Another year passed.
Li Qi had been living a life of leisure for a total of one year and three months.
By now, Li Qi had accumulated approximately four hundred and fifty attribute points.
As the day concluded, the familiar daily voice rang out once more.
[Congratulations to the Host for surviving one day, obtaining a random attribute point Strength +1]
Li Qi took a deep breath, preparing to continue his leisurely cultivation.
Along with the occasional attribute points like "Talent" or "Comprehension" that aided in cultivation during this period.
Li Qi was on the verge of successfully breaking through from the first stage of Body Tempering to the second.
It had taken him several years to barely enter the first stage of Body Tempering.
Yet, in just one year, and without using any cultivation resources, he had reached the peak of the first stage.
"Hmm... compared to the exhaustion of intense competition, my relaxed cultivation style with a balance of work and rest is indeed more efficient."
Just then, the system's voice sounded again.
[Ding, congratulations to the Host. The "Strength" attribute point has accumulated to one hundred points, triggering a reward: Strength Doubled!]
Had his Strength attribute reached one hundred points?
Li Qi glanced at his status panel at this moment.
[Name: Li Qi]
[Cultivation: Peak of First Stage Body Tempering]
[Strength: 100]
[Speed: 80]
[Defense: 88]
[Recovery: 73]
[Comprehension: 12]
[Talent: 16]
[...]
Below this, there were quite a few other attribute types where he had only gained one or two points, but Li Qi couldn't be bothered to look further, as those attribute points were of little use to him.
Some were even rather peculiar.
They were things like cooking, music, calligraphy, tailoring, and so on.
Even more bizarrely, "farming" had appeared. Li Qi could only sigh inwardly, truly befitting a "Lazy Fish System"; these skills were all designed for his leisurely retirement life.
In any case, after more than a year of exploration, Li Qi had a rough understanding of the Lazy Fish System.
Each time he obtained a new type of attribute point, its name would appear as a new column on the panel.
Fortunately, this Lazy Fish System wasn't too malicious. Most of the points it gave were Strength, Speed, Defense, Recovery, Comprehension, and Talent – six types of attribute points.
Li Qi referred to these as the six basic attribute points.
He clenched his fist tightly.
Li Qi felt a surge of immense power coursing through every inch of his muscles.
The back mountain of the Flying Sand Sect!
"Boom!"
Li Qi unleashed a punch, a gust of wind whistling as terrifying power erupted.
In front of him, a boulder as tall as a person exploded into pieces, scattering debris everywhere.
The small fragments, under the impact, were propelled hundreds of meters away. Occasionally, when they struck tree trunks, they would pierce straight through.
"Such formidable strength!"
Li Qi was somewhat astonished himself.
With that punch, he hadn't used a single speck of spiritual energy, relying purely on his physical body.
Yet, the effect! It was likely that even cultivators in the second stage of Body Tempering could not match his power.
If Li Qi were to then use his spiritual energy, its destructive force would likely double.
Before, he had paid little attention to the minuscule increases from his daily attribute points, but now, the accumulated power had proven to be so terrifying.
Having tested the fruits of his labor, Li Qi returned, feeling content.
...
Not far from the Flying Sand Sect.
A figure emerged. He saw Li Qi, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over.
"Eh, Second Senior Brother, is something the matter?"
The Second Senior Brother looked conflicted and anxious. "That... Junior Brother, Senior Brother is in a bit of a hurry lately. Could I borrow some spirit stones from you?"
Li Qi frowned upon hearing this and spread his hands apologetically. "Senior Brother, you know my situation. I haven't gone down the mountain to earn money for over a year. I can't even afford to listen to Master's lectures. How could I have any spare spirit stones?"
"Alright then, I'll try asking the other Senior Brothers."
Saying this, the Second Senior Brother prepared to leave.
Just then, a figure with a somewhat honest and simple demeanor walked over. This was Li Qi's Third Senior Brother.
Seeing the worried look on the Second Senior Brother's face, the Third Senior Brother inquired and, upon learning that the Second Senior Brother urgently needed some spirit stones, readily slapped his chest and waved his hand generously.
"Ah, is that all? Second Senior Brother, I happen to have some spare spirit stones saved up. Take them first, and you can repay me when you have the funds."
"Thank you! Thank you! Third Junior Brother, when Senior Brother has spirit stones in the future, I will definitely repay you immediately!"
The Second Senior Brother was overwhelmed with gratitude after borrowing the spirit stones!
This was a minor matter, and Li Qi didn't dwell on it.
The main priority was to continue his peaceful, leisurely existence.
Half a month later, Li Qi, who had already reached the peak of the first stage of Body Tempering, smoothly broke through to the second stage.
...
Time flew by, and almost another year passed. During this year.
Li Qi's Speed, Defense, and Recovery also surpassed one hundred points, triggering the system's double amplification.
Besides acquiring some rather useless, peculiar attribute points.
Among Li Qi's six basic attribute points, his Strength was close to reaching 200 points.
By now, Li Qi's strength had reached the peak of the second stage of Body Tempering.
However, in reality, with the boost from the system's attribute points, Li Qi's true strength had likely far surpassed the second stage of Body Tempering by an unknown margin.
Today, Li Qi decided to give himself a day off and not cultivate.
The sun shone brightly, flowers smiled at him, and the birds chirped, "Chao, chao, chao!"
Li Qi basked in the sunlight, thoroughly enjoying himself.
This was true cultivation, this was life.
And just then, not far away.
"Second Senior Brother, I'm begging you! Please, just return the 12 spirit stones I lent you a year ago. If you don't return them soon, I won't have enough cultivation resources for the next half a month!"
"Hey, Third Junior Brother, we've known each other for over a decade since we first joined the Flying Sand Sect. Would I not repay you if I had spirit stones? It's just that Senior Brother is short on funds right now. I will definitely repay you when I have spirit stones."
"But... Second Senior Brother, I heard from others that you spent five spirit stones on a bag of medicinal bath herbs a couple of days ago to speed up your cultivation..."
"Hmph! I said I don't have them, and I don't! It's not like I'm not going to repay you! I've already said I'll definitely repay you when I have spirit stones."
The Second Senior Brother's expression immediately changed, and he adopted a shameless demeanor, saying.
He seemed to be adopting a stance of having no money, only his life.
The sound of their argument also caught Li Qi's attention.
Li Qi recognized these two as his Second and Third Senior Brothers.
Listening to their conversation, he suddenly remembered what had happened about a year ago.
That Second Senior Brother had indeed borrowed money from someone. He had approached Li Qi first, but Li Qi had no money. It was the Third Senior Brother, passing by, who had generously provided the funds.
Hasn't this Second Senior Brother repaid the money yet?
No spirit stones to repay debts, but spirit stones to buy medicinal baths?
Watching the Second Senior Brother prepare to leave, Li Qi couldn't help but tut.
He never expected that even after transmigrating, the debtors were still the ones acting like masters.
"Fortunately, I never lend money. Once you borrow money, you become enemies when it's time to collect."