How Do We Play If This Boss Isn't Nerfed?-Chapter 48: Restriction Lifted

Chen Meng’s words were a thunderous wake-up call.

Lin Ye immediately suppressed the trace of frivolous sentimentality in his heart.

He solemnly accepted the Cultivation Technique, his fingertips clearly feeling the unique, time-worn texture of its cover.

He looked up, gave Chen Meng a long, meaningful look, and then, without a word, performed a deep bow.

The motion was slow and deliberate.

This was more than just a student’s respect for a teacher.

It was the sincerest gratitude of a disciple to his master.

Chen Meng waved his hand, his gesture a bit stiff.

"That’s enough."

He could feel a warmth gathering in his eyes, threatening to form tears.

But Chen Meng fought it back.

It was only then that Chen Meng realized that, at some point, his relationship with this student had deepened to the point where he would constantly worry and feel concerned for him.

But he couldn’t let it show.

’To rise from a public martial arts academy, become the best in the city, and even reach the pinnacle of the Ninghai Qiming General Star Training Camp...

’That path is as hard as ascending to the heavens. At least in Dongjiang City, no one has ever managed it before.

’But I hope you see it through.

’Forge a path... that will make everyone look up to you in awe.’

Watching Lin Ye’s retreating back, Chen Meng could only silently voice these thoughts in his heart.

...

Lin Ye didn’t return to his classroom or go home. Instead, he went straight to his personal Gravity Chamber.

This was the one place where he could truly quiet his mind.

He sat down cross-legged, carefully placed the Five Qi Guiding Formulas on his lap, and gently opened the yellowed cover.

The moment he opened it, a unique, aged scent washed over him—the smell of time itself.

Lin Ye immediately noticed that besides the neatly printed text, the pages were filled with a vast number of annotations written in different colors and scripts.

The notes were so dense they covered nearly every inch of blank space on the pages.

Some of the script was forceful and energetic, the ink slightly faded. It was clearly written many years ago, the lines radiating a young man’s sharp wit and untamable pride.

Other handwriting was more steady and reserved, the ink fresh, clearly added only recently.

Two completely different images surfaced in Lin Ye’s mind.

One was a young, high-spirited Chen Meng, brimming with ambition, meticulously recording every insight and breakthrough he experienced with the Cultivation Technique.

The other was the Chen Meng of today, enduring the pain of his old injuries flaring up as he sat in his office, once again opening this same book.

He had supplemented it, drop by drop, with his latest understanding, tailored specifically to Lin Ye’s characteristics.

A warmth surged through Lin Ye. He took a deep breath, pushed down the overwhelming feelings of gratitude, and began to study the Cultivation Technique with his full concentration.

The core theory of the Five Qi Guiding Formulas was to take the omnipresent source energy of the world and, based on its different properties, subdivide it into five distinct types of "qi."

Corresponding to the element of Metal was the indomitable Sharp Metal Qi, which could break through any defense.

Corresponding to Wood was the ever-living Green Wood Qi, filled with endless vitality.

Corresponding to Water was the dense and enduring Gui Water Qi.

Corresponding to Fire was the explosive and violent Li Fire Qi. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

And finally, corresponding to Earth was the heavy and stable Wu Earth Qi.

The opening summary of the Cultivation Technique was explicit: A Martial Artist’s cultivation must emulate the heavens and the earth.

Draw the five qi from without to nourish the inner organs; strengthen the five viscera from within to generate Qi and Blood.

Only when the five elements rotate in a ceaseless cycle can one’s power be inexhaustible.

Unlike the Basic Body Refining Skill, which simply stimulated the flesh and exhausted one’s Qi and Blood, this technique established a complete, cyclical system: drawing in external energy to nourish the body from within.

The first half of the book detailed the properties of these five types of qi and their corresponding relationships with the body’s five major organs.

The second half contained the specific cultivation methods: how to sense, guide, and absorb the qi, and how to circulate it within the body to complete the most crucial step—refining Qi and Blood to nourish oneself.

The entire system of the Cultivation Technique was vast and profound, far more complex and esoteric than Lin Ye had ever imagined.

Time flew by as Lin Ye lost himself in his studies.

Four or five hours passed in a flash. He had read through the entire Cultivation Technique, including all of Chen Meng’s annotations, several times over.

His high Spirit attribute made his mind sharper and clearer than ever before.

Lin Ye had always excelled in his liberal arts classes, and his comprehension was already high. Now, it felt like a tiger that had grown wings.

Concepts that would take a normal person days or even a week to grasp were as clear as the lines on his own palm to him.

Of course, there were still a few crucial points that he found obscure and difficult to understand.

Instead of stubbornly trying to work it out himself or getting bogged down, he closed the book, stood up, and once again knocked on the door to Chen Meng’s office.

When Chen Meng saw Lin Ye return, holding the Cultivation Technique, its pages already frayed from use, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

’So quickly?’

But when Lin Ye pointedly raised the few problems he had encountered, Chen Meng’s surprise turned into shock.

’This kid... Every question he’s asking is about the most central and difficult-to-understand concepts in the entire Cultivation Technique!’

’A normal student would need several days just to understand the theory in the first half, let alone get started with practice!’

’And he’s grasped the very essence of the technique in just half a day!’

Outwardly, however, Chen Meng remained perfectly calm. He patiently took each of Lin Ye’s questions, drew upon his own experience, and broke down the complex concepts into the simplest possible terms to explain them in detail.

The fog of confusion in Lin Ye’s mind cleared away, and the fragmented lines of thought connected into a coherent whole.

The very instant Chen Meng finished his last sentence, a system notification chimed, right on cue, in Lin Ye’s mind.

[Ding! You have learned a new Cultivation Technique: Five Qi Guiding Formulas!]

[Current Stage: Entry]

[Current Cultivation Technique EXP Bonus: 150%]

[Current Level Cap: LV15]

[When you discover your own unique method for refining Qi and Blood, the level cap for this Cultivation Technique will increase to LV25.]

The biggest restriction on his leveling for the past twenty-plus days... had finally been lifted!

Lin Ye was just a bit confused. ’What does it mean by "my own unique method for refining Qi and Blood"?’

Seeing the flash of understanding that instantly lit up Lin Ye’s eyes, Chen Meng’s own suspicions were confirmed.

’In a single afternoon, this kid... he’s actually mastered the basics.’

He felt a mix of relief and profound emotion, which finally condensed into a single word of caution. "Take it step-by-step. Don’t rush. When guiding the five source qi into your body, impatience is the greatest enemy."

"It’s better to be slow and steady than to rush for quick results. You’ll end up seriously hurting yourself!"

"Yes, Teacher."

Lin Ye nodded firmly.

By the time he said goodbye to Chen Meng, night had already fallen.

He didn’t go home, instead sending his mother a quick message that he had something to do and wouldn’t be back for dinner.

Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and his figure melted back into the city night.

He was heading toward the abandoned city!

’Leveling up...’

’It’s time to speed things up!’