Chapter 17 First Layer Heaven
As that energy entered his body and came into contact with the surging Qi Blood, it was like a spark igniting gasoline—Jack Clark felt his entire body burning intensely.
Of course, this was only a metaphor, not to be taken as literal combustion.
With threads of extraordinary energy being absorbed into his body, Jack Clark's Qi Blood 'burned' even more vigorously, circulating through his body along with the transported Qi Blood.
Under the combustion of extraordinary energy, these Blood Qi underwent a special change inherent to their nature, significantly strengthening muscles and bones wherever it flowed.
This enhancement included the five viscera and six bowels, fascia, and nerves, among others.
This feeling was somewhat similar to the enhancement during the Avatar Evolution; it belonged to a comprehensive improvement of the body's physical attributes, where all aspects were greatly enhanced under the influence of the extraordinary energy.
With each passing minute, Jack Clark's body grew stronger.
This situation spurred him to cultivate even harder, as his Spirit Power wildly guided the extraordinary energy into his body.
If the surging Qi Blood cultivated from the Body Casting Skill is the foundation that ignites the extraordinary energy,
then the intensity of Spirit Power generated from Meditation Cultivation determines how much extraordinary energy you can guide into your body in one minute, and how long you can maintain it.
Both are essential.
And the person who could think up and create such a Foundation Cultivation Method was simply a genius.
As Jack Clark began his Foundation Establishment, many classmates in the classroom would occasionally glance toward the empty seat he usually occupied.
Next to them, a short-haired female student said enviously, "Jack Clark hasn't come yet, he must have already made a breakthrough and gone to seek Teacher Parma for the Foundation Establishment."
"I don't think so," another male student shook his head.
"That Jack Clark, I remember the first time he cultivated the Body Casting Skill, it took him almost fifty minutes to complete the First Layer. Most other students finished between twenty to thirty minutes."
"With that kind of talent, he's one of the worst in our class. How could he possibly be faster at Foundation Establishment than us?"
"No, I think he has made a breakthrough."
"Although he was slow the first time he circulated Qi Blood, I paid attention during the cultivation classes afterward. His progress has been improving rapidly, and yesterday he was able to circulate at the Sixth Stage with ease."
"I also think he has broken through."
"Envy! I'm only at the Seventh Stage in my cultivation now, and I can only circulate the Sixth Stage within half an hour. I don't know when I can break through."
"You're better than me; I can only circulate the Fifth Stage at a time. More than that makes me dizzy and exhausted."
"Only the Fifth Stage after half a month? You have no hope. I advise you to just choose the cultural subjects."
"Wuwu!! I've only cultured to the Fourth Stage, what should I do..."
...
The Foundation Establishment state lasted for quite some time, and when his Spirit Power was depleted to the point where he couldn't guide any more external energy into his body, Jack Clark finally slowly finished his cultivation session.
Phew!
Jack Clark took a long breath, opened his eyes, revealing both exhaustion and excitement in his gaze.
The exhaustion was due to the great expenditure of spirit, and the excitement was because his recent period of cultivation had yielded rewards.
As the Foundation Establishment succeeded, he could feel the Qi Blood in his body like a furnace, full of power, as if he could punch through walls.
Of course, that feeling was an illusion due to a too sudden strengthening of his physique.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Jack Clark thought and summoned the attribute page, and immediately saw Physique 21, Strength 20, Agility 19, Spirit 24.
All four major attributes had increased by 9 points, equivalent to twice that of ordinary people.
And Jack Clark vaguely felt that this Foundation Establishment was not just a significant improvement in his physique; his body seemed to have undergone some other ineffable changes.
Thoughtful, Jack Clark opened the door.
Seeing the handsome youth emerge, Lori Parma nodded in satisfaction, "Not bad, two hours for Foundation Establishment, this result is above average already."
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"It seems you've made quite a gain, let's go choose the True Martial Arts that belongs to you."
"Yes, Teacher." Jack Clark followed excitedly.
Foundation Establishment was merely the beginning; it was the real entry to the world of cultivation that followed.
Followed by Lori Parma, the two took the elevator all the way to the 33rd-floor rooftop, resembling a vast library filled with bookshelves and paper books.
Just as Jack Clark thought the paper books were the secret arts of True Martial, Lori Parma led him to another area that looked like the private room area of an internet cafe.
"Each room has a computer. After you enter, key in your Student ID, go through facial recognition, and once the basic data entry is complete, you can browse the Cultivation Methods within your permission."
"Remember, the school divides the initial permissions for freshmen into three days, a week, half a month, and a month."
"You have broken through Foundation Establishment within half a month, which qualifies you to learn two low-level martial arts. Once selected, the Cultivation Methods cannot be changed, so choose wisely."
"If you want to learn higher level or different Cultivation Methods in the future, you'll have to exchange them for Contribution Points, and there's an explanation of what Contribution Points are on the computer."
"By the way, those outside are some Buddhist Scriptures, introductions to the various alliance nations, and some materials about Mutated Beasts and cultivators' experiences; it wouldn't hurt to read more during your spare time."
"Alright, I'm off to drink tea with someone. You're on your own."
After giving these instructions to Jack Clark, Lori Parma entered a nearby office where a middle-aged person was watering flowers and plants on the balcony.
Jack Clark found an empty room, locked the door, sat down on the sofa in front of the computer, which was already on, and directly keyed in his Student ID.
"Beep! Student ID 2055…967... Beginning facial verification..."
Accompanied by the intelligent voice, the camera on the monitor emitted a faint red light that scanned Jack Clark's face.
"Verification successful, welcome to the Heavenly Intelligence System. Data entry will follow; please conduct the tests on the tester as required."
"Please begin with the first test, arm strength."
"Data testing, huh." Jack Clark stood up, walked to the arm strength machine on the left side of the room, and after taking a deep breath and gripping the handles, his upper body muscles burst with power.
"Arm strength 102 kg, data uploaded, please begin the punch strength test."
Bang!
"Punch strength 210 kg, data uploaded, please begin the kick strength test."
Boom!
"Kick strength 290 kg, data testing complete."
"Your basic data has reached the standards for entry into First Layer Heaven, granting eligibility for Contribution Points, and you're currently entitled to 3 Contribution Points per month."
"Please proceed with selecting your True Martial Arts."
With that, the computer screen displayed a Cultivation Methods browsing option.
However, Jack Clark didn't go to pick the Cultivation Methods right away, but stood there, reliving the feeling of the burst of power he just experienced.
Arm strength of 100 kg, punch strength of 200 kg, and the kick strength of nearly 300 kg when using full strength; such power could easily be fatal to an ordinary person.
And this power was merely the entrance to True Martial, befitting a Cultivation System that could slowly suppress technological civilization.
Amidst these thoughts, Jack Clark returned to the computer and sat down again, clicked to browse, and saw over fifty names of Cultivation Methods appearing on the monitor.
Clicking on each one would show a detailed description.
"Bright Moon Formula, primarily Defense, with Burst capabilities. After cultivation, the body becomes as solid as jade, and when fully mastered, the body can withstand submachine gun and rifle bullets."
"Light Sword Art, whereby the sword light becomes swift and agile after cultivation..."
"Explosive Bear Fighting Body, primarily Strength, with Defense. After cultivation, the Blood Qi is rich, strength incredible, and it's rare to find its equal among Cultivation Methods of the same level."
"Ghost Shadow Leg, primarily Speed, with Burst capabilities. After cultivation, the speed is incredibly swift, and once fully achieved, it is like a phantom, undetectable by infrared devices."
"Dragon Elephant Power, primarily Strength..."
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