Perhaps I should just find a construction site and convert my sweat directly into money. This had been Qin Fen's guiding philosophy for years. There were ten Gravity Rooms, ranging from 1.1 times gravity, 1.2 times gravity, 1.3 times gravity, all the way up to double gravity. "Being a soldier is truly wonderful," Qin Fen remarked, gazing at the ten doors of the gravity rooms, a look of deep satisfaction touching his eyes. "Not only do you get good food and lodging, but you also have a free place to exhaust your physical energy."

The service attendant, a female soldier, watched Qin Fen with considerable interest. This new recruit’s commentary was certainly unique. Most new soldiers, immediately upon entering the barracks, would either complain bitterly about the exhausting physical training or choose to remain silent. In her time as a service attendant, this was the very first person she had encountered who sincerely praised the barracks with such enthusiasm.

She glanced at the monitors for the gravity chambers; none of the ten rooms showed any trainees having fainted or displayed signs of physical distress.

The service attendant walked over to Qin Fen with a relaxed air and said, "Hi!"

"Hello," Qin Fen replied, maintaining his courtesy.

"First time using the Gravity Rooms?"

"En," Qin Fen nodded.

A flicker of surprise crossed the attendant's eyes. The gravity rooms weren't exactly obscure technology; young people were naturally curious. Usually, those old enough and qualified to use the rooms would rush in to try them out immediately. It was rare to find someone who had joined the military but had never even experienced a gravity room before.

"Then you'll need to understand a few precautions before entering."

"Good."

Qin Fen was cautious by nature, having heard stories of people entering the rooms only to have their hearts fail under the pressure, resulting in immediate death.

The service attendant fetched a small pamphlet and handed it to Qin Fen. "Passing the army physical means your body is fine to enter the Gravity Rooms."

"Oh."

Qin Fen had grown accustomed to the strictness of the drill instructors over the past few days. His serious expression struck the attendant as somewhat endearing. Usually, people coming to the gravity rooms were boastful and arrogant; a young man this earnest was a rare sight.

"Even if your physical examination cleared you, for the sake of your internal organs or to prevent any accidents, I strongly suggest you warm up first. This is actually stipulated by regulation."

Qin Fen had by this time read the pamphlet. It did indeed recommend a warm-up, though it noted that one could skip it if they believed their physical conditioning was exceptional—it wasn't a mandatory rule.

After carefully reviewing the pamphlet, Qin Fen asked, "Where should I warm up?"

"Right here," the attendant replied, stepping back toward the service desk. "This space is large enough, isn't it?"

Qin Fen surveyed the lobby. It was easily four or five hundred square meters, offering ample space even for a light jog.

Since this was his first time, Qin Fen decided to follow the pamphlet’s advice: leg stretches, waist bends, light bouncing, and finally, he even ran through two sets of the Shaolin Arhat Fist to fully reactivate his body.

The service attendant watched him intently. He was likely the first person in three months to warm up before entering the gravity rooms. Among those she’d seen in a year, he was certainly the most thorough. Truly interesting.

"Which room will you use?"

Qin Fen considered it, deciding to start with 1.1 times gravity. If it felt right, he would stay there; if the gravity felt insufficient, he could switch to 1.2 times.

"One point one."

"Understood. This way," the attendant said quietly. "If possible, it’s best to warm up a little inside the room as well after entry."

"Okay." Qin Fen nodded. This suggestion was also in the pamphlet, meant to help one acclimate faster to the altered atmospheric pressure.

Opening the door, he stepped into the 300-square-meter chamber. A few people were seated inside, but Du Peng was nowhere to be seen.

Qin Fen subtly moved his limbs, secretly speculating. Had his extensive warm-up been too thorough? He could certainly sense the increased gravity, but there was no feeling of strain, and his internal organs didn't feel the 'workout' sensation described in the pamphlet.

Too light? Qin Fen executed another set of the Shaolin Arhat Fist. Finishing the form, he confirmed his suspicion: the gravity here posed no threat to his internal organs, but neither did it offer any noticeable training benefit. His Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill would probably not improve much here either.

Qin Fen exited the 1.1x room. The service attendant, having already seen his movements on the monitor, was standing expectantly by the door of the 1.2x room, smiling. "It seems you are quite strong. Let's try 1.2 times gravity, then."

"My apologies for the trouble."

Qin Fen inclined his head slightly. Feeling responsible for increasing her workload due to his own oversight, he offered a look tinged with apology—a gesture fitting for someone who respected his duties.

"It's nothing. Go on in." Watching Qin Fen walk into the 1.2x room, the attendant’s mouth curved into a small smile. She murmured softly, "Such an interesting new recruit, he even apologizes."

The smile barely lasted a minute on the attendant’s face before she reappeared before the 1.3x room door, her expression now slightly astonished.

Stepping out of the 1.2x room, Qin Fen’s apologetic smile deepened. "Sorry again for bothering you."

"It’s fine. You really are quite strong. Your physical condition ranks highly among the new recruits."

"Is that so? Thank you for the compliment." Qin Fen was usually taciturn, but his politeness was unfailing. If someone addressed him without malice, he would always respond courteously.

Entering the 1.3x room, Qin Fen’s eyes lit up. He finally saw a familiar face here.

Of course, he had very few acquaintances in the recruit camp, so an acquaintance in the gravity rooms could only be one person: Du Peng!

Du Peng sat cross-legged in a corner of the room, his expression extremely focused, clearly struggling with what looked like an attempt at a breakthrough. Breakthroughs were never easy; failing ten times in a row was not uncommon.

Besides Du Peng, another individual in the room immediately drew Qin Fen's attention.

This person was not wearing a military uniform, but rather a well-fitting white dobok tailored to his tall frame—a modern Taekwondo uniform that was quite popular. He was young, eyes tightly shut, his face showing stern resolve, and an imposing, sharp energy subtly emanating from his brow.

Park Jong-Hwan of the Hanju New Taekwondo? Qin Fen paused, studying the motionless young man whose presence felt as solid and unyielding as a mountain.

Strong. Very strong! Qin Fen’s martial sense informed him that, without knowing the man’s actual fighting technique or reaction speed, judging purely by aura, a confrontation between them would be about fifty-fifty.