Junior Divine Script Researcher

Zhou Leng said, "Martial arts research, you mean?"

"Yes."

"I probably wasn't good at that. But if I had to name something, I'd done a little research in the field of Divine Scripts and had recently been studying it in greater depth," Zhou Leng said.

Deng Zhijue was slightly surprised. "You were researching Divine Scripts at such a young age? Divine Scripts are known as the pearl atop the crown of research across the Ten Realms, as profound as the Martial Dao."

"I had a little talent for Divine Scripts," Zhou Leng said.

Deng Zhijue's eyes lit up. "If you said you had talent, then there was no doubt about it. The Practical Combat Test is this morning, and classes officially begin this afternoon. After class, we'll go to the 'proctoring room' to take the online examination for Junior Divine Script Researcher."

"That examination must be quite difficult, right?" Zhou Leng's gaze turned somewhat strange.

"All examinations involving Divine Scripts are difficult. I don't believe you can pass on your first try either. I just want you to give it a shot and see how many points you can score. Once we know where you stand, you can prepare for the next attempt."

"Alright."

Deng Zhijue smiled. "If you really pass this examination, not only will you receive a monthly subsidy of 6,000, but you'll also qualify to take part in the Divine Script General Administration's Divine Script deciphering rewards."

Yet Zhou Leng seemed somewhat absent-minded. After hesitating, he said, "Instructor, could you help unseal my network account? I wanted to participate in some online activities before, but they were all forced to stop because I couldn't communicate."

"Network account? You..." Deng Zhijue froze for a moment before quickly understanding.

"Because of your uncle?" Deng Zhijue asked.

Zhou Leng nodded. "Other than him, there should be no reason to seal the network account of an ordinary person like me."

Deng Zhijue sighed. "My rank can't handle this matter. But I'll go find the gym master. His authority should be sufficient."

"Hm? The gym master would involve himself in my affairs?" Zhou Leng asked.

Deng Zhijue gave Zhou Leng a strange look, then said earnestly, "Our gym master, Wang Boxiong, is a very kind senior. If he knows you're in trouble, he'll definitely be willing to help."

"Please thank the gym master for me."

"I'll contact him right away."

After Deng Zhijue sent Wang Boxiong a message, he said, "Come on. Let's head to the martial arts gym first."

Wang Boxiong walked out of the Innate Martial Arts Gymnasium, glanced at the information Deng Zhijue had sent him, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Wang Boxiong thought for quite some time before sending Chen Shouhu a message.

"Zhou Leng's network account has been sealed. He can't even take online examinations."

"What does that have to do with me? He's one of your Martial Guard Bureau people now."

"My authority isn't enough."

"And mine is?"

"Heh."

The two of them traded barbs with hidden blades.

Chen Shouhu stared at that single "heh," and Wang Boxiong's icy face appeared before his eyes.

Chen Shouhu snorted coldly and shut off the projection screen.

After quite a while, he helplessly dialed a number.

"Hello, Second Uncle."

"Let me make this clear beforehand: I'm not cleaning up your mess."

"No, I just need you to do me a favor and unseal a network account."

The other end fell silent for a long while before saying, "You called General Staff just to unseal a network account? Explain yourself."

"Zhou Leng, a kid."

"Bullshit."

"Ma Xingkong's nephew."

"You little bastard, always digging pits for your second uncle. No, the matter back then caused too much of a stir. It wouldn't be good for me to step forward."

"When did you become so cowardly? Didn't you curse them out back then too?"

"Ahem. It's still not very appropriate."

"Then what do we do? I already promised Wicked Bear Wang."

"Where is that kid now?"

"Ru University Affiliated Martial Arts Academy."

"A martial arts academy? Hah, I thought it was something major. Just an academy student? That actually makes it easier. Even if the people over there remember, they probably can't be bothered to make an issue of it."

"Yeah, he's only an academy student." Chen Shouhu smiled, then reined it in.

"Have Wang Boxiong submit an application according to the Martial Guard Department procedures. I'll call a friend in the Martial Guard Department, and it'll be approved."

"Thank you, Second Uncle."

"Why do I feel like you little bastard are hiding something from me? I need to investigate that Zhou Leng properly."

"It's really nothing. He just happens to be at Wang Boxiong's academy, and Wang Boxiong finally lowered his head to me. I can't let him down at the crucial moment."

"Hmph. Wait a moment, Zhou Leng..."

Chen Shouhu rolled his eyes. An old fox was still an old fox.

"Hm? Martial Examination score of 276, high-energy blood reaction, All-Nine Scores in the Opening-Semester Martial Test... You little bastard, just like before, nine out of every ten sentences are lies. Even when you fart, you take a detour."

"Second Uncle..."

"Do you think I'm blind? This kid is clearly at the first-rate level of the Martial Arts Ten."

"Compared to Yunhua and Jinjing, there really isn't much difference."

"I can't help with this matter, but I have a friend who can probably help."

"Really?"

"Alright, cultivate properly and advance to Grandmaster sooner."

"Thank you, Second Uncle. In my heart, you'll forever stand as majestic as a mountain."

"If you bother me less in the future, I'll thank heaven and earth. Hanging up."

Chen Shouhu smiled and propped both feet on the desk.

"Second Uncle was right. Zhou Leng really is at the first-rate level of the Martial Arts Ten. Leaving him with Wicked Bear Wang is wasting talent. Let me think..."

Chen Shouhu made a call.

"Once Zhou Leng's battle merits reach 100 and he advances to private, forcibly add an honorary private identity from a Martial Arts Brigade for him. Give him all the usual authority and subsidies."

After Chen Shouhu finished speaking, he imagined Wicked Bear Wang's expression when he learned the news and smiled faintly.

Then Chen Shouhu frowned.

"Tong Tianxia appeared in Water Continent Demon City. What exactly was he there for? He couldn't really be going to do what that line of poetry he wrote back then said, could he..."

Ru University Affiliated Martial Arts Academy's Great Martial Grounds.

Tiered spectator stands surrounded the enormous circular martial arts arena.

On the green training field in the center, white lines marked out eight twenty-meter squares, eight white squares arranged in a straight row.

The academy's four classes of this cohort stood before the white squares.

Zhou Leng, Lu Juncai, and the other top four students from the Opening-Semester Martial Test stood at the front of Class 01.

Instructor Deng Zhijue said, "Those eight white-line squares are simple arenas. The upcoming Practical Combat Test will be an uninterrupted continuous battle."

"The fights will begin with sixteen competing for eight and continue until a champion is decided."

"The sixteen of you will first draw lots to determine your opponents, then fight one-on-one. The winners advance, and adjacent winners will continue fighting."

"Whoever wins first gets to rest. Whoever wins later will face an opponent waiting at ease for the exhausted."

"Other than headgear and groin guards, no other protective equipment is allowed."

"Because this is a Practical Combat Test, methods such as attacking the groin, gouging eyes, locking the throat, and throwing sand are all permitted, but try to show mercy."

"The bloodiness of these battles may surpass the Impact Resistance Test."

"This battle is meant to let you experience what a real battlefield is truly like."

"Only those who possess a true Martial Dao Heart can become powerful martial artists."

"Alright, start warming up. Zhou Leng, run in place."

The other three students began warming up by running, while the rest of the class watched Zhou Leng and Deng Zhijue curiously.

Deng Zhijue said, "Among the final sixteen, you're the only one who hasn't advanced to Blood-Circulating."

Zhou Leng nodded lightly.

"So the others will fight a war of attrition, relying on their advantages in true qi and stamina to drag things out until your true qi is exhausted."

"That way, even if you make it into the top eight, it'll be difficult to reach the top four. Even if you reach the top four, it'll be difficult to enter the finals."

"So now, it depends on your choice."