Chapter 10: Limitless Growth 5

Le Kai had no idea just how wicked and dangerous the method the professor was testing on him truly was. All he knew was that his strength had indeed increased—a powerful force was the key to his safe survival. So he gladly cooperated with the professor's experiments, unaware that, under the same process, there were thousands of test subjects who ended up dead or maimed.

"The shortest and fastest distance between two points is a straight line—so why take so many winding detours? Why not go straight to the goal in one step? The twelve meridians and eight extraordinary vessels are far too complicated. If one's power comes from the dantian, why bother passing through the Baihui acupoint and wasting time? They say only by opening the Ren and Du meridians can one truly unleash power, but even the most gifted martial artist takes three to five years for this. I, however, rely directly on external force, breaking through the meridians segment by segment, allowing the dantian's energy to flow directly to the limbs. Even if the Ren and Du meridians remain closed, the corresponding power can still be unleashed. Such ingenious thinking, yet no one recognizes it. Are all geniuses so lonely?"

The professor sighed as he expertly pressed the switch, watching Le Kai's small body writhe and struggle madly on the stone platform, sweat pouring like rain. A trace of admiration appeared on his face. "This kid is truly worthy of being my chosen student—not only is his physical constitution outstanding, but his endurance and mental fortitude are one in a million!"

The professor fully understood how agonizing it was to force open the meridians with a surge of electricity, and countless prodigies had died at this very stage. Even the child of that great figure in the Imperial Capital, hailed as a once-in-a-century talent of the royal family, couldn't endure it. Yet Le Kai could sweetly bear that hellish torment again and again. For this perseverance alone, he was worthy of respect.

"Teacher, how did I do? Did I pass? I feel like the strength in my legs has grown," Le Kai gasped, lying limply on the stone platform, nearly submerged in sweat, but his eyes gleamed, barely able to contain his excitement.

The professor replied sternly, "Don’t be too proud yet. The meridians are only slightly open and not stabilized. To gain lasting strength, you must train and reinforce them relentlessly. For the next half year, we’ll focus on exercising your leg meridians. Tell me, among all abilities, which one is the most important?"

"Of course, the ability to escape," Le Kai answered without hesitation, a truth he had learned from the harsh laws of nature.

"Exactly!" the professor praised. "No matter how strong you are, if you don't know how to adapt and only compete for dominance, you’ll ultimately meet your end. Personal strength has its limits. What’s reputation? Nothing but a pile of dog dung—thrown on the ground, people avoid it for its stench. Staying alive is what matters. So we must first train the skills to preserve our lives, and how can one escape without strong legs?"

The professor sifted through countless precious secret techniques in his mind, but dismissed them one by one. He realized that no matter the technique, none were as close to nature as Le Kai’s instincts. It was the most direct and fastest movement—just like the method he had devised himself, taking the most effective shortcut.

After resting for a while, Le Kai got up, took a shower, donned only shorts and a T-shirt, ate voraciously, then looked at the professor and asked, "Teacher, what's today's task? Surely it’s not another contest of strength with the mutant elephant? That brute, though absurdly strong, is so big and clumsy that I could stand still and let it charge, and it still couldn't hit me."

"So you agree that speed is king, right? In that case, today we'll train your speed." The professor smiled slightly, his expression somewhat sinister. "Hurry up and race the mutant leopard!"

"Race the mutant leopard? Teacher, did I hear that right? Those creatures normally reach speeds of 120 kilometers per hour—after mutation, they're even more terrifying. Are you sending me to my death?"

Even with Le Kai’s optimistic and fearless nature, the professor’s words startled him. The mutant leopard was almost at the top of the food chain; their speed was a nightmare for most animals. Moreover, they had the title of perfect hunters—striking prey with deadly precision, almost never missing.

The area where the mutant leopards lived was near Zone C. According to radiation levels and danger, the world outside the Firmament was divided into five zones: A, B, C, D, and S. Mutant beasts were distributed strictly by the laws of nature. Zone A was closest to the Firmament, inhabited by small mutated animals, mostly prey for others. Then came Zones B, C, D, and S. Le Kai’s current location was Zone B, where the most formidable creature was the mutant wild wolf.

The professor said calmly, "That's right, I do mean to send you to your death. If you can't pass this, how will you ever leave to find your father? You must understand—the world out there is even harsher and more terrifying than here."

Le Kai was silent for a moment before asking, "Do they have any weaknesses?"

The professor pondered, then answered, "If there is a weakness, it would be their speed."

"What kind of weakness is that?" Le Kai jumped up, angrily glaring at the professor. "Do you really think my two little legs can outrun a mutant leopard moving at over a hundred kilometers an hour?"

The professor blinked his small eyes, "How do you know if you haven’t tried?"

"But trying might just turn me into leopard food! I don’t want to die so miserably."

"Then what kind of death do you want?"

"I don’t want to die!"

The professor laughed. "Seems you’re not so foolish—you still remember survival is the foremost priority. Yet, if you’re too afraid of death to take risks, what meaning is there in such a life? The joy of life lies in adventure. If you had absolute certainty, would it be adventure at all? In all things, if there is even one in ten thousand chance, do not give up. If there’s a one percent chance, seize it. With thirty percent, you can give it everything you've got."

"Then, teacher, how much chance do I have to outrun a mutant leopard?"

"With your current strength, not even ten percent. But if you use the right method, you might have thirty percent."

"The right method? What method?" With a thirty percent chance, Le Kai was unwilling to give up so easily. In truth, he was stubborn to the core.

"Of course, remember this life-saving footwork. However, footwork is not a panacea—everything depends on your performance in the moment," the professor said solemnly. He would never truly send Le Kai to his death. As he had said, if someone isn’t brave enough to risk for a thirty percent chance, they might as well hide under their covers forever.

Life is, after all, a grand adventure!

"Teacher, are you really going to teach me footwork? The miraculous technique used by those legendary figures like the Blood Wolf Emperor in your stories—able to evade any attack, coming and going without a trace?" Le Kai was so excited he wanted to hug the professor and kiss his wrinkled old face.