Chapter 11: Skill Points

Chapter 11: Skill Points

"Today, we will be learning the basic leg techniques," Professor Lin Zhiqin announced.

Similar to teaching basic fist techniques, Lin Zhiqin demonstrated the movements first, breaking down each action for instructional purposes.

However, unlike regular classes, not everyone received hands-on instruction this time.

Only Lu Yuan, along with two other students, enjoyed this special treatment.

Those two students, like Lu Yuan, were more serious in class and practiced diligently at home.

In reality, the basic leg techniques were more challenging than the fist techniques.

"You are free to practice; I'll be stepping out for a moment."

After imparting all the movements, Lin Zhiqin, as usual, excused himself, leaving the students to practice independently. While some responded with scattered acknowledgments, many inadvertently stopped their hand and leg movements.

Ignoring the others, Lu Yuan, as soon as Lin Zhiqin disappeared from view, immediately activated his skill.

"[Absolute Focus], activate!"

In an instant, he entered a state of absolute concentration, immersed in the practice of basic leg techniques.

"Lu Yuan! Lu Yuan!"

A voice echoed from a distance, gradually growing louder, pulling Lu Yuan's attention back.

It was as if he had surfaced suddenly from underwater, surrounded by a buzzing cacophony.

"Huff, huff..."

Lu Yuan halted his movements, shook his sore and sluggish legs, but this time, he didn't sit down immediately.

"Do you want some water?"

Liu Yue, a round-faced girl, stood beside him, offering a bottle of water.

"Thank you."

Lu Yuan accepted the water without hesitation, gulping it down.

Finishing the entire bottle, Lu Yuan wiped his mouth and asked Liu Yue, "How much time is left until the end of class?"

"One minute," Liu Yue replied, glancing at her wristwatch. Then, she corrected herself, "Oh no, it's already the end of class."

Lu Yuan was slightly surprised.

Class was over already? Today's free training time was much longer than the previous session.

Although he exited the [Absolute Focus] state later than the last class, he didn't feel as fatigued, and his stamina hadn't been depleted.

It seemed like his physical fitness had indeed improved significantly; this attribute wasn't gained for nothing.

Lu Yuan immediately checked his professional panel.

[You focused on combat training for ten minutes, professional experience +1]

[Your basic leg technique has improved, experience points +3]

[You focused on combat training for ten minutes, professional experience +1]

[Congratulations, your [Fighter] professional level has increased!]

Even though he anticipated it, seeing the message about the professional level increase still brought a sense of joy to Lu Yuan.

[Fighter Lv2 (6/200)]

[Basic Professional Skills: Beginner Body Conditioning Lv2 (123/200), Basic Fist Techniques Lv2 (57/200), Basic Leg Techniques Lv1 (34/100)]

On the panel, there were a few extra attribute points and one skill point.

After a moment of consideration, Lu Yuan allocated the newly acquired attribute point to his constitution.

He had only recently increased his constitution attribute from 8 to 9.

"Rustle..."

As if a crumpled piece of paper magically smoothed out, the wrinkles disappeared under some mysterious force.

In a matter of seconds, Lu Yuan felt the accumulated fatigue from the practice vanish entirely, and he felt revitalized.

Every part of his body, previously aching and sore, rapidly recovered.

It was like having taken a miraculous elixir.

"I didn't expect that adding a point would have such an effect; it's truly miraculous."

Liu Yue, oblivious to the changes in Lu Yuan, continued talking to herself.

"You're amazing, Lu Yuan. You practiced the entire class without stopping. Many others quit half an hour ago."

At this moment, someone in martial arts attire rushed in and loudly announced, "Class is over. Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, don't be late, everyone."

Without looking back, the person left.

"Ho..."

The students let out a relieved sigh, getting up, grabbing their belongings, and some even voiced complaints.

"What a drag! Only half the class time, and the rest is free training."

"Exactly, today's class only taught a few people. I haven't mastered many movements."

"Complaint! We must complain if it happens again!"

Lu Yuan glanced at the complaining group and noticed it was the same few guys who came with the girl with a bob cut.

Seemingly dissatisfied, they were talking about complaining to Lin Zhiqin.

Ignoring them, Lu Yuan exchanged greetings with Liu Yue and left the training room.

After showering and changing into fresh clothes, he waited in the martial arts hall for a while. Cheng Peng, with wet hair, eventually came out.

"Why haven't you dried your hair?"

Lu Yuan frowned, fearing Cheng Peng might shake his head and splash water on him at any moment.

"It's refreshing!"

Cheng Peng nonchalantly ruffled his wet hair and asked Lu Yuan, "How was today?"

"Okay, not as tiring as last week," Lu Yuan replied.

"After a week of training, your physique has improved. The initial progress is always the most noticeable; I experienced the same."

Cheng Peng turned to look in the direction of the second-floor stairs, then smiled at Lu Yuan, "Want to go up again later? Since I still have two times left, let's use them together today."

"No thanks."

Lu Yuan decisively shook his head. "Save those two times for when you need them most."

Lu Yuan only found out later that the massage therapy he received on the second floor of the martial arts hall was incredibly expensive.

If he were to pay for it, the cost for a single session was surprisingly four digits!

Cheng Peng, as a premium member, had three free massage sessions, which is how he got the chance to invite Lu Yuan.

Though the massage had remarkable effects, Lu Yuan felt it would be inappropriate to continue taking advantage of Cheng Peng's generosity.

"Premium members need to recharge their cards with over 100,000 credits to qualify. I'm not thinking about that for now. However, becoming an official disciple allows free access to massage sessions, and that's something worth striving for."

Lu Yuan had considered the benefits and perks for becoming an official disciple of the Yuan Martial Arts School from the beginning.

After activating the [Fighter] professional panel, his progress in martial arts had accelerated rapidly, making his desire for the official disciple status even stronger.

"Later, accompany me to the internet cafe, okay? I'll treat you to fried chicken at noon."

Cheng Peng, as usual, attempted to entice Lu Yuan to go to the internet cafe.

Lu Yuan directly refused, "Forget it. I want to go back and practice the leg techniques the coach taught today."

"Why practice now? Just take a short break! Come with me to the internet cafe!"

"I have to finish my homework in the afternoon. There's quite a bit this week, and excluding the time spent on martial arts during the weekend, I might not finish it."

"Well, if that's the case, you better go back early. Homework is more important. If you can't finish it, I won't have anything to copy."

"..."

At noon, the sunlight was scorching.

Coincidentally, the air conditioning on the bus was broken again.

Lu Yuan arrived home covered in sweat and grabbed two bottles of cold water from the fridge, gulping them down.

He had lunch alone at home.

His mother prepared the meal, and his father, Lu Xinghua, had left in a hurry after eating, carrying some food to the hospital.

Lu Yuan found a soup bowl upstairs, filled it with a generous portion of rice and vegetables, and brought it downstairs. While eating, he kept his eyes on his professional panel, contemplating where to allocate the newly acquired skill point.

(End of Chapter)