Chapter 4: Divine Crystal!
Jiang Wu might act a little slow, but he was dependable. He reassured his sister:
"Don't worry, Xiao Zhe is still far off."
"He's too slow. Improving speed isn't easy. That 25 m/s barrier will hold him back for a while."
"Even with our guidance, I'd say it'll take at least a week or two to see progress. By then, Grandpa and the others should be back. They'll take over teaching him, and we won't have to worry."
Jiang Sisi nodded in agreement, visibly relieved.
Their concerns weren't without reason.
The biggest worry was that once Jiang Zhe started cultivating Genetic Source Energy, it might trigger the awakening of his spiritual power. If the awakening failed, the resulting backlash could leave him mentally disabled, in a vegetative state, or worse—dead from bleeding out of all seven orifices.
And if that happened, the blame would fall squarely on their shoulders. It was a risk they couldn't bear.
Unaware of their concerns, Jiang Zhe stood by the punching dummy, eavesdropping with perked ears. He mumbled under his breath,
"Sometimes being a little slow isn't a bad thing..."
"Xiao Zhe, come test your speed," Jiang Wu called out, patting the speed tester beside him.
"Coming! Who knows? I might become a quasi-martial artist tonight!"
Grinning from ear to ear, Jiang Zhe warmed up his limbs and walked onto the track. When Jiang Wu signaled, he shot off like a cheetah.
The track was 60 meters long, with a speed sensor installed at the far end. As soon as he hit the sensing zone, he accelerated to the limit. His powerful legs pounded the ground, launching him forward like an arrow, the wind howling in his wake.
After passing through the sensor, he slowed naturally to a stop.
"Second Brother, what's the result?" he asked expectantly, catching his breath.
"24.5 meters per second!"
Jiang Wu gave him a thumbs-up. "Haha! That's great! A little more and you'll break through!"
"No way..." Jiang Zhe muttered, walking over to check the screen himself. The number was exactly what his brother said.
He wasn't upset about failing to break the 25 m/s barrier—that was bound to happen sooner or later. What really bugged him was the slow improvement since this morning.
After all, Luo Feng had once jumped 5 m/s in a single session just before breaking into the quasi-martial artist level.
Jiang Sisi came over and comforted him:
"Xiao Zhe, you're still young. This is when your body grows the fastest. Just work on your explosive running technique, and you'll probably meet the standard in a week or two."
Her words struck a chord with Jiang Zhe, like a bucket of cold water shocking him awake.
Right! It's a matter of technique!
He had always relied on brute force to run—never once focusing on proper form or how to maximize his body's potential.
"I got it! Second Brother, let me try again."
Without hesitation, he walked back to the start line, mentally visualizing the footwork he'd seen his cousin use, trying to analyze how to optimize his leg power.
The two siblings exchanged a glance. Jiang Wu shrugged, "Looks like you couldn't help yourself again."
With a chuckle, he reset the speed tester.
Jiang Sisi: "…"
Damn this compulsive urge to mentor people!
This time, Jiang Zhe's run was awkward and uneven. His speed dropped to 22 m/s—worse than his earlier attempt.
But he wasn't discouraged. He kept running—third time, fourth time, fifth time…
"21.2 m/s!"
"22.6 m/s!"
"20.3 m/s!"
"23.4 m/s!"
…
The numbers didn't surpass his earlier record, but Jiang Zhe's eyes grew brighter with each try. He could feel it—he was about to grasp something crucial. His strides became lighter and smoother.
"23.8 m/s!"
…
"24.9 m/s!"
…
"25.6 m/s!"
Finally—it happened. The barrier had been broken.
Jiang Sisi hesitated, her lips twitching, unsure whether to speak.
But Jiang Wu made the decision for her, clapping his hands.
"That's it. Let's give him the 'Genetic Source Energy Cultivation Method.' We have to believe in Xiao Zhe—he'll succeed in awakening. He's destined to become Earth's greatest Spiritual Master!"
"…But only if he asks for it himself. If he doesn't, we're not offering it on our own," Jiang Wu added seriously.
"…Fine."
After a pause, Jiang Sisi agreed.
Jiang Zhe didn't hear any of that. He was still running, immersed in the joy of his progress.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wu and Jiang Sisi watched in disbelief as the numbers on the screen kept rising—
"25.9 m/s… 26.7 m/s… 27.3 m/s…"
Final result: 29.9 m/s.
Not because he couldn't go faster—but because Jiang Zhe had chosen to stop.
He collapsed onto the cold alloy floor, panting heavily. The exhilarating rush made him laugh uncontrollably.
Jiang Wu joined in, grinning foolishly.
"Damn… Is he really a genius?"
Jiang Sisi rolled her eyes.
"Please. That line is so last generation."
"Heh, old wine still tastes good," Jiang Wu joked, then helped Jiang Zhe up.
"Still got energy? Want to test your neural reflexes next?"
"A real man never says no! Let's go, Second Brother!"
With arms around each other, they headed toward the Neural Reflex Testing Room connected to the training hall.
"No surprises now…" Jiang Sisi murmured as she watched them leave. Then she turned to find the butler—time to prepare a surprise celebration for Jiang Zhe.
…
"Within 60 seconds, struck 42 times, zero red-light triggers—rating: Advanced."
"Exceeds the 'Pass' standard. You've officially reached the threshold of a quasi-martial artist! From now on, Xiao Zhe—you're one of us!"
Jiang Wu smiled proudly. He had just witnessed a miracle.
Jiang Zhe's achievement was nothing short of legendary: one day of training, and he had leapt from a mid-tier student to a quasi-martial artist.
Most people struggled with that step for decades—some never crossing it even by age 30.
"Xiao Zhe, want to keep going?" Jiang Wu asked, full of encouragement.
Jiang Zhe shook his head, smiling.
"No, I've hit my limit for now. I need to carefully reflect on my footwork."
That burst of speed earlier was all thanks to his Spiritual Master talent—his heightened calculation ability—and copying his cousin's "Chicken Step" footwork.
He knew his limits. When it came to martial technique, he was a total rookie.
For sixteen years, he had focused on studying classical texts, cultivating his mind, and nurturing his body.
He hadn't practiced actual martial techniques yet. Those would come after becoming a real martial artist.
"Haha, as long as you've got a plan. Starting tomorrow, you'll train with me and Sisi—we'll teach you everything," Jiang Wu said with a grin, patting him on the shoulder.
Jiang Zhe nodded. That was the benefit of coming from a powerful family—he'd never lack for guidance.
"Oh, right, Second Brother. Can I look at the 'Genetic Source Energy Cultivation Method' now?"
"You want to see it now?"
"Yeah, I can't wait!"
"Haha, come to the ninth floor. Try to succeed soon—Grandpa and the others will be shocked when they see you!"
…
Inside the high-tech media room on the ninth floor of the alloy tower, Jiang Zhe finally laid eyes on Earth's only known method of cultivating Genetic Source Energy—the Five-Heart-Heaven-Gazing Technique.
Jiang Zhe paid close attention as Jiang Wu explained the principles: what Genetic Source Energy was, how to cultivate it efficiently, how to use "slag" (the mysterious substance), and the importance of guidance techniques and gravity training.
"Second Brother, why don't you just give me the guidance techniques too?"
"No way, absolutely not," Jiang Wu said, shaking his head.
"Our family has two sets of guidance techniques, five main cultivation manuals—three offensive, one footwork, one special skill. Choosing your path has to be decided with Grandpa. I can't make that call."
Jiang Zhe tried begging two more times. Jiang Wu still wouldn't budge, so he gave up.
"Xiao Zhe, to become a full martial artist, you still need to pass the actual combat assessment. You must face beasts in life-or-death combat. Even Jiang family members can't skip that. If you can't pass, you're not qualified."
"I understand. I'll aim for the August 1st assessment."
Jiang Wu looked hesitant. "Uhh… maybe go for the next one six months later? Five days isn't a lot of time."
"No worries. As long as I successfully cultivate Genetic Source Energy, using heavy weapons to kill a few low-tier beast soldiers won't be hard."
He had full confidence in his rapid progress—but outwardly, he was humble.
"Besides, I've got you and Sister Sisi helping me. One teaching footwork, one teaching weapons—I believe you two can train me into a qualified martial artist within five days."
"If Sisi hadn't given me those two tips earlier, I might still be stuck below the speed threshold."
If Jiang Sisi had been present, she would've facepalmed in frustration. She really did have a knack for making her own life harder.
Jiang Wu thought it over and nodded.
"Alright, I'll go register you tomorrow."
"But only if you succeed in cultivating. If you don't, I'll withdraw you and you'll try again next time."
He walked to a wall cabinet, pulled out a drawer, and handed Jiang Zhe a USB drive.
"It's got videos on technique, footwork, and attack methods. Watch them and see what suits you."
…
After leaving the training hall with his brother, Jiang Zhe was surprised with a celebration banquet—courtesy of his cousin.
His aunts and mom stopped by to praise him before heading off to play mahjong together.
His younger aunt and the other third-generation siblings partied with him till late. By the time he stumbled back to his courtyard, he was drenched in champagne and frosting and had to clean up for ages.
At 2:30 AM on the 27th, wearing a loose robe, Jiang Zhe sat cross-legged on his bed.
Sleep? At this age? Not a chance. It was the perfect time to cultivate.
(To be continued in the next message: "Jiang Zhe begins cultivating Genetic Source )
End of the chapter