Ruda Affiliated Martial Arts Hall.
Hall Master's Office.
A clear big screen projection forms in front of the desk.
Wang Boxiong lightly moves his fingers, and the projected screen changes accordingly, displaying the data of all instructors and important personnel of the martial arts hall.
After reading, Wang Boxiong selects the information of new students and quickly flips through it.
When encountering students with excellent martial arts accomplishments, he stops and reads carefully.
Suddenly, Wang Boxiong stops and stares at the screen before him.
Wang Boxiong ponders for a moment, and a light curtain extends from his temple, suspending two lenses before his eyes.
On the suspended lenses, information about Zhou Leng and Eighth Middle School appears.
According to the information from the Martial Guard Department, Principal Lu of Eighth Middle School is vigorously preparing a recognition event, widely inviting all alumni.
The relevant messages indicate that Principal Lu seems to value Zhou Leng greatly, as Zhou Leng was not admitted to West Sea Martial Arts Academy, he's been critical of West Sea Martial Arts Academy in various occasions these days.
"This Principal Lu should be the former teacher of Ma Xingkong."
In Wang Boxiong's mind, the image of that clean-cut smiling old classmate appears.
Wang Boxiong thinks for a moment and examines Zhou Leng's data carefully, eventually looking at the war merits.
Before enrolling, the average war merits obtained by martial arts students through martial arts research does not exceed 10.
Zhou Leng's war merits are 41.5, which not only far surpasses the average level of the Martial Arts Academy but also exceeds his teammates.
In Quanru City, less than two hundred freshmen have war merits exceeding Zhou Leng's.
Wang Boxiong continues to search for Demon City-related materials and soon reveals a puzzled expression.
It turns out they were sealed by the Demon City Army.
Wang Boxiong carefully checks again, and makes a phone call.
"Uncle Chen, it's me."
"Boxiong, how's the busy affairs at the martial arts hall recently?"
"Just some trivial matters that can be handled."
"Never let cultivation fall behind, martial arts is your foundation."
"Chen Fenghu inexplicably sealed a Demon City file of a student from our martial arts hall, claiming it's related to the Demon Worship Sect. The student is named Zhou Leng, and is one of our key cultivation targets. I want to review his files; could you send them over to me?"
"Alright, I'll have someone take photos and send them to you."
"Thank you, Uncle Chen."
Wang Boxiong closes the communication. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩
Grandmaster Chen Changyi is the Division Commander of the Seventh Division, and Chen Shouhu's superior.
Soon, Wang Boxiong receives the file photos and carefully reads all related contents.
"Suspected Odd Body or treasure resisting chill... brave rescue of comrades... saved by Tong Tianxia... shimmering with bronze light all over..."
Wang Boxiong lets out a long sigh, the scar across his forehead gently quivers.
"Body like diamond, heart like glass..."
"Back then Blue Star's number one, Tong Tianxia, eventually led all of us and ascended to Grandmaster."
"Could he be the right one after all..."
Wang Boxiong finishes flipping through all new student information, prints out a list, and calls for an instructor.
"Greetings, Hall Master!" Instructor Deng Zhijue, dressed in a dark green Martial Guard uniform and standing tall, enters after saluting.
"Prepare to teach this year's Class 01. Here is the student list for Class 01."
"These are good seeds, be sure to be diligent and responsible."
"Goodbye, Hall Master!" Deng Zhijue salutes and turns around.
"Wait a moment." Wang Boxiong suddenly says.
Deng Zhijue turns back, looking at Wang Boxiong, standing straight like being in the Martial Guard Bureau.
"Have you received the invitation for the Eighth Middle School's recognition event?"
"Go have a look, I met Principal Lu recently, he's a good person."
Deng Zhijue walks out of the Hall Master's Office, puzzled.
What does this new Hall Master mean?
If it were the previous Hall Master, Deng Zhijue wouldn't think much, but Wang Boxiong's status is too illustrious.
Graduated from Yunhua Martial Arts Academy, ranked second on Rucheng's Innate list, top ten nationwide Innate list, disciple of Martial Saint, even a potential candidate for the future director of Rucheng Martial Guard Bureau.
Deng Zhijue knows he's not skilled in these matters, thinks for a bit, and contacts the class teacher from Eighth Middle School who sent him the invitation, then inquires about the relationship between Principal Lu and Wang Boxiong.
The teacher replies saying Principal Lu and Wang Boxiong met at the Martial Arts examination venue but have no deep relationship.
Deng Zhijue becomes even more puzzled, thinks for a moment, then looks carefully at the Class 01 student list, but cannot discern anything.
"Forget it, probably will understand when attending the recognition event on the 8th."
Deng Zhijue uses the school's system to text all students in Class 01, telling them to add him on Martial Faith, and establishes a group for posting announcements.
The next day, Deng Zhijue receives a call from a friend at the Martial Guard Bureau, asking to have dinner together, as the friend's child was just admitted to Ruda Martial Arts Hall, and happens to be in Class 01.
Deng Zhijue reluctantly agrees after much persuasion.
That evening, Deng Zhijue arrives at Old Rongji Hotel to meet with old friends along with Chang Luan and his son.
Chang Luan and his son are discerning, first gauging intentions, saying Chang Luan hopes to serve as the senior disciple of this year's class at the martial arts hall.
Deng Zhijue maintained a polite demeanor from start to finish, keeping a proper distance from Chang Luan and his father.
Chang Luan and his father did not insist, only chatting and eating harmoniously.
After Deng Zhijue left, Chang Yuanzhong lowered his brow in thought.
Chang Luan sat by him, silent, occasionally picking up food and chewing quietly.
"What do you think?" Chang Yuanzhong looked at his son.
"This Instructor probably understands our intentions, but keeps refusing. Either someone else has already gotten ahead, or he doesn't want to get involved in this mess."
"You still don't get the implied meaning. Instructor Deng mentioned Hall Master Wang Boxiong three times in total, each with different content: the first time saying he's new and wants to accomplish something, the second time saying he's steady and experienced, the third time saying he's the second in the Innate Realm under the Martial Saint's tutelage in Rucheng, the intention is clear."
"Now it makes sense. He means if we don't deal with Wang Boxiong, he won't be in a position to look after us?"
"Exactly. If I could handle Wang Boxiong, why would I look for a small instructor like him? I can't even invite the Chief Instructor of the early Innate Realm."
Chang Luan's expression darkened. "Then what do we do?"
Chang Yuanzhong sighed, "You rascal. If he truly didn't want to help, he wouldn't have mentioned Wang Boxiong at all. Since he did, it means there's still a chance, it's just about the stakes."
"I got it, I got it. He's actually hesitating too, and with four classes this time, he can't decide entirely."
"I reckon he wants to wait and see. After all, the military training hasn't even started and we're already approaching him. It's unlikely he'd outright agree."
Chang Luan said, "This entrance test has two parts. The first part is a basic test, where each class selects the top four, forming the top sixteen. In the second part, during the second week of school, the final showdown among the top sixteen will determine the final ranking."
"If I want to be the senior brother, I should aim for first place, but it's tough. I've taken the Perfection Pill, my True Qi is perfect, and I can start Blood Transport tomorrow, making it into the top four is not hard. Once in, with some maneuvering, it's very possible to gain the title of senior brother."
Chang Yuanzhong said, "First, make contact with the few strongest in martial arts, then cater to their needs. This time, spending a substantial amount of money doesn't matter."
"Dad, there might actually not be a need to spend too much," Chang Luan cautiously said.
Chang Yuanzhong sighed, "I'm doing all this to make life easier for you in the future, so you won't be as tough as I am now. Sending you to the Martial Guard Department in Xiong City is not within my capability, but getting you into the Martial Guard Bureau in Rucheng isn't hard. The difficulty lies in how you rise up later. If you don't prepare step by step now, do you think you can compete with others just with your brains and skills?"
Chang Luan chuckled, "I definitely can't compare with you."
"Tomorrow, I'll have a senior in the Innate Realm guard you during Blood Transport, and I'll personally train you. If you can't become the senior brother, I'll get your bank card back, halve your allowance, double your cultivation time, and you're not allowed out at night! If those hooligan-like friends dare approach you again, I'll break their legs one by one."
"Dad..." Chang Luan was dumbfounded.
Chang Yuanzhong stood up and left.
Chang Luan watched his father's back, feeling a chill, because when his father said something, he would do it.
Imagining the grim situation after failing, Chang Luan took a deep breath.
"Then I'll give it my all!"
Chang Luan used the Demonized Watch to start adding classmates to the class group.
Zhou Leng, dressed in camouflage pants and a camouflage short-sleeve shirt, carrying an old backpack, ran along the blue jogging track towards the direction of the Martial Arts Academy in Rucheng.
Yesterday, he enrolled and registered, today is the opening ceremony.
As Zhou Leng ran, he pondered his future.
Looking at Ruge Mountain ahead, which he'd seen for over a decade, today seemed a bit different.
The future life at the Martial Arts Hall made his heart race, yet there was a slight sense of confusion.
The unknown always brings conflict.
Aware of his emotional fluctuation, Zhou Leng took a deep breath.
"Today, I step onto a new level. Next, I must strive hard in cultivation and aim to advance to Innate!"
In front, a familiar white figure emerged from the street corner.
The young girl in a white dress, carrying a light white backpack, turned her head towards him, her eyebrows curved, smiling brightly.
Xu Qingjin raised her fair right arm, waving gently.
The sweet, crisp voice was like a song of youth.
Zhou Leng's lips curled slightly upward, nodding, "Xu Qingjin."
"What a coincidence," Xu Qingjin said, "Running to school?"
Xu Qingjin lifted her little white shoes, blended into the jogging track, and jogged side by side.
Zhou Leng slowed his pace.
"We really reunited at the academy," Xu Qingjin glanced at Zhou Leng's side profile and then turned her head back.
"Indeed. I remember in elementary school, we pointed at the academy saying we'd get in here together."
"You still remember?" Xu Qingjin's face bloomed with a smile.
Zhou Leng replied, "Always remembered."
Xu Qingjin's steps became even lighter.
Zhou Leng asked, "What about those top students?"
"They all got into other martial arts academies."
Zhou Leng glanced at Xu Qingjin's backpack, "You haven't brought any luggage, are you also commuting?"
"I went to the dormitory yesterday and joined a group with my roommates; they are all very nice. Are you planning to commute?" Xu Qingjin asked.
"In any case, the Martial Arts Hall usually only has classes for half a day. It's close to home, and I like going to Xiaoru Village to cultivate, so commuting is better."
After speaking, Zhou Leng looked at Xu Qingjin's white dress, puzzled, "Isn't the dress code for today's opening ceremony the camouflage uniforms we received yesterday?"
Xu Qingjin's eyes sparkled, a faint red crossing her face, as she patted her shoulder, "It's in the backpack, I'll change back at the school."
"Okay." Zhou Leng nodded.
"Didn't you realize you forgot something?"
Xu Qingjin sighed softly, "You promised to come over for dinner. I kept trying to contact you the past few days but couldn't reach you, and today you replied saying you were cultivating."
"I forgot." Zhou Leng looked embarrassed, he truly forgot.
Xu Qingjin said, "Anyway, next time I invite you, you can't refuse."
"Sure, as long as I'm free, I'll definitely go."