Could it be beginner's guarantee?
Su Mu didn't consider himself to be Emperor Ouyang, otherwise he wouldn't have lost the Security Captain election by just a few votes five times.
The golden finger was activated, and without bothering to eat, Su Mu immediately assumed a cultivation stance, performing a series of seemingly strange movements.
This set of movements consisted of thirty-three forms, known as Qi Blood Cultivation Technique, discovered by human pioneers. Initially modeled on various Fierce Beasts, it was later improved upon after acquiring alien cultivation techniques on the Alien Race Battlefield.
As he devoted himself entirely to cultivation, Su Mu's whole body began to grow slightly warm, with tiny beads of sweat emerging from his forehead. At this moment, a stream of warmth rose within his body, a normal phenomenon during cultivation.
But in addition, there circulated a faint, unprecedented coolness through his limbs and meridians, and all his muscles and bones greedily absorbed this wondrous energy.
Soon, a tingling sensation spread from the outside in, itching unbearably, as if myriad insects were wriggling inside.
Ssss!
Su Mu gasped, not in anger but rather revealing a look of ecstatic joy.
This coolness must indeed be the superpower taking effect; it was the Washing Marrow!
Enduring bitterness is a prerequisite for achievement.
Su Mu could endure this bit of suffering. He gritted his teeth, determined not to rest until, five hours later, when the sunset outside was radiant, one full cycle was finally completed, leaving him utterly exhausted, drenched in sweat.
At this moment, he felt lighter than ever, sensing a loosening at the bottleneck of the Third Level Martial Artist.
"Seize this month, perhaps I can break through to the Third Level Martial Artist!"
Su Mu's heart trembled violently; being stuck at Third Level Martial Artist for a full ten years, now seeing hope to overcome this formidable barrier, how could it not be exhilarating?
Moreover, once the breakthrough succeeded, the benefits would increase significantly, making the Security Captain position easily attainable.
"This might be the only chance in my life. My talent is too poor; merely relying on hard cultivation might not be enough. I need to purchase some additional medicine for auxiliary cultivation!"
Su Mu's determination reignited. He wanted to contact his wife immediately to first withdraw some Spirit Stones, but he hung up just as he dialed.
"Xiaoyue's health isn't good. She needs to go back for a hospital checkup soon. If something… No, I can't gamble with my daughter's life-saving money."
Ten years ago, Su Mu would have bet everything he had.
But now Su Mu wasn't alone; his daughter had been frail since childhood, and he, as a father, couldn't do that.
"Take it one step at a time, let's eat first."
The last rays of sunset spilled into the room through the window, and as night fell, Su Mu did not get up to turn on the light, eating the long-cold meal alone in the dimness.
Afterward, Su Mu continued his cultivation tirelessly as his thirty-third birthday passed quietly.
...
"Captain Su, I can't come up with that much money now, please give me some time."
"Captain Su, it's not that I don't want to lend you money, but I really can't."
"Old Su, you know, I hand over my salary to my wife, who recently enrolled the children in several classes, and the elderly at home are in poor health, all needing money."
The next day, Su Mu attempted to borrow money from colleagues, but no one was willing to lend any, including those he was usually on good terms with and often drank with.
Su Mu forced a smile, saying it was fine, it was fine, planning to apply for a loan at the school next.
"Xiaosu, don't worry, I'll try my best to help with your application for the money, but if the school ultimately doesn't approve it, there's nothing I can do."
"Thank you, Director Li."
After thanking him, Su Mu left the academy building and suddenly found a colored photo in his pocket.
It must have fallen out from the loan application materials, and Su Mu hurried back.
"Okay, I can approve this loan now, and the funds should reach your account within today."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"I've told you, at school, address me by my title."
"Alright, thank you, Director."
Walking out from the office was another man in a school security uniform, whom Su Mu recognized as a new security guard who joined at the beginning of the year, Sun Jianren. Taking a deep breath, Su Mu crumpled the colored photo in his trouser pocket and turned to leave.
During his patrol, Su Mu wiped the sweat from his forehead, planning to have a meal before returning to cultivation when he received a call from his wife. Seeing the call, Su Mu felt a bit comforted, suddenly wanting to hear his wife and child's voices.
However, the news from the other end was not good…
"Honey, Xiaoyue suddenly fainted today. The doctor suggests hospitalization for observation…"
Listening to the explanation on the other end, Su Mu remained silent, both relieved that he hadn't used that money and feeling somewhat heavy-hearted.
"Then let her be hospitalized first. Honey, take good care of Xiaoyue. When my salary comes in this month, I'll send it all. I'm fine here, as my meals and necessities at the school don't cost anything."
"Mm, I will take good care of Xiaoyue. Honey, all these years, your salary has been transferred to my account every month. The hospital money is quite enough. Xiaoyue's just a little sick this time. Keep some money for yourself, …"
After a few more words back and forth, the call ended, leaving Su Mu in a brief state of rigidity. Then he took a few deep breaths.
"The month has just begun… stay upbeat!"
"If I can't borrow money, I'll pile on time instead. Anyway, my qualifications are mediocre; expensive supplements would be wasted on me."
Su Mu soon arranged an early schedule of his annual leave, accumulating a month of vacation.
At the school's logistics hall.
"Su boy, wanting to withdraw your second-half-year Qi Blood Supplements in advance isn't in line with the rules… how about this, I'll secretly let you take three months' worth first, but don't spread this around."
"Old Zhao, thank you so much this time."
"Hmph, do you still dream of breaking through to Third Level Martial Artist, boy? I'd advise you to give up as soon as possible."
Su Mu was pleasantly surprised that Old Zhao, usually so acerbic, was the only one who helped him.
Working at Martial Arts University has its perks, with comprehensive benefits, including a certain amount of Qi Blood Supplements every month.
These supplements offer some assistance for cultivation. Previously, disheartened by ten years of stagnant cultivation, Su Mu had sent them home for his wife and daughter.
In the days that followed, apart from eating, sleeping, and calling his family, Su Mu devoted all his time to cultivation.
Just ten days after Su Mu's secluded cultivation.
The school's security department held an impromptu meeting, spearheaded by a certain school director, to discuss recent laxity in the department's work. The meeting decided not to change the position of the head captain but to reselect the captains of the small teams.
"Li Lei, didn't you say you went to inform Captain Su? Why isn't he here?"
"I did inform him, but Old Su hasn't been out these days; he probably didn't check his messages."
Zhou Lei was furious; it was evident that Li Lei likely hadn't informed Su Mu at all.
"Zhou Lei, don't get upset. We're old acquaintances, so I'll tell you this: Sun Jianren has connections; just watch…"
"Now, let's begin the vote count… Sun Jianren, totaling twenty-eight votes, passed with a majority, elected as the third team captain!"
"Zhou Lei, totaling eighteen votes, passed with a majority, elected as the fifth team captain!"
...