I've become the emperor of humanity, and only now is spiritual energy reviving?

[Hou Tu Nourishing Qi Method (Minor Success 410/500)] → [Hou Tu Nourishing Qi Method (Minor Success 490/500)]

It turns out that there are limits to human capabilities.

If the liver doesn't move, it means the liver isn't moving.

After dying completely in the Lostbelt, the mental strain was far too severe.

Even with the nourishment and assistance of Xiao Guga's domain, An Sheng's attention became increasingly scattered. Within an hour or two, his mind wandered, making it impossible for him to cultivate.

An Sheng let out a weary sigh and realized that the sky outside the window had darkened at some point.

When I opened the door again, I found a large bowl of golden fried rice with eggs, still emitting a few drops of steam and half-cooled, sitting in front of it.

Without even a second thought, it must have been my younger sister who casually made him a meal while she was having dinner.

Hearing the constant stream of profanities from the girl next door, An Sheng knew she was probably holed up in her room playing mahjong.

I don't understand why a player in the lower three ranks (Bronze and Silver) needs so much communication...

However, in An Zhiwei's words, this game is such that the lower your rank, the more amazing players there are, and the more they like to defy their superiors.

An Sheng's family has always been like this—his parents are rarely home due to work, and his brother and sister have different schedules and both like to play online games.

Besides watching anime together in the living room, he and An Zhiwei talk much more on their phones and in games than in real life.

"But why do I feel like I'm eating much more today than usual..."

An Sheng picked up the bowl of fried rice, which weighed over a pound, and sat back in her room. She watched UFC videos to gain experience while enjoying her meal.

Although UFC fighting still has many rules and restrictions, the fighting techniques within it have still benefited him greatly.

The reason for this situation is that in the Great Realm, to enter the path of martial arts, one needs to spend at least several months slowly cultivating true qi and using medicinal baths to train and improve the physical body day and night.

During this long process, martial arts apprentices have long since mastered the control of force and the basic fighting techniques.

Even martial artists can only master the Houtu Qi Cultivation Method to a near-minor level.

Almost no one wastes much effort on the basic techniques.

But with An Sheng, it was a completely different story.

He neither used medicinal baths nor wasted time; he relied solely on his talent and hard training, raising his physique stats in just two days.

That's why there are shortcomings that need to be addressed.

Throughout the night, An Sheng alternated between watching medical documents and UFC videos.

During the journey, An Zhiwei failed to advance to Gold rank in three consecutive overtime rounds next to her, and was eliminated as a defeated dog.

When she was so tired that she couldn't stay awake any longer, An Sheng lay down on the bed and fell asleep immediately.

I slept soundly and deeply.

I didn't even have a single dream.

It was like a baby's sleep.

……

The next morning.

When An Sheng woke up, she felt as if she had just closed her eyes and fallen asleep.

He gazed at the bright sunshine outside the window and thought:

"Practicing the Earth Nourishing Qi Method and the Heavenly Netherworld God Method can even significantly improve sleep quality...?"

Turning around, An Sheng saw that Xiao Guga was still sitting seriously on the flowerpot, as if he hadn't slept all night.

An Sheng gently turned the little thing's head over and examined it closely for a while, discovering that a tiny, bright green sprout had emerged from the top of the original white jade-like seed.

"Good heavens!"

I decided to upgrade Little Guga yesterday, and it was definitely the right decision.

Before his bone-strengthening tree seed even hit the ground, the higher-grade wisdom fruit tree had already begun to grow vigorously.

"Good job, little Gugu! Remember to keep an eye on it so my sister doesn't ruin it."

An Sheng poured another bottle cap of Coke, making the little guy jump for joy—ever since he was introduced to carbonated drinks, the little guy, who used to love water, doesn't really like drinking water anymore.

Pushing open the door, An Sheng found An Zhiwei sprawled on the sofa, scrolling through her phone, looking like a completely listless, dead fish.

An Sheng said,

"I'm going to the Aotai Line with Lao Gu and the others today. Can you cover for me while I'm at my parents' place?"

Clearly having not slept well, An Zhiwei, with dark circles under her eyes, waved her hand and said, "For the sake of the 100 yuan, go ahead."

She yawned: "As long as I don't die in some remote mountain valley."

I didn't expect it to be done so easily.

In the past, it would have taken at least half an hour to break it down.

An Sheng could only sigh that the power of exploding gold coins was still too strong.

……

Gu Mingsu's home is in a riverside villa area in the suburbs, at least twenty kilometers away.

An Sheng naturally didn't have any spare money for a taxi, so she had to take the subway and bus alternately.

When he arrived, he found that Uncle Xing, the Gu family's half-gray-haired old butler, was already standing at the door, smiling and greeting him.

"Young Master An, it's been a long time."

"And the greenhouse you requested is also ready."

An Sheng was initially delighted, but then the title gave her goosebumps.

He waved his hands repeatedly, "No need, Uncle Xing, just call me Xiao An."

Uncle Xing smiled noncommittally and opened the door for him.

Before even stepping inside, one could hear the sounds of games coming from the living room, along with passionate shouts that An Sheng was particularly familiar with.

It's Lu Jin.

Besides Lu Jin, there were two girls sitting cross-legged on either side of her in the living room, playing games with game controllers.

An Sheng recognized both of them.

These twin elementary school sisters are Gu Mingsu's neighbors.

Because his parents were often away from home, he would frequently visit the Gu family after school and during holidays.

"Ask it! Ask it! Xia, come with me! And Xiaodong too... Oh crap, Xiaodong, why did you sell us both out!?"

The next moment, the huge 100-inch television screens all turned black and white, signifying death, and the game was over.

Lu Jin rolled his eyes and fell sprawled on the ground, sighing, "If Xiao Dong hadn't betrayed us, we would have already won this round."

"Actually, I didn't hit that zombie very well, sorry Sister Lu."

The one with the high ponytail is the older sister, Lin Xiacheng.

An Sheng's impression is that she is peaceful and always smiling; she is a typical sunny and kind older sister.

"We disturbed the witch and had to run. Don't you know this guy is invincible?"

The one with the little pigtails is the younger sister, Lin Dongsheng.

She appears to be a quiet person, but in reality, she is a cunning girl who often remains silent for a moment before suddenly uttering a shocking and outrageous statement.

Lin Dongsheng looked at the two people staring at each other, and sighed expressionlessly.

"Sister Lu, and my sister... they're not very good. They need more practice."

Lu Jin panicked.

"Who are you calling 'big sister', you little tablet?!"

She had just stood up to pinch the girl's cheek when she saw An Sheng trying not to laugh at the door, so she immediately changed her target.

"—Xiao An! I miss you so much!"

Lu Jin suddenly pounced over and gave An Sheng a good rub and pinch, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Be good, stop making a fuss."

An Sheng chuckled and used a powerful, skull-cracking motion to grab Lu Jin and shove him aside with one hand.

If Lu Jin continues to touch things in public, the impact on the child will be immeasurable.

The latter, forgetting that he hadn't had his fill of touching, exclaimed in a low voice, "That strength is just too much..."

"--ah."

Lin Dongsheng raised his right fist at An Sheng expressionlessly: "It's the second perverted lolicon brother. Sister, use your Flame Fist on him to protect me."

"What a joke! Xiaodong isn't some little girl's mother. Why would I risk getting electrocuted to be interested..."

An Sheng took a packet of QQ candies out of her pocket and tossed them to the two sisters.

Lin Dongsheng immediately changed his tune: "It seems that even a brother who's into lolis has a kind side."

Damn, you can't shake off the label of being a lolicon, huh? It's all because I saw "The Dragon King's Prison Food" at Old Gu's house when we first met...

An Sheng was helpless.

He glanced around, but didn't see Gu Mingsu, so he asked,

Where is Old Gu?

"You work out at the gym," Lu Jin said, glancing meaningfully at An Sheng. "Why don't you try it out? I think you're doing pretty well, An Sheng."

An Sheng pondered for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"Let's come together then."

"I couldn't have gotten it."

Lu Jin pushed An Sheng towards the gym, she was really curious about how strong An Sheng was now.

When the two arrived, Gu Mingsu, whose back was soaked with sweat from wearing a vest, was taking a break between groups.

An Sheng looked around and found that the furnishings here were even more professional than most ironworks.

Full-coverage flooring, expensive steel plates covering everything from large to small, Olympia bars suitable for weightlifting, powerlifting bars for the three major weightlifting events, CrossFit bars that are more suitable for lower-intensity, high-frequency training, and other equipment...

Here, you can definitely test the upper limit of your strength.

So...

"Lu Jin, Lao Gu."

An Sheng suddenly asked out of the blue, "Did you bring your cell phones?"

Gu Mingsu shook her head: "My sister said it's best not to look at your phone while exercising."

Lu Jin then took out her phone and waved it: "What's wrong, Xiao An?"

An Sheng took her phone and placed it outside the gym under their puzzled gazes.

Then the door, which is excellent in terms of sealing and sound insulation, was closed.

Under their questioning gazes, An Sheng spoke earnestly: "Don't laugh when you hear what I'm about to say."

Lu Jin and Gu Mingsu exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

However, the next sentence made both of them break down.

"—The spiritual energy revival will begin in a few days."

An Sheng said.

Quiet.

The air in the gym suddenly became quiet.

Gu Mingsu silently lowered her head, thinking through all the painful things in her life, and then replied with equal seriousness, "Brother, I understand you..."

"puff--"

Lu Jin couldn't hold back any longer and lost her composure.

She was laughing so hard her whole body was shaking.

The key is that her laughter is incredibly infectious.

This made Gu Mingsu laugh as well, and the two of them laughed so hard they rolled around on the floor in the gym.

The air was filled with a joyful atmosphere, and laughter could be heard constantly.

"Xiao An, this is really too extravagant for me..."

An Sheng had already anticipated their reactions.

He didn't say much, but just started adding barbell plates to both sides of the barbell.

100kg...200kg, 250kg.

The sound of steel plates rubbing against the barbell rang out again and again.

"That's all the weight we'll use for now, let's warm up first."

As their laughter gradually subsided, An Sheng reached out a hand and slowly grasped the middle of the barbell.

He spoke to his most trusted childhood friend and best friend in the world, besides his family.

"Ah Jin, Lao Gu, watch carefully."

"Don't blink."