Martial Saint!

"The Shaochong Acupoint has effects similar to the other acupoints on the hand.

The unique aspect is that the Master said that opening the Shaochong Acupoint would help make the body light and nimble, greatly benefiting the cultivation of movement technique-based Martial Arts.

Whether that's true or not, practice the Sea-Sweeping Body once and you'll know.

Some time later, Lu Chenzhou opened the Martial Arts Tree.

[Sea-Sweeping Body: Proficient (98%) → Proficient (99%)]

"Indeed, it's a bit faster. Before, I needed to practice three full sets to improve by one percent, but now only two sets are needed," the Martial Arts Tree can vividly display the difference.

Lu Chenzhou reflected on the difference before and after. He planned to spend the next two days practicing more on the wooden poles at the Martial Arts Hall, to push the Sea-Sweeping Body into the Mastery Realm in one go!

…

April 2nd, morning.

At Wanhua High School, in the head teacher's office.

"Chenzhou, this time your performance wasn't very ideal."

The math teacher looked at Chenzhou in front of him.

After progressing for several months, Lu Chenzhou's ranking had fallen.

In March's monthly exam, he ranked 18th.

What can one say about it, it was quite good.

It just didn't meet his expectations.

Lu Chenzhou fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Teacher, I plan to participate in Pingjiang Martial Arts University's special recruitment exam this June. So last month, I spent more time on Martial Arts."

He didn't intend to hide it.

Upon hearing this, the math teacher was slightly surprised at first.

He remembered that the entrance requirements for Pingjiang Martial Arts University were not low. Although they were not as high as the 24 Alliance, they were certainly not something ordinary Martial Arts Universities could compare to; one had to reach Third Rank before the age of 17!

"Chenzhou, have you reached Third Rank?"

"Yes, Teacher."

The math teacher was completely shocked.

My goodness!

Third Rank, the peak of the Ming Power Realm. He remembered that half a year ago, Lu Chenzhou hadn't even entered the first rank yet, what exactly happened in these past six months? It was simply unbelievable!

He had heard that a teacher's child at the school, who had Intermediate root bone and went to a Martial Arts School, plus various favorable conditions, only reached Third Rank at the age of 15.

Lu Chenzhou's root bone was not even good.

His family's financial condition was even more average.

On top of that, he still had to prioritize academics.

One could say he was saddled with debuffs to the max.

Yet, he was able to reach Third Rank at the age of 16, and he achieved three breakthroughs within half a year; could this be what they call a late bloomer, building up a strong foundation before striking? Or is it exceptional comprehension?

It seemed this was the only explanation.

For a moment, the math teacher was bewildered.

All this time insisting that Lu Chenzhou should study cultural courses well, was he hindering his real work? But that was also his duty as a teacher.

The conflicted teacher didn't know what to say.

In the end, it all turned into a sigh that was both happy and helpless.

Old Cui laughed and said:

"Okay, I understand now. Prepare well, and if you can get into Pingjiang Martial Arts University, I'll truly be happy for you. Both Martial Artists and scientists are pillars of our country, without them, we wouldn't have such a harmonious and stable society.

Even if we set that aside, with your current academic results and talent, as long as you pay a little attention to your studies, it won't be difficult to get into a key university. I'm not trying to discourage you, but people always need to have a backup plan. Those who succeed by burning their boats often benefit from survivorship bias.

In case Martial Arts doesn't work out, you'll still be talented in society."

Lu Chenzhou was very grateful to the math teacher.

"Student will keep Teacher's teachings in mind."

"Alright, you can go back… oh, and if you get into Pingjiang Martial Arts University, you can come to the school with the relevant proof. In response to the national call, the school plans to set up a small Martial Arts scholarship called the Hidden Dragon Scholarship, mainly for kids like you in a cultural high school setting. It's not a lot of money, the highest tier is just fifty thousand yuan, but that should be enough for you to buy a few boxes of Supplement."

Hearing about the Hidden Dragon Award, Lu Chenzhou's eyes sparkled.

What he needed most now was money.

There are too few ways for a student to earn money.

"Thank you, Teacher, I understand."

Looking at the student's retreating figure, the math teacher pondered.

"If Chenzhou becomes a Martial Artist, I'll also be the teacher of a strong person."

…

In the classroom.

Qin Zheng heard that Lu Chenzhou's ranking had dropped.

"Really? Are you kidding me?"

"It's true, the report cards are about to come out."

"Pretty good, brother—at least you're still human. If you kept soaring in both martial arts and academics, I'd start suspecting you were some kind of monster."

Lu Chenzhou was utterly indifferent to this.

"Two more months until the exam, and I've achieved Perfection in Basic Boxing, Small Success in Black Tiger Fist, and Third Rank Qi-Blood... I've met all three requirements."

Registration would start on May 25, continuing until the end of the month.

Lu Chenzhou noted this down in his memo and took a screenshot to set as his phone's wallpaper. He had an excellent memory, but when it came to applying for Pingjiang Martial Arts University, no mistakes were allowable.

He had waited for this day for far too long!

...

At dusk, at the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.

In the Qi-Blood Measurement Room.

[Qi Blood Value 1.76, congratulations, you've reached the Third Rank standard!]

Lu Chenzhou heaved a long sigh of relief.

"Indeed, Third Rank."

He exited the measurement room and saw Shi Ruyu nearby.

"How did it go?"

"Third Rank, senior sister."

Shi Ruyu's eyes lit up, and she couldn't hide the smile on her lips.

"Great, you're set for Pingjiang Martial Arts University!"

Lu Chenzhou's strength had already surpassed hers from the time she applied to Pingjiang Martial Arts University. Don't forget, with two more months until the exam, he still had room for improvement!

"I'll take your auspicious words, senior sister."

Lu Chenzhou also allowed himself the rare pleasure of a smile.

He had been obsessed with Martial Arts since he was a child. Apart from his parents, he hardly had any friends. It wasn't until high school when he joined the Martial Arts Society that he met Qin Zheng and Shi Ruyu.

And the people from the Martial Arts Hall.

This small circle was his only social life.

"Come over here, the Master wants to see you."

"The Master wants to see me?"

"Yes."

Lu Chenzhou followed Shi Ruyu, filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, wondering if the Master had recognized the talent he had displayed.

In this era, martial prowess was linked with prestige!

Strength ignored one's background. As long as you held the greater good at heart and your core values were solid, the state would support your Martial Arts study vigorously. It was unwise to hide one's talents.

Ji Xuantong had already brewed a pot of tea.

Lu Chenzhou noticed another person in the Martial Arts Room.

The man was not tall, about five foot eight inches, with grizzled temples and the youthful face of an elder, his sharp eyes beaming with the intensity of a hawk, his presence grand and towering like a lofty mountain!

He sipped his tea, as serene as a deity.

Lu Chenzhou felt a bit nervous.

"This man, he's powerful!"

He seemed no less formidable than the towering police officer he had encountered... Of course, he was too weak to judge accurately. When someone's strength reached a certain level, his senses might deceive him.

In any case, this was definitely a major figure.

Ji Xuantong gestured for them to come over.

"Ruyu, Chenzhou, come and sit."

"Okay, Teacher."

Shi Ruyu tugged at Lu Chenzhou, saying:

"Take a seat."

They both took their seats next to Ji Xuantong with great decorum.

The elder's scrutinizing gaze swept over them, and in that instant, both Lu Chenzhou and Shi Ruyu felt the dangerous sensation of chicks being preyed upon by a mighty eagle high in the sky. It wasn't that the elder bore any malice, but the aura of someone who had broken through shackles would instinctively instill fear in common folk.

Ji Xuantong spoke earnestly:

"Let me introduce you, this is my teacher from Dragon City Martial Arts University, Qingtian Cang·Li Shoukun, a Martial Arts Master who has broken through the Third Shackles!

You may call him Senior Qingtian Cang. He is deeply versed in the Elephant Form lineage of the Eagle Form and is a renowned force within the school's Eagle Form Sect. Currently, he teaches at Dragon City Martial Arts University and is also a member of the Elephant Form Eagle Sect Fist Technique Development Committee…"

This senior held many titles.

Any single one of them sounded impressive.

Lu Chenzhou had seen Absolute Peak Strong practitioners who had Broken through Seven Shackles on television, but Martial Artists were rare in reality, let alone a Third Shackles Breaker?

"We have seen Senior Qingtian Cang!"

"We have seen Senior Qingtian Cang!"

Both greeted him, their hearts tinged with nervousness.

Qingtian Cang nodded slightly and took a sip of tea before saying:

"Martial Arts knows no bounds, and I am merely a seeker who started on this long journey a bit earlier than you. There's no need to be too formal around me.

I'm here because Ji Xuantong has spoken of your fine progress in Martial Arts over the past six months, despite being of Low Class root bone. He mentioned that you might have insights that could potentially lead to the Martial Bone Dao Embryo, so I've come to see for myself. If true, we cannot allow your talents to be buried here."