Martial Saint!

Shi Ruyu, the fist technique teacher hired by Wanhua High School.

She surveyed her surroundings and found only Lu Chenzhou alone.

Shi Ruyu said helplessly with a smile,

"I'm about to administer the second monthly test, and fewer and fewer students are showing up for class. Thankfully you're here, or I'd feel pretty awkward lecturing to thin air. I appreciate the support.

But I see you spend a lot of time practicing Martial Arts every day. Aren't you afraid it will affect your academic subjects? After all, for you, perhaps academic studies are truly the way forward."

Lu Chenzhou stood erect and first saluted his teacher.

"Hello, teacher."

He sincerely said,

"I think academics and Martial Arts are not in conflict."

He had indeed always been deeply devoted to practicing Martial Arts.

Yet, it didn't affect his ability to rank first in his class in academic subjects.

For Lu Chenzhou, academic subjects came naturally. Although he was at an academic school, his heart yearned only for Martial Arts University. Practicing Martial Arts was his lifelong pursuit, with no ulterior motives – just pure enjoyment. He relished the feeling of getting stronger.

Shi Ruyu looked at the earnest-faced Lu Chenzhou.

He appeared to have not a trace of arrogance.

It had been two months since Lu Chenzhou enrolled, and through their interactions over this period, she could sense that this young man was truly passionate about Martial Arts.

In ancient times, he would have been called a "Martial Fool."

"What a pity..." she couldn't help but sigh.

"Teacher, what's a pity?"

"It would've been wonderful if you had an intermediate root bone, then you wouldn't have wasted nine years in this place."

Lu Chenzhou paused for a moment before replying,

"There's nothing to pity. There are quite a few Martial Artists who graduated from academic schools. I believe that as long as one is willing to make the effort, breaking the First Shackles is not impossible."

He was born this way; he wasn't someone who would resent the heavens and the earth.

"That's true, but survivorship bias..." Shi Ruyu didn't want to discourage Lu Chenzhou too much.

She admired this young man.

She had heard from other students that, starting in primary school, Lu Chenzhou had been practicing his punches every morning. Over nine years, except for teacher-ordered breaks, he hadn't missed a single day.

Such perseverance was indeed commendable.

In ancient times, it was said, "Hear the rooster, practice Martial Arts."

It sounds simple, but not many could persist for nine years.

After waiting a bit longer, Shi Ruyu said,

"It seems that indeed no one else is coming, let's start the class."

Lu Chenzhou thought about having the teacher all to himself and felt it was a bargain. Shi Ruyu was a Martial Artist at the Peak of the Dark Power Realm, just one step away from stepping into the Power Transformation Realm. Considering that one lesson with a bald coach who only had Second Rank charged him 300, this was a steal.

"Lu Chenzhou, show me a set first."

Shi Ruyu stood with her hands behind her back and spoke sternly.

"Alright."

Lu Chenzhou immediately assumed the stance and performed his Great Success Level Basic Boxing fluidly, waiting for Shi Ruyu's feedback.

Shi Ruyu's keen eye instantly noticed a difference in Lu Chenzhou today.

He had previously stated that he had reached Small Success in his fist technique by ninth grade. He had been stuck at the edge of Great Success for some time, unable to progress further, but today he had unexpectedly broken through.

It was the same old saying.

Practicing Fist Technique demands perseverance, and success will come naturally.

She applauded with a smile:

"Wow, you've achieved Great Success quietly."

Now she somewhat believed that one day Lu Chenzhou could become a Martial Artist.

Lu Chenzhou: "Teacher teaches well."

Being complimented by a student, Shi Ruyu also felt gratified.

"You don't have to be modest. To achieve Great Success in Basic Boxing in high school with Low Class root bone is rare. It shows that you have worked hard and your comprehension is also decent."

Of course, compared to those with Intermediate or higher root bones, he was still far behind. Most of those who had been in Martial Arts classes since junior high had achieved Great Success or even Perfection in Basic Boxing. Some prodigies had achieved Perfection in elementary school even. But she didn't tell Lu Chenzhou this, it was pointless. The innate conditions and resources of those people were beyond what Lu Chenzhou could compare with.

Shi Ruyu thought of something and reminded him:

"From Great Success to Perfection is the hardest step in Basic Boxing. You will need to pay more attention. If you can achieve Perfection before you turn 18, you will have the chance to participate in some special recruitment exams of ordinary Martial Arts Universities... I think you have a good chance."

She had entered Pingjiang Martial Arts University this way four years ago.

Perfection in Basic Boxing was just one of the conditions for special recruitment exams. To pass the assessment, there were rank and other requirements; the sooner you achieve Perfection, the better.

However, Pingjiang Martial Arts University was considered a First Class university, just below the top twenty-four. Hence, the requirements were higher, and one must achieve Perfection in Basic Boxing before the age of 17. As for the top-tier schools, they required it be done before the age of 14 or 15, which was no longer an opportunity for Lu Chenzhou.

She had seen his data; his birthday was January 1st.

Of course, rules are dead.

If Lu Chenzhou could awaken some Martial Bone Tao Body or show surprising comprehension with a sudden burst of potential, then these top universities would snatch him up like predators smelling meat. But such occurrences were as likely as winning the lottery.

Both with Low Class root bones.

She understood the difficulties Lu Chenzhou faced.

Today, seeing her student make a breakthrough, Shi Ruyu was in a good mood. She said:

"Now that you've achieved Great Success, there's not much more I can teach you about Basic Boxing... Let's talk about some other knowledge and practical combat today."

Lu Chenzhou immediately stood upright and listened attentively.

Shi Ruyu said:

"Basic Boxing is derived from the Elephant Form lineage, a tradition that is longstanding and can be traced back to the ancient ancestors, though the specific dates are hard to verify. However, the person who greatly elevated and integrated it was Ling Kong Shangren from Wutai Mountain.

After the establishment of the new Da Xia, the Martial Arts Association, aiming to promote Martial Arts to all citizens, invited several Martial Arts Grandmasters from the Elephant Form Sect to draft the 'Basic Boxing' curriculum based on the physical traits of Da Xia's people.

Thus, the theory and techniques of Basic Boxing are much like those of Elephant Form Fist, focusing on eight characters: 'Six Books for battle, Eight Techniques to injure the enemy!' As long as you comprehend these, you can adapt to various combat situations on the spot and use your fists against the enemy..."

Lu Chenzhou, having an excellent memory, still opened his smartphone's memo app, just to be safe, and began meticulously recording the key points his teacher mentioned.

Much of this knowledge could perhaps be found online.

But without someone to guide, it's hard to gather.

Seeing how earnest Lu Chenzhou was, Shi Ruyu as a teacher also felt joyous.

"Six Books are Elephant Form, Intention, Borrowing, Annotated Transfer, Designated Matters, Sound Shape... Eight Techniques are Grabbing, Pouncing, Shaking, Lifting, Intercepting, Hanging, Relaxing, Silkiness..."

Shi Ruyu explained as she demonstrated the punches.

As she threw a punch, it was as if the wind was rising and clouds surging.

Lu Chenzhou noticed that the knuckles of her fists had many calluses.

Not like many of his female classmates' white and smooth hands.

This was a badge of honor for a Martial Artist.

Shi Ruyu leaped forward over a distance of about a meter to Lu Chenzhou, and the wind of her punch caused a bit of stinging pain on his face. Lu Chenzhou agilely dodged and used his palm to push her arm away, and after stabilizing, he raised his right arm in a defensive posture.

But his entire demeanor seemed slightly flustered.

Shi Ruyu slightly frowned and said:

"At any time, do not instinctively show a panic-stricken face, even if you are at your wits' end. Do not let the enemy notice that you've lost your footing!

Of course, sometimes it's possible to deceive the enemy into carelessness, but that's a minor tactic, and a true Martial Artist wouldn't fall for such tricks."

Lu Chenzhou learned some more.

"Thank you for the teachings, Teacher."

After the critique, Shi Ruyu showed an approving expression:

"Your response is still quite good.

Understanding and Elephant Form are not just about learning your master's fist moves, motions, and trajectory paths. You also need to learn about spirit, momentum, and demeanor. A Martial Artist, no matter the strength of their cultivation, wherever and whenever, must show true Martial Spirit!

At high levels of Martial Arts, it's necessarily about the integration of spirit, energy, and essence. The battles of strong Martial Artists are not just physical fights but also clashes of spirit! Of course, this is very far from both you and me... I'm also just showing off what I heard in university in front of you."

Shi Ruyu looked at Lu Chenzhou, who seemed to understand but might also be a bit lost, and smiled:

"Don't worry if you can't learn what I taught today, much of it is beyond the syllabus. I only shared it because I felt a connection with you. If you could become a disciple of a real Martial Artist, you would understand everything... Come on, let's continue practicing!"