Seeing so many eyes filled with admiration looking toward him from below, Lu Zhuxiao felt quite proud.
He continued teaching:
"If your proficiency can match mine, you can come and go freely even within the Demon Nest.
During the hunt, pursue the enemy without leaving a trace, and counteract their footsteps with confusion.
Of course, you are still students; the situation in the Demon Nest and the Celestial Demon Realm is not yet dangerous enough that you need to act."
He paused, then continued:
"However, as students of the United University, sooner or later you will have to face the Celestial Demons.
Whether inside the Demon Nest, in the cities where we live, or in the vast and boundless Celestial Demon Realm.
If we want to completely eradicate the Celestial Demons, sooner or later we must counterattack into the world's dark side to completely resolve the Celestial Demon crisis.
Besides taking the Armor Holding Certificate exam, who has faced a Celestial Demon directly? Let me see a show of hands."
The crowd exchanged glances, and no one raised a hand.
Even if they could afford demon-hunting weapons, unless they were martial artists with martial arts will and True Qi, how could they face a demon head-on?
Only Meng Chuan slowly raised his hand, curious about what Lu Zhuxiao wanted to say next.
"I've killed several."
The venomous ones, the virtual spirits, and the Shadow Demons in the chemical plant were all dealt with by him personally.
"Oh?"
Lu Zhuxiao knew that Meng Chuan possessed a will to kill, which could break through the Celestial Demon Position.
But without the presence of True Martial or demon-hunting weapons, it was very difficult to harm the Celestial Demons.
Meng Chuan activated the steel bones in his hand, and the darkness slowly covered his entire hand.
"A newly developed demon-hunting weapon?"
Lu Zhuxiao hadn't seen it before, but he had good eyesight.
Meng Chuan nodded.
Recently, during his spare time, he had crammed related knowledge.
That's when he learned that steel bones also fell under the category of demon-hunting weapons.
Demon-hunting weapons are different from True Martial.
True Martial is an ancient divine weapon passed down to the present, forged from earthly spiritual materials and nurtured by the vicissitudes of time.
Its unmatched sharpness is just secondary; the intent it contains is what can break demons and cut down evil.
Currently, the Great Chu government temporarily ranks True Martial into seven grades based on the strength of the intent they contain.
Meng Chuan knew that the "Golden Linglong" spear in Master Luo's hand was a Fifth Grade True Martial.
Invaluable and priceless, it's just that recently he hadn't seen Master Luo bring it out much.
Unlike demon-hunting weapons, previous demon-hunting weapons were crafted by extracting spiritual radiation from the Celestial Demon Position and infusing it into technologically crafted alloy weapons.
They had significant drawbacks during use, with a risk of being corrupted by spiritual energy and turning down the Demon Path.
Therefore, the Great Chu rarely promoted such weapons among the civilians, mostly using them in the military, in the hands of soldiers with strong wills.
The steel bones Meng Chuan held were different; their manufacturing method utilized the body of a Celestial Demon, controlled by science and technology, and after extensive experimental testing, posed no risk of spiritual pollution.
Recently, the research personnel specifically contacted Meng Chuan once to collect data.
They also informed him that the steel technology has already been implemented in the army, and the next step is to be made available to the public!
But Lu Zhuxiao and the crowd didn't know about the spiritual pollution immunity feature of the steel bones and were surprised by Meng Chuan's strong character.
Being from a military background, Lu Zhuxiao admired Meng Chuan's bravery and nodded in approval:
"Everyone should learn from Meng Chuan—slay the Celestial Demons and protect humanity!"
The applause made Meng Chuan quite embarrassed, and he cupped his hands and gave a shy smile to those around him.
A hot-blooded youth whispered:
"Brother Chuan is awesome."
He admired the warriors who dared to face the Celestial Demons, as his father had died at their hands.
Celestial Demons are humanity's greatest enemy, and because of this, Meng Chuan's relationship with his fellow preparatory high school students around him improved significantly.
He exchanged experiences with those around him about the Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada, which eventually changed his classmates' stereotypical impression of him.
"Meng Chuan is only fierce because he's battled Celestial Demons, but he's actually quite kind-hearted."
Lu Zhuxiao saw that everyone had practiced enough and clapped to draw their attention.
"Is there anyone who would like to set an example for the others and try on the pole?"
Before Meng Chuan arrived, there were plenty of volunteers.
But now, all eyes were on him.
Meng Chuan, having no choice, cupped his hands with a smile and said:
"Honored by everyone's affection, I'll go first to set an example."
With that, he lightly tapped his toes and stepped onto the pole, closing his eyes and slowly moving about on it.
At first, he inevitably stumbled a bit, but relying on his strong body control, he stepped on the Cloud-Ascending Ladder in midair and returned to the pole.
Lu Zhuxiao commented as he watched:
"This is the Cloud-Ascending Ladder, a body technique necessary when practicing Xingyi. Those who haven't learned it, hurry and pick it up. Meng Chuan's skill has clearly reached Perfection."
The crowd nodded; Meng Chuan's foot in midair indeed showed something special.
Meanwhile, Meng Chuan's Ever-Confirming Proof trait was quietly at work.
In his mind, he continuously simulated and corrected his previous missteps.
Soon, he was able to walk evenly on the pole with his eyes closed, as if on flat ground.
Lu Zhuxiao couldn't help but be surprised:
"Such strong comprehension, able to complete the first stage so quickly."
The others privately marveled at Meng Chuan's talent. Teacher Lu had mentioned earlier that normal people usually hit the pole a hundred times a day, enduring days of hardship before accomplishing anything.
Earlier, they had tried it themselves; without some preparation of ointment for hard training, they'd likely be bruised before even starting.
After finishing his demonstration, Meng Chuan opened his eyes and flipped down off the pole.
Lu Zhuxiao praised:
"I think the second stage won't be too difficult for you. Just go and practice balancing while holding water, and you'll be close to the beginner level."
At that time, it took him a full three or four days to reach the beginner level, but judging by Meng Chuan's progress, it might not take him more than two days with some diligent effort.
Meng Chuan nodded gratefully and said:
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Lu."
...
After lunch, everyone else went to attend the afternoon's big practical class.
Meng Chuan wasn't in the mood to join. He was essentially a free spirit at the university.
He skipped the practical class and decided to focus on mastering the Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada in one go.
Although both are first-rate, Meng Chuan felt that its difficulty was more than ten times lower than the Five Elements Qiankun Fist.
For one, body techniques are inherently easier to learn than fist skills. Additionally, the principles behind these two cultivation techniques are worlds apart in difficulty.
Body Technique Area.
Meng Chuan practiced ceaselessly on the wooden stakes.
With the corrective effects of "one certification for eternal certification," each repetition outdid the previous one in completeness.
Three hours later, Meng Chuan's heart spirit sensed something.
[Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada: Beginner (2%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]
[Limit Breaking Trait: Cicada Shadow Trace (Intermediate)]
Successfully reaching the beginner level of Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada, Meng Chuan was overjoyed.
Also, thanks to constantly falling off the stakes, his Cloud-Ascending Ladder saw significant progress.
[Cloud-Ascending Ladder: Perfection (64%) → (67%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]
The Cloud-Ascending Ladder was not far from Limit Breaking. Meng Chuan didn't specifically practice it, but just incorporated it while practicing fist skills, with rapid progress.
This is the benefit of improving martial principles, allowing for results with half the effort.
He increasingly realized the importance of martial principles, not inferior to practicing fist skills and practical training.
"Going to a university is essential. With those martial arts professors and top teachers, even a few casual pointers from them could propel my progress rapidly."
He thought surreptitiously, if only [Five Elements Supreme·Li Zhenyue] taught him Five Elements Qiankun Fist personally, he might reach the beginner level in just a few hours...
Of course, it's not to say that Luo Guanyun taught poorly. After all, he had only practiced this fist skill to proficiency before stopping.
Meng Chuan still respected Master Luo greatly. There was a time he felt that with Master Luo around, attending Martial Arts University wasn't necessary for him.
But Master Luo immediately chided him and dispelled this thought.
"Don't speak nonsense, kid. Attending Martial Arts University is a must.
The cultivation techniques on you, the Armor Holding Cultivation and Dragon Sitting Meditation, all those were begged from the university by me?
Northern United University boasts the Ten Thousand Volume Martial Arts Pavilion, housing the core secret texts of three thousand sects. If you don't attend, where else will you learn?
Moreover, Northern United University is famed as a place for common students to rise, with its unique study points system sparing you from significant financial burdens.
Haven't you been grumbling about lack of money every day? Only at Martial Arts University can martial artists follow teams into the Demon Nest.
Keep in mind, the Demon Nest is akin to a gold mine. With good fortune, a martial artist can earn a couple of million a day.
I can't afford to cultivate you to a Grandmaster, but for Northern United University, it's a piece of cake.
If you dare say you can train to be a Great Saint, even Northern United University could support you!
Finally, concerning status and position, saying 'I'm a student of Northern United University,' compared to 'I'm a student of Luo Guanyun,' the prestige is entirely different, let me tell you.
Other various benefits await your personal discovery once you get to Martial Arts University."
Meng Chuan was merely voicing it casually, knowing that as someone who had undergone modern education, attending university was unquestionably necessary.
However, after Master Luo's explanation, his passion for attending Martial Arts University was reignited...
Snapping back to reality, Meng Chuan stepped towards the Martial Arts Dojo of the preparatory high school.
"A journey of a hundred miles starts with ninety miles left, with so many extraordinary traits on me, I just need to complete the training."
...
January 15th.
During this period, Meng Chuan's progress in martial arts was rapid.
Standing in front of the brand-name Qi and Blood Tester at the preparatory high school of United University, he adeptly performed a set of Five Elements Qiankun Fist.
[Qi and Blood Value: 112.0, only 16 points of Qi and Blood Value away from the eighth threshold. Keep it up!]
It truly deserves the name of a more advanced tester, with more features.
On the panel.
[Five Elements Qiankun Fist: Proficient (23%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]
In the recent past, due to progress in the Five Elements Qiankun Fist, Meng Chuan's Qi and Blood had increased by nearly twenty points, making a significant advance.
The Qi and Blood increase from beginner to proficiency alone matched the perfection of several third-rate fist skills.
"Truly top-tier among first-rate fist skills, this Qi and Blood propulsion makes the money spent on Five Elements Soup worthwhile."
Previously, while drinking Five Elements Soup, Meng Chuan always felt he was paying to suffer.
But seeing the significant increase in Qi and Blood, he felt much more at ease; the suffering wasn't in vain.
Typically, a first-rate fist skill only has the chance to advance eight thresholds when nearing mastery.
But Meng Chuan felt, as long as he broke through the Five Elements Fist to proficiency, he could reach the eighth threshold!
He might not even need proficiency; his Earth-Attribute Thick Mountain Fist and Water-Attribute Wave Fist were also nearing perfection.
By then, they would also provide some Qi and Blood to nourish his meridians.
Meng Chuan refocused and went to the Martial Arts Dojo to practice piling and fist skills.
Lately, every time during practice, students from five or six thresholds would approach him with questions.
He was also willing to take time to teach, thus his name for being kind-hearted spread more and more.
Each time he practiced piling, there would be spectators, which Meng Chuan had grown used to.
However, for the first half an hour before starting, everyone was considerate enough to just watch without speaking.
After hundreds of moves, the silicon stake was left riddled with pits, no longer retaining its original round shape.