Embodying Myriad Traits, I Will Ultimately Become Immortal — Part 30

Le Ping was not someone who could not accept defeat. His mockery during the blood vitality test had only been petty jealousy at work. This time, he conceded wholeheartedly.

"Good. I gained a great deal from this fight. Once I improve my footwork, we'll fight again!"

Meng Chuan smiled and returned the gesture with cupped fists, then turned his gaze to the crowd below the platform and called out loudly,

"Senior brothers, does anyone else want to challenge me?"

He did not feel he had expended much in that battle. Later on, he had mainly used his opponent to test his moves. He was still in fine condition and could handle another two or three Le Pings without issue.

After waiting several breaths, no one stepped onto the stage. They had all seen Meng Chuan's performance. Among those under eighteen at the academy, there truly was no one who could match him.

At that moment, Luo Guanyun stepped forward and said,

"Since that is the case, the contestants for the underage division have been decided—Meng Chuan!"

Everyone broke into applause. Meng Chuan's strength was plain for all to see, and they were thoroughly convinced.

Meng Chuan patted his chest.

"Thank you, everyone. I'll definitely bring honor to our academy."

Luo Guanyun continued,

"Next, I have an announcement for everyone. I have taken in a new personal disciple."

The moment they heard that Master Luo had accepted a personal disciple, discussions immediately erupted all around them.

Some of the older students had been there for two or three years and had never once seen Master Luo take in a personal disciple.

Some students speculated inwardly,

"Instructor Liu Ru is the master's registered disciple, and she is also the strongest. Could it be her?"

Liu Ru herself was even more nervous. She had always wanted to become the master's personal disciple.

She had hinted at it and openly brought it up with the master many times, only to be refused every time.

She felt she had no chance. She guessed it was most likely Meng Chuan, so she turned her eyes toward him.

What use is high blood vitality? I actually know it in my heart.

Luo Guanyun announced,

"From this day onward, Meng Chuan will be Qianyuan Thunderclap's foremost personal disciple. Many of you have witnessed his hard work, and his potential and strength are equally evident to all."

The crowd burst into an uproar, and Wang Yue's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"No way, bro. How long have you even been at the academy? The only personal disciple?"

Le Ping was also rather surprised at that moment, but on second thought, it was only to be expected.

"His progress has been so tremendous. If not Meng Chuan, then who else could it be?"

Liu Ru was the first to react, because deep down, she had long known the answer. She simply had not wanted to admit it.

Forcing a smile, Liu Ru said,

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Meng."

Only then did everyone come back to their senses and offer their congratulations one after another.

"That's insane, Chuan Bro!"

"Congrats, holy shit!"

Wang Dong was the academy's longest-serving student. He knew just how discerning Master Luo's eye was, and even now, he remained unable to pull himself out of his shock.

He had always known that the master wanted to take in a personal disciple and teach them his true secret arts. Unfortunately, no student had ever caught his eye.

Who would have thought that Meng Chuan, after only a few months here, would be chosen by the master?

Why is my talent inferior to his when I work just as hard?

All one could say was that the world of martial artists was cruel. Among the billions upon billions in this world, hard workers were never in short supply. What was scarce were people who possessed both diligence and talent.

Once everyone had processed the news, Luo Guanyun said,

"From now on, regardless of age, everyone in the academy aside from the working instructors must address Meng Chuan as Eldest Senior Brother. In the future, you must look out for one another. Once you step outside, you are all members of Infinite Martial Arts Academy."

Not wanting to dampen everyone's enthusiasm, he continued,

"Meng Chuan is not my final disciple. If any of you still wish to become my personal disciple, do not lose heart. Continue training hard and let me see your performance. I, Luo Guanyun, will fairly give everyone an opportunity."

Upon hearing the master's words, light bloomed anew in Liu Ru's eyes, and she silently encouraged herself.

Don't lose heart, Liu Ru. Prove yourself in the academy ranking tournament. You still have a chance!

Luo Guanyun looked at his personal disciple with immense satisfaction.

"Alright, there is nothing else. Meng Chuan, is there anything you would like to say to everyone?"

Having become the eldest senior brother of nearly a hundred people in the academy, Meng Chuan felt a little proud as well.

"I hope everyone will maintain an enterprising spirit on the path of martial arts, uphold the martial spirit, and strive endlessly for self-improvement. Cultivate both virtue and body—White Crane Yongchun!"

Luo Guanyun took the lead in applauding.

"Well said!"

The others also cheered in unison.

Wang Yue, mixed in among the crowd, deliberately shouted something ridiculous.

"Eldest Senior Brother Meng Chuan, I want to bear your monkey babies!"

Meng Chuan covered his forehead with one hand.

"Fuck off, you fat bastard!"

On the second day of the second month, the dragon raised its head.

Meng Chuan got up early and went to the rooftop to practice his fistwork. Two hours later, the east was just beginning to grow pale.

After this period of diligent fist practice, Cannon Fist's proficiency had risen greatly.

Cannon Fist: Mastery (10%) → (65%) Pending Limit-Break

"Although the rate at which my proficiency grows is slowing down, at this pace, I should reach perfection in two weeks at most."

Meng Chuan was very satisfied with his current cultivation speed. It was already far faster than before.

Ever since obtaining One Proof, Eternal Proof, Meng Chuan's daily schedule had remained exactly the same as it had been in the past.

He had not given himself more rest simply because his improved talent had accelerated his martial arts cultivation.

"Improving my blood vitality is still the most important thing right now. With the Martial Arts Limit-Breaking Panel, once I break through the First Great Limit and become a Martial Artist in the future, perhaps I can learn more ordinary fist arts.

"After grinding them until they break the limit, I can gain more traits that increase my martial arts cultivation speed.

"If the effects of those traits can continuously stack on me, I can directly pile up my martial arts talent. My proficiency will accumulate faster and faster.

"My current cultivation speed is nothing yet. There are still many people with exceptional innate bones, and Enlightened Ones possessing powerful traits. Their cultivation speed is faster than mine. If I wish to pursue the pinnacle of martial arts, this is still far from enough!"

For now, though, he still needed to focus on building up his blood vitality. On one hand, it was for his uncle's hopes, so that he could attend a good martial arts university. On the other hand, it was for self-preservation—to break through the First Great Limit as soon as possible and gain the ability and strength to contend against Heavenly Demons.

During a break from his fist practice, Meng Chuan spent a while considering how he should walk his future path.

"Chuan'er, stop practicing for now. Hurry to school. You have exams today."

"I know, Auntie. I'll be down in a moment."

Today was the day of Peaceful High School's final examinations.

First-year students had not yet been divided into literary and martial streams, so they had to take both examinations. The academic subjects were tested in the morning, and the martial subjects in the afternoon.

At seven forty in the morning, with twenty minutes left before the exam began, the students of Class Three, First Year were mostly bent over their desks doing problems or memorizing key points.

Wang Yue could not read at all. Bored out of his mind, he stared out the window at the scenery.

"It's the final exam today. Why hasn't Chuan'er Bro arrived yet? Is he really dropping out?"

"No, why am I worrying about him? A Martial Arts Grandmaster's personal disciple doesn't need me to fuss over him."

The study atmosphere in the classroom was far too intense. Wang Yue could not help picking up his textbook and joining in.

Meanwhile, in the teachers' office, exam papers were being sorted.

"Did Zong Ping from your class really go take the exams with the second-years?"

Teacher Li, Zong Ping's homeroom teacher, pulled the test papers from the document bag and counted them before raising his head to answer.

"Yeah. The principal arranged it. He said that geniuses receive special treatment."

"Who doesn't know Zong Ping from your class? I'm telling you, you really stepped in dog shit this time. Make the most of it. By this time next year, you might be the grade director."

A teacher nearby also leaned over and said,

"That kid Zong Ping is remarkable. If you ask me, that grade director position is as good as yours."

Teacher Li's face glowed with health, and he grinned from ear to ear: