"No!"
"This one won't work either."
"No reaction."
……
Looking at the 'secret manuals' on his computer, such as the Yi Jin Jing, Xi Sui Jing, Huang Ting Jing, and even the Toad Skill and Innate Skill, Lu Yuan shook his head repeatedly.
The mysterious tattoo on his chest showed no reaction whatsoever.
With ten thousand Qi-Blood and the Blazing Sun Combat Physique, in theory, Lu Yuan only needed to practice a Qi Refining Technique to have a high probability of opening his Martial Meridians.
Once his meridians were opened, he would become a Martial Artist.
Becoming a Martial Artist was merely a childhood dream of Lu Yuan's. He no longer held any strong attachment to it; what he valued more now was money!
In Lu Yuan's view, being a Martial Artist was just another profession.
However, if he didn't pursue it as a career but simply possessed the formidable power of a Martial Artist, that wouldn't be bad either.
"It seems it won't work."
The so-called Martial Meridians could also be referred to as Qi Meridians, which are crucial for condensing and circulating True Qi.
Cultivating True Qi not only leads to another significant enhancement of physical strength but also offers various other benefits, such as Gang Qi, Weapon Condensation, and more.
But Lu Yuan lacked a technique.
Society is like a massive pyramid, where the higher-end resources are more easily monopolized.
Techniques, Combat Techniques, potions, equipment—these Martial Artist resources are among the most elite resources of this era, almost entirely controlled by major families and large martial arts schools.
Especially the Qi Refining Techniques capable of opening meridians are strictly regulated, making them inaccessible to outsiders.
Lu Yuan was not from a prominent family. To obtain a Qi Refining Technique, he would have to join a Martial Artist organization.
But then, he would be subject to their control.
Lu Yuan didn't want to become a professional Martial Artist, so he wondered if he could create a Qi Refining Technique on his own.
After all, he had a cheat.
In reality, whether online or among the public, there were many 'ancient texts' claiming to enable Qi cultivation and meridian opening.
Many people loudly advocated for everyone to have access to techniques, for everyone to become Martial Artists, and for a world where everyone could soar like dragons, publishing some of these 'secret manuals'.
Unfortunately, Lu Yuan's mysterious tattoo showed no reaction to these 'secret manuals', indicating they were all fake.
It made sense—if they were genuine, why would they be posted online?
In truth, most of those shouting slogans were frauds, merely trying to squeeze the last bit of money from daydreaming fools.
"Huh?"
After repeated disappointments, just as Lu Yuan was about to give up, the tattoo on his chest suddenly flickered.
"It's working!"
Looking at the ancient text titled Dao De Jing on his computer, Lu Yuan widened his eyes in excitement.
A reaction meant it was feasible!
"This is…"
But the next moment, the smile on Lu Yuan's face froze, and his brows furrowed.
Ten thousand one hundred and eighty.
After analysis by the mysterious tattoo, this ancient text contained a staggering ten thousand one hundred and eighty flaws!
In other words, if Lu Yuan wanted to use this text for Qi cultivation and meridian opening, he would first have to fill in these ten thousand one hundred and eighty flaws!
Ten thousand one hundred and eighty flaws—how much Mental Strength would that consume?
"Let's give it a try!"
After a brief moment of contemplation, Lu Yuan immediately activated the mysterious tattoo again to repair and refine the Dao De Jing.
In the blink of an eye, his Mental Strength was depleted.
"I…"
Checking the results, Lu Yuan was speechless once more—only thirteen flaws had been repaired!
Including the Mental Strength consumed earlier for analysis, even with his full Mental Strength, Lu Yuan estimated he could only repair about twenty flaws.
These ten thousand and one hundred eighty flaws, wouldn't that require him to replenish his Mental Strength five hundred times over!
Of course, as Mental Strength is depleted and then fully restored, the upper limit will increase, so the total number won't reach five hundred, but it would likely still take three to four hundred times.
"Forget it."
If he were to use the old method to replenish Mental Strength, Lu Yuan felt a phantom ache in his kidneys just thinking about it.
It seemed he could only plan for the long term.
At the very least, even if he wanted to complete the Dao De Jing, it wouldn't be something achievable in just a few days.
"What does Fatty want with me?"
Setting aside matters like cultivating qi and Pulse Opening for now, he casually picked up his phone and noticed an unread message from his close friend Wang Lilai from university.
[Fatty: Are you coming tonight?]
Coming where?
Lu Yuan was momentarily puzzled, then slapped his forehead as he suddenly remembered.
A couple of days ago, Liang Kai had sent a message in their university class group chat, saying he was treating everyone to dinner tonight.
[Lu Yuan: Of course I'm coming! Only a fool would turn down a free feast.]
After replying, Lu Yuan got out of bed and changed clothes.
Liang Kai had even specifically @mentioned him in the group chat. As for that scoundrel, Lu Yuan had no interest in him whatsoever.
But this was an opportunity. Lu Yuan was a pharmacy major, and many of his classmates were still in the industry, some even working in pharmaceutical research institutions at major corporations like Xingyao.
Tonight was a chance to reconnect with them, and perhaps he could find a way to monetize the formula he had in hand.
An hour later.
At Longcheng Grand Hotel, No. 76 Chunjiang Road, one of the renowned luxury hotels in the Jiangnan District of Chongming Base City.
On the third floor, in the Yulong Hall, a lavish private room that could accommodate forty to fifty people.
"Lu Yuan, over here!"
Pushing the door open, Lu Yuan saw a sparse gathering of over a dozen people. Wang Lilai, seated on the left, waved eagerly as Lu Yuan entered.
"Long time no see, everyone."
Lu Yuan greeted the group and took a seat next to Wang Lilai.
"Long time no see, long time no see."
"Finally, the campus heartthrob is here! I've been waiting anxiously, hehe~"
"Zhu Ganglie, stop flirting. Lu Yuan is already taken."
"Damn you, Sun Tao! You're the one who's Zhu Ganglie! My name is Zhu Liye!"
"By the way, Lu Yuan, where's your Su Tiantian?"
"Yeah, back in university, you two were inseparable, like glue. Why didn't you bring the department beauty Su with you today?"
Everyone excitedly greeted Lu Yuan, and soon someone brought up Su Tiantian.
Lu Yuan poured himself a drink, smiled, and didn't answer.
Instead, he leaned over and whispered to Wang Lilai, asking about the current situations of the classmates present.
"Sorry, everyone, I'm late."
About ten minutes later, nearing 8:30 PM, the door to the private room opened again, and Liang Kai, the host, finally walked in.
Su Tiantian was by his side, affectionately holding his arm.
"Holy crap!"
At the sight, the previously lively room fell into a brief, stunned silence. Everyone stared wide-eyed in shock.
Then, snapping back to reality, they quickly turned their gazes toward Lu Yuan.
They saw Lu Yuan still chatting with Wang Lilai, as if he hadn't noticed Liang Kai and Su Tiantian entering.
"No wonder…"
Everyone exchanged glances, secretly clicking their tongues. No wonder Lu Yuan hadn't answered earlier.
Su Tiantian had actually been stolen away by Liang Kai!
Liang Kai wasn't just treating everyone to dinner today—he was deliberately showing off to Lu Yuan. No wonder he had specifically @mentioned Lu Yuan in the group chat. This was practically a setup, a "Hongmen Banquet" arranged for him!
They were all classmates from the same department. What Liang Kai was doing was truly unkind.
But no one dared to say anything.
After all, Liang Kai was a Martial Artist, so it was best not to offend him if possible.
Moreover, most of those who came tonight, aside from freeloaders like Wang Lilai, were mostly trying to get closer to Liang Kai.
In this era, having a Martial Artist friend brought many conveniences.
"Tonight, I'll drink a few glasses with you, brother, and we'll get completely wasted!"
Wang Lilai nudged Lu Yuan with his elbow, putting on the air of a true brother.
"Get lost, with your drinking capacity, don't even joke about it."
Lu Yuan chuckled and poured Wang Lilai a glass of soda.
"Drink more of this instead."
"Who do you think you're looking down on! My drinking capacity has improved a lot this year!"
Seeing that Lu Yuan wasn't forcing a smile but had genuinely let go of the matter, Wang Lilai raised his voice, feeling relieved.
"Waiter, serve the dishes!"
Since it seemed no one else was coming, and as long as Lu Yuan was here, that was enough, Liang Kai smiled at the corner of his mouth and called out toward the door.
The dishes were lavish, and the wine was excellent.
Only then did Lu Yuan remember he hadn’t eaten anything all day. He was genuinely hungry, so he kept his head down, never stopping with the chopsticks and wine glass.
Perhaps due to the Blazing Sun Combat Physique, his drinking capacity had greatly increased. After a few glasses, he still felt nothing.
Seeing Lu Yuan like this, the others secretly curled their lips. Did he think eating and drinking more of Liang Kai’s food and wine counted as revenge? How childish. No wonder his girlfriend had been stolen away.
"Classmates!"
Just as everyone was drinking heartily, Liang Kai tapped the table. Once the room quieted down, he spoke leisurely with a proud expression.
"I’m hosting today to celebrate my sweetheart being officially accepted into the Martial Artist training camp at the Star Pavilion."
"The Martial Artist training camp!"
Everyone looked surprised, then quickly came to their senses, their eyes revealing a hint of envy.