Chapter 53: The Killing Decision

[Origin -100] [Origin -100] [Origin: 1703] …

[Speed +1] [Speed +1] [Speed: 24]

After a brief rest, once his body adjusted to the increase in attributes, Fang Qingyun invested two more points into Speed.

His physique was transformed once again. Under the crushing weight of ten thousand catties, Fang Qingyun could finally move.

He shuffled his feet, struggling toward the door.

“Don’t even think about leaving. Just stay put,” the director said with a slight smile, gently pressing a button as he continued to adjust the pressure.

He was very interested in this young man—he had to test his limits. Or perhaps… reveal a bit of his own secret.

Inside the Spirit Pressure Chamber, Fang Qingyun strained to twist the door handle.

The door didn’t budge.

“Damn it, you bastard!” Fang Qingyun silently withdrew his hand, his expression calm.

Anger was meaningless. What mattered now was figuring out how to escape.

The only thing he could rely on was the system.

[Host: Fang Qingyun]
[Strength: 19 (+)]
[Speed: 24 (+)]
[Constitution: 19 (+)]
[Mentality: 18 (+)]
[Spirit Power: 87 (+)]
[Shooting: Intermediate]
[Swordsmanship: Beginner]
[Summoned Beast: Dragonblood Lion (+)]
[Origin Points: 1813]

His Spirit Power had risen to eighty-seven, seemingly confirming what Old Li had said—it would not increase further.

His Origin Points continued to climb, now reaching one thousand eight hundred thirteen.

“What should I do now?” Fang Qingyun fell into deep thought.

Summon the pitch-black lion? Impossible! The overwhelming pressure would crush it—the moment it appeared, it might collapse.

Continue to boost his attributes? No! His body couldn’t take it.

Everything must proceed gradually. If he tried to enhance too many attributes at once, he’d collapse before an enemy even lifted a finger.

The only attribute he could still improve was Mentality.

But Mentality was useless at this moment.

Wait—he remembered!

A passage of text surfaced in his mind.

It was a cultivation technique.

Fang Zhiheng had left behind several techniques; this one was tucked away in the most inconspicuous corner.

If Fang Qingyun hadn’t been meticulous, he wouldn’t have found it.

Slaughter Art!

A technique without a rank.

Yet as it was cultivated, its power would grow ever stronger.

The initial stage, First Turn, elevated the practitioner to the level of a martial artist.

Cultivated to Ten Turns, it equaled a low-grade technique.

Twenty Turns, equivalent to a mid-grade technique.

Thirty Turns, comparable to high-grade techniques.

Moreover, the Slaughter Art was easy to learn. Even in Fang Qingyun’s current circumstances, he could master it.

Additionally, its offensive power was immense. In the same tier, the Slaughter Art stood above the rest.

Rapid mastery, overwhelming power, automatic grade advancement…

Such a technique should be coveted by countless practitioners.

However!

It bore a fatal flaw.

It harmed the user.

The crimson energy generated by the Slaughter Art possessed a fierce, destructive force.

As cultivation deepened, it could directly destroy the practitioner.

Thus, this rapid-mastery technique became the exclusive tool for cannon fodder and death warriors.

Every family bred death warriors, every legion trained expendables, all using the Slaughter Art.

Now, Fang Qingyun decided to cultivate the Slaughter Art.

He would become a martial artist within the Spirit Pressure Chamber.

Old Li had told them that, upon becoming a martial artist, one’s body metrics would be greatly enhanced.

Especially the use of spiritual energy—it would elevate a martial artist’s strength on all fronts.

Not to mention, with the Slaughter Art at his core, his destructive power would reach straight into the ranks of advanced martial artists.

“At that point, I refuse to believe this damned door can withstand me.”

A cold gleam flashed through Fang Qingyun’s eyes.

As for the Slaughter Art’s side effects, he cared little.

When he first discovered this technique, he felt it was tailor-made for him.

Because he possessed the system.

He could endlessly fortify his constitution.

The crimson energy of the Slaughter Art might ravage his body, but he could reinforce himself to the point where it couldn’t harm him.

Destruction might have a limit, but his constitution enhancement did not.

This was why Fang Qingyun had no need for Old Li’s techniques, nor did he need to seek them out at university.

The Slaughter Art alone was sufficient.

But…

Spirit Power!

Fang Qingyun focused his gaze once more.

Eighty-three points? Far too little!

“Let’s do this!”

[Origin -100] [Origin -100] [Origin -100] …

[Spirit Power +1] [Spirit Power +1] [Spirit Power +1] …

Origin Points dwindled, Spirit Power increased.

Fang Qingyun’s expression remained calm, but his hands trembled uncontrollably.

Another point added!

And another!

Closer to one hundred!

Don’t stop!

He mustn’t stop!

It had cost him three hundred Origin Points to upgrade Shooting from Beginner to Intermediate.

Fang Qingyun worried Spirit Power might require even more Origin Points as it advanced.

This concern was soon confirmed.

When Spirit Power reached ninety, each subsequent increase consumed two hundred Origin Points.

“Damn it!” Fang Qingyun’s brows knit tightly.

He now had one thousand eight hundred thirteen Origin Points.

Raising Spirit Power to ninety cost him seven hundred, leaving him with one thousand one hundred thirteen.

Could he only push Spirit Power up to ninety-five?

No!

It was likely the cost would rise with each level.

[Origin -200] [Origin -200] …

[Spirit Power +1] [Spirit Power +1]

When Spirit Power hit ninety-five, only one hundred forty-seven Origin Points remained.

“Wait, then,” Fang Qingyun sighed helplessly.

Fortunately, this environment was continually generating Origin Points for him; he needn’t worry about running out, only that it might waste a little time.

But what if the pressure kept increasing?

He suspected the Spirit Pressure Chamber’s force was being manipulated, but he dared not gamble whether the other party would kill him.

The top scorer in Aoki District’s college entrance exam—such a title carried weight, enough to attract the attention of the district’s highest authorities.

If something happened to him, it would cause a stir.

But how many scientists are normal?

And a dead genius holds no value.

If he really died here, who would trouble a senior in the research institute for his sake?

In the end, people can only rely on themselves!

“Huh? It’s stopped moving?”

The director, who was considering how to alter the Spirit Pressure Chamber’s force, glanced up in surprise, then ignored it.

Everything was under his control.

Fang Qingyun wouldn’t escape!

The one outside must be his teacher; sensing something amiss, but powerless to act.

The whole research institute had returned to his hands.

He could take his time—no need to hurry.

The director’s lips curled in a faint smile, and he even hummed a tune.

Leisurely, yet holding others’ lives in his grasp.

Even if that life belonged to a young genius—the top scorer in Aoki District’s exam.

[Origin -300] [Spirit Power +1] [Spirit Power: 96]

“Damn it!” Fang Qingyun nearly bit his tongue off.

After ninety-five points, each increase cost three hundred Origin Points?

He had hoped to save a bit as a backup.

He had to keep waiting!

Fatigue clouded Fang Qingyun’s eyes.

The immense pressure threatened his life and drained his energy.

He no longer knew how much longer he could endure.

He only knew that his next step would inevitably involve boosting his Mentality.

At the same time, he was determined to become a martial artist, to become strong.

He would be the master of his own fate!