"System, why the hell didn't you warn me that my stomach gonna explode during the breakthrough?" Glottis grumbled in annoyance as he left the toilet and returned to his room. He was forced to return there as soon as he left, and he ended up remaining inside for a whole three hours until he finished discharging his impurities.
+-----------------------------------+
| -System Notice |
| It was mentioned in the |
| the cultivation manual, |
| Did you read it? |
+-----------------------------------+
"You know I didn't so why the hell are you playing ignorant?!" he pointed his finger at the translucent screen in anger, "I have embarrassed myself in front of a stripper! Because of you!"
+-----------------------------------+
| -System Notice |
| Read it next time |
| Diligence is always rewarded |
+-----------------------------------+
"Diligence my ass," he spat at the screen, only to see it pass through the window and land on his bed. "Ah, screw that. Let's see how much I improved."
He jumped lightly.
*Thud!*
"Ouch," Glottis exclaimed as his head banged the ceiling, "Wait, actually, it doesn't hurt," he then noticed. It was unpleasant, but not enough for him to be dramatic about it.
"So that's what having my skin, bone marrow, muscles, and veins strengthened feels like," Glottis smiled in satisfaction. "No wonder Mike served our asses to us on a pretty platter, the difference is huge!" He punched the air a few times, enjoying the whistle accompanied by his motion. It was like an iron bar being swept swiftly at the empty air.
"System, remind me again which pills I need to consume to complete my foundations in this stage and how many," he instructed, "For hell's sake," he quickly added.
+-----------------------------------+
| - Shop |
|Bone Marrow Strengthening Pill – 15 FP|
| Skin Strengthening Pill – 15 FP |
| Blood Vessels Strengthening Pill – 15 FP|
| Muscle Strengthening Pill – 15 FP |
+-----------------------------------+
| - System Notice |
| The system recommends the host |
| to purchase 4 of each pill |
+-----------------------------------+
"What the hell?! That's…" Glottis thought for a moment before giving up, "Hey Kora, what are four times four times fifteen?" He asked his virtual assistant.
"Four times four times fifteen equals two hundred and forty," the robotic voice answered instantly.
"Two hundred and forty FP? That's way too much! I would have to drain Mike clean before I could gather that many points," he complained with a downcast expression.
"Whatever, I guess I just need to be more creative in my bullying. For now, I have a favor to return," he concluded his monologue with an excited expression all over his face.
The young master walked out of his room, climbing to the second floor where his big brother resided. His steps were light in his eagerness, barely touching the ground as he paced quickly. He smirked as he knocked on Leo's door. "Hey Leo, it's me, are you there?"
He waited for three seconds before Leo opened the door and faced him, wearing comfortable attire.
"What is it, Glottis? It's quite late, I was prepared to sleep," Leo said in a tired tone.
"The night is still young, how can you sleep so early? Let's go to the dojo for a spar, what say you?"
Leo raised his eyebrows in surprise at the unexpected invitation. He used to bully his little brother with the pretext of having a spar, but he always used it as a chance to vent whenever Glottis caused him trouble he didn't want to deal with. It was a one-sided beating.
"A spar? With me?" Leo asked, unsure he heard correctly. Perhaps it was the late hour.
"Yes, why are you so slow? Do you need a smack to wake you up?" Glottis asked, a smug smile adorning his face.
"Huh, maybe all the beating you've been through lately has finally affected your brain. Sure, let's have a go at it. Since I sacrifice my sleeping hours for it, I won't stop the spar before fifteen minutes pass. Do you dare?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," replied Glottis confidently.
"Good."
The two walked together down the hall to the dojo. The big training room was located in a different building separated from the main mansion. It was the only place in their territory that Susan had designed herself instead of leaving it to her husband.
The dojo was a large, luxurious single-story building made of smooth, dark wood. Its wide, sloping roof was lined with traditional tiles. Around the dojo, sturdy wooden pillars were visible, adding to its majestic look.
The front had large sliding doors with paper screens that let in soft light. A wooden veranda stretched across the building, looking out over a neat garden with small paths and green trees. The whole place felt peaceful and grand.
"Brother, do you need to change before we start? I wouldn't want to sully those expansive silk pajamas," Glottis offered graciously.
"Don't worry, I will make sure your blood doesn't touch it," Leo smirked, "I never break a sweat against you, so there are no other worries."
"Fine. Let's go."
The two faced each other on the mat. Glottis took his fighting stance while Leo, unaware that Glottis was even a cultivator, simply strode toward his opponent without thinking. He threw a slow, weak punch that would not cause too much damage to a mortal.
'His martial arts are superior to mine, but he doesn't know I'm a cultivator. This is the best chance to deliver the news!' Glottis thought excitedly. He easily imagined the beating he would grace Leo with for all those years of unequal sparring they had. He barely contained his laughter in his excitement.
He easily stepped forward while leaning to the side, letting Leo's hand brush against his cheek lightly without dealing any damage, and used this chance to land a counter right on Leo's neck.
Glottis did not hold back. He played dirty. He didn't even hesitate. After all, he would only have one chance before Leo overpowers him with skill and higher cultivation. Even if the two were at the same stage, Glottis just broke through.
"Haaa-" Leo's eyes widened in surprise as he struggled to breathe. The punch was merciless, blocking his windpipe. Before he could collect himself or retreat, Glottis followed with a heavy hook punch to the liver.
"Argh!" Leo folded in pain, but he was not offered any leniency yet. His sweet little brother was taking out on him all the bullying he went through over the years. Glottis only had one chance, and he was planning on taking it fully.
"HAHAHAHA!" Glottis laughed maniacally, clearly in ecstasy at the chance of finally winning. He grabbed Leo's head with one hand and his shoulder with the other, and –
*Crack!*
He swung his knee straight at Leo's nose, sending the latter stumbling back, disoriented. With a quick tap of his feet, Glottis dashed forward and sent a kick to his opponent's guts. However, his luck was over.
Leo's instincts took over. He quickly sidestepped clumsily, dodging his brother's kick just barely. He used his hands to push Glottis away and buy more time to recover. When Glottis came again, Leo kept retreating, only dodging and blocking without fighting back. He was still under pressure due to the blows he received earlier, especially the first one.
"Good, good! You are good, Little Brother!" said Leo as he grabbed his nose and returned it to its spot with a gruesome *Crack* noise. "I don't know how and when you became a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but that's one hell of a way to tell me about it!"
He finally caught his breath and returned almost to peak condition. He could see Glottis' strikes, and those had many openings. The lazy boy's fighting skills reflected the time he invested in training, which was minimal.
"Hahaha, Big Brother, surprise! I'm a cultivator!" Glottis laughed uncontrollably as he barraged Leo with punches. "Do you like my surprise?" Glottis asked as he aimed a dirty kick at his brother's nuts.
"No, but let me remind you that you are still weaker!" Leo only got angrier by the kick. He blocked it with his shin and pushed his brother back. This time, it was time for him to go on the offensive.
Leo deflected another strike aiming at his throat and used his elbow to continue his motion smoothly, connecting with Glottis' chin. The big brother took another step forward, crashing his shoulder against the other's chest. Leo's speed was incomparable to his initial display.
"Ah!" Glottis groaned from the blows. He placed his hands in front of him when he saw Leo kicking at his chest, and his arms shook from the heavy hit.
"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! NO, WHY DID YOU RECOVER SO FAST?!" Glottis yelled in despair as his brother returned the favor from earlier with a barrage of punches of his own. Glottis barely had time to block and dodge in the nick of time when a kick came out of nowhere and connected with his right side.
"Argh!"
Once this opening was created, Glottis was doomed. Leo took the chance to connect another punch. Another kick. Another knee.
"Not so brave now, are we? Keep laughing, BROTHER!" Leo screamed as he slammed his opponent on the floor.
"Wait! Leo! My dear big brother! I was wrong! Let me go!" Glottis let out a desperate shout.