10: Chapter 10 Cold Smoke Breaks Through the Wall

"Whoosh — — Bang!"

"Whoosh — — Bang!"

The last old public bus staggered along under the gradually thinning neon streetlights. Inside the carriage, there were only two or three exhausted passengers returning home.

Li Wen sat by the window, the continuous clamor from the night sky outside his ears.

In the mid-air, brilliant fireworks burst open one after another, their multicolored light fragments momentarily illuminating the lead-gray night curtain before instantly vanishing, leaving behind a faint smell of gunpowder drifting in through the window cracks.

Gazing at that fleeting splendor, Li Wen paused slightly before pulling his mind away from the continuously high-speed operation of his thoughts. Oh, right, tomorrow is New Year's Day.

The New Year's bell also meant the end of this semester was approaching. The final exams were right around the corner.

"This final exam..." Li Wen subconsciously rubbed the washed-out cuff of his school uniform, his gaze returning to the receding street view outside the window as he quickly calculated in his mind.

"Top ten in the class... The highest tier prize money for the school's 'Annual Progress Award' is one thousand, plus five hundred for the 'Excellent Study Award' for the top ten... Putting them together, fifteen hundred should be enough to buy three level 1 qi and blood potion."

Three potions. This thought was like a faint cluster of flames, temporarily dispelling the gloom entrenched in his heart.

With these three extra supplies, his Physical Body Rank could increase somewhat during the upcoming winter vacation.

If that happened, by the time the Flying Star Class selection occurred at the beginning of next semester, the biggest weakness—the Physical Body Rank score—would not be dragged too far behind by others, preventing his hard-earned technical advantage from being completely wasted.

However, the flame flickered, ultimately unable to illuminate the heavy Foundation of reality.

"Sigh~" A barely audible sigh escaped his lips.

He was truly, too poor.

It was a case of a hero being stumped by a single coin.

Otherwise... with this almost 'cheat-like' [Scholar] panel in hand, why would he need to rack his brains over these vulgar matters, haggling over every cent?

As his thoughts churned, the bus rattled out of the bustling and noisy main urban area.

Outside the window, the neon streams of light seemed to be wiped away by an invisible giant hand, and the buzzing sound of the exploding fireworks quickly dissipated with the increasing distance, until complete silence reigned.

In these years where Yao Beasts ran rampant and resources were scarce, fireworks were long no longer common items; only wealthy merchants and powerful elites with vast fortunes could afford to squander wealth on such momentary brilliance.

The ban on fireworks? It was already an empty promise. Between survival and pleasure, people's choices were always so... clearly delineated.

The bus entered the old city district. Outside the window, only the thick, unresolvable night and a few scattered dim yellow lights remained. Li Wen sat silently in the corner, his shadow stretched long and thin.

...The next morning, January 1st, 226, New Year's Day.

No holiday. In the years of Grade 12, New Year's Day was just a slightly different number on the calendar.

When Li Wen awoke from his light sleep, the figures of Father Li (Li Hong) and Mother Li (Wang Juan) had long since disappeared from this cramped home.

Only on the old wooden table in the center of the empty living room did the traces of morning life remain.

A familiar hard paper box with purple-brown patterns was placed solemnly on the tabletop. Underneath the box lay a small, folded piece of letter paper.

Li Wen walked forward and gently picked up the box. Beneath it, his mother's familiar, delicate handwriting came into view:

"A Wen, Happy New Year! — Mom"

Just two short lines, carrying the warmth of residual breakfast heat.

The corners of Li Wen's mouth curved into a gentle arc. He carefully folded the note and placed it into the pocket of his school uniform worn close to his body, as if tucking away that concern carrying body warmth securely.

Next, his gaze fell upon the empty box. This was his guaranteed three qi and blood potion for the month.

The quantity was small, but it was the critical bargaining chip concerning his Physical Body Rank test at the end of the semester.

He carefully checked the inside of the box to confirm everything was in order before picking it up, turning, and walking towards his small room to safely hide it in the bottom drawer of the bedside cabinet.

He had no intention of taking them immediately. His plan was to take them on the night three days before the final exams began.

The reason was simple: those two words—efficiency.

He needed to use these precious few days to push the proficiency of the Splitting Edge Golden Fiend Method a little higher.

Even if it was just an increase from the current Minor Achievement 5 points to 10 points, the effect would be drastically different.

Only then, upon taking the qi and blood potion, would the circulation, absorption, and stimulation efficiency of the qi and blood on his Physical Body be higher.

Utilizing limited resources to the extreme, every cent and every drop had to be carefully calculated. This was a helpless act engraved in his bones and blood, the way of life he had no other choice but to follow.

Reaching out to his parents again? Unless it came to the absolute last resort, how could he bear to?

The weathered yet still resilient figures of his parents woke up earlier and returned later than him every day. That heavy love and sacrifice had long made it impossible for him to ask for more.

As for borrowing money... A bitter smile crossed Li Wen's lips. Those relatives at home... those who could be borrowed from had already been borrowed from dry.

The 'class selection fee' of fifty thousand Huaxia Coins back then had already exhausted all goodwill. Poverty in a bustling city means no one asks about you.

After hastily finishing washing up, he quickly and meticulously finished the simple breakfast his mother had kept warm on the table, wasting not another moment.

Li Wen slung his canvas school bag—washed pale with some frayed and worn corners—and once again stepped alone into the biting New Year's Day morning wind.

...Qingshi No. 3 Middle School, Grade 12, Class 21 academic classroom.

Without any surprise, just as the first ray of morning light had not yet completely driven away the shadows in the corridor, Li Wen had already pushed open the classroom door.

Only the sound of him pulling his chair echoed in the empty classroom. The window-side seat in the corner was his fixed fortress.

Last night in the class group chat, he had confirmed the dates for the final exams.

The cultural subjects were on January 9th, and the martial arts technique and Physical Body Rank tests were on January 10th.

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of his 'top ten in the class' goal was the last bit of experience stuck at [Technique: Blade Technique - Advanced (Major Achievement 99 / 100)].

That invisible, intangible, yet incredibly hard Bottleneck. Breaking through it would allow him to step into the Major Achievement Perfection Realm, just one step away from Top-tier Saber Technique.

His greatest reliance and hope still lay in the advancement of his [Scholar] Rank.

Now already a Rank 2 Scholar, it brought him Rank 2 [Absolute Focus], increasing his Comprehension Ability by 20%.

This was already an extremely precious aid. But, it was not enough, far from enough.

Rank 3 Scholar! That would mean Rank 3 [Absolute Focus], and the Comprehension Ability increase would reach a terrifying 30%.

When he used skills then, his ability to deduce, understand, and master the Blade Technique would leap up a huge step. At that time, the chance of breaking through this final Perfection Bottleneck would be maximized.

Scholar Rank was the core Foundation of his martial path; advancing it was urgent! Its priority was irreplaceable!

Six hours of 'grinding experience' every day, without fail! This was the battlefield where he raced against time and wrestled with fate.

He opened "advanced mathematical foundation theory" and sank into the sea of complex and profound formulas.

Ten minutes later.

[You seriously studied for ten minutes, scholar experience + 1]

[Profession: Scholar lv2 (8 → 9 / 200)]

The cold prompt popped up, yet it was a fiery record marking a solid step toward the goal.

"Morning, Overachiever." A familiar voice carrying a boisterous energy came from the doorway.

Wei Wu pushed the door open right on time.

"Morning!" Li Wen looked up from his book and responded.

Wei Wu seemed a bit different today, with clear curiosity and inquiry on his face. He took three steps in two and hurried to Li Wen's desk, his small eyes fixed on Li Wen, his voice lowered extremely low:

"Li Wen, I heard... your Blade Technique is almost at the Great Perfection Realm? True or false?"

Li Wen put down the book in his hand, looked at him calmly, and nodded frankly: "True."

At this point, he had no need to hide it. Since he had chosen to display his transformed Blade Technique in front of everyone, he naturally wasn't afraid of gossip.

This concerned his Flying Star Class application, concerned whether he could obtain that crucial Progress Award at the end of the term.

Furthermore, a mere Breakthrough from Major Achievement to Perfection was not earth-shattering among the Grade 12 students who saw dark horses emerge every year.

The immense external threat facing human civilization would only make the Alliance happy to see more Geniuses surface, rather than suppress them.

"It's actually true! Holy crap!" Although he had some mental preparation, Wei Wu's voice still rose a few decibels in excitement. His small eyes were wide open,

"You didn't actually... 'Awaken,' did you? That legendary thick accumulation leading to explosive potential?!"

Wei Wu was so excited his face turned red, as if this earth-shattering good fortune had fallen upon him. He began to describe animatedly:

"If you really did Awaken, that would be incredible! Absolutely a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate! Kindling Hall! Virtual Company! Those major powers will definitely make a move upon hearing the news, scrambling to sign you! Maybe even directly an S-Rank contract! Directly reaching the pinnacle of life, marrying a beautiful, rich woman..."

"Cough..." Li Wen looked at his deskmate who was getting more and more worked up and had to interrupt his grand vision, "It's not that exaggerated."

That being said, a slight ripple did pass through Li Wen's heart.

Being signed early by those top powers controlling massive resources? He had indeed thought about it.

Beneath the Human Galaxy Alliance, four giants stood in a triumvirate:

The [Kindling Hall], responsible for cultivating top talents;

The [Virtual Company], controlling the virtual world and information networks;

The [Galaxy Bank], connecting all economic lifelines;

And the [Mercenary Alliance], leading external exploration, mercenary forces, and the acquisition of scarce resources.

They were behemoths towering above nations, jointly maintaining humanity's survival and development under the threat of Yao Beasts.

Legend had it that true Geniuses favored by these giants would be signed in advance, receiving generous resources and top-tier cultivation systems as an 'investment.'

The lowest-grade contract alone was easily worth over a million Huaxia Coins. As for the higher S-Rank... rumors suggested it was an astronomical figure capable of lifting an ordinary person to the clouds in one step.

If he could be signed early by any one of them... Flying Star Class? That would only be the starting platform! Resources? They would flow endlessly!

Thinking of this, even with Li Wen's willpower, his heart couldn't help but skip a few beats. But he quickly calmed down.

With the talent he currently displayed? He might be considered outstanding in Qingshi No. 3 Middle School, but compared to the entire base of Grade 12 students in Qingshi County, or even across the vast Huaguo... he probably couldn't even reach the lowest D-Rank contract.

In the entire Qingshi County, only the few Prodigies from No. 1 Middle School who successfully stepped into the Unity Realm this year had been signed by the major powers.

And according to circulating news, even for them, the highest was only a b-rank contract; most were only C-Rank or D-Rank.

Contract Rank directly mapped the powers' assessment of the signatory's future potential; the higher the Rank, the more valued they were.

He, Li Wen... had a long way to go.

Under Li Wen's rational analysis and persuasion, Wei Wu finally cooled down from his boiling imagination, returning to his seat with residual excitement, smacking his lips.

But the shock and longing for his classmate potentially soaring to success remained in his heart, unable to completely subside throughout the entire morning's study.

Time seemed to have hit the acceleration key.

"Jingle-ling—" The bell for morning dismissal rang exactly on time.

[Profession: Scholar lv2 (9 → 44 / 200)]

Li Wen calculated silently in his mind. Six hours of hard cultivation yielded 36 experience points. The efficiency was constant. In another five days, by January 6th, he would accumulate 200 points, and the Scholar Rank would smoothly advance to lv3!

And January 6th was three days before the cultural final exam on January 9th.

It was four days before the martial arts test on the 10th.

This meant that the 30% Comprehension Ability boost brought by the lv3 Scholar would become his sharpest spear to break the wall when attempting to charge into the Blade Technique Perfection Realm and even try to enter the Top-tier Saber Technique.

"Time... it's tight, but there's hope I can make it." He skillfully and quickly stacked the books spread on the desk neatly and put them back in the drawer.

Li Wen stood up, the stiffness from sitting for a long time emitting subtle sounds as his bones stretched.

He felt the soreness in his muscles, took a deep breath, and strode out of the classroom.

Outside the corridor, the midday sun of winter shone down with a rare warmth, illuminating the back of him walking toward the cafeteria, a back that seemed even more resolute than when he arrived.