Lu Chenzhou’s parents were fairly educated, but since they had never entered the Martial Arts Circle, they couldn’t compare with Lu Chenzhou’s insight in this area, so they greatly respected his opinion.
They resolutely declined all the requests from property speculators. No matter the future value, owning a property in a region of national key planning was always a good decision.
Besides, now that Lu Chenzhou could earn his own money, their family wasn’t in dire need of cash for emergencies; the old couple was simply waiting to move into the faculty housing and had no urgency to sell.
The cold winter wind swept through Stone Lake, but at Dragon City Martial Arts University’s sports field, the air seemed to have paused, enveloping everything in a serene and solemn atmosphere.
A middle-aged man dressed in Dragon City Martial Arts University training clothes stood on the lectern. His face was chiseled and angular, his eyes fierce like a tiger from the Greater Khingan taiga—an imposing presence. This man was none other than the "Three Extremes Saint Hand·Wang Changming", the principal of the Su City branch of Dragon City Martial Arts University, a Martial Arts Grandmaster who had broken through the Fifth Rank shackles!
"Thank you to the Su City Martial Arts Association, thank you to the teachers and students from our friendly school, Pingjiang Martial Arts University, and thank you to the various martial arts communities and people of Su City for braving the cold to attend our school’s establishment ceremony. Dragon City Martial Arts University has a long history; since its inception, it has provided the nation with a large number of martial arts talents and given birth to many renowned Martial Arts Grandmasters..."
Wang Changming spoke with ringing conviction—it wasn’t just official rhetoric—he harbored the belief that he must make Dragon City Martial Arts University the top martial arts school.
After his speech, the audience erupted into applause.
To show support, students from the 24 high schools in Fangshan district also came. Despite their rivalries behind closed doors, on the surface, all schools were amicable, maintaining a harmonious and respectful relationship.
"Three Extremes Saint Hand..."
Lu Chenzhou muttered to himself. This new principal, reputed to be among the top of those who had broken through the Fifth Rank shackles, was ranked along with the Cold Mountain Elder on the "All Nations Top Hundred List".
The All Nations Martial Arts Competition held every ten years had various events.
There was the "All Nations Talent Competition", which was limited by age.
There was the "All Nations Extreme Realm Competition" where martial artists of similar realms competed for the title of the unbeatable within their ranks. Martial Artists could register for this up to the Breakthrough Fourth shackles. This competition sought the "Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow List", with only a hundred people listed per list.
After breaking the Fifth Rank shackles, one had to participate in more significant competitions. That was the "All Nations Absolute Peak Competition" in which the Cangtian Dragon King participated.
This event drew the highest attention and was the exclusive feast for top-level fighters.
The All Nations Absolute Peak Competition would determine the "World’s Number One", "World’s Number Two", "World’s Number Three", "All Nations Top Ten", and "All Nations Top Hundred" honors.
Those who made it to the All Nations Top Hundred were generally among the top few hundred strongest people in humanity, considering there were still many who, for various reasons, did not participate in the competition.
At that moment, Lu Chenzhou was only a few dozen meters away from the Three Extremes Saint and the Cold Mountain Elder sitting in the guest area. His usually undisturbed heart also held some excitement and nervousness. For original chapters go to novel※fire.net
Yu Zheng gently patted Lu Chenzhou, whispering:
"Don’t be nervous. This opportunity to speak onstage is great practice for you. Just maintain your usual mindset. It’s a rare chance to be noticed by such powerful figures."
Hong Fu also smiled and said:
"Exactly. The only time I got to speak with the principal was at the graduation ceremony. You’re still in high school, and you’re going to shake hands with the principal. You’re really making a big splash!"
Other students looked on with envy.
"Chenzhou is really taking off, huh? To think he was chosen to participate in the high school students’ speech... Damn, why didn’t I push myself a bit harder back then?"
"Is hard work alone enough? Chenzhou’s comprehension is top level. The significance of his breaking through to the Sixth Rank in one year is too great. I’m not surprised it’s him."
"If Senior Chen Yuan hadn’t graduated, he might have had a chance too."
"No way. Chen Yuan’s body is in Cao Camp, but his heart is in Han... The school is not that foolish."
Over the past half a month, because the branch campus was about to be completed, Dragon City Martial Arts University’s main campus let the high school class select a student to give a speech. The main content was to be about some motivational stories and such conventional topics, hence the selection was, in principle, restricted to those with Low Class root bone.
Low Class root bone, with fast cultivation and enough determination.
Who else but Lu Chenzhou?
So, with an overwhelming advantage over the others, he was chosen to give a speech. He had carefully prepared the speech for half a month, then had the teachers meticulously review it word for word, lest he misspoke and disgraced the school.
He calmed his emotions and waited quietly.
As time ticked by, the Cold Mountain Elder, the head of the Su City Martial Arts Association, took the stage and delivered a speech, followed by the Su City Mayor’s address.
At last, the host said with a smile,
"Let us welcome Lu Chenzhou, a student from Class 2 of the Su City branch of Dragon City High School, to speak on behalf of the outstanding Martial Arts talents. Despite having Low Class root bone, Lu Chenzhou has been diligent and hardworking in his martial arts practice. Finally, after persevering, he has achieved clarity and secured excellent results, gaining admission to Dragon City High School and winning first place in the Su City Exchange Competition!"
After the host finished, a gasp of astonishment resonated from the audience.
"With the same Low Class root bone and at the same age, why am I only at Second Rank?"
"Damn it! I work hard too!"
Envy, admiration, jealousy, confusion...
Lu Chenzhou took a deep breath, dressed in his training clothes, and strode onto the stage. This was far more nerve-wracking than a competition on the ring. Once he entered the martial arts state, Lu Chenzhou would find himself in a state of selfless combat, ignoring the gazes of those around him.
"Hello, Principal Wang."
"Hello, Principal Zhang."
Lu Chenzhou greeted and shook hands with each of the top-level big shots after he got on stage.
Wang Changming said with a gentle smile,
"I’ve heard about you at the headquarters. Keep up the good work."
Zhang Jizhi also nodded slightly and said,
"Not bad, the mindset is good."
Someone of his status did not pay much attention to lower-level affairs, but he had heard of Lu Chenzhou from his assistant after the Su City exchange competition briefly caught fire.
He also knew that Lu Chenzhou initially wanted to attend Pingjiang Martial Arts University.
But he was poached by Dragon City Martial Arts University halfway through!
That made him inwardly curse at those shameless folks at Dragon City. Taking a whim, he looked into Lu Chenzhou’s background in detail and found that the boy’s epiphany was far from ordinary and that he might awaken the Martial Bone Dao Embryo in the future, making him a talent worth cultivating.
A potential talent with limitless possibilities thus slipped through their fingers.
It could only be said that these old, top-tier prestigious universities know how to play the game.
Not only are they local powerhouses, but they also establish branches across the nation through martial arts academies or affiliate schools to unearth buried talents.
In the end, it’s Pingjiang Martial Arts University’s history and heritage that are lacking. Although striving to catch up now, advancing further in face of the top Martial Universities’ strong defenses is as hard as reaching the heavens.
Lu Chenzhou began his speech with a solemn expression.
Below, not only were there teachers and students from the school, but Old Ji, along with Shi Ruyu and Martial Arts Academy students, as well as his parents, came to show support. The old couple were already crying with excitement.
Li Xianghua kept wiping away her tears.
"Alright, stop crying. So many people are looking."
"Didn’t you wipe away tears a moment ago?"
Ji Xuantong looked at the lively Lu Chenzhou.
With a thousand words in his heart, he ultimately sighed lightly and said,
"Being young is truly wonderful."