"Why's everything so expensive?!?!?"
Chu Yunfan was tugging at his hair in frustration. His eyes were red from staring at his computer screen all night. Any previous joy he had experienced was snuffed out like a candle beneath a windstorm.
[Iron Lotus Alchemy Furnace: 1,000,000 credits]
[Dark Gold Alchemy Furnace: 100,000,000 credits]
[Alchemy Association Furnace (1 hour): 5,000 credits]
"I can't afford anything," he sobbed into his desk.
"Alchemy is a rich man's profession," the Emperor remarked. "It's always been like this."
"My best plan is probably testing for membership with the Alchemy Association for 10,000 credits, and then renting one of the furnaces for one hour for 5,000 credits… using the free resources that a beginner level member of the Association has access to, I need to concoct as many pills as possible to make a profit!"
There was one major problem: Yunfan would need 15,000 credits for his plan to even start. He wasn't even a third of the way there.
"Money is the only thing that matters in this world," Yunfan lamented with tears in his eyes. "What can I even do?"
"You can still use the Blood Essence Refinement Pill and your nutrient fluid," the Alchemy Emperor suggested.
"I'm suspicious about the nutrient fluid, but… nothing really happened the first time," Chu Yunfan sighed.
He sat down on his bed and crossed his legs. Removing the little black box from his bag, he opened it up and observed the mottled black-and-red pill before tossing it into his mouth.
Immediately, an unusual flavor filled his mouth. Where the nutrient fluid and Energy Replenishment Fluid Yunfan had previously drank tasted like nothing, the pill tasted like smoke and the smell of rust.
In his mind, he could vaguely sense a blood-red mist swirling around his body. He began absorbing the gaseous energy. As he absorbed the bloody mist, his heart began to pound.
His circulation slowly but surely increased in speed. With each minute of absorption, the speed increased and Yunfan's blood began to heat up. Soon, his whole body was steaming but he was too focused to notice.
The fiery heat that emanated from his body began purifying his blood— burning away some impurities that left his body through the steam pouring out of his body.
After four hours, he had consumed all the bloody mist. He'd entered upper Blood Purifying stage!
Not wanting to lose any momentum, he grabbed his second vial of B-ranked nutrient fluid and drank it.
Chu Yunfan used the same process as last time, consuming the nutrients within the fluid at an absolutely insane speed. In fact, he consumed the nutrients even faster this time!
After three hours, he felt something in his body snap; he had reached Energy Gathering!
"Ludicrous. Absolutely ludicrous cultivation speed," the Alchemy Emperor sighed. "If you revealed your cultivation base right now, your teacher would be forced to eat his words."
Chu Yunfan chuckled. "There are other talents who far outclass me in the Central Cities."
Chu Yunfan lived in Haigang City, one of the branch Cities under Donghai City. While Haigang City only had a population about 10-15 million, Central Cities like Donghai City were home to a little over 100 million! However, there were only ten Central Cities across the world. As major centers of military power and scientific development, even though the population was much larger than in branch Cities, the resources available for everyone was beyond what Yunfan could even dream of. There were rumors that one highschool in Donghai City had already reached the Qi Sea Realm! That was multiple Realms higher than even the best students in Haigang City Public School No. 13!
There's no point comparing myself to those people born with boundless talents and endless resources.
Determination surged through his veins.
One day, with the help of the Alchemy Emperor, I can surpass them all!
***
"You're doing really well," Yunfan remarked as he traded blows with Yonghe Hua. Her form had made significant improvements. Combined with her iron-like hands, he was struggling to keep up.
Of course, that was because he had repressed his cultivation base. His diligent cultivation during the past few weeks, combined with him spending some of his paycheck to buy higher quality spirit food for his family meant that he'd already reached intermediate Energy Gathering stage. If he unleashed his full power, he'd blow Yonghe Hua away with impunity.
"It's really thanks to you! I feel like I've made significant progress."
Yunfan agreed. He guessed that she was about 70% of the way to Mastery Stage.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Yunfan and Hua rapidly traded blows, both of them unable to avoid each other's strikes. Chu Yunfan was forced to block and was on the losing end due to her strong hands causing his whole skeleton to vibrate whenever he was hit. Yonghe Hua was doing comparatively better, but she was unable to counterattack against Yunfan's exceptional form.
They both stopped speaking as their competitive spirits flared.
Yunfan grit his teeth as he continued to absorb heavy strikes to his forearms, stomach, and chest. His eyes began to flicker with starlight— time seemed to slow down.
Every movement he made, he could see in slow motion. As Yunfan fought, he began tweaking his form, optimizing his movement, and refining his technique.
With every change, his blows became slightly faster. The transition between techniques became even more impeccable. Instead of seeming like four separate attacks, it turned into one flowing dance!
Suddenly, his strikes changed.
"Oh… I understand."
Yonghe Hua's eyes widened as Yunfan's punch slipped past her guard. *What?!*
"Ascending Tiger."
The power behind his uppercut underwent a qualitative change. Hua was sent flying five meters into the air.
Before she could rebalance herself to defend, Yunfan seemingly appeared above her.
"Crushing Claw."
Suddenly, his hand was wreathed in crackling, golden-black light. With a vicious snarl, he slammed the heel of his palm into her stomach.
Her body turned into a blur, before slamming against the ground. She bounced back upwards from the impact, blood spilling from her mouth.
Standing at the perimeter, the bodyguard was completely shocked. He nearly leaped forwards to stop the fight, before realizing that Yunfan had complete control over his power…
Chu Yunfan landed lightly next to her prone body, clutching his stomach. His own body had been barely clinging on after repeatedly recieving the impact of Yonghe Hua's strikes. Executing the first two moves of The Tiger Descends The Mountain with perfect precision while his organs were severely injured had taken a toll on his body. He coughed some blood into his hand.
"Mister Bodyguard! We need some Energy Replenishment Fluid!"
The burly, dark-haired man sighed, before bringing over some vials of blue fluid. Chu Yunfan immediately downed one while the bodyguard gave Young Miss Yonghe an iridescent medicinal pill. Within seconds, her eyes fluttered open.
"Again?!" she cursed. "I swore I almost had you! And then you broke into Enlightenment Stage?! What the fuck?!"
Yunfan backed up from her. Her anger was palpable. "H-hey, I didn't mean—"
"You don't get how absurd your martial talent is! Reaching Enlightenment Stage in *any* technique at our age is heaven-defying talent!" Hua furiously emphasized. "Where cultivation comes from a variety of factors, like techniques, resources, and talent… proficiency with martial skills depend purely on your comprehension ability! If you had proper support, you could be unrivaled even in the Central Cities!"
Yunfan rubbed the back of his neck. "You're exaggerating, Young Miss Yonghe."
"I'm really not…"
"Young Miss Yonghe is telling the truth," the bodyguard interjected. "Your talent is truly outstanding."
Yunfan chuckled with mild embarrassment at the praise. "I still can't believe that I…"
He grinned widely and whooped. "…I reached the Enlightenmeent Stage!"
"I did it! Hahahaha!"