Lu Yuan mentally reviewed the content from his morning training.
I feel like I’ve mastered the dozens of basic boxing techniques Lin Zhiquin taught. I remember them clearly and can perform each move. But I know there will definitely be some deviation in how standard my moves are.
Once I’ve learned all these occupational foundational skills, like Basic Leg Skill and Basic Step Skill, and leveled them all to Lv. 3 or higher, I might unlock the occupation’s Core Skills!
Absolute Focus, the Core Skill of the Student occupation, was unlocked by Lu Yuan after he advanced all eight main subjects to Lv. 3. Only after unlocking the skill Absolute Focus did Lu Yuan truly set himself apart from ordinary students. His learning efficiency underwent a qualitative transformation, and studying started to feel like he had a cheat.
Therefore, Lu Yuan eagerly anticipated what surprises the Core Skills of the Fighter occupation would bring him.
The Fighter class has two sessions a week, both scheduled for the weekend. If I want to learn Basic Leg Skill and Basic Step Skill, I’ll have to wait another week. But I can ask Cheng Peng to teach me first.
In his mind, Lu Yuan had already designated Cheng Peng as his go-to person for help.
After a vigorous morning workout and a large lunch, Lu Yuan lay on his bed and soon felt drowsy. He wasn’t sure how long he’d slept when a series of notification chimes from his phone woke him. Lu Yuan was still groggy. As he reached for his phone, the soreness in his arm jolted him fully awake.
Just hang in there. By tomorrow, after the torn muscles heal, it won’t hurt so much! Lu Yuan comforted himself, grimacing.
With some effort, he grabbed his phone and saw about ten message notifications. He opened his chat app; one of the messages was a friend request.
"I’m Liu Yue. Requesting to add you as a friend."
It’s that round-faced girl with glasses from the Fighter class.
Lu Yuan accepted her request without a second thought. Then he checked the remaining messages, all from his older sister, Lu Jing.
Sis: "Little brother! Check out these Xixu landscapes! You’ve never experienced such desert charm!"
Below were more than a dozen photos. Desert, Gobi, poplar trees... and a few photos of a girl in a hat riding a camel, her face lit with a radiant smile. The girl on the camel was undoubtedly Lu Jing herself.
Lu Yuan quickly scanned the photos and typed, "So envious. Getting paid to travel and sightsee, plus a salary."
A reply came through just a few seconds after he sent the message.
"Hmph! You have no idea how harsh the conditions are here!
"The ruins we’re excavating are deep in the Xixu Desert. I can only live in a tent every day.
"I can only shower once a week, and I daren’t speak outside—one open mouth and you get a few pounds of sand!"
"Haha!" Lu Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, sending a few laughing emojis.
After a moment’s thought, he asked, "Sis, what did you guys dig up this time?"
Lu Jing replied, "A large temple site from the White Mountain Era. It’s very valuable for studying the religious history of that period.
"It counts as a pretty significant discovery.
"Just you wait, little brother. It won’t be long before you see your sis on the news. (Smug)"
"Tch! You, a mere gofer for the archaeology team, want to be on TV?
"Whatever they dig up has nothing to do with you."
"(Scorn) (Scorn) (Scorn)!"
Lu Yuan chatted with Lu Jing for a while. He learned that the archaeological project she was involved in would take a long time—possibly six months or even more than a year. She didn’t know when she’d have a chance to return in the meantime; at least, not in the foreseeable future.
After ending the chat, Lu Yuan went online to search for information about the White Mountain Temple. The White Mountain Era dates back over three thousand years. It was an extremely chaotic and dark era, with numerous religions. The doctrines of many sects were exceedingly evil, and they frequently used live human sacrifices, making it extremely bloody. Lu Yuan only skimmed a little before closing the webpage.
I wonder what kind of temple Lu Jing and her archaeology team have excavated. If they dig up a pile of bones... with Lu Jing’s nerve... she’d probably be scared to tears on the spot. Lu Yuan thought with amusement.
As for the recent trouble at home, Lu Yuan didn’t tell Lu Jing. He guessed his parents hadn’t mentioned it to her either. After all, she was now over three thousand kilometers away, deep in the desert. Even if she knew, she couldn’t help at all; it would only give one more person cause to worry.
Why add to her burdens?
Studying hard and training diligently in martial arts—that’s the most I can do to help Mom and Dad right now. Lu Yuan thought.
He put down his phone and sat at his desk. Although his arms were too sore to write, his homework was almost finished anyway. He read, previewed new lessons, and reviewed material, all while in his Absolute Focus state. An afternoon’s work yielded increased Experience Points for all eight main subjects, and his Occupation Experience also rose by several dozen points, bringing him ever closer to Lv. 4.
Around five in the afternoon, Zheng Qiuling hurried upstairs to ask Lu Yuan to help watch the shop while she went into the kitchen to make dinner. Partway through, Lu Xinghua returned from the hospital. He grabbed some food and left in a hurry, giving Lu Yuan barely enough time to exchange a few words.
He did get some good news, though. His grandfather’s surgery for the stroke could be scheduled for next week.
Even though I can’t train my arms for now, it doesn’t affect my core or legs.
After dinner, Lu Yuan spread a mat on the living room floor, lay down on it, and began strength training exercises that didn’t involve his arms. Naturally, he did this while in his Absolute Focus state.
[You focused on occupational training for ten minutes. Occupation Experience Points +1]
[Your Initial Body Forging skill has improved. Experience Points +2]
[Your Initial Body Forging skill has improved. Experience Points +4]
A stream of notifications popped up on the panel. The greatest advantage of the Occupation Panel was its ability to instantly reflect Lu Yuan’s efforts as Experience Points. Hardship turned into motivation, driving Lu Yuan to train even more arduously. Besides, exercise itself was inherently addictive.
In my previous life, I never understood how people could get addicted to working out. Now... I get it... ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
Lu Yuan, panting heavily, finished another set of exercises and murmured to himself, "This process of repeatedly pushing past my limits truly brings a great sense of accomplishment."
Lu Yuan had originally planned to do just two sets of each exercise. However, after finishing two sets, he still felt energetic, so he did two more. And after those, another two... In the end, he completed a staggering eight sets for the entire routine!
He only stopped when he had drained the very last bit of energy from his body, lying sprawled on the living room floor, without even the strength to lift a finger.
I won’t be so sore tomorrow that I can’t even get out of bed, will I?
The mat beneath him was soaked with sweat. Lu Yuan lay on his back, staring at the white ceiling of the living room, thinking. When the Occupation Panel information slowly materialized on the ceiling before his eyes, and he saw the dramatically increased Experience Points...
He couldn’t help but smile.
If I can’t get up, then I can’t get up.
This feeling of getting stronger... it’s truly incredible...