After Liu Zhenfeng threw the pointer to Wang Zhan, he announced the dismissal of the students.
Martial Artists have always been decisive figures, and someone like Liu Zhenfeng, a Grandmaster of high status, would never waste his time lecturing freshmen. Although he is the Vice Dean of the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy, the responsibilities of the Military Academy lie elsewhere, which is why it can't compare to the Martial Arts Academy. The Military Academy is just too dangerous.
Wang Zhan clenched his teeth, enduring the intense pain in his body, and picked up the pointer.
Looking at Liu Zhenfeng's departing figure, Wang Zhan didn't harbor much resentment. After all, people like Liu Zhenfeng must have returned from the battlefield and have made countless contributions to humanity throughout their lives.
Wang Zhan had no reason to hate such a person, nor did he have the right to hate.
"But regardless, Liu, you and Brother Zhan have formed a grudge now. Boss Wang will get you one day." Wang Zhan muttered angrily.
It's not gentlemanly not to seek revenge for grievances. The two whip marks from today will eventually be repaid on Liu Zhenfeng.
Just as Wang Zhan was about to leave, he suddenly turned his head and saw dozens of students surrounding him, led by an older student.
Wang Zhan frowned slightly because he didn't understand the other party's intentions, so he didn't rush to speak.
Soon, the leading senior student came to Wang Zhan with a fake smile on his face.
"You're Wang Zhan, right? You have potential. Want to hang out with your senior brother?"
"Hang out with you? Who are you?" Wang Zhan raised an eyebrow, his eyes scanning the dozens of new students behind the senior student, understanding in his heart.
This must be one of those school cliques. But I didn't expect these seniors to act so quickly; they managed to gather so many people in such a short time.
However, Wang Zhan always disdained such things. If there were to be a clique, it should be led by him.
Mixing with others? Forget it.
Wang Zhan's tone wasn't kind, but the senior student didn't get angry.
"I'm Xu Junyuan, a sophomore in the Combat Department, ranked ninth among the sophomores in the Combat Department." Xu Junyuan smiled, "Wang Zhan, as a junior, you haven't broken through to the Martial Artist Stage yet, have you? As long as you're willing to follow me, I can invite the Academy's Grandmaster to teach you."
"Does the Academy allow you to recruit a group of freshmen as lackeys? What use are these rookies who haven't even broken through to Martial Artist?" Wang Zhan glanced at the new students, puzzled.
Xu Junyuan explained, "It's normal for new students like you to not know these things. In fact, our actions are tacitly approved by the Academy."
"Tacitly approved?" Wang Zhan raised an eyebrow.
"That's right." Xu Junyuan nodded, "Martial Artists train to fight on the battlefield against foreign enemies. But for Martial Artists with lower realms, fighting alone on the battlefield is a major taboo. So during college, we cultivate our teams, not just to compete for cultivation resources but also to have a group of highly synchronized companions for future battles."
"I see." Wang Zhan nodded slightly.
That makes sense. The battlefield isn't a solo fight. Having companions who understand and can be trusted indeed plays a significant role.
However, Wang Zhan wasn't planning to mix with Xu Junyuan; he looked down on him a bit.
Moreover, even if he were to form a group, Wang Zhan would absolutely have to be its leader.
What's the point of mixing with others?
But before Wang Zhan could refuse, perhaps because he hadn't spoken for a long time, Xu Junyuan seemed a bit impatient.
"Of course, if you disagree, don't blame me as your senior for suppressing you! You should know the Academy doesn't prohibit students from competing. As long as it doesn't injure lives, any fight is allowed! After all, resources are limited, and students using various means to compete for cultivation resources is also sanctioned by the Academy."
Wang Zhan silently faced him, not knowing what to say.
"What, you think I can't handle a little Martial Student like you?" Xu Junyuan frowned slightly, "Or are you dissatisfied with the terms? Don't worry, I know many people at the school. As long as you follow me..."
"Wait, stop there." Wang Zhan helplessly interrupted him, "Brother, can you think before you speak?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
Wang Zhan took a deep breath; he was originally preparing to decline politely, but the person in front of him was too self-righteous.
"Recruiting me... do you think you're worthy?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Junyuan's expression turned unpleasant.
The followers behind him weren't just spectators; they started clamoring one by one.
"He won first place and really thinks he's somebody? How dare a Martial Student mock Martial Artists."
"This kid's ego knows no bounds."
"Make it so he can't stay in the Military Martial Arts Academy!"
They were all young people, full of vigor, unwilling to submit to anyone.
And after all, they're just freshmen, with too narrow a vision, not understanding the gap between them and Wang Zhan.
Xu Junyuan waved a hand to silence his followers, his gaze growing cold as he directly stared at Wang Zhan.
"Junior, college isn't high school. I admit you have some talent, but here, it's better to keep a low profile."
"Hmm, you're right." Wang Zhan nodded seriously but then changed his tone, "I'll surely back down when needed, but based on you and the trash behind you, you're not qualified to make me bow."
"What are you looking at! I just said it, every single one of you is trash! If you disagree, come on, let's duel!"
Xu Junyuan looked deeply at Wang Zhan, patting him on the shoulder, "I'll remember you. You'll find out what happens when a freshman offends the students' association."
"So, not hanging out with you means offending you? You're really domineering," Wang Zhan sneered. "I've remembered you too. When I break through to the Martial Artist Stage, you'll be the first one I seek out!"
"Heh, you don't know your limits. I'll be waiting for you!"
Xu Junyuan left with a group of his followers. As a Martial Artist, he couldn't take action against Wang Zhan, who was merely a Martial Student. Moreover, as a senior who thrived at school, it wouldn't look good to make a big fuss with a freshman—it would be too embarrassing.
However, Xu Junyuan was determined to make Wang Zhan understand that within the Martial Arts Academy, you have to keep your head down no matter your strength!
...
In the evening, Wang Zhan found a secluded place in the school to practice the Body Refining Technique.
He constantly posed in various strange stances, and the muscles and bones of his body cracked audibly.
In just over ten minutes, Wang Zhan was sweating profusely.
"Phew... I feel like there's no further improvement. It's not the problem with the Body Refining Technique. My body has reached the limit of this stage; to become stronger, I have to break through to the Martial Artist Stage," Wang Zhan muttered to himself.
But just then, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
"Not bad."
Wang Zhan was startled and quickly turned around, only to find himself face-to-face with a one-armed man, the one who argued with another mentor earlier to take him on as a disciple.
"My name is Duan Kun."
"Mentor Duan," Wang Zhan responded.
Duan Kun nodded slightly, came over to Wang Zhan, and squeezed his arm.
Wang Zhan knew the other person was assessing him, so he let him do as he pleased.
Moments later, Duan Kun nodded with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with an unprecedented brightness.
"Impressive, to be at just the Martial Student Realm and have refined your body to this degree. You look slender, but this is the hallmark of mastery in the Body Refining Technique!" Duan Kun laughed. "However, there's no more room for improvement in body refining. You've exceeded the Martial Student Realm's limit by about thirty percent. Now it's your Essence Energy that's limiting your body refining potential."
Wang Zhan nodded silently, thinking to himself that he lived up to having a mentor's insight.
In just a few minutes, he saw through his foundation clearly.
The attribute point cap for the Martial Student Realm is 200, while his attribute points are 250, exactly what Duan Kun mentioned as around thirty percent.
"Mentor, do you mean I should break through to the Martial Artist Stage?" Wang Zhan asked humbly for guidance.
"Correct, you've reached the end of the Martial Student Realm. Honestly, I've trained new-generation Martial Artists for more than a decade since leaving the battlefield, and you have the most solid foundation I've ever seen in a Martial Student."
As soon as he finished speaking, Duan Kun's figure suddenly vanished from Wang Zhan's sight.
Wang Zhan was startled. Before he could react, he felt a palm press against his back.
Immediately following, a warm current flowed from that palm into his body, instantly spreading to his limbs and bones.
In a fleeting moment, Wang Zhan felt his long-dormant muscles and bones slowly becoming more robust.
In addition to that, the Essence Energy within him began to gather constantly in his lower abdomen.
"This is..." Wang Zhan's eyes widened.
"Hold your breath and focus, try to feel the presence of Essence Energy in nature," Duan Kun's voice arose, as he handed over a small bottle and said, "Take it, and refine it with all your strength!"
Wang Zhan did not dare to be negligent, opening the small bottle swiftly, finding something resembling Essence Pills inside.
However, Wang Zhan was sure this was not just any Essence Pill, because even a Grade-9 Essence Pill couldn't match the energy fluctuations from this bottle.
Wang Zhan consumed the liquid from the small bottle. In an instant, a strong surge of Essence Energy erupted inside him, almost tearing apart his incredibly resilient body.
The pain followed, causing Wang Zhan to turn pale and sweat like rain.
The Essence Energy spread throughout his body, and precisely because of this, even the finest corners of his body endured immense pain.
Finally, a few minutes later, Wang Zhan seemed to hear a crisp sound from within his body.
The pain throughout his body ebbed away like a receding tide, and immediately, a power far surpassing what he had before surged within him.
Moreover, Wang Zhan could distinctly feel the power of Essence Energy in nature much more clearly.
"Have I... broken through to the Martial Artist Stage?" Wang Zhan's eyes lit up.
He tried swinging his fist, and with just half of his strength, he displayed a force far exceeding his time as a Martial Student.
At this moment, Duan Kun suddenly coughed.
"Ahem, ahem."
Wang Zhan snapped back to attention and quickly turned around.
"Kid, the Academy has assigned you to me. How was this gift for becoming my disciple?"
More than just decent, Wang Zhan, although unsure of what he was finally given to drink, could clearly feel that even after breaking through to the Martial Artist Stage, more than half of the potion's medicinal power remained unrefined within him.
Once he refines that medicinal power, he can take another big step forward in the Martial Artist Stage.