A few days later.
After finishing pile training, watching the proficiency on the Martial Arts Tree climb up by 1 point again.
[Martial Art Skill]
[Black Tiger Fist: Mastery (20%)]
[Cultivation Technique]
[Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile: Second Aperture (45%)]
Only then did Lu Chenzhou relax, took a shower, and went to bed to rest.
He opened his phone; in the class group, the math teacher had sent out last month's report card and praised classmate Lu Chenzhou in the chat.
No other reason—Lu Chenzhou had moved up one spot.
Ranked 14th in the entire grade as a high school sophomore, his best result ever!
The math teacher rambled on in the group; the other students stayed silent. Only Qin Zheng couldn't hold back and grumbled in the small Martial Arts Society group.
[Qin Zheng: Senior Sister, Chenzhou's up to 14th place now!]
[Li Linling: Comparing with others just kills you inside.]
[Qin Zheng: Lu Chenzhou, are you cheating or something?]
[Lu Chenzhou: (smile jpg) No.]
[Qin Zheng: Senior Sister, do you know what's truly despairing? Yesterday, he fought Du Men to a draw. Du Men's a Third Rank expert!]
Crushed by Lu Chenzhou in every way, Qin Zheng
Could only seek comfort from Senior Sister Li in the group.
[Li Linling: Damn, not counting those with intermediate root bone and the old students out in society, Du Men's strength is probably top three in our Martial Arts Academy, right?]
[Qin Zheng: No idea how he trains, damn it!]
[Li Linling: Whatever, I'm too demoralized. Going back to study.]
Lu Chenzhou forwarded the report card to his parents.
Not long after, Li Xianghua messaged him.
[Thumbs up (jpg)! Son, buy yourself something good to treat yourself. Stay safe at home—I've seen online that Su City might be up to something soon.]
[I'm fine. You two should also be careful when you're out.]
Lu Chenzhou knew that the online rumors probably had to do with the Central Void Control Department bringing a large team to Su City. Word was, the far suburbs by the edge of Taihu Lake were all under lockdown; maybe this time the Void Realm convergence point was right there.
This was good news.
The Taihu area was remote, sparsely populated; all those buildings were ghost towers from the real estate bubble years—long abandoned, so if a Virtual Disaster broke out, the risk would be relatively low.
The few remaining residents had also been relocated by the task force. All in all, Su City's people hadn't panicked much. When the central government steps in, things are guaranteed!
Just then, someone in the family group sent a video. The video wasn't very clear—it must have been filmed with a drone from afar.
In the video, above the misty waters of Taihu, a gigantic drone drove silver-white metal pillars into the lakebed. The water there was shallow, and in an instant, a white circle hundreds of meters wide appeared, firing blue beams. From a distance, a stadium-sized blue light screen arched like a sky-dome over the whole area.
Then, a group of tiny human figures dashed across the waves, entering within. The invisible auras radiating from these people whipped up green billows on the water, an awe-inspiring spectacle.
If you looked carefully, all sorts of illusory visions appeared behind them—dragons coiled and tigers crouched, sacred peaks rising, exotic birds and mutant beasts—all kinds of wonders. But what was most astounding was a vast, magnificent scene stretching between heaven and earth:
Emei's Golden Summit shrouded in swirling clouds, a huge being silently standing atop it; at the edge of a cliff, the sea of clouds surged, blocking out the sun. Suddenly, a golden light pierced through the void, a red dot slowly morphing into a radiant golden sun that broke through the clouds, shining resplendently!
The sea of clouds scattered, and within the fog a giant shadow appeared.
It was a golden-bodied behemoth—vaguely feminine in form.
She stood like a deity or Buddha, with all beings bowing in worship below.
Lu Chenzhou's expression shifted—so, it's her!
Last year's Foreign Martial Arts Competition, the most dazzling by far was Cangtian Dragon King. But there was another group of equally brilliant powerhouses—this woman among them.
Sunrise in the East·Li Xiuying!
President of Emei Martial Arts University, who had long since shattered the Sixth Shackles.
This vision must be her ability—strong individuals like this have incredibly powerful wills, already able to influence reality, forming some indescribable domain.
Also known as the Heavenly King Domain!
"It's not just Martial Arts Grandmasters—even Martial Arts Kings are here, appearing at Taihu's Void Realm convergence. This is nearly on par with that incident thirty years ago."
After that, Lu Chenzhou kept browsing news and forums.
[Shocking! Martial Arts King arrives in Su City—Is everything about to change?!]
[The Great Sun breaks through the clouds! That's Li Xiuying, President of Emei Martial Arts University, and her Heavenly King Domain! I saw it when I snuck out fishing by Taihu, and even TV can't compare at all! Fuck, it was so, so, so damn epic! Worth dying for!]
[Will Su City be okay?]
All sorts of voices appeared online. There was no hiding such a massive event from the public, and Da Xia's officials didn't try to block it like some other countries did. Before long, Lu Chenzhou spotted the Void Department's official news bulletin.
[A Void Realm convergence point has emerged within Taihu, with a danger rating of Level Five. The Central Void Control Department, Martial Arts Department, and other agencies are taking it extremely seriously. A special task force led by Emei Martial Arts University's President Li Xiuying has already been deployed to investigate. Evacuation of residents on the islands has been completed, a full lockdown is imposed on the shoreline, and all lakeside cities should maintain strict order. No unit or individual is allowed to approach Taihu unauthorized!]
After the bulletin, the whole internet erupted.
Previous Virtual Disasters had mostly been Level One or Two. Level Three and Four were rare. Level Five only happened once in history—over on Sun and Moon Province across the strait. That time, the president of the Dragon and Tiger Academy from Xijiang Province went to suppress it.
Dragon and Tiger Academy—one of the 24-school alliance.
After the disaster was quelled, Dragon and Tiger Academy even set up a branch school over there.
On WeChat, the Martial Arts Society group, family group, and Martial Arts Hall group were abuzz—this was a once-in-a-century major event, and everyone was understandably excited.
[Qin Zheng: We're witnessing history—Level Five!]
[Li Linling: Look how excited you are. It's not really a good thing.]
[Qin Zheng: With the Martial Arts King here, it should be fine.]
[Li Linling: Let's hope so.]
Shi Ruyu also sent Lu Chenzhou a message.
[Junior Brother, are you coming to practice boxing tomorrow?]
[Yep.]
[This year's Pingjiang Martial Arts University entrance exam is the toughest ever. The president of Pingjiang Martial Arts University has big ambitions, probably aiming for the top league. Lord asked me to teach everyone something new. Just Basic Boxing isn't enough anymore.]
[Thanks, Senior Sister!]
Shortly after, his parents also called to say they'd return to Su City early.
The cities around Taihu all felt like a storm was brewing. A Level Five Virtual Disaster's impact on society is total—but it had little to do with Lu Chenzhou.
As long as the sky doesn't fall, just keep practicing boxing.
What can a high schooler like him change, anyway?
…
Early next morning.
After pile training, Lu Chenzhou headed to class as usual.
In the classroom, the students buzzed about last night's announcement.
The math teacher walked in, and everyone went quiet.
With a serious face, he said:
"You're all still young, don't overthink it. Trust the country, trust the Martial Artists and scientists… Study hard. Even if you don't train in martial arts, you can make a difference through research."
The students felt much more at ease.
After class, Lu Chenzhou took the subway to the Martial Arts Hall. On every street, people discussed the situation, but when they realized there was nothing they could do, they just went on with their lives.
Lu Chenzhou wrapped himself in the night and stepped into Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.
Qin Zheng said he'd show up to train hard, but ended up skipping again. The students gathered together, chatting about the Martial Arts King who'd arrived in Su City, making for a lively scene.
Lu Chenzhou found a corner and practiced boxing quietly.
Until, for the group lesson, Shi Ruyu arrived.
"Everyone, focus up. No more Basic Boxing this time. I'm going to teach you an exclusive Martial Arts technique from Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall, called 'Sea-sweeping Body.'"