Second Stage (Third Update—Seeking Monthly Votes and Followers)

Second Stage (Third Update—Seeking Monthly Votes and Followers)

At noon, Qin Zheng arrived late.

He had come to practice boxing too.

By then, Lu Chenzhou had finished showering and was eating in the martial arts gym's cafeteria. In truth, meals were not included for members like him who did not have annual passes.

This was also a special exception Ji Xuantong had made. He said the cafeteria often had food left over that went to waste. Lu Chenzhou could eat as much as he liked. Old Ji was quite a nice fellow.

"You beast, Chenzhou. You're grinding so early."

Qin Zheng always had the illusion that Lu Chenzhou was growing stronger every single moment.

Mainly because this guy was far too diligent. In all his life, he had never seen such a ruthless person. Other than studying and practicing boxing, he truly had no entertainment at all.

He did not scroll short videos, play games, or chase girls.

What was the point of living like that?

Lu Chenzhou could not help advising him:

"To practice boxing, you have to get up early. President, you wake up too late."

As a member of the Martial Arts Society, he still hoped Qin Zheng could rise to the occasion. With Qin Zheng's conditions, if he was willing to work hard, becoming a Martial Artist might not be certain, but reaching the Anli Realm would not be a problem.

"Alright. I'll be more diligent from now on and follow in your footsteps."

Qin Zheng agreed readily. Mainly because Li Linling had been wholeheartedly preparing for exams lately and had turned down many of his date invitations, so he felt too embarrassed to disturb her.

He might as well use this time to improve his martial arts cultivation. When Li Linling graduated half a year later, perhaps he would be a Third Stage expert too and make her look at him in a new light!

Qin Zheng shoveled food into his mouth, scrolling through his phone as he asked:

"Oh, right, Chenzhou. I remember you mentioning that your family wanted to change to a house in the Inner City, didn't you? A friend of mine has family in senior management at a real estate company.

"If you need it, I can ask him for you. Maybe I can get you an internal discount. Houses in Su City haven't been selling very well lately."

Lu Chenzhou thought of his mother, who had always had her heart set on a home in the Inner City.

"My family doesn't have the money for now. I'll contact you if we need it later. But why aren't houses in Su City selling well? Aren't lots of people fighting to get homes in the Inner City?"

Qin Zheng looked around and lowered his voice.

"I think it has something to do with the Void Calamity from a while back."

"Didn't they already deal with the source?"

Seeing how naïve Lu Chenzhou seemed, Qin Zheng smiled.

At last, there was something he knew better than Lu Chenzhou.

His family had money and connections, so they had access to more inside information.

He pulled Lu Chenzhou somewhere secluded and whispered:

"Don't tell anyone else what I'm about to say."

"Okay."

"You're a good brother. I trust you."

Over the past half year, he had come to trust Lu Chenzhou's character.

This kid's greatest flaw and greatest virtue were both the same: honesty!

Qin Zheng said mysteriously:

"I heard that the Central Void Suppression Department sent a task force over to Su City. That means Su City's Void Calamity still hasn't been resolved. I think there's a Void Realm convergence point here."

Lu Chenzhou's expression changed slightly.

Qin Zheng continued:

"Paper cannot wrap up fire. The authorities will report this matter after a while. When that happens, won't all the wealthy people in Su City run elsewhere to buy property and live?

"Who would still dare buy houses in Su City?"

Lu Chenzhou said:

"With Great Xia's technological capabilities, along with those experts who have broken the Seventh Shackle, this should be solvable. There's no need to borrow trouble from the future.

"If it truly can't be resolved and such a terrifying Void Calamity erupts, where could anyone run to anyway? Besides, if Great Xia felt it had no confidence, it would definitely relocate residents before the Void Calamity erupted. That was how it had been handled before."

Some small countries abroad had once fallen.

At that time, they had been like Ghost Kingdoms on earth, with Void Entities running rampant. But such regions were exceedingly rare, and later they had been swept clean by other nations, who took the opportunity to take control of their territories. New Great Xia's territory after its founding was even larger than it had been in its old heyday—that was how it came to be. Take Sakura Island, for example. It was a country in name, but in reality, it was little different from a province of Great Xia. Otherwise, an immensely profitable event like the All-Nations Martial Arts Tournament would not have been handed over to Great Xia.

Qin Zheng fell thoughtful, then said:

"You have a point, but panic will definitely be unavoidable. Every time the Central Void Suppression Task Force visits a place in history, it has been like this. This time, the commotion is even bigger than before. An entire team of Martial Dao Grandmasters has come. Just think about it..."

Martial Dao Grandmasters were experts who had broken the Fourth Shackle.

At some ordinary Wudas, they could even serve as principal.

Lu Chenzhou asked:

"Is your family moving away?"

Qin Zheng shook his head.

"Not to that extent. Our company is here, so relocating would be troublesome. Besides, my dad thinks this Void Calamity can be resolved too. Trust the central authorities!"

Lu Chenzhou said:

"Thanks, President."

Now he had even less desire for a house in the Inner City. If a large-scale Void Calamity truly happened, nowhere would be safe. Living in the family housing of a Wuda would still be best.

At his current level, worrying about this was borrowing trouble from the future. Still, he needed to remind his family to be more careful. If necessary, they really should move away.

When the time came, they could switch to another city and apply to a different Wuda.

After lunch, Qin Zheng went to Ji Xuantong for class, while Lu Chenzhou took a blissful afternoon nap. Once he had restored his energy, he warmed up a little and headed to the Blood Vitality testing room.

The sensor equipment was attached.

He adjusted his martial arts bearing to its peak. His Perfection-level Basic Fist Art was truly like wielding a brush with effortless flair—unbound by form and carrying the air of a master.

Blood Vitality 1.46. Congratulations, you have reached the Second Stage standard!

"Second Stage already. Three months ago, I was still an ordinary person."

For someone with inferior bone aptitude to reach the Second Stage in his first year of high school, Lu Chenzhou was very satisfied. He returned to the training ground and practiced Black Tiger Fist alone, making the wooden dummy crackle and snap.

His first goal now was Minor Accomplishment in Black Tiger Fist. By then, his Blood Vitality should naturally reach the Third Stage as well, since opening apertures could also increase Blood Vitality somewhat.

"Chenzhou, heading home?"

After finishing his boxing practice, Qin Zheng came out and asked.

"You go ahead. I'll practice a bit longer."

Lu Chenzhou adjusted his breathing slightly. Black Tiger Fist on his Martial Dao Tree had only gained 2% Proficiency. Since he had no classes during these days of vacation, he wanted to train Black Tiger Fist to Mastery as soon as possible.

He could not wait to see the Divine Seed effect of Black Tiger Fist at Perfection.

"Then I won't go back either."

Qin Zheng put down his bag, determined to practice with Lu Chenzhou until dark.

He loosened up his muscles and bones, then suddenly said eagerly:

"Chenzhou, let's spar. Since entering the Second Stage, I haven't sparred with anyone yet. Let me show you just how terrifying the Second Stage is. Heh heh."

Lu Chenzhou stood up.

"Um... I'm Second Stage too. I forgot to tell you."

Qin Zheng froze for a moment.

"For real? Didn't you just reach the First Stage three months ago?"

"Yeah, but I was already at 1.33 back then."

"You improved by 0.11 in three months?"

"To be precise, 0.13. I'm at 1.46 now."

"Holy shit! Was your bone aptitude measured wrong when you were born?"

Qin Zheng was clearly questioning his life. They both had inferior bone aptitude, and his resources were even better than Lu Chenzhou's, yet Lu Chenzhou's Blood Vitality had actually surpassed his.

Heaven have mercy, he was only at 1.45!

"I only spent the time you use playing games and going on dates with Senior Sister practicing boxing. And my dad bought me martial arts supplements too. It's not as miraculous as you think."

Lu Chenzhou explained.

"So that's how it is. That's what I thought."

Qin Zheng felt a little better.

You feared your brother suffering, but you feared even more that your brother would drive a Land Rover!

"I won't slack off ever again! Starting tomorrow, I'll box every day too. Otherwise, you'll leave me far behind. Where would the president's dignity be then?"

Qin Zheng's ambition came in bursts!

As president of the Martial Arts Society, he could not be the one dragging at the rear.

Lu Chenzhou asked:

"President, are we still sparring?"

"Of course. We're both Second Stage, so this is the perfect fair duel."

Qin Zheng took his stance. After warming up, he said:

"What fist art are you planning to use? I'll use Swallow Return Fist."

Swallow Return Fist was also an ordinary martial art, roughly on the same level as Black Tiger Fist. It could only be called third-rate. Ordinary martial arts also had three grades.

The White Ape Fist Shi Ruyu had learned at Pingjiang Martial University was a first-rate ordinary martial art. When paired with Dragon-Tiger Heaven Stance and trained to Perfection, it could raise Blood Vitality above the Ninth Stage. Martial arts of that caliber were generally taught at universities and rarely found in martial arts gyms.

Lu Chenzhou said:

"I'll use Black Tiger Fist."

In truth, his Perfection-level Basic Fist Art was more powerful now.

He would not strike a blow to the president's confidence. Qin Zheng was a pretty good person too.

Qin Zheng cleared his throat and announced loudly:

"Swallow Return Fist—Qin Zheng. Please enlighten me."

Lu Chenzhou had not expected the guy to be so formal. It was rather cringe-worthy, and they were not challenging a dojo. Even more awkwardly, Qin Zheng's shout had drawn over the others training nearby.

A cluster of gazes turned toward them from people working the dummies or lifting weights.

Helpless, Lu Chenzhou went along with him:

"Black Tiger Fist—Lu Chenzhou. Please enlighten me!"

Seeking monthly votes, followers, and recommendation votes.