Chapter 5: Cultivating Internal Energy

“You have loving parents, something truly enviable. You must cherish them well,” Mo Tian remarked with a sigh in Lin Feng’s mind, watching as the couple walked away. The sight had stirred memories in him—he thought of his parents from another world, both of whom had died because of him, and that was why he envied Lin Feng so much.

“Heh, of course they dote on me—they’re my parents, after all. Who else would they pamper?” Lin Feng replied with smug pride, seeing Mo Tian’s sentimental expression. “Are you jealous?”

“Yes, your parents are outstanding. Pity you’re such a good-for-nothing,” Mo Tian retorted, annoyed by Lin Feng’s arrogance and quick to strike back.

Lin Feng’s earlier confidence immediately deflated. He could only mutter weakly, “If you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute.”

“If you don’t want to remain a useless fool, then follow my instructions. Keep practicing the boxing form from before—honestly, you looked like a performing monkey,” Mo Tian pressed on, not letting Lin Feng off the hook.

“I may have been worthless before, but I won’t be in the future!” Lin Feng replied, then dutifully resumed practicing the boxing technique.

Watching Lin Feng train of his own accord, Mo Tian felt a sliver of comfort. Perhaps there was a reason the heavens had inexplicably dropped him into this world, and right at this young man’s side. Maybe it was fate—to turn a wastrel into a hero of his generation would be far more entertaining than any groundbreaking research he’d ever done.

And so, a month passed in steady cultivation. Unexpectedly, Lin Feng managed to develop inner energy in this short time. The news left Mo Tian both impressed and exasperated. Back in the Federation, he had been considered a prodigy, yet it had taken him over a year to first cultivate inner energy. Who would have thought Lin Feng would succeed in just a month?

“Mo Tian, this ‘Emperor’s Mandate’ is truly remarkable. Practicing the boxing form with inner energy, the power is astonishing,” Lin Feng remarked one morning during his training.

Compared to a month ago, Lin Feng had undergone a dramatic transformation. The Emperor’s Mandate, worthy of its reputation as an ancient imperial cultivation method, was already instilling him with a trace of regal authority, despite his having only just begun to harness inner energy. Gone was his former frailty; the change was nothing short of earth-shattering. Perhaps Lin Feng himself felt little difference, but Mo Tian, who observed him closely, noticed it most. Lin Chuanzi and Liu Runli, Lin Feng’s parents, also saw the change and grew warmer toward him day by day. They all assumed it was the blow of the broken engagement that spurred this transformation.

“Of course it’s impressive—why else call it top-tier? Your current level of inner energy is still basic, but combined with this boxing form, your combat strength is a hundred times greater than any special forces soldier in this country. The form was made to complement the Emperor’s Mandate, so doubling your fighting prowess is only natural,” Mo Tian said, his tone cutting as Lin Feng’s arrogance resurfaced. Such dangerous pride had to be nipped in the bud.

“Well, you’re free after this morning’s training. Go out and enjoy yourself; you’ve been cooped up long enough this month,” Mo Tian added.

“What? Master Mo, you’re finally letting me go out? I was going stir-crazy! Boohoo…” Lin Feng’s eyes brimmed with tears of joy at Mo Tian’s words.

“Go on, but don’t rush. Cultivation requires balance—work and rest. Now you can go show off to your heart’s content, right?” Mo Tian replied, looking at him with a mixture of disdain and amusement.

“Who’s showing off? I’ve just been stuck at home for a month, bored out of my mind. I just want to get out for a bit, not show off. You’re overthinking it,” Lin Feng protested quickly.

...

Night fell, and the city’s lights came alive. As one of the few first-tier cities in the Hua nation, Zhanhai’s bustling shopping districts were already brilliantly illuminated. The Orchid Club, the city’s premier venue, was especially lively this evening.

No sooner had Lin Feng—recently granted freedom by Mo Tian—approached the club’s entrance than he was surrounded by a crowd of hostesses, all in heavy makeup, who eagerly greeted him. For most, such attention would be unimaginable, but Lin Feng was a regular at the Orchid Club, known for his generosity and thus very popular among the hostesses.

“Young Master Lin, we haven’t seen you in a month! We thought you’d forgotten all about us,” one scantily clad girl said, pouting beside him.

“Now, now, Xiaohong, don’t be upset. It’s not that I forgot you—I’ve just been tied up with things. Now that everything’s settled, I came straight here to see you all, didn’t I?” Lin Feng teased, pinching her cheek.

“Alright, enough teasing. I have an appointment with Young Master Ma. Do you know which room they’re in? Take me there,” Lin Feng continued. Young Master Ma was another rich heir, though no match for Lin Feng, the city’s most prominent playboy, and mostly a companion for nights of revelry.

“Young Master Ma is in the ‘Heaven on Earth’ suite. Let me take you, Young Master Lin!” Xiaohong quickly volunteered.

“Alright, lead the way then. Thanks, Xiaohong,” Lin Feng said, slinging an arm around her with such practiced ease that it was clear he was a seasoned patron of these establishments.

Sure enough, once inside the suite, he was soon the center of attention among his friends, with Young Master Ma the most eager to curry favor.

“Young Master Lin, you’re finally here! You have no idea—we all felt something was missing without you this past month. Now that you’re back, the place is buzzing!” Ma exclaimed, showering him with flattery.

“That’s right! We missed you, Young Master Lin. We thought maybe you’d turned over a new leaf and wouldn’t come back,” others chimed in.

“Haha, thank you all for your concern. I was just busy with some things—now that’s over, I’ve come straight out to see everyone,” Lin Feng replied, much more composed than before. A month of cultivation had tempered his character; once, flattery like this would have left him giddy.

“Come on, let’s all raise a glass! It’s been too long since we drank together—let’s start with a toast!” Lin Feng proposed, lifting his glass.

Given his status, everyone in the suite immediately followed suit, and the atmosphere soon became boisterous. Drinks flowed, and spirits soared.

Even Mo Tian, observing from within the jade pendant, was affected by the lively scene. Back in the Federation, he had poured all his time into research and had never set foot in such places. Now, experiencing this vicariously in another world, he found himself thoroughly enjoying the novelty.