Chapter 006: Inverted Pyramid Training Plan
Private Duan Tian, please accompany me to the school infirmary for a check-up
Persevere, persevere, and persevere a little longer, very good, seventy-six cycles completed, continue! Achilles cheered him on while also urging him like a strict teacher to complete the next cycle. At this moment, Duan Tian felt nothing else; his body was burning with heat. After seventy-six cycles, he instinctively began a new round of energy operation under Achilles' guidance.
Despite the fact that people in this era pay attention to physical fitness, the ease with which a fourteen or fifteen-year-old child completed three sets of 120-pound strength training still astonished Teacher Bangqi
... ...
Jia is able to slowly operate along the path that traverses the five viscera under the guidance of his consciousness, with a sensation as intense as being burned by fire spreading throughout his body
Achilles chuckled, "Alright, I indeed did not misjudge you. Considering your physical condition and the basic situation of the evolutionary battle armor, I estimate that your current limit for cycles is eighty-one. The training plan I have devised is a reverse pyramid plan, decreasing by nine cycles each day, with a nine-day cycle. Now, let us begin today's training."
Achilles did not know what he was thinking, feeling somewhat irritable, said: "Alright, these matters can only be discussed tomorrow. Let us begin today's training."
It is said that Mr. Bangqi, the instructor of the exoskeleton combat class, was once a member of the special operations forces of the federal army, known for being among the elite. After all these years, he still maintains the demeanor of a soldier. During his lectures, students must listen in standard military posture. At this moment, the students of Class 6 in the first grade are lined up in four rows, standing straight and tall.
The high-tech detection data is not misleading; Duan Tian's potential value is pitifully low, and he truly lacks cultivation value. His ability to defeat the Level 3 evolved warrior Sengro does not signify much. The Federation has countless private apothecaries, and with just a standard "Energy Base" potion, such a "miracle" can be achieved.
He operated for eighty-one cycles that night, consuming a significant amount of time. By the time he was ready to sleep, the sky had already brightened.
He glanced around and, finding no one else, lowered his voice to say: "His father, Zheng Duo's wife, is not his biological mother. I overheard my parents discussing it secretly; it seems that Zheng Duo, for the sake of family inheritance, caused the death of his biological mother. Although Zheng Jueqi has grown up in the Zheng family, he harbors deep resentment towards his father and grandfather... This is a sensational gossip that I am sharing with you, and it must not be spread outside.
Zheng Yu snorted and said with displeasure, "Now you understand why I was so surprised, right"
Duan Tian saw Teacher Bangqi using his muscular arms to move various training equipment, and he gasped, asking Achilles: "Achilles, since his theory is incorrect, can I skip his training as well?"
Duan Tian responded with an acknowledgment and began his cultivation in a state of confusion and uncertainty
It is hard to say why, but Teacher Bangqi seems to take special care of Duan Tian. After demonstrating several standard movements, he allowed the students to practice individually, with each set consisting of sixteen movements, completing three sets each, and then regrouping.
However, the rewards of such extreme challenges are also substantial. After conducting nine cycles of operation with the apparatus from the Book of Duan Tian yesterday, what originally measured only the thickness of a hair has now transformed to the thickness of a toothpick. Such a remarkable increase achieved within a single day is simply incredible
Teacher Kate not only refrains from criticizing Duan Tian, but even wishes to encourage him to sleep during class in the future. It seems that her key protégé, the little genius Sofia, gets along quite well with this "waste"; they are often seen chatting together. Duan Tian sleeps in class every day, which at least ensures that Sofia will not be distracted by him during lessons.
Achilles' Path: "Training must be planned, do you understand? Generally speaking, there are two main modes of such plans: the first is called the pyramid plan, which involves gradually increasing the number of training cycles. For example, if you began training for the first time yesterday and completed nine cycles, the number of cycles today should be correspondingly increased, and tomorrow's cycles should be further increased based on today's count. Determine the limit of the number of cycles you can endure in a single training session according to your physical condition. When your number of cycles reaches the maximum limit, that training period concludes. Following this, the next training period begins the next day."
"Three hundred pounds!" Zheng Yusi gasped in shock. He looked at his own equipment; even the one hundred pounds weight left him breathless, requiring a long rest before he could complete the next set. This kid is truly a monster!
Duan Tian let out a mournful cry: "Why is it so fast—"
Duan Tian received the order and, panting, completed another three sets, feeling much the same as before. After finishing a set of sixteen, he took a couple of breaths and then continued to complete the second set, followed by the third set
He dragged his weary body and casually prepared something to eat. After filling his stomach, he climbed onto the bed, sat cross-legged, and began today's training
After fifty-four cycles, Duan Tian had no confidence in his ability to complete eighty-one cycles.
Another method is called the inverted pyramid plan. This means calculating the limit of the number of cycles of training that you can currently endure. The number of repetitions on the first day of training is this limit, and then it gradually decreases until you reach the most basic number you practiced yesterday: nine cycles, marking the end of one training cycle. Immediately following, on the second day, the second training cycle begins
The completion of the seventy-two cycles is something that even Duan Tian is not very clear about
Teacher Bangqi adjusted the weight of the equipment to 120 pounds and pointed at the equipment, saying: "Complete three more sets."
This time, without the reminder from Achilles, Duan Tian initiated the final round of the cycle on his own. Supported by his belief, Duan Tian, who had already reached the physical limit, suddenly erupted, surpassing the endurance of a biological entity, and astonishingly completed the 81st cycle of the Jia energy during his second training session.
Indeed, after the class bell rang, Teacher Kate walked up to the podium. Upon seeing Duan Tian slumped over the desk, she couldn't help but shake her head, secretly lamenting: "A rotten wood cannot be carved."
Among all the students, Duan Tian was the first to complete the three sets of training tasks and return to the team
After school in the afternoon, Duan Tian went to work at Feibo's apothecary. After three hours of work, he took the free basic transportation back home, and it was already half past ten at night
The benefits of the inverted pyramid training plan are the increase in strength and the relatively fast progression in lifting weights, although the training process is arduous
He let out a long sigh, and the extreme mental fatigue made him feel as if he had completely lost his strength the moment he relaxed. The voice of Achilles echoed in his mind, which used to sound like it was right beside him, but now it felt like an echo in an empty stadium: "I never expected you to actually complete eighty-one cycles..."
Teacher Bangqi initially thought there was an issue with the equipment, but after trying it out, she found nothing wrong; the weight of 100 pounds was quite standard. She looked at Duan Tian in surprise, stroked her chin, and waved at him: "Private Duan Tian, step forward!" Following Teacher Bangqi's instructions, Duan Tian took a step forward, his heel touching the ground with a crisp sound as he stepped out of line, then jogged lightly to stand in front of Teacher Bangqi.
Duan Tian couldn't help but smile wryly: "Alright, you can speak however you like. What did you mean by what you just said?"
If it weren't for his stomach growling with hunger, Duan Tian might not have woken up until noon. When he opened his sleepy eyes, the first thing he saw was Zheng Yu's exaggerated smiling face: "Haha, you woke up just in time for lunch. I am utterly in awe of your biological clock..."
Zheng Yu nudged Sofia with his elbow and said, "Hey, you two make a perfect couple now..." Two rosy clouds appeared on Sofia's apple-like face, but she did not refute him; instead, she felt a sweet sensation in her heart.
Duan Tian attempted to adjust the weight several times, ultimately increasing it to 300 pounds. After completing three sets of training, Duan Tian appeared somewhat out of breath as he stepped down from the equipment
Oh. Duan Tian responded listlessly, resting while casually asking, "You always say my armor is evolving, but where has it evolved? I can't see any changes..."
Duan Tian stood at the end of the line, squinting hard to chase away the drowsiness. However, it seemed that this method was not very effective. The voice of Achilles reappeared in his mind, reproaching him with deep sorrow: "This unlearned and incompetent teacher, a criminal who misleads students, a destroyer of a beautiful future, a fly spreading the virus of thought... Duan Tian, remember this, everything this fool has taught you is wrong, utterly wrong from beginning to end!" He reproached him with deep sorrow: "This unlearned and incompetent teacher, a criminal who misleads students, a destroyer of a beautiful future, a fly spreading the virus of thought... Duan Tian, remember this, everything this fool has taught you is wrong, utterly wrong from beginning to end!"
The extreme mental fatigue and the extreme physical comfort formed a stark contrast. After a complete cycle of eighty-one Jia, the impurities accumulated in the internal organs for over a decade were completely evaporated. His body was also strengthened, as if humanity were still trapped in the era of their home planet, experiencing the comfort of a sauna massage.
Duan Tian responded affirmatively and prepared to begin operating the armor energy according to the route that Achilles had assigned to him yesterday
The exciting afternoon classes failed to awaken Duan Tian from his sweet dreams. It was not until the last session of "Armored Combat" in the simulation war room that he was finally pulled up by Zheng Yu and Sofia, groggily heading to the simulation war room to attend the class
Duan Tian quickly said: "It is better to advance together, teaching me how to become a powerful evolutionary warrior while also teaching me how to make money"
Achilles, in anger, said: "If you continue to obstruct me, do not expect me to be there when you need me in the future"
The benefit of the pyramid scheme is its gradual progression, but the rate of strength increase is relatively slow
Fifty cycles seemed difficult even during the day
The thirty-six cycles are somewhat challenging
Duan Tian is the second student in the class to be taken aside for inspection by the teacher after Sofia. Amid the envious gazes of those privileged classmates, Duan Tian followed Teacher Bangqi closely, marching out of the simulation battle room.
In fact, Kate has encountered freshmen who secretly inject themselves with drugs in order to defeat upperclassmen and seek "instant fame" in her previous teachings
Zhao Yu looked at Duan Tian, who was soundly asleep on the desk, and joked with Sofia, "I've seen students doze off in class, but I've never seen anyone sleep through two classes, even missing the break in between..." Sofia expressed some concern, saying, "The next class is Teacher Kate's 'Cultivation and Evolution.' What are we going to do?" Zhao Yu scoffed, "That snobbish fat woman wouldn't waste her time on little Tian, hum!"
Achilles said listlessly: "There is nothing wrong with practicing physical fitness more often"
After sixty-three cycles, Duan Tian felt that his consciousness had become somewhat blurred, having transformed into a mechanical motion, entirely sustained by his own belief.
Very good, seventy-nine cycles have been completed, just hold on a little longer, you are about to succeed, quickly, start immediately, no slacking off! Do you not want to become the evolution warrior that everyone admires? Are you really going to give up on your dreams? Are you prepared to live your life in mediocrity?
"Hey, wake up, you can't just fall asleep right now." Yet Achilles was unwilling to let him go: "Your mental energy is depleted. If you immediately enter a deep sleep state, it would be akin to a patient who has gone several days without food suddenly consuming a large amount of nutritious food; it would be unbearable for him. Don't sleep just yet, let me chat with you for a while, and then you can sleep later."
Zheng Yu took over the conversation: "It is not a rumor; I have seen it with my own eyes. When facing his aunt Zheng Shuangshuang, he occasionally wears a smile, but when facing his father Zheng Duo, his expression is so cold that it could scrape off a layer of frost to make you a fruit ice mountain"
With a vibrant body and a weary mind, Duan Tian painfully rushed to school. It was inevitable that he would doze off in class
You must understand! Teacher Bangqi's resonant voice echoed in the small simulation war room: "The Evolution Armor is your lifelong companion. Your future battles will be a collaboration between you and your Evolution Armor. Therefore, familiarizing yourself with the performance of your armor is the first step in combat with the armor..."
Twenty-seven cycles can be sustained
However, this individual is notoriously cold-blooded, earning the nickname "The Icy Genius." No one has ever seen him smile, whether in front of the media cameras or during meetings with the Federal Senate. There are rumors that even at home, in the presence of his father, Zheng Duo, the Executive President of Xingzhou Corporation, he rarely shows a smile.
Teacher Bangqi frowned and said, "Private Duan Tian, have you used any potions like 'Giant Power'?" Duan Tian replied loudly, "No!" Teacher Bangqi then said to the others, "Free training!"
"What are you doing, just aimlessly starting to operate the armor? This kind of cultivation yields little effort for great results, do you understand? How did I end up with you, such a foolish student..." The voice of Achilles rang out again, and Duan Tian helplessly said, "Can you not always insult others?" Achilles retorted with justification, "You don't feed me, you mistreat me, and you expect me to have a good temper?"
Duan Tian helplessly said: "There are no pots, bowls, pans, or seasonings at home, and I currently have no money to buy them. Moreover, the things you want to eat are quite expensive even if bought from the supermarket..."
You must remember clearly that the evolution armor is not a partner; it is a part of your body. Therefore, what you need to do is not merely to "familiarize yourself with the armor's capabilities," but to communicate with your armor sincerely and to perceive it with your heart. When the day comes that you feel your evolution armor is your skin, your muscles, your bones, and your internal organs—when the evolution armor truly becomes you—I will be able to trust you to engage in combat with others
After other students complete a set, they always take a break to recover their energy before proceeding to the next set. However, Duan Tian hardly takes any breaks between sets. He simply sits on the equipment, catches his breath for a moment after finishing one set, and then starts the second set. After catching his breath again, he smoothly completes the third set.
There is no issue with eighteen cycles either
Achilles explained the advantages and disadvantages of two plans, then asked him, "Which one do you choose?" Without hesitation, Duan Tian chose the latter. However, he always felt somewhat uneasy, though he could not articulate why.
Do not give up! Duan Tian suddenly awakened, and a surge of energy flowed from his heart, quickly circulating through his body, leaving only the final cycle remaining
Duan Tian, whose energy was nearly exhausted, was completely unaware of the grammatical error in Achilles' statement. In fact, his initial doubts were not unfounded. Although the inverted pyramid plan indeed increases strength at a rapid pace, it carries significant risks. Generally speaking, the first day of a training cycle challenges the limits of the body. This process is extremely dangerous. If Duan Tian were to completely lose consciousness during his training, and the armor energy were to lose control halfway through, the uncontrollable armor energy could easily tear apart his internal organs, turning all the organs in his chest and abdomen into a mess of flesh.
Nine cycles are very easy
Sophia smiled with her lips pressed together in front, while Duan Tian was embarrassed.
In this moment, he found himself at a loss. After hesitating for a while, Achilles immediately said, "It seems that the primary task now is not to train you into an outstanding evolution warrior, but rather to teach you how to make money first"
Achilles indeed began to complain again: "Why do you always eat this junk food? I haven't savored the aroma of good food in a long time." Duan Tian, feeling exhausted, replied: "To enjoy a feast, one needs money. Last time, you consumed all my savings in one meal, and now even my living expenses are a problem. How can I afford to let you eat?" Achilles understood that this was the harsh reality, and there was no way to refuse it. However, he still complained: "Can't you just make something delicious yourself? I can make do for now, and once your cooking skills improve, I can enjoy a feast."
Seeing that Duan Tian still had energy to spare, he said: "You try it yourself, complete three sets of training at eighty percent of the maximum load."
After chatting for a moment, Achilles finally said, "Alright, you can go to sleep now." Duan Tianru felt as if he had been granted a reprieve and was just about to sleep when suddenly an electronic sound rang out: the alarm clock went off, signaling that it was time to get up and go to school.
Achilles chuckled and said, "After this training, you will be able to see it. However, young man, you have already exhausted the rewards from the two summons of the last grand feast, and there are no new grand feasts. Do not expect to see your evolution armor!"
Teacher Bangqi certainly did not know that among the students present, there was a fellow whose mind harbored another soul, a soul that thoroughly refuted his theories. Teacher Bangqi continued, "The evolution armor varies from person to person. Understanding the performance of your armor, integrating it with your own, and developing your unique armor skills is the path to success for evolution warriors. However, before that, there are some fundamental skills that you must learn. Now, I will focus on discussing these fundamental skills."
Zheng Yu looked in astonishment at Zheng Jueqi's back, then glanced at Duan Tian: "My goodness, he actually smiled at you!" Sofia said: "He is not an unparalleled ice beauty; what’s so remarkable about him smiling at Duan Tian?" Suddenly, Sofia thought of something: "Ah, he is the young master Zheng Jueqi from the Zheng family of Xingzhou?"
Since entering the Federal Secondary Academy, I have not experienced a day of individual guidance from a teacher, yet I have completed three sets of training under the personal care of Teacher Bangqi
Not only is Teacher Bangqi strange, but Duan Tian himself is also peculiar. He inwardly asks Achilles: "What is going on? When did my strength become so great?" Achilles chuckles with pride: "Of course, it is because of last night's training. Not only has your internal organ load capacity greatly increased, but your muscle strength has also been enhanced as a result. This is nothing; I have a specialized route for enhancing muscle strength—however, you should first master the current route before moving on to that one... When did my strength become so great?" Achilles chuckles with pride: "Of course, it is because of last night's training. Not only has your internal organ load capacity greatly increased, but your muscle strength has also been enhanced as a result. This is nothing; I have a specialized route for enhancing muscle strength—however, you should first master the current route before moving on to that one..."
Zheng Jueqi is said to be a once-in-a-century genius from the Zheng family, possessing an extraordinary talent for interstellar weaponry from a young age. It is reported that the latest long-range starship cannon, the 'Shayue III' purchased by the Federation from Xingzhou Company, was independently designed by Zheng Jueqi, surpassing the standards of similar class cannons
Duan Tian still did not understand, and Sophia explained: "Have you heard of the Star Universe Interstellar Weapons Company?" Duan Tian nodded. If one had not heard of the Star Universe Interstellar Weapons Company on Giant 6, it would indeed be a sign of extreme ignorance. The renowned Star Universe is the largest interstellar business empire on Giant 6, and they are also one of the three major weapons suppliers for the Federal Interstellar Fleet, representing the pride of the entire Giant 6
Therefore, when she found out that Duan Tian was working at a private pharmacy, she immediately categorized him as one of those overambitious students who sought to "show off" without knowing their own limitations
Even with Achilles guiding by his side, such dangers still exist. If it were not for Achilles casually uttering the word "dream," which awakened Duan Tian's consciousness, the last two cycles would surely have encountered problems.
Duan Tian became interested: "Where did it go wrong?"
Dream! Duan Tian suddenly awoke, and his father's face appeared before him, the kind voice echoing in his ears: "Xiao Tian, your mother and I have no regrets; you should have a better life..."