Chapter 7: Extreme Growth II

The professor was utterly convinced that Le Kai could achieve this, absolutely certain of it.

Azure Star, a planet ruined by defeat in war, was as insignificant in the vast Wolf Empire as a single sesame seed in a great basin—so inconspicuous that even a deliberate search might fail to find it. As compensation, all living beings on this planet were made slaves to the conquerors. The empire claimed to uphold human rights in this regard, but everyone knew it was merely an exercise of brute force. Beyond the sky, the outside world was nothing short of hell; such freedom only brought one closer to death and destruction. Most people preferred to live humbly rather than risk everything for uncertain liberty.

The professor always believed that Le Kai's stage should never be this decadent planet, but rather the capital planet of the Wolf Star System! Thus, during formal lessons, the professor focused on imparting knowledge to Le Kai about the broader universe. Le Kai was like a blank sheet of paper, every stroke clear and lasting. His astonishing memory and comprehension left the professor in awe.

A great teacher needs a great student, and a great student must possess not only formidable talent but also a burning passion for learning. Le Kai had both. What more could the professor desire? More importantly, he brought Le Kai back and moved all the items from the time machine into their home—strange devices and instruments of every kind.

Le Kai had no idea why the professor brought these instruments here, but it seemed they had all been prepared for him, as he used them every day.

"Actually, my greatest strength isn’t my familiarity with countless cosmic secrets, nor my multiple doctoral degrees, but rather my research into the limits of the human body!" One day, as the professor expertly inserted a dense array of tubes into Le Kai’s body, he boasted, "The human body is a microcosm, a universe unto itself, with limitless potential. Humanity has spent millions of years yet failed to fully comprehend it. If we can find our essence and unlock our potential, we can create miracles. Of course, people seldom discover their own limits. You’re lucky to have me—the foremost master in this field. Given time, you’ll become a peerless force in the universe."

Le Kai replied helplessly, "I already know this without you telling me. I’ve barely survived your experiments these days. If my body weren’t so tough, I’d be dead by now. Teacher, are you sure your methods have been clinically tested countless times?"

The professor answered with pride, "Of course! I can assure you that my techniques are verified and absolutely safe."

With that, the professor pressed the power button on the automatic generator. Countless arcs of electricity crackled forth, enveloping Le Kai and forming a bizarre tableau. Electric currents surged through one hundred and eight acupuncture points, using Le Kai’s body as a canvas to construct a dazzling blueprint.

Meanwhile, in a noble and magnificent palace, a fierce and imposing middle-aged man stared at the motionless child in the recovery pod. He turned away, roaring in fury, "You fools! How could you trust that mad professor? Issue a warrant immediately—I want him wanted across the whole universe! How dare he use my son for human limit research? He’s got some nerve!"

Within half an hour, a bounty that shocked countless people was broadcast to every corner. Mercenaries, their eyes bloodshot, howled as they stared at the bounty’s staggering reward.

At that moment, the unscrupulous professor, oblivious to it all, admired the pitiful boy’s struggle between life and death atop the stone platform, while explaining, "Though the meridians and acupuncture points of the human body can’t be precisely measured by instruments, they truly exist. The empire possesses countless cultivation manuals, all aiming to expand the meridians and make the flow of power within the body smoother and stronger. The limit lies in the meridians, not the power. The meridians are like vessels for water, while power is the water itself—endless, but the container is finite. Our task is to expand that vessel to hold more water."

"Of course, risk and opportunity are always siblings. Although improper handling may cause an explosion due to insufficient endurance, it’s the fastest shortcut, isn’t it?"

The professor had to admit he was indeed a madman for inventing such a shortcut for cultivation.

Though this was now the interstellar age, with advanced technology omnipresent, humanity’s warlike nature—or perhaps something else—had sparked a fervor for martial prowess. Curiosity about human potential had reached frightening heights. Innumerable prodigies broke the limits of the body, achieving unimaginable feats.

There were even legends that super masters could substitute for spaceships, crossing the cosmos and roaming the stars.

Interstellar-era cultivation had long surpassed its primitive origins. Various drugs and technological aids made training easier and increased strength, yet no matter how many supports existed, cultivation permitted no shortcuts—it was always a step-by-step, cautious process, as if walking on thin ice.

Cultivation was divided into internal and external: internal training of energy, external training of bone.

Muscles and bones could be rapidly improved with drugs and devices, but internal energy required slow nurturing—it could not be rushed. Once the meridians were damaged, even today’s advanced technology could only sigh in despair.

The professor, thinking of the noble bloodline ruined in the imperial capital, glanced at Le Kai, his gaze feverish as he muttered, "The limit, where is the limit? Let me see!"

He gritted his teeth and tapped a few keys on the virtual screen. Instantly, the arcs of electricity that had been moving according to a certain pattern changed course, forming a new, complex circuit.

Le Kai could no longer smile. The currents surging through his one hundred and eight acupuncture points did not kill him, but had reached their limit. He had to admire the professor, who seemed to know exactly how much he could endure—the current was just enough to make him hover between life and death, but not fatal.

These currents traveled mysteriously through his meridians, bringing agony beyond imagination. The pain surpassed any physical injury—a knife twisted in his leg would not compare. It was a sensation of tearing, destruction, as if his whole being was fragmented into countless pieces.

Le Kai had never cultivated internal energy before. His meridians had never conducted power; this was the first time energy forced open channels within him. The pain was akin to carving a passage directly through his body.

Such torment was unbearable for a child, so for the first time, he simply fainted.