Lu Chenzhou also felt that this senior sister was somewhat interesting.
Her personality seemed a bit flamboyant.
Of course, this wasn't meant in a derogatory sense.
For a martial artist, being appropriately flamboyant wasn't a bad thing.
"Senior sister is treating us, nice!"
He had met Ji Feiyan before and was deeply impressed. In fact, when he first met the senior sister, he had harbored some admiration for her, but unfortunately, he knew a relationship between them was impossible.
One was of ordinary root bone, and the other was a dragon and phoenix among men. Nowadays, even ordinary women had such high standards, let alone someone like Ji Feiyan?
The other students also largely understood this point.
Shi Ruyu walked over and said,
"Let's clean up then, and we can head out."
Old Zhang said embarrassedly,
"I'll not go, you young people gather should be fine."
He felt somewhat uncomfortable in the company of those geniuses.
Lu Chenzhou didn't mind, as long as the gathering didn't end too late.
He still needed to head home to practice Heavenly Pile and didn't want to worry his mother.
A group of people escorted Ji Feiyan to the nearby Heavenly Immortal Tavern.
At the dining table, Ji Feiyan took on the air of an elder sister by substituting tea for wine.
"Tonight everyone dig in!"
Next to her, Shi Ruyu sipped some tea and said,
"Let's all introduce ourselves, as many faces are new here."
Du was the first to raise his hand.
"I'm Du, haha, senior sister, do you remember me?"
"Remember, at that time Junior Brother Du was still Second Rank, now you're Third Rank, that's fast progress, keep it up and you may have a future as a martial artist!" Ji Feiyan politely said.
Du's face turned red. In front of these students, occasionally bragging was alright, but in front of Ji Feiyan, who was already Eighth Rank by the age of 20, he was nothing.
"Tapping into senior sister's lucky words!"
Others also introduced themselves in turn.
Finally, Lu Chenzhou introduced himself,
"Sister Ji, I'm Lu Chenzhou."
"Junior brother, that's it? Done with the introduction?"
"No hobbies or interests? Sister would like to understand you more comprehensively."
"Martial arts training."
"...Here, everyone loves martial arts, alright, I won't push you then."
Shi Ruyu looked at Lu Chenzhou and explained to Ji Feiyan,
"This kid is honest. If you talk to him about martial arts, he could go on for an hour non-stop, but if it's about other stuff, he's introverted and doesn't talk much."
As Lu Chenzhou ate, he murmured,
"Haha, such an adorable junior brother, even says 'yes.'"
Ji Feiyan, a scion of a martial arts family, was outgoing and confident, exuding a temperament that made her seem both approachable and distant to those around her, difficult to describe.
Though they were sitting at the same table, they seemed like they were from two different worlds.
This was the most hopeless feeling.
After three rounds of tea, Ji Feiyan stood up and finally said,
"Thank you all for coming, and thank you for your support of the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall. Whether you continue training at our martial arts hall or are elsewhere, if you have any problems, you can always contact me. Consider the martial arts hall your second home.
The times have changed, many outdated customs have been discarded, but the solidarity and mutual support of the old martial arts halls must continue! 'Flying Swallow Sea Flying, Unrestrained!'"
"Sister said it well."
Du was the first one to applaud and cheer.
"Flying Swallow Sea Flying, Unrestrained!"
Everyone also stood up and drained their cups of tea.
Lu Chenzhou began to see this Ji sister in a new light.
She seemed carefree, but she also had her wits about her. Those words were actually spoken on behalf of Ji Xuantong, to foster a sense of belonging among the students towards the martial arts hall, and to facilitate the care of the martial hall's business later, as it formed a vast network across society.
The gathering crowd dispersed.
Shi Ruyu repeatedly urged everyone to pay attention to safety on their way home.
Lu Chenzhou returned home and started practicing Heavenly Pile, having witnessed the talent at the top Martial Arts universities today — truly extraordinary, which further fueled his drive to pursue it.
Pingjiang Mansion, the Ji Xuantong family residence.
As a Martial Arts Family estate, the fitness and martial arts training facilities here were comparable to those at a Martial Arts Hall, with two figures crisscrossing rapidly across the sparring ring.
Eventually, Ji Feiyan flew out and landed with a backward somersault, saying, "Mom, you're still so strong, but wait until I'm in my junior year, I'm confident I'll defeat you!"
A middle-aged woman with curly hair and a shoulder-length style laughed,
"Back in the day, when you ventured into the world, you were quite the skilled fighter too."
At that moment, Ji Xuantong, dressed in training clothes, casually asked,
"Feiyan, what do you think of Lu Chenzhou?"
"He's not bad, just a bit dull... Wait, you're not trying to arrange a marriage for me, are you? I already have someone I like! It's just that I'm not yet worthy to pursue them."
"What are you thinking? He's underage! I'm talking about martial arts!"
"Oh, I see. I watched him spar today, he's quite a promising talent among those with lower 'root bones,' but Dad, if you're considering taking him as a true inheritor, I'd advise careful consideration."
The time soon reached the end of February.
The Taihu region remained under lockdown, the specifics unknown. Within the blue light barriers, it seemed like another world where ordinary people lived normal lives, concerning themselves with everyday essentials. Martial Artists discreetly protected countless families by battling the unknown dangers.
Thus, it's normal for Martial Artists to hold high status, as most morally upright citizens only admire not envy them. The history of Da Xia is long and has faced countless invasions. In critical times, there have always been Martial Artists who stepped forward, becoming national heroes celebrated by the people and remembered through the ages.
In such a cultural influence, the Martial Artists naturally fight for the greater good and the nation, their fists clenched in anger, defending the country and punishing the wicked.
Wanhua High School, examination room.
"Time's up, everyone stop writing."
The invigilating teacher's voice echoed.
Lu Chenzhou had already finished checking his mathematics paper.
"There shouldn't be any problems."
After submitting his paper, Qin Zheng approached Lu Chenzhou.
"How did it feel? Difficult?"
Lu Chenzhou pondered.
Qin Zheng felt a chill in his heart. If the conservative Lu Chenzhou thought it was 'okay,' then the test must have been too easy... Why did he find it difficult?
A few days later, the monthly exam results were out.
In the homeroom teacher's office,
the math teacher's face was brimming with smiles, unable to hide his joy.
Lu Chenzhou ranked 13th in his grade, an improvement from before.
He had always thought that Lu Chenzhou had heeded advice and allocated some martial arts training time to study. It wasn't until today, after he summoned and reprimanded Qin Zheng who just scored 90 in math, that he learned more about Lu Chenzhou's daily routine,
realizing that Lu Chenzhou hadn't listened at all.
The boy had even spent more time practicing martial arts.
Besides the steady improvement in academic subjects, Lu Chenzhou's martial arts skills had soared rapidly. Just six months ago, he wasn't ranked, but now he was at the Second Rank.
"Did he suddenly have a breakthrough?"
The math teacher couldn't understand.
How did this guy manage to advance in both academics and martial arts simultaneously?
Thinking back to the earlier conversations with Lu Chenzhou,
it seemed rather unnecessary now.
Stone Lake Garden, Building 3, Suite 2802.
Li Xianghua and Lu Guoping, the elderly couple, were on a video call in their bedroom, subtly sharing Lu Chenzhou's exam results with their relatives. Latest content published on nοvelfire.net
"Your Chenzhou really is capable."
"It's alright, just passable."
In the bedroom, after completing his Heavenly Pile practice, Lu Chenzhou looked towards the Martial Arts Tree.
[Cultivation Technique]
[Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile: Third Acupoint Open]
"Guanchong Acupoint, open!"