Chapter 60: Expanding One’s Horizons (First Update, Please Bookmark)

“Ring… ring…”

In the early morning, amid the shrill sound of the alarm clock, a hand stretched out from under the covers, fumbled twice, switched off the alarm, and then withdrew back beneath the warmth.

A few minutes later, Li Yian finally got out of bed. The two little Cuban enchantresses still lay sprawled on the bed. How did they get here?

It seemed they were brought back from a bar or casino last night. After a night of subduing demons and spirits, though somewhat fatigued, he had ultimately conquered these little enchantresses. The body still needed exercise.

Out of habit, he took two bills from his wallet and placed them on the bedside table. Gazing at their graceful figures, Li Yian couldn’t help but sigh.

“Ah, always so much to handle!”

It was six o’clock in the morning.

Bathed in the morning sunlight, Li Yian put on his Bluetooth earphones and jogged briskly out of the National Hotel, running along the seaside promenade.

Travelling to Colombia inevitably required a transfer in Havana. By now, he had become a regular at the National Hotel, not only enjoying the service of a personal driver but also having a reserved room. After his flight from Bogotá landed in Havana, a private car took him straight to the hotel, where he checked into his designated room.

One had to admit, Havana’s hospitality industry, honed under American influence, was outstanding. Feeling the Caribbean sun, even in this entrepreneurial phase, Li Yian found a hint of blissful contentment.

Champagne, beer, seafood, and passionate Cuban ladies—who could resist such a life of indulgence?

Listening to music through his earphones and enjoying the sea breeze, Li Yian found himself captivated by everything around him.

He was grateful to have crossed over into the modern world, no longer worrying about electricity. With just a 220-volt converter, he could charge his phone and listen to music during long journeys.

Running was no exception.

The body was the foundation for enjoying life; morning jogging alone was insufficient.

“From now on, I must sleep early and rise early.”

Starting today, he resolved to resist the temptations of those Cuban women. But faced with such slender, passionate beauties, who could really say no?

Well, men were always straightforward, and when it came to beauty, resistance was rarely strong.

Amid the music, a picturesque scene unfolded before his eyes. Crafted by Spaniards and Americans, Havana resembled a beautiful garden. Running along the seaside promenade, on one side was the lush garden, on the other, the Caribbean Sea’s vast expanse. Running in such surroundings was truly a pleasure. Unconsciously, his pace quickened.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Just as he picked up speed, a luminous screen flickered before him.

[New skill detected: “Running” is available to learn. Would you like to learn it?]

Was this really necessary?

With the mindset that more skills never hurt, Li Yian clicked without hesitation.

“Learn!”

[Skill “Running” has been acquired.]

As before, a wealth of running and exercise knowledge flooded his mind—covering many advanced future theories and training methods. Though basic, they were far ahead of the present era.

At the same time, he sensed some change within his body.

Though after crossing over, he already felt his physical condition significantly improved—stronger, quicker reflexes, even enhanced intelligence and memory—he had never experienced such a bodily sensation before.

Looking down the path ahead, Li Yian stretched his legs, bounced a few times, then started jogging. At first, his speed was moderate; after a few steps, he suddenly accelerated into a sprint. What happened next was astounding: a young man in running shorts and a tank top dashed along the roadside at an incredible speed.

Ahead of him was a cyclist, initially leading, but soon they ran neck and neck. The cyclist glanced at Li Yian, who was accelerating rapidly, and tried to keep pace. Within mere dozens of steps, Li Yian left the cyclist trailing by at least ten meters.

The cyclist was so shocked by the speed he took a step back. Attempting to chase, he found Li Yian already more than twenty meters ahead. Staring dumbfounded in the direction where Li Yian vanished, he exclaimed:

“Who... who is this guy? How can he run so fast?!”

After nearly two kilometers, Li Yian finally stopped, breathing heavily. At the same time, a prompt popped up in his mind.

[Completed a running training session. Running experience +1. Level 1, 1/100.]

His heart pounded fiercely, but his body was still brimming with energy.

“Looks like I can keep running, and even faster!”

Indeed, after crossing over, his body had undergone some transformation, and learning the skill had further enhanced it.

“It seems learning this skill not only teaches technique but also strengthens the body!”

Excited by this realization, Li Yian mused.

“Since running developed a new skill, does that mean engaging in related activities can unlock more skills?”

One shouldn’t be greedy with learning—too much leads to mediocrity and no time.

But that was fine; Li Yian was confident he learned quickly. One “technique” unlocked, countless other “skills” awaited to be mastered.

At a pace of one skill per day, theoretically, he could learn 365 new skills in a year.

No matter how vast or varied human knowledge was, he could master it all!

If he wished, a stroll through a university could even let him compile a current human knowledge compendium.

Surely, it would be a bit taxing on the brain cells.

“But brain cells metabolize naturally anyway! Not using them to learn new skills would be such a waste.”

In that moment, Li Yian’s imagination stirred.

“The running knowledge system includes some future theories, which means learning a skill is like smuggling technology? The more skills I learn, the more advanced tech I ‘smuggle’ in?”

Assuming the system functioned as he hoped—allowing continuous learning of new skills, even encompassing future knowledge—he could pull off some ultimate maneuvers!

No need for any laboratories.

Next time, he could “study” in a lab and directly acquire future chemistry knowledge. Even basic chemistry would outpace the era.

Then, that so-called “Orange Agent” would be just the appetizer.

For instance, if he wanted to make money, he could copy the molecular formulas of some chemical compounds, start a pharmaceutical company, apply for patents, and launch products...

That would be a huge profit!

And a win-win!

Who said studying management meant he couldn’t understand mechanical engineering, light weapon design, or radio technology?

What if he even mastered medicine?

Why not self-taught and become a cross-disciplinary “master of all trades”?

No, no—his thinking wasn’t open enough yet. He hadn’t taken big enough strides!

Who said his skills should be limited to chemistry?

If he kept going this way, he could turn himself into a walking “encyclopedia”...

Physics, mathematics, architecture, engineering, metallurgy, biology...

Oh my, it seemed he was about to plunder the entire future of human civilization!

This was exhilarating!

Could this be the proper way to unlock the “system”?

Sorry, old me… my vision was too limited!