Text-based martial arts: A nighttime rendezvous with the gang leader's wife in a dilapidated te

[The sky was just beginning to lighten, but you, with your frail body, had already woken up.]

You only managed to watch for two hours before falling asleep from complete exhaustion.

You didn't sleep well that night; the contents of "The Green Book" kept making you wonder in your dreams if you were still reading.

While the other disciples were still fast asleep, you could already hear sounds coming from the courtyard before dawn.

You peek through the crack in the door.

Under the hazy moonlight, Doctor Cao was in the courtyard, striking a very strange pose, resembling a tiger and a bear...

However, the moment your gaze fell upon Doctor Cao, his sharp, razor-sharp eyes locked onto you, and he stopped abruptly.

You understood what he meant and carefully pushed open the door.

Dr. Cao stared at you coldly, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

"How was your reading yesterday?"

His voice was somewhat cold, filled with interrogation.

【…】

Chen Xuan's eyelids twitched slightly.

Medical skills are the most important means of unlocking the path to survival within this alchemy chamber.

This is also the most important benchmark for gaining Cao Qing's trust and favor.

Even with the time it takes for stamina to recover during the night of AFK, it's impossible to dedicate all of that time to studying this. However, at level 0, the experience gained was only a tiny bit. Clearly, the cap of 3 points of comprehension is limited.

Clearly, he wanted to demonstrate his talent, at the very least to gain Cao Qing's trust, to freely enter and leave the Shen family compound, to go fishing, and even to accumulate enough capital.

Improving one's attributes to be able to travel a little further will allow me to pass the first month's background trial and successfully find the location of the so-called Golden Dragon Society's Wanli Hall.

Therefore, when Chen Xuan saw this prompt, he didn't even think twice before opening his inventory list and clicking on the "Green Book"!

At the same time, his gaze was fixed on the only numerical value he could currently call an 'advantage':

Potential Point: 1780

This potential point is already considered a very high value on the forum.

Potential points can be used to enhance all the martial arts and abilities that can be learned in "Martial Arts".

Only martial arts techniques like "Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," which have special advancement requirements and are classified as "mental cultivation methods," cannot be directly upgraded by adding points.

As for the rest, there are no taboos!

With that in mind, Chen Xuan pointed directly at the "Green Book" again.

[Do you wish to consume Potential Points to increase the experience of "Qingqing Manual"? At the current level, 1 Potential Points increase the learning progress by 1%.]

【Please select the value to increase!】

Looking at the prompt in front of him, Chen Xuan glanced at the numerical values ​​that appeared on the black screen again and scrolled to the end!

[Consuming 85 Potential Points, the progress of studying "The Green Book" has increased, and the study level has increased. Current level: Level 1 0% (Beginner)]

【你的生活能力『医术』经验值获得85%，当前等级：1级0%（初学乍练）。你的生活能力『採集』经验值获得56%，当前等级：0级66%（未入门）。】

Overnight, in about eight hours, it only increased by a mere 15%.

However, 85 potential points, in the end, is just a little over one and a half potential points gained from a mortal-level adventure, yet it directly extended those eight hours by more than six times.

Not to mention the potential point boosts gained from fortuitous encounters at the Yellow, Profound, or even Earth and Heaven levels!

No wonder, the veterans on the forum say that potential points are the most important gains from serendipitous encounters, and some are even more valuable than the encounters themselves.

Of course, Chen Xuan also understood that such a huge improvement was largely due to the fact that the "Green Book" was not a real martial arts manual, and that its level was too low.

Because at this moment, after leveling up, Chen Xuan tapped the Green Book again:

[Do you wish to consume Potential Points to increase the experience of "Qingqing Manual"? At the current level, 2 Potential Points increase the learning progress by 1%.]

After leveling up, it takes 2 potential points to increase progress by 1%.

In other words, to reach level 2, you need a full 200 potential points. Chen Xuan has enough potential, but he should be able to reach level 1 in about one night, right?

"Since that's the case, then let this old man check your learning progress and see if you've been slacking off!"

As expected, this subtitle made Chen Xuan breathe a sigh of relief.

You appeared remarkably composed when faced with Dr. Cao's test.

This composure isn't something you can fake; it comes from the knowledge you possess.

[You've already gained a basic understanding of herbal identification, as well as fundamental aspects of tongue coating and pulse diagnosis.]

From beginning to end, you answered fluently and smoothly.

[There were only a few acupuncture and acupoint concepts that were clearly beyond your scope of study, and you couldn't answer them.]

However, Dr. Cao showed no disappointment; instead, his eyes gleamed with even greater appreciation.

Clearly, he is extremely satisfied with your performance!

After several tests, he nodded, the coldness and gloom on his face lessening somewhat, and his gaze towards you finally held a hint of 'one of us'.

Cao Qing's favorability towards you has increased by 10. Current favorability: 30 (Instant connection)

"Not bad! To have mastered this medical book so thoroughly in just one night, besides your exceptional talent and comprehension, it seems you've also put in a lot of hard work!"

He stroked his beard, paused, and continued:

"However, at all times, one's own health is the foundation for survival and the basis for learning and martial arts! Your body is so weak, and you lost a lot of vital energy yesterday, yet you haven't taken proper care of yourself. If this continues, I'm afraid you won't live more than a year."

His words sent a chill down your spine. Without a second thought, you knelt down.

["Please, sir, save my life! I'll do anything, even die a thousand deaths!"]

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"No need to treat me like a slave. Just remember to be moderate in the future. However, I'm not one to be stingy when it comes to your kneeling."

"My medical master once passed down a technique for strengthening the body. Although it has no harmful effects, diligent practice can slightly improve your health!"

The moment this subtitle appeared, Chen Xuan, watching from outside the screen, revealed an unimaginable surge of joy!

Martial arts! Are we finally about to witness true martial arts? Are we finally on the path to transcendence?!

Cao Qing tossed you a small booklet, barely the size of a palm, then turned and left, leaving only a voice echoing:

"Alright, get some rest. You don't need to come to the alchemy session today!"

You paused slightly, instinctively took the booklet, but didn't rush to look at it. Instead, you quickly bowed and said:

"Thank you, sir!"

Once the footsteps returned to the room, you finally looked at the small, yellowed book:

【Five Animal Frolics】