"Chenzhou, you've been at the academy for six months now, how do you feel about this place?"
Ji Xuantong sat there, with an easy-going expression.
"It feels like home."
Lu Chenzhou was brief and clear.
Ji Xuantong was very satisfied in his heart.
"Hahaha, that is the highest praise for a commercial Martial Arts Academy."
"Honestly, I didn't have high hopes for you at the beginning. I thought you might finish these 30 lessons and never have any contact with the academy again.
However, your performance surprised me, breaking through Third Rank, opening Four Apertures, and achieving a small success in Black Tiger Fist... I admit I was mistaken initially."
Lu Chenzhou remained silent.
It's normal to be mistaken; no one is infallible.
Who could have known that he would awaken the Martial Arts Tree? Hearing these sincere words from the Master, he felt that Ji Xuantong was a genuine person, truly worthy of being called a Martial Artist.
Ji Xuantong asked directly:
"Lu Chenzhou, would you like to become my True Disciple?"
Lu Chenzhou was initially startled, then replied without hesitation:
"Lu Chenzhou greets Teacher!"
In modern society, bowing or engaging in intricate ceremonies for accepting a disciple isn't customary; Lu Chenzhou stood still, continuously thanking Ji Xuantong in his words.
He recalled something and then asked,
"Teacher, this True Inheritance Fee?"
In commercial Martial Arts Academies, becoming a True Disciple usually requires a fee, and Lu Chenzhou did not know how much it was, but he was sure it was beyond what his family could afford.
"There's no need for a fee. From now on, you'll assist Shi Ruyu in teaching my public classes, Ruyu will handle Basic Boxing, and you'll cover the Sea Sweeping Body. This way, you'll also be working for me... using your wages to offset the discipleship fee."
Lu Chenzhou felt warm inside.
He was eager to demonstrate Martial Arts to others.
Such an opportunity could enhance his own proficiency as well; why not?
Lu Chenzhou spoke earnestly:
"In old times, a teacher was as revered as a father, Master's great kindness, Chenzhou will never forget!"
"Don't burden yourself with too many thoughts, I also see potential in you, hoping that you can achieve great things, and make our Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall renowned.
From the True Disciple of a Martial Arts Academy to Martial Arts University, it's all about investing in Martial Arts talents, hence branching out and forming a network of relationships that belong to us. The so-called wealth, companionship, and territory follows this principle. Martial Arts Cultivation is never done in isolation!"
Lu Chenzhou understood.
"I will remember that."
"If anyone other than your parents asks how much the True Inheritance Fee was, say that you signed a non-disclosure agreement... and make sure your parents remember to keep it confidential."
After a brief ceremony of discipleship.
Lu Chenzhou was officially enrolled in Ji Xuantong's list of True Disciples.
"Currently, I have three True Disciples under me, elder disciple sister Ji Feiyan, second disciple sister Shi Ruyu, and you are the third... unless something unexpected happens, I don't plan to accept any more disciples.
So, you three must support each other and ensure harmony in our teachings.
I see your relationship with Shi Ruyu is quite good, so I'm not worried about that. Feiyan has been bold since childhood and might have a bit of an ego. However, she is a good person, and her classmates praise her for being enthusiastic and generous, with a lot of friends at Dragon City Martial Arts University."
"I think elder sister is very nice."
He had limited energy and also wanted to pursue a higher realm in the time remaining.
He did not aspire for a significant leap, merely to Break the Second Shackles.
With this, the Ji Family's status in the Su City Martial Arts Circle would be even more solidified.
After he grew old, if Ji Feiyan wanted to come back to Su City and develop, the Martial Arts Academy would be hers. If not, the academy might well cease to exist. But the relationships formed because of the academy needed to be well maintained, as they could be beneficial for the development of the Ji Family.
Relying solely on descendants to sustain a legacy is difficult.
A Martial Arts Family, in essence, is a series of large and small Martial Arts Circles. They involve both familial ties and teacher-student bonds... intertwined and far-reaching.
"It's getting late, you should head home... Tomorrow night I will book a private room at the nearby Heavenly Immortal Drunken Bliss, consider it a ceremony feast for accepting a disciple, and we can all gather."
Ji Xuantong patted Lu Chenzhou's shoulder.
Lu Chenzhou, as if awakening from a dream, murmured in his heart.
"I have become a True Disciple of a Martial Artist!"
This was far more significant than being just an ordinary student or even a core student. To put it bluntly, the former relies entirely on money, but True Inheritance couldn't be bought just with money.
One had to be valued by the Martial Artist.
Martial Artists do not lack money and care about their reputations. Rarely do Martial Artists massively sell places for True Inheritance to make a profit, as such would be despised by the Martial Arts Circle.
Such actions would ultimately only degrade their value.
Stone Lake Garden, Building 3, Apartment 2802.
Lu Chenzhou was notably excited today.
"What's got you so happy?"
Li Xianghua was following an exercise video, sweating profusely.
Lu Chenzhou had inspired the whole family to get moving.
Life is about movement!
"Mom, my grades last month weren't very good."
Lu Chenzhou decided to start with the bad news.
"It's okay, you've been working so hard on your martial arts training, don't be too hard on yourself."
Li Xianghua consoled.
"But I still held my place in the top twenty."
"...how is that bad? That's fantastic!"
Li Xianghua breathed a sigh of relief.
She cared more about his martial arts, but she didn't want him to fall behind in his academic subjects either.
"You must have other news, right?" Read complete version only at novel·fiɾe·net
With Lu Chenzhou's character, this level of happiness must mean something great!
Could it be that the Martial Arts University teachers have noticed him?
She scrolled through short videos, which claimed every university had professional "martial scouts" monitoring various competitions and news to discover hidden talents.
She always believed that Lu Chenzhou was a golden boy who would eventually shine!
"I was accepted as a true disciple by our master."
Upon hearing this, Li Xianghua instinctively felt like she was in a dream.
She had dreamt more than once about Lu Chenzhou getting into Martial Arts University, being mentored by renowned teachers, and becoming a martial artist—an epitome of her reflective thoughts manifesting in dreams.
Now, her fixation on him becoming a martial artist ran deep.
Due to various reasons, the family was facing difficulties.
They had kept many things from Lu Chenzhou, worried it might affect his martial arts spirit. She and Lu Guoping felt like they were carrying a mountain on their shoulders, hoping to lay it down soon.
"Mom, why aren't you saying anything?"
Once she confirmed it wasn't a dream, Li Xianghua's first question was,
"How much does it cost? If it's too expensive, can we pay in installments?"
Even core members had to pay two thousand per lesson.
True Inheritance fees, wouldn't those hit the roof?
Lu Chenzhou remembered the caution from the master.
"Mom, you don't need to worry about the money; it's been settled... If relatives and friends ask about the fees, just say you're not clear, that you signed a non-disclosure agreement."
He reiterated the master's words.
"This...there's no charge?"
Li Xianghua was even more shocked.
Generally, this meant the child was extremely outstanding, and the martial artist couldn't wait to take him as a true disciple... Could Chenzhou truly be a prodigious talent?
This development totally exceeded her expectations.
Lu Chenzhou said, "From now on, the martial arts academy will be my second home."
"Uh huh! When you make it one day, make sure to repay their kindness! He's your benefactor; we mustn't be ungrateful!" Li Xianghua repeatedly cautioned.
"Mom, I'm going to rest now, good night."
Lu Chenzhou went back to his room and lay on his bed, happy by himself.
Li Xianghua was already on the phone with Lu Guoping.
"The Martial Arts Supplements are finished, bring a box back when you come."
"Okay, didn't he go for a qi-blood test today? How did it go?"
"He reached Third Rank! I knew our boy wouldn't waste your money!"
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment.
"So, does that mean Pingjiang Martial Arts University is almost a sure thing?"
"Humph, what do you think! There's another piece of good news; I'll tell you when you get back."
"Alright, I'm on my way home now, overtime? Screw that!"
Half an hour later, Lu Guoping hurried home.
Li Xianghua jumped up excitedly and said,
"Chenzhou was accepted as a true disciple by Ji Xuantong!"
Hit by two pieces of great news in a row, Lu Guoping also staggered for a moment.
"True... True disciple?"