Final Exam

The crowd was in an uproar, and Wang Yue's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"No way, brother, how long have you even been at the Martial Arts Hall, and you're already the only personal disciple?"

Le Ping was also somewhat surprised at this moment, but upon second thought, it was within his expectations.

His progress has been so immense; if it isn't Meng Chuan, then who could it be?

Liu Ru was the first to react, as she had actually known the answer in her heart all along, she just hadn't wanted to admit it.

Liu Ru forced a smile and said:

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Meng."

Only then did the others snap out of it, offering their congratulations one after another:

"You're a beast, Brother Chuan!"

"Holy crap, congrats!"

Wang Dong was the most senior student in the Martial Arts Hall. He knew how incredibly picky Master Luo was, and he remained immersed in shock, unable to pull himself out of it.

He had always known that the Master wanted to take on a personal disciple to teach his true, secret techniques, but unfortunately, no student had ever caught his eye.

He hadn't expected that Meng Chuan would be favored by the Master after being here for only a few months.

Sigh, why isn't my talent as good as his? I've clearly worked just as hard...

It could only be said that the world of a Martial Practitioner is cruel. In a world of billions, there is no shortage of people who work hard; what is missing are those who are both hardworking and talented.

Once the crowd had reacted, Luo Guanyun said:

"From now on, regardless of age, everyone in the Martial Arts Hall—aside from the working instructors—must address Meng Chuan as Senior Brother. You must look out for one another in the future; once you step outside, you are all people of my Infinite Martial Arts Hall."

Not wanting to dampen everyone's spirits, he continued:

"Meng Chuan is not my final disciple. If any of you still wish to be my personal disciple, do not be discouraged. Continue to practice martial arts diligently and let me see your performance. I, Luo Guanyun, will give everyone a fair chance."

Hearing the Master's words, a glimmer of light returned to Liu Ru's eyes, and she cheered herself on internally.

Don't be discouraged, Liu Ru. Prove yourself at the Martial Arts Hall Ranking Tournament; you still have a chance!

Luo Guanyun looked at his personal disciple, feeling very satisfied.

"Alright, there is nothing else. Meng Chuan, do you have anything you'd like to say to everyone?"

Having become the Senior Brother to nearly a hundred people in the hall, Meng Chuan felt a small sense of pride in his heart.

"I hope everyone maintains a spirit of keen progress, a martial spirit, and constant self-improvement on the path of the Martial Dao; may you be virtuous and physically capable, and may the White Crane Eternal Spring!"

Luo Guanyun led the applause:

"Well said!"

The crowd also cheered in unison.

Wang Yue chimed in from the crowd, acting out:

"Senior Brother Meng Chuan, I want to have your babies!"

Meng Chuan slapped his forehead with one hand:

"Get lost, you fat pig!"

The second day of the second lunar month, the Dragon Raises its Head.

Meng Chuan woke up early to go to the rooftop and practice his punches. Two hours later, the east began to turn white.

After this period of diligent practice, the proficiency of his Pao Fist had improved significantly.

[Pao Fist: Great Success (10%) → (65%) Awaiting Limit-Break]

"Although the rate of proficiency growth is slowing down, at the current pace, it should reach perfection in about two weeks at most."

Meng Chuan was very satisfied with his current speed of martial arts cultivation; it was already much faster than before.

Ever since he obtained One Proof Eternal Proof, Meng Chuan's daily routine had remained exactly the same as it had been in the past.

He did not allow himself more rest time just because his talent had improved and his cultivation speed had accelerated.

"Currently, increasing my blood-qi is still the most important thing. With the Martial Dao Limit-Breaking Panel, once I break through the First Great Limit in the future and become a Martial Artist, perhaps I can learn more common fist techniques."

"If I grind them to a limit-break, I can obtain more Traits that improve martial arts cultivation speed."

"If the effects of the Traits can be continuously stacked on my body, I can directly pile up my martial arts talent, and my proficiency accumulation will become faster and faster. My current cultivation speed is nothing yet; there are still many with top-tier innate bones and Enlightened Ones who possess powerful Traits. Their cultivation speeds are faster than mine. If I want to pursue the peak of the Martial Dao, this is still far from enough!"

But for now, he still had to focus on accumulating blood-qi. On one hand, it was for his uncle's expectations—to attend a good Martial University; on the other hand, it was for self-preservation, to break through the First Great Limit as soon as possible and master the ability and strength to fight against the Heavenly Demon.

Meng Chuan took a break from his practice to think for a while about how he should walk his future path.

"Chuan'er, stop practicing for a moment and hurry to school. You have an exam today."

"I know, Auntie. I'm coming down right now."

Today is the day of the final exams at Ping'an Middle School.

Students in Grade 1 have not yet been divided into liberal arts and martial arts streams, so they must take both; the academic exams are in the morning, and the martial arts exams are in the afternoon.

At 7:40 in the morning, with twenty minutes left before the start, the students of Grade 1 Class 3 are mostly hunched over their desks, solving problems or reciting key points.

Wang Yue cannot focus on his books at all, gazing out the window at the scenery in boredom.

Today is the final exam, why hasn't Brother Meng Chuan arrived yet? Is he really not going to study anymore?

No, why am I worrying about him? A personal disciple of a Martial Arts Master doesn't need me to fret over him.

The academic atmosphere inside the classroom is too intense, and Wang Yue cannot help but pick up his textbook to join in.

Meanwhile, in the teachers' office, the staff are organizing the exam papers.

"Did Zong Ping from your class really go to take the exam with the Grade 2 students?"

Teacher Li, the homeroom teacher for Zong Ping, pulls the test papers out of the file bag and counts them before looking up to reply:

"Yeah, the principal arranged it, saying that since he's a genius, he gets special treatment."

"Who doesn't know Zong Ping from your class? Let me tell you, you've really hit the jackpot. Seize this opportunity; who knows, you might be the grade director by next year."

A teacher nearby also leans in and says:

"Zong Ping is an impressive kid. In my opinion, that grade director position is yours for sure."

Teacher Li is beaming, unable to hide his smile:

"Who knows? The principal said that if he does well, he'll start taking martial arts classes with the Grade 2 students next semester, which is effectively a year ahead."

"Don't go spreading this around, nothing is set in stone yet, hahaha."

At this moment, Teacher Wang, the homeroom teacher of Class 3, suddenly interjects:

"Oh, the principal spoke to me last night as well. Meng Chuan from my class is also going to take the Grade 2 exam."

Hearing what Teacher Wang said, the other teachers stop their work and look over.

"Really? Isn't Meng Chuan from your class that kid who practices Guoyi Fist? How did he end up skipping a grade for the exam just like Zong Ping?"

Teacher Wang purses his lips, putting on an expression of complete ignorance.

He hadn't intended to mention Meng Chuan's situation; even if Meng Chuan switched to other martial arts, there wouldn't be enough time. A small portion of the students in Grade 2 have already broken through three barriers of blood-qi, and he is afraid that Meng Chuan will be eliminated in the first round.

The more ambitious he sounds now, the harder his face will be slapped if Meng Chuan comes back in last place.

However, he has always been at odds with Li Min, the homeroom teacher of Class 1, and today he couldn't help but speak up because he couldn't stand seeing the other man so full of himself.

"You'll have to ask the principal about that."

The other teachers nearby, eager to see some drama, pat Teacher Li on the shoulder and tease:

"Director Li, it looks like someone is trying to usurp your position."

Li Min is not the least bit flustered; he drains the tea in his cup, picks up the test papers, and walks out of the office:

"Then let's just wait and see."