The crowd was in an uproar, and Wang Yue's jaw almost dropped to the ground.
"No way, buddy, how long have you been at the dojo, and already the sole direct disciple?"
Le Ping was also a bit surprised at this moment, but then it made sense after a second thought.
"With such significant progress, if it wasn't Meng Chuan, who else could it be?"
Li Ru was the first to react because deep down she already knew the answer but was unwilling to admit it.
Li Ru forced a smile and said:
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Meng."
Everyone then snapped back to reality and started congratulating:
"Way to go, Brother Chuan!"
"Congrats, holy crap!"
Wang Dong was the most senior student at the dojo, and he knew how picky Hall Master Luo's judgment was, and he was still immersed in shock.
He always knew the hall master wanted to take a direct disciple to teach the true, exclusive skills, but unfortunately, no student ever caught his eye.
Unexpectedly, Meng Chuan, who had only been here for a few months, drew the hall master's attention.
"Ah, why isn't my talent like his, even though I work so hard..."
It's only to say that the world of martial artists is cruel; in this world of billions, there is no shortage of hard-working people but a shortage of those who are both diligent and talented.
After everyone reacted, Luo Guanyun said:
"From now on, regardless of age, besides work teaching within the dojo, you all must call Meng Chuan senior brother. In the future, you should look out for each other; outside, you are all from Infinite Martial Arts Dojo."
Not wanting to dampen everyone's enthusiasm, he continued:
"Meng Chuan is not my final disciple. If any of you still aspire to be my direct disciple, don't lose heart, keep working hard at martial arts, show me your performance, and I, Luo Guanyun, will provide a fair opportunity for everyone."
Hearing the hall master's words, Li Ru's eyes reignited with hope, cheering herself up internally.
"Don't lose heart, Li Ru, prove yourself in the dojo ranking competition; you still have a chance!"
Luo Guanyun looked at his direct disciple with great satisfaction.
"Alright, there's nothing else. Meng Chuan, is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"
Being the senior brother to nearly a hundred people in the dojo, Meng Chuan felt a bit proud inside.
"I hope everyone maintains their progress on the path of martial arts, embraces the martial spirit, keeps striving; be virtuous and physically firm, like the White Crane Eternal Spring!"
Luo Guanyun led the applause:
"Well said!"
The crowd also echoed with cheers.
Wang Yue mischievously teased from the crowd:
"Senior Brother Meng Chuan, I want to have your babies!"
Meng Chuan held his forehead with one hand:
"Get lost, you dead fatty!"
...
On February 2, the dragon raises its head.
Meng Chuan got up early to practice his fists on the rooftop, and two hours later, the eastern sky had brightened.
With the effort made during this period, his proficiency in Cannon Fist significantly improved.
[Cannon Fist: Major Achievement (10%)️ → (65%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]
"Although the growth rate of proficiency is slowing down, at the current pace, it should be perfect in about two weeks."
Meng Chuan was very pleased with his current martial arts training speed, which was much faster than before.
Ever since acquiring a certificate of eternal proof, Meng Chuan's routine hadn't changed at all.
Even though the improvement in talent accelerated his martial arts training speed, he didn't give himself more rest time.
"Currently, enhancing Qi Blood is still the most important. With the Martial Arts Limit Breaking panel in hand, once I break through the first major limit and become a member of the Martial Arts Family, perhaps I can learn more ordinary fist skills,
grind them to Limit Breaking, and gain more traits to increase the speed of martial arts training."
"If the effects of the traits can continuously accumulate, it could directly boost my martial arts talent, and my proficiency accumulation would accelerate."
My current training speed is nothing impressive; many with superior roots and those with strong traits train even faster. I am far from pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts!"
But for now, accumulating Qi Blood must be prioritized, partly to meet my uncle's expectations of attending a good Martial Arts University; and partly for self-preservation, breaking through the first major limit sooner, and mastering the skills to oppose the Celestial Demon."
During a break from practice, Meng Chuan pondered over his future path.
"Chuan'er, stop practicing for now, hurry to school, there's an exam today."
"I know, Auntie. Coming down right away."
...
Today is the day of the Ping'an Middle School's final exams.
In their sophomore year, students haven't divided into arts and martial studies, so both are examined. In the morning, they take academic subjects, and in the afternoon, martial subjects.
At 7:40 AM, with twenty minutes before the exam starts, students from Class Three of the first year were mostly head down working on problems or reviewing key points.
Wang Yue was too bored to read a book, idly staring at the scenery outside the window.
"Today's the final exam, how come Brother Chuan hasn't arrived yet, is he really not coming?"
"No, why am I worrying? As the direct disciple of a Martial Arts Master, he doesn't need me to worry, right?"
The study atmosphere in the classroom was too strong for Wang Yue to resist picking up a textbook and joining in.
Meanwhile, in the teacher's office, they were sorting out the test papers.
"Did Zong Ping from your class really go to take the sophomore exam?"
Zong Ping's class teacher, Teacher Li, counted the exam papers after taking them out of the file bag before responding:
"Yes, as arranged by the principal; he said he's a genius, so there's a special treatment."
"Who doesn't know Zong Ping from your class, I'm telling you, you really stepped in dog's luck, make the most of it, there's a good chance you'll be the grade director next year."
Another teacher approached to say:
"That kid Zong Ping is amazing. I believe, you are definitely going to be the grade director."
Teacher Li looked radiant, smiling widely:
"Who knows, the principal said if he does well, he'll join sophomores for Martial Arts Class after the new school year, half a year early."
"Don't go blabbing about it, it's still too early to say, hahaha."
At this moment, the class teacher of Class Three, Teacher Wang, suddenly interjected:
"Hey, the principal also contacted me last night, saying Meng Chuan from our class is also going to take the sophomore exam."
Hearing what Teacher Wang said, the other teachers paused and looked over.
"Is it true? Isn't Meng Chuan from your class the kid practicing National Fist? How is he taking the accelerated exam like Zong Ping?"
Teacher Wang pursed his lips, showing a look of not knowing what to do.
He originally hadn't meant to bring up Meng Chuan's matter; even if Meng Chuan switched his martial arts practice, it was too late time-wise. Some of those sophomore students had already broken through the three Qi Blood barriers, and he feared Meng Chuan would be eliminated in the first round there.
I am now speaking so boldly, but if Meng Chuan ends up with the last place, my face would feel a sting of embarrassment.
However, he and Class One's class teacher, Li Min, were always at odds, and he couldn't help but speak today because he couldn't stand seeing the other's delighted demeanor.
"You have to ask the principal about this."
The other teachers nearby teased, not minding a bigger spectacle, patting Teacher Li on the shoulder:
"Director Li, looks like someone wants to usurp your position."
Li Min wasn't worried at all, finishing the tea in his cup before leaving the office with the exam papers:
"Then we'll see about that."