Old Man Hanshan (Thanks to Big Brother Warm Sun for the Silver Alliance!)

He wasn't flattering her. He had simply come to a sudden realization.

In the old days, the Ji Clan would have counted as a small martial arts family.

Ji Xuantong felt proud inside, but merely muttered aloud:

"She doesn't work hard enough. If she were like you, she might have had a chance to make a run at becoming a Martial Artist before graduating university... Forget it. Today, I'll teach you the Guanchong Acupoint Stance Skill!"

"Alright."

Lu Chenzhou immediately got into position.

An hour later, he walked out of the martial arts room drenched in sweat.

New words appeared on the trunk of the Martial Dao Tree.

Technique

Dragon-Tiger Heaven Stance: Third Aperture (1%)

...

After Lu Chenzhou left.

Ji Xuantong remained in the martial arts room, his expression radiant.

"It has only been a month and a half, yet he has already condensed two acupoints. That speed isn't much slower than mine back then. This isn't something enlightenment alone can accomplish."

Enlightenment was more about having exceptional comprehension of martial arts, making it easier to pick up boxing techniques. But Heaven Stance cultivation did not demand much comprehension. Innate skeletal talent or physique had a far greater influence. For instance, those with Innate Nine Apertures could open acupoints far more easily than others.

"Could Lu Chenzhou possess Innate Nine Apertures?"

Ji Xuantong pondered it. That possibility could not be ruled out.

"Or perhaps some other Martial Bone Dao Fetus is about to awaken?"

Ji Xuantong decided to keep a close eye on Lu Chenzhou. He would also use his connections at Dragon City University of Martial Arts to invite his teacher, Qingtian Cang Li Shoukun, to take a look.

That man was in the Third Shackles-Breaking Realm and a renowned teacher at Dragon City University of Martial Arts.

If Lu Chenzhou truly possessed a Martial Bone Dao Fetus, then he could not be allowed to attend Pingjiang Martial University according to the original plan. That university was not bad, either. It was considered a first-rate Wuda. Its principal, Old Man Hanshan Zhang Jizhi, was an expert at the peak of the Fifth Shackles-Breaking Realm. Rumor had it that he was only one step away from the Sixth Shackles. That man had both ambition and strength.

But compared to the 24-School Alliance, it still fell far short.

The Five Buddhist Schools, the Four Dao-Seeking Palaces, the Six Swordplay Academies, the Nine Great Heavenly Xia Schools... Pick any one of them at random, and it would be a colossal giant with deep foundations.

Their principals were all Sixth Shackles-Breaking Realm experts like Sunrise East Li Xiuying, and each was guarded by supreme powerhouses in the Seventh Shackles-Breaking Realm!

That was why Dragon City University of Martial Arts was Lu Chenzhou's true stage.

Of course, that was only if his guess proved true.

Otherwise, it would simply waste precious martial arts resources.

At the training grounds.

Du Men sought out Lu Chenzhou for another spar.

"Junior Brother, take this punch!"

He stomped his foot and shook his arm, unleashing a punch packed with inch force. Putting what he had learned to use, Lu Chenzhou performed the Sea-Skimming Body movement skill he had only just entered Initiation in and rode the momentum onto a wooden post. Once he steadied himself, he smiled. "Senior Brother, how about we spar up here?"

Du Men was briefly stunned, then laughed.

"Sure! Just what I wanted!"

He sprang up like a kite, sweeping out with a low roundhouse kick! Lu Chenzhou leaped like a crane spreading its wings, then skimmed the water like a dragonfly, arriving at Du Men's side.

"Senior Brother, watch out."

Black Tiger Skull-Shattering!

His right leg lashed toward Du Men's face like a tiger's tail.

To avoid accidentally injuring his head, he stopped just short. Du Men raised his right hand to intercept Lu Chenzhou's leg while rapidly retreating, evading the lethal blow.

"Holy crap, the two masters are sparring again!"

"Can Lu Chenzhou win this time?"

"Probably not. The rank gap is still there. Most likely, it'll be another draw."

The trainees gathered around to watch the two fight.

Over the past few months, Lu Chenzhou's performance had grown ever more dazzling. Though his rank was below Du Men's, in the trainees' eyes, his practical combat ability had already reached an even fifty-fifty with Du Men.

And today, the two were even sparring atop wooden posts.

Such a thrilling showdown was rarely seen.

Hearing the commotion outside, Shi Ruyu and Ji Feiyan also came to the training grounds.

"Junior Sister, I want to see whether this Lu Chenzhou is really as extraordinary as you and Father say." In such a short time, the naturally outgoing Ji Feiyan had already become familiar with Shi Ruyu.

Shi Ruyu stood with her arms folded, watching the battle between Du Men and Lu Chenzhou.

"Over these past six months, I've watched him grow every step of the way."

Ji Feiyan suddenly asked, "Was this Sea-Skimming Body taught just a week ago?" She had learned Sea-Skimming Body since childhood and had already reached Perfection, so her eye was razor-sharp.

"Yes."

Ji Feiyan muttered softly:

"Then that's not bad. Lu Chenzhou seems to have already entered Initiation. He looks quite convincing, and he's clearly a notch stronger than Du Men. Movement-skill martial arts aren't easy."

Shi Ruyu stood with her arms folded and sighed:

"That's why I feel he may be the same kind of person as me."

Ji Feiyan chuckled.

"I think Father is quite invested in Lu Chenzhou too. Judging by his progress, although he has low-grade skeletal talent, his comprehension must be exceptional. He may even be capable of enlightenment.

"But how should I put it? In the past, quite a few people like Lu Chenzhou, who advanced at breakneck speed for a time, entered Dragon City University of Martial Arts. Yet in the end..."

Ji Feiyan had seen much and learned much at Dragon City University of Martial Arts.

Many geniuses who claimed enlightenment were specially recruited in with great fanfare, only to wither before long and fade into the crowd. In the end, those with mid-to-high-grade skeletal talent were still the most consistent.

She did not want to discourage Shi Ruyu or Lu Chenzhou, so she left her words unfinished. She was a phoenix among men, yet she also knew that low-grade skeletal talent was difficult from the start. Breaking shackles was as hard as climbing to heaven. Now that they had finally glimpsed a ray of hope rising upward, there was no need to puncture it.

Her father often warned her.

Only with empathy could one walk farther.

Of course, if the two of them could maintain this momentum and forge ahead bravely and diligently.

Then their achievements would certainly not be low.

Shi Ruyu could sense that Ji Feiyan did not think highly of Lu Chenzhou or herself. That was only human nature. Ji Xuantong accepting her as a true disciple had also been a risky investment.

Lu Chenzhou was right.

No matter the outcome, if one worked hard, there would be no regrets.

Elsewhere.

Du Men's body finally became unsteady, and Lu Chenzhou knocked him off the wooden post with a punch. He rolled with the fall, then sprang to his feet, astonishment in his eyes.

"I lost... So this day has finally come."

He was no fool. Lu Chenzhou's improvement was plain for all to see.

He simply had not expected it to happen so quickly.

Lu Chenzhou jumped down and said:

"One sparring match doesn't prove anything."

Du Men smiled helplessly.

"Thanks for comforting me, Junior Brother. A loss is a loss. Being inferior in skill is perfectly normal. I've gained a great deal from fighting you. Once I enter Initiation in Sea-Skimming Body, we'll fight again!"

Suddenly, someone shouted:

"Look!"

Everyone stared in shock as a petite figure leaped into the air, darting across the training-ground equipment as though walking on level ground. She flipped in midair and landed atop a wooden post.

Ji Feiyan stood with her hands behind her back. Though she was not tall, her presence was immense.

"Um... I'm your Senior Sister Ji Feiyan. Some of you may have met me, while others may not have. I want to get to know everyone.

"How about we have dinner together tonight?"

Only after a long while did the stunned trainees recover.

Good heavens, she was inviting them to dinner, yet she made it feel like she had come to kick down the doors of a dojo.

This senior sister was a little too fiery and forceful.

Wuwuwu! Thank you, Big Brother Warm Sun, for the Silver Alliance! The chapters I owe have gone a little beyond what I expected, just like the Gold Alliance from my previous book... I won't say anything more. Old Tian will keep typing and building up drafts, striving to let everyone feast their eyes once it goes premium.

Lastly, please keep reading, and please send monthly tickets and recommendation tickets.