Genius

Li Chuan steadied his mind.

There was hope!

The Primordial Jade Record's effects truly were powerful. Even though he had a Low-Grade Bone Constitution, not a single bit of proficiency was missing.

As long as he trained diligently, there would be gains.

At once, Li Chuan felt the burden on his shoulders lighten somewhat.

He had known of the Primordial Jade Record's miraculous nature before, but he had never truly put it to the test.

Deep down, he had still felt somewhat uneasy.

Now that the obvious improvement lay right before his eyes, the feeling was completely different.

It was like in his previous life: until the money landed in his hands, no matter how grand a pie the boss painted, he could not take it seriously...

With one worry off his mind, Li Chuan suddenly felt as though he had strength to spare throughout his body.

What could be more exhilarating than seeing his own progress with his own eyes?

If I'd had a divine item like this in my previous life, I could've drilled straight through the entire math question bank...

Li Chuan gathered his focus and stopped letting his thoughts wander, concentrating on practicing the stance.

At times he stood, at times he crouched, and at times he leaped.

He was truly exhausted, but his progress was also rising solidly and undeniably.

And so, Li Chuan immersed himself completely in the Mountain-Holding Stance, utterly unaware of time slipping away.

Many people looked toward Li Chuan with strange expressions.

Quite a few of them knew that he was Jiang Ting's top-tier "bootlicker."

He put all his thoughts into figuring out how to pursue women. Even during the day, he was rarely seen practicing at the Martial Arts Arena.

Much less at night, when he could only borrow the moonlight for illumination.

Some shook their heads and secretly mocked him a few times.

"I heard he fell into the water not long ago, and Jiang Ting turned a blind eye. He was probably heartbroken, so now he's acting like he's been pumped full of chicken blood."

"Who knows how many days he can keep this up... or perhaps just a few hours?"

Other disciples withdrew their gazes, indifferent as ever, and focused on tempering themselves.

Before long, however, the discussions gradually faded away.

They had merely found it novel, as though watching a prodigal son return to the right path.

But once that initial excitement passed, they lost all interest.

By the riverbank, two figures stopped and looked into the distance.

Hu Yuan, dressed in luxurious robes, spoke with meaning in his words.

"Oh? Isn't that your friend Li Chuan?"

Jiang Ting walked on his right. Raising her pretty face, she hurriedly explained.

"We merely know each other. We can hardly be called friends. Usually, we barely even exchange a few words."

Hu Yuan smiled.

"It doesn't matter. When I first joined the hall, I even shared a Common Dormitory with him. Back then, I often heard him praising your virtues."

Afraid Hu Yuan might be displeased, Jiang Ting quickly changed the subject.

"Who knows what madness seized him today? He's still practicing stances in the middle of the night. He does look remarkably diligent."

"It's just that... with a Low-Grade Bone Constitution, his potential is limited. No matter how hard he works, he cannot compare to Junior Brother Hu."

Jiang Ting slipped in a flattering remark without leaving a trace.

The corners of Hu Yuan's mouth curled into a proud smile.

"If hard work were useful, what would geniuses be for?"

Jiang Ting secretly clicked her tongue, startled by the grandeur of Hu Yuan's words.

"Junior Brother Hu, you only joined not long ago and haven't even met Master yet. Once he returns, he will certainly personally train and guide you. After all, you are the Martial Hall's only High-Grade Bone Constitution. Your future is boundless!"

Jiang Ting and Hu Yuan chatted and laughed, soon pulling their gazes away from Li Chuan.

To her, Li Chuan was merely one among many suitors.

And one so ordinary he could not have been more ordinary.

Therefore, even though she had heard tonight that he had rejected her invitation, Jiang Ting felt no stirrings in her heart.

Just a mediocre man.

Martial Arts Arena.

All the disciples had already left, leaving the vast grounds somewhat empty and desolate.

The autumn wind wailed as it blew in from the riverbank.

"Phew!"

Li Chuan rubbed his sore thighs, waking as if from a dream.

"What time is it? Not having a phone is really inconvenient!"

Li Chuan muttered to himself.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Deep in the third watch, all is safe and sound!"

Beyond the courtyard walls, the night watchman's voice came from afar, growing clearer and clearer.

At first, Li Chuan was somewhat puzzled.

He only knew that night watchmen would call out, "The sky is dry and things are parched; beware of fire and candles."

What was this "deep in the third watch" business?

After searching through his memories, he discovered that the night watchman's job was not as simple as he had imagined.

The watchman's clapper rhythms and calls followed fixed patterns.

For instance, the hour of Xu was called the "first watch," with one quick clack followed by one slow clack.

The call was the one everyone knew best: "The sky is dry and things are parched; beware of fire and candles."

Now, the watchman slowly struck the clapper three times, signifying the "third watch"—the hour of Zi.

By the timekeeping of his previous life, that was from eleven at night to one in the morning.

"So I trained until the dead of night?!"

Li Chuan was somewhat astonished.

He had never expected it to be this late.

Dragging his exhausted body along, Li Chuan returned to the Common Dormitory provided by Pine Wind Martial Hall.

It was called a Common Dormitory, but this was still a Martial Hall where tuition had been paid, so the treatment was not too shabby.

There were only three sleeping platforms in total.

Li Chuan could not help recalling how some schools in his previous life had forty or fifty beds crammed into a single room...

"These people are downright ruthless. They can't even compare to another world!"

With a crack, Li Chuan lit the oil lamp.

"Senior Brother Li, you're only coming back now?"

Qin Feng opened one eye, looking somewhat dazed.

When he saw Li Chuan's black training clothes, completely soaked and clinging to his body, Qin Feng sprang upright.

"Senior Brother Li, did you fall into the water again?!"

Li Chuan said, "...I lost track of time while practicing stances."

Qin Feng was inwardly surprised.

Although he had only been at the Martial Hall for three days, he had long heard of Li Chuan's exploits.

The most important thing in Li Chuan's life every day was finding ways to please Jiang Ting.

Practicing martial arts?

He had been here for four months and had not even learned Pine Wind Martial Hall's signature Through-Arm Fist!

Yet Qin Feng did not voice his thoughts. Instead, he put on a fawning smile.

"Senior Brother Li, you must be tired from training. I'll help you make your bed!"

Li Chuan glanced at him.

"No need, Junior Brother Qin. I can do it myself."

Qin Feng smiled awkwardly and continued.

"Then I'll wash your socks!"

Li Chuan smiled and shook his head.

"Junior Brother Qin, there's no need to trouble yourself. I can handle it myself."

Qin Feng had joined the hall two days ago. Like Li Chuan, he possessed a Low-Grade Bone Constitution and came from an ordinary background.

He was rather clever, though. Knowing that he was new, he always wanted to help out and take on chores.

"By the way, why hasn't Junior Brother Hu returned? Did something happen?" Li Chuan asked casually. "Though he has a High-Grade Bone Constitution and is the Martial Hall's precious treasure, nothing could really happen to him."

"Hu Yuan... he entered the Inner Courtyard."

"What?" Li Chuan revealed a surprised expression.

Pine Wind Martial Hall was divided into the Inner Courtyard and the Outer Courtyard.

The Outer Courtyard was where ordinary Apprentices and disciples stayed.

The Inner Courtyard was only open to Dark Force disciples.

The food and lodging were both a level higher, utterly beyond comparison with the Outer Courtyard.

And Hu Yuan had only undergone Initiation two days ago, yet he had entered the Inner Courtyard?

"Master sent word that he wanted to take Hu Yuan as an Inner Disciple, granting him the same treatment as the senior brothers of Dark Force..."

The disciples of Pine Wind Martial Hall were divided into three ranks.

Those who had not undergone Gate-Knocking were called Apprentices. Those of Bright Force were called Registered Disciples and could use the Martial Hall's name outside.

A rank higher, those of Dark Force were called Inner Disciples. As the name implied, they could enter Master's residence, showing the close relationship between the two.

Envy appeared in Qin Feng's eyes.

"That's Master Liang's Final Disciple. He'll be raising his fist to guard against old age, so he'll definitely receive the very best cultivation."

"I used to hear people say how rare High-Grade Bone Constitutions were, but I never felt much about it. Only after entering the Martial Hall did I realize that compared to Low-Grade Bone Constitutions like mine... they are clouds and mud apart!"

"And I heard that Jiang Ting and Hu Yuan have been getting very close lately. They often go out together..." Qin Feng carefully watched Li Chuan's expression, hoping to see some disappointment or envy there.

But there was nothing.

Li Chuan's expression was calm. He merely focused on doing his own things.

This time, Qin Feng truly felt that Senior Brother Li had changed.