Qingtian Cang (1st update)

Shaochong Acupoint; its effects were similar to those of the other acupoints in the hand.

Its only special trait was that, according to the hall master, opening the Shaochong Acupoint would help make the body light and nimble, greatly benefiting the cultivation of movement-type martial arts.

Whether that was true would be clear after practicing the Sea-Skimming Body once.

After some time, Lu Chenzhou opened the Martial Dao Tree.

Sea-Skimming Body: Proficiency (98%) → Proficiency (99%)

"It really was a little faster. Before, I needed to practice the full routine three times to improve by one point; now, I only need twice." The Martial Dao Tree allowed him to see the difference directly.

Lu Chenzhou savored the disparity between before and after. He planned to spend the next two days practicing more on the wooden dummies at the martial arts hall and push the Sea-Skimming Body all the way to Mastery in one go!

April 2nd, morning.

Wanhua High School, homeroom teacher's office.

"Chenzhou, your performance this time wasn't quite ideal."

The Math Teacher looked at Chenzhou before him.

After advancing for several months, Lu Chenzhou's ranking had dropped this time.

March's monthly exam: 18th place.

How should he put it? It was very good.

It simply did not meet his expectations.

Lu Chenzhou fell silent for a moment before saying:

"Teacher, I'll be taking Pingjiang Martial University's special admissions exam in June. So last month, I spent more time on martial arts."

He had no intention of hiding it.

Upon hearing this, the Math Teacher was slightly startled at first.

He remembered that Pingjiang Martial University's application requirements were no low bar. Though it could not compare to the Twenty-Four Alliance, it was by no means comparable to ordinary Wuda universities. One had to reach Third Stage before turning seventeen!

"Chenzhou, you've reached Third Stage?"

"Yes, Teacher."

The Math Teacher was thoroughly shocked.

Good heavens!

Third Stage—the peak of the Mingli Realm. He remembered that Lu Chenzhou had not even reached the Entry Stage half a year ago. What on earth had happened over the past six months? It was simply unbelievable!

He had heard that a teacher at the school had a child with average martial bones who attended martial school and enjoyed all kinds of superior conditions, yet had only reached Third Stage at the age of fifteen.

Lu Chenzhou's martial bones were no good either.

His family circumstances were even more ordinary.

Usually, he still had to treat academics as his main occupation.

It could be said that he was stacked with debuffs.

Yet he had reached Third Stage at sixteen, and broken through three stages in a row within half a year. Could this be the legendary case of late blooming, of deep accumulation bursting forth? Or perhaps astonishing comprehension?

That seemed to be the only explanation.

For a moment, the Math Teacher was lost.

Had his constant insistence that Lu Chenzhou study his academic subjects well delayed the boy's proper path? Yet this was also his duty as a teacher.

Torn by contradiction, he did not know what to say.

In the end, it all became a sigh that was both pleased and helpless.

Old Cui smiled and said:

"Good. Teacher understands. Prepare well. If you can get into Pingjiang Martial University, Teacher will sincerely be happy for you. Martial Artists and scientists are both pillars of the nation. Without them, we would not have such a harmonious and stable society.

"Taking ten thousand steps back, with your current grades and talent, as long as you keep a slight eye on your studies, getting into a key university won't be difficult. Teacher isn't trying to dampen your spirits, but everyone needs to leave themselves a way out. Those who succeeded after burning their boats were also survivors of selection bias.

"If martial arts doesn't work out, you'll still be a talented person in society."

Lu Chenzhou was also deeply grateful to the Math Teacher.

"This student will remember Teacher's teachings."

"Alright, go back... Oh, right. If you get into Pingjiang Martial University, you can bring the relevant proof to school and find me. Recently, in response to the nation's call, the school plans to establish a small martial arts scholarship called the Hidden Dragon Scholarship. It is mainly intended for children like you in Culture High Schools. The money isn't much—the highest tier is only fifty thousand yuan—but it should be enough for you to buy a few boxes of supplements."

At the mention of the Hidden Dragon Award, Lu Chenzhou's eyes lit up.

What he needed most right now was money.

There were far too few ways for students to make money.

"Thank you, Teacher. I understand."

Watching his student's retreating back, the Math Teacher's thoughts wandered.

"If Chenzhou can become a Martial Artist, then I'll be the teacher of a strong man too."

During class.

Qin Zheng heard that Lu Chenzhou's ranking had fallen.

"Seriously? You aren't lying to me, are you?"

"It's true. The report cards will be out soon."

"That's great, brother. At least that means you're still human. If your martial arts and grades had both kept soaring by leaps and bounds, I'd have started wondering whether you were some kind of monster."

Lu Chenzhou did not care in the slightest.

"There are still two months until the exam. My Basic Fist Art has reached Perfection, my Black Tiger Fist has reached Minor Accomplishment, and my blood vitality is at Third Stage... I've already met all three requirements."

Registration would begin on May 25th and continue until the end of the month.

Lu Chenzhou wrote the matter in his memo, then took a screenshot and set it as his phone wallpaper. His memory was excellent, but when applying to Pingjiang Martial University, there could be no mistakes.

He had waited far too long for this day!

Evening, Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.

Blood vitality testing room.

Blood vitality: 1.76. Congratulations, you have reached the Third Stage standard!

Lu Chenzhou let out a long breath.

"I really have reached Third Stage."

He walked out of the testing room and saw Shi Ruyu nearby.

"How was it?"

"Third Stage, Senior Sister."

Shi Ruyu's eyes brightened, and she could not hide the smile at the corner of her lips.

"Good. Pingjiang Martial University is in the bag!"

Lu Chenzhou's current strength was already slightly greater than hers had been before she took Pingjiang Martial University's exam. And do not forget—there were still two months until the exam, and he still had room to improve!

"May your words come true, Senior Sister."

Lu Chenzhou said with a rare smile.

He had been obsessed with martial arts since childhood. Aside from his parents, he had almost no friends. After entering high school and joining the martial arts club, he met Qin Zheng, and then Shi Ruyu.

As well as the people at this martial arts hall.

This small circle was his only social life.

"Come with me. The hall master wants to see you."

"The hall master wants to see me?"

"Mm."

With a mixture of anticipation and unease, Lu Chenzhou followed behind Shi Ruyu. He wondered whether the hall master had acknowledged the talent he had displayed.

In this era, martial prowess was tied to fame!

The strong were not judged by their origins. As long as one bore righteousness for one's country and people and held sound fundamental values, the nation would vigorously support one's martial pursuits. Hiding one's talent was not advisable.

Ji Xuantong had already brewed a pot of tea.

Lu Chenzhou noticed that there was another person in the martial arts room.

He was not tall, only around one meter seventy-eight. His temples were streaked with white, yet he had white hair and a youthful face. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, radiating brilliance, while an intangible and majestic aura soared into the heavens!

He drank tea with the calm composure of an old god.

Lu Chenzhou felt somewhat nervous.

"This man is so strong!"

He seemed no weaker than the tower-like police officer he had seen that day... Of course, Lu Chenzhou himself was too weak. When others became strong to a certain degree, his own senses might deceive him.

In any case, this was absolutely an important figure.

Ji Xuantong beckoned.

"Ruyu, Chenzhou, come over and sit."

"Alright, Teacher."

Shi Ruyu tugged lightly at Lu Chenzhou and said:

"Sit."

The two sat upright and proper beside Ji Xuantong.

The old man's gaze swept over them. In that instant, both Lu Chenzhou and Shi Ruyu felt the danger of chicks being watched by a mighty eagle above the nine heavens. It was not that the old man bore them ill will; rather, the aura of a powerhouse who had broken the shackles instinctively filled ordinary people with fear.

Ji Xuantong said solemnly:

"Let me introduce him to you. This is my teacher from Dragon City University of Martial Arts, Qingtian Cang Li Shoukun, a martial arts grandmaster who has broken the Third Shackle!

"You may address him as Senior Qingtian Cang. Senior is deeply versed in the Eagle Form of the Form Imitation lineage. He is a renowned powerhouse of the Eagle Form School at the university, currently teaches at Dragon City University of Martial Arts, and is also a committee member of the Elephant-Form Eagle School Boxing Development Committee..."

This senior had many titles.

Any one of them sounded formidable.

Although Lu Chenzhou had seen supreme powerhouses who had broken the Seventh Shackles-Breaking Realm on television, Martial Artists were rare enough in real life, much less someone who had broken the Third Shackle.

"Greetings, Senior Qingtian Cang!"

"Greetings, Senior Qingtian Cang!"

The two greeted him in turn, both inwardly nervous.

Qingtian Cang nodded slightly, took a sip of tea, and said:

"Martial arts know no bounds. I am merely a seeker who set out a little earlier than you upon this long road. There is no need for you to be overly restrained before me.

"I came this time because Ji Xuantong told me that although you two possess inferior martial bones, your martial progress over the past half year has been quite good. There is a possibility that you have experienced enlightenment, or may even possess a Martial Bone Dao Fetus, so I came to investigate in person. If it is true, you must not be left to gather dust here."

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