The following morning, as Chen Chu entered the school grounds, he encountered an old acquaintance.
Li Meng, who had suffered defeat at Chen Chu's hands during the ranking competition, stood by the roadside and greeted Chen Chu with excitement. "Chen Chu, you've finally arrived."
Chen Chu looked at him quizzically. "What's going on?"
Li Meng grinned triumphantly. "I've been waiting here to inform you that I've broken through to the Second Heaven."
Chen Chu retorted, "So what?"
Li Meng seemed taken aback. "Aren't you feeling pressured?"
Chen Chu regarded him strangely. "Why should I be? Are you planning to challenge me to avenge your previous loss?"
Li Meng hurriedly responded, "No way, I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of others' misfortune."
Li Meng proudly stated, "Although I was careless that day, I acknowledge my defeat. I'm here today to let you know that I've announced on the official website that if someone challenges you after you reach the Second Heaven, they have to defeat me first."
Chen Chu was bewildered. "What's this all about?"
Li Meng scoffed, "As someone you defeated in the First Heaven, those who wish to surpass you are essentially stepping on me. Naturally, I won't allow them to have their way."
Li Meng continued, "Since we're all friends, there's no need to thank me for this minor gesture."
Chen Chu was perplexed. "Since when did we become friends?"
Li Meng ignored this and stated confidently, "Wait, why do you assume I'll be stronger than you after reaching the Second Heaven?"
Chen Chu's eyes took on an enigmatic gleam. During this period, with the growth of the heavy armored beast, his attributes had improved across the board. His pure physique had reached 115 points, and his strength attribute had reached 120. With the Long Xianggong's enhancements, his punching strength now exceeded 4,000 kilograms.
Given these attributes, even if 'geniuses' like Li Meng grew more powerful after their breakthrough, Chen Chu had the confidence to surpass them. He had a significant edge in basic attributes.
Li Meng was confident. "Of course, I've practiced advanced techniques and have become a genius. My strength post-breakthrough is far superior to before."
He added, "But don't be disheartened. We can participate in the trial mission during our second year of high school, which will offer numerous opportunities to earn contribution points."
Li Meng encouraged Chen Chu, "You can find ways to accumulate contribution points and exchange them for advanced techniques and cultivation resources. Maybe you'll catch up to me one day."
Li Meng concluded cheerfully, "Alright, Chen Chu, I'll be waiting for you ahead." Without giving Chen Chu a chance to respond, he turned and departed.
Chen Chu took a deep breath, deciding not to dwell on it. He didn't want to stoop to this guy's level. With that, he managed to suppress the urge to confront him physically.
Chen Chu entered the practice room, where he overheard many individuals discussing the situation in Ke Luoya.
It had been over a month since the turmoil in Koroya, and the situation had deteriorated rather than stabilized. Currently, the Federal Congress was considering whether to intervene.
According to federal regulations, all allies enjoyed autonomy under unified guidelines. The three major powers only had cause to intervene when a major event significantly impacted the Human Federation.
Chen Chu hoped it wouldn't disrupt their lives here. He had grown accustomed to the current routine and had no desire for it to be disrupted by unforeseen events.
"Chen Chu, you're here," greeted a fellow male classmate.
Chen Chu smiled and nodded. "You're here quite early every day."
The student with a pockmarked face shrugged. "We don't have the same talents as others, so we rely on hard work."
Chen Chu had become somewhat famous among the students in the class as an 'ordinary' student who made it into the top 50. Some students had taken the initiative to get to know him, not out of flattery, but because he had given recognition to students with ordinary abilities.
Everyone chatted for a while before commencing their daily practice.
Chen Chu, too, began his usual sword skills practice.
As the other students started their exercises, Chen Chu stood at the center, gripping a blade. He closed his eyes and focused his senses, instantly entering a state where his mind resembled a tranquil mirror-like lake.
Within Chen Chu's empty mental awareness, three faint human body outlines appeared around him, radiating ripples during their cultivation.
In comparison to Dragon Elephant Kungfu, which steadily improved with practice, the advancement of the Mind's Eye's comprehension felt slow in cultivation.
A month had passed, yet Chen Chu could only perceive the Qi mechanisms within a ten-meter range. At this rate, he wondered how long it would take to achieve the realm of perceiving malicious intent within a specific range around him with a single thought.
Shen Kui's time in cultivation passed quickly, and several days flew by.
...
October 17th marked the passing of more than half a month since the ranking match.
Thanks to the stimulation from that battle, numerous new students broke through to establish their foundation during this period. Currently, nearly 900 high school students were practicing, constituting half of the new students.
This ratio significantly exceeded previous years, considering that only one-third of the freshmen had managed to establish their foundation in previous years.
Furthermore, half of those individuals had chosen to abandon their cultivation in the second and third years of high school due to slow progress. Ultimately, only about one-tenth of them would break through to the Third Heaven and graduate.
This situation was even more pronounced in the past.
It's worth noting that a decade ago, before the foundation-building method became widespread, only a fraction of the students could cultivate each year.
One could say that those who managed to practice during that period were all geniuses, and those who persevered until now had become very formidable.
For instance, the martial arts teachers nowadays.
At noon, as Chen Chu lined up in the bustling cafeteria, he chose a window with fewer people. However, just as he was queuing up, Xia Youhui approached him from behind.
Xia Youhui excitedly patted him on the shoulder and greeted him with enthusiasm, "Ah Chu, it's been a few days. Do you miss me?"
Chen Chu glanced back at him and casually retorted, "What's your plan, introducing me to a girlfriend?"
"Are you sure you want me to introduce you to a girlfriend? Didn't you say women would only slow down your sword-drawing speed?" Xia Youhui's eyes sparkled. He knew many beautiful girls.
Coincidentally, during this period, people had approached him daily to inquire about Chen Chu's information. If Chen Chu wished, he could potentially help set him up.
"You still take that seriously."
Chen Chu was speechless and changed the subject, "But I haven't seen you around much lately."
"...We're brothers, good brothers. You're making me sad." Xia Youhui looked resentful, and Chen Chu couldn't help but shudder at the sight.
"Don't give me that look, or I might not resist punching you." Chen Chu took a step back playfully.
"Alright, enough joking, Ah Chu, I finally broke through to the Second Heaven."
"Really? Congratulations, that's impressive," Chen Chu sincerely praised.
However, Xia Youhui couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had a lingering suspicion that all was not as it seemed.