Martial Arts Room.
"Chenzhou, you've been at the Martial Arts Hall for half a year now. How do you feel about this place?"
Ji Xuantong sat there, his expression relaxed and friendly.
"Feels like home."
Lu Chenzhou replied succinctly.
Ji Xuantong was very satisfied in his heart.
"Hahaha, that's the highest praise a commercial Martial Arts Hall can get."
He continued:
"To be honest, I didn't have much hope for you at first. I thought you might finish the thirty sessions and then never have anything to do with the Hall again.
But your performance surprised me. In just half a year, you broke through Third Rank, opened Four Apertures, and reached Small Success in Black Tiger Fist… I admit I misjudged you back then."
Lu Chenzhou fell silent.
It's normal to misjudge. No one is a sage.
Who could have known he would awaken the Martial Arts Tree? For the Lord to share these heartfelt words with him, Chenzhou felt Ji Xuantong was a genuine person, truly worthy of being called a Martial Artist.
Ji Xuantong got straight to the point and asked:
"Lu Chenzhou, are you willing to become my True Disciple?"
Lu Chenzhou was stunned at first, then answered without hesitation:
"Lu Chenzhou greets Master!"
Modern society doesn't go for kneeling or those tedious old-fashioned apprenticeship ceremonies. Standing right where he was, Lu Chenzhou kept thanking Ji Xuantong.
He remembered something and asked:
"Master, about the True Inheritance Fee?"
Commercial Martial Arts Halls always charge an apprenticeship fee for True Disciples. Lu Chenzhou didn't know the amount, but he was sure it was out of his family's reach.
Ji Xuantong said:
"No need for an apprenticeship fee. From now on, you'll be a teaching assistant for my public classes along with Shi Ruyu. Shi Ruyu will teach Basic Boxing, and you'll teach Sea-sweeping Body. That way, it's like working for me—the apprenticeship fee will be offset by your labor."
Lu Chenzhou felt a warm glow in his heart.
He was actually eager to demonstrate Martial Arts to others.
That way, he could also increase his proficiency. Why not?
Lu Chenzhou said earnestly:
"In the old days, a good teacher was like a father. Lord, I will never forget your great kindness!"
Ji Xuantong:
"Don't feel too much pressure. I chose you for your potential. I hope you'll achieve great things and help make our Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall famous.
Whether it's the True Disciple of a Martial Arts Hall or going to Martial Arts University, it's all about investing in talent and expanding our network. That's the essence of the saying: resources, partners, method, and place. Martial Arts Cultivation has never been about shutting yourself away!"
Lu Chenzhou understood.
"I'll remember that."
"Besides your mom and dad, if anyone else asks you about the True Inheritance Fee, just say you signed a confidentiality agreement… your parents should keep it secret too."
"Understood."
After a simple apprenticeship ceremony,
Lu Chenzhou was officially entered into Ji Xuantong's True Disciple roster.
Ji Xuantong said:
"I currently have three True Disciples: your senior, Ji Feiyan, your second senior, Shi Ruyu, and you're the third… unless something unexpected happens, I don't plan to take on more disciples.
So, the three of you should help each other and keep our sect harmonious.
I see you and Shi Ruyu get along well, so I'm not worried about that. It's just that Feiyan has always been a bit flamboyant and maybe a touch proud. Of course, she's a great person—everyone says she's warm and generous, and she has a lot of friends at Dragon City Martial Arts University."
Lu Chenzhou said:
"I think Senior Sister is a good person."
Ji Xuantong nodded.
"That's good then."
His energy was limited, and in the time he had left he wanted to pursue a higher realm.
He didn't aim too high—just wanted to break the Second Shackles.
This would further consolidate the Ji Family's status in the Su City Martial Arts Circle.
When he's old, if Ji Feiyan wants to return to Su City, this Martial Arts Hall will be hers. If she doesn't, maybe they'll just close down. But they must maintain the network built through the Hall; it would be useful for the Ji Family's future.
If you rely solely on bloodlines, it's hard to last.
A Martial Arts Family is really made up of many Martial Arts Circles, with ties both of blood and apprenticeship… interwoven and far-reaching.
"It's getting late. Go home early… Tomorrow night, I've booked a private room at Heavenly Immortal Drunk nearby. It'll be your apprenticeship banquet, so everyone can get together."
Ji Xuantong patted Lu Chenzhou's shoulder.
Lu Chenzhou felt like he was in a dream, murmuring in his heart.
"I've become a True Disciple of a Martial Artist!"
This is way more impressive than just being a regular or even a core member. Let's be blunt: the first two are just about money, but you can't buy the True Inheritance with cash.
You have to be valued by a Martial Artist.
Martial Artists aren't short of money, and they care about their reputation. Few will sell True Disciple spots in bulk for high prices—it'd get them looked down on in the Martial Arts Circle.
That would only hurt their own standing in the end.
...
Stone Lake Garden, Building 3, Apartment 2802.
"Mom, I'm home!"
Lu Chenzhou could hardly hide his joy in his tone today.
"What's got you so happy?"
Li Xianghua was working out along with an online video, sweating buckets.
Now the whole family had gotten into exercise thanks to Lu Chenzhou.
Life is movement!
"Mom, last month's monthly exam didn't go that great."
Lu Chenzhou decided to share the bad news first.
"It's okay, training in martial arts is hard enough. Don't push yourself too much,"
Li Xianghua comforted him.
"I still held onto the top twenty."
"…How is that not good? That's great!"
Li Xianghua breathed a sigh of relief.
She cared more about his Martial Arts, but didn't want him to fall behind in academics either.
She asked:
"Is there something else?"
Knowing Lu Chenzhou's personality, for him to be this happy, it had to be very good news!
Could it be a Martial Arts University teacher had already scouted him?
She'd seen online that every university has professional "Martial Scouts" who keep an eye on competitions and news, looking for hidden talents.
She had always believed—
Lu Chenzhou is gold; he'll shine sooner or later!
"Our Lord has accepted me as a True Disciple."
Hearing that, Li Xianghua instinctively thought she was dreaming.
She'd dreamed more than once about Chenzhou getting into Martial Arts University, apprenticing to a famous teacher, or becoming a Martial Artist—all those dreams where your thoughts linger into the night.
Now, she was really obsessed with Lu Chenzhou becoming a Martial Artist.
For various reasons, the family had been struggling lately.
A lot of things she and Lu Guoping kept from Chenzhou, afraid it would bother his Martial Arts Training. She and Lu Guoping were carrying quite a burden, just waiting for the day they could set it down.
"Mom, why aren't you saying anything?"
"Is it real?"
"It's real."
Once she was sure it wasn't a dream, the first thing Li Xianghua asked was:
"How much is it? If it's too expensive, can we pay in installments?"
Even core members cost two thousand per class.
The True Disciple fee… that had to be sky-high!
Lu Chenzhou remembered the Lord's warning.
"Mom, you don't have to worry about money, it's already sorted… If friends or family ask about the fee, just say you're not sure, and that we signed a confidentiality agreement."
He repeated what the Lord had said.
"Wait… no fee at all?"
Li Xianghua was even more shocked.
Normally, that meant her child was extremely outstanding. The Martial Artist couldn't wait to accept him as a True Disciple… Could it be Chenzhou really is a rare genius?
Things were developing way beyond what she'd expected.
Lu Chenzhou said: "From now on, the Martial Arts Hall is my second home."
"Yes, yes! When you make it in the future, be sure to repay them well! He's your benefactor, and we must never be ungrateful!" Li Xianghua reminded him again and again.
"Mom, I'm going to rest. Good night."
Lu Chenzhou went to his room and lay in bed, cheering silently to himself.
Li Xianghua was already calling Lu Guoping.
"We're out of Martial Arts Supplements. Bring back a box."
"Okay, didn't he go for the qi-blood test today? How did it go?"
"Third Rank! I knew our son wouldn't waste your money!"
On the other end, Lu Guoping was silent for a moment.
"So that means Pingjiang Martial Arts University is pretty much a sure thing?"
"Of course! And there's even better news, I'll tell you when you're back."
"Alright, I'm coming home right now. Overtime? Screw that!"
Half an hour later, Lu Guoping rushed home.
Li Xianghua jumped up excitedly and said:
"Chenzhou was accepted as Ji Xuantong's True Disciple!"
Hit with two huge pieces of good news, Lu Guoping was stunned for a moment, too.
"A T—True Disciple?"