Ever since obtaining the Eternal Certification, Meng Chuan has been pushing himself to the limit every day.
While consuming medicinal paste, he alternates between practicing fist skills, body techniques, and pile skills, devotedly training in martial arts, even causing the usually strict Luo Guanyun to exclaim:
"This kid, you truly train impressively solid!"
After practicing the Cannon Fist over a dozen times, Meng Chuan steps onto the round parking barrier stone in the school's parking lot to practice inch steps.
The surface of this row of barrier stones is polished extremely smoothly, Meng Chuan takes off his shoes and socks, and stands atop barefoot.
It had rained a couple of days ago, and now the surface was almost free of dust which could add friction; just standing stably on it felt very difficult for Meng Chuan, and he struggled to walk inch steps according to Master Luo's guidance.
Master Luo's words echoed in his ears:
"With the front foot steady without retreating, advance step; rear foot pushes forcefully making upward strides. This move is used when forced by an enemy, preventing them from having a chance to change steps, thereby taking this shortcut to catch them off guard, hence named inch step."
"Practice the inch step carefully for these days, once you master the inch step, you can practice inch steps while hitting Cannon Fist, efficiency will directly double, awesome!"
Meng Chuan was walking small steps on the barrier stone practicing when the voice of his form teacher came from behind.
"Meng Chuan, come down first! The principal wants to see you!"
...
Pushing open the door to the principal's office, Meng Chuan deftly took a clean teacup from the cabinet behind the principal.
Then he sat down in the chair opposite the desk, poured himself a cup of hot tea and enjoyed drinking it.
Just as the principal was about to speak, Meng Chuan took the initiative.
"Don't ask yet, I know what you want to say, there's still no news from Elder Bai, don't worry."
Meng Chuan didn't intend to come initially, he knew the principal was looking for him to ask about the National Yi Fist issues.
He was just thirsty from practice, so he came for a cup of hot tea to quench his thirst.
The principal countered:
"It's not about that, but when you have news you must tell me immediately."
Then he refilled Meng Chuan's cup with hot water, and continued:
"Have you tested your Qi Blood recently? How's it going?"
"Last test was 2.11, fist skills and body techniques have breakthroughs recently, should be above 3 now."
"Good lad, is Yong'an Martial Arts University stable? Give your uncle a definite answer!"
Indeed, the principal's brewed tea is more fragrant, Meng Chuan gave him reassurance:
"Definitely stable!"
At Meng Chuan's current rate of improvement, Yong'an Martial Arts University is no longer his target, he's already set his sights on Northern United University.
Northern United University, full name[Northern United Martial Arts University], is one of the nation's nine special martial arts universities.
As a Great Chu foundation supported from the very beginning, the faculty strength and school heritage are immensely vast, with branches across the nation, the Yong'an Lishan campus was only established in recent years.
What Northern United University is most renowned for is its terrifying graduate advancement rate towards becoming martial artists, reaching an astounding 90%, one could say stepping into Northern United is akin to setting foot in the future of becoming a martial artist.
Luo Guanyun also graduated from Northern United, he understands deeply the importance of a good martial arts university on a martial artist's growth, he strongly supports Meng Chuan's future enrollment in Northern United.
"Alright, then uncle will open another backdoor for you!"
"But there has to be a reason for it, February 2nd is the second year's martial division final exam, you should participate, as long as you rank in the top 50%, later you can join the second year in martial arts classes, having teachers could be better than practicing on your own."
This is good news, the barrier stones are too amateurish, the second year's martial arts chamber has a professional wooden stake area for practicing body techniques, and there's dedicated martial arts teacher instruction.
Although the school surely can't afford a martial arts master like Master Luo, at least it would be a mini expert with Qi Blood above three gates, more than adequate for teaching self-education.
"Thank you, principal, I will give it my all."
The principal smiled and signaled to Meng Chuan that he could leave.
After Meng Chuan went out, soon after, another blonde teenager of similar age entered.
If Meng Chuan were here, he would have recognized, this person was the Infinite Martial Arts Dojo's student Le Ping, called along with him one of Ping'an Middle School's "Hidden Dragon and Young Phoenix" martial arts prodigies!
"Here you are, Zong Ping."
"What's up, second uncle, looking for me?"
Principal Zong slammed the table and scolded sternly:
"Have you forgotten again? Address by position in school!"
In school, no one knew the martial arts genius of sophomore Zong Ping, his real identity was the principal's nephew.
Ping'an Middle School although decent, is after all a comprehensive high school and not specifically a martial arts high school.
The principal promised his older brother to provide Zong Ping with three years' worth of martial arts resources before his brother agreed to let Zong Ping attend Ping'an Middle School.
All for his own achievements, the principal was worrying himself sick every day.
Zong Ping replied with boredom:
"Understood, principal."
Zong Ping, like Meng Chuan, immediately sat in the chair preparing to pour himself tea as he entered.
Then found on the table besides the principal's own teacup, there was one used by someone else.
"Oh? Someone just came?"
"Yes, but that's not important, I called you here to tell you something."
Then the principal repeated what he told Meng Chuan earlier.
"Should've done this earlier, second uncle, no problem, when the time comes, I'll hit hard and pummel that second year, just watch."
"Address by position, I said!"
"By the way, in your freshman year, there's another person like you, also taking part in the sophomore final martial arts test."
Zong Ping perked up with interest:
"Freshman? They're all worthless rookies?"
"Don't underestimate them, in some ways, the opponent's talent might be even stronger than yours."
Zong Ping got curious, his own born superior bone structure, could directly be academically recommended to high school preparatory classes for special martial arts universities like Northern United.
So how could there be someone with better talent than him at Ping'an High School?
"Alright, that's about it, go back and practice martial arts, I don't have good tea to offer you here."
The principal started urging him to leave, these two kids were a real headache, making him feel his principal role was pointless, unable to show his dignified authority.
"Alright then, I'll leave first, Principal Zong."
...
At night, Meng Chuan returned from Master Luo's house.
"Great, the proficiency has increased a lot, still Master Luo is impressive, the proficiency gained in just three hours there is equivalent to a full day of training at school."
After returning to his room, Meng Chuan took a medicinal paste, absorbed it for a moment, felt his body had recovered considerably, he decided to reward himself with more than an hour of Three Talents Posture, then go shower and sleep to end a perfect day.
Meng Yongzhi worried about interrupting Meng Chuan's martial arts practice, spoke through the door:
"Chuan'er, the rewards from the bureau are here, we should go together tomorrow morning."
Meng Chuan was standing barefoot in the posture exerting effort, a towel hung around his neck, were already drenched with sweat becoming damp.
"Alright uncle, I know, tomorrow morning help me... forget it, I'll call the principal myself and take a half day's leave."
"Okay, don't stay up too late, rest early."