Chapter 11: Cultivation Manual, Free Upon Registration! (Part II)

The six fundamental mind techniques are all divided into levels, each with four layers. However, the basic essence cultivation technique and the basic boxing technique have no such distinctions; they contain only a single layer. The classification of layers in these manuals is not arbitrary—they are evaluated by specific rules. From this, it is clear that the quality of the basic essence cultivation and boxing techniques cannot compare to the six fundamental mind techniques.

Yet, being able to practice the basic essence cultivation and boxing techniques to an outstanding degree brings Stone Ironheart a slight comfort. It seems his diligent training has not been in vain. But without the resources to afford nourishing essence food, even the outstanding level of his essence cultivation cannot be fully utilized.

Essence cultivation is the first stage of force technique training, and its level fundamentally reflects one's progress. Without sufficient essence, the basic boxing technique cannot unleash its power. In short, it is not that the army lacks talent, but rather that the army lacks food—everything boils down to a lack of money.

What about the mind techniques? Apart from basic mathematics, what level are the other techniques?

The writing shifted and appeared again.

[Basic Physics, First Layer: Qualified]

Oh, basic physics is also qualified.

[Basic Natural History, First Layer: Good]

Hmm, the first layer of basic natural history is actually good—truly, hard work pays off.

Hmm...

Hmm?...

Wait...

Where are the rest of the words?!

Why are there no more entries?!

Six fundamental mind techniques—six! There are only three here: mathematics, physics, and natural history. What happened to biology, chemistry, and rhetoric?

Are they all unqualified?!

After all this effort, do my biology, chemistry, and rhetoric not even reach the first layer? In this world, such a situation is called "illiteracy," isn't it?

I... damn it...

Stone Ironheart collapsed once more, his body thudding against the bed, causing the boards to groan mournfully. The fellow below was startled, rolled over, cursed twice, and went back to sleep, but Stone Ironheart paid him no mind, his heart sinking into deep despair.

After all his hard work, only three fundamental mind techniques were qualified.

Only three!

To participate in the minor county exam, the basic requirement is to have "mathematics" and "rhetoric" at the second layer, qualified, and the remaining four at the first layer, good. Without meeting this standard, one cannot even qualify for the exam.

Practicing mind techniques does not require nourishing essence food, nor does one need to temper bones or refine strength—on the surface, it seems less demanding than force techniques. But is anything ever so simple in this world? Do people really think that, after all the toil to obtain a training manual, they can rest easy and ascend the path to greatness?

Others have excellent teachers guiding them—do I?

Others can afford high-level private tutors—can I?

Others possess manuals of superior quality, clear and accessible—do I?

Others can purchase supplementary records, greatly accelerating their training and making progress by leaps and bounds—can I?

Those privileged young masters, like that "Young Master Shen," likely lack for nothing. But I have none of these things!

Not only do I lack these, I don't even have a stable environment where I can practice mind techniques undisturbed. I must struggle for survival, labor for food, and lack even the time to study—how can I compete with those favored by fortune?

The minor county exam is approaching, and I truly do not even have the qualifications to participate.

That person was right...

Stone Ironheart was deeply aggrieved, breathing heavily as he lay in bed for a long while. Only when people began to rise around half past six did he slap his face and climb out. He had slept in his clothes last night, so there was nothing to change into. Ignoring his roommates, he put on his shoes and left.

He stepped out of the foul-smelling Taigu Building, wandering through the campus in the morning light. To his surprise, many students were already active in the vast grounds.

While the dorms for the remedial class were filled with those who love to eat, play, and sleep late, other areas were not the same. Here and there, students could be seen sweeping and washing in the morning breeze. In the Zhonggu Building area, early risers were already reading. Some read books he remembered as "language textbooks," others recited foreign languages Stone Ironheart could not understand. But whether or not he understood, he was struck by a sense of vigor and determination.

Seeing these students, Stone Ironheart's mood eased, the bleakness in his expression fading.

The atmosphere of this sanctuary of mind techniques was utterly different from that of the Star Workers' Children School. Even though the facilities here were old and the conditions poor, the earnest, focused learning spirit was far beyond what those children of the Star Workers Union could hope for.

These are true dragons among men, inspiring admiration and joy.

Well then, why worry so much?

Though he did not know why, his consciousness had arrived here, merging with the boy also named "Stone Ironheart." Whether he would return, or could return, who could say?

He had entered a new world and a new life—there was no harm in starting afresh. In Tumubao, he lacked the conditions to study properly, having to struggle for even a single first-layer manual. But here, he had all the manuals he needed, free from other worries.

This alone was a stroke of incredible luck.

If he did not strive now, if he were defeated and left behind, he could blame no one.

Moreover... Stone Ironheart suddenly realized a crucial point—though he could not see the situation in the private compound, just in the Zhonggu Building area, the students here were not only hardworking but far more advanced than he was!

Listening to their morning recitations, it seemed their rhetoric had reached the basic third layer. Each and every one of them, none below "good," and many at "excellent."

Basic rhetoric, third layer, all at least "good"!

The standards were incredibly high!

More importantly, these students were not all specializing in rhetoric. From the memories dissolved out of his other consciousness, he knew that Fengming First School valued science over humanities, and most students chose science when splitting into tracks, with few opting for humanities. The concept of humanities and sciences he had learned from the other consciousness, so he understood that the students here excelled not in rhetoric, but in mathematics and physics.

They were all experts!

No, he could not waste any more time. Stone Ironheart braced himself and set off, striding quickly toward the cafeteria.

Fengming First School adhered to the principle of survival of the fittest, dividing its students from top to bottom into elite, key, ordinary, and a remedial class that was officially nonexistent but always present. These were not just pleasant titles, but real distinctions in treatment.

The differences in dormitory conditions from the key class to the remedial class were etched deeply in Stone Ironheart's memory. Other conditions, too, varied greatly among the tiers.

Striding into the cafeteria, Stone Ironheart once again encountered the omnipresent differentiation.