The genetic potential actually increased! A direct boost of 10%, equivalent to a full day of hard training. Feng Lin thought it over and understood the key point. According to the theory of mythical genes, the path of cultivation can subtly alter the human body, but this transformation is highly inefficient. Often, only about 11% to 26% of a day's cultivation effort affects the genes, with the rest wasted on other useless attributes. However, the existence of the genetic equation allows all cultivation effects to converge into a single point, stored as genetic potential. This is an ability to digitize the body, much like gaining experience points from killing monsters in a video game. Feng Lin can also use genetic potential to strengthen himself. And actual combat is a form of cultivation, and the most effective one at that. Having figured this out, he became even more interested in the upcoming battles. As the first floor of the tower was cleared, the light and shadow shifted again. Hong Gang materialized once more, but instead of attacking, he began to demonstrate a boxing routine step by step. "Hong Quan is a southern Chinese boxing style, with twelve bridge hand techniques: 'hard, soft, press, straight, split, fix, inch, lift, flow, move, control, and set.' It is a close-range striking art that integrates internal and external methods. This style emphasizes mobilizing inner energy, using breath to generate power. Its framework is called the Six-Six Frame, with innate pure yang and acquired eight-nine seventy-two as yin, utilizing the whole body. Also known as the Three-Shake Arm, one shake for Wuji stillness, two shakes for Taiji movement, three shakes for mixed energy, water and fire harmonized, energy stored in the dantian. Also called the Six-Step Frame, rooted in the horse stance. Attacks are mostly explosive punches, defenses focus on intercepting shoulders, unique in its own right..." A voice explaining the techniques echoed in the void. What a bonus! Feng Lin mused. So, clearing each floor of the martial tower also allows learning martial arts from virtual masters—an unexpected delight. It's like each floor is a level, and this is the reward for passing it. Having life force without knowing martial arts yields little combat power. This is exactly what Feng Lin lacked. Although Hong Quan is just a basic boxing style, Feng Lin began to imitate Hong Gang's moves and techniques earnestly. The martial art wasn't complicated, and Feng Lin quickly learned it. Next came plenty of practice to fully master it. The tower's opening time was limited, so he didn't linger and proceeded to the second floor. "Shaolin Seven-Star Fist, please enlighten me!" A fierce-looking monk stood in the arena, bowed, and lunged at him. Shaolin Seven-Star Fist, palm strikes like five petals. Techniques are peculiar, also moving in a straight line. There are cross paths, adapting to all directions. Flower claws are exquisite, chicken step techniques continuous. Vertical and horizontal eight methods, breaking thousands of formations. Upper, middle, lower ground hammers, sweeping legs across a hundred rivers. Plus the golden bone elbow, capable of piercing the sky. When facing a strong opponent, shrink and slip, like a sparrowhawk cleverly crossing a mountain. Seize the moment with a ground cannon, flying kicks like lightning. Crushing, lifting, pushing with divine palms, heaven within heaven hidden... This was a boxing style with grand, sweeping moves and sharp techniques. Feng Lin didn't retreat, engaging in a fierce battle head-on. Hard, soft, press, straight, split, fix, inch, lift, flow, move, control, set—determining heaven and earth. This time, he was using Hong Quan. To master a martial art, honing it in actual combat is the simplest and most effective way. Although Feng Lin stumbled at first, looking quite clumsy. But this was only the second floor; the opponent's life force was just 0.2. The absolute gap in life force allowed him to handle it with ease. During the exchange, he grew more proficient in Hong Quan. Finally, after thirty-six exchanges, he used a move called "Embracing the Moon" to completely shatter the opponent's energy form. Genetic potential +11%. With the increase in genetic potential, he also learned a new martial art: Shaolin Seven-Star Fist! Then, he applied what he learned on the spot, practicing the new techniques in the subsequent floors. Third floor, fourth floor, fifth floor... With a life force of 1.5, he breezed through the battles, breaking through layer after layer. Genetic potential +12%, +13%, +14%... skyrocketing. Eight Trigram Palm, Xingyi Quan, Taiji Quan... one by one, martial arts inherited from ancient Earth were learned. Feng Lin felt himself undergoing a rapid transformation. No wonder the virtual martial tower was so effective—a day of training here was faster than ten days outside. No wonder it cost ten thousand star coins to enter once. This trip was a huge win! Boom! With a powerful, heavy strike, Feng Lin's fist was like a giant hammer, unleashing a Taiji cannon punch. The air seemed to shatter, producing a thunderous roar. Under the fist, a slender figure disintegrated. Genetic potential +18%! This was the ninth floor. Feng Lin was panting heavily. The higher the floor, the harder it was to clear. Each floor's guardian was a martial master. As their life force increased, the gap with Feng Lin narrowed, and their sharp techniques put immense pressure on him. The virtual martial master on this floor was a small, thin old man. Despite his unremarkable appearance, he had mastered Monkey Fist to an extraordinary level. Monkey Fist is a cunning and vicious martial art, with insidious and ruthless moves targeting vital points, making them hard to defend against. Once caught, it meant torn flesh and broken bones. At first, Feng Lin wasn't prepared and was hit several times by the claws. Fortunately, he had awakened the Stone Fetus gene, giving him stone skin and iron bones. Though the old man was formidable, he couldn't break through Feng Lin's defense. In the end, Feng Lin expended a great deal of stamina to completely shatter him. Huff, huff, huff! Sweat poured down his face as Feng Lin gasped for air, feeling his stamina nearly depleted. This wouldn't do; in this state, he couldn't break through the next levels. Next was the tenth floor, a watershed. This meant the opponent's life force was at least 1, reaching the average standard of interstellar humans. The battle would inevitably be fierce. But there was no rush; fortunately, he had genetic points. The continuous gains in genetic potential had now increased by 136%. Combined with the original, it had crossed the 200% mark, reaching 232%. This meant Feng Lin had two more genetic points. He decisively spent one genetic point on the Monkey Gene. "Name: Feng Lin Life Force: 1.6 Monkey Gene: 10 Stone Fetus Gene: 5 Genetic Potential: 136%" The Monkey Gene was now fully maxed out at ten points, raising his life force to 1.6. Instantly, his body underwent a noticeable change. The Monkey Gene greatly enhances the human body. Once maxed out, Feng Lin felt an intense itch all over. His muscles became streamlined, presenting a perfect form of strong muscles and sturdy bones, and his stamina rapidly recovered. He then began learning Monkey Fist. Having awakened the Monkey Gene, this fist style—a form of Xingyi Quan imitating apes—was tailor-made for him. Feng Lin picked it up quickly and soon mastered it. Then he ascended again. An ancient temple, dense with pagoda forests. The virtual martial tower was incredibly realistic, each floor a new world. Feng Lin's ears twitched as he suddenly heard a Zen poem. "In the mortal world, spreading the Buddha's teachings, the venerable one's countenance is eighteen-fold. Cultivating purity, ultimately attaining fruition, following fate to save all, washing away mundane hearts." A large monk with a scarred crown strode forward, vigorous and decisive, his skin golden like a descending arhat, a bronze-cast golden man. An aura of lofty reverence spread out, his robe fluttering in the wind. "Head of the Shaolin Temple Arhat Hall, Fa Jie, at your service! Greetings, benefactor!"