Chapter 22: Seven Limits of the Flesh, Binding the Mortal Body

【Intermediate Achievement - Deep Sleep (1/30)】

The next day, Qin Shi still rose early; a whole night of meditation training caused him no trouble.

He remained spirited, energetic beyond words.

The "thrashing" he took in the training room yesterday—the minor bruises from fists and feet colliding—healed quickly.

The few bruises on his arms, calves, and lower back had faded, leaving only faint red marks.

"As the saying goes, eating ginseng is not as good as sleeping through the fifth watch; the wisdom of the elders does make sense.

Like returning to town in a game, closing your eyes in a hot spring to restore health, opening them to full condition."

Qin Shi pondered; when Old Liang discussed Old Martial Arts theory with him, he often dragged out long, abstruse passages of classical Chinese, and among them, the content about "sleep" left the deepest impression.

Such as "When cultivating Qi, one must prioritize good sleep above all. Sleep replenishes essence and benefits the body, strengthens bones and fortifies tendons," and "A thousand gold cannot buy a sound sleep; seek not an immortal's prescription, seek a sleep prescription."

"From a scientific perspective, ensuring Golden Sleep every day helps maintain cell vitality, regulate endocrine function, and boost the immune system and physical fitness."

Qin Shi exhaled deeply; this sense of fulfillment from improving every day made people unconsciously relax.

Like knowing there is an Oasis ahead, so he fears not the scorching heat and thirst of this moment.

Just need to keep moving forward, reaching the destination is enough.

"Settle down! Settle down again! When school starts, I'll return as a Top Scholar, and take off in one wave!"

Qin Shi silently cheered himself on, dressed, walked out of the house, fetched a basin of cool water, and wiped his face with a Towel.

During the gap of washing up, he set his Gaze on the translucent Stele Panel.

【Junior Achievement - Muscle Memory (72%)】

"Keep exercising, and next week you can unlock the related Skill."

Qin Shi couldn't help but hum a few times; Combat Retrospection helped him greatly.

The all-night meditation training had twice the effect with half the effort, deeply imprinting the basic movements of fighting techniques and moves in his heart.

And his muscles would not accumulate Fatigue, exceeding his body's Upper Limit.

"Beating Brother Yuan more than ten times was quite stress-relieving, venting all negative emotions."

After finishing breakfast with his younger sister Qin Lan, Qin Shi headed to No. 9 Middle School as usual.

Today he came late, but did not see the Tutoring Class students; the Playground was empty, only the lame Old Liang sat on the Stand above.

Feeling a gaze as tangible as substance, Qin Shi's heart skipped a beat.

"Old Liang seems a bit stern today; surely he didn't lose money drinking and gambling last night, holding in a bellyful of anger with nowhere to vent, right?"

It is said that Martial Artists with high Sheng Li Fa can project their spirit outward, change their Surroundings, and even trigger weather changes close to natural disasters.

Although Old Liang surely wasn't that powerful, Qin Shi remembered that when they first met, being glared at once caused a thrilling shock of terror all over his body.

Truly unforgettable!

Therefore, he believed this plain-looking Physical Education Teacher had indeed fought in the Star Cup, with Sheng Li Fa at least at Amateur 7-dan.

"Qin Shi, come up, let's Chat."

Old Liang's voice was hoarse, as if he had stayed up all night without sleep.

"Wow, didn't you go home all night!"

Qin Shi walked up the Stand and approached, smelling a pungent alcohol scent, then with the corner of his eye swept a glance—cigarette butts covered the ground beneath his feet.

In his previous life, he had seen such a scene only twice: once when a childhood friend confessed publicly and was rejected by the Goddess, then turned and got into Rich Brother's car, helplessly accompanying him to drink away his sorrows;

the other was when he learned his father sold the house to go all-in on sports betting, lost everything, and before graduation already faced the tragic plight of a son repaying his father's debts.

"Looking at Old Liang with wine bottles and cigarette butts all over the ground, I feel it's more bitter than those two times of mine, surpassing them by far."

Qin Shi slandered him silently, but said with concern:

"Liang Laoshi, drinking so early in the morning, and not even preparing two dishes—isn't drinking on an empty stomach uncomfortable?"

Old Liang stared blankly at the youth before him, with not a hint of drunkenness in his eyes, and said crisply:

"I want to teach you a skill, Qin Shi."

"Liang Laoshi, I've been studying Old Martial Arts with you for several days; though I haven't paid tuition, I count as your student, right?"

Qin Shi felt guilty in his heart, mysteriously feeling that Old Liang's gaze toward him was off, overly fiery.

I'm not wearing white socks, nor do I have a round buzz cut; surely not enough to attract bees and butterflies and draw male attention?

He made up his mind; seeing the situation was bad, he would turn and run!

"Teacher and student, after all, is just a business of Ban Zhong for money, doing one's duty.

I am not a kind-hearted person, I don't have that compassionate heart; seeing someone's family down on their luck, I don't want to lend a hand."

Old Liang propped his hands on his Knees, his gaze sharp, like a tiger crouching, sweeping away his usual image of a dejected middle-aged man with a limp and hunched back.

"Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng, these two boys have some Zizhi, work hard, can endure hardship, but they cannot enter the Door, nor can they become Good Seedlings who will one day support the beams and reach the sky.

So after they learn boxing, whether they go Mining or mix on the Street, I don't care, and I don't get involved.

I am only responsible for helping them develop Sheng Li Fa, and giving them the results they want."

Hearing these words, Qin Shi didn't feel anything was wrong.

After all, no matter how it's put, a teacher is just a job that draws a Salary.

Being able to fulfill one's personal duty and do what is within one's responsibility counts as qualified.

That kind of selfless dedication, a good teacher like a gardener or candle, is itself rare.

"But you're different, Qin Shi. The Practice Method entered the Door in two days, the fighting technique was mastered in one day; I've taught at Zi Fu No. 9 Middle School for nearly ten years, and have never seen such a Good Seedling."

Old Liang's eyes were bright, staring at Qin Shi's young face, as if seeing the years fly by, many past events surfacing in his heart.

"I have been called a 'Genius,' so I know what a genius is like."

Is this praising me, or praising yourself?

Qin Shi's Corner of Mouth twitched.

With the rapid stamina recovery buff of 【Deep Sleep】 plus 【Muscle Memory】 enhancing cultivation speed, he truly qualifies to be called an "Old Martial Talent"!

"Possessing both the 'Never Wastes Training' and 'Learns Fast' top-tier traits, who can out-grind me!"

Seeing Qin Shi say nothing, Lao Liang's eyes dimmed slightly, and his tone softened:

"I know I'm just a PE teacher holed up in No. 9 Middle School with no prospects; before long this school might be turned into a sports school, the Education Committee public tenure will be gone, and I'll be laid off too, reduced to an unemployed drifter.

But I'm not some quack peddling snake oil in the Urban Circle; the real skill in my hands is enough to let a genius like you touch the professional threshold and impact the Martial Artist realm!

On this point you need not worry — Xin Yi High School's computer class connects to the Urban Circle Public Network; with your High School Senior student Identity Card you should be able to log into the Martial Association official website, where my past competition record is documented in detail.

Please believe me, Qin Shi."

The last few words, Lao Liang spoke with genuine sincerity.

In his youth he lived recklessly, unable to stomach the slightest grievance, insisting on fairness in everything, only to hit walls everywhere and end up covered in bruises.

By the time the young man's temper had converged a few degrees, he still could not bend that backbone, was not well-regarded, and ultimately ended up with a lame leg.

Wasting decades, his temples already streaked with white hair, no sons and no daughters under his knees.

Lao Liang himself felt he had almost lost the will; the rest of his remaining life could only be spent peacefully as a useless person supporting himself in old age.

But the heavens love to toy with mortals, delivering Qin Shi to his doorstep.

Letting this long-extinguished rusty furnace ultimately spark a few embers once more.

"Liang Laoshi, what do you want to teach me?"

Qin Shi asked with a serious expression.

"Old Martial Arts has a saying: the Meat Body Seven Limits bind the Mortal Body in tight shackles. Without shedding the shackles, one cannot become a true Saint!"

Lao Liang enunciated each word, expression solemn:

"Sinew, Bone, Skin, Membrane, Qi, Strength, Spirit! I can help you Break the Great Limit, Open Four Gates!"

(Chapter End)