When they returned to No. 33 Middle School, the entire E11 District was already in an uproar. Cao Fugui had arranged for a two-tiered, open-top bus to be used as a parade float.
Banners were plastered on both sides of the bus: "Heartfelt congratulations to No. 33 Middle School's student, Wang Zhan, for winning the title of Chu State Top Scholar in this year's martial examination!"
The overall Federation rankings weren't clear yet, as examinations in various regions were scheduled over the next day or two. Mega-cities like Yanjing, with populations exceeding one hundred million, had multiple examination sites, and the process lasted at least two days or more. However, accurate results were expected by tomorrow at the latest.
The chances are very high, Chen Jun mused. A comprehensive combat power of over 100,000—that surpasses Zhou Tianyu by a long shot. If a score like this can't secure the Federation's top scholar title, what kind of heaven-defying genius would it take?
Cao Fugui maintained a cautiously optimistic attitude. The brand-new comprehensive combat power assessment system had even undergone new, temporary modifications just the day before the martial examination. Although the formula was public, who knew what kind of prodigies might emerge? It was unpredictable.
"Principal! Why not write 'student of our school'? I think that would be more direct," Li Cheng asked cautiously.
Ever since Wang Zhan had spectacularly seized the top scholar title, Li Cheng's heart was devoid of his previous resentment and petty schemes. No matter how strong Zhao Xu is, could he have become the top scholar? If Wang Zhan had only surpassed him by a little, perhaps I would have resented him. Resented Wang Zhan for being too ruthless and hindering my student's future. But after being surpassed by so much, I have no such thoughts at all. Looking at it now, it wasn't that Wang Zhan was ruthless, but that Zhao Xu was just too pathetic.
Cao Fugui glanced at Li Cheng. "Teacher Li, you! It was after Wang Qi's martial examination that I personally brought you into this school. The Hidden Dragon Class was also entrusted to you. But you've been far too indulgent with these students. Greenhouses don't produce dazzling flowers."
"Yes, Principal. I was a bit too impatient this time," Li Cheng admitted sincerely.
Cao Fugui looked at Chen Jun beside him. "Teacher Li, you shouldn't be saying this to me. You should apologize to Teacher Chen and Student Wang Zhan."
"Yes, I will apologize." Li Cheng, without any resentment, sincerely said to Chen Jun, "Teacher Chen, I'm sorry."
A smile appeared on Cao Fugui's face. Chen Jun has successively mentored Wang Qi and Wang Zhan. Does he possess some special ability? He must be given significant responsibilities next. He's a key aide, my right-hand man. We can't have discord between important staff.
Then, Cao Fugui asked with a smile, "Do you know why 'our school' wasn't used?"
Chen Jun, however, laughed at this moment. "Who would know who 'our school' refers to? Using 'No. 33 Middle School' makes it clear at a glance. Principal, I can already foresee how explosive our student enrollment will be this year."
The parade float touring the streets was a tradition inherited from remote antiquity. Legend had it that in those times, after becoming the top scholar, one would parade through the streets on horseback! 'Ten years of obscure study, then sudden fame known throughout the land'—it was something like that.
No. 33 Middle School straddled the E11 and E12 districts. After the entire parade, Wang Zhan felt like the muscles in his face were about to cramp. This was far more terrifying than combat.
Principal Cao and Chen Jun personally escorted Wang Zhan to the entrance of Eighth Street. As soon as he entered, many of the neighborhood residents gathered around.
A lame man leaning on a crutch laughed heartily, his very yellow teeth conspicuous. "Attaboy, Zhan! You're truly your father's son! Sister Cui has finally seen her efforts pay off. You're amazing!"
The lame man had lost a leg on the battlefield. He was said to have the strength of a Martial Artist, but now he was merely struggling to get by.
Wang Zhan took his usual unconventional route, moving swiftly along the outer wall. It was much easier now than before. Sprinting, jumping, or climbing—everything was incredibly smooth. He could do it all with ease and familiarity.
Just as he vaulted into the corridor, Wang Zhan stopped. A dozen or so familiar neighbors had already gathered there. Seeing Wang Zhan, every one of them greeted him with warm smiles and enthusiastic words.
Sister Bai from downstairs even led her son, who wasn't even ten, over. "Xiao Jie, this is Brother Zhan. Brother Zhan is now the top scholar of the martial examination. Quick, let Brother Zhan rub your head."
...
The enthusiastic neighbors were finally seen off. The already small house was in a state of disarray. Yang Cui looked at the box Wang Zhan had brought back and silently stood up to tidy the place.
"Mom!" Wang Zhan called out softly. He felt a little apprehensive. I became the top scholar; logically, Mom should be happy. So why is she so calm? This worried him. "This is the reward the Chu State Council gave me."
The alloy combination safe even had a built-in refrigeration function. When the box was opened, one side revealed ten bottles of grade-nine Essence Pills, neatly arranged. Hmm, the Essence Energy oral liquid was an even deeper color. The azure liquid swirled within the bottle, looking incredibly mystical!
Below them were one million in cash, neatly stacked, and a card.
"Mom! They also rewarded me with a house in C District. I heard it's a Western-style house with a garden, and it's quite spacious. Your son has grown up. When I go to the Martial Arts Academy, you should move there. Take this money too. From now on, don't go out to set up a stall or work anymore."
"I'm not going!" Yang Cui said, busying herself with her chores. The faucet was dripping water into a bucket placed beneath it. Yang Cui scooped up half a ladleful and rinsed a cup.
Water was precious. Every family in the slum area did this. The faucet was completely rusted, perpetually dripping, much like someone suffering from prostate problems. This was the way of survival for the poor. No matter how often the water meters were replaced or how advanced electronic metering became, and regardless of technological advancements, in certain aspects, the poor always found a way.
No one wanted to be so calculating. Everyone preferred to be generous. But if you didn't calculate, you would starve. You wouldn't survive.
Yang Cui said calmly, "It's nice here. I live here, and I'm not going anywhere. You're capable, you became the top scholar. So go and pacify the beasts! The Federation has over two billion people. If the sky falls, the taller ones will hold it up. Why do you need to show off?"
WAH!
Suddenly, Yang Cui squatted down, burying her head in her knees. "I'm not going anywhere! I'm staying right here! I'm afraid that deadbeat father of yours will come back and not be able to find home!"
"Mom!" Wang Zhan's voice trembled slightly. He could understand his mother's feelings. She had watched her husband leave, never to return. Her daughter had also embarked on the path of a Martial Artist. Now, her son was also about to leave and soar to great heights. The so-called privileges, the so-called responsibilities—she didn't care about them. She just wanted her loved ones to be well.
"I was wrong!" Wang Zhan squatted beside Yang Cui, gently patting her back. Wang Zhan deeply empathized with this feeling; it was exactly how he had felt the night Wang Qi returned home. And it was precisely because of this that Wang Zhan seized every opportunity to improve himself.
"I will definitely bring Sister back safely, I definitely will!"
Wang Zhan stood up. He was eager to examine the Body Refining Technique King Xing had given him. Become stronger! Only by becoming stronger can I survive. Only then can destiny be in my own hands.
"Zhan!" Yang Cui called out. "Don't worry about Mom. Mom is still young!"
...
In his room was a bunk bed; the bottom bunk, where Wang Qi used to sleep, was now empty. Next to it stood a simple desk. This place held the childhood memories of the two siblings.
During the Beast Tides, the two siblings would hug each other for courage. There had been laughter and tears, and also memories of Wang Zhan being bullied for a long time.
It was hard to believe that paper still existed given the Federation's current level of technology. Yet, anything related to martial arts invariably existed in paper form. As for why, no one could clearly say.
The entire technique wasn't thick, only about two or three pages. With Wang Zhan's wisdom, he could barely make sense of it, but memorizing it posed no problem.
The so-called body refining was more of a scientific training method, one more aligned with the human body's mechanics. Current training methods, using equipment like treadmills and punching power trainers, could only develop the exterior: skin, muscles, and at best, the fascia and bones. However, deeper aspects like nerves, blood, and bone marrow could not be trained this way.
And the Body Refining Technique targeted these very aspects. It primarily involved three areas. One was the practice of standing stances. Another was a set of breathing techniques, and the final part was... somewhat obscure and difficult to grasp. Even with my wisdom, this is too difficult, Wang Zhan thought. I truly can't understand this Body Refining Technique in its entirety. I only know it might be related to willpower and mental power.
Connecting the dots and based on King Xing's hints, Wang Zhan could roughly grasp the meaning. True martial arts, the path of a Martial Artist—that was merely the beginning. The current so-called Martial Student Realm was roughly equivalent to people in times of peace who practiced external martial arts.
Ordinary people polished their bodies and trained their strength! Running increased speed; supplementary exercises like sit-ups and push-ups merely increased muscle intensity. Once intensity improved, strength would follow. But an ordinary person's strength, speed, and endurance all had limits.
By practicing the cultivation guide, one could break through this limit and become a Martial Student. However, King Xing had said that only by opening the Dantian and achieving circulation of Inner Qi could one truly be called a Martial Artist. In other words, Martial Students also have limits. And the Body Refining Technique was a method to break through these limits before becoming a Martial Artist.
'Sky-high buildings rise from the ground; the type of foundation laid determines the height of the building.' Everyone understood this principle. And the Body Refining Technique was about laying the most solid foundation for oneself.
For example, Wang Zhan's current full attribute score was 200. This attribute itself was already more formidable than that of many grade-nine Martial Students. Therefore, in the later realms, Wang Zhan would be stronger every step of the way. Crushing opponents of the same realm would be a small matter; even crushing those of higher realms would be possible.
But if he could achieve another breakthrough at this stage, one could imagine how his foundation would compare to ordinary people. This favor is quite significant, Wang Zhan mused. Although King Xing might not care about such a minor thing, I will remember it.
Looking at the blue bottle of oral liquid beside him, Wang Zhan picked one up and was about to consume it when a call came from outside the door. Immediately after, his mother Yang Cui's voice sounded, "Wang Zhan! It's a call from your sister."
"Sis?" Wang Zhan was instantly overjoyed and quickly called out, "I'll patch it through right away."
Putting down the blue bottle, Wang Zhan turned on his computer, and Wang Qi's holographic image was immediately projected. She was in full military attire; the Federation's military cap and insignia made her look so dignified and solemn. Her heroic bearing was unparalleled.
"Wang Qi, when can you come back for a visit?" Wang Zhan asked directly.