After exchanging for the "Primeval Dragon God Art," Lam Minh spent his entire "recuperation" time studying and cultivating it. This was not a simple technique. It was far more complex and profound than anything he had ever known.
The first level of the technique, named "Dragon's Breath," focused on changing the way spiritual energy operated within the body. Instead of just circulating through the meridians, "Dragon's Breath" required the cultivator to simulate the breathing rhythm of a dragon, allowing each respiratory cycle to automatically absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth while simultaneously refining the qi in the Primary Core, making it purer and more powerful.
This was a qualitative change. It turned cultivation from an active process into a passive one. Even when he was sleeping, his body was automatically cultivating, albeit at a slower pace.
"So domineering!" Lam Minh couldn't help but marvel. "With this technique, my cultivation speed will be at least three times faster. But..."
He frowned. Cultivating "Dragon's Breath" also consumed a large amount of energy. The nutritious meals in the hospital were no longer enough to meet the needs of his Foundation Establishment body. He began to feel... hungry. A hunger that came from deep within his cells.
"Looks like I need to find a way to supplement my energy," he thought. "High-level Madakaros, or... crude oil."
The thought of "eating" crude oil made him shudder. That would probably feel horrible.
While he was busy with his new technique, "special" guests began to visit his hospital room.
The first was a group of top scientists, led by Professor Lan Anh and her daughter, To Quyen. They didn't come to ask about the battle, but to... ask for his guidance.
"Lam Minh, we are researching the creation of a type of energy battery that simulates the structure of a 'Primary Core'," Professor Lan Anh said, her face full of expectation. "But we're facing a problem with the stability of the energy core. Based on your 'experience,' how do you keep a highly compressed energy mass from collapsing?"
Lam Minh broke out in a sweat. He only knew how to cultivate, not how to build batteries. He had no choice but to use his knowledge of formation arrays and dantian stability, "BS-ing" it into scientific terms.
"Ah... I 'guess'... you should try creating a multi-dimensional 'force field' to envelop the energy core, instead of just using a physical casing. This force field could be created by running opposing electromagnetic currents in a spherical structure..."
The scientists' eyes lit up upon hearing this, and they hurriedly took notes, as if they had just heard the truth of the universe.
After "seeing off" the scientists, the second guest appeared. It was a high-level delegation from the ASEAN Army Command, led by a Lieutenant General. They came to officially, but discreetly, award him the Medal of Heroism.
"On behalf of the entire ASEAN Army, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your sacrifice and courage," the Lieutenant General said solemnly, personally pinning the most prestigious medal onto Lam Minh's patient gown.
Lam Minh could only accept it with embarrassment. He felt like a professional fraud.
But it was the third guest who gave him the biggest headache.
That evening, as he was preparing to enter the "Simulation" to farm points, a figure silently appeared in his room without making a sound.
"How's it going, kid? Is being a hero fun?"
It was Lac Long Quan. He appeared out of nowhere, holding a fragrant roasted chicken leg, eating and talking at the same time.
"Uncle! How did you get in here?" Lam Minh was startled. The security here was extremely tight.
"These human fences of yours can't stop me," Lac Long Quan waved his hand, looking smug. "I just came to see how my descendant was doing. You look pretty healthy. Even got a medal."
"It's all thanks to you!" Lam Minh snapped. "If you hadn't suddenly disappeared, I wouldn't have had to put on such a tiring act."
"That's what makes it interesting," Lac Long Quan laughed heartily, tossing Lam Minh another chicken leg. "Eat up. I can see your qi and blood are a bit weak. Have you started practicing 'Dragon's Breath'?"
Lam Minh caught the chicken leg and, without any ceremony, took a large bite. "How did you know?"
"I created it, how could I not know?" Lac Long Quan said. "That technique is very domineering, but it's also an energy guzzler. In the early stages, you need to supplement with a lot of blood-essence food, meaning the meat of high-energy creatures. Those Foundation Establishment-level Ngu Tinh are not a bad choice."
Eating Madakaros? The thought made Lam Minh feel a little queasy.
"Hey, Uncle," Lam Minh asked while chewing. "I have a question. The Thuan Thien sword... how do I remove its seal?"
Lac Long Quan wiped his hands, his expression turning more serious. "To remove the seal, there is only one way: to fully awaken the Dragon Bloodline within you. You must use your own blood to nourish and communicate with it."
"Awaken the bloodline? How?"
"I'm not sure myself," Lac Long Quan sighed. "It's a natural process that requires fate and opportunity. But I guess the clue lies in the Dragon's Abyss, the island I told you about. My legacy is there; perhaps it can help you."
He looked at Lam Minh, his eyes full of expectation. "But before you go there, you must become stronger. The Foundation Establishment Realm is still too weak. At the very least, you must reach the Golden Core Realm."
Golden Core Realm. A distant goal.
"Well, I'm leaving," Lac Long Quan stood up. "Remember, don't actually die. I don't want my lineage to be extinguished."
He disappeared as quickly as he came, leaving Lam Minh alone with a half-eaten chicken leg and a load of new information.
Dragon's Abyss, Dragon Bloodline, Golden Core Realm...
The road ahead of him was very long and full of challenges.
"System," he called silently. "It's time to grind. Let me into the Simulation! This time, I'm going to beat that Foundation Establishment creature!"
He knew that no matter how powerful his technique was, the foundation of his strength still came from the system, from the fearless "deaths and rebirths." That was his greatest trump card.
....
After nearly a month of "recuperating" in the hospital, Lam Minh was finally discharged. He returned to a hero's welcome from his family and the adoration of the entire community. His name had now become a symbol, a living legend in the hearts of the youth.
When he returned to Tran Hung Dao High School, a scene even grander than the last time unfolded. Students from all grades lined the hallways, clapping and cheering as he walked by.
"Welcome back, hero!"
"Lam Minh! You're number one!"
Lam Minh could only scratch his head and smile wryly, waving at everyone. He felt more like a movie star than a student.
In class 10A1, Hung 'Map' had decorated his entire desk with flowers and balloons.
"Brother Minh! Welcome back! We missed you so much!"
This warm welcome made Lam Minh's heart feel warm. But he also knew that this fame came with no small amount of trouble. He could no longer comfortably doze off in class or be as lazy as before. His every action was being watched.
The first class after his return was PE. The entire class was gathered at the stadium again. Replacing the "unlucky" Captain Hoang Nam was a young, gentle-looking female teacher. This teacher seemed to have been "briefed" beforehand, so she didn't dare to give Lam Minh a hard time, even allowing him to sit and rest if he felt "tired."
But before Lam Minh could enjoy this "special treatment," trouble came looking for him.
From the stadium gate, a group of students from another school walked in. Leading them was Ly Thien Ba, the "Monster" he had defeated in the finals.
After that loss, Ly Thien Ba had disappeared for a while. Now, he reappeared, looking even taller and more muscular than before. His aura had also become calmer and more dangerous, no longer arrogant and explosive like before.
"Lam Minh!" Ly Thien Ba called out, his voice echoing across the stadium.
All activity immediately stopped. Everyone's eyes turned to the former champion and runner-up.
Lam Minh sighed. "What is it now?"
He stood up and walked over to face Ly Thien Ba.
"What do you want?"
Ly Thien Ba looked straight into Lam Minh's eyes, his gaze no longer filled with hostility, but with respect and a blazing fighting spirit.
"In the last final, I lost. I lost fair and square," he said frankly. "You showed me what true strength is, not just relying on muscles. During this time, I have trained non-stop, learning to control my power."
He clenched his fists. "Now, I have come to challenge you again. Not out of hatred, but because I want to learn from the strongest one more time."
This challenge caused a stir throughout the stadium.
"Oh my god! Ly Thien Ba is here to challenge him again!"
"This time it's sure to be a real battle between a dragon and a tiger!"
Lam Minh looked at Ly Thien Ba. He could sense that this "Awakened" person's power had improved by leaps and bounds, perhaps nearing the threshold of Peak Qi Refining. But compared to him, a true Foundation Establishment cultivator, the gap was still as wide as heaven and earth.
He had no interest in a fight where the outcome was already known.
"Sorry, I'm not interested," Lam Minh shook his head. "I just got out of the hospital, I need to rest."
"I can wait!" Ly Thien Ba was insistent. "A week, a month, however long it takes! I must fight you one more time!"
Lam Minh felt a headache coming on. This guy was truly a martial arts fanatic.
Just then, Quynh Nhu and To Quyen, who always "coincidentally" appeared wherever Lam Minh was, also walked over.
"Hey, Ly Thien Ba," Quynh Nhu said with her arms crossed. "He already said he doesn't want to fight. You shouldn't bother a sick person."
Ly Thien Ba looked at the two beautiful girls standing next to Lam Minh, a flash of jealousy in his eyes. He sighed. "I know my request is a bit sudden. But this is the path of martial arts that I follow."
Seeing the awkward situation, To Quyen suddenly had an idea.
"How about this," she said. "Instead of a boring one-on-one match, why don't we organize a team competition? Three people on each side. That would be more interesting and fair."
"A team competition?" Everyone was surprised.
"That's right," To Quyen explained. "On your side, Ly Thien Ba, you can choose two of your strongest friends. On this side, it will be Lam Minh, and... Hoang Long, Le Van Hung. A rematch between the two schools. What do you guys think?"
Ly Thien Ba thought for a moment then nodded. "Alright! A team competition is good too! Then I'll see you this weekend, right here!"
With that, he and his friends turned and left decisively.
When they were gone, Lam Minh turned to To Quyen. "Why did you decide that on your own?"
"Because I know you don't want to fight," To Quyen smiled. "With a team match, you don't have to go out. Just let Hoang Long and Le Van Hùng handle it. Consider it a chance for them to get revenge. You just need to sit in the captain's position and direct them. Isn't that relaxing?"
Lam Minh's eyes lit up when he heard that. "Oh! That's a great idea! Our class president is truly smart!"
He didn't have to lift a finger and the problem was solved. Perfect!
But Quynh Nhu pouted. "Tsk, just being clever. But whatever, that's fine too. Let that punching bag rest a bit, otherwise he'll just pretend to be tired and that's boring."
And so, a reluctant rematch was arranged.
Lam Minh was delighted, thinking he could "sit back and enjoy the show." But he didn't know that sometimes, the most perfect plans are the ones most easily ruined. Especially when there are unexpected factors not in the calculation.