CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 120: THINGS HAVE CHANGED! TRAINING PROGRAM INITIATED

DING DING DING...

Chen Pingchuan reluctantly forced open his drowsy eyes. He turned over, bounced out of bed, and reached out to rub his somewhat stiff neck.

Next time, I need to be more careful with this instant sleep method, he thought to himself. It would be more comfortable to find a skilled masseuse for a massage.

He quickly put on his school uniform jacket, haphazardly stuffed his diary and stationery into his backpack, and then quietly tiptoed out the door.

At this hour, the sun had not yet risen. There was only a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer on the horizon, so it was hardly the stuff of a glorious departure into the dawn.

The reason Chen Pingchuan woke up so early was, of course, his eagerness to rapidly restore his physical strength. After knocking himself unconscious last night, he had received memories of the Basic Body Forging Technique in his dreams. Those memories seemed etched into his mind, so much so that he had jolted awake mid-sleep just to set an alarm for himself. This was because, within those memories, he discovered a technique that would be highly beneficial for his recovery.

It was named Dragon Walk Tiger Step.

This technique is classified as a breathing method within the Basic Body Forging Technique. It is characterized by specific walking and running postures that are adjusted in harmony with unique breathing rhythms to enhance metabolism, effectively helping practitioners recover from injuries. When a practitioner performs Dragon Walk Tiger Step, the various parts of their body operate in coordination, allowing blood and qi to circulate smoothly. At the same time, it stimulates the body’s latent potential, enhancing both endurance and recovery capabilities.

To master the essence of Dragon Walk Tiger Step, one must replace daily actions with its breathing patterns and footwork, gradually training them to become instinctive.

Of course, achieving this was no easy task. It not only required a high level of martial arts talent but also diligent practice. The practitioner had to keep their body in a walking or running state as much as possible, which enabled them to better understand the meaning of a dragon soaring through the sky and a tiger bounding across the earth.

When the breathing technique is cultivated to perfection, one can achieve a conceptual state called the "Unity of Heaven and Man."

Chen Pingchuan was deeply skeptical about this.

This secret technique is clearly just the divine self putting on airs. It’s a completely different system compared to genetic strengthening and improving attribute values. They’re not in the same league, so don’t try to mix them up.

The divine self’s recovery is speeding up again. Still the same familiar, twisted sense of humor.

Today, because Chen Pingchuan had risen unusually early, most of the shops on the old street still had their doors shut tight. Only that familiar breakfast shop was lit.

Chen Pingchuan stepped directly over the threshold. As his gaze fell upon the busy shop owner, a smile spread across his face, and he said cheerfully, "Good morning, Uncle."

The uncle, who was concentrating on making meat buns, was startled by his words. No one ever came into the shop at this time. Hearing the familiar voice, the middle-aged man quickly looked up at Chen Pingchuan. After scanning the surroundings, he almost blurted out.

"My young friend, you..."

"Shh!"

While pretending to stroke his stubble, Chen Pingchuan made a hushing gesture. He could roughly guess what the shop owner was thinking. In the past, he hadn’t dared to speak up for fear of retaliation because other people were around. Now that they were alone, the relatively familiar uncle wanted to remind him that this place wasn’t what it seemed—it wasn’t a land of memory.

But now, not only had Chen Pingchuan regained his original memories, but he also knew some special secrets. Laying his cards on the table with the shop owner wasn’t a good choice; the old man might get implicated because of him.

Seeing Chen Pingchuan’s gesture, the fifty-something-year-old man was briefly stunned before instantly understanding his meaning. A shop owner who had long mingled with the common folk was sharper than Chen Pingchuan had imagined.

"The usual today?"

"Hmm, the usual. The usual three kinds of tofu pudding, one of each flavor. As for the main course... buns. Make it five steamer baskets."

"Er... I’m a bit hungry today. Of course, the main reason is that your buns are just too delicious."

Sensing the shop owner’s astonished gaze, Chen Pingchuan changed the subject. "How’s business been lately?"

The astonishment in the shop owner’s eyes faded, replaced by a peculiar and helpless look. He didn’t answer Chen Pingchuan’s question. Instead, he lowered his head and continued with his work.

Chen Pingchuan immediately realized. If he guessed correctly, all of this had been meticulously arranged for him by Belia. So, how could there possibly be any other customers?

I’m probably the only customer he has. After all, the big shots in the Inner City District are used to synthetic food—it’s fast, convenient, and pollution-free, even if it has no real flavor.

With this thought, Chen Pingchuan said no more and found a secluded corner to sit down.

Fifteen minutes later, Chen Pingchuan swiftly finished his battle, gulping down the last mouthful of soup from his bowl and letting out a huge burp. He then pulled out two hundred-yuan bills from his pocket and tucked them under his bowl. Although the shop owner probably couldn’t use the money, he still kept his old habit. In the past, he could only afford to leave ten yuan. He was feeling flush now.

「At dawn, as the sky began to lighten,」

Chen Pingchuan, dressed in his high school uniform with a somewhat empty backpack, was running along the quiet road. Instead of taking the bus, he had chosen to run. His steps alternated between light and firm. The wind whistled past his ears, and the air carried a slight chill, but it did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm.

Initially, Chen Pingchuan couldn’t synchronize his breathing with his movements, let alone maintain a proper running posture; his movements were awkward. But with persistent effort, he demonstrated an astonishing martial arts talent. After just ten-odd minutes, he not only managed to synchronize his breathing with his exercise, but his running posture also grew more and more proper. When the mood struck, he would even make playful dragon claw or tiger pounce motions with his hands.

The distant sky gradually took on an orange-red glow as the sun struggled to break free from the horizon’s grasp. Feeling the vibrant Spirit of the morning sun, Chen Pingchuan swept away his past gloom, and his mood instantly brightened. At that moment, he felt as if he were returning to his primal roots, transcending the mundane world to become his true self.

Of course, as the city buildings grew larger in his vision, rationality eventually dragged him back to reality.

I must find a place of my own, a place where I can live the divine life of sleeping until I wake up naturally! I’ll never have to worry about making a living or feel anxious about the future again.

Most importantly, no more waking up early for school! Damn it!

Chen Pingchuan made this great vow in his heart as he ran to the edge of the city. He straightened his clothes and hair.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

The powerful beating of his heart told him that his condition was improving, even without him summoning his attribute panel.

Upon reaching the central area of the city, Chen Pingchuan stopped running and opted for conventional transportation to get to school, where he intercepted a pretty female classmate at the school gate.