Meng Chuan started to worry about his wallet in advance, wondering if it could be cheaper by the year.
Chen Tie said while hitting:
"I've already spoken to Brother Gang for you, you can try it first, if it doesn't work, it's free."
Meng Chuan nodded with gritted teeth. To ensure a strong impact, Chen Tie was already jumping up and exerting effort.
After a long period, the painful multiple hard skills combined training ended after two rounds of beating.
Meng Chuan rested for a moment, looking at his hands full of thick calluses, crossed them, and rubbed them for a while, feeling a strong sand-like texture.
These are the marks left from punching day and night. He raised his hand and rubbed his palm against the wall, the sound of friction did not cease.
As if he had trained Iron Palm, these calluses had long become natural protective gloves.
Last night, when his fingers cut into Zhao Jian's tendons, not a bit of skin was scratched off.
"In the Xingyi Boxing, the Metal Element Fist is the sharpest. Besides Palm Strike, when I have time, I should prioritize practicing advanced fist techniques of the Metal Element."
Meng Chuan didn't like using weapons. He had practiced with knives, spears, swords, and halberds, but none felt as comfortable as bare fists. He preferred the feel of punches connecting with flesh.
If there were something like knuckle dusters or tiger gloves, he would accept them.
"I must persist even if I'm exhausted with Hard Qigong training.
Protective clothing is not omnipotent; facing such remote sniper opponents still relies mainly on the body to withstand.
At the same time, the cultivation of Dragon Sitting Meditation cannot be overlooked. I'm already at 16%.
Once I reach the second level, I can enhance my perception, allowing me to react quicker if someone tries to scheme against me."
If there is no mastery level Armor Holding external protection and the support of multiple hard skills.
A sniper bullet can only be stopped by the Martial Arts Family's True Qi.
Because of Zhao Jian's assassination attempt, it again sounded the alarm in Meng Chuan's heart.
Demon Path followers have always been by his side, never far away.
Layering cannot stop!
...
At night, Huayun Prefecture.
Meng Chuan returned home, looking at the table full of dishes made by his aunt, his heart felt incredibly at ease.
At this moment, his uncle was standing on the balcony, holding his phone to record videos and look around.
"Old Meng, stop filming, the child is home, let's eat."
"Hahaha, Old Lu wants to see our new home, I'm recording for him, coming, coming."
At the dinner table, the family enjoyed a harmonious time.
Training and combat occupied most of Meng Chuan's time, keeping his spirit constantly tense.
But with his uncle and aunt there, he felt the warmth of home.
"Home is my anchor point..."
After the meal, Meng Chuan returned to his room to practice the posture.
[Taiyi Three Talents Posture: Human Posture (79%) → (80%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]
More than a year of practicing the posture, Meng Chuan's progress was equivalent to some people taking seven or eight years.
Pile Skill is all about willpower and persistence. Meng Chuan felt he had the talent in this area, being able to endure is a skill.
With many things happening recently, Meng Chuan hadn't been standing for the full Pile Skill time for several days.
"Next, I must prioritize Pile Skill into my schedule. I'm different from others, I need to reserve time for limit breaking, striving to gain insight both morning and night to enhance comprehension!"
"[Five Elements Qiankun Fist] will begin soon; I can't only rely on a certificate for grinding.
Even after completing Luo Clan's Eight Extremes Perfection, I must maintain four hours of daily progress working on [Chaotic Heaven]."
Meng Chuan had multiple experiences of breaking limits to gain traits; he believed Chaotic Heaven held what he wanted.
After all, second and third-rate fist skills can be learned by those with particularly poor foundations gritting their teeth.
However, first-rate fist skills are different; the theory is complicated, if you don't grasp the essence, you can't enter, and grit is useless.
...
Before sleep, Meng Chuan still worried that these Demon Path followers would harm his family.
He logged into the Martial Arts Association's shopping website, entering the civilian protective clothing section.
"With my Silver Medal, I get a 10% discount; two of the most basic L-type protective clothing total 3.6 million..."
L-type is civilian level, different from the model Meng Chuan wears and battle armor, doesn't require an Armor Holding Certificate to wear and go out.
To prevent the tragedy of Sister Ru from repeating with his uncle and aunt.
Meng Chuan decided to keep enough funds for his year's training, and with the rest, go all in.
Calculating, he had 6.62 million left, buying protective clothing leaves 3 million enough for martial arts practice.
Meng Chuan quickly ordered the two protective clothes, the balance dropped significantly immediately.
But his heart was not troubled; as long as they're safe, he can earn money again.
"Time to think of ways to earn more money."
Meng Chuan was inclined towards earning money through competitions, as they not only brought money more quickly but also improved combat skills.
Regarding fist skill coaching, Martial Arts Family teaching and the like.
No matter how high he can reach, getting to level seven, he can't make as much as the salary his master offers at a Martial Arts Hall.
Recently, online propaganda announced that the national Martial Arts Supernova Competition was starting its preliminaries.
This competition was of very high caliber, organized directly by the Great Chu officials, selecting Martial Arts talent from universities nationwide for nurturing.
Not only is the prize money generous, but the official statement announced the total prize pool exceeds a billion.
Additionally, the preliminary stage of the competition and the second stage final venue in the Northwest Region, are held in the Yong'an City Sports Center.
The event location is great, no need to travel far.
Unfortunately, he can't participate; the preliminaries are held early next year, only universities can partake.
After contemplating, Meng Chuan reconfirmed the delivery address for the protective clothing, and then washed up and went to sleep.
...
Early the next day.
After finishing his morning exercise outside, Meng Chuan opened the door and saw two large express boxes on the ground.
Aunt Xue Na just finished making breakfast. Seeing Meng Chuan return, she curiously asked:
"What did you buy, Chuan'er? The boxes look big but are very light."
Meng Chuan checked his phone; the protective suit had arrived. The local delivery speed was really fast.
He opened the package and handed the protective suit to his aunt, explaining its purpose.
The L-type protective suit had slightly less defense and resistance to Celestial Demon attacks compared to the Z-type he was wearing.
But there was no choice; finances were tight, and his uncle and aunt were ordinary people. It was good enough for everyday wear and protection.
Xue Na had never seen such a novel item and held it up, pulling and feeling it for a while.
"Chuan, this clothing is so thin. Can it really block bullets like you said?"
Meng Chuan explained:
"It really can, but it's not invincible. When the energy runs out, it needs to be supplemented. The instructions are under the clothes, you can study them.
You and Uncle can treat it like thermal wear, comfortably warm in winter and cool in summer, wearable anytime."
Xue Na happily put it away, then reminded him:
"This high-tech item must be expensive, right? Don't buy these for us anymore; save more money for your martial arts training."
Meng Chuan laughed:
"Don't worry, I have money. Only when you're safe can I feel at ease."
"Oh, you kid, let's eat first. Your uncle just got home, I'll tell him.
He's such a country bumpkin, he wouldn't know how to wear it even with the manual, hahaha."
...
After the meal, Meng Chuan left home, getting ready to go to school for some training.
Walking on the road, he suddenly thought about last night's event; he wondered if the high school preparatory students could participate.
So he took out his phone and called directly, asking:
[Xu Qingfeng, can you participate in that Supernova competition?]
[Yes, I've already registered. If my hand affects my performance, you owe me compensation...]
[If you're not good, just practice more.]
After saying that, Meng Chuan suddenly remembered what Long Jiu had told him about Yang Huan's compensation.
He continued:
[Is your hand better?]
[Almost healed, why?]
[I'll come to your school to find you in a bit; let's spar again, using just one hand.]
Xu Qingfeng:
[...You just come if you need something, don't set this up.]
...
The Yong'an branch of Northern United Martial Arts University is built on Lishan Mountain outside Yong'an City.
The preparatory high school is located at the front of the mountain. Meng Chuan stood and looked, the distant clouds and mist curling around like a traditional ink painting.
This is where Yong'an martial arts talents gather.
To get into Northern United University's prep school, one needs to be one in ten thousand in aptitude or have an extremely solid family background.
Meng Chuan stood in the square outside the campus, looking at the large and ancient-looking gate made of red planks and the jade school plaque hanging high in the middle.
He couldn't help but sigh internally:
"This school is still poor. Just the gate of United University's prep school could probably purchase Ping'an Middle School entirely."
Meng Chuan waited at the school entrance for a moment before Xu Qingfeng approached from afar.
"Come on, I'll take you in for a tour. I was just thinking of asking you about the Zhao Jian thing this morning."
Meng Chuan waved his hand and explained:
"Don't mention it. I was practicing martial arts on the rooftop when Zhao Jian tried sniping me with a rifle from a distance and then used Demon Skills against me. I subdued him; that's all."
Xu Qingfeng admired:
"Awesome, a sniper rifle couldn't kill you. Once my hand is better, I'll also try practicing Hard Skills."
"Are you hoping Zhao Jian would kill me to avenge your hand?"
"Hahaha, that's not what I was thinking at all, Brother Meng, really..."
...
The two walked into the United University campus. Looking at the various teaching buildings distributed around, Meng Chuan asked:
"Where is your Yang Huan principal's office?"
"Why do you want to see the principal? Switching schools?"
"No, regarding the Zhao Jian matter. Your principal said there would be compensation, and I happen to have something to ask him."
Xu Qingfeng nodded.
"Alright, I'll take you there. I thought we'd become classmates, and it would be more convenient to spar in the future."
Since the principal's office was quite far from the school gate, along the way, Xu Qingfeng kept bragging about the prestige of United University's prep high school.
"Every class has martial arts teachers who are One-Limit Martial Arts Family members. Whether it's fist skills, weaponry, Body Technique, or even Pile Skill, they're taught by martial arts professionals. Occasionally, there'd be lectures by Three-Limit Martial Arts Masters."
He continued:
"Do you know about Martial Arts Masters? Luo Meng, a judge at the school joint exam, is one.
She has taught on the front mountain before. Even though I'm not practicing Elephant Form Fist, I've learned a lot."
Meng Chuan nodded, acknowledging the excellent educational resources here in Lishan, far superior to Ping'an Middle School.
But, Meng Chuan replied:
"I know, my personal mentor is a Martial Arts Master."
"No wonder you're so strong at an ordinary high school; Martial Arts Masters are indeed... impressive."
...
Meng Chuan followed Xu Qingfeng to the bottom of Hongwu Tower, and after the latter pointed out the location for him, he left.
In the end, the two didn't get to spar again since Xu Qingfeng couldn't manage a Tai Chi Eight Trigrams with one hand...
In the principal's office.
The entire aura gathered inwardly within the [Unrivaled Flying General · Yang Huan], who, like a refined and gentle ordinary person, smiled and invited Meng Chuan to sit down and chat.
As a Fifth-Limit Martial Arts Venerable, even with a gentle manner, Meng Chuan dared not be neglectful.
"Greetings, Venerable Yang."