This method was much slower than gaining energy points from food.It's tasteless when eaten, but a pity to discard. Su Hang couldn't help shaking his head in disappointment.
" Tips, the host can choose "special refinement". While the success rate cannot be guaranteed, a successful refinement may yield unexpected benefits," the system chimed in just as Su Hang was about to give up.
"Right, special refinement." Su Hang's eyes lit up. He briefly checked Cai Jiuxia's culinary skills again but, jus like the CET-6-English, there was nothing urgent. Since both abilities were already scanned, he could refine them anytime in the future.
"Alright, let's go with special refinement for the Eighth Set of Radio Gymnastics!" Without further hesitation, Su Hang issued the command to the system.
"Special refinement in progress!"
"Refinement failed. Energy points -10."
....
"Special refinement in progress!"
"Refinement failed. Energy points -10."
....
"Special refinement in progress!"
"Refinement failed. Energy points -10."
....
Over and over again, Su Hang watched as his energy points drained away. Each failure felt like a dagger to his heart, but he had already committed to the process. There was no turning back now—not after everything he had already invested.
Finally, after the seventh attempt, the system delivered good news.
"Refinement successful. Energy points -10, credits +1!"
"The Eighth Set of Radio Gymnastics has mutated. You have obtained the 25th Century Martial Arts: The 99th Set of Radio Gymnastics!(a Taoism's martial arts,just like the Eight Brocade and Tendon Reborn)Would you like to inherit it?"
[Yes] or [No]?
"25th Century Martial Arts?" Su Hang's eyes widened. It was still the 21st century—martial arts from the 25th century? That was four hundred years in the future!
In four centuries, radio gymnastics had advanced to the 99th set? Was this really a skill from the future? For a moment, Su Hang was speechless. The name alone made it sound like something extraordinary.
He glanced at his remaining energy points. Once maxed at 100, they had plummeted to just 30—a staggering 70 points spent on the refinement. Special refinement wasn't for the faint-hearted; it was a high-risk, high-reward gamble. A streak of bad luck could easily consume hundreds of energy points without yielding any results.
Without hesitation, Su Hang chose to inherit the skill.
The 99th Set of Radio Gymnastics was developed in the 25th century by Chinese Youth Sports Administration. Renowned martial arts experts had collaborated to create it, blending feedback from various disciplines, incorporating traditional Chinese martial arts, and refining the strengths of previous gymnastics routines. The result was a routine that was scientific, foundational, simple, universal, and accessible.
By the 25th century, radio gymnastics was no longer just a fitness exercise; it had evolved into a universally applicable martial arts system—a distilled essence of generations of wisdom.
Although its names and movements hadn't changed dramatically, comparing the 99th Set to the current Eighth Set was like comparing the heavens to the earth.
"First section: Stretching Exercise. One, two, three, four, Five, six, seven, eight..."
In the quiet grove, Su Hang followed the rhythm, counting aloud as he executed the exaggerated poses. Some movements were sharp and fierce, radiating strength, while others were fluid and supple, reminiscent of yoga.
The complexity of the moves pushed Su Hang to his limits. Just completing the first section left him drenched in sweat, with his muscles and tendons aching unbearably.
But as he persisted, Su Hang began to feel faint currents of energy coursing through his body. Every cell and muscle seemed to grow stronger under the subtle nourishment.
"Full-body movement. One, two, three, four..."
By the time he completed the final section, Su Hang collapsed onto the ground, utterly spent. He was soaked in sweat, as though he had just been pulled out of a pool.
His muscles twitched, and the energy coursing through his body surged with intensity. Though exhausted and gasping for air, Su Hang felt an unprecedented sense of power within him.
"This... is tired. So fucking tired," Su Hang muttered after a long moment of recovery. He clenched his fists, sensing that his strength had indeed increased slightly.
Pulling up the system menu, he saw that his energy points had risen to 35. All that effort had only earned him the equivalent of a few Baozi.
Still, Su Hang knew this wasn't about efficiency. While food provided energy quickly and conveniently, it came at a cost—food wasn't free. Practicing gymnastics, on the other hand, cost him nothing but effort.
Completing one round earned him 5 energy points. Reaching the 100-point cap would take 20 rounds. It didn't sound like much, but having gone through one grueling session, Su Hang understood just how punishing it was. One round had left him completely drained. Attempting two or three in a row? He'd likely collapse.
After a long rest, Su Hang got to his feet. No matter how difficult it was, he had found an alternative way to gain energy points besides eating.
"Hey, what do we have here? One can't avoid one's enemy. You're really out here, huh?"
As Su Hang wiped the sweat off his brow and prepared to head to the cafeteria for breakfast, an eerie, mocking voice came from behind him.
Instinctively, he turned around, and his face darkened.
It was Xu Feng.
And he wasn't alone. Five others stood behind him.
The leader, a man in a leather jacket, had an earring and a cigarette dangling from his mouth. His smug expression radiated arrogance. The others were a motley crew of punks with wild, dyed-yellow hair styled into ridiculous mohawks. One particularly muscular guy sported a nose ring.
It was clear they weren't students. The university had a strict campus policy, and these delinquents wouldn't have fit in.
This was obviously Xu Feng's effort. Whether he had stumbled upon Su Hang by chance or had been tailing him, it was clear what this was about—revenge for the weekend's humiliation.
Including Xu Feng, there were six of them. Early morning in this secluded grove... Were they planning a fight?
"Well, well, look who it is. How's that injury of yours healing?" Su Hang sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as he glared at Xu Feng.