Lu Chenzhou was practicing punches on the training ground when suddenly a male student ran over to him. It was Liu Quanhai, whom he was not very familiar with and didn’t remember well.
"Lu, can I ask you some questions?"
"I am also at the critical point from Small Success to Great Success in Black Tiger Fist, but I always feel like I’m missing something. I think you just had a breakthrough and might have some experience."
"My experience might not necessarily apply to you, but you can refer to it."
Lu Chenzhou shared his insights from his breakthrough to Great Success with him, helping each other amongst classmates was appropriate, as Liu Huan had helped him a lot.
"Everyone who walks out of this school is the network resource that ordinary people dream of because they could all possibly become Martial Artists!"
Lu Chenzhou thought this made sense.
Being kind to others and maintaining good relationships was never a mistake. Even if you truly are a favored child of heaven, worlds apart from ordinary people, there’s no need to put on a sour face.
After listening, Liu Quanhai nodded repeatedly.
He now completely respected Lu Chenzhou. If he hadn’t diligently trained to reach the Great Achievement Realm himself, he would not be capable of expressing such profound insights.
"Thank you, classmate!"
He thanked him several times and then went off to cultivate.
"Then I wish you an early entry into the Fourth Rank."
Lu Chenzhou also offered his blessings. He could sense that, as his talent and strength were revealed, people around him visibly became more polite and friendly.
After finishing his punches, Lu Chenzhou looked towards the Martial Arts Tree.
[Swallow Return Fist: Proficient (100%) → Mastery (1%)] The most update n0vels are published on novęlfire.net
[Sea-sweeping Body: Mastery (79%) → Mastery (80%)]
"The Flying Swallow Sea Flying routine is basically formed."
Lu Chenzhou took a glance at his phone before bed.
He found that the Martial Arts class group of high school freshmen was still chatting in the middle of the night.
After reading it, his expression became serious.
"Another life lost, and it’s a student from Fangshan?"
A high school freshman from the Imperial Capital Martial Arts University had taken leave last night to handle some errands off-campus. On the way, he encountered a cult member preaching and beat him up. Unexpectedly, the cult member had an accomplice hiding nearby, a Fourth Rank Black Knight. With his Third Rank cultivation, he stood no chance and was brutally killed by the Black Knight.
The school authorities are now collaborating with the police to trace the murderer.
This incident has blown up.
Just now, the homeroom teacher, Yu Zheng, emphasized again in the group chat not to show off one’s ability outside school and not to act rashly as a vigilante, especially in less crowded places, and leave it to the professionals.
When Lu Chenzhou heard it, he felt a chill. He remembered the incident that night; fortunate he was afraid of death, for he had silently moved far away before secretly calling the police.
He was afraid of retaliation if those people heard him.
He felt regret for this fellow student.
A potential future Martial Artist, gone just like that.
The school and society suffered a loss, and his family was devastated.
One must be careful and cautious when going out.
Eight in the morning, Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.
Today, there was a banner up at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.
[20th Pingjiang District Martial Arts Academy Exchange Match Venue]
This kind of small-scale Martial Arts Academy exchange competition is generally organized by the local Martial Artist Association of each district, and the prize money is also provided by the district association; the Martial Arts Association does not interfere.
Inside the venue, a large competition stage had been set up. The Da Xia Martial Artists Association has a universal standard for the stages of various martial arts events. Not to speak of those above the ranks of Martial Artists, the competition stage for rank-entry matches should measure 12 meters by 12 meters.
It was 0.8 meters high, surrounded by a railing.
This kind of exchange competition didn’t have many participants, and it could be finished in one day.
The morning session was for junior groups, afternoon for youth groups, and evening for middle-aged groups.
Lu Chenzhou planned to watch his own match, then watch his senior sister’s youth group match in the afternoon, and then rush back to school for classes, not wasting any time.
The audience had already gradually taken their seats, mainly consisting of students from various Martial Arts Academies or their family and friends. Li Xianghua and Lu Guoping were there as well; they were having an earnest conversation with Ji Xuantong, full of words of thanks and gratitude.
"Okay, you guys take your seats."
"Thank you, Master Ji."
The elderly couple, seeing Lu Chenzhou arrive, called him over to give some advice.
Lu Guoping excitedly said,
"Son, no more words needed. Focus on protecting yourself during the competition. Safety first, friendship second, ranking third. You have a long journey ahead."
Li Xianghua was somewhat worried.
"Be very careful, and concede if you must."
Chenzhou was also helpless. He had assured the elders that nothing could possibly happen to him with his level of cultivation, but they continued to worry incessantly. The heart of a parent is indeed pitiful.
"You guys sit down, I’m going to talk with the master."
Having reassured the elders, Chenzhou changed into the training clothes of Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall and joined Ji Xuantong. Ji Xuantong sized up Chenzhou and nodded in satisfaction.
"Made some progress? What’s your Qi-Blood Value now?"
"Last check before coming was 2.09."
Ji Xuantong whispered,
"Just be cautious around Rein. His Qi-Blood Value has also broken two, and I’m uncertain if he’s reached Fourth Rank yet, he’s your toughest competitor... As for Wang Chong and Liu Qingyuan, they are probably not your match if they get serious, but try to last a few more moves to give Jiang Jiao and Wu Tian Lion some face. Don’t hold back against Rein, give it your all!"
Back then, he had been quite beaten up by Giant Elephant Rickett.
Now, it was imperative for Chenzhou to reclaim their honor.
Old Ji was indeed a bit petty.
"I understand, master."
In the spectator seats, friends from Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall who weren’t competing had taken their places. They had already started cheering for Chenzhou with banners and loud voices, creating quite a scene.
This left competitors from other halls a bit perplexed.
Per Ji Xuantong’s instruction, the news of Chenzhou’s breakthrough to Fourth Rank had not been disclosed. Many were still operating on outdated information; they had thought the leading figure in the youth division was from Du Academy and were surprised to find that Chenzhou received the loudest cheers upon arriving.
"Junior brother, fight with spirit. From now on, people might forget your name, but they will never forget the impressiveness you display today!"
"Thank you for the guidance, senior sister."
On the training ground, Du was still warming up and practicing his fist-work, preparing to go on stage. He was dedicated, even though he knew that the youth division’s protagonist was surely Chenzhou.
"Chenzhou, go for it."
Old Zhang, participating in the evening’s adult division, ran over.
"Chenzhou, perform well and make it look good... I’ll have someone edit your video, add some BGM, and post it online. It’s going to be a hit!"
Old Zhang had hired a professional team for this operation and was very committed.
Chenzhou did not decline; having taken the money, he was to support Old Zhang’s publicity efforts, and he indeed needed the fame to help enhance his future earnings.
Before the competition.
Qin Zheng brought Li Linling, who he hadn’t seen for a long while; he was thrilled, finally having found an excuse to invite his university-entrance-exam-counting-down senior sister out for a little while.
"Chenzhou, go for it!"
His loud voice echoed in the Martial Arts Hall.
The Martial Arts Association leaders were now accompanied by four Masters, the most conspicuous being the elephant-like Giant Elephant Rickett, whose arms were indeed much thicker than Chenzhou’s thighs, veins sprawling like venomous snakes, exuding a violent beauty.
Jiang Jiao was a tall, handsome middle-aged man.
Wu Tian Lion was short and stout, looking quite astute.
The leader took a sip of water, coughed, and announced,
"The 20th Pingjiang District Martial Arts Hall Exchange Youth Division officially begins. The competition will use random matchups to decide the top three."
Among the 24 participants, most were just filling numbers; those of Third Rank strength did not exceed ten. They stood in a line, and in terms of height and outwardly invincible aura, the most ferocious-looking was the bald Caucasian,
Beside him, Wang Chong and Liu Qingyuan both wore serious expressions, each harboring their thoughts.
"Rein indeed is a formidable opponent; he must be close to Fourth Rank."
"Hope I don’t match with him."
"As long as it’s not Rein, I’m confident of making the top three!"
Rein was too conspicuous, and all competitors’ eyes are on him.
No one noticed Du and Chenzhou in the corner.
On the big screen, random matchups kept cycling.
Everyone was curious to see who would be unlucky enough to face Rein, the muscle monster, in the first round, including Chenzhou, until the screen stopped.
[First Pair: Liu Yong (Golden Lion) vs Du (Flying Swallow)]
[Fourth Pair: Rein Smith (Giant Elephant) vs Chenzhou (Flying Swallow)]
Well, it turned out he was the unlucky one.