Lu Chenzhou transformed into a Black Tiger, pouncing onto the stakes with such speed that he kicked up a gust of wind, even lifting the bangs of a female student nearby.
The female student’s eyes widened in surprise.
Lu Chenzhou had only been there for a month, was quite reserved, not very sociable, always practiced his boxing alone, and was hardly seen. Some of the girls in the class didn’t even know his name.
Cha Chihu’s eyes suddenly lit up.
"This feeling... has he mastered the Dark Force?"
He continued to observe, unable to make a definite judgment yet.
Lu Chenzhou was singularly focused, envisioning himself as the Black Tiger in a mountain forest. No matter how his legs and movement technique changed, his waist remained as steady as an untoppling grandmaster. Each step he took caused the shaking wooden stakes to emit dull booming sounds, his hand and foot movements swift as wind.
Everyone watched intently as Lu Chenzhou practiced his boxing.
Until he finished and adjusted his breathing, standing firm like a large cat landing on the ground.
The crowd was left somewhat longing for more.
Cha Chihu’s gaze grew even brighter as he stared at Lu Chenzhou and asked,
"Have you achieved Great Success in ’Black Tiger Fist’?"
"Just had a breakthrough."
Cha Chihu instructed everyone to continue practicing.
"Lu Chenzhou, come to my office."
Lu Chenzhou followed with an expressionless face.
Back in the training area, everyone was still reminiscing about his performance.
"He has been here for less than a month since transferring, and he already achieved Great Success in ’Black Tiger Fist’? Is he joking... What is Lu Chenzhou’s story?"
"I don’t know, perhaps he was already at Small Success."
"But wait, I remember during a meal, he mentioned he started practicing ’Black Tiger Fist’ last October, which means he mastered a fist technique from Beginner to Great Success in seven months... Wow, only someone with Top Class root bone could progress like that, right?"
"Precisely, I recall Brother Chen Yuan achieved Great Success in ’Songhe Fist’ in just seven months too, and that was considered the limit for those with Intermediate root bone."
Lu Chenzhou had certainly surprised his classmates with a glimpse of his skill. If he had been known to have Top Class root bone, everyone would likely have taken it as normal. But being a transfer student, with average family background and Low Class root bone... They formed a stark contrast to such rapid progress.
Liu Quanhai, another transfer student, was stunned; he had thought Lu Chenzhou was just being cunning before. Now, it seemed Liu was the presumptuous one. Fortunately, he hadn’t voiced his thoughts outright; otherwise, he would have played the fool and couldn’t even maintain friendships with others.
A water-ink painting hung on the wall, titled "Black Tiger King Devouring Evil Ghosts," depicting a Black Tiger in an expressive style, chewing on a green-faced, fierce-appearing ghost. Lu Chenzhou was captivated by the painting, which oddly reminded him of that burly man.
He later checked the official website for the Pingjiang branch.
The burly man was named Lufang, nicknamed "Evil Tiger."
Noticing Lu Chenzhou’s interest, Hong Fu asked,
"How do you like the painting?"
"Very good, very powerful, as if it contains some divine essence!"
"...not that exaggerated, just a regular painting. I’ll give it to you."
"I dare not; I merely appreciate it."
"It’s not any famous masterpiece, hehe, I actually painted it myself. I like to draw water-ink paintings in my free time; I only ever draw tigers."
Hong Fu had already rolled up the painting and put it in a scroll.
Lu Chenzhou hesitated to accept it.
"I’m not joking, go ahead and take it."
Hong Fu handed it to Lu Chenzhou, then seated himself at his desk.
"Teacher, do you use painting tigers to comprehend the essence and spirit of the Tiger Form?"
Hong Fu initially wanted to agree.
But recalling that Lu Chenzhou was quite a serious person, he worried that he might take it too seriously and waste a lot of time learning to paint instead of practicing Martial Arts.
"I just love it, like painting tigers and watching them," he said. "Some people indeed can learn some essence of the Tiger Form from it, but in the end, it still comes down to rigorous training in fist techniques."
Lu Chenzhou suddenly understood.
"Thank you, teacher, for clearing my doubts."
He held the scroll, waiting for the teacher to ask questions.
He naturally didn’t plan to paint tigers, as he didn’t have that talent.
The Martial Arts Tree could only be used for learning martial arts.
Nothing else worked, he had tried everything.
"I’ve seen your record. You started learning ’Black Tiger Fist’ last October, and by the end of March, you reached Small Success, entered Third Rank, taking six months. Am I right?"
"Based on your previous pace of progress, from Small Success to Great Success, my earlier analysis was that it would take at least three months, even if you switched to full-time martial arts at a martial arts school and practiced diligently, it would still take about two months... How has your state been recently?"
"The first time I observed the tiger, I was inspired, and I made significant progress that day. Then, over the past period, I specifically focused on ’Black Tiger Fist’ for a few days."
"I see, I understand now."
Hong Fu’s doubts were finally resolved.
"Inspiration is hard to come by, and you are quite lucky."
In his cultivation to become a martial artist, it had only happened to him once.
"Yes, I think so too."
"However, aside from that inspiration, I am very satisfied with your progress, and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a transfer student who is as diligent and comprehension as you."
"You flatter me, teacher."
"I plan to report this matter to Yu Zheng; the school should soon put you on the ’Key Focus List’, and your Martial Arts Supplement treatment will be doubled. Work hard, maintain your current state, or you’ll be removed from the list."
"Thank you, teacher!"
Lu Chenzhou was secretly delighted.
Liu Huan had mentioned the ’Key Focus List’, which currently included only five people in the freshman class: Liu Huan, Yuan Zhigang, Ji Changkong, Wen Tiange—four major officers, all with Sixth Rank cultivation, and Huo Tianyu from the Huo Family with Fifth Rank cultivation.
There were many in the class who were Fourth and Fifth Rank, but they hadn’t been selected. The list values not the current cultivation but the future potential more.
Privately, it was called the "almost genius list." This meant that if you performed excellently in upcoming evaluations, you might skip grades or even enter the university section of Dragon City without taking the university entrance exam, and be placed in the legendary "genius class" with those top-class talented individuals, which had numerous benefits.
Lu Chenzhou knew that his plan had succeeded again. From having the Martial Arts Tree until now, he had consistently demonstrated his talent, convincing his parents to invest in him, being noticed by Ji Xuantong, and being enrolled in Dragon City High School; now, he was even included in the almost-genius list.
Step by step, he was solidly climbing to greater heights.
He liked the informal title of "genius," but he didn’t take it too heavily; he just needed national resources and attention to pursue the infinite Martial Arts. One day, he hoped to meet the Cangtian Dragon King above the clouds.
Cha Chihu said smiling:
"Go back, but don’t have too high expectations. Whether you can succeed isn’t certain, but I think there shouldn’t be a problem; just wait for the school’s notice."
Lu Chenzhou reflected on the past month with many emotions. Diligence does pay off, but without the Martial Arts Tree, he could never have reached his current level.
He planned to hang the Black Tiger Painting in his house. Painted by a martial artist, it contained its spirit and could also be considered a charm to protect the home and provide peace of mind.
During dinner, Newest update provided by novèlfire.net
Liu Huan and the others brought their meals over to Lu Chenzhou.
"Chenzhou, I heard your ’Black Tiger Fist’ reached Great Success?"
"Yes, I had a breakthrough a few days ago."
"That quickly? You’re even fiercer than me."
"It was just good luck, and I’ve been training hard."
"Don’t be modest. You must be on that list now, right?"
"Don’t worry, based on my experience, you’re definitely on it."
The others had already metaphorically popped champagne for Lu Chenzhou.
After dinner, Liu Huan reminded him before returning to the dorm:
"Chenzhou, remember to check your Qi-Blood. Anyone who has achieved Great Success in any Second Class martial arts and has Fourth Rank cultivation can apply to the school to start studying Intermediate martial arts early.
I learned ’Bear King Stone Breaking Palm’ very early. Its power is indeed much greater than the ordinary ’Bear Boxing.’ Hehehe, I’m relying on it for next year’s martial arts competition!"