His Potential Wasn't as Good as Ours

In fact, just as Xue Cheng's fist was about to land, Lu Chong had already sensed that something was different about it.

Unlike ordinary Human-Rank Martial Skills, this punch contained Gang Qi formed from vital energy and blood.

But Lu Chong could also tell that it wasn't a standard Earth-Rank Martial Skill, so he didn't use any other Martial Skill. He simply added a little more force.

Sure enough, the instant their fist and palm collided, Lu Chong felt not only the force of Xue Cheng's punch but also a bone-chilling wave of Gang Qi that burst from it, passed through his palm, and surged into his body.

If he hadn't encountered Earth-Rank Martial Skills before, Lu Chong might really have been injured by this penetrating Gang Qi, which struck through the mountain like a hidden blow.

But Lu Chong had practiced against the class captains every day, so he was already very familiar with how this kind of Gang Qi worked.

The moment Xue Cheng's Gang Qi burst out, Lu Chong had already circulated the power of his vital energy and blood, neutralizing it without a sound.

Xue Cheng's attack came to nothing. Instead, Lu Chong's suddenly increased palm strength broke his arm, immediately reducing his strength by half.

Xue Cheng was shocked. He had no idea how Lu Chong had countered the Gang Qi technique he had mastered, but he still didn't want to admit defeat.

But before he could continue, Lu Chong had already leaped forward and struck with his palm, stopping it right in front of Xue Cheng's forehead.

"You fought well, Classmate Xue." Lu Chong lowered his hand, stood back, and retreated.

Xue Cheng knew he had lost completely. No matter how unwilling he was to accept it, he had nothing to say.

"I'll transfer the money to you when we get back."

A loss was a loss. Xue Cheng was an honest man; he didn't argue and instead brought it up himself.

"No rush, no rush..." Lu Chong beamed, hurried over to help Xue Cheng up, and insisted on personally escorting him to the Military Infirmary.

The instructors, including Cheng Dongye, could hardly bear to watch. The kid really did have an eye for money.

Only after Lu Chong had taken Xue Cheng away did the students start buzzing with discussion.

Martial Artists!

Three of them had become official Martial Artists during this training session.

That was extremely rare among the students taking the College Entrance Exam in Guanyun City in previous years.

Lu Chong, in particular, had taken first place in the Mock Exam last time, and now he was still far ahead of everyone else. He had not only successfully become a Martial Artist but had also defeated Xue Cheng, who had a deep family background.

They were already wondering whether the other Martial Artist among the students, Xiang Yueya, could match Lu Chong.

Luo Qingqing watched Lu Chong's retreating figure and silently clenched her delicate hands, encouraging herself. "Qingqing, you have to keep working hard, or you'll fall behind him."

Standing beside Xiang Yueya, Huang Junyan asked softly, "Are you confident you can beat him now?"

Xiang Yueya withdrew her gaze and pondered before answering, "No, but by the time of the College Entrance Exam, it shouldn't be difficult."

Huang Junyan didn't question her. He thought it was only natural.

No one at their high school could teach Earth-Rank Martial Skills, but with Xiang Yueya's resources, it wouldn't be difficult for her to learn one at the Xiang Clan Martial Arts Hall.

Without an Earth-Rank Martial Skill to rely on, Lu Chong would be left far behind by Xiang Yueya by then.

When the College Entrance Exam came around, it was still anyone's guess who would take first place.

That was the importance of family background and accumulated resources. It might not be all that obvious at the Martial Disciple stage, but the farther one advanced, the greater the impact of resources.

So what if Lu Chong had become a Martial Artist first?

With such meager resources, could he afford the training a Martial Artist needed? Could he practice an Earth-Rank Martial Skill? Did he have a famous teacher to guide him?

Forget Xiang Yueya's advantages. Even Huang Junyan, an ordinary rich kid, believed Lu Chong was bound to fall behind him in the future.

"The path of martial arts is long. We've only just begun. What does it matter if you win or lose a city or a single battle?" Huang Junyan recalled his father's earnest advice and thought it made a great deal of sense.

Neither he nor Xiang Yueya was aiming for little Guanyun City. Their sights were set on all of Hedong Province, even Huaxia and the entire world.

That was the vast arena where talent gathered and the tides of change surged. How could a poor orphan with only a bit of natural talent understand the importance of family background?

As for Lu Chong, he personally helped Xue Cheng to the Military Infirmary and took meticulous care of the Money-Delivering Boy he had beaten himself.

After Xue Cheng's arm had been set and he had recovered a little, Lu Chong asked with a friendly smile, "Classmate Xue, are you feeling all right?"

Xue Cheng shook his head, then thanked Lu Chong. "Thank you for going easy on me, and for bringing me here for treatment."

"But if I get the chance, I'll challenge you again. Not for Xiang Yueya, but for myself." Xue Cheng declared solemnly.

Lu Chong immediately put on an even more sincere smile. "You're welcome to challenge me anytime. I just got lucky, that's all. It's nothing worth mentioning."

Perhaps moved by Lu Chong's modesty and sincerity, Xue Cheng managed a rare smile and felt a little more respect for him.

When Lu Chong saw that the moment was right, he asked, "Classmate Xue, I have a question. I'm not sure if I should ask."

Xue Cheng replied boldly, "Go ahead. It's not as if we're enemies."

Only then did Lu Chong ask what had been puzzling him, feigning confusion. "That fist technique you used at the end just now concealed the power to turn vital energy and blood into Gang Qi. Was that an Earth-Rank Martial Skill?"

Hearing this, Xue Cheng gave a bitter smile. "Of course it wasn't a real Earth-Rank Martial Skill. I've only just become a Martial Artist. How could I possibly have mastered one?"

"Actually, it's just a way of generating force. When you use a Human-Rank Martial Skill, you make your vital energy burst out at the point of contact, disrupting the opponent's internal energy flow."

"Compared with a true Earth-Rank Martial Skill, both its explosive power and its ability to concentrate Gang Qi are far inferior," Xue Cheng explained honestly.

Only then did Lu Chong understand. So there was a technique like that. It seemed like a stepping stone between Human-Rank Martial Skills and Earth-Rank Martial Skills.

"Why didn't Principal Fang and the instructors teach me?"

Lu Chong was interested. With this technique, the many Human-Rank Martial Skills he had mastered should become much more powerful.

He didn't ask Xue Cheng how he had learned it, since that might involve secrets of his cultivation and should be treated with discretion.

He was sure Principal Fang and the instructors understood the key points, so he could just ask them.

That evening, Lu Chong went to see Principal Fang.

But Principal Fang told him that this technique had both advantages and disadvantages, which was why he didn't want Lu Chong to learn it.

"Put simply, it's a shortcut. It can easily make you dependent on it and might even hinder your future cultivation of genuine Earth-Rank Martial Skills."

"Many people take this shortcut because they find Earth-Rank Martial Skills too difficult to practice."

"But with your aptitude, practicing Earth-Rank Martial Skills is the right path. You shouldn't take this detour."

Lu Chong understood a little better, but he still insisted that Principal Fang teach him.

As for whether it would affect his future cultivation of Earth-Rank Martial Skills, Lu Chong wasn't worried. He could practice Martial Skills on his own anyway. Why worry about such a small effect?