"One hundred push-ups..."
"Two hundred sit-ups..."
"Three hundred squats..."
Lu Lei counted, panting heavily as sweat dripped down his forehead.
To improve his strength as quickly as possible and deal with the threat from Liu Defu, Lu Lei hadn't slept all night. He exercised frantically, trying to push himself to the point of complete exhaustion once again.
However, even though he was as worn out as a dead dog, the system's notification never appeared.
"System, I’m exercising until I’m about to puke, so why hasn’t my physical cultivation level advanced?"
Lu Lei lay sprawled on the ground, asking weakly.
The system's voice sounded: "Host, your brain unconsciously protects your body, preventing you from truly reaching a state of total exhaustion. It is recommended that you attempt higher-intensity passive tempering methods."
"..."
Lu Lei rolled his eyes: "Higher intensity? Passive? What do you want? Do you want me to go out and get beaten up?"
System: "Detected that the host's emotions are fluctuating violently. It is recommended to remain calm."
"Calm your head!"
Lu Lei lay on the ground and asked dejectedly: "System, tell me, how should I train?"
System: "Based on data analysis, it is recommended that the host attempt the following tempering methods."
"1. Passive Dual Cultivation: Seek out a cultivator who practices absorption techniques and allow them to harvest your energy."
"2. Being beaten: Request a cultivator to attack you with spirit energy."
After hearing this, Lu Lei almost coughed up blood: "Actually getting beaten? You're trying to kill me!"
As for finding someone to practice Dual Cultivation with and letting her harvest him?
Never mind whether anyone would dare to snatch an inner-door Senior Sister's human furnace; the very idea of actively looking for someone to harvest him sounded perverted. It would be hard not to look suspicious.
System: "Host, the path of a Body Cultivator is inherently difficult. If you wish to improve quickly, you must pay the price."
Lu Lei gritted his teeth: "Fine! I'll do it! I refuse to believe that I, Lu Lei, can't master this Body Cultivator path!"
Early the next morning, Lu Lei stood in a corner of the Outer Sect training plaza, holding a crooked wooden sign with large characters scribbled on it in charcoal.
"Professional punching bag, your satisfaction guaranteed!"
Below that, a thoughtful line of smaller text was added:
"Paid beatings, five spirit stones per session, fair to all ages!"
Lu Lei stood the sign up and shouted loudly.
"Are you still feeling frustrated because you failed the inner-door selection? Are you still going crazy because your cultivation isn't progressing? Come to me, Lu Lei! Professional punching bag, your satisfaction guaranteed! For five spirit stones, release your stress, stabilize your Dao heart, and regain your confidence in cultivation!"
"Don't miss out! Five spirit stones won't buy you a magical treasure or medicinal pills, but it will buy you a chance for a satisfying vent! Limited offer, first come, first served!"
As soon as this absurd sign and shouting went up, it immediately attracted a crowd of Outer Sect disciples.
"Hey, isn't that Lu Lei? Wasn't he drained into a husk by Senior Sister Zhou of Yunyu Peak a few days ago? How does he still have the energy to come out and get beaten? Looks like he didn't manage to cling to Senior Sister Zhou's apron strings after all."
"Who knows? Maybe he’s just broke? Five spirit stones a session? That’s not cheap!"
"Tsk, tsk, look at his frail appearance. I’m afraid he might fall apart after one punch."
Lu Lei chuckled inwardly as he listened to the surrounding gossip.
He deliberately put on a weak and pathetic act, staggering as he walked and speaking in a listless voice, as if a gust of wind could knock him over.
"Senior brothers and sisters, I’ve been a bit tight on funds lately, so I’m trying to earn some spirit stones to help with expenses. If you have any pent-up frustration, come and hit me! I guarantee I won't fight back! As long as you don't kill me—though, of course, no hitting the face."
Lu Lei coughed twice as he spoke, making himself look even more miserable.
The Outer Sect disciples looked at each other. Although they thought it was ridiculous, curiosity got the better of them, and soon someone was eager to try.
"I'll give it a go!"
A burly man stepped out, clutching five spirit stones. "Junior Brother Lu, don't blame me if I’m a bit heavy-handed!"
He had just been ridiculed by an inner-door senior brother earlier that day, but could only watch as the man walked off with his former Dao companion. He was filled with pent-up rage.
Seeing that the man was only at the Spirit Breath Realm (Mid-stage), Lu Lei nodded and adopted an expression of stoic resignation, even though he didn't actually activate his Bronze Skin and Iron Bone Technique: "Go ahead, Senior Brother. I can take it!"
The man didn't hold back and swung his fist toward Lu Lei's chest.
"Thump!"
With a dull thud, Lu Lei was knocked back two steps, his chest feeling slightly numb.
*Hiss—*
That hurts!
Lu Lei sucked in a breath, rubbing his chest in pain.
Lu Lei: System, is there a function to block out pain?
System: If you went to bed early instead of staying up late, you wouldn't be daydreaming in the middle of the day.
Lu Lei silently gave the system the middle finger in his mind and could only feign ease, patting his chest to show he was fine.
"Senior Brother, again!"
The man was stunned. He hadn't expected Lu Lei to handle his punch like that. He landed several more, each infused with spirit energy.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Lu Lei was knocked left and right but managed to stand firm each time, even "smiling" at the man: "Senior Brother, your punches have good strength! Give me a few more!"
In reality, Lu Lei was in agony and was frantically cursing the system in his heart.
*It hurts like hell!*
*Stupid system!*
*If I listen to your advice again, I’m a dog!*
After a few more punches, the man stopped, panting, and looked at Lu Lei in disbelief: "Junior Brother Lu, your physique... it’s something else! Can I use a Spirit Skill?"
Lu Lei had wanted to refuse, but the system warned him that this efficiency was too slow and wouldn't lead to the state of total exhaustion he needed.
"Y—e—s."
Lu Lei had no choice but to change his answer, gritting his teeth as he spat out the word.
When the man heard this, a flash of excitement crossed his eyes, and he grinned: "Fine! Junior Brother Lu, you said it yourself, so don't blame me if I hit hard!"
After he spoke, he stepped back, quickly formed hand seals, and let out a low shout.
"Stone-Splitting Palm!"
Following his shout, the surrounding spirit energy instantly converged onto his palm, forming a pale yellow glow. Then, a palm imprint with a fierce aura flew straight toward Lu Lei's chest.
Seeing this, Lu Lei’s heart tightened. He channeled his inner spirit energy rapidly, pushing his Bronze Skin and Iron Bone Technique to its limit.
A faint bronze luster shimmered across his skin, as if he were encased in an invisible suit of armor.
"Bang!"
The man's Stone-Splitting Palm slammed into Lu Lei's chest with a deafening boom. Lu Lei vomited blood and was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground.
The force of the palm stirred up dust, causing the onlookers to retreat several steps, fearing they might be caught in the fallout.
After a long while, Lu Lei crawled up from the ground, wiped the blood from his lips, and stood straight by trembling knees.
"Senior... brother, do you... want to continue?"
"Junior Brother Lu... you..."
Seeing Lu Lei in such a miserable state yet still persevering, the man's lingering resentment completely dissipated. Instead of attacking again, he handed Lu Lei ten spirit stones.
"Junior Brother Lu, I never imagined that you would go to such lengths for cultivation resources. Here I am, upset just because I lost a Dao companion—my Dao heart is clearly not firm enough. I have been taught a lesson."
After saying this, the man bowed to Lu Lei and walked away with a carefree air.
"???"
Lu Lei's brain almost short-circuited. He hadn't even reached the point of exhaustion yet—what was wrong with this guy? Why did he have such an epiphany, and why did he give him extra spirit stones?
Whatever, forget it. As long as he got paid.
Lu Lei chuckled, holding the ten spirit stones, feeling quite pleased.
"Thanks for your patronage, Senior Brother! Come back anytime!"