Champion Rewards, a New Beginning

The setting sun stretched the arena's shadow long.

Under the gaze of thousands, Lin Fan walked toward the dais, one steady step after another. His breathing was even, his footsteps sure, as if the battle that had just shaken the entire arena had been no more than part of his daily training.

Liu Batian stood at the center of the dais, holding the exquisite jade tray. The vice dean, famed for his severity, wore a rare smile—though on his scarred face, it looked a little awkward.

"Lin Fan." Liu Batian's booming voice rang across the entire arena. "You claimed first place in this year's freshman competition with an undefeated record. In accordance with the academy's rules, you are hereby awarded the champion's prize."

His words fell, and the arena fell silent.

Everyone craned their necks, eager to get a good look at the three rewards on the jade tray.

Lin Fan stopped in front of Liu Batian and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Vice Dean."

Liu Batian nodded and began introducing the rewards one by one.

First, he picked up the card that shimmered with golden light. "This is a special academic credit card issued by the academy. It has been loaded with 200 academic credits. You can use it to pay for anything at any academy facility, or exchange the credits for cultivation resources."

Lin Fan accepted it with both hands. The card felt cool to the touch, its surface covered in intricate patterns, with the number "200" engraved at the center. He could sense a faint energy fluctuation within it—a credit voucher sealed using a special formation.

Two hundred academic credits.

Lin Fan calculated quickly. Ordinary students received only 10 basic credits a month, and could earn a few dozen more by completing simple tasks. Two hundred credits amounted to nearly two years of savings for an ordinary student!

"The second item." Liu Batian picked up the jade bottle. "A Mortal Tier Top Grade pill—the Body Tempering Pill. It is refined primarily from the essence blood of seven kinds of Demonic Beasts, along with thirteen rare herbs. After taking it, you can cleanse and temper your body, purge impurities, and increase your physical strength by at least thirty percent. It is also a great aid to body-tempering techniques."

The jade bottle was emerald green, its surface decorated with cloud patterns. Liu Batian pulled out the stopper, and a rich medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air.

Just one whiff made Lin Fan feel his blood and qi stir. The system prompt appeared at just the right moment:

[High-purity Body Tempering Pill detected. Estimated Iron Body Skill proficiency increase after consumption: 500–1,000 points]

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

His Iron Body Skill was already at Major Accomplishment (5001/10000). If he gained 1,000 proficiency points, he would be even closer to the perfect stage!

"Thank you, Vice Dean." Lin Fan accepted the bottle solemnly.

Liu Batian gave him a long look and lowered his voice. "The Body Tempering Pill's medicinal power is fierce. It's best to take it under an instructor's supervision, or in a safe environment such as the gravity chamber."

"I understand."

Finally, Liu Batian picked up the ancient-looking manual.

Every gaze in the arena immediately focused on it.

Even the instructors and elders seated in the front rows couldn't help leaning forward.

An Earth Tier technique!

Jiangnan Academy had fewer than twenty Earth Tier techniques in total. Each was kept on the top floor of the Technique Pavilion, and could only be exchanged for an enormous number of academic credits or special contributions.

And this Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art was one of the finest among Earth Tier Low Grade techniques!

"Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, an Earth Tier Low Grade technique." Liu Batian's voice held a note of solemnity. "This technique has nine revolutions. With each revolution, the quality and quantity of your essence energy increase substantially. Once you complete all nine revolutions, your essence energy will be as vast as the sea and endlessly replenishing, allowing you to fight above your level."

"But this technique is extremely difficult to cultivate." He looked at Lin Fan, his tone serious. "It places stringent demands on comprehension, Bone Structure, and perseverance. In the academy's history, thirty-seven students have chosen this technique. Only eight managed to reach the third revolution, and three the sixth. No one has ever completed all nine."

"Even so, do you still wish to choose it?"

Liu Batian asked whether he wished to "choose" it because, according to custom, the champion could give up the designated technique reward and select another reward of equal value instead.

Everyone's gaze settled on Lin Fan.

An Earth Tier technique was certainly valuable, but if he couldn't master it, it might only hinder his progress. He would be better off choosing an easier Earth Tier technique, or trading it for other resources.

But Lin Fan answered without hesitation. "I choose the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art."

His voice was calm, yet unwavering.

A flicker of appreciation crossed Liu Batian's eyes. "Good! That's the spirit!"

He handed the manual to Lin Fan.

It felt heavy in Lin Fan's hands. The cover was made of dark brown beast hide, and five gilded characters were written across it: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art. The calligraphy was ancient and vigorous, with essence energy seeming to flow faintly through the strokes.

Lin Fan opened to the first page. There, he saw the words:

"The path of martial arts is like rowing upstream. Essence energy is the foundation; nine revolutions are the pinnacle. Each revolution opens a new heaven; nine revolutions can lead to the divine."

Below that were densely packed diagrams of meridian routes, cultivation chants, and various annotations.

Even a cursory glance told Lin Fan that this technique was far more complex than Iron Body Skill. Its circulation route involved over a hundred acupoints and dozens of tiny meridians. The slightest mistake could send his essence energy astray and injure him.

At the same time, a system prompt appeared:

[Earth Tier Low Grade technique Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art detected. Record it?]

[Record successful. Current mastery: Not Yet Initiated (0/100)]

[The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art (First Revolution) requires 100 proficiency points to reach the entry level and begin first-revolution cultivation]

[Reminder: Cultivating an Earth Tier technique consumes a large amount of essence energy. It is recommended to cultivate when your reserves are sufficient]

Lin Fan closed the manual and carefully tucked it inside his clothes.

"The rewards have been presented." Liu Batian's voice rang out. "I hope Lin Fan will remain humble and keep striving, bringing honor to the academy!"

"This student will do his utmost." Lin Fan bowed.

The award ceremony ended.

But the arena's excitement showed no sign of fading.

Countless gazes still followed Lin Fan—envy, jealousy, admiration, curiosity... All kinds of emotions mingled.

## Inheritance: The Instructor's Recognition

Lin Fan had just stepped down from the dais when Teacher Zhang came over to him.

The usually stern homeroom teacher could not hide his smile. The corners of his eyes even looked a little damp.

"Lin Fan, well done!" Teacher Zhang gave Lin Fan's shoulder a hearty slap. "I've taught the Regular Class for seven years, and you're the first student to win the freshman competition!"

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Teacher." Lin Fan spoke sincerely.

This was no mere courtesy. Although he had the system, Teacher Zhang's attentive instruction had truly saved him from taking many wrong turns.

Teacher Zhang shook his head. "I've taught plenty of students, and quite a few of them were talented. But there are far too few like you—talented, willing to work yourself to the bone, and still able to stay true to yourself."

He glanced at the rewards in Lin Fan's hands and said seriously, "Come with me to my office. There are a few things I want to discuss."

The two left the arena, crossed the academy's tree-lined path, and arrived at the faculty building.

Teacher Zhang's office was small but neat and orderly. Martial arts books filled the shelves, and several pieces of calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls. One of them bore four large characters: "Only Diligence in the Martial Way."

"Sit." Teacher Zhang motioned for Lin Fan to take a seat, then poured two cups of tea.

As the tea's fragrance curled through the air, Teacher Zhang began, "Lin Fan, what you did today surpassed everyone's expectations. Mine included."

He paused, then continued. "But you need to understand that a tree that rises above the forest will be battered by the wind. By defeating Wang Hao in front of everyone and smashing his Golden Scale Armor, you dealt the Wang Family a hard slap across the face. Wang Zhenshan is narrow-minded and vindictive. He won't let this go."

Lin Fan nodded. "I understand."

"Good. You don't need to worry too much, though." Teacher Zhang took a sip of tea. "The academy has its rules. No matter how arrogant the Wang Family is, they wouldn't dare openly attack a student of the academy. Besides..."

He looked at Lin Fan, a glint flashing in his eyes. "From today onward, you're my personal disciple, Zhang Mingyuan's. I'll use every resource and connection I have to train you with everything I've got!"

Lin Fan froze.

A personal disciple!

It was a status above that of an ordinary student in the academy. An instructor would impart everything they knew, provide one-on-one guidance, and even use their connections to pave the way for their student.

But personal disciples also had to shoulder greater responsibilities and uphold their instructor's reputation.

"Teacher, I..."

Teacher Zhang waved a hand. "I know what you want to say. You're worried your aptitude isn't good enough? That you'll let me down?"

"Before today, I did have my doubts," Teacher Zhang admitted. "But after watching your fight with Wang Hao, all of them disappeared."

"Your physical strength, combat awareness, and ability to adapt on the fly are all far beyond those of your peers. More importantly, you have a certain quality about you—a near-stubborn perseverance. On the path of martial arts, that matters more than talent."

He stood and walked to the window, turning his back to Lin Fan. "I came from an ordinary family, and I made it to where I am today one step at a time. I've seen too many talented students who couldn't endure hardship or loneliness, and ended up fading into the crowd."

"But you're different." Teacher Zhang turned around, his gaze burning. "You're the kind of student who would train Basic Fist Technique to its absolute limit. The kind who, even knowing a cliff lay ahead, would first practice his footwork ten thousand times before trying to leap across it."

"If I let a student like you slip through my fingers, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."

Lin Fan fell silent for a moment, then slowly stood and bowed deeply to Teacher Zhang.

"Your student Lin Fan pays his respects, Teacher."

That bow came from the heart.

"Good! Good!" Teacher Zhang helped Lin Fan up, his face full of satisfaction. "From now on, you're my personal disciple. If anyone in the academy dares bully you, just give them my name. If you run into trouble outside the academy that you can't handle, come to me anytime."

"Also..." Teacher Zhang took a token from his desk drawer. "This is my instructor's token. With it, you can freely enter my cultivation chamber, read my private collection of books, and receive an extra monthly allowance of 50 academic credits for resources."

The token was bronze. "Zhang Mingyuan" was engraved on the front, and the academy's emblem on the back.

Lin Fan accepted it solemnly. "Thank you, Teacher."

"Don't thank me just yet." Teacher Zhang smiled. "My standards for personal disciples are much higher than for ordinary students. Starting tomorrow, you'll follow the cultivation plan I set for you. I'll assess your progress every month. If you fall short, you'll be punished."

"This student will do his utmost," Lin Fan said earnestly.

"One more thing." Teacher Zhang's expression turned serious. "About the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art."

"Please, Teacher."

"This technique was created three hundred years ago by the Mysterious Origin Martial Saint. Back then, he swept across the Nine Continents with it, famed as 'endless essence energy, peerless fighting power.' But in his later years, he suddenly vanished, leaving behind only this technique."

Teacher Zhang continued slowly, "After the academy acquired it, generation after generation of geniuses tried to cultivate it, but no one reached Major Accomplishment. There are two reasons. First, it places extremely high demands on the body. Each revolution requires a body strong enough to support it. Second, it consumes enormous resources, with each successive revolution demanding more than the last."

"With your talent for body tempering and your perseverance, you may be the person best suited to this technique." Teacher Zhang looked at Lin Fan. "But I have to warn you: if you find that you can't keep going, don't force yourself. Switching to another technique in time would be the wise choice."

Lin Fan nodded. "I understand, Teacher. But I want to give it a try."

"I knew you'd say that." Teacher Zhang smiled. "Very well. Young people should have that kind of spirit. I'll give you three months. If you can reach Minor Accomplishment in the first revolution, that will prove this technique is right for you. If you can't, I'll prepare another Earth Tier technique for you."

"Yes, Teacher."

Their conversation continued for another half hour. Teacher Zhang asked in detail about Lin Fan's cultivation, offered him plenty of advice, and helped him plan his key training goals for the next three months.

It was nearly dark by the time Lin Fan took his leave.

When he returned to the dormitory, Chen Dahu was already waiting for him.

The honest-looking youth had one arm wrapped in bandages, but his face was glowing with excitement.

"Brother Fan! You're back!" Chen Dahu rushed over. "That felt so good! Let's see if Wang Hao dares act so arrogantly again!"

Lin Fan smiled. "How's your injury?"

"I'm fine! Doctor Bai said the bones were set properly. I'll recover in a month." Chen Dahu waved his left hand. "And something good came out of it. Teacher Zhang said that once I've healed, I can soak in the medicinal bath three times for free to strengthen my bones."

"That's good."

The two entered the dormitory. Chen Dahu shut the door and lowered his voice. "Brother Fan, be careful. I heard that when Wang Hao's father carried him home, he was still calling your name while unconscious. The look in his eyes... It was like he wanted to kill you."

"I know," Lin Fan replied calmly. "But he probably won't be able to cause me trouble anytime soon."

Lin Fan knew exactly how powerful that punch had been.

Wang Hao had at least three broken ribs and internal injuries. He wouldn't be getting out of bed for two or three months. Even after he healed, his strength would be greatly diminished. It would take at least half a year for him to return to his peak.

Half a year... Lin Fan was confident he could widen the gap even further.

"Right, Brother Fan, hurry and show me your rewards!" Chen Dahu said excitedly. "An Earth Tier technique! I've never seen one in my whole life!"

Lin Fan took out the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art manual.

Chen Dahu examined it carefully without daring to touch it, afraid he might damage it.

"Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art... It sounds incredible." Chen Dahu murmured, "Brother Fan, once you master it, can you teach me?"

"Of course." Lin Fan smiled. "But you have to build a solid foundation first. Once you reach the second rank, I can teach you the cultivation method for the first revolution."

"It's a deal!" Chen Dahu's eyes shone.

Lin Fan took out the Body Tempering Pill and the academic credit card as well.

The pill's fragrance made Chen Dahu take several deep breaths. "Brother Fan, when are you planning to use it?"

"Tomorrow." Lin Fan already had a plan. "I'll go to the gravity chamber. Combining it with gravity training should give me the best results."

"What about the 200 academic credits?" Chen Dahu pointed at the card. "How do you plan to spend them, Brother Fan?"

Lin Fan pondered for a moment. "I'll use 100 credits to exchange for cultivation resources, mainly Demonic Beast meat and medicinal herbs, to cover my training needs. I'll keep 50 credits for emergencies. With the remaining 50, I plan to exchange for a Mortal Tier Top Grade movement technique."

"A movement technique?" Chen Dahu asked, surprised.

"My fight with Wang Hao today showed me where I'm lacking." Lin Fan spoke seriously. "I'm good at offense and defense, but my speed, dodging, and movement could all use improvement. If Wang Hao's movement technique had been any better, I wouldn't have won so easily today."

That was the truth.

Although Lin Fan had Basic Footwork, it was only a foundation. Against an opponent who truly excelled at speed, he would be at a serious disadvantage.

"That makes sense." Chen Dahu nodded. "Have you decided which movement technique you want?"

"Phantom Step or Wind Chasing Leg." Lin Fan had looked into them already. "They're both Mortal Tier Top Grade movement techniques. One focuses on evasion and unpredictable movement, while the other focuses on straight-line speed. I'll have to see which one is in stock at the exchange office before I decide."

The two chatted for a while longer before Chen Dahu returned to his dormitory to rest.

The night was deep and quiet.