Infinite Awakening: My Exp Doubles Everyday novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Body Refining 1st Layer

The dawn broke over Mountain Heart Pavilion as Xiang Yu emerged from his humble dwelling, determination etched into every line of his face. Today would be different—today he would devote himself entirely to the Mountain Heart Scripture, leaving his practice knife untouched. The memory of his embarrassment from the previous day's awkward movements lingered, but he pushed it aside. What was temporary humiliation compared to the power he sought?

Throughout the day, he repeated the flowing movements described in the ancient scroll. His body protested, muscles burning with unfamiliar strain as he shifted through positions that seemed to defy natural movement. Sweat soaked through his simple robes, plastering them against his skin as the sun tracked its path across the sky.

Only meals provided brief respite from his relentless practice. Even then, his mind remained fixed on the scripture, mentally rehearsing sequences he would soon physically execute once more. As dusk painted the mountain in shades of purple and gold, Xiang Yu continued with undiminished intensity, pushing his mortal frame beyond reasonable limits.

When midnight approached, bringing with it the familiar translucent blue screen, Xiang Yu finally allowed himself to rest:

[Calculating Settlement] [

Calculation Complete]

[Mountain Heart Scripture: (0/100)]

[Basic Knife Technique: Minor Success (24/200)]

[Experience Points Doubled]

[Basic Knife Technique: Minor Success (24/200) → (48/200)]

[Next Settlement: 23:59:59]

Just like the previous day, the Mountain Heart Scripture showed absolutely no progress. Zero points gained despite hours of dedicated practice. Yet Xiang Yu felt no disappointment coursing through him—only strengthened resolve. This wasn't unexpected. Scriptures, especially one as profound as the Mountain Heart Scripture, were naturally more challenging than basic techniques.

His lips curved into a tired smile as he watched his knife technique experience double automatically. At least something was progressing. He collapsed onto his bed of dried leaves, exhaustion claiming him almost instantly.

Morning arrived with inexorable certainty, rousing Xiang Yu from dreamless slumber. Without hesitation, he resumed his practice, flowing through the strange movements with slightly more fluidity than the previous day. His dedication remained absolute, unflinching in the face of apparent failure.

Unknown to him, Li Yao perched in a nearby tree, her eyes bright with mischief as she observed her senior brother's training. "He's working so hard," she thought with genuine admiration, even as her hands manipulated a small crystalline device that recorded his every movement. The memory crystal gleamed in the dappled sunlight as it captured particularly awkward transitions between stances, moments where Xiang Yu's face contorted with concentration and strain.

Her task complete, Li Yao slipped away to resume her own cultivation, the precious recordings safely tucked into her robes. She would treasure these memories for years to come, both as blackmail material and as testament to her senior brother's unexpected transformation.

Xiang Yu paused suddenly, glancing around with narrowed eyes. A prickling sensation at the back of his neck suggested he was being watched. After several moments of tense silence, he shook his head, dismissing the feeling as mere paranoia. Still, the sensation persisted, unsettling enough that he eventually decided to change his training location entirely.

In his private chambers, Elder Guo's lips twitched with amusement as he observed his disciples' antics through a specialized spiritual technique. "At least they seem to be working hard," he thought with grudging approval, stroking his beard contemplatively.

The day passed in much the same manner as the previous one, ending with another settlement that showed substantial progress in his knife technique but nothing whatsoever in the scripture:

[Basic Knife Technique: Minor Success (48/200) → (96/200)]

Despite the continued zero in his scripture cultivation, Xiang Yu maintained his optimism. He understood his limitations—he had no talent, no spiritual roots, nothing but sheer determination and his system's doubling function. As long as he made even minimal progress, exponential growth would eventually follow. With this comforting thought, he surrendered to exhaustion, allowing his depleted body the rest it desperately needed.

The following day unfolded with familiar routine in his new training ground. Li Yao, finding his usual spot empty, merely smiled. Her spiritual sense easily detected his unique scent, leading her unerringly to his new location. Once again, she recorded his practice, particularly focusing on moments when his face screwed up in concentration or when he wobbled precariously between stances.

Xiang Yu repeatedly glanced around, that uncomfortable sensation of being observed intensifying throughout the morning. During lunch, he mentioned to Elder Guo that there might be some wild animal lurking in the forest, watching him. But the elder didn't seem to believe him, prompting Xiang Yu to change locations yet again for his evening practice.

When midnight approached, bringing the familiar settlement screen, Xiang Yu was greeted with the now-expected results:

[Basic Knife Technique: Minor Success (96/200) → (192/200)]

Still zero progress with the Mountain Heart Scripture, but his knife technique now stood at the precipice of advancement. One more settlement, one more doubling, and he would breach the Intermediate stage—a significant milestone in his cultivation journey. According to cultivation conventions, reaching the Intermediate stage of a technique would theoretically grant him combat power equivalent to a first-layer Body Refining cultivator, albeit one without technique cultivation.

Against a Body Refining cultivator who had also mastered techniques, he would still stand no chance. But for someone with no spiritual roots, it represented a tremendous breakthrough—a concrete step toward his ultimate goal of surviving in this dangerous world.

With renewed determination strengthening his resolve, Xiang Yu closed his eyes, already anticipating the coming day's training and the advancement it would bring.

...

Perched elegantly atop a sturdy branch, Li Yao's keen eyes tracked every movement of her senior brother's training. The morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns across her flowing azure robes as she watched with growing admiration. Her delicate fingers manipulated a small crystalline device, ensuring it captured each moment of Xiang Yu's practice.

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