Lying in bed, Sean Carter felt utterly exhausted, as if he could fall into a deep sleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

“Dad, I feel really tired.” Sean Carter forced a smile and said, “I want to sleep a bit longer.”

“All right.” Old Miller touched his forehead, which didn’t seem to have a fever. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Get some good rest. I’m heading out to work in the fields.”

Sean Carter looked so unwell that Old Miller was very worried, but there wasn’t much he could do. For them, sleeping and resting might be the only way to fight off illness.

After Old Miller left the room, Sean Carter squinted at the window, where the sun was already shining brightly.

Normally, he would get up at dawn to work, but today he had dragged it out until now, and still felt so listless. Of course Old Miller would be concerned.

With a bitter smile, Sean Carter still felt drained. Glancing around, he picked up the sleep mask beside him, turned it on, and immediately drifted off again.

In a flash, he found himself once more in that vast building with endless space.

As soon as he arrived here, Sean Carter’s spirits lifted instantly. The sense of dejection from before seemed to sprout wings and quietly slip away.

“Welcome back.” Number One suddenly appeared before him, wearing a teasing expression. “You really are diligent.”

Sean Carter was taken aback and asked, “How did you know?”

“I’m collecting data from outside, so I happened to see it.”

“Why are you collecting data from outside?” Sean Carter asked curiously.

“Because too much information has been lost, so I want to rebuild a complete database.” Number One tilted his head and suddenly said exaggeratedly, “According to the limited data I have, your level of effort would be considered extremely rare even in the Grand Federation. In fact, you have the potential to become an ascetic.”

“Ascetic? What’s that?”

“That’s a type of cultivation profession, using all sorts of harsh conditions to stimulate the body in order to achieve continuous improvement.”

Recalling his earlier actions, Sean Carter couldn’t help but chuckle. It seemed his recent behavior really did resemble that of an ascetic.

“Number One, how is my body now?”

“Excellent. Your body is in peak condition, only your energy is a bit depleted. But don’t worry, as long as you rest here for six hours, you’ll be full of vigor when you go back out.”

“Six hours?” Sean Carter asked in confusion, “Didn’t you say that half-depth sleep only takes three hours to fully recover energy?”

“Yes, but you seem to have forgotten the reverse time learning method.”

Sean Carter suddenly understood—so the time ratio between this virtual space and the outside world was still two to one.

“Since you’re here, don’t waste time. I suggest you start learning the second section of the first set of beginner broadcast exercises.”

“So soon? Shouldn’t it take some time practicing before my body and these movements are fully in sync?”

“Yes, for most people, even if they’re physically strong, it’s impossible to master a section of movements in half a day. But you’re clearly an exception.”

Sean Carter was startled and asked, “You mean I’ve already mastered these movements?”

“Yes. I’ve read all your physical data—you’ve fully met the basic requirements for the second section.” Number One said with some emotion, “Your willpower is truly rare, so I suggest you try the ascetic profession.”

After hesitating, Sean Carter still asked, “How do ascetics do it?”

“Before practicing these movements, they keep training their bodies until their fatigue reaches a warning point, and only then do they start practicing. Although it’s much more painful to practice at that point, it’s the best way to improve physical abilities and temper willpower.” After saying this, Number One sighed and added, “Everyone in the Grand Federation basically knows this principle, but those who can actually do it and stick with it are less than one in a million.”

Sean Carter’s expression changed slightly. One in a million—being an ascetic really isn’t something ordinary people can do.

But thinking back to how he felt while practicing those movements earlier, he felt more confident. Doing those damned movements when your muscles are sore and numb definitely takes stronger willpower.

What puzzled him, though, was that while it was uncomfortable, it wasn’t unbearable. Why, then, were so few people in the so-called Grand Federation able to persist?

Although Sean Carter was smart, with his experience he couldn’t imagine the level of abundance in the future Grand Federation. At that time, humanity’s material standard would be extremely high—everyone could live in comfort even if they did nothing at all. In addition, advanced medical care would ensure human longevity.