From Igniting Talent to Becoming a Demon God Section 24

"Junior Brother Shen is truly talented; he's already reached 19 points of Vitality."

"At this rate, I'm afraid he's no less capable than the geniuses from those top-tier martial arts halls."

More than ten days later, at the Gold-Stone Martial Arts Hall.

Having arrived at the Training Building once again to complete his session, Lu Chao overheard the hushed discussions of his fellow disciples.

Sweat soaked his training gi. He picked up his black sports bottle, took two large gulps of water, and cast a glance toward the center of the sparring ring in the distance.

Shen Tianchen, dressed in a white-gray training outfit, had just finished a practice bout. He leapt off the ring and was immediately surrounded and praised by several Combat Grade seniors.

The scene of him being treated like a star was for no other reason than his recent rise in Vitality, which had reached 19 points—just one step away from the Combat Grade.

In contrast.

[Glutton: Lu Chao]

[Vitality: 12→13!]

[Specialty: Primary--Primary Resilience]

[Potential Progress: 53%]

Lu Chao glanced at his panel.

In twelve days, his Vitality had increased by another two points.

Everything was steady—neither too fast nor too slow—the natural result of his efforts.

His hypothesis had been verified once again: before his Vitality hit a certain bottleneck, thanks to the astonishing recovery granted by [Primary Resilience], as long as he could grit his teeth and train hard, his sweat would never let him down.

Thinking this, Lu Chao's mindset became increasingly calm, no longer distracted by the clamor of the outside world.

Tap, tap!

Footsteps approached from his side.

Zhang Hong, having finished his own training at some point, arrived beside him, his body radiating a mist of sweat. He looked toward the distant ring with a bitter expression.

"So this is what a genius looks like."

He had been here for over two months, putting in countless hours of effort, only to reach 18 points of Vitality.

Yet, that genius junior brother in the center of the hall had surpassed him with ease in just over a month.

"Senior Brother Zhang, there's no need to belittle yourself."

"The three-month deadline hasn't arrived yet, has it? Perhaps you might still break through to the Combat Grade?"

Noticing the other man's dejection, Lu Chao offered a few words of comfort.

He knew that for Zhang Hong, there were only a dozen days left.

If he failed to break through, he would have to leave the martial arts hall.

"Heh, don't worry, Junior Brother Lu. I haven't given up yet."

Seemingly encouraged by the words, Zhang Hong smiled, finally managing to pull himself together.

"I'm just lamenting the situation a bit."

"After all, Junior Brother Shen's progress is truly extraordinary. Even compared to the elite combatants from top-tier academies or children from wealthy families, he is not far behind..."

As the two chatted and stood side-by-side, Lu Chao felt a stir in his heart, thinking of things he had heard recently.

"Senior Brother Zhang, I've heard that most children from wealthy families can break through to the Combat Grade?"

"Yes, that is indeed the case."

Nodding slightly, Zhang Hong realized Lu Chao lacked knowledge in this area.

He took a sip from his water bottle, his voice tinged with exhaustion: "The former are soaked in high-grade medicinal liquids from childhood and consume Exotic Beast Meat and Vitality Supplements daily; their Vitality is naturally a cut above the average person."

"On top of that, they have dedicated Physiotherapy Teams using advanced Therapeutic Instruments to eliminate their fatigue and repair bodily damage. Those from even better backgrounds hire professional Nutritionists to tailor diets and nutritional plans specifically for them."

"Furthermore, most join major halls like the Leiji Martial Arts Hall or hire at least a professional-grade Private Coach for daily guidance and sparring. Their development of Vitality is far faster than ours..."

Speaking to this point, Zhang Hong's tone grew heavy, and he shook his head.

This was the gap created by birth; even if one put in a hundred times the effort later on, it was hard to catch up.

"Perhaps Junior Brother Shen has a chance."

After taking one more look at Shen Tianchen, Zhang Hong seemed to accept a certain reality, his mood inexplicably settling.

Lu Chao watched him, deep in thought.

He did not know how he would ever catch up to those geniuses and wealthy scions.

But he knew that right now, he needed to keep his feet on the ground and persevere, one step at a time.

With his mind made up, Lu Chao finally suppressed his stray thoughts and stepped onto the ring.

He had long been qualified to spar with the Combat Grade seniors and receive pointers for more practical experience.

His gaze swept across the area below the ring, passing over several familiar faces.

Finally, a figure leaped up and took the initiative to step onto the ring.

"Junior Brother Lu, let me."

Zheng Wu said with a smile, standing opposite him; his sturdy physique resembled a small mountain, exerting quite a bit of pressure.

Feeling slightly surprised, Lu Chao had not expected that the other man would personally spar with him and offer guidance today.

"Then I shall trouble you, Senior Brother Zheng."

Cupping his fists in a salute, Lu Chao looked at him with gratitude.

After the other man nodded in acknowledgment, he hesitated no longer, quickly assuming a combat stance before stepping forward to charge.

Whoosh!

His right fist shot out like an arrow from a bow, tearing through the air.

The imposing momentum carried a whistling wind, heading straight for Zheng Wu's chest!

However, facing this swift and violent strike, the other man merely raised his hand to parry in a seemingly casual manner.

It felt as if a pine tree growing from rock had pressed down, clamping onto his wrist in an instant.

Lu Chao could feel his own strength sink into the sea like a stone, failing to even make the other man budge an inch.

In its place, the other man's chopping palm left an afterimage, hovering just above his head.

"The fifth form, Hard Stone Combo, should be like a projectile stone—force concentrated at a single point. You, however, are focusing too much on the posture, causing your power to scatter."

As the residual force of the wind brushed past his face, Zheng Wu's voice reached his ears.

"What I just used is the center-of-gravity method from the Iron Cross Stake, combined with the deflection techniques of the seventh form, Flying Sand and Moving Stones... The techniques of the Gold-Stone Combat Arts are not just individual moves; you can appropriately integrate and master them."

"Come, Junior Brother Lu, let us continue."

Zheng Wu smiled and withdrew his chopping palm, offering patient guidance.

His vigorous Vitality, exceeding forty points, remained restrained within his body, giving off a sense of profound stability.

Nodding slightly, Lu Chao realized his own shortcomings.

After taking a deep breath to digest what the other had said, he launched his offensive once more.

His whip-fists were like clubs, his chopping palms like blades, his elbow strikes like spears...

Moving his legs with agility, he attempted to integrate the footwork of the sixth form, Flying Sand and Moving Stones, coordinating it with the Hard Stone Combo to mount a continuous assault.

Gradually, the whistling sound of his punches grew, and his combat movements became increasingly fluid.

Facing Zheng Wu, who only defended without attacking, Lu Chao focused on himself and slowly began to grasp the wonders of the combat arts.

Stake Stance served as the foundation to stabilize his center of gravity.

His footwork shifted as he coordinated his punches and palm strikes in a fluid, continuous motion.

Time slipped away as he sparred on the ring for a full half-hour.

Until finally, accompanied by the sound of his footsteps.

Thud!

It was as if he had broken through a key barrier.

Lu Chao stomped the ground and surged forward, his right arm pulled back like a full moon.

His straight punch carried a whistling sound, his feet striking the floor like rolling rocks, his momentum as brilliant as a rainbow.

"Oh?"

A flash of surprise crossed Zheng Wu's eyes, and he quickly raised his palm to block.

Bang!!

He held his right palm vertically, catching Lu Chao's fist.

With a slight tremor in his shoulder and elbow, he was forced to take a step back for the first time, even if it was only half a step.

"Hoo!"