C1 I Have a Synthesis Column!

In the heart of Jiangnan Province, Great Xia, lies the bustling city of Hengcheng. Within the walls of Hengcheng No.1 Middle School, the students of Grade 12, Class 8, gathered in their classroom.

"With only a month left before the Martial Cultivator Exam," the teacher proclaimed, "I hope to see at least one Quasi Martial Cultivator emerge from our class. That would be a true honor for me as your teacher!"

"Let's make a final push in these last few weeks. Are you with me?" The teacher's voice echoed with fervor across the podium.

The students, however, slumped in their seats, their energy seemingly drained.

"Teacher, becoming a Quasi Martial Cultivator is easier said than done," one student sighed.

"Exactly," another chimed in. "To qualify, you need to deliver a punch with at least 500 kilograms of force. I've been popping pills for two years and can barely muster 300 kilograms with one hand."

"The gap is just too wide!"

"And it's not just about strength," a third student lamented. "Your Blood Essence Value has to meet the standard too. Mine's barely at 0.2!"

"We're not even Martial Cultivators. Without access to official techniques and with Medicine Pills being so expensive, how can we possibly afford to improve?" The classroom buzzed with their collective grievances.

The teacher, standing helplessly at the podium, understood their plight. In a world where the Myriad Clan reigned and martial prowess was paramount, Martial Cultivators were the elite. They alone could stand against the might of weapons, some even capable of rending the very earth. Their esteemed status was the backbone of Great Xia's survival amidst the myriad of clans.

"But remember," the teacher implored, "becoming a Martial Cultivator is the only path to the pinnacle of life. You have one more month—give it everything you've got."

In the back of the room, Su Yu sat quietly, his gaze fixed on something unseen, lost in thought.

"Insert two identical items into the Synthesis Column to combine them," a voice echoed in his mind. "Cultivation Techniques, Medicine Pills, anything alike can be merged."

Su Yu felt bewildered. He was an outsider to this world, having lived a lackluster life of over twenty years before meeting his end on a stormy night, struck down by a passing car.

Upon waking, Su Yu found himself in a new world.

It took a considerable time, but he eventually grew accustomed to this place.

Then, just yesterday, a virtual synthesis column materialized before his eyes.

It resembled the simple games from his past life, featuring two empty slots above a gleaming golden frame.

"Two identical items? To synthesize?"

"Could this be my golden ticket?"

A spark of realization flickered in Su Yu's eyes.

Ding-a-ling!

The school bell signaled the end of class.

Su Yu grabbed his backpack and dashed off campus.

......

Back in his modest rental, Su Yu, out of breath, dropped his bag and excitedly gazed at the Synthesis Column that only he could see.

"The question is, what incredible items can this Synthesis Column create?"

He rummaged around and found two identical sheets of white paper, gingerly placing them into the column.

Immediately, text scrolled beneath the golden frame.

"Ordinary white paper: Just a very ordinary sheet of paper!"

"Proceed with synthesis?"

Su Yu contained his bubbling excitement.

"Synthesize!"

He hit the synthesis button and a burst of light ensued. Yet, within the golden frame now lay a pristine sheet of paper.

"Refined white paper: A sheet of white paper that's been finely processed!"

Su Yu: ...

"It looks like ordinary items, even when synthesized, can't transform into anything superior. They can only be slightly enhanced."

Though Su Yu was at a loss for words, this experiment had more or less clarified the Synthesis Column's purpose.

Indeed, the Synthesis Column could enhance items, significantly elevating their original quality!

With this revelation, an idea struck Su Yu.

He carefully retrieved an old wooden box from his room.

Inside, two blood-red pills rested silently.

As he regarded the pills, a twinge of regret flickered in his eyes.

These were Blood Essence Pills, commonly used to boost one's Blood Essence Value, albeit poorly, with a mere 0.01 increase per pill.

And yet, these pills commanded a price of a thousand yuan each.

For Su Yu, who had been orphaned at a young age, this sum of money was nothing short of a fortune.

It had taken him a long time to decide, but he had finally splurged on these two medicinal pills.

Holding the Blood Essence Pill in his hand, Su Yu whispered to himself.

"Synthesis Column, oh Synthesis Column, please don't let me down."

With that, he carefully placed the two Blood Essence Pills into the synthesis column.

"Blood Essence Pill: Level One Medicine Pill, capable of slightly increasing a person's Blood Essence Value."

"Proceed with synthesis?"

With a resolute press of the button, Su Yu initiated the process.

"Synthesize!"

A burst of golden light shimmered, and the two Blood Essence Pills vanished. In their place within the golden synthesis column was a dark red pill.

A string of small text automatically appeared.

"Blood Refining Pill: Level Two Medicine Pill. Significantly boosts Blood Essence Value. Overuse diminishes its effectiveness."

Su Yu's eyes sparkled with success.

He retrieved the Blood Refining Pill from the column and took a deep breath. Even the simple act of breathing in revealed a rich, medicinal scent emanating from the pill, making the Blood Essence within his bones seem to surge.

"This has got to be quality stuff!"

"The real question is how effective it will be..."

Muttering to himself, determination glinted in Su Yu's eyes.

"What does it matter? Getting stronger is the key to making more money!"

Without further ado, Su Yu swallowed the Blood Refining Pill.

As the pill dissolved, a warm sensation spread throughout his body, causing his Blood Essence to churn and bringing on a fierce, throbbing pain.

The sensation persisted for a full ten minutes before finally subsiding.

After some time, Su Yu opened his eyes, which danced with excitement.

"This Blood Refining Pill actually increased my Blood Essence by 0.1!"

For Martial Cultivators, strength is the base, and Blood Essence is the core.

An average person's Blood Essence is at 0.1, but to become a Quasi Martial Cultivator, one must reach at least 0.5. Achieving a Blood Essence of 1 signifies becoming a true Martial Cultivator.

Blood Essence can only be enhanced through rigorous exercise, the stimulating effects of Medicine Pills, and the application of a proper Cultivation Method.

Before one can even be considered a Martial Cultivator, access to a Cultivation Method is out of reach, leaving aspirants to depend solely on Medicine Pills or relentless conditioning.

Strength, however, naturally follows suit when Blood Essence Value is robust.

Su Yu's Blood Essence Value was initially around 0.3, but after ingesting a Blood Refining Pill, it soared to 0.4.

With just one more Blood Refining Pill...

He could very well be on the cusp of becoming a Quasi Martial Cultivator!

The thought alone quickened Su Yu's breath.

He glanced at his bank account; the recent deposit of 8,000 yuan represented his entire savings accumulated over the years.

"It's all or nothing! Becoming a Quasi Martial Cultivator could net me a reward of 100,000 yuan, enough to solve all my problems!"

Clutching his bank card, Su Yu swung open the door to his modest rental, filled with resolve.