Martial Saint!

Training ground.

Lu Chenzhou swayed unstably under the increasingly fierce attacks of Shi Ruyu, knowing that the teacher hadn't used her real skills yet.

Although he was only 15, his long-term fist training and good nutrition had helped him grow to 1.8 meters tall, making him a challenge for most untrained adults.

Shi Ruyu was only 1.7 meters tall.

Logically speaking, there's a big difference between male and female physiques.

But in front of her, these differences were negligible.

That was the gap between ordinary people and entry-level martial artists.

Moreover, the teacher was in the upper-middle tier of the entry-level.

"Bang."

When Lu Chenzhou struck the teacher's coming arm with his elbow, his face changed, and he felt an indescribable shaking force that sent him flying.

He uncontrollably staggered back over a dozen steps before stabilizing.

Shi Ruyu momentarily paused her offensive, smiled, and said, "This is the 'Eight Techniques Shake,' a technique of employing force in hitting, like a cat shaking off water, like a dog shaking off fleas. Of course, I used a bit of 'Dark Force,' so don't be discouraged for not having guarded against it, if you had, that would be really something... Are you okay? If not, we can stop for today."

Lu Chenzhou said,

"Teacher, let's continue."

Subsequently, he was broken down by Shi Ruyu in all sorts of unforeseen ways, spinning around like a top without knowing which way was north.

"This is lifting, identifying the force points on the enemy's body, using just a minimal force to create a maximum effect! This is intercepting, predicting the enemy's offensive and breaking their rhythm! This is hooking, a sharp burst of power, quick release, at high levels, hitting someone as if hanging a painting..."

That day.

Shi Ruyu revealed just the tip of the iceberg of Martial Arts to Lu Chenzhou, which enthralled and exhausted him; time seemed to fly when learning Martial Arts.

She was also quite different from those fist technique teachers he had met in primary and junior high schools, who would leave as soon as the time was up, sometimes not even showing up if there were few students.

Uncommitted and subpar.

They were just fooling the kids.

If only he had met a teacher like Shi Ruyu earlier.

Perhaps his Basic Boxing could have reached Perfection.

The day was getting brighter.

Students gradually began to pass by the training ground on their way to morning self-study. When they saw Lu Chenzhou practicing with Shi Ruyu, some stopped to watch and exclaimed in awe.

"Who is that?"

"That's Lu Chenzhou from class 9B of the first year, one of the top twenty in the last monthly test. Don't you recognize him? 9B isn't even a key class."

"No way... he can actually spar with a teacher?"

"The teacher isn't using full strength. I forgot the exact numbers, but it's certain that a Sixth Rank's qi-blood is several times that of an ordinary person—a massive difference."

"That's still impressive. Has Lu Chenzhou's Basic Boxing reached Great Success? That's insane; I've only just managed to get the hang of it, is this a gap in comprehension?"

"If you practiced persistently for nine years like him, you could too… sometimes self-discipline is also a skill. I just can't, I'm lazy."

This student was very self-aware.

The watching students felt both envy and admiration.

Of course, most didn't take it seriously.

People from academic schools generally had little pursuit of Martial Arts.

Given their root bone, except for a few with exceptional comprehension who could change their destiny, the upper limit for ordinary people in learning Martial Arts was low, and it required wasting lots of money and time.

A loss not worth the cost.

They were more envious of Lu Chenzhou's ability to be top twenty in academics with minimal effort, thinking if that Martial Arts time was invested completely in studies, couldn't he be in the top ten?

Practicing Martial Arts truly wasted his academic talents.

The crowd dispersed gradually.

At six o'clock, Shi Ruyu didn't leave work on time as usual; today was her last class at Wanhua High School. Tomorrow her contract would end and a new teacher would replace her. Looking at Lu Chenzhou, who greedily absorbed knowledge of Martial Arts in front of her, she felt somewhat sorry for him. She glanced at the sun, which was already at half past six.

By this time, Lu Chenzhou was drenched in sweat, panting heavily.

Shi Ruyu couldn't help but frown and said,

"What did I teach you? Don't gasp. Ordinary people are accustomed to the Acquired Breathing Technique, but we who practice Martial Arts must learn to refine our breath from coarse to subtle. Try breathing with your dantian in your abdomen, which is the 'Innate Breath,' more conducive to cultivation and recovery.

If one day you become a Martial Artist, you might grasp the mysteries of 'Body Breathing.' Breath not only from your mouth and nose but from all 84,000 pores of your body, creating a cloud-like effect. When you reach this stage, it is the 'Circulation Breath.' In Martial Arts, always resist the body's subconscious laziness, develop good Martial habits, never slack off! Did you get that?"

After Shi Ruyu finished speaking, she saw Lu Chenzhou taking notes again.

She sighed slightly and said,

"Today is the last class I'll teach you."

Lu Chenzhou looked up, somewhat unwillingly said,

"Teacher, you won't teach us anymore?"

"Yes, my contract is up."

"Can't it be renewed when it expires?"

"The school thinks my price is too high and feels there aren't many people attending the classes, so they probably found a cheaper fist technique teacher. But teaching you should be more than enough."

"Alright."

Shi Ruyu turned and left.

Lu Chenzhou asked,

"Teacher, may I boldly ask how much it would cost to hire you as a private coach?"

Shi Ruyu turned around, somewhat caught between laughter and tears.

"I don't do private coaching, and you couldn't afford it if I did."

After all, she was a graduate of Pingjiang Martial Arts University and had her own pride, although she didn't pass the assessment four years later and couldn't stay on for further studies. Over the years, the reputation of private fist technique coaches had been tarnished by some who followed the evil path.

Lu Chenzhou also knew he couldn't afford it.

Shi Ruyu said,

"I might go to the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall next to seek apprenticeship under Bright Winged Swallow, Ji Xuantong, and work part-time as a teaching assistant. If you really want to learn some true skills, I suggest you find a martial arts academy too. Even if you can't make it to Martial Arts University, at least you'd have martial arts skills to rely on... and you also have my WeChat, so you can ask me if there's anything you don't understand."

Shi Ruyu's figure disappeared.

While on his way to the school cafeteria, Lu Chenzhou muttered to himself,

"Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall..."

He had heard of Ji Xuantong, a renowned Martial Artist from the outer city, "Bright Winged Swallow" being his certified Martial Artist title.

Only those Martial Artists who had broken through the First Shackles could possess an official title.

Outside the home, a title is like a name.

He couldn't afford to go to the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall; it was too expensive.

The 3,000 he had spent earlier at the Martial Arts Hall came from his pocket money and New Year's money. Being a high school student, he couldn't earn money and didn't want to make it difficult for his family.

In a moment, he opened the Martial Arts Tree. The "sweat" representing the effort in cultivation nourished the young sapling like spring rain, and a subtle prompt emerged.

[Basic Boxing: Great Success (1%) → Great Success (2%)]

"Sparring with Teacher for an hour, I've improved another 1% without realizing it. This solid feeling of getting stronger is really nice; I need to find a way to make money."

Suddenly, Lu Chenzhou thought,

"I have the Martial Arts Tree. Perhaps I don't need to enroll in too many classes. It should be enough to reach the beginner level, and then I can practice on my own. The effect might not be as good as being directly instructed by a teacher, but I can compensate with time and sweat."

Thinking of the matters of the martial arts hall,

Lu Chenzhou finished his day's study alone. His heart was set on learning martial arts, and not having much in common with his classmates allowed him few friends but also nobody to disturb him.

...

The Golden Crow was setting.

Stone Lake Garden, Building 3, Room 2802.

Lu Chenzhou returned home, planning to thoroughly practice the Black Tiger Fist tonight. Tomorrow, he intended to visit the Martial Arts Youth Palace in the city center to test his Qi-Blood.

They had free testing machines there.

Each Da Xia citizen had the chance to use the machine once a year.

After dinner, just as he was about to return to his room to practice his fist technique, Li Xianghua stopped him.

"Chenzhou, I have something to tell you."

She handed over a black card, decorated with the pattern of "Flying Swallow Sea Sweeping."

"This is a card for the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall, containing thirty core student classes. You go practice boxing on Sunday. If the results are good, we'll continue."

For a moment, Lu Chenzhou felt indescribably conflicted.

"What about Dad..."

Li Xianghua pressed the card into Lu Chenzhou's hand.

"He's the one who got it; you just need to focus on your training without too much pressure. We are not a poor family; we can afford these expenses."

"Mom, I will definitely become a Martial Artist!"

Before, he lacked confidence.

He was diligent, but his innate talent was indeed average.

Now with the Martial Arts Tree, things were different.

Li Xianghua smiled and said,

"That's great then. If you truly become a Martial Artist, what's this little amount of money? I'm even counting on you to make a fortune so we can move to the inner city."

She comforted Lu Chenzhou.

She knew, with Lu Chenzhou's talent,

becoming a Martial Artist was difficult.

They also didn't expect him to be able to earn back the money quickly.

But not letting their child try would always be a regret.