Being forced to grow like a pig? But I'm immune to the consequences!

The potential-enhancing drugs were quickly distributed. After exchanging a few words in hushed tones with Guo Hui, Zhang Yong left with the empty boxes.

After watching Zhang Yong walk away, Guo Hui turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone, lingering especially on Liao Xing and the others, before slowly saying, "The distribution of potential potions is governed by very strict rules; not just anyone can handle it."

He paused, then emphasized, "Don't try to do anything without permission! We're not blind to your little schemes. But understanding them is one thing, liking them is another."

His gaze sharpened: "Unfortunately, your instructor Zhang dislikes this kind of thing very much."

"So, do you understand?"

Liao Xing lowered his head, his face turning pale, and could only nod stammeringly, "I...I understand, Master Guo."

After Guo Hui left, Mo Han approached Wu Sheng and asked in a low voice, "Wu Sheng, what did Master Guo mean by that? I didn't quite understand."

After a moment's thought, Wu Sheng said in a low voice, "Given the difference in status between Instructor Zhang and Liao Xing, Liao Xing is trying to curry favor. But this kind of work involving important supplies has strict rules. If Liao Xing takes advantage of the situation and deliberately makes things difficult or deducts during distribution, like trying to disgust us, and we complain, Instructor Zhang will ultimately be held responsible."

He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, if Liao Xing and Zhang Shiping are at the same level, then Liao Xing's actions aren't helping, but rather stealing someone else's position. In the eyes of superiors, if someone else does the job better than you, that's troublesome. Moreover, if there are benefits involved in this work, then this behavior is tantamount to stealing benefits under the guise of helping."

Mohan suddenly realized: "So that's how it is... So, these two instructors are actually decent people?"

Wu Sheng's eyes flickered slightly: "Perhaps."

Having obtained the potential-enhancing drug, Wu Sheng didn't delay any longer and swallowed it.

The familiar burning and stinging sensation exploded in his abdomen once more. With the practice of ancient yoga techniques, the medicinal power surged like a raging torrent, washing over and squeezing every inch of his muscles, bones, and flesh. His life force was quietly being depleted, but the progress of body tempering was rapidly increasing.

After completing five rounds of yoga, the effects of the medicine finally wore off.

[Wu Sheng]: Vitality 14/15 (Original Core: 12/18)

[Body Tempering Layer 3: 24/40]

"More than halfway done! Tomorrow, we'll definitely break through the third level!"

At this moment, Mo Han, who was standing beside him, couldn't suppress his joy and exclaimed, "Wu Sheng! I feel... I think I've broken through! I've reached the first level of Body Tempering!"

Wu Sheng's eyes flickered slightly. Judging from Mo Han's progress, his own cultivation speed was probably far beyond that of ordinary people. After all, he was only one step away from breaking through to the third level.

"I've also broken through," Wu Sheng said calmly, but he hadn't broken through to the first level.

"I've broken through—!"

A boastful roar suddenly echoed across the training ground.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Liao Xing clenching his fists, his arm muscles bulging, trying his best to show off his "explosive power." Seeing that he had successfully attracted everyone's attention, he smirked smugly and glanced provocatively in the direction of Wu Sheng and Mo Han.

"Brother Liao is amazing!" Wang An immediately flattered him, making Liao Xing even more smug.

However, Yan Liang suddenly spoke up, his tone somewhat uncertain: "I... I think I've broken through too."

Liao Xing's smug expression froze instantly. He turned to stare at Yan Liang: "You broke through too? Are you sure? You're not in the top five, you didn't have any extra potions, right? Do you know what a breakthrough feels like? Don't be mistaken."

Yan Liang replied earnestly, "It should be right. It's just that I suddenly felt a surge of energy in my body, and it was very clear."

Liao Xing was speechless for a moment. Wang An, however, exclaimed in delight, "You broke through without using any extra drugs? That means you have even greater talent!"

It goes without saying who is better, and Yan Liang quite enjoys the sense of superiority that comes with comparison, but he tries his best to hide it, waving his hand and saying, "No, it's just luck, luck."

Just then, a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz weakly rang out: "Um... I think... I am too..."

It's Zhang Lin.

Before Liao Xing could react, Wang An jumped up, pointing at Zhang Lin incredulously, "You too? You broke through too?! Are you kidding me! So I'm the only one who didn't break through?!" He then patted Zhang Lin's shoulder forcefully, adopting a "good buddy" expression, "Not bad, Zhang Lin, you've been hiding your talent!"

Zhang Lin scratched his head sheepishly, his face slightly flushed.

Liao Xing's face darkened completely. He snorted coldly, his tone sour: "Not bad, you've caught up with me. But don't get too cocky. Humility makes one progress, pride makes one fall behind, understand?"

Zhang Lin's smile froze, and he silently lowered his head. Yan Liang glanced at Liao Xing imperceptibly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

……

At noon in the cafeteria, through the whispers of the crowd, Wu Sheng learned that in addition to Liao Xing and Mo Han, the other three people in the top five in punching power had also broken through to the first level of body tempering.

It seems that the threshold for the first level of body tempering is lower than imagined.

During afternoon training, the atmosphere within Liao Xing's small circle had subtly changed. Wang An spent more time talking to Yan Liang and Zhang Lin, while Liao Xing seemed to be gradually marginalized.

Perhaps in an effort to re-establish his "status" and elevate his authority, Liao Xing once again targeted Wu Sheng and Mo Han. He deliberately raised his voice and shouted at the two, "Hey! Four of us in the top five have already broken through! What about you two? You haven't been slacking off all day, have you? You haven't even touched the first level yet, have you?"

Faced with this low-level provocation, Wu Sheng simply responded coldly: "The test is the day after tomorrow. At that time, it will be clear who is a genius and who is a piece of trash. Some people don't put their minds on the right path all day long. Don't let them lose even their top five positions."

Wu Sheng didn't want to deal with this kind of person, but in this kind of low-level environment, pretending to be a "silent strongman" was just idiotic and would only make people think you were weak, leading to one provocation after another.

Having failed to gain the upper hand verbally, Liao Xing's face darkened. He opened his mouth to swear, but seeing Mo Han glaring at him with hostility, and remembering the mess in the cafeteria yesterday, he had no choice but to swallow his words and let out a resentful snort. He realized that when it really came down to it, these "brothers" around him might not be reliable.

……

As usual, Wu Sheng and Mo Han dragged their tired bodies back to the dormitory at night and quickly fell asleep.

Half-asleep, the dormitory door was pushed open, and Liao Xing and his group returned, reeking of sweat and tinged with barely concealed excitement. Amid the commotion, fragments of conversation drifted into Wu Sheng's fading hearing:

"The techniques Master Guo taught me in private were really good..."

"That 'Black Tiger Claws the Heart' move is ruthless; a strike to the chest would probably take him down instantly!"

"And that whip kick, if it landed solidly, would break bones..."

……

Wu Sheng's consciousness struggled for a moment in his drowsiness, trying to remember these fragmented words, before being swallowed up by an even deeper sleep.

The fourth day of the training camp was approaching quietly amidst silence and undercurrents.