Even though it was a Saturday, many students had chosen to come to school to train diligently, striving to catch up with those prodigies who had laid their foundations earlier.
Seeing others approaching, Chen Chu and Lu Haitao lost their interest in continuing their match.
Both had gained a rough understanding of each other's strengths. On the whole, their strengths appeared evenly matched, but Lu Haitao knew he had actually lost.
He had established his foundation four days ahead of Chen Chu, had more time to practice real martial arts, and possessed superior initial talent. However, their bout a moment ago had left them evenly matched.
This outcome left Lu Haitao somewhat introspective.
Silently, he moved to an area filled with training obstacles, dedicating himself to practicing his kicks.
Chen Chu remained where he was, pondering the lessons from their recent fight while gradually reducing the swelling in his arms by circulating his qi and blood.
In terms of strength, using his arms to block Lu Haitao's legs had put him at a disadvantage. If his skin weren't as resilient as cowhide, the impact of more than a dozen kicks would have left him more than a little swollen.
Lu Haitao, on the other hand, was feeling rather uncomfortable, unable to lift his arms.
Over this period, Chen Chu had been improving steadily. His physique attribute now stood at 27 points, while his strength attribute had reached 29 points, allowing him to handle a 150 kg arm strength test.
His basic punch strength exceeded 300 kilograms when he unleashed a full-power punch, further amplified by the Dragon Elephant Kung Fu's potency and double enhancement.
Faced with such a punch, ordinary individuals would not only have their arms broken but also suffer fractured ribs and a collapsed chest, potentially proving fatal.
This battle wasn't just about speed and strength; it showcased the distinctive qualities of their respective martial arts. Lu Haitao's Ghost Phantom was sharp and penetrating, whereas Dragon Elephant Kung Fu excelled in strength and possessed enhanced defense.
Thanks to his heightened senses, not yet reaching the realm of the mind-eye, Chen Chu easily thwarted Lu Haitao's attacks. These days of cultivation had been worthwhile.
What could speed compare to the swiftness of a strike?
Reflecting on their fight, Chen Chu's eyes gleamed with thought.
...
By four o'clock in the afternoon, Chen Chu, who had completed his training for the day, appeared somewhat fatigued. After taking a shower in the changing room, he headed to the library on the 33rd floor.
Browsing the shelves, Chen Chu pulled out a '2055 Latest Mutant Beast Data Collection' following the labels. With his cultivation progress slowing down, he aimed to broaden his knowledge of the cultivation world while learning more about mutant beasts.
Moreover, the miscellaneous notes from practitioners were valuable reads. They documented insights gained from their cultivation, offering significant help to newcomers like Chen Chu.
Many students were engrossed in reading during this time, including a girl with long hair sitting by the window.
Golden sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a radiant glow on her fair face, accentuating her three-dimensional features. Strands of hair cascaded down, creating a picture-perfect profile.
Unable to resist, Chen Chu approached and greeted her, "Luo Fei, are you at school today?"
The girl looked up, a faint smile gracing her face, and nodded slightly. "Yes, just dropped by. Have you finished your training today?"
"Almost. I'll be back for more practice tonight." Chen Chu settled into a seat across from her and asked curiously, "You seem quite invested in these readings lately."
He had noticed Luo Fei reading Taoist and Buddhist scriptures frequently during this period, indicating a shift from her previous intense training.
After contemplating for a moment, Luo Fei replied softly, "Actually, reading is a form of cultivation for me."
"Cultivation!" Chen Chu exclaimed.
Luo Fei extended her hand, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead behind her ear as she looked at Chen Chu. "Chen Chu, have you heard of the saying, 'Zhenwu has a degree of compatibility'?"
Chen Chu nodded. "I've heard Lao Xia mention it."
"That's good," Luo Fei responded with a smile. "The technique I practice is quite unique and requires a state of emptiness and selflessness in the mind. In this state, cultivation becomes twice as effective with half the effort."
"I've experimented with various methods during this time and found that reading these Taoist and Buddhist scriptures helps me maintain a tranquil state of mind."
Luo Fei's explanation left Chen Chu pondering. "So, besides training, Li Wenwen eats snacks and cakes daily in search of her ideal state?"
Luo Fei's words prompted Chen Chu to reflect further.
Luo Fei shook her head, stating, "No, she simply enjoys eating."
Well, it seems there's a straightforward explanation.
Li Wenwen was also a member of the Lin Xue Society, and because of their frequent companionship with Concubine Luo and the connection through Xia Youhui, Chen Chu had gotten to know her as well.
During this period, Chen Chu had observed that a girl named Li Wenwen was either eating or on her way to eat. In less than half a month, her initially cute face had noticeably gained some weight. Initially, Chen Chu had assumed she was pursuing a harmonious state, much like Luo Fei, but it turned out to be quite different.
Wasn't she concerned about gaining weight?
At that moment, the long-haired girl across from them interjected, "By the way, Chen Chu, I heard you had a sparring session with Lu Haitao this morning. How did it go?"
Surprised, Chen Chu inquired, "How did you find out?"
"A classmate witnessed your morning duel, and the news has already circulated within our class. Li Wenwen informed me," she explained.
Ah, that's how it got around. Chen Chu responded modestly, "We had a brief exchange of ideas, and there was no clear winner."
No clear winner, indicating that Lu Haitao lost?
Luo Fei nodded, then offered a gentle smile as she commented, "Lu Haitao likely challenged you because you initially declined to join the group, and he's a staunch supporter of the squad leader."
"Uh, there was another reason," Chen Chu admitted with some hesitation.
Originally, he had thought their morning spar was merely a friendly competition between two martial artists. Little did he know there was another underlying motive.
Luo Fei analyzed the situation, saying, "Since he lost to you this time, he probably won't bother you again in the future. I hope you won't take it to heart."
"Don't worry, I don't dwell on trivial matters," Chen Chu assured her, shaking his head.
This time, he hadn't faced any hardship, so he didn't attach much importance to it. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but ponder why such a minor incident was so memorable. Was it just youthful impulsiveness, or did he appear easily provoked?
Following their conversation, Chen Chu returned to his reading.
[Mutated Explosive Claw Bear: Mutated from a brown bear, averaging six meters in length, with tough and thick fur capable of withstanding small and medium-sized bullets as well as grenades. It can be effectively targeted in the brain and heart by powerful sniper rifles.]
[Mutated Wind Tiger: Mutated from the Siberian tiger, seven meters in length from head to tail and three meters in height, with fur resistant to bullets. Known for its lightning-fast agility.]
[Double-headed King Python: Mutated from the king cobra, boasting a 20-meter body length and sturdy scales that can endure rocket and grenade blasts...]