Era of Mist

Shi Tiexin found a spot with fresh air and, after a long time, called up his attribute interface again. Compared to the bleak sight of a few meager "Passable" skills last time, this was a whole lot more impressive.

[Basic Mathematics, First Level: Perfect. Activated Attribute: Comprehension +1]

[Basic Rhetoric, First Level: Profound 95]

[Basic Physics, First Level: Profound 14]

[Basic Chemistry, First Level: Profound 12]

[Basic Biology, First Level: Profound 38]

[Basic Natural History, First Level: Excellent 96]

The above listed his Heart Technique cultivation. Besides Natural History, all of them had reached the Profound Realm. Although most hadn’t progressed far within the Profound Realm, his Rhetoric was nearing its limit, and Biology had advanced by thirty-eight points.

—As for why his Biology had progressed so quickly, Shi Tiexin would never admit how seriously and intently he focused when reading biology books.

[Basic Boxing, Excellent 59]

[Basic Essence Nourishment Technique, Excellent 52]

These were his two Strength Training Techniques. Both were at the Excellent level, and both were more than halfway progressed. ’Not bad,’ he thought. He had barely practiced his Strength Training Techniques during this period, so he was quite satisfied with this.

These attributes were a world apart from where he’d been just over a week ago—a night-and-day difference.

Shi Tiexin studied the screen with a cheerful grin for a long while before turning his attention to a few special circumstances he had never encountered before. These were the things he wanted to consider today.

First, there was that[Comprehension +1]attribute.

Shi Tiexin had heard from the seniors who returned to visit the Orphanage that cultivating Basic Mathematics could increase one’s Comprehension. This was precisely why Basic Mathematics was the most fundamental of the Six Basic Heart Techniques, holding a status as high as Rhetoric, which enhanced one’s sensitivity.

However, that was supposedly a trait that only appeared after one had completed all four levels of Basic Mathematics. He had never heard of anyone gaining such an attribute right after finishing the first level.

With no one to guide him, Shi Tiexin could only feel his way forward, figuring things out on his own.

’Since this attribute didn’t appear before I reached Perfect and only popped up afterward,’ he mused, ’it’s highly likely that only the Perfect realm can awaken extra bonus attributes. For anything less than Perfect, the attribute probably only manifests after completing all four levels. As for whether there’s a difference in attributes between completing all four levels at Passable versus all four at Profound, that remains to be seen.’

’But I’m sure there’s a difference. Progressing all the way at the Profound or even the Ultimate level must be stronger than just being Passable all the way through.’

’As for Perfect... it’s a difference in quality altogether.’

Whether it was the quality and quantity of the Mind-Energy in his brain or this bonus attribute, everything led Shi Tiexin to a firm conclusion: ’No matter what, I must achieve Perfect! I have to do everything in my power, use every means possible, to reach Perfect!’

And to achieve Perfect, Celestial Golden Light was indispensable.

Shi Tiexin looked at the award certificate icon.

[Celestial Golden Light Melting Fluid]

[Stock: 35]

The stock had decreased by ten points!

Pushing Basic Mathematics, First Level, past the final point to Perfect had required a full ten units of Celestial Golden Light Melting Fluid. Staring at the pale golden liquid, which was now noticeably lower, Shi Tiexin did a quick calculation and realized this was no small amount.

’I don’t know if the consumption rate is the same for different subjects,’ he thought. ’Assuming it is, the remaining thirty-five points are only enough for three more breakthroughs. If I want all Six Basic Heart Techniques to reach Perfect, I’ll have a deficit of at least fifteen points.’

’Moreover, this Celestial Golden Light isn’t just for improving Heart Techniques. The interface description says, "Directly advances the cultivation progress of any of the recipient’s Cultivation Techniques that have not yet reached Perfect." This means the Basic Essence Nourishment Technique and Basic Boxing can also be improved with Celestial Golden Light. And it’s not just for reaching Perfect. If I was willing to spend it all, I could probably skyrocket a technique all the way up from "Not Passable."’

’But if I did that, the Celestial Golden Light deficit would be even larger.’

He took a closer look at the description of Celestial Golden Light: [The Origin Saint inscribed a rule into the Celestial Dao of the universe: Any pan-human who wins a championship in a competition with public credibility will receive Celestial Golden Light.] This meant he had to win championships in all sorts of official competitions to obtain it.

And it probably wasn’t just him.

Since any pan-human could obtain it, that meant in his original world, all those champions must have also received Celestial Golden Light.

’So that’s how it is. No wonder the competitors in some public tournaments fought so fiercely, as if their lives depended on it. I was never exposed to this before, and no one ever mentioned it, so I had no idea. It seems it was all for the Celestial Golden Light, all for a Perfect foundation!’

In the past, Shi Tiexin never paid much attention to competitions or exams. He felt that spending time stirring up trouble everywhere was better spent on diligent cultivation. He’d much rather be one of those stealthy old masters who secludes himself for ten years, unknown to anyone, only to emerge invincible. How much safer was that?

But now, it seemed he had to compete. If he didn’t, he would fall behind. And once you fall behind, every step puts you further back, making it nearly impossible to catch up.

The Celestial Dao rewards the diligent, and the victor is king. This rule set by the Origin Saint was meant to make everyone relish battle, to dare to fight and seize every opportunity. Working in isolation would never lead one to the top.

’From now on, I’m joining every competition I see!’

’Whether I can win or not, it’s better to try than to not try at all!’

’Uh... wait a minute,’ he thought, a sudden realization dawning on him. ’A competition with public credibility? The Fengming First Middle School’s arithmetic test was one, so would the school’s final exams count? More importantly, what about the Little Township Exam that’s starting soon?’

’It has to count!’

The Little Township Exam was just around the corner. During the exam, all the school-aged youths from the entire district would have to compete. A unified exam personally supervised and organized by the Student Union couldn’t possibly lack public credibility. Shi Tiexin looked at his long list of attributes, rubbing his hands together, his fighting spirit soaring.

’The Little Township Exam!’

’I’m going to take first place in the Little Township Exam!’

’One step ahead, always ahead! Starting with first place in this arithmetic test, I’ll ascend to the heavens, one step at a time!’

’Uh... right, one last question—how do they handle ties for first place? For example, this time, did all four of us get the full first-place prize, or did the four of us split it?’

He didn’t know, and there was no one to answer. ’But it’s probably split,’ he guessed. ’Otherwise, everyone could just be friendly, tie for champion, and farm the golden light together. There’d be no need to fight so brutally.’

Having thought through everything he needed to and setting aside what was useless to ponder, Shi Tiexin roused his spirits and focused on his training again. Over the morning, his Physics and Chemistry both improved slightly, and his Rhetoric advanced by one point through calligraphy practice. He stored his essence at noon. He now had ninety-five wisps of vital energy, just five away from completion.

In the afternoon, Shi Tiexin continued his calligraphy, and his progress reached ninety-seven. Without the Champion Scholar Stone boosting his score, this was all Old Tie’s own skill.

Just as Shi Tiexin was planning to press on that evening and finish off his Rhetoric, Zhou Nan arrived with an unexpected piece of news.

"Brother Shi, my older brother would like to treat you to dinner. I was wondering if you’re free tonight."