Night.
Lu Guoping and Li Xianghua were chatting in the bedroom.
"Guoping, do you think this root bone testing device could make mistakes?"
"No, it can't. Chenzhou probably just has good perception—that can't be measured. That's why the country uses progress in Basic Boxing cultivation as the standard, and also offers a special admissions test route for ordinary people, to avoid wasting talent with high perception."
"Sigh, our Chenzhou has been held back for nine years."
"It's not that bad. Middle school, high school, and college are the crucial periods for young people's Martial Arts cultivation. Chenzhou was delayed at most three years—it's not too late."
"He wants to apply to Pingjiang Martial Arts University, there's only half a year left. I checked their website; you need to be Third Rank at least. I heard that getting from Second Rank to Third Rank is harder than getting from zero to Second Rank put together. Let's buy him some Martial Arts Supplements, help him sprint for it."
"Chenzhou won't let us buy them. He says he doesn't need them now—it'd waste the medicinal effect."
"Why are you so dumb! The kid is trying to save money for the family! Just buy them. Even if some of the effect is wasted, as long as it helps, it's fine. What's a bit of money?"
"True, then I'll go get them tomorrow. Getting into Martial Arts University is what matters."
The old couple has now changed their mindset; they worry all day about Lu Chenzhou learning Martial Arts.
...
Early the next morning, rooftop.
Lu Chenzhou got up early to practice Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile.
From four o'clock to five, until his proficiency increased.
Then it was Black Tiger Fist—he had already seen the power of a Small Success Swallow Return Fist, so he looked forward even more to the Black Tiger Fist, famous for its ferocity.
After finishing breakfast.
Lu Guoping came to Lu Chenzhou again, holding another bag.
"Qi Boosting One, two boxes. Tell Dad when you run out."
Lu Chenzhou said,
"Dad, why'd you buy more? I can just take them after I get to Third Rank."
Lu Guoping coughed.
"Aren't you trying to get into Pingjiang Martial Arts University?"
"There's still half a year—I'll manage."
"With medicine, it's always safer… Even if some gets wasted, as long as you get into Martial Arts University, who cares? Stop worrying about money."
Lu Chenzhou fell silent, finally saying:
"Thanks, Dad."
Now, he was truly confident he could get into Martial Arts University.
It really wasn't just about saving the family money anymore.
But he understood his parents' intentions. Maybe they felt they owed him, so now that they saw hope, they wanted to give him the best of everything.
No matter the cost!
Lu Guoping said a bit sheepishly:
"Keep it up, son. Before, your mom and I were always worried—changing houses, saving for your college, saving for your marriage—so we didn't want to invest in Martial Arts training.
But now we've figured it out. If you're gold, you'll shine sooner or later. We'll do our best to make your Martial Arts path smoother, and the rest we can do slowly later."
Lu Chenzhou hugged his dad and said,
"Got it, Dad. Thank you both."
"Go ahead and train, I won't bother you."
Lu Guoping felt relieved, like a weight had been lifted from his heart.
He couldn't help humming a tune as he went to exercise in the community park.
He was forty now, so there wasn't much hope for Martial Arts, but practicing Basic Boxing for health, restoring his qi-blood—at today's tech and medical level, as long as nothing serious happened, living to ninety shouldn't be a problem. Life is long!
He wanted to watch his son rise step by step—reach even higher!
Martial Artist Lu Chenzhou!
He'd even imagined the title his son might earn: Beidou Saint Fist!
Who hasn't had their cringy moments?
...
Time flew, and a month passed quickly.
February 1st.
Night, Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.
Two figures moved like dragons and tigers in the training field; the sound of fist winds and kicking against training clothes snapped through the air. Misty white vapor drifted away in the breeze.
It was the sweat rapidly evaporating from body heat.
A Martial Artist's qi-blood is like a furnace, sweat whirls up like war smoke— all the more impressive!
Tiger Leaps Mountain Stream!
Lu Chenzhou vaulted forward like a tiger, his left leg dislodging Du Men's arm as he tried to block, his waist twisting, and landing a ferocious kick to Du Men's chest. Even with a protective pad, Du Men still felt his chest stuffy and his qi-blood surging.
He staggered back over a dozen steps before steadying himself.
Lu Chenzhou landed and asked with concern,
"You okay, senior brother?"
Du Men thumped his chest and laughed.
"No problem, that was awesome!"
"So is this round a draw?"
"Call it a draw! You're getting stronger and stronger, junior brother."
"Senior brother flatters me. I'll head home now."
"Go on… Oh right, you're applying to Pingjiang Martial Arts University too, huh?"
"Yeah, you too?"
"Yeah, I'm determined to get in! You need to hurry though—four months is tough to go from Second to Third Rank. I was stuck here for a whole year. But with your progress speed, it might not be a real problem…
I heard Pingjiang Martial Arts University's special admissions in Su City only has 100 spots this year, and there are already several hundred qualified applicants. They'll probably have an elimination system, maybe real combat tests will be added this year."
"Combat tests? Know what kind, senior brother?"
"No idea."
"Thanks, senior brother."
"No need… We're from the same Martial Arts Academy, let's try to get in together. That way we can look out for each other at school too. I heard some Martial Arts Universities secretly have a bad atmosphere of forming cliques, which isn't good for unity."
On the way to the Martial Arts Room.
Lu Chenzhou's opinion of Du Men rose yet again.
After all, they were also rivals.
Over the past month, Lu Chenzhou had often sparred with Du Men—from unable to beat him, to now being evenly matched, fifty-fifty most of the time.
And his qi-blood was still at Second Rank.
Being able to achieve this result couldn't be separated from his improved Martial Arts Realm.
On the Martial Arts Tree, handwriting flickered.
[Martial Art:]
[Black Tiger Fist: Mastery (13%) → Mastery (14%)]
...
[Cultivation Technique:]
[Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile: 2nd Acupoint (38%)]
These last few days, with the help of Martial Arts Supplements, Black Tiger Fist smoothly advanced to the Mastery Realm. Qi-blood rose from 1.46 to 1.53, an increase of 0.07—a remarkable effect. To reach Third Rank, only about 0.2 more is needed, and with four months left, it's no problem.
Pingjiang Martial Arts University, it's in the bag!
The second change was that he successfully opened the Middle Strike Acupoint. Looking at his right hand, Lu Chenzhou felt an invisible transformation take place.
So he went to seek advice from Ji Xuantong.
According to the Lord, there are three benefits to refining the Middle Strike Acupoint:
One, it effectively prevents common minor ailments for ordinary people, like stomach aches, tongue pain, red eyes, and so on. Other acupoints target specific ailments as well, so if you open a dozen or twenty acupoints, even if you're not a Martial Artist, you'll be immune to most illnesses!
Lu Chenzhou decided—once he had money, he'd buy his parents a few years of membership at the Martial Arts Academy, push them to practice Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile to open several acupoints, and with Basic Boxing, that should be enough to prolong their lives and keep them healthy for a hundred years.
The first benefit mainly applies to ordinary people.
For strong fighters like Lu Chenzhou, small illnesses were already hard to catch.
The other two interested him more.
One was boosting qi-blood. When the Middle Strike Acupoint was at 99% progress, Lu Chenzhou did a special test—with all else unchanged, after refining it, his qi-blood increased by 0.03, and his body was noticeably stronger.
Acupoints are the body's most precious hidden treasures, like treasure houses—containing Mysterious Power, just waiting for the right unlocking method.
The ancients said there are 36,000 gods in the human body, and this is why.
There's even a Martial Arts Grandmaster's bold theory: if Martial Arts Cultivation reaches a certain Realm, every acupoint could house 50 Divine spirits!
720 times 50—hidden, it matches the number 36,000.
Of course, that's just a theory—probably exaggerated.
Martial Arts is about unleashing human potential, breaking invisible shackles.
Where do you draw that potential from?
Acupoints!
So, the prerequisite for breaking the Seven Great Limitations is refining 720 acupoints. Only through fully awakening all your potential can humans reach the Transcendent, attaining the power of gods and ghosts!
This third function is absolutely key.
To become a Martial Artist, nearly all True Skills require opening the Middle Strike Acupoint. If you haven't solidified this acupoint, Innate Strength won't flow—what cultivation could you even attempt?
Lu Chenzhou finally understood what Ji Xuantong meant by,
"As long as you open a few acupoints, that sixty thousand yuan is worth it."
So, a Martial Arts Academy's fees—costly, but not really.
If you master it, it's honestly a huge gain!
...
Stone Lake Garden, Building 3, 2802.
The old shabby home was still just as cozy.
Lately, his parents seemed hopeful again.
No longer stuck chasing real estate, their minds broadened, they began to enjoy spiritual pursuits.
Lu Guoping had taken annual leave to take Li Xianghua traveling, so only Lu Chenzhou was home, with new Qi Boosting One medicine sitting on his bedroom desk.
"Bought more… again?"
Lu Chenzhou opened his phone and saw his mom's chat message.
[Son, don't worry about money! The Qi Boosting One was bought by your uncle. I told him not to, but he insisted, so I had to accept. Don't overthink it—your uncle's well off. In the future when you're successful, just remember your uncle's kindness.]
Lu Chenzhou smiled helplessly.
[Okay, Mom.]
Looks like news of his Second Rank had reached his uncle.
His parents just couldn't hold back from showing off.
When Martial Arts was going nowhere, they'd show off his test scores every day.
[Lu Chenzhou: Thanks for the Martial Arts Supplement, Uncle!]
[Uncle: Heard you broke into Second Rank, good nephew. Keep training. If there's any trouble at home, let me know. Your dad's too thin-skinned—always too afraid to trouble others.]
Lu Chenzhou felt a mix of emotions.
Soon he pulled himself together and continued to practice Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile.
This time, to refine the Shangyang Acupoint!