The following day, under cloudy skies, Chen Chu rose, stretched, had breakfast, and accompanied Chen Hu outside.
Observing his taller, stronger brother ahead, Chen Hu felt a subtle sense of intimidation.
"Brother, why can't us middle schoolers practice?" he inquired.
A month ago, his brother appeared frail, but in just over a month, he had transformed into an enviable figure.
Chen Chu replied, "Your body's development isn't complete, and its functions remain imperfect. Early exposure to potent martial arts may cause abnormalities."
Chen Hu expressed some regret, saying, "I'll have to wait."
Casting a knowing glance, Chen Chu reminded, "This wisdom derives from years of official research."
He continued, "In high school, with talent, you'll have opportunities. The school offers systematic training and resources, safer than self-discovery."
"Also, ignore online fallacies. Avoid incomplete martial arts exercises to prevent accidents, understand?"
"I understand, bro."
Seeing Chen Hu heed his advice, Chen Chu nodded and said no more.
Recent online smog, rumors of universal martial arts practice, and unauthorized exercise dissemination bothered him. Although authorities blocked most exercises, secrets leaked.
For instance, Chen Chu found low-level exercises with two or three tiers, insufficient without foundational steps. Even gifted cultivators would stall at tier one or two, lacking follow-up exercises.
The motives of those leaking incomplete exercises mystified him.
Under current federal law, nearly all in the three major alliances could start practicing in high school, success hinged on talent. Small and medium-sized allies, due to local laws and federation agreements, had varying access to cultivation.
Were these online provocateurs targeting small allies?
Pondering this, Chen Chu arrived at school, bypassing the classroom for the third-floor training area.
The recent exams went well, sparing him from studying.
"Chen Chu is here."
"Hey, Brother Chu, you're here."
"Chen Chu, you did splendidly yesterday."
Students greeted him warmly upon entering, their enthusiasm boosted by the influence of the top 49 students.
After a day's buzz, details of the top 50 students appeared on the school's official website. While others were ordinary 'geniuses' who built their foundations within a week, An Chengqing, the number one, stood out.
However, Chen Chu was the sole 'ordinary' student who built a foundation and practiced low-level exercises in half a month. Surrounded by such talents, he earned respect among the freshmen.
Yet, his fame paled compared to Li Hao, ranked second. Li Hao was renowned in Nantian Wugao for his natural strength. He lifted a tripod upon entering school, with a basic arm strength exceeding 600 kilograms, reaching 900 kilograms after the first level breakthrough.
His advanced exercises complemented his physique, doubling the basic boost of the first heaven's layer. At full power, his strength surpassed three or four thousand kilograms.
The power was astonishing, wielding a 500kg alloy steel column as a weapon, sweeping through peers effortlessly, with no one as his equal.
Some even claimed An Chengqing couldn't match him.
No doubt, the power was excessively formidable.
Acknowledging the warm greetings of fellow students, Chen Chu responded courteously before finding an unoccupied training area to commence today's practice.
At noon, Chen Chu encountered Xia Youhui in the dining hall.
Or perhaps it wasn't by chance; Xia Youhui approached with a smile. "Ah Chu, have you considered trading for some cultivation resources?"
"I haven't decided yet," Chen Chu replied, shaking his head.
The school's cultivation resources were costly, only exchangeable with contribution points. Were it not for his recent top 50 ranking and extra rewards, Chen Chu's monthly three contribution points would barely afford anything substantial.
Xia Youhui suggested, "Your Dragon Elephant Kungfu has high compatibility. You needn't worry about martial arts cultivation. I recommend trading for physical enhancement instead."
"This way, if you max out the first level's physicality early, breaking into the second level will follow swiftly."
"For this purpose, I suggest exchanging for a first-level life crystal, dragon's blood ointment, or cold crystal liquid."
In Xia Youhui's view, Chen Chu's rapid power growth stemmed from his compatibility, and his primary cultivation method propelled quick progress. His current bottleneck was physical fitness.
Unbeknownst to Xia Youhui, Chen Chu's physique already surpassed the first level's limits, with exercise progress constraining his advance to the second level.
Chen Chu didn't clarify the misconception but nodded. "Alright, I'll visit the logistics department later."
"Old Xia, how soon do you anticipate breaking through?" Chen Chu inquired curiously.
"About half a month," Xia Youhui replied. "Though I missed the top 50 this time, I still contribute four points monthly."
"Including last month's leftovers, they should suffice to exchange for a life crystal, bolstering my physique. I'll likely max out the first level within a week."
"Then, after a week of blood condensation, I should be ready to break through."
"You can cultivate true strength in just one week," Chen Chu mused, surprised.
After hitting the first level's limit, continuous practice was required to gather qi and blood. True power emerged after extreme compression, which could happen as quickly as a week.
Less talented individuals might need half a month, a month, or even two, causing considerable mental strain.
Breaking through each level was similarly daunting. Many with limited talent remained stuck at the third level forever.
That's why the school categorized authority levels based on initial talent.
Highly talented individuals progressed faster, encountered fewer difficulties practicing advanced exercises, and maximized resource benefits.
For ordinary talent, mastering advanced exercises proved arduous. Initial hurdles were steep, required resources were scarcer, and breaking through levels posed greater challenges.
Nonetheless, exceptions existed among the vast global population, including prodigies with substantial accumulations.
Amid Chen Chu's astonishment, Xia Youhui proudly claimed, "I'm a genius. Although my initial cultivation was slower, I excel in other aspects."
"Such as having a weaker barrier between realms," Chen Chu suggested.
"That's right," Xia Youhui admitted after a pause. "It's like your physique's exceptional compatibility with strength exercises."
In Xia Youhui's eyes, Chen Chu was indeed talented.
"I expect many from the top 50 to break through to the second level in the next week," Chen Chu remarked.
"I envy them," Xia Youhui said, enviously. "Five additional rewards per month and a 20% resource exchange discount."
Chen Chu sighed and nodded. "Indeed, with this resource boost, many geniuses who used to take a month to break through will now advance much faster."
Resource availability made a significant difference. Xia Youhui reached the first level's limit over a week earlier, thanks to a life crystal, despite a month and a half of normal cultivation.
Under these circumstances, Chen Chu felt some pressure.