Chapter 111: Crisis! The Limit of the Acupoints

The disparity between the heavens and the space within is unimaginable. The acupuncture points, originally only possessing the capacity of a "pool"—the first stage of a False Core—were suddenly forced to bear the immense energy of the heavens and earth!

Naturally, after the acupuncture points absorbed their fill of the pool-grade energy, the surplus energy began to overflow. However, each acupuncture point has only one entrance, and that entrance was already blocked by the torrential river of energy pouring relentlessly inside. There was simply nowhere for it to go!

If this excess energy, accumulating rapidly, were not managed before reaching a critical breaking point, the consequences would be catastrophic. Zhou Yi was well aware of this. Had he not possessed other means, he would never have dared to attempt such a feat.

His thoughts shifted, and he quickly pulled up his attribute panel. His gaze fixed on the energy value, and he narrowed his eyes. As he allocated points, the energy figure rapidly decreased, while his physical constitution simultaneously improved. Within his mental space, the three hundred and sixty-five acupuncture points, which were on the verge of collapse, were also significantly bolstered.

As the acupuncture points strengthened, their innate limits expanded as well.

It was like a bowl undergoing a transformation: its dimensions grew larger and wider, and its very material changed from fragile clay to reinforced iron. Consequently, the capacity it could hold naturally increased.

"I must ensure that the growth of my acupuncture points outpaces the speed of the energy influx. Before they burst, I must expand them to a capacity capable of containing this surge!" Watching the figures behind the energy value fluctuate—rising and falling—Zhou Yi’s mind raced. "Fortunately, the movement of this energy river counts as a form of kinetic energy. Because of its sheer magnitude, the energy it provides is significantly higher. If not for that, I would never have dared to attempt such a reckless endeavor!"

As he contemplated this, his resolve hardened. Feeling the continuous changes occurring within his body, he felt a brief moment of stability. Yet, it was only momentary. The ordeal was not over; it had barely begun, and he was far from being able to relax.

"Beyond the increase of energy, I need other methods to sustain this process. After all, this is incredibly dangerous. Each additional measure is another layer of protection, another guarantee of safety, and increases the likelihood of my success in this insane plan."

Relying solely on his "cheat"—the allocation of energy points—was barely sufficient. While it currently supported his plan, it remained precarious. He was constantly hovering on the razor's edge, with his acupuncture points perpetually at their limit. This was far from ideal.

"Other methods... other methods..." While controlling the allocation of energy, Zhou Yi searched for alternatives.

"That's it!" After a moment of thought, a flash of inspiration struck him. In reality, he didn't need to look for other solutions. His greatest trump card had always been his cheat, and the very reason he could conceive of such a wild idea was because that cheat existed.

His confidence stemmed entirely from this advantage. He didn't need external methods; the cheat was enough to resolve all his problems!

Including his current predicament.

By allocating energy points, he was barely maintaining a balance, but this was only because the rate of energy growth and consumption had reached a delicate equilibrium. That very line of balance was precisely why he was walking this tightrope.

He simply needed to find a way to tip this balance in his favor.

To put it bluntly, he just needed to increase the rate at which he could gain energy.

If the rate of energy growth were to rise, the current balance would break, and the acupuncture points that had been teetering on the edge of their limits would find significant relief. Most importantly, this would solve all his current concerns in one stroke.

"So, what method can accelerate the growth of energy?" The objective was clear, but as Zhou Yi gazed at the vast, surging river of energy in the sky, he was met with a new dilemma.

Energy was converted from kinetic energy, and kinetic energy was produced by the movement of the body. Whether internal or external, movement generated kinetic energy.

It sounded simple enough, but Zhou Yi knew for certain that if he dared to move his body now, it wouldn't just be a matter of whether the movement provided enough kinetic energy to pull him back from the brink. The mere act of moving would disrupt the growth of his acupuncture points. He wouldn't even need the energy river to react; the fleeting, unfamiliar sensation of movement would cause a momentary lapse in his concentration, leading to instability in the acupuncture points and causing them to explode!

"That method won't work!" A vision of himself exploding into a cloud of gore flashed through his mind, and he discarded the thought instantly.

"If external movement is impossible, I must find a way from within!"

One plan failing, another took its place. Kinetic energy is generated by motion, and motion is divided into external and internal. Since the current situation forbade external movement, he had to look inward.

"Internal... internal..." Zhou Yi muttered. What could possibly be done internally?

If it were the exterior of the body, there were countless ways to generate kinetic energy: running, fighting, even being beaten could produce it. Most importantly, it was controllable.

But what could be done inside the body?

Internal motion consisted of nothing more than the flow of blood or the minute adjustments of muscles and bones. These were technically movements, generating negligible amounts of kinetic energy, but what use could that possibly be?

By nature, the body's internal state cannot be consciously controlled, and the kinetic energy produced is so minuscule it is virtually non-existent.

Yet now, he needed to generate a massive amount of kinetic energy—a feat difficult even externally—to pull his acupuncture points away from that dangerous equilibrium.

The difficulty of this was enough to drive one to despair.

"The flow of blood, the subtle shifts of bones... how could I possibly rely on these to generate the required kinetic energy?" Zhou Yi smiled bitterly, feeling a sense of frustration. To think he needed to rely on such things to support his survival—he must have truly gone mad!

As his thoughts spiraled, he even felt a surge of regret. If he needed to generate such kinetic energy, he could have at least imagined ways to do it externally. Maybe there was a solution there?

But these requirements demanded internal generation, and since he couldn't move his body externally, he was being pushed into an impossible corner.

It was like being in a year of severe drought, where one had to carry water by hand to irrigate the fields just to survive. That was already a monumental task. To use a bucket to water acres of land—calling it "a drop in the ocean" would be an understatement!

But for Zhou Yi, it was even worse. He wasn't even using a bucket; he was trying to irrigate the fields with a tiny cup!

As he contemplated the sheer impossibility, his regret deepened. He felt he had been truly delusional. Having lived two lifetimes, he was still this naive, still this impulsive. How could he have overlooked this?