Chapter 47: Attribute
Li Pin did not heed Zhao Yuan's advice to stay in Jiang Province City. Once he acquired the house and made arrangements for the renovations, he returned to Zanglong City.
It wasn't because he did not take his safety seriously, but because he believed that running away from problems wasn't the best way to solve them. However, since the Five Elements Sect had assured him that they would be able to resolve the problem caused by Wang Daoyi's team, he shall not attempt to take matters into his own hands.
***
Ring Ring!
Li Pin was woken up by his phone ringing.
He opened his eyes and picked up the phone.
9:41 A.M..
"It's already this late?"
He had gained a lot from meditating yesterday night. Through his clairvoyance, he analyzed that his spirit energy points were rising. Hence, he continued to practice meditation. Who would've thought that he would sleep until this late the next day?
Li Pin picked up the phone and heard Li Yunyao's voice.
—Brother, we're here!
"Hmm? You've arrived?"
For the past few months, Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu would make a trip to Zanglong City every weekend and had Li Pin make adjustments to their training plan based on their progress.
—Yes, we are about ten minutes away from your condominium. Brother, did you just wake up? Shall we get you breakfast?.
"Alright. No need. I'll come down in a bit," Li Pin responded then hung up the phone.
He glanced at the date displayed on the phone.
April 16th, Saturday.
"The Jiang Province Martial Competition is less than half a month away," mumbled Li Pin.
Li Pin sensed his condition.
[Qi and Blood: 33.41]
[Primordial Qi: 27.55]
[Aura Force: 107/143]
[Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique: Qi-Nurturing Chapter: 64/102]
[Blood-Seething Secret Art: 29.41%]
"That should be it."
Having been at Core Formation for over a month, his physique had gotten stronger. He had been adjusting the Blood-Seething Secret Art constantly, and the results brought by it were on par with the consumption of the Blood Seething Powder. Although he hadn't been able to completely eliminate the side effects, he had been able to subdue them significantly.
"With a monthly investment of close to one million and nourishments from medicinal herbs, I've made a tremendous improvement in the Innate Qi-Nurturing Technique. Once the Jiang Province Martial Competition concludes, I won't be far from the foundation-building chapter."
Reminded of the odd occurrence he had encountered when he was meditating, Li Pin paused at the points displayed on primordial qi.
He could grasp the growth of his mental spirit attribute, but the efficiency was low, naturally.
"To a certain extent, the martial cultivation in this world is very scientific. Take for example the attribute level for qi and blood, it was concluded after countless research departments conducted endless experiments. However, while it is easy to measure qi and blood level, it is very difficult to measure one's mental spirit; it fluctuates drastically with the changes of one's state of mind."
Li Pin had gathered the relevant information.
"Years back, a scientist had brought up referencing the way qi and blood attribute points are collected in martial arts and use the same approach to calculate mental spirit. However, after tens of thousands of experiments, the variation in points was still vast. Despite hundreds of billions being spent by countries on this project, there hasn't been a common standard established."
Without sufficient attribute points for reference, he could only use himself as a benchmark for measurement.
"Using the state I was at before meditation as a standard, which is set at 10 points, after the period of meditation…."
Li Pin quickly summed up a new attribute.
[Mental Spirit: 10.53]
Sensing these numbers, Li Pin nodded in satisfaction.
"Having a statistic window makes things clear and neat."
Li Pin quickly got up to freshen up. He brushed his teeth and washed his face.
When Li Pin was done, the doorbell rang.
Li Pin opened the door, and the youthful Li Yunyao dressed in a t-shirt and jeans jumped in.
Following behind her was Lin Xiaolu who looked like she had grown a little bit.
After a few months of martial arts training, there were significant changes in their vitality, qi, and spirit. Moreover, given their young age, the two looked sunny and were giving off a refreshing energy.
"You're here?" Li Pin said. "It's time to get some exercise then."
"Brother, you just got up. Is it alright for you to exercise so soon? Will you end up being too weak?" Li Yunyao asked with concern.
Li Pin was left rather speechless at this remark of hers. "It won't take much effort for me to check on your cultivation progress."
"Alright."
Li Yunyao walked toward the training room and demonstrated a set of fist art for Li Pin. She had familiarised herself with the fist art. Her two ponytails danced around as she demonstrated, and her youthful energy spread, filling the room. It was a pleasing sight.
Li Pin would occasionally make an effort to sense their bodies' condition and make corrections to their cultivation accordingly.
After Li Pin was done guiding Li Yunyao, it was Lin Xiaolu's turn. Lin Xiaolu had improved more than Li Yunyao and she was close to achieving Force. However, there was something that made Li Pin pause for a moment.
Lin Xiaolu's balance….
Li Pin glanced at her chest, and after a pause, he said, "Are you sure you want to continue on the martial arts path? You have good aptitude, but some conditions will limit your initial growth."
"Mmhmm." Lin Xiaolu nodded. "I used to… be afraid of speaking to others. I would feel nervous when others got close to me. However, after I picked up martial arts, I feel… a little better."
"Is that so." Li Pin didn't say much else and only left a little hint. "Then have less milk."
Lin Xiaolu quickly realized what he meant and blushed.
Li Yunyao burst into laughter. "Hahah, Xiaolu, I told you that you're not cut out for martial arts. You'll still need me, Li Yunyao, to safeguard you on the martial arts path in the future!"
Li Yunyao immediately turned to Li Pin. "Brother, what about me? My conditions are fine right?"
Li Pin looked at her and nodded calmly. "You have no problems."
Li Yunyao was pleased. "I knew that."
She was only proud for a moment when the realization dawned on her. What Li Pin was speaking about was….
Her proud smile stiffened, and she immediately looked down and saw her white shoes…. She finally looked at Lin Xiaolu and suddenly felt gloomy.
She didn't know whether to feel happy or sad right now.
"Xiaolu should be able to attain Force this month. As for you… probably next month. Last month, I went to Jiang Province City and learned about Jiang Province University's admission policy. Should both of you attain Force and score an examination score of over four hundred, you would be able to be admitted." Li Pin shared.
"Four hundred!?" exclaimed Li Yunyao, eyes widening, "So much!?"
Li Pin looked at her quizzically. "Isn't this the passing mark?"
"But… but do you know how hard it is to pass?" grumbled Li Yunyao
Li Pin's brows furrowed. "You can't hit the passing mark?"
Although he wouldn't be able to score the required score himself, "Li Pin" had gotten a score of over six hundred!
"I…I…." Li Yunyao stuttered.
"Useless," uttered Li Pin mercilessly.
"D-don't you bully a girl for being poor [1]..." Li Yunyao retaliated angrily.
Li Pin nodded. "You are really poor."
It was true that Li Yunyao wasn't that capable. He couldn't imagine how she would support herself in society when the time came….
As that thought struck him, he noticed that although Li Yunyao was angry, she still had an adorable face that one couldn't resist pinching.
Maybe… she'd be like Li Yunyan and wouldn't have to worry about this problem.
Unable to resist the urge, Li Pin reached for her fair and flawless cheek and gave it a pinch. "Alright, I'll think of something. But you'll still have to do your best to get a good score."
"Brother Li?"
At this time, a voice came from outside.
"The door wasn't closed, so I…"
The next moment, Liu Yingying came in, medicinal herbs in her hands. When she saw the close interaction between Li Pin and Li Yunyao, she felt a soreness coming up her nose and lowered her head. "I'm sorry… I came at a bad time."
"No, you're right on time." Li Pin went up to her. "Help me boil the medicine herbs, I want Yaoyao and Xiaolu to have them."
1. Reference to a saying of not bullying youngsters for being poor as they have limitless potential. ☜