Sprouting branches, growing leaves, blooming flowers.
The Martial Arts Tree seemed to have more functions yet to be revealed.
Lu Chenzhou focused his gaze, noticing tiny words on the flower bud.
[Divine Seed in gestation...]
In an instant, more information poured into Lu Chenzhou's mind: "When Martial Arts reach Perfection, a [Divine Seed] can be conceived, hidden within the body's acupoints, with countless mysterious uses!"
"So that's how it is. By watering Martial Arts with sweat and training diligently to the Perfect Realm, one can make it blossom and bear fruit, producing an unbelievable seed."
The Martial Arts Tree is truly formidable!
Even the legendary Martial Bone Dao Embryo might not compare to it.
Lu Chenzhou felt even more confident about the future.
He was desperate to see what Divine Seed the Basic Boxing could produce.
Just as he wanted to practice the set again, Li Xianghua's voice came from outside.
"Chenzhou, dinner time."
Forget it, dinner comes first.
"Coming, Mom."
In the bedroom, Li Xianghua had already prepared four dishes and a soup. Braised perch, stir-fried shrimp... the meal was sumptuous, and Lu Guoping had come home early, too.
He was scrolling on his phone, brows tightly furrowed.
"It's been so long, the origin of this virtual disaster still hasn't been caught."
Li Xianghua served Lu Chenzhou some soup.
"It's not that easy, is it? Ordinary people skilled at counter-surveillance can evade capture for a while, let alone Void Things. Forget about working overtime for now."
Lu Guoping sighed:
"Staying home isn't safe either. They say the monster punched through the wall and pinned the victim watching TV on the sofa right onto it... The person was smashed to a pulp. Sigh, nothing happened for years, thought the virtual disasters were gone for good."
Li Xianghua frowned in confusion.
"This monster doesn't eat people, does it just enjoy the thrill of killing?"
"Who knows."
Listening to his parents' conversation, Lu Chenzhou felt a heavy heart.
He'd heard that if you got into Martial Arts University, and managed to stay on after four years, you could bring your family into the university's family compound, living on campus.
"I have to get into Martial Arts University!"
Even living in the Inner City wasn't necessarily safe.
The residents of the Outer City were even more on edge.
Each year in Da Xia, deaths from virtual disasters weren't even one percent of those from car accidents, but people had an instinctive fear of these supernatural events.
"Oh right, Chenzhou, how's your boxing practice lately?"
Ever since Lu Chenzhou entered First Rank, Lu Guoping had paid extra attention to his training.
"Pretty good, making some progress."
"Mm, and don't let your academic subjects fall behind either. Just keep your current rank. If martial arts don't work out, getting into a top college is still a good fallback."
While eating, Lu Chenzhou said:
"I know. I was still in the top twenty in the last monthly exam."
Li Xianghua complained to Lu Guoping:
"How do you know he'll fail? You worry for nothing all day."
"Just in case, you know?"
"You just don't believe in our kid."
"It's not that I don't... Forget it, let's eat."
The couple's bickering was something Lu Chenzhou was used to. All in all, his parents were affectionate, and living in this family, he was already very content.
After dinner, Li Xianghua sized up her son.
"Chenzhou, did you get taller?"
Lu Chenzhou didn't really care.
"Maybe."
Lu Guoping said proudly:
"It's definitely the supplement I bought helping his development."
Li Xianghua rolled her eyes.
"It's because the kid's physical training is developing him well. By the way, Chenzhou, you martial arts guys—do you just keep growing taller? I saw some foreign fighters at the Martial Arts Tournament, they're three meters tall. Are they even human at that point? How are you gonna find a wife then?"
She just hoped Lu Chenzhou would reach 1.85 meters. She'd seen on short videos that "Wang Po the Matchmaker" was trendy lately, and every girl on there wanted her guy to be at least that tall.
Lu Guoping cut in:
"You're overthinking again. Those types are Martial Artists who've broken through uncountable shackles—honestly, they're not even the same species as us."
Lu Chenzhou explained seriously:
"Those really tall ones have cultivated some special martial arts."
Li Xianghua let out a breath of relief.
"That's good then."
She still hoped to have grandkids one day.
After dinner, Lu Chenzhou opened his phone.
In the little Martial Arts Society group, Qin Zheng and Senior Sister Li were deep in conversation.
[Qin Zheng: I made Second Rank, haha!]
[Li Linling: Congrats! I haven't practiced in ages. There's only half a year left before college entrance exams. Senior year is miserable; I feel like my qi-blood is getting weaker.]
[Qin Zheng: It's fine, Senior Sister. You can keep training in college.]
In the three-person group, Lu Chenzhou was usually completely invisible.
In his heart, he knew that with Li Linling and Qin Zheng's habits, they would have a hard time mastering boxing. As the old saying goes: One day of practice, one day of progress; one day off, ten days lost!
If you can't keep at it every day, martial arts ends up just being a hobby. But he didn't want to lecture anyone; everyone had their own path to walk.
...
The next day, evening.
Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.
Ji Xuantong sat upright, eyes closed in repose.
"From what you say, Lu Chenzhou's perception isn't bad at all."
Shi Ruyu added:
"But the most important thing is his astounding perseverance."
Ji Xuantong nodded.
"We'll observe him for now. If his perception matches yours, I'll keep a special eye on him and try to help him get into Martial Arts University, so his talent doesn't go to waste."
In Da Xia, if a private Martial Arts Academy could recommend a promising talent with mediocre root bone to Martial Arts University, both the university and the Martial Arts Association awarded them a "Talent-Spotter's Prize."
In a way, legal, folk Martial Artists spread throughout society were like a second-tier talent filter for Da Xia. There were plenty of other similar policies. Globally, Da Xia's martial arts atmosphere and environment were truly unique.
"Teacher, I'm off to class."
Shi Ruyu turned to leave.
Ji Xuantong called her back, thought for a moment, and said:
"When you have free time, give Lu Chenzhou some extra guidance. His family's conditions are average. I'd guess he'll only pay for these thirty classes, probably won't come next year."
"Understood."
Out in the hall, Shi Ruyu was greeted warmly by the students.
As expected, Lu Chenzhou had come.
For the first half hour, Shi Ruyu led everyone through a round of Basic Boxing. She noticed that Lu Chenzhou's technique had grown even smoother, flawless—her heart stirred.
"This kid's progress is really impressive."
She genuinely felt Lu Chenzhou changed every day.
Could he be a rare talent in perception? Just a late bloomer.
She glanced over the group.
"Next, I'll demonstrate some footwork essentials for actual sparring… Anyone want to be my training partner?"
The students all fell silent, like a classroom where the teacher calls on someone to answer. Mostly they were just young and a bit shy, nervous around others.
"I'll do it."
Lu Chenzhou actually wanted to give others a chance; most times it was him up for sparring, and he felt a bit guilty about it.
But turns out, no one else was stepping up.
Shi Ruyu smiled slightly, comforted inside. At key moments, it was always this boy—every awkward silence, he'd break it. This was the perfect chance to put him through more practice.
Ji Xuantong's final words also meant he appreciated Lu Chenzhou's perseverance, and seemed to value his talent—Lu Chenzhou might just get to be a True Inheritance student.
Lu Chenzhou stretched out his limbs, eager. He liked sparring with Shi Ruyu. From his own observation, this sort of exchange improved proficiency much faster than practicing alone.
Once you've achieved Great Success in the fist technique, what you need most is real combat.
The other students sat watching from the sidelines.
Lu Chenzhou bowed to Shi Ruyu and said:
"Let's begin, Senior Sister."