Life Plaza, first floor.
The modern "Flying Swallow" logo catches the eye.
The entire floor is the territory of the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.
Li Linling was already impatient.
"I'm going to change into my training clothes first, I'll meet the two junior brothers in the cafeteria."
Lu Chenzhou looked at the lavishly decorated martial arts hall and thought to himself,
"I must study hard, a lesson costs two thousand."
Qin Zheng quickly followed, pursuing his senior sister's steps.
"Let's go, Chenzhou, let's eat first. After the meal, I'll show you around the Martial Arts Hall, and then let you test your Qi Blood. You need to make an appointment with the Master before class."
"Thank you, President."
Inside the martial arts academy, a group of young people was energetically training in front of various fitness equipment and wooden dummies. As long as you have a card, you can use the standard facilities as much as you want during its validity period.
The martial arts hall doesn't make money from these, but from the core membership lessons.
The three from the Martial Arts Society also had a meal in the cafeteria that was a well-balanced diet, with plenty of high-protein seafood and beef to go around. Lu Chenzhou ate until he was eighty percent full.
After resting and digesting,
Lu Chenzhou donned the black training clothes adorned with the Flying Swallow Sea Map, also a gift from the hall that he could take home to wear. He looked at himself in the mirror and felt more spirited.
After strolling around, Lu Chenzhou hadn't seen Shi Ruyu, thinking that this person had not arrived yet. After greeting others, Qin Zheng took Lu Chenzhou to the Qi Blood Measurement Room.
Someone had just finished their measurement.
A mechanical voice announced,
[Qi Blood Value 2.50, has reached the Fifth Rank standard.]
That person exhaled, collected his stance, and stood firm.
He walked out, and Qin Zheng seemingly recognized him, so he greeted him,
"Huang Hao, congratulations on reaching the Fifth Rank."
Huang Hao nodded and left with big strides.
Qin Zheng pouted slightly, feeling a bit awkward.
Lu Chenzhou looked at his phone, pretending not to see.
Qin Zheng turned back and whispered,
"That guy also lives in the Inner City, next door to my home, but he has Intermediate root bone and attends the affiliate Martial Arts School of Pingjiang. He achieved Great Success in Basic Boxing in the first year of junior high. He's only one year older than us, yet I'm only at the First Rank, and he has already reached the Fifth Rank."
Nothing is more discouraging than comparing oneself to another.
Especially someone like Huang Hao who meant no harm, but who just doesn't regard him seriously, that sense of separation between two worlds, made Qin Zheng feel slightly hurt.
Lu Chenzhou said to comfort him,
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He proceeded to the measurement room.
[Please follow the instructions and wear the sensor device. If you are a martial artist, please demonstrate a round of Basic Fist Technique. If you are a common person, just throw a full-force punch. Do not take any supplements that could enhance Qi Blood within the effect duration before measurement, do not...]
Lu Chenzhou concentrated his mind and calmed his Qi, like a tiger or leopard about to hunt.
[Commence testing.]
In an instant, his Qi mechanism exploded as he entered a state of obliviousness to practice his boxing. His Great Achievement Realm Basic Boxing was executed, flowing like clouds and water without the slightest stagnancy.
Qin Zheng looked on,
"I achieved Great Success earlier, so why do I feel like Chenzhou is punching better than me?"
A senior sister clad in Flying Swallow clothes also came over.
"Chenzhou has started his test, huh? He's not bad."
She was at the Second Rank, considered the ceiling of the Martial Arts Society's combat strength.
Qin Zheng asked, "Are you testing, senior sister?"
"No need to test, I was only 1.5 a month ago; still far off from the Third Rank."
The two watched Lu Chenzhou box with appreciative eyes. Given the home environment of Lu Chenzhou, his practice was no worse than theirs—a testament to his hard work!
[Qi Blood Value 1.33, has reached the First Rank standard.]
Lu Chenzhou looked at the display and heaved a sigh of relief.
The standard for Qi Blood at the First Rank was 1.2; with each rank increase, the Qi Blood standard was 1.2 times the original base—his distance from the Second Rank, 1.44, was not far off.
"I have entered the rank!"
He had also become an entry-level martial artist.
"Hahaha, now everyone in the Martial Arts Society has entered the ranks!"
Qin Zheng applauded and cheered.
Senior sister Li also smiled and said,
"Congratulations, junior brother."
Lu Chenzhou rarely showed a smile.
"Thank you, President. Thank you, senior sister."
"Let's go, we're heading to the training ground, the Master has arrived."
On the training ground.
A bald middle-aged man with a stature of one meter eighty-five stood upright like a pine tree, dressed in a golden Flying Swallow uniform. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the students in front of him.
Bright Winged Swallow, Ji Xuantong!
According to the Martial Arts Academy's introduction, this man graduated from the northern Dragon City Martial Arts University, one of the twenty-four top-level martial arts schools, also known as the "24 School Alliance."
Ji Xuantong looked towards Lu Chenzhou in the far corner.
"You're the newest student, aren't you?"
"Hello, teacher, my name is Lu Chenzhou."
"You have 30 core lessons, you can find me to book a time when you're ready, and don't miss the validity period of your membership card, once it's expired, there are no refunds. At our Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall, every night at eight there is also a free public class, everyone is welcome to attend if they're free."
Ji Xuantong's voice was full of energy.
"Today's public class will be taken by your new senior sister, an amateur Seventh Rank expert, and she will lead you in a practice session for an hour. Welcome Shi Ruyu!"
Hearing this name, Qin Zheng and Sister Li were astonished. Lu Chenzhou was also a bit surprised in his heart. He knew Shi Ruyu was here but didn't expect her to be at Seventh Rank already.
Shi Ruyu stood gracefully in a silver Flying Swallow uniform.
She introduced herself with a fist salute:
"Hello everyone, my name is Shi Ruyu, a graduate of Pingjiang Martial Arts University, a disciple of Sky-Swapping Ape, Yuan Tianqi, during my time there. I specialize in the Ape Form of the Elephant Form Method, particularly skilled in the 'White Ape Fist.' Now, I am a student of teacher Ji Xuantong. From now on, I will be leading the public classes. Rather than calling it teaching, it's more like an exchange where everyone can make progress together!"
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Lu Chenzhou in the corner, she hadn't expected this kid to come here too. Could it be that he was following in her footsteps? Her good comprehension skills had caught Ji Xuantong's eye, and she had become his disciple not long ago, now listed as the second True Inheritance.
Lu Chenzhou was thinking about the title "Sky-Swapping Ape," it sounded like a very powerful Martial Artist. He wondered who was stronger between Sky-Swapping Ape and Bright Winged Swallow?
After introducing Shi Ruyu to everyone, the Master left.
He was a busy man, only visible during the core member classes.
The content taught during public classes was mainly Basic Boxing, obviously nothing too profound since it was free, and the assistant instructors' specialties varied. After leading the practice for an hour, Shi Ruyu began answering students' questions.
Lu Chenzhou observed the Martial Arts Tree, striving to regulate his breath with the Innate Breathing Method.
"Basic Boxing: Great Success (3%) → Great Success (4%)"
"It won't be long before it's Perfected."
Once there were hardly any people around Shi Ruyu.
Lu Chenzhou approached.
"Sister, may I ask you some questions about the 'Black Tiger Fist'?"
"Sure, go ahead, although I only have a superficial understanding of it."
As it grew late.
"Chenzhou, Sister Li and I are heading back now, you should return early too."
Qin Zheng left.
"That junior brother is really hardworking."
Before leaving, Li Linling sincerely extolled as she looked at Lu Chenzhou who was still sparring with Shi Ruyu, then getting outmatched, truly deserving the title of "Martial Fanatic" from class nine.
The students gradually dispersed.
Before leaving the hall, Ji Xuantong noticed Lu Chenzhou, still soaked in sweat, practicing with Shi Ruyu. He had heard from Lu Guoping that this child was obsessed with martial arts.
"Such a pity, his root bone is so ordinary."
He shook his head slightly and disappeared into the night.
This world was never short on people who were diligent.
Bang! Lu Chenzhou got thrown flying.
He looked at the calm and collected Shi Ruyu.
"The gap between the Seventh Rank and First Rank is too great."
"To be at the First Rank at your age is quite impressive. Lu Chenzhou, keep practicing hard, and make sure to aim for a Martial Arts University! Even the faculty and resources of an ordinary Martial Arts University are incomparable to those of a private martial arts hall, I believe you can transform a lot in four years."
"Thank you for your guidance, Sister, and for staying late to help."
"No problem, it's mainly because it's not safe at night; you should head home early... By the way, where do you live? If it's on the way, we could go together."
"I live in the outer city, so it's probably not on the way for you, Sister."
Based on his observations over these days, Lu Chenzhou knew that Shi Ruyu's family should also be well off. She herself had the means to earn money, and most likely resided in the Inner City.
"Alright then, take care on your way home."
Shortly after, Shi Ruyu emerged from the changing room, shouldering her bag, dressed in her own sports outfit and white sneakers, she waved goodbye to Lu Chenzhou and quickly left.
Lu Chenzhou stood looking at the Martial Arts Tree.
"Black Tiger Fist: Beginner (4%) — Beginner (6%)"
"With this progress, I'll master Black Tiger Fist very soon."
Coming to this Martial Arts Academy was the right choice.
Not to mention Ji Xuantong's classes.
Just having the opportunity to practice with Shi Ruyu made it more than worthwhile.