Liu Ziqiang had never imagined that his attempt to use the opportunity to put Lu Chong's arrogance in check would end with the kid turning the tables on him and leaving him in an awkward position.
If he still couldn't take Lu Chong down soon, how could he command respect and establish his authority with the students who came after him?
But Liu Ziqiang was also extremely unwilling to back down just like that. Wouldn't everyone laugh at him if word got out?
Just then, Lu Chong, whose request had been sternly rejected, went in for another close-range hip throw, but Liu Ziqiang dodged it.
"Instructor, think about it. I'm helping you make a name for yourself. If I use the Martial Skill you taught me in the future, that'll bring you glory too, won't it?"
After trying a hard approach, Lu Chong switched to a softer one. He still wanted to give the instructor a way out.
Sure enough, after hearing Lu Chong's conciliatory words, Liu Ziqiang stopped insisting. Through gritted teeth, he said, "You win, kid. I'll help you exchange for a military Martial Skill, the Seven-Step Killing Fist."
"Don't worry, it's a mid-grade Martial Skill," Liu Ziqiang added.
Lu Chong was overjoyed. "Thank you, Instructor."
Then Lu Chong deliberately left an opening. Seizing the chance, Liu Ziqiang struck him with a Heart-Piercing Elbow, sending him flying straight into the crowd of students.
Lu Chong deliberately staggered to his feet, cupped his fists, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Instructor. I've gained a new understanding of Mountain Leaning Back."
Liu Ziqiang stood with his hands behind his back and gave a slight nod. He said casually, "You're already quite good. Your Mountain Leaning Back has reached Microscopic. You're not far from perfection."
In truth, his heart was still bleeding.
A mid-grade Martial Skill wasn't something he could just pass on. He had to spend nearly a thousand military merits himself and vouch for the kid, too.
Still, Liu Ziqiang felt that Lu Chong had a point.
With Lu Chong's potential, as long as he didn't die young, he was sure to become famous. When that happened, Liu Ziqiang would also get some credit for passing on his skills.
If Liu Ziqiang hadn't truly believed in Lu Chong, he wouldn't have sacrificed so much just to save face.
The students around them hadn't recognized Lu Chong's level in Mountain Leaning Back. But after hearing the instructor say he'd reached Microscopic, they still found it unbelievable.
They knew that Lu Chong had mastered Monument-Splitting Palm, Nine-Shadow Step, Eagle Claw Technique, and Heart-Piercing Kick. They hadn't expected his Mountain Leaning Back to have reached Microscopic as well.
"Is he really a student our age?"
"Still, the instructor wasn't as brutal as the rumors said. We don't need to worry so much."
With that in mind, the remaining students also began eagerly stepping forward to practice Mountain Leaning Back with the instructor.
And so Liu Ziqiang, who'd been simmering with anger, ruthlessly put every student who came after through the wringer several times, sending nearly all of them to the Military Infirmary.
Only the two girls, Xiang Yueya and Lou Qingqing, escaped unharmed, though they still went to the Military Infirmary to treat their hidden injuries.
Before Huang Junyan and Xue Cheng were carried away, they continued to stare mournfully at Lu Chong, who was perfectly fine. They couldn't understand why their treatment had been so different.
By a little after four in the afternoon, Lu Chong was the only one left at this training ground.
In fact, the other six groups were in much the same situation. None of the instructors had gone easy on the students.
Liu Ziqiang told Lu Chong to wait where he was, then promptly went to exchange for the mid-grade fist technique he'd promised. The approval went through without a hitch.
"Remember, don't tell anyone about this for now."
After returning to the training ground and teaching Lu Chong the Seven-Step Killing Fist, Liu Ziqiang couldn't help emphasizing that point.
"If you've got anything else hidden, go test it out with another instructor tomorrow. You can't let me be the only one who takes a loss." Liu Ziqiang grinned mischievously.
Lu Chong's eyes lit up. Right, he still hadn't revealed Iron Wire Fist or Cloud Piercing Finger. That meant two more chances to get something out of them.
"Thank you for your guidance, Instructor." This time, Lu Chong truly meant it.
This trip to the military camp had been incredibly fruitful.
As soon as Lu Chong received the Seven-Step Killing Fist, a notification rang out in his mind—
"Seven-Step Killing Fist drew on experience from Iron Wire Fist and Nine-Shadow Step, reaching Small Accomplishment directly."
"Seven-Step Killing Fist received guidance from an expert. Training speed doubled twice."
Lu Chong was secretly delighted. As expected, the Seven-Step Killing Fist shares similarities with Iron Wire Fist and Nine-Shadow Step. I can convert their progress directly.
And because Lu Chong's mental will had grown stronger, the Seven-Step Killing Fist's automatic training speed had already doubled. With the instructor's guidance, it doubled twice more.
At his current stage, the Seven-Step Killing Fist gained 16% progress per hour after reaching Small Accomplishment.
Two hours later, Lu Chong checked his progress in the Seven-Step Killing Fist again—
Seven-Step Killing Fist, Small Accomplishment (32%)
To avoid startling his nice instructor, Lu Chong didn't demonstrate the technique. He simply watched from the side.
Thinking that Lu Chong was still getting used to it, Liu Ziqiang finished his demonstration and said, "Remember, the Seven-Step Killing Fist is a technique that builds up killing intent. You can use your footwork to build up the force and killing intent behind your punches."
"Every step is deadly. Each punch is stronger than the last. You mustn't let the momentum break."
Lu Chong nodded. After reaching Small Accomplishment in this fist technique, he had already grasped some of its principles.
"I chose this fist technique for you because I've already cultivated the Seven-Step Killing Fist to Great Accomplishment. I can teach you personally."
"I can spare an hour every afternoon to train you in the Seven-Step Killing Fist. You can head back now."
As Liu Ziqiang spoke, he thought, You made me take a loss, kid. Starting tomorrow, I'll show you what I'm capable of. If Mountain Leaning Back can't deal with you, the Seven-Step Killing Fist will beat you all the way to the Military Infirmary.
Lu Chong, meanwhile, was thinking, No wonder the Seven-Step Killing Fist is progressing more slowly than Wind Splitting Leg did when I trained with my Head Teacher, even though they're both mid-grade Martial Skills.
Turns out this instructor's Martial Skill is too weak. He's only reached Great Accomplishment.
Tomorrow afternoon?
Lu Chong calculated how fast he was progressing and how much time he had. By tomorrow afternoon, I'll have reached Great Accomplishment. We'll see who ends up teaching whom.
Even so, Lu Chong thanked the instructor sincerely once more before heading back to camp.
The day's training was over, but his evening was already packed.
First, he had to train in Tiger Roar Skill with Principal Fang. Then he had to exchange military merits for medicinal liquid and soak in it to cultivate Golden Cicada Robe.
Sigh... What a busy yet fulfilling life.
That night, Lu Chong's cultivation level gave Principal Fang quite a shock.
But even more shocking was his progress in Tiger Roar Skill.
Principal Fang felt that this top-grade Martial Skill was improving every moment in Lu Chong's hands. It might not even take a month for him to reach Microscopic.
After another night of medicinal bathing, Lu Chong checked his training progress first thing in the morning.
Name: Lu Chong Level: Martial Apprentice Stage 9 (15%) Martial Skills: Nine-Shadow Step, Perfection ... Wind Splitting Leg, Perfection Golden Cicada Robe, Microscopic (65%) Tiger Roar Skill, Great Accomplishment (22%) Seven-Step Killing Fist, Small Accomplishment (80%)
"Not bad. At this rate, my world will be transformed again in a month." Lu Chong was very satisfied.
Although last night's medicinal bath had nearly used up all the military merits he'd accumulated the day before, it didn't matter. His Golden Cicada Robe was progressing rapidly.
And besides, Xue Cheng was still saving up military merits for him.
"Today, I'll keep earning military merits. Which instructor should I ask to teach me a Martial Skill this afternoon?"
Before you continue