Chapter 3: Congratulations, You've Successfully Opened Your Aperture

Wang Zhong was called to the principal’s office.

The principal, named Liu Hairen, was a middle-aged man. It was said he had been transferred from a big city and would return in a few years.

At the moment, Liu Hairen sat casually in his leather chair. “I heard someone in your class has successfully opened their Aperture?”

Wang Zhong stood nearby and replied, “That’s correct. It’s Chu Ming from the Chu Family.”

Liu Hairen nodded without surprise. “That’s no wonder. The Chu Family has a bit of money. Opening an Aperture is just a matter of effort for them.”

He then shifted his tone, looking at Wang Zhong intently. “I heard that Jiang Yan from your class has caused trouble again?”

Wang Zhong wore an awkward expression as he explained, “Principal Liu, my student is just too eager to open his Aperture and didn’t control his strength properly.”

Liu Hairen’s tone remained indifferent as he casually issued an order. “From now on, he doesn’t need to go to the Martial Training Ground anymore.”

Wang Zhong was puzzled. “Why is that? How will he have a chance to open his Aperture if he doesn’t go to the Martial Training Ground?”

Liu Hairen replied, “As an outstanding teacher at Linjiang First High School, can’t you even figure out such a simple question?”

“If Jiang Yan from your class causes a death, how will the outside world view our Linjiang First High School? How will the media report on this?”

“The reputation of Linjiang First High School cannot be ruined by a student’s recklessness!”

After saying this with a frown, Liu Hairen’s tone already carried a hint of impatience.

Wang Zhong still wanted to argue. “But for students without background, taking a risk to open their Aperture is their only chance.”

Bang!

Liu Hairen angrily slammed the table and glared at Wang Zhong. “He can die at home, in the wilderness, or at a martial arts hall, but he absolutely cannot die at school!”

“Don’t think I don’t know about your relationship with that kid. If you dare to cover for him again, don’t even think about getting the Outstanding Teacher bonus this year.”

After driving Wang Zhong out of the office, Liu Hairen lazily slumped in his chair, muttering to himself:

“Hah, so what if he opens his Aperture? He’ll still just be a plaything for those with Talent. Why should I gamble on a waste succeeding in opening his Aperture?”

The Blue Star government stipulates that every student has the right to use the equipment at the Martial Training Ground, but every year, a few stubborn students risk their lives to forcibly open their Apertures.

This has led to a phenomenon where almost every high school has a fairly high injury and disability rate, with occasional reports of students dying from failed Aperture Opening attempts.

However, in the past two years, Linjiang First High School had not experienced a single death incident, and even the injury and disability rate remained extremely low. The reason behind this was that he had secretly lowered the parameters of the training equipment at the Martial Training Ground, greatly reducing its effectiveness. As a result, the injury and disability rate naturally decreased.

Low-parameter equipment couldn’t help students reach the standard for a Breakthrough. Therefore, Jiang Yan’s nine attempts at Aperture Opening were only slowly damaging his bodily functions. He might even drop dead suddenly while walking on the street one day.

But surviving nine Aperture Opening attempts was too abnormal. Liu Hairen feared that someone might take notice of this, which was why he was so eager to stop Jiang Yan from continuing his attempts.

He secretly embezzled public funds to specially recruit students who had opened their Apertures into Linjiang First High School. This way, he maintained high enrollment numbers while keeping the injury and disability rate low.

Next year, more teaching resources would be allocated to Linjiang First High School, and half of them would end up in his own pocket. Why wouldn’t he do it?

As for someone like Jiang Yan, what right does he have to block my path to advancement, Liu Hairen?

Why should I bet on the possibility of you opening your apertures and give up this immense fortune?

…

[System Log Updated]

“You slash at the Sharp Ruler Tiger, [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates, dealing minimal damage. Proficiency in <Basic Saber Technique> slightly increases, Physical Body slightly improves.”

“You are slapped to death by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

Jiang Yan instantly revives at full health.

“You slash at the Sharp Ruler Tiger, [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates, dealing minimal damage. Proficiency in <Basic Saber Technique> slightly increases, Physical Body slightly improves.”

“You are bitten to death by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

“You are crushed to death by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

“You are swallowed by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

“You are roared to death by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

“You…”

…

“You slash at the Sharp Ruler Tiger, [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates, dealing minimal damage. Proficiency in <Basic Saber Technique> slightly increases, Physical Body slightly improves.”

“You slash at the Sharp Ruler Tiger, [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates, dealing minimal damage. Proficiency in <Basic Saber Technique> slightly increases, Physical Body slightly improves.”

…

“Congratulations, your proficiency in <Basic Saber Technique> has increased to Major Achievement.”

As soon as Jiang Yan revived, he noticed the changes on his status panel.

“Did I just achieve a breakthrough?”

He was overjoyed. Martial Skill proficiency is divided into Proficient, Mastery, Subtlety, Major Achievement, and Perfection.

Martial Skill Grades are categorized as Yellow, Black, Earth, Heaven, Meteor, Yaoyue, and Shi Heng Grade.

A small, unranked Basic Saber Technique that he had practiced since childhood had only barely reached the Subtlety realm until now. He never expected that in less than an hour, the proficiency he had been stuck on for over a year had actually broken through.

“Then, could aperture opening also…”

Jiang Yan’s face lit up with excitement, looking at the Sharp Ruler Tiger as if it were a gold mine waiting to be excavated.

“Indeed, choosing [Heaven Rewards Diligence] was the right decision.”

He pushed off with his feet, shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow. The Basic Saber Technique at Major Achievement carried a gust of fierce wind as the Alloy Long Saber emitted a piercing shriek through the air.

Thump!

“You are slapped to death by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

Jiang Yan: …

By now, the Sharp Ruler Tiger had lost its initial majesty. Its simple mind couldn’t comprehend why this human, whose attacks were clearly weak, could harm it over and over again.

Why was this happening?

Jiang Yan revived once more and charged forward with his saber.

The Sharp Ruler Tiger panicked and fled in terror.

It was hard to imagine a Body Tempering Middle Stage Martial Artist chasing after a second-tier Fierce Beast, wildly slashing at it. Such a scene would surely make many people’s jaws drop in disbelief if witnessed outside.

“Damn it, I can’t even touch it.”

The Sharp Ruler Tiger was simply too fast. Jiang Yan couldn’t even get close enough to touch its rear.

“You diligently chase the Sharp Ruler Tiger, [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates, speed slightly increases.”

Feeling the change in his own speed, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but let out a shout, charging like a madman toward the Sharp Ruler Tiger’s rear to slash at it.

Squelch!

“You slash the Sharp Ruler Tiger’s rear, dealing significant damage. [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates, your Talent for finding prey’s weak points slightly increases. Proficiency in <Basic Saber Technique> slightly improves.”

Awooo~

The Sharp Ruler Tiger let out a pained howl.

This isn’t how you play! If you want to fight, then fight properly—what’s with stabbing a tiger’s rear?

Thump!

“You are slapped to death by the Sharp Ruler Tiger.”

“Due to your death count exceeding fifty times, [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates. Congratulations, you have comprehended the blue Trait: [Truth of Desperation].”

[Truth of Desperation]: You possess an extremely keen sense of death, which may help you turn peril into safety.

System panel updated.

[Host]: Jiang Yan

[Realm]: Body Tempering Middle Stage

[Martial Skills]: (Unranked) “Basic Saber Technique” Major Achievement

(Yellow Grade Low) “Wild Bull Strength” Mastered

[Traits]: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Destined) Truth of Desperation (Blue)

Roar!

The Sharp Ruler Tiger swiped with its paw.

Jiang Yan dodged almost instinctively, evading this fatal blow without even clearly seeing the tiger’s movement.

“So strong!”

With [Truth of Desperation], Jiang Yan could avoid most life-threatening dangers, akin to a weakened version of Observation Haki.

“Moreover, what if I die a few more times? Could I comprehend even more formidable death-related Traits?”

Jiang Yan grew increasingly grateful for having chosen the God Tier Trait [Heaven Rewards Diligence].

[Heaven Rewards Diligence] was practically like a bug—as long as you grinded hard enough, you would eventually have everything, perfectly matching Jiang Yan’s personality.

Damn it, I’ll out-grind all of you.

Jiang Yan threw down his saber and activated his strongest Martial Skill, “Wild Bull Strength,” charging toward the Sharp Ruler Tiger like a locomotive.

“You charge at the Sharp Ruler Tiger…”

“You died.”

…

Another hour later, the Sharp Ruler Tiger lay on the ground, barely alive, its body covered in shattered wounds that continuously bled, staining the ground red.

“Your ‘Wild Bull Strength’ Proficiency has increased to Subtle Mastery.”

Jiang Yan revived once more, throwing a punch as “Wild Bull Strength” roared with fierce momentum.

Boom!

“You killed the Sharp Ruler Tiger. Unfortunately, you failed to drop a Trait.”

“[Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates. You triggered the guaranteed mechanism. Congratulations, you have obtained the blue Trait [Haste].”

“You diligently engaged in battle, repeatedly experiencing life-and-death crises. [Heaven Rewards Diligence] activates. Congratulations, your body’s potential has been stimulated, successfully achieving Aperture Opening.”