In the darkness, Huai Shi heard the thunder again.

Then he was sent flying once more, again and again… blasted into the air, spinning 7,200 degrees before stumbling to the ground, before vomiting out blood with a WAH.

And half of his viscera.

Amidst CRACKLING and POPPING, the energy hidden within his limbs and bones erupted, and he exploded.

Dead.

Huai Shi opened his eyes once more, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, took a shower, then lay back down on the bed, returning to the darkness of the Book of Fate.

The one hundred and sixty-ninth replay began.

And with it came the one hundred and sixty-ninth defeat.

Facing the records in the Book of Fate, Huai Shi still couldn't find any leads, purely being outclassed by Coach Luo.

That muscular old guy, he was simply a monster...

What he demonstrated in the trial class was nothing but show-off techniques that left no room for learning, not just with the initial Yu Step, but also with the later Drummer and Thunderbolt.

It looked like a simple set of three moves, but it covered every bare-handed combat technique Huai Shi could imagine, and after incorporating the application of Source Substance, they achieved almost miraculous effects.

It was simply incredible.

For the first time in his life, Huai Shi saw someone relying purely on physical strength paired with exquisite Source Substance application, reaching a realm close to that of the Stigmata.

Infinite transformations, utterly impregnable.

After experiencing Huai Shi's hundreds of attempts, it evolved into hundreds of transformations.

Even though he didn't hide anything, laying it all open before Huai Shi, he could not distinguish the primary from the secondary.

He could only use the dumbest method to try over and over again.

Get beaten.

Through constant probing, he learned the purpose and meaning of each movement and detail.

Now, after his recordings, he had identified seventy-one details in the Yu Step related to its overall effect, and nineteen varieties that linked with the Drummer.

The Drummer, being an "Offensive" move, had even more transformations; offensive, probing, counter-defensive, and penetrating strong attacks, among others, all dazzled him.

Even placed before him to learn on his own, he couldn't master them all.

These were the transformations extended from the muscular old man's countless battles, spawning new details at will, like a master casually splashing ink, leaving no traces for anyone attempting to steal the technique.

As for the final Thunderbolt...

Huai Shi had given up.

Too simple, yet too hard.

It was a Tiancheng move far beyond Huai Shi by hundreds of ranks, yet its essence was incredibly simple—rock-paper-scissors, three transformations.

Purely three different applications of Drummer combined together, if he hadn't grasped the former, looking into the latter's transformations was like a fool's dream.

With such terrifying power, just one hit would make Huai Shi explode.

Thunder roared, the drum shook. Heaven and earth unified.

If it weren't for Old Turtle showing mercy, Huai Shi would already be evenly splattered outside the gym as plasma, guaranteed you wouldn't find a piece as big as a pinky knuckle.

Can't learn, can't block, can't defeat...

Huai Shi might as well go back to understanding the simplest Yu Step first... but it's 'simple' only in comparison to the others.

Even though it seemed to be footwork, it actually involved the coordination of the entire muscular system and dozens of different applications of Source Substance.

What Huai Shi had figured out was really just the surface.

Compared to that unpredictable and mystic approach, at best he had managed to run a few quick steps... With such an unreserved demonstration to imitate, Huai Shi's progress was naturally rapid.

If it weren't for being killed over a hundred times, the muscular old man could be called a master teacher.

"Help me up, I can still take it!"

After resting for a bit, Huai Shi once again rose from the bed.

Then he jumped up in fright, sticking to the ceiling, staring agape at the muscular old man squatting at the head of his bed, dumbfounded, "What the hell do you want?"

This was the dormitory of the Astronomical Society!

Well, although it was called a dormitory, in reality, it was just a whole floor of rooms in an external hotel for accommodation. The branch didn't have enough spare space to prepare beds for out-of-town members like Huai Shi.

But you can't just barge in like that!

Especially just as dawn was breaking, a muscular old man in nothing but underpants and a tank top squatting at the bedside of a young man. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a crime was about to happen!

"Hey there, you're awake?"

Luo Lao slowly raised his head, touched his bald head, grinned, showing off a set of yellow teeth, "I was just about to call you."

"Call me for what?" Huai Shi was on alert.

A hot water bottle and a towel were thrown into his lap, like a cannonball, nearly smashing him into the ceiling. Huai Shi cried out in pain, falling back onto the bed, his face blank.

"What's this?"

"Towel and hot water bottle," Coach Luo slowly stood up, stretching his muscles, "Getting ready for a run."

"What the hell?" Huai Shi gaped.

"Running, don't you know 'a day's plan lies in the morning'?" Coach Luo spoke, pulling a sweaty note from his pocket, showing Huai Shi the long list of exercises, "Also today's aerobic and anaerobic sessions... all seventeen types, right here."

God damn running!

"Does your trial class include this as well?"

"Didn't you get a membership card?" Coach Luo scooped up some protein powder, flexing his biceps, "Our muscle gain package is quite famous here. I've picked out the pure men's level for you—just half a month, even the skinniest yardbird can turn into a ripped tough guy!"

Huai Shi was nearly going insane, "Can I not learn this?"

Coach Luo shrugged, "Then I might as well not teach."

"Fine…"

Huai Shi looked down at the hot water bottle and towel in his hands, his expression twitching, then, clinging to his last hope, asked, "Can I brush my teeth first?"

"No time for teeth, let's go!"

Coach Luo grabbed Huai Shi by the neck as if grabbing a kitten, hauled him up, and swayed out the door. Reaching the hotel entrance, they ran into Ai Qing who was up early, to whom he enthusiastically waved.

"Do you know each other?" Huai Shi asked curiously.

"Ah, quite a kind-hearted girl," Luo Lao said, carrying Huai Shi on his back as he walked outside. Upon hearing the question, he smiled, "Heard I was looking for you, and she even helped me swipe your room card!"

"..."

Huai Shi was filled with grief and indignation, staring silently with tears streaming down as Ai Qing waved goodbye at the door.

Do you hate me that much!

.

.

It could only be described as a nightmare of a day.

From early in the morning until four in the afternoon, Huai Shi numbly followed Luo Lao and tried almost every piece of equipment in the gym.

As for warming up, that was passable, but there was definitely no muscle-building effect.

The physique of Sublimators was fixed after the growth period. No matter how much they ate or drank to gain weight, they would revert to their original appearance after slimming down.

Especially some Stigmata, which could even affect the user's appearance.

Just like the Mountain Ghost.

Even though he had mostly adapted now, and no longer looked as effeminate as when he started, there was still an eerie air about him.

Whether you call it gentleness or coldness, these were characteristics rooted deep in one's temperament—a ghost that wanders in the mountains, even when given life, remains an essence wandering outside the mundane world, a patrol in the dark dense forest.

As for getting in shape making a difference, not to mention becoming a muscular hunk, even if Huai Shi could look a bit more sunny, he would have done it long ago.

But it was all in vain.

His hair was still waist-length. Cutting it many times was useless, and after exhausting his life force, he could only nibble on some potted plants and greenery from the hotel nearby to recover his health.

"So, are these exercises of any real use?"

"Are you kidding? Of course they're useless."

Luo Lao looked at him astounded, as if staring at a fool, "Why would you think they're useful?"

Huai Shi immediately became angry and frustrated, "Then why are you doing all this!"

"Because I like it."

Luo Lao said seriously, "Exercising is great, everyone should do it. You know dopamine? As long as..."

"...Seriously, let's not mess around with these fancy tricks," Huai Shi waved his hand to interrupt him, "Can we get to the point and start today's lesson?"

"Looks like you're full of confidence."

The muscle-bound old man raised an eyebrow and gave a strangely amused smile, "Seems like the shadow I cast yesterday wasn't enough... Since you're so eager, I don't mind thrashing a newbie."

"Don't boast too much when you're old. Be careful not to throw out your back."

Huai Shi twisted his neck, tossed the bothersome towel onto the rack beside him, stepped back a few paces, and struck a standard defensive posture.

"I've been preparing for today's lesson for a long time." His eyes narrowed as he studied the muscle-bound old man stretching before him. "But be careful, you might capsize in the gutter."

Luo Lao remained relaxed, strolling casually in his own gym, examining Huai Shi's position, and nodded slightly, "That's a pretty standard Rome Style. Who did you learn it from?"

"Self-taught."

"Is that so? It doesn't seem likely. This kind of old Tribunal ready stance is known by no more than twenty people in the whole world now."

"Doesn't that mean it's very impressive?"

"Impressive, not necessarily, but outdated it certainly is."

Luo Lao slowly bent down, assuming a sprinting position. His bones rubbed against each other, producing a sharp sound akin to a snapping string, and his exaggerated muscles swelled up, causing his face to redden, revealing a fierce grin, "Little Brag, this world is... constantly progressing!"

BOOM!

A thunderous Space Break.

The monster roared towards him.

Yu Step, it was still the Yu Step!

With one step, he leaped over a distance of several meters, almost without warning or process, leaving only the outcome—the outcome was, Luo Lao was already standing in front of Huai Shi.

Pulsating muscles rippled like water, and as he raised his arms, the intense heat of his body and the strong smell of sweat spread.

His right hand was raised high.

The fingers were slightly curled into a claw, as if tugging on a heavy weight, pulling the exploding wind down over Huai Shi's face with a thunderous roar.

Drummer.

It was the Drummer again!

Huai Shi chose to retreat quickly. This time, his actions caused a flicker of surprise in the old man's eyes—it was the Yu Step, identical to his own, if a bit immature, but indeed the Yu Step with no mistake.

But this kind of retreat under pressure to gather strength for a counterattack, he definitely hadn't taught him that!

Regardless, in the blink of an eye, Huai Shi had retreated ten meters away, as if pulled by an invisible string, extremely fast.

Below his feet where he had passed, his running shoes and rubber mats had rubbed, leaving three dark scorch marks.

But it was of no use!

It's exactly the same as yesterday, Little Brag!

Even if you've got a hint of aptitude, do you not even remember a thing?

Luo Lao sneered, his descending palm clenched into a fist and yanked—Whirlwind of Fire swept through, instantly engulfing Huai Shi, pulling him like a straw in the wind, towards himself.

But in that instant, he saw it.

The young man, using the energy from the Yu Step's retreat and his own pulling force, actually leaped into the air, soaring towards him instead.

From his hands, an invisible Axe Blade emerged, chopping towards that bald head!

That was the counter-strategy and unique move that Huai Shi had come up with after pondering for a whole night!

To commemorate this vitally important breakthrough and innovation, he decided to name it after the person who had the most influence on him.

"Take this move—"

The youth roared, "—Crow Sits on the Airplane!!!!!"

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