C2 His Combat Strength Increased!

As Pei Yu entered the hall, a familiar face caught his eye—one that filled him with disgust.

"You're actually awake. I thought you'd play the part of a vegetable for life. Then we'd still be stuck taking care of you," Fei Ning, Pei Yu's mother-in-law, sneered as she saw him emerge from the room.

Pei Yu wasn't taken aback. Life had been nothing but difficult since he joined the Ke family, and Fei Ning's biting remarks were nothing new, especially from her. Her words were typically laced with venom.

In the past, Pei Yu would have meekly bowed his head, not daring to utter a word. But today was different; he was no longer the pushover he once was.

Without so much as a glance at Fei Ning, he strode out with confidence, head held high. Being a son-in-law didn't make him worthless. Besides, he had more important things on his mind than bickering with his mother-in-law.

Fei Ning was taken aback by his bold departure, momentarily at a loss for words. She was used to Pei Yu cowering under her criticism, never showing a hint of displeasure. But today, he had changed. He had ignored her.

She quickly regained her composure, watching Pei Yu's retreating figure with a cold huff. "You think you can freeload off the Ke family? You won't belong here in a few days!"

Outside, Pei Yu made his way to a park exclusive to Jinxiu Residence, where neighbors were out enjoying their fitness routines.

As he walked along the park's paths, Pei Yu drew stares and whispers from the younger onlookers, as if he were a spectacle to behold.

"That's the Ke family's good-for-nothing son-in-law. Remember, son, never end up like him—a complete failure."

"I heard he was even put in his place by his own students at school a few days ago. It's shameful for a man to be like that."

"If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't have the guts to show my face—he's nothing but a pretty face."

"I've heard he only got involved with the Ke family to rescue his sister. He married a woman from their clan who can't have children, and they've been childless for three years."

"He just seems lazy to me."

A barrage of harsh words spilled from the crowd, all mocking Pei Yu.

They were all buzzing with conversation, yet Pei Yu remained unfazed.

He made his way to a secluded corner at the far end of the park, where a machine for testing a warrior's combat value stood neglected. Given the scarcity of warriors in the area, let alone those who would use it, the machine was nearly rusted through.

Now, the place was deserted, with no one around to exercise. Only Pei Yu approached the machine.

He eyed the display, noting the upper limit was 10,000.

"A combat value of ten thousand is meant to assess warriors below Fifth Grade, but the odds of a Fifth Grade warrior popping up in our Jinxiu Residence are slim to none."

Pei Yu chuckled to himself before rolling up his sleeves and delivering a punch to the machine.

The digits climbed rapidly, only to halt abruptly.

"503. Barely above the passing threshold. I guess I really was weak before."

A score of 500 was enough to qualify as a martial cultivator, but Pei Yu's combat value was a mere 503, rendering him quite insignificant in the realm of warriors.

Even his peers from Martial Arts University had reached Second or Third Grade, far outstripping him.

"Given my foundation as a martial artist, I can hit a combat value of 500. Let's see what happens when I apply this newly learned power."

The despondency in his eyes vanished. Pei Yu narrowed his eyes, focusing his energy into his fist, and struck the machine once more.

This time, he was channeling the First Layer of Amplification.

The numbers soared as his fist made contact.

It ticked up from 503.

"1006?"

Pei Yu watched, breathless, as the final number settled.

A grin spread across his face. The First Layer of Amplification had done its job. The cultivation technique from 'Hundred Refined To Be A God' had proven effective.

With a combat value now exceeding a thousand, Pei Yu had reached the standard of a Middle Level First Grade martial artist.

Pei Yu was far from content with his current status. To shed the label of being worthless, he knew he needed to become stronger.

Eager to progress, Pei Yu immediately began practicing the Third Layer. Once he confirmed that the initial layers were flawless, he was ecstatic. He pressed on, deploying the Fifth Layer amplification and continuously pushing his limits.

It was when Pei Yu executed the Ninth Layer that the machine shook violently. It emitted a buzzing noise, reminiscent of a short-circuiting wire, before the display finally froze at 4527.

A flicker of astonishment crossed Pei Yu's mind. For a split second, he doubted his own eyes.

"I've actually done it!"

Joy surged through him, his body quivering with excitement. In the realm of martial artists, a combat value exceeding four thousand signified that Pei Yu had met the benchmark of a Middle-Level Fourth Grade martial artist!

Even the principal of N City's Martial Arts University was only at the Middle-Level Third Grade.

A Fourth Grade martial artist could found a school, start a sect, or be the pillar of a family.

In Jinxiu Residence, where Pei Yu lived, not a single martial artist resided. And within the Ke family, the head of the household was merely at the Initial-Level Third Grade.

Now, Pei Yu could easily surpass him.

His astonishment lingered for quite some time, but the reality of his achievement was undeniable—it was no illusion.

Pei Yu took a deep breath, striving to quell the thrill in his heart and regain his composure.

"Though my Ninth Layer's burst has hit Fourth Grade levels, my foundational combat value is still lacking. I need to solidify my base before attempting a breakthrough."

Pei Yu refused to rest on his laurels; he was determined to lay a solid foundation.

He managed to contain his inner jubilation. At his peak, he had a mere five hundred in combat value. But now, with the basic amplification techniques of a martial artist, his most powerful strike could deliver a force of over four thousand.

As he acknowledged this truth once more, a tear glistened in Pei Yu's eye, his heart swelling with a bittersweet sense of relief.

He had once been deemed worthless, crushed by life to the point of suffocation. He had resigned himself to a life of mediocrity, enduring humiliation and living in abject humility.

But now, he had grown stronger. He had achieved the status of a Fourth Grade martial artist; he was no longer worthless.

His talent had been amplified a hundredfold. When it came to innate ability, it was likely that no one in this world could surpass him.