Chapter 4: Transformation

The night was deep, and on the dim road, driverless cars sped past one after another in a ceaseless stream.

With his aunt staying in the hospital for care, his cousin Chen Ruizhe was heading back to Iron Stone District anyway, so he took Lin Qing along, saving on taxi fares.

Inside the car.

After Chen Ruizhe gave the command "Go home," the intelligent driving system plotted the route and sped toward Iron Stone District, while he picked up his phone and began messaging an old classmate.

Lin Qing sat quietly beside him, watching the district scenery flash by outside the window.

A moment later, after Chen Ruizhe finished sending his message and waited for a reply, he asked casually, "When Yanan told you to quit just now, I saw you seemed a bit hesitant? Do you want to take the path of an Inspector?"

"I've thought about it," Lin Qing nodded. "But I haven't decided yet."

"You saw today how dangerous the Inspector job is."

Chen Ruizhe frowned. "Cousin doesn't want to interfere with your life choices, but I still want to advise you: after you sign up as a martial arts special student, you could take the police or military academy exams in the future; if that doesn't work, retaking the exam is no big deal either."

Saying this, he shook his head slightly. "Yanan suffered due to her lack of education, which is why she joined the Inspector team. If her college entrance exam score had been high enough, she could have gone straight to the police or military academy; it would be more stable, and the benefits are actually better, only the climb is slower."

Lin Qing naturally understood his cousin's meaning.

Although security is relatively chaotic outside the urban circles of major cities, the police don't need to go looking for trouble everywhere like Inspectors do.

As for the military, let alone that—in this era where there is hardly any war globally, the military is deployed very rarely.

But precisely because of this, the path of an Inspector is even more suitable for Entropy-Reverser talents.

"I'm still considering it."

Lin Qing replied perfunctorily, "Anyway, the college entrance exam is still half a year away."

"True, think it over carefully," Chen Ruizhe nodded. "But practicing martial arts is definitely right."

The next morning, inside the shooting range.

"Bang!"

After today's eighty-first precise shot, a line of luminous small characters instantly appeared before Lin Qing's eyes.

【Completed 'Firearms Master'】

"Finally..."

A hint of a smile rose in Lin Qing's eyes; pretending to look at the target, he called up his Entropy-Reverser panel in his mind to take a look.

The number of advanceable items had already recovered to 1/1.

"It's ready."

Lin Qing placed the pistol on the table, removed his goggles and earplugs, turned to Instructor An, and said, "That's all for today."

"So soon?" Instructor An, still dressed in her bold and fiery outfit, looked somewhat surprised.

"Suddenly remembered I have some things to do at home."

Lin Qing made up a casual excuse. "Instructor, I'll head back first."

"Then... alright." Instructor An nodded, then couldn't help asking, "Will you come again in the future?"

"Maybe."

Lin Qing took off his shooting jacket and left without looking back.

Back at home.

After confirming the security door was locked and all curtains drawn, Lin Qing finally called up his Entropy-Reverser panel.

The 46th Edition Morning Sun Cultivation Method had long been recorded by the panel, right among the advanceable items.

"Advance '46th Edition Morning Sun Cultivation Method'."

As his will moved, in a daze, a vast amount of inexplicable information instantly surfaced in his mind.

According to the Entropy-Reverser's deduction, theoretically, to practice the '46th Edition Morning Sun Cultivation Method' to its limit, he must perfectly execute the method's 24 movements and breathing techniques at least 65 times, ensuring the mysterious energy absorbed is thoroughly integrated into every part of his body.

The next moment—

Memories of himself repeatedly practicing the Morning Sun Cultivation Method suddenly surfaced in Lin Qing's mind.

As he tried again and again, from initial clumsiness, the method gradually became proficient, even approaching perfection, as if every tiny detail was flawless.

At the same time, his breathing and blood circulation began to change instinctively, and streams of mysterious energy merged into his body, devoured by every cell.

This mysterious energy surged continuously, causing his body to begin transforming at a terrifying speed.

His heart beat wildly at a frequency unprecedented in his life, as if beating a war drum to rally support, constantly pumping massive amounts of blood to every part of his body.

Beneath his trembling skin, it felt as if huge earthworms were constantly wriggling.

Lin Qing's pupils suddenly contracted; feeling shocking, excruciating pain throughout his body, he slowly gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and sat on the ground.

Enduring silently.

A moment passed.

After all the strange phenomena subsided and calmed, Lin Qing finally opened his eyes. At this moment, the world before him became much clearer; his hearing seemed different too; he could even hear the faint sound of sweat droplets hitting the ground, feeling an unprecedented surge of energy and vitality.

Although covered in sweat and looking quite ragged, he was filled with vigorous vitality.

"Is this the state after fully mastering the 46th Edition Cultivation Method?"

Lin Qing stood up and tried a few empty strikes; as the air was compressed at extreme speed, the sound of wind immediately arose.

He also tested the force application of the military combat techniques; the feel was indeed much stronger than before, and a relieved smile naturally appeared on his face.

It wasn't just an improvement in explosive power; control over his body's muscles had also increased significantly compared to the past.

As for exactly how much improvement—

Lin Qing immediately used the exercise equipment at home to accurately test his current strength.

He wasn't sure about other aspects, but in terms of strength, it was at least double what it was before.

This gave him a sense of transformation.

And there was an even greater sense of security.

!.

"I heard that even after mastering the Morning Sun Practice Method, one must practice repeatedly, gradually adjusting to a perfect state, to truly approach the body's 'First Limit'."

In the bathroom, Lin Qing stood under the shower, tilting his head back, letting the water wash away the sweat on his body.

According to the official website of the Morning Sun Martial Arts Hall—

This practice method mainly works by adjusting breathing and blood circulation to stimulate the body's potential as much as possible, thereby mobilizing a certain 'mysterious energy' sleeping within the body.

It is said that this mysterious energy is the root of evolution.

Only by truly finding the knack and entering that wonderful state can one mobilize the mysterious energy sleeping within the body through the twenty-four movements and breathing techniques of this practice method.

At first, it will all be very awkward; most of the mobilized mysterious energy will dissipate. Only through repeated attempts can one gradually adjust to perfection.

"I can achieve perfect practice every time, so sixty-five times shouldn't take too long..."

Lin Qing calculated silently.

Before this, he hadn't even mastered the 46-version Morning Sun Practice Method.

Now, he had leaped straight to the limit.

This improvement was too great.

Moreover, it was a comprehensive improvement in basic physical attributes.

Combined with the combat techniques he had pre-paid for and completed in his past life when the apocalypse broke out, his actual combat ability was now far stronger than before.

"This is just the most simplified version of the Morning Sun Practice Method. No wonder it's the Morning Sun Martial Arts Hall..."

Lin Qing felt a bit of awe in his heart.

Nowadays, there are many martial arts halls globally, but one could also say there is only one martial arts hall in the world, called the 'Morning Sun Martial Arts Hall,' with branch halls opening in almost every city across the globe.

Moreover, for agencies and industries involving martial force, such as the public security system, the patrol system, the military, and the security industry, rank promotions are mostly based on the grading standards of the Morning Sun Martial Arts Hall.

It was nearly a complete monopoly, and its status was absurdly high.

Even the massive conglomerate from an extraterrestrial civilization, the Wisdom Star Group, would invest in the Morning Sun Martial Arts Hall!

All of this was because of that founder of the Morning Sun Martial Arts Hall, who was hailed as the Hero of Earth!

He was also the creator of the strongest martial way recognized globally.

"Even the original version of the Morning Sun Practice Method is merely a foundation of the martial way."

The more Lin Qing thought about it, the more shocked he became. "I wonder just how strong that founder really is?"

It is said that the original version of the Morning Sun Practice Method consists of seventy-two movements and an extremely complex and tedious breathing technique; once fully mastered, it can bring the human body close to its true limit.

However, to practice the original version of the Morning Sun Practice Method, the prerequisite is to first master the 77-version practice method.

"Learning the 46-version practice method is cheap, but to learn the 77-version practice method, you have to pay money. It's a bit expensive, at least twenty or thirty thousand."

Lin Qing casually turned off the faucet. "However, I can apply for regularization at the Patrol Bureau tomorrow. After regularization, I can apply directly to learn the 77-version practice method for free, so there's no need to waste money."

This was one of the benefits for patrol officers.

Even without discussing 'combat techniques,' just saving money could save a lot.

After drying his hair and casually tying it at the back of his head, Lin Qing walked into the living room and picked up his phone.

"Hmm?"

Lin Qing suddenly discovered that the Patrol Bureau system had sent a message half an hour ago.

"All patrol officers from the Xiaoshan District Branch must gather at the Patrol Bureau auditorium at 10:00 AM on Monday... The inauguration oath ceremony for the new captain?"

"They've already decided on a new acting captain so quickly?"

Lin Qing decided to go to the Patrol Bureau early tomorrow to apply for regularization first, just in case he ran into the new official's first three fires.

(End of this chapter)