Returning Laden, Gaining a Martial Skill

May 6th, the final day of the student special training.

The students did not head out into the Wilderness, nor did they continue training their martial skills; instead, they spent the day relaxing.

The seven instructors, along with the squad leaders and soldiers who had served as sparring partners for the past month, took a rare day off to dine and mingle with the students.

Beyond that, the day was marked by the conferment ceremony for Lu Chong, who topped the Military Merit Ranking.

Colonel Huang personally stepped forward to grant Lu Chong the rank of Second Lieutenant, a gesture that left the other students green with envy.

A Second Lieutenant—while not exactly an overnight rise to the top, it was certainly a case of a child from a humble background achieving greatness.

The seven instructors were themselves only Second Lieutenant platoon leaders, officers capable of commanding over a hundred men.

Of course, Lu Chong's rank was purely honorary and carried no real power.

However, he was entitled to the base salary of a Second Lieutenant, ten thousand Huaxia Coins per month; that alone was enough to make Lu Chong beam with joy.

For him, the most important benefit was that holding a military rank granted access to certain Military Department resources, especially the military's martial arts heritage.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Military Department's martial arts archives are the most comprehensive and prioritized in all of Huaxia.

Naturally, enjoying these resources required a price; they could only be exchanged for military merit.

Lu Chong was not an exception; in recent years, the Military Department had opened up certain honorary ranks to attract talent from the civilian sector.

This way, even those arrogant geniuses and experts who valued their freedom and did not wish to enlist could cooperate with the military, while also remaining easier to regulate.

Although the students were envious, after so many days, they understood that Lu Chong had earned this qualification.

Did even the soldiers, and indeed the seven instructors, not hold Lu Chong in genuine high regard?

In the military, one cannot win the respect of these veterans without real substance.

"Lu Chong, don't hold back during the college entrance exam. If you can bring home the provincial top scorer title, we instructors will make a special trip to the city to throw you a victory banquet."

At the farewell dinner, Cheng Dongye draped an arm around Lu Chong's neck and made a bold promise.

"Little Instructor Lu, don't forget about us. After the exams, if there's a chance, we'll take you out into the Wilderness to eat some game."

Other soldiers extended sincere invitations as well; most of them had been coached by Lu Chong in martial skills and felt both close to and respectful of this student.

Lu Chong agreed to them one by one. He had to admit, these Huaxia soldiers remained the most admirable and pure-hearted people he had ever known.

Without their protection, there would be no Survival Bases in the vast land of Huaxia, let alone the opportunity for students like them to study.

It wasn't until three o'clock that afternoon that the students reluctantly boarded the military trucks to be sent back to their respective schools.

As soon as Lu Chong returned to school, he was summoned to the office by Principal Wei, where his homeroom teacher, Wang Tong, was also waiting.

"Good lad, you did a great job this time. You didn't bring shame to our First High School."

The moment Principal Wei saw Lu Chong, he burst into a hearty laugh.

Wang Tong, standing to the side, didn't dare interrupt, but his face was wreathed in smiles.

Having a Martial Artist emerge from a regular class before the college entrance exam was something that had never happened before.

Furthermore, Lu Chong's achievement went far beyond simply breaking through to become a Martial Artist.

According to reports from the military camp, Lu Chong had performed many astonishing feats during the special training, even earning the honorary rank of Second Lieutenant.

Wang Tong had come from the military himself; he had served for a full ten years before managing to become a Second Lieutenant platoon leader, and that had been the end of his career.

He never imagined that his own student, barely an adult, would already be on equal footing with him.

Even without commanding troops, Wang Tong could now boast loudly to his old comrades.

After this, wouldn't Li Chengjun have to take a detour whenever he saw him?

Thinking of this, Wang Tong felt a sense of satisfaction, and the more he looked at Lu Chong, the more pleased he became.

At this moment, Principal Wei changed the subject, asking with a hint of gravity: "I heard you were assassinated by villains during the special training?"

"Do you have any suspects?"

Wang Tong's expression turned cold upon hearing this. The nature of such an act was truly vile; who could be so heartless as to target an orphan still in high school, especially the greatest genius in the history of First High School?

Although Lu Chong had his suspicions, he had no evidence whatsoever. He shook his head and said, "I don't know. I don't think I've made any mortal enemies."

The Old Principal nodded slightly, took a sip of tea, and said, "For the time being, don't go home."

"Stay at the Teacher Apartment. Don't worry, I won't charge you; it's another property of mine." Principal Wei said with a smile, seeing Lu Chong's hesitation.

He had heard that this lad had swindled quite a few people during the training and was obsessed with money.

Only then did Lu Chong chuckle, "Thank you, Teacher Wei."

"Hmm, that's a small matter; your safety is what's important." Principal Wei continued nonchalantly, "Besides, before the college entrance exam, I will personally teach you an Earth-Rank Martial Skill that surpasses the Golden Cicada Robe."

"It is true that high schools are not allowed to teach Earth-Rank Martial Skills, but if I teach you in my own name, no one will dare to gossip," Principal Wei declared magnanimously.

Wang Tong, standing nearby, was about to say something, but Principal Wei interrupted him first: "Don't bother teaching the lad the Wind Splitting Axe for now; your salary can't afford it."

Wang Tong was rendered speechless. He had indeed intended to teach Lu Chong the Earth-Rank Wind Splitting Axe in his personal capacity.

However, he would have had to pay for the Inheritance Jade Slip out of his own pocket, and the price of over a million was a heavy burden for him.

Principal Wei continued, "Besides, weapons are not allowed in the practical assessment of the college entrance exam. Once Lu Chong enters university, he can choose to learn it himself."

Wang Tong found this reasonable and let the matter drop.

Lu Chong felt grateful, but he didn't say much, simply tucking this bond between teacher and student deep into his heart.

"Don't feel any psychological burden; participating in the college entrance exam is, after all, a way to bring glory to our school."

"Since you have already broken through to become a Martial Artist, we will do our best to provide you with the same conditions as the other students."

"However, I must warn you: an Earth-Rank Martial Skill is not like the techniques you practiced before; it is extremely difficult."

"I cannot guarantee what level you will be able to reach before the exam," Principal Wei said solemnly.

As he said this, the Old Principal suddenly recalled that he had said almost the exact same thing when he first passed the Golden Cicada Robe on to Lu Chong.

When it came to this kid, was the so-called difficulty really still that difficult?

"Yes, thank you, Teacher Wei. I will do my best," Lu Chong replied with equal seriousness.

"The Earth-Rank Martial Skill that shares the same origin as the Golden Cicada Robe is called the Golden Light Wave. It is a Low-grade Earth-Rank Martial Skill that not only provides protective effects but also possesses a certain degree of passive rebound force."

"You may receive the inheritance right here with me."

Principal Wei took out a jade slip and handed it directly to Lu Chong.

Lu Chong accepted it respectfully, wondering to himself what the difference might be between this so-called Golden Light Wave and his own Golden Bell Shield.

After cultivating the Golden Bell Shield, could he still cultivate this? Would they conflict?

This question had been lingering in his mind for a long time, and today, he would finally be able to put it to the test.