Chapter 4 Rising Up

The first thing Zhang Chu did upon returning home was to pay the rent, buy meat, and purchase liquor.

Evening.

Half a pound of pig head meat, a bottle of Erguotou.

He scrolled through his phone, unhesitatingly deleting everything related to Su Mingyue.

He glanced once more at the messages in the class group.

The most discussed topic was Su Mingyue’s vital energy value, which had reached 145—only five points away from attaining the standard of a first-level martial artist.

The homeroom teacher, Li Feng, was eager to openly flatter Su Mingyue.

Binzhou University, a school qualified to host martial arts exams, had gone five consecutive years without a single student passing them.

Now, Su Mingyue was not only Li Feng’s hope, but the pride of the entire Binzhou University.

As long as Su Mingyue successfully entered the Martial Arts Research Institute, Li Feng would have bragging rights for a lifetime.

Reading the group messages, Zhang Chu looked at himself in the mirror, drinking: “Brother, you were once the hope of Binzhou University, but now you’re just some green tea. Don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll bring you back to the peak, and trample Su Mingyue underfoot!”

When Zhang Chu finally went to bed.

In the director’s office of the Kewei Research Institute.

Qin Zaiye stared at the data Zhao Wuming had delivered, utterly astonished: “Wuming, is this data absolutely accurate?”

Zhao Wuming nodded.

Qin Zaiye was so excited he nearly took flight.

Qin Zaiye, director of Kewei Research Institute, was also a research expert at the Binzhou Martial Arts Administration Bureau.

The Vital Essence Pill project seemed to belong to Kewei Research Institute, but in reality, it was a major initiative led by the Binzhou Martial Arts Administration Bureau—a joint effort between official and private sectors.

Three years since its inception, the Vital Essence Pill had made no progress.

Unexpectedly, today there had been a breakthrough, and the data showed no abnormal indicators in the subject’s body, making it entirely feasible to quickly proceed to the second phase of the trial.

“Wuming, personally go tomorrow.”

“If Zhang Chu agrees, conduct the second data test tomorrow.”

Qin Zaiye glanced at the name on the data sheet, silently imprinting the two words ‘Zhang Chu’ in his heart.

If Zhang Chu could enable the successful development and launch of the Vital Essence Pill, it would bring revolutionary change to martial arts research across the entire Jiuzhou continent.

Early the next morning.

Still asleep, Zhang Chu received a phone call—it was Zhao Wuming.

Zhao Wuming was very courteous, bringing not only many gifts but also ten thousand yuan as a consolation payment.

Zhang Chu had already guessed much of the purpose behind his visit.

The test data for the Vital Essence Pill was normal; Kewei Research Institute had set their sights on him.

He was just twenty-nine points away from breaking through to a vital energy value of 150.

Originally, he’d planned to call Huang Lili today and look for some unregulated small workshops.

But with Zhao Wuming coming to him, Zhang Chu had other plans.

The Vital Essence Pill was certainly healthier than those shoddy Vital Energy Pills.

“Mr. Zhang Chu, if you feel your body can still handle it, we can proceed with the second drug trial today,” Zhao Wuming stammered, explaining his purpose.

“What’s the maximum number of pills?” Zhang Chu asked clearly.

One semi-finished Vital Essence Pill increased the value by five points; he’d need six to reach twenty-nine points.

If it was a paltry amount, it wasn’t worth it.

He still had three thousand yuan, so worst-case, he could buy a box of vitamins, take them at home for a couple of days, and steadily break through.

“Three pills,” said Zhao Wuming.

Zhang Chu refused outright, pushing his wheelchair to leave.

Zhao Wuming panicked.

It was a direct order from the director, and he’d followed the Vital Essence Pill project for three years. Now that they finally had a body that could tolerate it, giving up would be a total loss.

“Five pills!” Zhao Wuming raised the stakes, believing this was the limit Zhang Chu could endure.

“Six!” Zhang Chu’s face was solemn.

This time, it wasn’t him seeking Kewei Research Institute for drug trials—they came to him, so he deserved to call the shots.

Zhao Wuming couldn’t make the decision himself; he found an isolated corner, made a ten-minute phone call, and finally agreed.

But to be safe.

After personally driving Zhang Chu to the research institute, he had him sign a liability waiver and paid him a twenty-thousand-yuan trial stipend in advance.

It was the same drug testing center.

Zhao Wuming watched the data on the big screen outside, so tense he was trembling.

Six Vital Essence Pills at once—if successful, Zhang Chu would be a hero.

If not, his body would burst from vital energy, a gruesome end.

Zhang Chu, on the other hand, was excited as he looked at the six pills before him.

He couldn’t imagine how satisfying it would be to pee standing up, no longer needing adult diapers.

At Zhao Wuming’s signal to begin, Zhang Chu swallowed all six pills in one go.

The researchers outside were trembling with anxiety.

Yet Zhang Chu’s physical data remained excellent, and his vital energy value soared rapidly.

“Ding dong!”

Outside, Zhao Wuming and his team cheered, celebrating the success of the second phase data.

Zhang Chu grinned widely.

The data panel before him:

Name: Zhang Chu
Age: 21
Level: 1/10
Vital energy value increased: 30
Total vital energy: 151.1

He’d broken through!

As soon as the system’s voice sounded, Zhang Chu felt a powerful surge of vital energy coursing through his meridians.

First, his manhood stood tall—very high and firm!

Next, his whole body tingled.

Finally, his mind could control his body.

He clenched his legs, and the muscle strength in his legs nearly brought him to tears.

He checked the system panel.

All information about his ALS was completely erased.

“Mr. Zhang, we hope to establish a long-term collaboration with you,” Zhao Wuming said, having already relayed the data to Director Qin Zaiye.

Qin Zaiye, in a meeting at the Martial Arts Administration Bureau, hadn’t expected such rapid progress with the Vital Essence Pill project. He hurriedly instructed Zhao Wuming to sign Zhang Chu as a dedicated trial subject for the project, with salary negotiable.

Zhao Wuming knew exactly how valuable Zhang Chu was.

“Nothing could please me more!”

With a high salary and free drug trials to boost his vital energy, Zhang Chu stood up and shook hands with Zhao Wuming.

The two chatted for half an hour, after which Zhao Wuming personally escorted Zhang Chu out.

After Zhang Chu left, a staff member hurried over with a wheelchair: “Brother Zhao, Mr. Zhang Chu forgot his wheelchair.”

At that moment, Zhao Wuming was dumbfounded.

An ALS patient had actually stood tall.

He had to report this explosive news to Qin Zaiye!

Meanwhile.

Zhang Chu, after leaving the institute, didn’t head home. He first went for a three-kilometer training run to savor the joy of standing tall, then took the bus toward Binzhou University.

He had promised this host body that today, he would stand tall—and he would fulfill that promise!

But… what a survivalist!