Mature and composed as if not a high school student.
However, thinking about the background information of Lin Ping'an's family that he had seen, the principal understood the reason.
With both parents deceased, growing up independently, the environment naturally led to early maturity.
Such a personality formation is indeed normal.
Regarding this, other than cursing those damned cultists, there was nothing else that could be done.
This is how the world is; it can't be changed, only adapted to.
At this moment, any consolation or sympathetic actions would be disrespectful and offensive to the child in front of him.
After a dozen seconds, the principal spoke.
"The Celestial Yang Martial Arts Association just contacted me; they wish to publicly commend you, tomorrow morning at 10 AM."
"At that time, the branch president and many high-level officials will be present."
Saying this, he cast a deep look.
On the other side, upon hearing this, Lin Ping'an instantly saw through everything.
They were preparing to use him as a spearhead, to make him a target of inspiration for others!
Although he wasn't keen on playing this role, given the current situation, it seemed there was no room for refusal.
Not to mention, the cause stemmed from concealed potential, and going with the flow had its benefits.
At least it could start motivating countless high school students to arduously practice the Painful Demon Body, this Yellow Level technique.
If it catches on, it would bring him numerous benefits.
Additionally, if he chose to refuse, it might provoke dissatisfaction among the high-level members of the Martial Arts Association.
Even if not everyone was petty, even if only some were, it could lead to endless trouble.
Currently, what Lin Ping'an needed most was development time, and after careful consideration, he decided to accept it.
However, before agreeing, there were some conditions to negotiate, some compensations to request.
Even if Qi Blood Pills and similar things were useless to him, he couldn't just refuse them.
Firstly to express his intention, secondly for strategic concealment.
After a moment, following a simple verbal exchange, the principal's expression became one of sighs and lamentation.
"Hey! You are a smart person."
"I agreed to those conditions earlier; the school will directly award you, and we will help fight for resources from the Martial Arts Association."
"It's a pity you only tempered your body once; if you could endure a second tempering before breaking through, the situation might be much better."
Upon hearing these words, Lin Ping'an remained unfazed, completely calm.
"Just lucky, getting to this point with the Painful Demon Body is already the limit."
"Rather than pursue the unattainable second body tempering, it's better to directly break through to First Grade Martial Artist."
"It may not be the most correct choice, but for me, it's the most suitable one."
"Moreover, with a poor family devoid of resources, being able to acquire martial arts resources through this is a great fortune."
Gotta say, Lin Ping'an was truly talented at acting, fabricating various lies easily, making the principal sigh continuously.
Furthermore, feeling favorable, he patted his chest, assuring he would strive for the greatest benefits on his behalf.
Regarding this, Lin Ping'an naturally showed a posture of immense gratitude.
Anyway, as to the ways of the world, he had completely figured it out.
After a while, after a respectful farewell, Lin Ping'an returned to the classroom once more.
It wasn't that the principal didn't want to chat a bit longer, but the next humanities exam was fast approaching.
During the ensuing period, Lin Ping'an easily and quickly answered all questions, facing any problem, he could solve it effortlessly.
Minutes later, while other students were still pondering deeply and scratching their heads.
He had already successfully submitted his paper in advance and leisurely left the campus.
This maneuver made a group of underachievers envious and jealous, grinding their teeth in hatred.
Yet Lin Ping'an always felt that his actions were unproblematic and never pondered why inexplicable hostility often surfaced.
...
That afternoon, within Celestial Yang First Middle School, the events of the morning had become the central topic of heated discussion among all students.
And at the core of that core was naturally Lin Ping'an, who had made a huge splash during the Qi Blood Test.
In classrooms, on sports fields, even in bathrooms, topics related cropped up.
"That Lin Ping'an is incredible, silently breaking through to a Qi Blood Value of 110 cards, was he just hiding his strength before?"
"Hiding my ass, he must have had some fortuitous encounter or consumed some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, need we think more?"
"What secret does he have? Despite low aptitude, his qi blood exploded in such a short amount of time."
"Secret! Surely a big secret!"
"Someone with good relations, go ask him! Maybe we could benefit too!"
"Idiot! If it were you, would you reveal it?"
"Hmph! For the Human Race! Of course, I would! For such matters, it should be reported, contributing for free."
"…"
Most people in the world aren't fools, they could sense a problem based on logic.
After all, the contrast in such a short time was too glaring to be ignored.
Some impulsive guys went directly to Class Three, hoping to glean some information.
But after arriving, they couldn't even see him.
Thus, they could only hopelessly return to their classrooms and continue their classes.
They weren't top students, didn't have so many hidden conveniences, taking leave was a pipe dream, skipping class would trigger the homeroom teacher's disciplinary thrashing.
Teachers with Second and Third Grade Martial Artist strength could thrash these Quasi-Martial Artists who hadn't entered Grade as easily as playing.
Moreover, no prohibitions against corporal punishment or physical reprimand existed in this world.
The education environment for Martial Arts Students had always been about not beating them to death, but very much allowing severe beatings.
Using the phrase "in deep water and scorching fire" would already be a compliment.
That afternoon, although Lin Ping'an was not present within the campus, his legend spread throughout.
By night, the story regarding the Celestial Yang First Middle School spread ever-wider, known by more and more people.
This incident also drew the attention of certain mindful individuals.
When night fell, and darkness enveloped, within an old residential area.
Several cultist members, clad in black robes and masked to conceal identities, were conspiring together.
"How are the preparations for the blood festival ceremony?"
"It's just half completed, still needs time."
"Get it done quickly, don't let those Martial Arts Association folks notice anything!"
"Rest assured! Celestial Yang is just a small town! The strongest is only Fourth or Fifth Grade; as long as martial experts aren't sent by the Martial Arts Association, nothing will go wrong."
"Hmm! Be careful, for the emissary's successful arrival, we must be prudent at every step."
"..."
Shortly after, upon concluding their discussions, the cultists dispersed and left.
Simultaneously.
During this late night, Lin Ping'an was cultivating, continuously tempering his bones.
Daytime matters needed no concern.
Currently, strength prevails; with time, it's best to bolster strength as much as possible.
Of course, during this period, researching new cultivation techniques was also indispensable.
As Civilization Value was continuously expended, the progress on the next cultivation technique likewise steadily advanced.