"A true disciple? For real?"
"Of course it's real!"
Li Xianghua snatched the Martial Arts Supplements away.
"I'll go deliver these to the kid."
Lu Guoping stood there in shock, then stomped his foot in excitement a moment later.
"A true disciple of a Martial Artist! The Lu Family has made it big!"
The weight of being a true disciple—no need to say more.
Even as just an ordinary guy, he knows that's insanely impressive!
Even if Lu Chenzhou somehow can't get into Martial Arts University, having true disciple status as a backup means he still has a chance of reaching the Upper Three Stages—that's already someone at the top of the pile.
These days, high-rank fist technique teachers are still in short supply.
Those Martial Arts Halls and regular schools—won't they just let him in anywhere?
"Chenzhou, how much does it cost to be a true disciple?"
Lu Guoping walked into Lu Chenzhou's bedroom.
"Dad, it's free—and remember, you guys need to keep this a secret!"
Lu Chenzhou was practicing his fists, sweat pouring down like rain.
"Good, good, that's great!"
Lu Guoping went to the bathroom, sat on the toilet, and laughed out loud with joy.
"This is awesome, we've finally made it through!"
This true disciple thing made the old couple happy for ages.
But they didn't tell any other relatives.
These past years, their son already made them proud in front of friends and family—bragging any more just wouldn't be satisfying. Better for the family to just live quietly. With all life's other disappointments, none of it really matters now.
As for the small Martial Arts Society group, Lu Chenzhou didn't say anything either.
Everyone would find out at the apprenticeship banquet tomorrow evening anyway.
If he said it now, Qin Zheng would probably be jealous and up all night.
...
Early the next morning, rooftop.
Lu Chenzhou finished his boxing, then finished pile training, and looked at the Martial Arts Tree.
[Martial Art]
[Black Tiger Fist: Small Success (5%)]
[Cultivation Technique]
[Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Pile: 5th Acupoint (2%)]
"Right now I need to practice four or five sets to boost my progress by 1%. It's gotten harder at Small Success—looks like it'll take another two or three months to reach Great Success. Still, that's pretty fast. Du Men's been practicing at the Martial Arts Academy for almost three years and is still at Small Success. So the Martial Arts Tree really has boosted my cultivation speed by several times compared to a low-class root bone."
To push further, I'll have to improve my root bone and insight.
"So I really need to focus on insight, condense the Martial Arts Divine Seed, stack my insight for fist techniques, movement techniques, and more—one step at a time."
He was pretty happy with his current state.
"A nine-story tower begins with a pile of dirt! The Martial Arts Tree just makes hard work pay off, but won't let me get fat on one meal—I still have to accumulate!"
As for the 5th acupoint, the Shaoze Acupoint, his tests showed it takes one hour and ten minutes of uninterrupted Heavenly Pile cultivation to gain 1 point of proficiency. If he wants to keep opening one acupoint per month, he needs to put in three and a half hours every day.
He already started late—there's no shortcut to opening acupoints.
Just need to grind!
Hard work and fatigue don't scare him—only working hard without results does!
...
After breakfast, Lu Chenzhou headed to school.
After yesterday's heart-to-heart, the math teacher understood Lu Chenzhou's struggles and let the class's second place become class monitor instead.
Other than attending class, Lu Chenzhou really had zero responsibilities left.
After class, he found the math teacher.
"Thank you, sir."
"Mm, just do your best. As for Martial Arts, I don't know enough to help you."
The math teacher smiled.
Inside, he still felt a bit regretful.
If Lu Chenzhou could focus totally on academic study…
He might have become famous in Su City, maybe even scored top of the exams or something.
But of course, compared to being a Martial Artist, that's nothing.
...
Evening.
Heavenly Immortal Intoxication Restaurant, Bai Yujing Room.
This was the fanciest private room in the restaurant.
Du Men, Old Zhang, and the rest of the trainees were all sitting, even Li Linling—who hadn't been around in ages—had shown up, sitting next to Qin Zheng. That guy looked silly with happiness.
Shi Ruyu also arrived in training clothes.
Du Men asked,
"Senior Sister, what's up today? The Lord's actually treating us?"
Shi Ruyu smiled slightly.
"You'll all find out in a bit. Where's Lu Chenzhou?"
She looked around the room but didn't spot Junior Brother Lu.
"He said it doesn't start until seven thirty. He's still training."
Qin Zheng shrugged—he really didn't know what to say about Lu Chenzhou.
This guy—Lord treats everyone and he still won't miss training. No wonder he's a martial arts maniac.
Shi Ruyu coughed and joked,
"That's why you should all learn from Junior Brother Lu. Oh, by the way, a little heads up—next month there'll be a small Martial Arts Academy exchange competition in Pingjiang District. Practice hard these days, sign up enthusiastically, and bring some glory to our academy."
Du Men asked,
"Is there prize money?"
He'd competed once last year, but sadly didn't place.
Shi Ruyu held up a finger and smiled,
"First place—one hundred thousand yuan!"
"Not bad, eh."
"Yeah."
Everyone present came from well-off families.
One hundred thousand isn't huge money, but who'd mind more cash?
Old Zhang was interested too, so he asked,
"Same as before? Youth group, young adults, adults?"
He wasn't in it for the money—he just wanted to prove himself.
If he won, it'd help him promote his own software.
Shi Ruyu said,
"Yes, three groups compete separately—youth group under 18, young adults under 35, adults under 60… First in each gets one hundred thousand."
She'd already signed up for the young adult group, aiming for first place.
"Anyone in-stage can sign up?"
"Yes, everyone here is eligible."
On hearing this, some people were itching to go. Du Men, for instance, had made progress recently with Swallow Return Fist and Sea-sweeping Body.
Qin Zheng asked Li Linling,
"Senior Sister, are you signing up?"
Li Linling shook her head.
"I'll pass—only two months till college entrance exams, no time."
Qin Zheng patted his chest,
"Then I'll sign up and win glory for our Martial Arts Society. When Chenzhou arrives, I'll have him sign up too… Senior Sister, look forward to good news from us."
He knew himself—he had no chance. He just wanted to join the fun.
Lu Chenzhou—now, he really had a shot at placing.
While everyone was caught up in the discussion, Ji Xuantong and Lu Chenzhou also came into the room. The trainees all stood and bowed to Ji Xuantong. Ji Xuantong had Lu Chenzhou sit on his left, Shi Ruyu on his right, while he himself took the main seat and looked at everyone.
"Tonight's gathering—mainly because I've accepted two new true disciples."
Everyone felt a mix of surprise and doubt. Shi Ruyu and a few knew the deal.
The other one—judging by the situation, could it be… Lu Chenzhou?
Du Men was especially tense. He'd always wanted to become a true disciple and had applied to Ji Xuantong many times, but always been denied. Now he looked at Lu Chenzhou.
"Chenzhou… Guess I'm just not as good."
Ever since the virtual disaster, after experiencing life and death, he'd let go of a lot.
He definitely didn't want to run into a disaster again because of his own negativity.
Ji Xuantong said,
"Everyone already knows Shi Ruyu; Lu Chenzhou is now the third true disciple of my Bright Winged Swallow Hall. You've all seen his performance lately."
Qin Zheng stared at Lu Chenzhou in shock.
"Damn, true disciple?"
Li Linling's big eyes were sparkling too.
"Junior Brother Lu, you're awesome."
Old Zhang was actually the first to snap out of his shock.
"Come on, come on—congrats to Chenzhou and Ruyu!"
"Congratulations!"
"So jealous, damn!"
Of all of them, Old Zhang was the most wistful inside.
He'd joined the Martial Arts Academy the earliest.
He always thought Ji Xuantong didn't plan on taking any true disciples.
Never imagined—two in just half a year.
Shows that folks like him just weren't in the Lord's eye.
"Root bone… insight—why don't I have either?"
Old Zhang felt a bit down, quietly eating his food.
Ji Xuantong said,
"From now on, Lu Chenzhou will also be my teaching assistant, responsible for teaching 'Sea-sweeping Body' in public classes. You're all fellow disciples—help each other out in the future!
If anyone else wants me to take them as a true disciple, don't lose heart. As long as you show enough potential, my Bright Winged Swallow won't bury real talent!"
Du Men's confidence fired up again.
"There's still hope."
Ji Xuantong called for the servers to bring the food.
"All right, let's have a real feast tonight! Chenzhou, anything you want to say?"
Lu Chenzhou raised his teacup and toasted everyone,
"Flying Swallow Sweeps the Sea, Unrestrained and Free!"
Ji Xuantong clapped and laughed,
"Well said!"
The vibe had reached its peak.
Everyone stood up, raised their glasses, and shouted in unison,
"Flying Swallow Sweeps the Sea, Unrestrained and Free!"