'My Potential Points are at 0.9. That's an increase of 0.3. On a normal day, it only goes up by 0.1, so the extra 0.2 must be from the Qi Nourishing Soup.'
As the day ended and midnight arrived, a look of delight appeared in Yang Chan's eyes when he saw the increase in his Potential Points.
Potential Points were always calculated at midnight, settling the gains from the previous day. At this rate, he would be able to add points again in just one more day.
With his current proficiency in the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist, a single Potential Point would be enough to raise it to the Perfection realm, or even directly to the Tier One Initial Glimpse realm.
'Just one more day.'
'Comprehending the Wild Ox Force after drinking the Qi Nourishing Soup... that's a pretty good story.'
Yang Chan thought to himself and chuckled.
'Hall Master Gu An, Steward Sikong, and the others are trying to make an example of me. But I got some benefits out of it, so I guess it's acceptable.'
He had figured out the real reason he'd been given the Qi Nourishing Soup.
Too many people had died in a short period, so they wanted to prop up a model disciple to show the other Servant Disciples that it wasn't impossible.
It was a way to mitigate the impact of the deaths, and all it cost them was a single, insignificant bowl of Qi Nourishing Soup.
After checking his panel, Yang Chan went straight to sleep. Staying up late was bad for his health.
...
Thanks to catching the eye of the Medicine Hall Master, Yang Chan's task the next day was no longer the arduous job of drying herbs under the scorching sun. Instead, he was assigned to help deliver medicines. He transported herbs picked from the Medicinal Fields to the Medicine Hall and also delivered some raw medicinal materials to the Pharmacist Institute.
Compared to drying herbs, this was much easier. During the deliveries, he would even have free time to practice his Fist Technique, which was naturally a huge improvement.
In the crowd, the few who used to dry herbs with Yang Chan looked on with envy. Wang Sheng, in particular, looked as if he wished he could take Yang Chan's place.
'We've both been Servant Disciples for two and a half years, and I practice the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist even more diligently than Yang Chan. Why is he the one getting all the benefits?'
Jealousy made his eyes burn with fire, twisting his features.
'What's he so smug about? I'll definitely comprehend the Wild Ox Force too.'
Wang Sheng watched resentfully as Yang Chan "arrogantly" left with the medicine delivery group, cursing him inwardly.
The reason he felt this way was because Yang Chan hadn't said a single word to any of them as he left.
If Yang Chan knew all this, he would only have one thing to say: 'What a psycho.'
...
"You must be Senior Brother Yang Chan! For the delivery task, just follow us. All these herbs are going to the Pharmacist Institute to be prepared."
A tall, thin Servant Disciple said with a friendly expression upon seeing Yang Chan.
There was a hint of flattery in his words; he had clearly heard about what happened with Yang Chan.
The disciples assigned to medicine delivery were mostly Servant Disciples who had been at the sect for less than a year and a half and showed some potential.
To an outsider, all Servant Disciples of the Cyan Yuan Sect looked the same, but the Stewards had long been observing and categorizing them. Those with aptitude were given lighter tasks, granting them more time to practice the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist.
Servant Disciples with no potential were naturally given more work.
"Thank you for your help, Junior Brother."
Sensing the goodwill, Yang Chan naturally wouldn't refuse it. Keeping a low profile didn't mean avoiding all human interaction.
The delivery task was indeed much easier. After finishing a trip, the Servant Disciples would find an empty spot and start practicing the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist. This was because when they went to the Medicinal Fields, they could also get a couple of extra steamed buns.
It was a hidden perk, a way to scrounge a free meal. Unfortunately, those days were about to end. If the treatment for Official Disciples was as good as everyone said, he could finally say goodbye to these dirt-cheap steamed buns.
Yang Chan joined in naturally, blending harmoniously into the group.
His servant tasks for the day were done. The sun was setting in the west but still bright. The work had been much easier and faster than drying herbs.
When he returned to his courtyard, not many people were back yet, their servant tasks clearly unfinished. He went straight into his room instead of lingering outside.
...
「At midnight.」
A look of delight appeared on Yang Chan's face as he watched the value in his Potential Points column change to 1.
This meant his status was about to undergo a transformation.
His proficiency with the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist was already nearing ninety. Every time he practiced the Fist Technique, he could feel a flow of Power, but it never managed to fully settle within his body. Even so, he was confident he could comprehend the Wild Ox Force within a few days.
But comprehending it sooner was, of course, even better.
He had been accumulating his foundation for two and a half years; comprehending Power now was perfectly reasonable.
Yang Chan looked at his panel and directly added the point.
The moment the point was added, Yang Chan felt a roaming Power emerge within his body. This time, unlike before, it didn't just vanish. Instead, it began to circulate throughout his entire being.
With every pass, Yang Chan felt his physical strength increase. After several circuits, the Power settled in his Lower Dantian.
At the same time, new insights about the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist flooded Yang Chan's mind, as if he had personally practiced it countless times.
Yang Chan had experienced this feeling once before with the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill, so he was quite familiar with it now. Once the influx of memories was complete, Yang Chan directed his thoughts, and the Power in his Dantian responded to his will.
He channeled it into his right hand and immediately felt the strength in that arm increase dramatically, reaching five or six times that of an ordinary person.
An ordinary person's Fist Power isn't very high. Even with training and exercise, it wouldn't exceed four stone of force. Now that Yang Chan had comprehended Power, his base physical strength already surpassed that limit. With the reinforcement of his Power, it was far, far greater.
He had only just initially comprehended Power. If his Power continued to increase and reinforce his body, his upper limit would be even higher.
And this was just the increase in strength. His senses, speed, and other attributes had all improved as well. He could now hear the scuttling of a mouse in its hole inside the room, something he couldn't do before.
His gaze fell upon the mouse hole, and sure enough, a skinny mouse poked its head out. This was the same one that had once crawled onto his bed and startled him awake.
Yang Chan's figure flashed, and he appeared before the mouse hole in an instant, stomping down without hesitation. When he had the power to take revenge, he never showed mercy.
The various enhancements to his body were crystal clear. With his current strength, he could easily deal with a dozen versions of his former self.
If he were armed with a sharp weapon, he could take on even more.
"No wonder comprehending Power is the key to becoming an Official Disciple of the Cyan Yuan Sect. The boost in strength is immense, and the increase in Combat Power is terrifying," Yang Chan said with a sigh of emotion.
He checked the changes on his panel.
[Name: Yang Chan]
[Lifespan: 16/55]
[Talent: 4]
[Potential Points: 0]
[Mastered Professions: Pharmacist (Beginner 25%)]
[Comprehended Techniques: Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill (Tier One Initial Glimpse 14%), Ox Demon's Mighty Fist (Tier One Initial Glimpse 15%)]
On the panel, the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist had been upgraded to Tier One Initial Glimpse 15%, even higher than his Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill.
His Lifespan had also increased by two years. Apparently, comprehending Power could extend one's life, though not by as much as the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill.
His Talent hadn't changed at all.