Chapter 5

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Hao Qi stood at the entrance of the Blue Shadow Fast Food Restaurant. He stood there quietly, and although he had been standing for more than twenty minutes, he did not feel a bit impatient, as his mind was already deeply immersed in the system.

These nine years of martial arts practice, although the system had given him the Luohan Fist, he had also gained a substantial understanding of the Luohan Fist itself. For example, the routines of this set of boxing, the combat techniques, the key points of force generation, the footwork patterns, and so on. All of these were the knowledge and skills he had gradually acquired through over ten million punches over the past nine years.

In fact, Hao Qi speculated that the martial arts provided by the system were not directly infused into him like in the novels he had read before. Instead, they were more like martial arts knowledge that he had to learn, and then through physical training, he would gradually cultivate these martial arts skills, turning them into his own abilities and memories. Even without the system, if he were given a set of boxing techniques and practiced them for nine years, making over ten million punches, he believed he could achieve great mastery.

The Luohan Fist had an attack power of 250, and after reaching level ten, it would increase the boxing coefficient by 20 points. Hao Qi's character template was "Invincible Benevolence." Initially, the four major categories—boxing, swordsmanship, saber techniques, and esoteric arts—all had a coefficient of 40 points. This coefficient represented the upper limit of martial arts he could learn. For example, the ultimate boxing technique, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, had an attack power of 1500 and required a boxing coefficient of 140 points to learn. The Luohan Fist, when learned to level ten, increased the boxing coefficient by 20 points. Now, his boxing coefficient was 60 points, allowing him to learn more advanced boxing techniques. However, he still could not learn intermediate boxing techniques that required a 30-point increase in the boxing coefficient, as those techniques had a learning threshold of 70 points. It truly seemed like a long and arduous journey...

Hao Qi sighed and then focused his attention on the other three major categories of martial arts. There were many world-class martial arts, such as the Nine Swords of Dugu, the Flame Saber Technique, and the Beggar Beating Staff Technique. However, as an orphan, where could he obtain swords, sabers, or staffs? So from the beginning, the martial arts he could choose were limited to a few: the Luohan Fist, the Heavenly Web Palm, the Five Poison Palm, the Cotton Palm, and the Free and Easy Wandering Fist. Among these, the only one that allowed him to immediately start cultivating internal energy after practice was the Luohan Fist, the lowest-level boxing technique. As a nine-year-old orphan, the only option he had was this one. Otherwise, did he really not want to practice other, better martial arts? The Buddhist martial arts were not limited to the Luohan Fist. Techniques like the Dragon Claw Hand, the Tara Leaf Finger, the Great Wisdom Unfixed Finger, the Great Power Vajra Palm, and the Mount Sumeru Divine Palm were all world-class martial arts, especially the Mount Sumeru Divine Palm, which was just a step away from the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Did he really not want to learn them? It was just the harsh reality that forced him.

"Smack."

Suddenly, Hao Qi's shoulder was forcefully patted. His consciousness hadn't yet caught up, but his body reacted first. His feet moved according to the footwork of the Luohan Fist. His right foot remained still, while his left foot twisted on the ground, using the twisting force to turn his body toward the direction of the pat. Then he raised his fist, ready to punch, but suddenly realized that the person standing in front of him was the one he was waiting for.

"Hao Qi, you're daydreaming again. What's up, another epiphany?"

The man standing in front of Hao Qi was wearing flashy clothes, with earrings and a nose ring, and his hair was dyed in various colors, making him look like a small thug. Hao Qi, however, smiled warmly and nodded, saying, "I was just thinking about martial arts training and got lost in thought. You just got here?"

The thug laughed and immediately put his arm around Hao Qi's shoulder, walking with him into the fast food restaurant. As they walked, he said, "I was shipping goods, so I arrived late. You know, I have a wide network of connections. There are plenty of guys who get their goods from me. I just got here."

This man was named Lin Xiong, an orphan who had grown up in the same orphanage as Hao Qi. Although many in the orphanage formed gangs and bullied the weak, some supported each other. Lin Xiong was exceptionally small and weak as a child, unable to practice martial arts. He and Hao Qi met through some chance encounters. At that time, Hao Qi had already started practicing the Luohan Fist. Although it was not a high-level technique, it had one advantage: once equipped and learned in the system, it immediately granted a level one boxing skill, which was essentially the equivalent of a beginner's level in martial arts. Such a level of martial prowess was enough to protect oneself in the orphanage. So, Hao Qi helped this little brother, and although Lin Xiong could not practice martial arts, he was eloquent and quick-witted, helping Hao Qi secure many benefits in the orphanage. Over time, they supported each other and managed to survive the most vulnerable years in the orphanage, becoming brothers who shared life and death.

After that, with the system, Hao Qi had a clear direction and motivation. He worked hard to train, and with the advanced technology of his previous world, which was decades ahead of this one, and his background as a college student, reading was not a challenge for him. He consistently won scholarships and gradually enrolled in college through the government's compulsory education system. Meanwhile, he steadily improved his Luohan Fist to a high level, eventually reaching the tenth level of mastery after nine years.

During this period, Lin Xiong, after completing his nine years of compulsory education, left the orphanage and began living independently. He was eloquent, observant, and quick-witted. Although he couldn't fight, there were plenty of people who could. However, there were few who were as quick-witted as him. Gradually, he rose through the ranks of the small-time thugs in the black market areas, becoming a well-known figure in those neighborhoods. He was well-informed, resourceful, and involved in various activities like selling soft drugs and pimping, earning a steady income.

In fact, even as a child, Hao Qi had shared his life goals with Lin Xiong. He was honest about his desire to cultivate internal energy and travel the world, but practicing martial arts required money. Even with the system, he needed to eat meat, and the scholarship money was barely enough to fill his stomach. It wasn't that the scholarship was too little, but its purpose was to reward students, not orphans. It was generally intended for students from normal families who had parents and homes. For them, the scholarship was a significant amount of pocket money, but for Hao Qi, it was barely enough to cover his living expenses.

Thus, after Lin Xiong entered society, most of the money he earned went to Hao Qi. Several times, Hao Qi's intense training had injured his body, and Lin Xiong had carried him to the hospital, using up all their savings and even incurring debt. This was why, despite being somewhat thin, Hao Qi's body was not fundamentally damaged.

Lin Xiong often told Hao Qi, "We're brothers for life. When you achieve your goal and become powerful, I'll leave the thug life and enjoy a good life with you. So don't feel any burden; consider it a long-term investment."

Hao Qi was deeply moved by this. No one would believe that he could cultivate internal energy after practicing a low-level boxing technique for nine years. Lin Xiong's words were a comfort, a brotherly comfort...

Thinking about the past, Hao Qi was moved as he and Lin Xiong entered the fast food restaurant. They ordered a large amount of food, most of which was for Hao Qi. As they ate, Lin Xiong carefully slipped an envelope into Hao Qi's pocket and whispered, "It's not much, but use it for now. Next month, I think I can give you twice as much."

Hao Qi, being a martial artist who had practiced for nine years, had a very sensitive sense of touch. He immediately noticed the thickness and weight of the envelope and was surprised, saying, "This is over two thousand more than usual... Is everything okay?"

Lin Xiong chuckled and kept his voice low, saying, "What could go wrong? Don't you trust me? The boss just received a new batch of goods, the same kind as the laughing pills I showed you last time, but this batch is pure blue, the highest quality. However, the price we received is the same as before. I sold them for 30% more, and they're still in high demand. The boss said that starting next month, we'll double the price. That way, both of us can have a few good meals."

Hao Qi pondered for a moment. He was not familiar with the underworld, and in the nine years he had been in this world, he had not paid much attention to the geography and culture. His primary goal was always to master the Luohan Fist. So, he didn't say much but acknowledged his brother's sharp instincts, which were like those of a rat on a sinking ship. Over the years, he had changed bosses several times, but Lin Xiong had never been in trouble. Still, Hao Qi reminded him, "Be careful. If things get too tough, just back off for a while, okay?"

Lin Xiong punched Hao Qi's chest and said, "I'm waiting for your internal energy. Don't tell me that I'm the reason you can't achieve it. All these years of investment would be wasted. Just relax, I know what I'm doing."

Hao Qi smiled bitterly but didn't say more. He only added, "In three months, it will be my nineteenth birthday. If possible... I'll give you a big surprise. Whatever happens, just make sure you're safe until then."

"Ha, what could go wrong?" Lin Xiong laughed and looked out at the bright blue sky, saying, "I'm waiting for you to become an internal energy expert. On that day, on that day... we brothers will truly be free and easy."

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