In a secluded corner of the sect’s outer courtyard, where the wall cast a long shadow and almost no one passed at that hour, Fang Li remained crouched over the packed earth with one knee on the ground and the other bent, his foot ready to descend. His robe was stained with dust and the movement of his leg was already automatic, measured and efficient.

  Crack.

  [ +1 Beating Point. ]

  Fang Li observed the floating notification for a few seconds without changing posture. His right eyebrow lifted slightly before his foot descended again with mechanical precision.

  Crack.

  [ +1 Beating Point. ]

  The satisfaction he had shown hours earlier disappeared and was replaced by evident displeasure.

  “Shit…” he muttered without taking his eyes off the ground. “Why are they only giving me one Beating Point now? System, what’s going on?”

  The voice answered in his mind with the same flat tone as always.

  “By repeatedly eliminating entities significantly weaker than the host, point acquisition efficiency is progressively reduced.”

  Crack.

  The insect was crushed against the dirt. Fang Li waited for a notification that did not come and narrowed his eyes.

  “…And now?”

  “By excessively exterminating individuals of the same species within a short time interval, the reward is permanently nullified.”

  He remained crouched for a few more seconds, his foot still resting on the tiny corpse while the wind barely moved the edge of his robe. Then he lifted his foot, looked at the small deformed body on the ground and finally raised his gaze toward the empty space in front of him.

  “Great…” he said dryly. “And I thought I could just kill insects peacefully until I became invincible.”

  He stood up slowly. His body still protested from the blows of the previous day, although pain was no longer the main problem. He looked at the corner where he had been working for hours; small corpses were scattered across the packed earth.

  “So first you reduce the reward for being stronger…” he counted on his fingers while speaking to the air. “Then you penalize me for repeating species… what’s next? Taxes for breathing?”

  “The system does not tax basic biological functions,” the voice replied with absolute seriousness.

  Fang Li snorted.

  “Yet.”

  He dusted off his hands and walked out of the shadow. The sun hit his face directly and he narrowed his eyes while calmly evaluating the courtyard. If insects were no longer useful, he needed something slightly stronger; something that counted and would not kill him in the process.

  He placed his hands on his waist and let a slow smile form on his face.

  “Very well… if I can’t abuse the system, then I’ll squeeze it intelligently.”

  He slightly rotated his neck to stretch it.

  “System.”

  “Yes, host.”

  “Define the approximate range of strength necessary to obtain efficient rewards without immediate risk of death.”

  There was a brief pause.

  “It is recommended to face entities slightly superior to the host in physical or energetic capacity. Moderate risk. Optimal reward.”

  Fang Li nodded slowly.

  “So I have to stop stepping on ants… and start looking for something that can hit back.”

  His smile deepened slightly as he directed his gaze toward the area where outer disciples usually trained.

  “Perfect. Time to find someone who thinks they can crush me.”

  He advanced without hurry toward the training yard. The hardened dirt path was marked by footprints and grooves accumulated over years of practice. As he approached, the sounds of dull impacts and labored breathing grew clearer. The yard was wide, with worn wooden posts and dummies covered in marks. Several youths practiced basic movements and others exchanged blows.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  When Fang Li crossed the boundary of the ground, some gazes shifted toward him. They were not friendly. Some frowned, others whispered and one let out a brief laugh before returning to his practice. Fang Li held those gazes with calm evaluation. They looked at him with disdain; he examined them as if inspecting merchandise.

  Potential Beating Points.

  One tall, solid build. Another shorter, but with stable breathing. The one at the back, scar on the left eyebrow and firm stance. His gaze moved with clinical calm from one to another until a stab in his abdomen reminded him of the real condition of his body. The pain pierced his side from standing upright too long.

  With the body as it is… I can’t do anything.

  He breathed with control and spoke in his mind.

  “System. Open my status window.”

  A translucent interface appeared before his eyes.

  Name: Fang Li

  Age: 15 years

  Realm: Body Tempering Realm (Bone Refinement Stage)

  Talent: Mediocre

  Beating Points: 876

  Eight hundred seventy-six. After hours of crushing insects like a lunatic crouched on the dirt.

  A nearby disciple looked at him with obvious mockery, probably remembering the recent beating. Fang Li did not react; his attention was on the interface.

  “Hey, system,” he said mentally in a dry tone. “How do I use those points to fix my damaged body?”

  “Beating Points may be invested in direct bodily strengthening. It is recommended to begin with Basic Meridian Repair and Internal Stabilization.”

  The interface expanded.

  Basic Meridian Repair — Cost: 300

  Internal Organ Stabilization — Cost: 250

  Qi Flow Adjustment — Cost: 200

  Fang Li calculated quickly. Eight hundred seventy-six points.

  “What level of recovery will I obtain if I purchase all three options?”

  “Estimated recovery: 85% of the current realm’s optimal state.”

  Eighty-five percent was enough. He raised his gaze and met the eyes of the scarred disciple, who was now watching him with challenge.

  “System. Execute Basic Meridian Repair.”

  “Confirmed. Consuming 300 Beating Points.”

  Beating Points: 576

  A warm sensation spread from his abdomen to the rest of his body. It was not painful, but firm, as if something were being readjusted from within. His breathing stabilized and the constant stab in his side noticeably diminished.

  “Continue. Internal Organ Stabilization.”

  “Confirmed. Consuming 250 Beating Points.”

  Beating Points: 326

  Internal pressure traveled through his chest and abdomen; his heartbeat became more solid and the residual dizziness disappeared. He straightened his back more easily.

  “Last. Qi Flow Adjustment.”

  “Confirmed. Consuming 200 Beating Points.”

  Beating Points: 126

  A current ran through his meridians like water released after removing a blockage. The flow was still modest, but stable. He inhaled deeply and the air entered cleanly. He opened and closed his right hand slowly; the body responded better.

  More than enough to begin.

  The scarred disciple stepped toward him.

  “What are you staring at?” he asked in a rough tone.

  Fang Li turned his face with absolute calm.

  “Nothing special. I was just calculating how much you’re worth.”

  The silence grew slightly heavier. The other stepped forward.

  “Damn trash, what did you say…? I know you got a lesson yesterday and now you’re back for more. Hmph. I challenge you to a practice duel.”

  Several disciples stopped training and approached with evident interest. Fang Li held the gaze without blinking.

  “Practice? Sure. I’m always willing to help a fellow disciple improve.”

  They climbed onto the stone platform in the center of the yard. The crowd formed an irregular circle around them. Fang Li rolled his neck and stretched his arms calmly while the other adopted an offensive stance.

  At that moment a notification appeared.

  [ New mission detected. ]

  [ Objective: Survive the beating you will receive for 1 minute. ]

  [ Reward: 1500 Beating Points. ]

  A timer immediately emerged.

  00:59

  The disciple’s fist was already on him when he tried to process it. The direct impact on his face shook his head and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

  00:58

  The crowd laughed.

  The second blow struck his abdomen. This time he slightly tensed his muscles, but the air escaped his lungs violently.

  00:55

  The timer continued descending.

  It doesn’t say I have to win. Just survive.

  He turned his face to reduce the impact of the next blow. He stepped back two paces.

  00:48

  He received another impact on the shoulder and moved sideways to avoid being cornered.

  00:45

  The crowd enjoyed the spectacle, but Fang Li, despite the blood and blows, let a small and irritatingly calm smile form on his face.

  “Is that all you can do?” he muttered between heavy breaths.

  The other attacked with greater fury. Fang Li partially blocked, rolled over the stone to absorb part of the force and stood up immediately.

  00:41

  It hurt. Every muscle felt it. But the timer kept ticking down and the reward remained clear in his mind.

  1500 Beating Points.

  He avoided a blow by centimeters and used the space to pivot on his heel and start running around the platform.

  00:36

  Laughter erupted.

  “He’s running!”

  Fang Li maintained a controlled pace, tracing wide circles that forced the other to spend more energy in each attempt to intercept him.

  00:24

  He calculated his opponent’s breathing and the rhythm of his steps. Anger was beginning to cloud his movements.

  00:12

  The disciple breathed violently and his attacks were less precise.

  00:03

  00:01

  Fang Li jumped backward at the last instant as the fist passed in front of his face.

  00:00

  [ Mission completed. ]

  [ Reward: 1500 Beating Points. ]

  He stopped abruptly and inhaled deeply.

  “System. If I use all my points now, how much can I improve my realm?”

  “With an additional 1500 points, the host can advance to Organ Tempering, intermediate stage.”

  “Use all my points to improve my realm.”

  “Confirmed. Consuming all available Beating Points.”

  A brutal pressure exploded inside him. This time it was not simple repair; it was deep reconstruction. His organs vibrated under a surge of dense energy and the Qi flow accelerated, circulating more firmly through reinforced meridians. His knees tensed and his fists clenched by reflex while the air around him seemed to grow heavier.

  The scarred disciple stepped back, confused.

  Fang Li slowly raised his head. The dizziness had disappeared and the recent pain was fading quickly. His breathing was steady and his gaze firm.

  So this is Organ Tempering, intermediate stage.

  He rolled his neck once and then looked at the other with a sarcastic smile.

  “Well,” he said calmly. “Now we can start the practice.”