Thirty-Six Thousand Gods (First Update)

That evening.

Lu Guoping and Li Xianghua chatted in their bedroom.

"Guoping, do you think that bone aptitude testing machine could have made a mistake?"

"No. Chenzhou was probably just talented in comprehension, and that can't be measured. That's why the state uses progress in Basic Fist Art cultivation as the testing standard, while also leaving ordinary people the route of special admissions exams—so gifted talents in comprehension won't be buried."

"Sigh, our Chenzhou was delayed for nine years."

"It's not that serious. High school, university, and those years are the crucial period for a young person's martial arts cultivation. Chenzhou was delayed by three years at most. It's not too late now."

"He wants to apply for Pingjiang Martial University, and there are only six months left. I checked the official website—he needs to reach Third Stage. They say the difficulty of going from Second Stage to Third Stage is greater than going from an ordinary person to Second Stage combined. Let's buy him some martial arts supplements and let him make a final sprint."

"Chenzhou won't let us buy them. He said he doesn't need them yet, and it would waste the medicinal effects."

"How could you be so dense? The child is trying to save money for the family! Just buy them. Even if some of the medicinal effects go to waste, it's fine as long as they help. What does this little money amount to?"

"That's true. I'll buy them tomorrow. Getting into Wuda is what matters."

The old couple had changed their way of thinking. Every day, they worried over Lu Chenzhou's martial arts training.

The following dawn, on the rooftop.

Lu Chenzhou rose early to practice the Dragon-Tiger Heaven Stance.

From four o'clock until five, he practiced until his proficiency improved.

Then he practiced the Black Tiger Fist. Having already witnessed the power of the Swallow Return Fist at Minor Accomplishment, he looked forward even more to the Black Tiger Fist, famed for its fierce and overbearing force.

After breakfast.

Lu Guoping came before Lu Chenzhou again, carrying a bag.

"Qi-Nourishing No. 1. Two boxes. Tell Dad when you've used them up."

Lu Chenzhou said,

"Dad, why did you buy more? I can take them after reaching Third Stage."

Lu Guoping coughed.

"Aren't you applying for Pingjiang Martial University?"

"There are still six months. I'll be fine."

"It's always safer to use medicine alongside your training... It doesn't matter if some of the effects are wasted. As long as you can get into Wuda, what does that amount to? Don't always worry about money."

Lu Chenzhou fell silent, then finally said,

"Thanks, Dad."

He truly had confidence now that he could enter Wuda.

It really was no longer simply about saving money for the family.

But he understood the old couple's intentions as well. His parents might have felt that they owed him something, so after seeing hope, they wanted to give him everything they had.

At any cost!

Lu Guoping said somewhat awkwardly,

"Keep it up, son. Your mom and I used to worry too much. We wanted to change houses, send you to university, save money for you to marry a wife—we couldn't bear to invest in martial arts.

"Now we've figured it out. Gold will shine sooner or later. We'll first do everything we can to make your path in martial arts smoother. As for everything else, we can work on it slowly later."

Lu Chenzhou hugged his father and said,

"Got it, Dad. Thank you both."

"You train. I won't hold you up."

Lu Guoping felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted. It was as if a knot in his heart had finally come undone.

He could not help humming a little tune as he headed to the neighborhood park to work out.

At forty, there was no real hope left for martial arts, but practicing Basic Fist Art to strengthen his body and restore his vitality was still possible. With current technology and medical standards, as long as he did not contract some terminal illness, living to ninety would not be a problem. Life was still long!

He wanted to watch his son climb step by step, reaching ever greater heights!

Martial Artist Lu Chenzhou!

He had even imagined his child's title: North Dipper Saint Fist!

Who had not gone through a chuunibyou phase?

As crows flew and rabbits ran, a month passed in the blink of an eye.

February 1st.

Night, Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.

Two figures fought on the training ground like dragons and tigers in combat. Their punching winds and whipping kicks sent their training uniforms crackling through the air, while hazy white mist drifted away on the breeze.

It was formed as sweat rapidly evaporated under their body heat.

A Martial Artist's vitality was like a blazing furnace, their steaming sweat like wolf smoke rising into the sky—an even more spectacular sight!

Tiger Leaps the Mountain Stream!

Lu Chenzhou sprang forward like a fierce tiger. His left leg knocked Du Men's blocking arm away, then his waist twisted as he followed through with a savage whipping kick into Du Men's chest. Even through the protective padding, Du Men felt his chest tighten and his vitality churn.

He staggered back more than a dozen steps before finally steadying himself.

Lu Chenzhou landed and asked with concern,

"Senior Brother, are you alright?"

Du Men punched his own chest and laughed.

"I'm fine. That was exhilarating!"

"Then shall we call this round a draw?"

"A draw! Junior Brother, you're getting stronger and stronger."

"You flatter me, Senior Brother. I'll head home first."

"Go on... Oh, right, Junior Brother, you're applying for Pingjiang Martial University too, aren't you?"

"Yeah. Senior Brother, are you applying too?"

"Yeah, I'm determined to get in! Junior Brother, you need to hurry. Reaching Third Stage in four months will still be difficult. I was stuck here for a full year. But judging from how quickly you're progressing, it doesn't seem like it'll be much of a problem for you...

"I heard that Pingjiang Martial University only has one hundred special admissions slots in Su City this year. There may already be several hundred qualified applicants. There should be an elimination mechanism when the time comes, and they may add a practical combat test this year."

"What kind of practical combat? Do you know, Senior Brother?"

"I'm not sure about that."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Don't mention it... We came from the same martial arts hall. Let's try to enter Pingjiang Martial University together, so we can look after each other at school. I hear some Wuda have an unhealthy atmosphere of secretly forming cliques and factions, which isn't good for unity."

On the way to the martial arts room.

Lu Chenzhou's opinion of Du Men rose another notch.

After all, they were competitors too.

Over the past month, Lu Chenzhou had often sparred with Du Men. At first, he had been no match for him, but now they could fight evenly, almost indistinguishable in strength.

Yet his vitality was still only at Second Stage.

Such results were inseparable from the improvement in his martial arts realm.

Words emerged on the Martial Dao Tree.

Martial Techniques:

Black Tiger Fist: Mastery (13%) → Mastery (14%)

Cultivation Method:

Dragon-Tiger Heaven Stance: Second Acupoint (38%)

A few days earlier, with martial arts supplements to assist him, the Black Tiger Fist had successfully entered the Mastery realm. His vitality had also risen from 1.46 to 1.53, an increase of 0.07—a remarkable effect. He was only 0.2 away from Third Stage, and with four months remaining, there was no problem.

Pingjiang Martial University was in the bag!

The second change was that he had successfully opened the Zhongchong Acupoint. Lu Chenzhou looked at his right hand. An invisible transformation had occurred, one he could not yet see.

So he went to ask Ji Xuantong.

According to the hall master, condensing the Zhongchong Acupoint had three benefits:

First, it could effectively prevent certain minor stubborn ailments commonly suffered by ordinary people, such as stomachaches, tongue pain, and red eyes. Other acupoints also had their own corresponding ailments. Thus, if one could open ten or twenty acupoints, even without becoming a Martial Artist, one could remain untouched by all illness!

Lu Chenzhou made up his mind. Once he had money, he would buy his parents several years of membership at the martial arts hall and urge them to practice the "Dragon-Tiger Heaven Stance" here, opening several acupoints. Combined with "Basic Fist Art," it would be enough to extend their lives and let them live to a hundred.

The first benefit was mainly aimed at ordinary people.

For an Entry Stage powerhouse like Lu Chenzhou, minor illnesses could hardly touch him in the first place.

What he cared about were the latter two.

The first was enhancing vitality. When his Zhongchong Acupoint had reached 99% progress, Lu Chenzhou had specifically tested it. With all other variables unchanged, after successfully condensing it, his vitality had increased by 0.03 out of thin air, and his body had clearly grown sturdier.

Acupoints were the most precious hidden treasures of the human body. Like treasure caves, they contained mysterious power, but required certain methods to awaken it.

The ancients said that the human body contained thirty-six thousand gods. This was the reason.

Some Martial Dao Grandmasters had even boldly speculated that if martial arts cultivation reached a certain realm, every acupoint should be able to contain fifty gods!

Seven hundred and twenty multiplied by fifty happened to correspond to the number thirty-six thousand.

Of course, that was merely a hypothesis, far too exaggerated.

Martial arts was the path of awakening the body's potential and breaking its invisible shackles.

Where could that potential be found?

In the acupoints!

Thus, the prerequisite for breaking the Seven Limits was condensing 720 acupoints. Only by awakening all potential could humans transcend the ordinary and gain the power of gods and ghosts!

This third function was extremely crucial.

To become a Martial Artist, most True Skill cultivation methods required the Zhongchong Acupoint to be opened. If this acupoint had not taken shape, Innate Force could not circulate. How could one speak of cultivation?

Lu Chenzhou finally understood Ji Xuantong's words.

"As long as you can open a few acupoints, these sixty thousand dollars will be worth it."

Therefore, the martial arts hall's fees were expensive, yet not expensive.

If one could truly learn it, that would be an absolute blood bargain!

Building 3, Room 2802, Shihu Garden.

Their old, run-down home remained as warm as ever.

During this period, his parents had perhaps found hope.

No longer constrained by buying a house, their horizons had broadened, and they had begun pursuing spiritual recreation.

Lu Guoping had taken annual leave and brought Li Xianghua traveling, so Lu Chenzhou was the only one at home. A new Qi-Nourishing No. 1 medicine pack sat on the bedroom desk.

"Why did they buy more again..."

Lu Chenzhou opened his phone and saw a MicroChat message from his mother.

Son, don't feel bad about the money! Your uncle bought the Qi-Nourishing No. 1 medicine. I told him we didn't need it, but he insisted on buying it, so I could only accept it. Don't overthink it. Your uncle has money. Just remember his kindness after you make it big.

Lu Chenzhou smiled helplessly.

Okay, Mom.

It seemed the news of his reaching Second Stage had reached his uncle as well.

His parents truly could not contain their urge to show off.

Before his martial arts had shown any progress, they had posted his report cards every day.

Lu Chenzhou: Thanks, Uncle, for the martial arts supplements!

Uncle: I heard you reached Second Stage, my good nephew. Keep training hard. If the family has any difficulties, tell me. Your dad's face is too thin-skinned—he's always afraid of troubling others.

Lu Chenzhou felt conflicted.

He quickly emerged from his emotions and continued practicing the Dragon-Tiger Heaven Stance.

This time, he would condense the Shangyang Acupoint!

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