Chapter 28

Where's the fragrance coming from?

Qin Shi really wanted to scratch his head; he hadn't even had time to take a shower before heading out today, to wash off the stench of sweat from enduring the pain of burning tendons last night.

"Xiao Qin cares a lot about his image, huh? Did you spray on cologne? Got a girlfriend recently?"

Zhang Ge's tone was sour; he deliberately sniffed the air.

He, a grown man, is standing right here, yet Teacher Lin doesn't even spare him a glance?

"My body wash is an all-in-one three-in-one; where would I get the money for cologne. Right, Zhang Ge, you covered my shift yesterday, I'll treat you to a meal later."

Qin Shi hurriedly changed the topic, to avoid becoming the target of concentrated fire from the male colleagues at the Youth Palace.

A non-establishment temp part-time job, just earning a meal; no need to turn it into palace intrigue vying for favor.

He deeply knew that sometimes, once men get aroused, their capacity for making a scene is no less than women's.

"Teacher Lin, do you want to come along?"

Qin Shi asked one more question, which also counted as creating an opportunity for Zhang Ge, and repaying yesterday's favor of covering his shift!

Lin Yunqing adjusted her glasses and shook her head gently:

"No need. I just came over to get to know Assistant Teacher Xiao Qin; this afternoon let's draft a class schedule arrangement, to prepare for the start of class matters."

"Mm, got it, Teacher Lin."

After brief pleasantries, Qin Shi watched Lin Yunqing leave.

His eyes flashed; Teacher Lin had a tall figure, yet her waist was very slender, walking like willow branches swaying in the wind — seemingly unsteady, yet actually stable.

"Able to be a teacher at the Youth Palace and get a proper establishment position, her Life Force Level shouldn't be low."

After experiencing burning tendons, Qin Shi's five senses seemed sharper than before; he could faintly capture the breath fluctuations of others.

A normal person's breathing frequency wouldn't be too stable, and it's very easily disrupted; but those who have contacted Life Force Development, those "practitioners," are different.

Under high-intensity training, all aspects of their physical fitness have greatly improved; if they've practiced New Martial Arts or Old Martial Arts, that kind of transformation from inside out would be even more obvious.

"Good-looking, right. Teacher Lin's waist, those legs, truly a life-stealing knife..."

Zhang Ge laughed lewdly at the side.

Indeed can steal a life, but in the literal sense!

Qin Shi had no interest in participating in this kind of unhealthy chat, and hurriedly used the "urine escape" method.

As for Zhang Ge wanting to swap posts with him to get close to the beautiful female teacher.

This matter, his say doesn't count.

"Teacher Lin is so young, yet ran to the Youth Palace to teach martial arts; most likely she's going down to the grassroots to pad her resume.

Zhang Ge probably has no chance; how could a peacock possibly fancy domestic poultry."

Qin Shi pondered in his heart, and decided to continue playing the harmless persona of an obedient student.

For the sake of that free nutrition meal in the canteen, and a once-a-week workload that's not too intense.

He must do a good job as assistant teacher!

……

……

"In the Taian Metropolitan Area where the New Martial Arts faction holds sway, an Old Martial Arts faction seedling actually popped up, and at the Youth Palace of all places?"

Lin Yunqing returned to the second-floor office building; her fair, slender fingers nimbly hooked, habitually twirling her fountain pen, making a whooshing sound.

She was very certain that the faint fragrance on Assistant Teacher Xiao Qin's body was the "scent" of secret medicine tempering the body, Mortal Body Transformation.

And this kind of brutal and fierce perverted method, besides those lunatics of the Old Martial Arts faction, no one would use it.

"Which Great Limit is he rushing?"

Lin Yunqing's eyes flickered, curiosity rising.

"The most difficult Spirit Gate? The most fierce Strength Pass? Or the most time-consuming Qi Pass?

At his age, the most likely ones should still be Bone Gate, Tendon Gate.

The former is painful, the latter is bitter; one is called 'Dismantle Frame', the other is called 'Fire Burning Body'. Whichever it is, neither is easy to pass."

The long-haired female teacher narrowed her eyes, suddenly feeling that this "internship period" arranged by the Martial Association didn't seem so boring after all.

"Old Martial Arts little brother, how rare; he might even be a genius seedling from some sect.

If I use the New Martial Arts' far-leading rich curriculum to strike an outstanding Old Martial Arts little brother until his Dao heart shatters, and he abandons darkness for light, wouldn't that be very interesting?"

The seemingly dignified and beautiful Lin Yunqing's vermilion lips hooked up slightly, and she suddenly became restless and excited.

This way, there's fun to be had!

……

……

At sunset dusk, Qin Shi walked out of the canteen heartily satisfied; he relied on his ability to wolf down five portions of nutrition meals, fiercely shocking the lunch lady whose hands were trembling from serving rice.

Completing this battle of making a name for himself upon first arrival!

"Xiao Qin, turns out treating us means eating at the canteen."

Zhang Ge said displeasedly while picking his teeth:

"You're really too slippery."

Qin Shi laughed it off:

"Haven't gotten paid yet, so I'm tight on cash; next time for sure. Speaking of which, I feel at the Youth Palace, the one most suited to Teacher Lin is you, Zhang Ge — young, handsome, and a university graduate."

Zhang Ge felt great hearing this, touching his slicked-back 3-7 part hairstyle:

"Those words are pleasant to hear! Pity Old Zheng is rigid; he won't agree even if I bring up swapping posts. Xiao Qin, you've got to help bro, give bro more chances to interact!"

Qin Shi responded vaguely:

"I haven't dated much, don't understand these things; moreover, with your charm, Zhang Ge, why would I need to gild the lily."

The two chatted a bit, then went their separate ways.

Watching Zhang Ge drive off in his secondhand Shan Tower sedan, then glancing at Lin Yunqing's Han Hai Conqueror she used to get around, Qin Shi's mouth twitched:

"In my previous life, that was like a secondhand Alto owner chasing a Porsche-driving rich beauty—the gap really is quite large."

Drip!

That Han Hai Conqueror, like a black beast used for off-road driving, braked at the roadside.

The car window rolled down, revealing Lin Yunqing's exquisite face:

"Assistant Teacher Qin, where do you live? If it's on the way, I'll give you a lift."

Teacher Lin is quite enthusiastic.

Qin Shi spoke frankly:

"No need, I live in Old Factory Street, too far from the Urban Circle."

Lin Yunqing looked surprised:

"Old Factory Street... Assistant Teacher Qin works hard, I heard Teacher Zheng say you study at Xin Yi High School."

Qin Shi smiled shyly, tacitly admitting it.

Taian Metropolitan Area and Old Factory Street in the old city area were like the difference between a township and a big city.

The latter wanted to take root and settle down; besides striving hard and working diligently, they also had to find a way to meet various conditions and obtain residency rights.

This was the initial policy of Dongxia's Xinxing Development: dividing residential areas according to so-called "Citizen Contribution," then enjoying different welfare benefits.

Students from Old Factory Street attending public schools in the Urban Circle had to pay extra "school selection fees" or "borrowing study fees."

If Qin Shi hadn't gotten into the Hongzhi Class, this money would have been indispensable.

As for other public medical care and various subsidies, they were all based on citizenship.

Children of Old Factory Street workers only had basic compulsory education and employment training.

"I'm quite interested in the history of Dangyang East Suburbs; next time I'm free, can I ask Assistant Teacher Qin to be my guide?"

Lin Yunqing's tone was gentle, like a caring older sister.

"Sure, no problem. I'll give Teacher Lin a twenty percent discount."

Qin Shi readily agreed, then added:

"The car's here, see you next week, Teacher Lin."

Having said that, he didn't look back, hurriedly turning and sprinting.

Striving to squeeze into the bus during the rush hour after work, he grabbed an excellent seat by the window in the rear seat.

"Twenty percent discount? This kid, he actually wants to charge me money!"

Lin Yunqing was stunned for a moment before understanding the meaning; her gentle and lovely image vanished instantly, and she clenched her small fist:

"Don't let me catch the opportunity, otherwise... I'll make you experience the might of the New Martial Arts school's Military Boxing!"

At eight twenty, Qin Shi returned to the shed house; after being busy for most of the day, he could finally rest for a while.

On the stove was rice and meat dishes left by the youngest Qin Lan; just heat it up and it's ready to eat.

He had just eaten heartily at the Youth Palace cafeteria, replenishing energy, so he wasn't hungry.

Entering the small bedroom, he sat on the bed, and a semi-transparent black frame suddenly flashed into view.

【Anchor Point: Qin Shi】

【Growth Stage: Embryo】

【Progress: 0.009%】

【Monument Count: Deep Sleep (Intermediate), Muscle Memory (Beginner), Overgrowth (Beginner)】

【Skill: Combat Retrospection】

"I ate so much today but didn't receive any eating reminder; it seems satisfying the 'eating' or 'foraging' needs of 【Overgrowth】 isn't easy."

Qin Shi felt quite regretful, then shifted his attention to another achievement.

【Junior Achievement - Muscle Memory (98%)】

"Lao Liang's Jin Ti Huo Jin Burning Tendons made me repeatedly exhaust myself several times, almost filling the progress all at once."

He looked at the sky outside the window; it wasn't yet nine, so there was no need to rush to report to Midnight Palace.

He might as well continue grasping Qi Sense and maintain the training intensity.

"Use breathing to mobilize that breath, guiding the heat flow through the four limbs..."

After completing the first Burning Tendons breaking of limits, Qin Shi no longer needed standing post to activate his body.

Only saw him sitting cross-legged with both legs, his chest and abdomen rising and falling greatly; this breathing method, enough to burst the lungs, could never be attempted before, and a slight carelessness would damage the organs.

But now it was different.

The mortal body, strengthened in all aspects, could fully withstand it.

The warm breath flowing inside his body was like a small snake, traveling through dense grass bushes, moistening the flesh and bones, making one gradually immerse.

"Gradually condensing, seeming to converge and gather, turning into some kind of prototype..."

As Qi Sense became clearer and more obvious, Qin Shi discovered the calories and nutrition stored in his flesh were being consumed rapidly.

He was hungry again.

"The nutrient paste tube is full; ordinary synthetic food isn't enough to support cultivation."

Qin Shi sighed lightly, seeing that time was almost nine, planning to stop grasping Qi Sense.

But the retina suddenly flashed, and an information stream lightly passed by.

【Junior Achievement - Muscle Memory (100%)】

Skill Unlock: Inner Vision

Immediately after, Qin Shi's vision changed; though his eyes were closed, he "saw" glowing human figures, their surfaces marked with red and white colors of varying areas.

"Is this my body? Red, white—representing the intensity of physical tempering?"

Chapter End