The Reason

On the path of martial arts, if one does not advance, one retreats.

Although the Essence Tempering Technique is practiced by the entire population, it is not the case that one's strength grows stronger as one ages.

On the contrary, for ordinary people who do not attend martial arts universities and instead choose various other trades, their peak strength is usually reached just before the college entrance examination.

After that, whether they go to university or enter the workforce... where would they find the time and energy to continue practicing martial arts?

Even if they had the time and the heart for it, martial arts practice is quite expensive.

At the very least, the sheer amount of food required is significant... so, basically, anyone who fails to get into a martial arts university gives up on cultivation.

Zhou Zhe's parents were in this exact situation, which is why Huang Bo and Miao Jun were not the least bit worried that the man could harm Chu Yuan.

They also despised such unreasonable troublemakers, but given their status as teachers, it was inappropriate for them to take action personally.

The woman shook her dizzy head, one side of her face swollen like a leavened bun, and glared at the three of them with venomous eyes.

Chu Yuan had controlled his strength this time, which was the only reason her head hadn't burst open like a watermelon.

She certainly didn't settle down, though she didn't dare to approach again; instead, she pulled out her phone and changed her expression in a second.

With snot and tears streaming down her face, she began to wail:

"Look at this! Everyone, look at this!

Chenyang No. 1 High School is nothing but a den of bandits!

They broke my son's leg, and that wasn't enough—they even hit a woman!

They even broke my husband's hand. As ordinary people, are we destined to be bullied like this?

Is there any justice left in this world? They're leaving us common folk with no way to survive..."

After finishing the recording, she instantly wiped away her snot and tears, then said viciously: "If you don't expel this little beast, I'll expose you all!"

"It's useless." Huang Bo pointed to the surveillance camera in the corner: "There is footage...

You can post it online or report it to the Public Security Bureau; you were the ones who started the trouble."

"..."

The woman's face turned from green to white, her lips trembling; it was quite a sight.

In the past, by relying on her shrewish nature and unreasonable persistence, she had always managed to get favorable results.

Who would have thought that this time, it wouldn't work?

Did that mean the beating she and her husband took was for nothing?

And most importantly, what about her son...

The office fell into silence, save for the muffled groans of the man whose finger bones were shattered.

Just then, following the sound of footsteps, the principal, Qi Da, walked in.

Behind him followed a figure familiar to everyone... it was Zhou Zhe!

He ran in, taking two or three steps at a time; where was there any sign of a broken leg?

"Mom! What happened to you? Who hit you?!"

The woman's gaze shifted to Chu Yuan.

"You damn Chu Yuan! You dare hit my mom!" Zhou Zhe's eyes turned red instantly, and he clenched his fists, preparing to charge at Chu Yuan.

"Enough!" Qi Da roared, and a stifling aura erupted from his body!

A light breeze seemed to stir within the office; Chu Yuan felt his hair stand on end, as if he were being stared at by some prehistoric beast!

Miao Jun and Huang Bo couldn't help but stand at attention, as if ready to face an enemy at any moment!

So this is the strength of the principal... a Fifth-Tier powerhouse!

Fortunately, Qi Da was only using it for intimidation and withdrew the aura as soon as it was released.

"Zhou Zhe's leg has already been healed; this matter ends here!"

In truth, one could say Zhou Zhe had a blessing in disguise. To settle the matter quickly, Qi Da had used a precious Bone-Growing Pill on him and personally helped him dissolve the medicinal power.

At the very least, his bone density had been significantly improved!

"Then... what about us? We were injured too..." The woman's voice grew quieter as she spoke; she seemed to finally realize something and gradually lowered her head.

Qi Da glanced at her coldly, ignored her, and looked at Chu Yuan with a smile: "Chu Yuan, come with me."

Inside the principal's office, Qi Da picked up his teacup, took a sip, and suddenly asked: "Do you know Li Chen?"

"I don't."

"He's the transfer student who just joined Class 1 today. Are you sure you don't have any conflict with him?"

Chu Yuan pondered: "Principal, are you saying that what happened with Zhou Zhe today has something to do with him?"

Qi Da nodded: "Zhou Zhe told me that Li Chen paid him a bottle of Blood Qi Pill to come and cause trouble for you."

That explains it... Although Blood Qi Pills are very basic martial arts pills, a single bottle is worth at least one hundred thousand!

For an ordinary family, this is already a massive sum of money!

"The reason?"

"He said he couldn't stand you 'showing off' so much..." Qi Da felt a bit helpless. He understood the mindset of these martial arts family scions to some extent; they simply couldn't stand to see others doing well, feeling that "commoners" didn't deserve to have any martial arts talent.

"...Then how does the school plan to handle it?" Chu Yuan asked directly.

"Although he instigated it, other than what Zhou Zhe said, there isn't any evidence. At most, it will just be a warning..." Qi Da hesitated, unsure if he should say certain things.

But feeling that Chu Yuan had a relatively mature personality, he spoke up anyway: "It's mainly because of this school transfer. His family sponsored the school with a batch of resources, including those martial arts pills Teacher Huang gave you yesterday; they were also sponsored by his family. This is..."

Chu Yuan chuckled. He hadn't expected the guy to be a benefactor.

I'm using your family's resources to cultivate, while you're causing me trouble? That's like your left brain fighting your right brain...

"I understand."

"It's best that you can understand," Qi Da smiled. "There is one more thing. I have applied for a top-tier support quota for you, and your information has already been submitted. Teacher Huang will explain the specific benefits to you."

Originally, he had been a bit conflicted about who should receive this quota, thinking that perhaps Li Chen should take the title and, as compensation, provide Chu Yuan with more resources. But since Li Chen had caused such a ruckus on his very first day of school... naturally, there was no need to consider that anymore. He wasn't without a temper, either.

Although the Li Family was a major power in Yunan Prefecture, they still had to follow the rules.

If you don't follow the rules, those stronger than you naturally have no reason to follow them either. The Seventh Rank of martial arts is not the end of the martial path!

If the rules aren't upheld, everyone ends up a victim in the end!

You can't just bully the weak unscrupulously, and then demand that others follow the rules when you are the one being bullied... There is no such logic.

"Principal, I have one more question. Since this Young Master Li has such a wealthy background... why did he transfer to our school?"

"It doesn't matter if I tell you. The authorities are launching the Jianmu Project, and those selected will receive the best training! Our Chenyang City has three spots."

"So, he was in his original location... and couldn't compete with the others?"

"...You could understand it that way."

"Then if he comes to trouble me again, what should I do?"

Qi Da smiled: "Beat him to death!"