Ever since Zhou Yuan started focusing on two major things—eating and sleeping—his reputation as a madman only grew louder. It's not that the villagers were overly shocked; rather, his behavior was just too peculiar.

Initially, even though he talked brashly and acted ruthlessly, he at least communicated normally and lived like an average person. But now, he treated simple steamed buns like precious treasures, savoring each bite as though eating gourmet delicacies. If it were just that, the villagers might still call him honest and good-hearted. However, Zhou Yuan didn’t just eat slowly during a meal; he spread his meals out, eating small amounts dozens of times a day. His constant nibbling terrified the villagers assigned to watch over him, thinking he had lost all sense of hunger and fullness.

“Stone, don’t do something stupid! Are you trying to stuff yourself to death for a laugh? If you want something better to eat, just say so! You don’t have to scare us like this.”

“Uncle Huang, you’re content with life, but I’m not ready to leave this world. I’m preparing for the hardships of military service, trying to get in as many full meals as I can before I might not even have bread to eat. But you’re right; maybe some better food will keep my mind off these buns. How about you fix me something nice tomorrow?”

“Bah! You brat! What nonsense are you talking about? Who says I’m content? You’re speaking craziness! Besides, if the army doesn’t even provide a mouthful of food, who’s going to fight for the nobles, huh? There’s plenty of food in the barracks!”

“Don’t be so sure. If I were a general, I’d definitely send cavalry to burn enemy supplies, making them starve and cry out in pain.”

“Where did you get these wild ideas? We’re just conscripts, not soldiers going to war. Do you even understand military service? It means replacing old soldiers, carrying supplies, digging trenches, cutting wood, and building walls. Lots of labor! If you want to fight as an elite soldier, you have to be chosen!”

“That’s terrible. No wonder you’re so relaxed; the village has many able-bodied men, so you won’t have to be at the front lines.”

“Heh, that’s one perk of being older. You youngsters should take note.”

Seeing Zhou Yuan still capable of holding a conversation without sounding utterly mad, Zhao Da Huang sighed in relief. This imaginative kid really needed to be sent to the army soon, or he’d surely cause trouble.

The three villagers watching Zhou Yuan thought Zhao Da Huang had persuaded him, but they underestimated Zhou Yuan. He talked one way but acted another, as if his body and mind were driven by entirely different forces.

The next morning, not only did Zhou Yuan repeat his antics, but he also became even more unpredictable, almost absurd.

“Boys, I thought all night and grasped the true essence of martial arts. Mastery is about a balance of tension and relaxation, activity and rest. We train our active skills, but for rest, we must also train... sleeping! The art of stillness! From now on, I’ll run, eat, sleep, practice swordplay, eat, sleep... Repeat all day!”

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The villagers exchanged looks, confused and speechless.

“Oh no, Uncle Huang, I think Stone’s nonsense is making sense to me. Am I losing my mind too?”

Thud!

Zhao Da Huang smacked the man on the chest, eyes fierce.

“Rubbish! You’re not losing your mind; you’re becoming clever. Do you understand? Just cleverness! If you don’t want to be known as a clever troublemaker, keep your mouth shut!”

“Boohoo… Got it, Uncle Huang. I’m as honest as they come, not clever at all. But, Uncle Huang, maybe we should swap out watching Stone. If this keeps up, he’ll drive us all crazy.”

“Let’s wait a bit more. Stone’s just a clever one, not truly evil inside…”

Noticing the villagers distancing themselves, Zhou Yuan knew he might have overdone it. His habits had changed too abruptly and illogically. If not for the looming draft, the villagers would have steered clear long ago.

“Ah, hang in there, guys.”

With his excuse established, Zhou Yuan stopped holding back. His daily routine became a loop of running, eating, sleeping, practicing sword and spear techniques, and napping. Even at night, he kept up his training. The villagers couldn't fathom how someone could train around the clock without rest.

Unbeknownst to them, Zhou Yuan was also exhausted from trying polyphasic sleep. His brain felt like mush, but his status panel kept him informed of his condition, and his pursuit of skill mastery kept him motivated. Despite everything, he adapted quickly, entering a state that wasn’t enlightenment but pure, relentless focus on his goals.

He soon reaped the benefits. The first improvement came from eating.

[You have mastered ‘Food Supplementation,’ gaining a lifestyle skill.] [Food Supplementation Lv.1 (1/10)] [Effect: Absorb more nutrients from food through fine chewing; when well-fed, slightly restore health.]

“Higher efficiency in absorbing nutrients and minor health restoration... this is fantastic! My plan to skill-ify my survival abilities is working!”

With the new skill came a small self-healing ability, giving Zhou Yuan more confidence in his rigorous training. Seeing his health drop to 91%, he decided to seek supplements to heal the strain he’d placed on his body.

“Stone, what are you doing outside at this hour?”

The villagers were at their wit's end with Zhou Yuan's erratic schedule. In the end, they arranged for two young men to accompany his daytime training while Zhao Da Huang, the elder, kept watch at night.

“Uncle Huang, I had another realization. Martial arts aren’t just about moving and resting; they also emphasize the medicinal value of food. If we don’t nourish our bodies, we’re just depleting our life force.”

“You promised to feed me well, yet all I got was a single egg in days. I know you’re doing your best, but now I’ll take matters into my own hands and get us some proper food to nourish our bodies.”

“Brat, can’t you stop with all this enlightenment talk? Don’t do anything reckless. We don’t have much to spare, and you can’t go robbing people.”

“I know, but some folks around here do have plenty. We’ll go get some good meat and help our stomachs by taking from the wealthy.”

Zhao Da Huang licked his chapped lips. The hunger from night shifts was unbearable. His mind struggled, but his body followed Zhou Yuan, seeking food.

When they neared a compound with tiled walls and a yard, Zhao Da Huang’s senses returned.

“Stone, this is Old Li’s place! You can’t do this!”

“No worries. Old Li’s loaded; I’ll just borrow a chicken. I’ll pay him back in a hundred or so years.”

“A hundred years? That’s stealing!”

“How can martial training be called stealing? It’s a justified borrowing. Old Li’s family has profited plenty. If he can take from others, we can surely take a bit from him!”