The Methods of Honing was both difficult to understand and quite straightforward at the same time.

　　Literacy was not the sole factor that contributed to an understanding of the manual.

　　The content of the general studies exam actually functioned as a base for cultivation.

　　In order to study The Methods of Honing, strong knowledge of the path of blood circulation and the mapping of meridians and bones in the human body was required.

　　If one had gotten his hands on the manual yet had no idea how Vitality flowed in the human body, studying it would amount to nothing.

　　This manual only taught the basics, though, in order to convey its knowledge to the masses.

　　That was why the manual did not go through the specifics.

　　The Vitality circulation system illustrated in the manual included only the essential components of the cardiovascular system.

　　Under normal circumstances, one would not die even if he had started out wrong, although injury was unavoidable.

　　As for deviating from the normal path completely… Fang Ping was too inexperienced in cultivation to even entertain the possibility.

　　His Vitality of 124cal would pose less harm to the body even if he had strayed from the path briefly.

　　It was less of a risk compared to his sudden 10cal increase of Vitality that had happened some time ago.

　　…

　　Fang Ping was still kind of worried before he started.

　　After some thought, he took out his phone and called Wang Jinyang.

　　…

　　Nanjiang Martial Arts University.

　　Wang Jinyang was recuperating the past couple of days, returning himself to peak condition so that he could breakthrough when he was at his zenith.

　　His brow furrowed when he picked up the phone and heard Fang Ping voicing his intention to start cultivating that day.

　　He said after a moment’s thought, “You can cultivate following The Methods of Honing. Nothing too serious will happen even if you do something wrong at the start.

　　“But…”

　　Fang Ping pricked his ears.

　　“But there’s something that I should remind you of.

　　“First, cultivating The Methods of Honing can refine your Vitality and strengthen your bones.

　　“These processes expend Vitality.

　　“Vitality does not replenish itself automatically. It does replenish itself, yes, but it won’t match the rate you’re drying it up.

　　“If you do cultivate the Methods of Honing, your Vitality threshold will increase, but the Vitality flowing in your body will dwindle.

　　“By a damn lot!

　　“The Gaokao is near. If you can’t replenish it fast enough, you’ll face difficulty during the first test, which is the physical assessment.

　　“You should prioritize your martial sciences exams instead of cultivation.”

　　Fang Ping furrowed his brow. “My Vitality will decrease?”

　　“Of course!”

　　Wang Jinyang said with mirth, “Both your bones and meridians need the nourishment of Vitality in order to strengthen them. Say, will the expenditure be huge?

　　“Your Vitality is currently at 120cal. It might be reduced to 115cal after one instance of cultivation.

　　“The recovery process will take less time than an increase, but you will need three days or more to regain your full potential even after taking a normal Vitality Pill.

　　“One normal Vitality Pill every three days… How much would it cost?

　　“How many families can support that?

　　“If you don’t replenish your Vitality in time, your Vitality will decrease and pull the previously slightly increased limit down along with it.

　　“Fang Ping, it’s true that you have some resources in your hands.

　　“They’re limited, though, so you can’t use them rashly.

　　“If you ask me, the perfect opportunity to cultivate will materialize after you get in a martial arts university. The school will provide half of the resources needed during cultivation.

　　“It’s only a matter of waiting for a few months. It’s a better option compared to spending everything you have prematurely.”

　　Fang Ping did not care much about that. He said, after some thought, “If I can replenish my Vitality consistently, does that mean that the limit to my Vitality will increase?’

　　“Yes, this is fundamental. How else will the Methods of Honing push aspiring martial artists to the limit?”

　　“You said that this is the first setback. What else?”

　　“Secondly!”

　　Wang Jinyang sounded more stern compared to the previous moment. He said sternly, “Secondly, cultivating the Methods of Honing will not harm you much, with your current Vitality level.

　　“But it doesn’t mean that you’re completely safe from harm!

　　“If you injure your essential blood vessels, especially those nearest to the brain, you’ll be bedridden for months even if the condition is salvageable.

　　“Fang Ping, you’re going to take the Gaokao soon. Please be careful.

　　“The first try is always the most perilous one. If you’re seriously injured, you might miss the exams this year.

　　“If you shatter your capillaries, it’s not too big a deal given your swift Vitality recovery, but you must not injure your major vessels!”

　　“Brother Wang, I’ll be careful.” Fang Ping replied quickly.

　　Wang Jinyang knew that he had made up his mind when he heard his words. He shook his head. “Whatever. You can try again next year if you get injured.

　　“One option will set you back for a year while the other a few months. Think about it carefully,”

　　Wang Jinyang was not Fang Ping’s father; no need to persuade him repeatedly when the other had already made up his mind.

　　After the matter was wrapped up, Wang Jinyang continued, “There’s also the matter of the style of pole-standing you’ll choose.

　　“Have you thought of which one you’re going to choose among the sixteen styles?”

　　“This, I really haven’t put much thought in. Which one would you recommend, Brother Wang?”

　　“Your choice will depend on the direction you’re heading when aiming for Rank-1.”

　　Wang Jinyang paused for a moment before continuing, “Focusing on honing the upper limbs when in Rank-1 is a safer option, not too outstanding.

　　“Focusing on the lower limbs will increase both your propensity for combat and running speed, and your lower body will be sturdier.

　　“It’s more of a risky approach, though, as an injury might cripple you.

　　“You’ll see lots of cripples hobbling around in martial arts universities with one leg and a tarnished dignity.

　　“An injury in the upper limbs is less visible. When you injure your lower limbs, you might become a cripple.”

　　“Is a Rank-1 who focuses on honing his lower limbs stronger than his counterpart?”

　　“That depends on the circumstances of the battle.

　　“When both of the fighters are equally matched, the one whose lower limbs are stronger can run for his life. The other would find it difficult to chase after him.”

　　Speaking of the topic, Wang Jinyang suddenly laughed. “I had focused on honing my lower limbs when I was Rank-1, so I ran really fast.

　　“I sparred with one of my seniors in Rank-2. He had finished honing his upper limbs and was just starting out on his lower limbs.

　　“I managed to tire him out in the end!”

　　Wang Jinyang told this to Fang Ping as a funny anecdote, when the event had caused much uproar in school.

　　The two of them had fought with gusto. Wang Jinyang ended up leading the senior on a wild goose chase around Nanjiang Martial Arts University, running 30 laps around the campus.

　　Fang Ping did not know of the details, naturally.

　　When he heard that honing the lower limbs brought more results than the alternative, Fang Ping asked hurriedly, “Brother Wang, what style would you say suits me if I’m going to hone my lower limbs?”

　　“The Horse-riding Stance! This is the first choice for aspiring martial artists who want to hone their lower limbs.”

　　“…”

　　The two of them talked about cultivation matters for a long time.

　　Wang Jinyang did not show any signs of impatience. If he did not explain everything clearly, Fang Ping might do something wrong, and the consequences would be dire.

　　If he really had gotten himself injured and missed the Gaokao…

　　One year could be an insurmountable barrier.

　　Wang Jinyang felt that Fang Ping had no need to rush. He could wait until he had entered university to kickstart his cultivation – he could also save some resources while at it.

　　Fang Ping’s reserve, if combined with the school subsidy, would be enough to tide him over until Rank-2 if used frugally.

　　None of it would be left after his advancement into Rank-1, though, if he spent everything he had extravagantly.

　　The heavens would have to really like him if he wanted to bump into another Huang Bin again. Where could he possibly stumble upon such good luck?

　　…

　　The phone call lasted for over an hour.

　　Wang Jinyang’s kindness was notable.

　　After benefiting from Fang Ping’s lucky break, it was only natural that he take care of Fang Ping’s inquiries on cultivation with grace.

　　Fang Ping took several deep breaths after ending the phone call.

　　Fang Ping started his first official cultivation session at 3 pm.

　　He had figured out the path he should follow. Even if he had made a wrong step, the most he would suffer was two days of bedrest — as long as he did not recklessly decide to f*ck his major blood vessels up.

　　Without the ability to see the interior of his body, he could only rely on his senses.

　　After taking his shirt off, Fang Ping put his mind on cultivating with the guidance of diagrams in The Methods of Honing while simultaneously observing the circulation network in his body.

　　Whenever one refines his Vitality, blood vessels in the part of the body where his Vitality is strongest will become more visible.

　　“It’s a little painful…”

　　“My vessels aren’t used to cultivation since this is my first time.”

　　“It’ll be better after I pull through it for the first time — the human body is full of potential.”

　　“…”

　　Fang Ping kept on summarizing what he had learned whilst cultivating. Nerves snuck up on him when he approached the area around the temple.

　　The explosion of any other blood vessel in the body presented no big danger to him.

　　On the other hand, he would suffer dire consequences if he exploded a vessel somewhere near the brain.

　　There were few vessels within the circulation system illustrated in The Methods of Honing that passed by the brain — only the major vessel, in fact.

　　Luckily, the flow of Vitality followed the preexisting circulation systems in the human body. There was no broaching of the sub-vessels or anything.

　　Fang Ping’s Vitality flowed by the vessel near the brain without any hijinks.

　　…

　　Half an hour later.

　　Fang Ping had completed his first cultivation attempt smoothly.

　　“It went smoothly!”

　　Fang Ping grimaced. Despite his words, he was already cussing his heart out internally.

　　He was covered in his blood.

　　Nothing happened to the major vessels, but some capillaries had exploded under force, causing them to bleed out and leak out his body.

　　If Fang Yuan or Li Yuying entered the room now, they would probably be shocked to tears.

　　Fang Ping felt the once-swollen vessels in his body relax after his first time cultivating.

　　As for the blood… Let it be. His Vitality was more than enough, anyway.

　　He concentrated and looked at the system interface. He wanted to see if there was a decrease in his Vitality.

　　Wealth: 3370800

　　Vitality: 120cal

　　Mentality: 140hertz

　　…

　　“A decrease of 4cal! If I were anyone else, one normal Vitality Pill wouldn’t be enough to replenish the loss!

　　“Which is to say, one cultivation session is worth a hundred thousand yuan!”

　　Fang Ping cringed. Now he understood why there were so few who succeeded in becoming martial artists before the Gaokao.

　　Even if one had fulfilled all the criteria, cultivation meant spending a sh*t ton of money.

　　Who else would be willing to spend so much money, aside from the affluent and noble?

　　Cultivation was highly risky, too. Cultivation manuals could only be obtained from martial artists; most high schoolers did not have the opportunity.

　　Others were others. Fang Ping did not need to concern himself over this.

　　Wang Jinyang worried that he would exhaust his reserve early, but he had not intended to use any of it at all.

　　Fang Ping did not hesitate any longer. He immediately concentrated on increasing his Vitality:

　　Wealth: 3365800

　　Vitality: 125cal

　　Mentality: 140hertz

　　“The limit has increased by 1cal!”

　　Fang Ping’s eyes brightened. One cultivation session was all he needed to increase his Vitality limit by 1cal. It was quite a swift process.

　　Of course, this only worked for him.

　　Other students would need three days or so for their Vitality to replenish itself. Three days and a hundred thousand yuan for an increase of 1cal… Most would not be willing to attempt it at all.

　　“I won’t need to wait for my Vitality to recover. Other people can only cultivate once in three days, while I can cultivate however many times I want, as long as my body can withstand it…

　　“This is how the system should be used!

　　“Old Wang, Rank-3 is nothing to me! Just you wait, I’ll shock you to death!”

　　Fang Ping said to himself, his euphoria evident. This, coupled with the blood caked all over his body, was a sight that could make children cry.