Martial Saint!

Shi Ruyu hurried to the Martial Arts Academy to practice her boxing after finishing her chores at home.

Not long after she entered, she saw Lu Chenzhou and Du exchange moves.

She stood and watched for a good while. Lu Chenzhou, when sparring, was extremely focused. Being able to spar with someone of the Third Rank for over ten minutes with just a Second Rank cultivation was quite impressive.

Third Rank is the late stage of the Ming Power Realm. Whether it was explosive power, muscular endurance, or any other attribute, a Third Rank was far stronger than a Second Rank, especially since Lu Chenzhou had only just entered the Second Rank. His persistence till now relied entirely on combat skills and willpower.

Shi Ruyu was very satisfied.

When the assistant instructors came back, the students greeted them one after another.

Du rubbed the back of his head and smiled,

"Sister, I was just itching for some action."

Shi Ruyu gently smiled,

"It's fine. To practice Martial Arts, you need to exchange moves. Otherwise, how can you progress? If you manage to enter Pingjiang Martial Arts University, you should take a look at the training field at four in the morning."

Everyone was amazed,

"Indeed, those who get into Martial Arts University are really hardworking!"

Shi Ruyu approached Lu Chenzhou.

"You're at the Second Rank?"

"Yes, Sister."

"Advancing one rank in three months, really good. Maintain your current rate of improvement, and becoming a Martial Artist is within reach!" Shi Ruyu was never stingy with her praise for others.

"I will work hard."

Besides his parents, the person he was most grateful to was Shi Ruyu.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, this girl, only six years his senior, had left a profound impression on him. He was grateful to have someone of such stature guiding him on his Martial Arts path.

The other students thought Lu Chenzhou had reached his rank a long time ago.

Only when they heard Shi Ruyu speak did their expressions reveal shock.

"What? Brother Lu only reached his rank three months ago?"

"Damn, with this speed and he's attending a cultural high school?"

For those with average root bone, advancing one rank per year after reaching the first rank, even with diligent practice, was considered good. The further one progressed, the more difficult it got, and the time needed to advance each rank increased, eventually leading to stagnation.

Du reassessed Lu Chenzhou.

He had joined the Martial Arts Academy three years ago, considering himself to be diligent. He reached the First Rank at 14, the Second Rank half a year later, and stepped into the Third Rank at 16. After that, his progress slowed. Hoping to comprehend Dark Force and step into the Fourth Rank seemed like a distant dream, and now, all his hopes were pinned on the Martial Arts University.

"Brother, you're impressive. It won't be long before you catch up to me."

He sincerely remarked.

Lu Chenzhou felt the way students looked at him had changed. Before today, many probably hadn't even noticed him, but now quite a few remembered him.

In this day and age, being known was essential in the study of Martial Arts.

Fame brought resources, and with it, more people willing to help.

The All Nations Martial Arts Competition was the best channel to become famous.

That's why he didn't refuse to spar.

He wanted to start at the Martial Arts Hall and step by step make a name for himself!

Genius or hard work, strength was revered!

If you're strong enough, no one will despise you for having a Low Class root bone!

Following that, more people wanted to spar with Lu Chenzhou.

Du shouted,

"What are you guys thinking, not even giving brother Lu a break? Don't tell me you want to take advantage of the situation to beat him, just to seem stronger than me?"

His character and strength were both decent, earning him a high status among the students.

Lu Chenzhou said,

"Thanks, Brother, and thank you all. Let me rest a bit, and then we can fight again. We're all from the same Martial Arts Hall, and we can exchange moves anytime, anywhere."

"Brother Lu, my name is Chen Bin. Let's add each other on WeChat."

"I'm Lin Xue..."

Because of this lively exchange, everyone became more familiar with each other. Lu Chenzhou could be said to have integrated into the circle of the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall for the first time and made many more friends.

"Young man, my name is Zhang Xun, but you can just call me Old Zhang."

A mature-looking man with a beard approached to add him on WeChat. He wasn't very tall, but he had a sturdy build and surging Qi-Blood. His Martial Arts rank was not low.

"Hello, Brother Zhang."

Lu Chenzhou knew this person.

Besides students like him who wanted to test into Martial Arts University, the Martial Arts Hall also catered to older individuals who had already entered society and came to train Martial Arts after earning some money.

These people were generally social elites, not lacking in finances.

Learning Martial Arts for self-defense, physical fitness, and longevity.

Old Zhang was among the highest in cultivation in this group. He was of the same age as the Master and was only at Fifth Rank, despite having trained in the hall for eight years since it was founded.

Old Zhang said,

"If you have any problems in the future, you can come to me. You're welcome to spar with me."

Old Zhang, with average talent, had reached Fifth Rank solely through time and Supplements. The possibility of becoming a Martial Artist before Qi-Blood began to decline was nil, not to mention slim hope even for advancing to the Upper Level.

Therefore, he wanted to befriend some young people with potential.

He had money.

Over the years, through the Martial Arts Hall and social connections, he had met some Martial Artists and wanted to create a Martial Arts social platform focused on young people with Low Class root bone. It would facilitate exchanges and Martial Arts practice for the youth and allow the Martial Arts Hall to join in, providing some intermediary services while the platform earned some commission. Currently, there were many such platforms, but none to his liking.

In the evening, the lights of Su City began to shine bright.

Old Zhang invited the students out for a big meal at the "Heavenly Immortal Drunken Feast" restaurant. He spent over ten thousand yuan, enough to buy a box of Qi Replenishing Agents, which left Lu Chenzhou's mouth agape.

Old Zhang also expressed his thoughts to the students.

At Du Men Road:

"That's great, old Zhang. If I ever need to, I'll go to the Martial Arts Association to get a coaching certificate and become a part-time instructor. I can make some money that way too," Du said.

Lu Chenzhou was also somewhat moved.

He too wanted to make money early to lessen the burden on his family.

Old Zhang said with a fist salute:

"Thank you all for your support. We don't aim to be big; our main goal is to provide a platform for many low-class 'root bone' people to practice boxing and showcase themselves. A root bone does not determine everything; surely there are gems that are buried… For example, junior brother Lu."

As Old Zhang spoke, many people looked over.

"Indeed, I feel that junior brother Lu has very good comprehension," someone said.

Loudly, Du said:

"How does that old saying go? Something about a bright pearl and a lock... I think it fits junior brother Lu quite well, right everyone? I feel that all of us are not bad. Just work hard, and we'll have our chance."

"Exactly."

The young people hadn't been beaten down by society yet and refused to admit defeat in their hearts.

Old Zhang picked up his drink and toasted the group of young people:

"I know the saying Du mentioned… 'I have a bright pearl which has long been shrouded in dust and locked away, today as the dust clears, the radiance shines, illuminating thousands of rivers and mountains! Everyone has a bright future! You minors can't drink alcohol, so come on, let's down this glass of watermelon juice!"

In front of Martial Arts, age doesn't matter.

As long as you share the same ideals and path, you can play together.

Lu Chenzhou was also somewhat touched:

"You flatter me. As long as everyone works hard, we will all achieve something."

After the meal, the students headed home one after another.

Qin Zheng left too.

Lu Chenzhou then returned to the boxing gym to continue his training.

Shi Ruyu, who was practicing boxing, stopped and asked:

"Did Old Zhang invite you guys as well?"

Lu Chenzhou nodded.

"Come, I need to talk to you about something."

Finding a tea room, Shi Ruyu asked Lu Chenzhou to sit down.

She sat opposite him, sitting upright, and after taking a sip of tea, she said:

"Do you know? Old Zhang has been a friend of the master's since childhood.

The master said Old Zhang always felt his talent was buried when he was young. Now that he's older and has money, he wants to prove something, but he's a good person.

If there's an opportunity to make money over there, you can try too.

After all, your family circumstances indeed cannot support your long-term Martial Arts training.

But for now, you should focus on improving your strength and first pass the special admission exam for Pingjiang Martial Arts University in June. Even after entering Martial Arts University, you cannot relax. During the four years, you must make rapid progress to show Martial Arts University your potential so that they might offer you a position to stay.

I had to leave because I was stuck at Sixth Rank for too long, unable to breakthrough to Transformation Realm. I was frustrated for a while before finding myself again.

Now that I've broken through to Seventh Rank, my Cultivation is smoother than before, but if I can't become a Martial Artist before the age of 35, there's no way to enter Martial Arts University through social recruitment.

Martial Arts Cultivation requires resources. The country is still rapidly developing at the moment, and with potential threats like the Void Realm, resources are prioritized for the talented.

If you fall behind at any stage, you might be eliminated.

Although there's a chance for a comeback later, it will inevitably mean wasted years, missing out on the prime time for Martial Arts Cultivation. So, work hard, Lu Chenzhou. Be neither arrogant nor self-deprecating. The road is long, and Martial Arts are boundless!"

After finishing her tea, Shi Ruyu turned to gaze out the window, lost in thought.

Lu Chenzhou asked:

"Sister, you're only 22. It shouldn't be difficult for you to rise to Martial Artist before 35 and then further study at Martial Arts University, right? I believe you can do it!"

Shi Ruyu said:

"The closer you get to breaking through the First Shackles, the harder it is. Do you know what's most desperate? I knew a senior who was already at the peak of Tenth Rank at 30, infinitely close to the First Shackles. Success seemed just in front of him, but he's been stuck on that last step for ten years, and then he just wasted away.

These are the shackles that bind humanity. Martial Arts Cultivation needs to be vigorous and progressive! To travel further, you can't lack a root bone, comprehension, effort, or resources!"

Lu Chenzhou stood up to thank his sister.

"Thank you for your guidance."

Shi Ruyu said:

"No problem. With your current state of Cultivation progress, being low-class 'root bone' is no longer a limitation for you. In the old days, this was called 'Instant Enlightenment.' So, just keep moving forward steadily and show the country your comprehension and progress. Once you catch the attention of those people, you'll get the resources you deserve, and from then on, your journey will soar."

Lu Chenzhou thought to himself:

"Instant Enlightenment? Such a thing would indeed explain why my progress has been so rapid. Actually, I do not truly have Instant Enlightenment, I've just awakened the Martial Arts Tree talent."

Shi Ruyu saw the skeptical look on Lu Chenzhou's face.

"What? You don't believe it? Instant Enlightenment is indescribable. Keep practicing, and you will understand... There are also sayings that Instant Enlightenment is a precursor to awakening the Martial Bone Dao Embryo."

"Martial Bone Dao Embryo?"

Lu Chenzhou dared not even dream of such a legendary talent. Everyone with Martial Bone Dao Embryo was invariably a top-level genius with both root bone and comprehension being upper-class!

Shi Ruyu chuckled with a snort.

"Did I scare you? It's indeed possible, but out of a hundred Instant Enlightenment individuals, maybe not even one awakens the Martial Bone Dao Embryo. Just stay calm."

Lu Chenzhou nodded.

Shi Ruyu talked with him for a long time, introducing Lu Chenzhou to a lot of information about Martial Arts University until they finished a pot of tea, at which point Shi Ruyu stood up and said:

"It's getting late. Practice a little boxing, and then go home early."

Today, on his first day of class, the master praised Lu Chenzhou highly.

Shi Ruyu believed this young man would definitely become a True Disciple.

She was about to have a direct junior disciple soon.