Living Plaza, first floor.
The modern "Fei Yan" logo comes into view.
The entire floor belongs to the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Academy.
Li Linling was already impatient.
"I'm going to change into my training clothes first. See you two junior brothers at the cafeteria."
Lu Chenzhou looked at the luxuriously decorated academy and thought to himself.
"I have to study hard for sure. Each class costs two thousand."
Qin Zheng quickly followed, chasing after senior sister's footsteps.
"Come on, Chenzhou. Let's eat first. After the meal, I'll show you around the Martial Arts Academy, then get you to test your Qi Blood. For classes, you need to schedule in advance with the Lord."
"Thank you, President."
Inside the academy, a group of young people was training enthusiastically in front of various fitness equipment and wooden dummies. As long as you had a membership card, you could use the general facilities freely within the validity period.
The academy doesn't make money off these but depends on the core membership classes.
The three Martial Arts Society members ate properly balanced meals in the cafeteria—plenty of high-protein sea fish and beef. Lu Chenzhou ate about eighty percent full.
After a break for digestion.
Lu Chenzhou changed into a black set of training clothes patterned with the Flying Swallow Sea Map—a gift from the academy, which he could take home. Seeing himself in the mirror, his spirits lifted.
After strolling around, Lu Chenzhou didn't spot Shi Ruyu, thinking she probably hadn't arrived yet. After saying hello, Qin Zheng led Lu Chenzhou to the Qi Blood Measurement Room.
Someone inside had just finished their test.
A mechanical voice sounded.
[Qi Blood Value 2.50. Reached Fifth Rank standard.]
The person exhaled, ending the stance and standing still.
As he walked out, Qin Zheng seemed to recognize him and greeted him.
"Huang Hao, congrats on Fifth Rank."
Huang Hao nodded and strode away.
Qin Zheng pursed his lips, a bit embarrassed.
Lu Chenzhou looked at his phone, pretending not to notice.
Qin Zheng glanced back and whispered:
"He also lives in the Inner City, a neighbor of ours, but he's got intermediate root bone, studying at the Pingjiang Affiliated Martial Arts School. He perfected Basic Boxing in grade seven. He's only one year older, but I'm just at First Rank and he's already Fifth."
Comparing yourself to others will drive you crazy.
Especially someone like Huang Hao—no malice, but just not seeing you in his eyes. That kind of gap between two worlds made Qin Zheng feel a little hurt.
Lu Chenzhou comforted him:
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He stepped into the testing room.
[Please follow the instructions to wear the sensor device. If you're a Martial Artist, please perform a set of Basic Boxing; if you're an ordinary person, just punch with all your strength. Taking any effective Qi-Blood enhancing supplements before testing is strictly prohibited, as is... ]
Lu Chenzhou stilled his mind and spirit, like a tiger or leopard about to hunt.
[Begin testing.]
In an instant, his Qi Mechanism erupted. He entered a state of forgetful boxing, executing Basic Boxing at the Great Achievement Realm—flowing smoothly, without the slightest sense of stagnation.
Qin Zheng watched.
"I reached Great Success earlier, but why does Chenzhou's punching look better than mine?"
Senior sister Li, in her Flying Swallow uniform, had also arrived.
"Chenzhou has started testing, huh. Not bad at all."
She was at Second Rank—the Martial Arts Society's top-class combat power.
Qin Zheng asked, "Senior sister, want to test?"
"No need. Just last month I was at 1.5, still far from Third Rank."
The two focused on watching Lu Chenzhou box, their eyes full of appreciation. Given his family background, his performance was as good as theirs; this was the fruit of hard effort!
[Qi Blood Value 1.33. Reached First Rank standard.]
Lu Chenzhou looked at the display and let out a sigh of relief.
First Rank requires a Qi Blood Value of 1.2. Each new rank is 1.2 times the previous, so reaching Second Rank at 1.44 isn't far off now.
"I've reached First Rank!"
He had become a First Rank Martial Artist as well.
"Hahaha, now everyone in our Martial Arts Society is ranked!"
Qin Zheng applauded and cheered.
Senior sister Li smiled too:
"Congratulations, junior brother."
Lu Chenzhou rarely smiled.
"Thank you, President. Thank you, senior sister."
"Let's go, to the training hall—the Lord has arrived."
...
On the training field.
A man standing 1.85 meters tall, with a gold Flying Swallow uniform and a buzz cut, stood tall and straight like a pine. He clasped his hands behind his back, gaze sweeping across the students in front.
Bright Winged Swallow, Ji Xuantong!
According to the academy's introduction, this man had graduated from Dragon City Martial Arts University in the north—one of the "24 School Alliance," the top twenty-four martial arts schools.
Ji Xuantong looked at Lu Chenzhou, who stood in the far corner.
"You're the newest student, right?"
"Hello, teacher. My name is Lu Chenzhou."
"You've got 30 core classes to take, so make sure to schedule time with me. Don't waste your membership card—the hours won't roll over. Our Flying Swallow Martial Arts Academy also has free public classes at 8 p.m. every night. You're all welcome to attend."
Ji Xuantong's voice was powerful and steady.
"Tonight's public class will be taught by your new senior sister—a Seventh Rank expert. She'll be leading your training for the next hour. Please welcome Shi Ruyu!"
Hearing this name, both Qin Zheng and senior sister Li were shocked; Lu Chenzhou, too, felt a bit surprised. He knew Shi Ruyu was here, but didn't expect her to be Seventh Rank already.
Shi Ruyu stood gracefully in a silver Flying Swallow uniform.
She clasped her fists and introduced herself:
"Hello, everyone. My name is Shi Ruyu, graduated from Pingjiang Martial Arts University. In college, I studied under [Sky-Sprawling Ape·Yuan Tianqi], specializing in the Elephant Form school's Ape Form, proficient in 'White Ape Fist'. Now, I'm learning from Ji Xuantong. From now on, I'll be substitute teaching the public classes. Rather than just teaching, I hope this is more like sharing and growing together!"
After speaking, she glanced at Lu Chenzhou in the corner. She hadn't expected this kid to show up too—was he perhaps following in her footsteps? Because of her talent, Ji Xuantong had valued her, and not long ago she'd become his disciple—now listed as his second True Inheritance.
Lu Chenzhou, meanwhile, kept thinking about "Sky-Sprawling Ape"—the title sounded formidable for a Martial Artist. Who was stronger, "Sky-Sprawling Ape" or "Bright Winged Swallow"?
After introducing Shi Ruyu, the Lord left.
He was a busy man; you'd only see him during the core member classes.
The public class mainly focused on Basic Boxing—after all, it's free, so nothing too advanced. The assistants all specialized in different disciplines. After an hour of practice, Shi Ruyu began answering students' questions.
Lu Chenzhou looked at the Martial Arts Tree, diligently practicing the Innate Breathing Method to pace himself.
[Basic Boxing: Great Success (3%) → Great Success (4%)]
"Almost at Perfection."
When there weren't many people around Shi Ruyu anymore—
Lu Chenzhou walked over.
"Senior sister, can I ask you some questions about 'Black Tiger Fist'?"
"Sure, go ahead. But I only know a little."
...
It grew late.
"Chenzhou, senior sister Li and I are heading out first. You should go home early too."
Qin Zheng left.
"Junior brother, you really work so hard."
Before leaving, Li Linling gave a heartfelt sigh as she watched Lu Chenzhou still sparring with Shi Ruyu and getting thrashed—worthy of being Class 9's "martial arts maniac."
The students gradually drifted away.
Before leaving, Ji Xuantong noticed that Lu Chenzhou, sweating profusely, was still practicing with Shi Ruyu. He had heard from Lu Guoping how obsessed the boy was with martial arts.
"What a pity, his root bone is so mediocre."
He shook his head slightly, then vanished into the night.
In this world, there's never a shortage of hard-working people.
Bam! Lu Chenzhou was sent flying.
He looked at Shi Ruyu, calm and collected.
"The gap between Seventh Rank and First Rank is just too big."
"For your age, reaching First Rank is already impressive. Lu Chenzhou, keep training hard, and make sure to go to Martial Arts University! Even if it's just an ordinary school, their resources and teachers are way beyond what a private academy can offer. I believe you'll transform a lot in four years."
"Thanks for the guidance, senior sister. Sorry for keeping you overtime again."
"It's nothing. Just, it's not safe out at night—better head home early… Oh, where do you live? If it's on the way, we can go together."
"I live in the Outer City, probably not on your way, senior sister."
Based on Lu Chenzhou's observations these days, Shi Ruyu's family seemed fairly well off. She could also make her own money, so she probably lived in the Inner City.
"Alright then, be careful on your way."
Soon, Shi Ruyu came out of the locker room. With a backpack, she'd changed into her sporty outfit and little white shoes. After waving goodbye to Lu Chenzhou, she left quickly.
Lu Chenzhou stared at the Martial Arts Tree where he was.
[Black Tiger Fist: Beginner (4%) —— Beginner (6%)]
"At this rate, I'll be proficient with Black Tiger Fist soon."
The Martial Arts Academy—it was worth coming.
Not just for Ji Xuantong's classes.
Just being able to spar with Shi Ruyu made it all worthwhile.