Teaching Building No. 3, private office.

Wu Kang sat in his ergonomic chair, eating a large takeout container of nutritional mix while looking at a list of names on the display before him.

"Out of the ten third-year Martial Arts classes, our Class 3 has eight students who made it into the Elite class."

"We’re ranked third among all the classes."

’Looks like my bonus will be pretty hefty this time.’

A smile spread across Wu Kang’s face at the thought, and his gaze shifted to the name "Lin Qi."

’That kid... I really misjudged him. He actually managed to get into the Elite class. I stand corrected.’

’It’s good that he got in. Away from an irresponsible teacher like me, his Talent will probably be able to develop much better.’

’After all, the new teacher is supposedly very responsible.’

Wu Kang put down his chopsticks and took a sip of soup, muttering to himself.

...

Teaching Building No. 1, top floor, Principal’s Office.

The space, exceeding 500 square meters, was spacious and bright, furnished with a luxurious black desk and chair, a sofa, and tall bookshelves.

A peculiar fragrance filled the air. A flowerpot sat on the desk, yet it held no greenery.

A burly, hirsute middle-aged man leaned back in a black ergonomic chair. A 3D projection of a data table floated before him, displaying a total of 50 names.

"These are the 50 most outstanding students in our No. 2 Middle School. They’re all promising prospects."

Jiang Zhiguang looked at the list, then picked up a small white watering can and watered the flowerpot.

"Our No. 2 Middle School may be one of Celestial Sea City’s key high schools..."

"...but our overall strength is in the lower ranks. Every year, our results can’t compare to No. 1 Middle School and the others."

"Even if we can’t beat them, we can’t be at the very bottom anymore."

"We can’t let this continue. The third year is crucial. Every bit stronger they get now raises their future potential."

"That’s why I’ve brought you here. Use every means at your disposal to properly guide this group of geniuses."

Jiang Zhiguang looked at the man sitting on the sofa—a burly man who exuded a bestial aura.

The man steepled his fingers and grinned. "Since you’ve invited me, I certainly won’t disappoint you."

"I just wonder if there are any truly promising prospects among this litter of cubs."

...

Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo, Room A-128.

BANG! BANG!!

In the center of the Martial Arts Room, two figures in protective suits clashed with all their might.

Guo Heng’s biceps bulged as he suddenly exerted his strength, striking out repeatedly with his Tiger Claw. Intense Qi Blood surged to his fingertips, seeming to tear the very air.

Lin Qi felt the rush of air, his gaze as sharp as a torch. Every one of Guo Heng’s attacks became crystal clear in his eyes.

His body moved quickly, dodging with cat-like agility, allowing him to evade many of the attacks.

What he couldn’t dodge, he blocked, then struck back with full force, his legs powering him forward like a pouncing tiger.

BANG!!

Qi Blood erupted from his spine as his muscles swelled. Driving the power from his waist, his blood flowed like a waterfall as he swung his arms in concert with the Tiger Claw technique.

Black Tiger Heart Stealing!

He put his all into the attack, power bursting from his arms and through his Tiger Claw as the two collided again.

BANG! BANG!!

Pain shot through his arms repeatedly, but Lin Qi’s expression remained unchanged as he continued to dodge, block, and counterattack.

His cold, stern demeanor made him seem almost like a robot.

A few minutes later.

BANG!

With a loud crash, Lin Qi was forced back several steps before he stabilized himself.

The man opposite him also took two steps back and stopped. He removed his helmet, revealing a handsome, sweat-drenched face.

"That’s enough!"

"Hahhh..."

Across from him, Guo Heng gasped for breath. Sweat traced paths down his cheeks and into his mouth, while white steam billowed from his protective suit.

"Are... aren’t you tired?"

Guo Heng asked, panting heavily as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Lin Qi took off his helmet, and a shower of liquid scattered to the floor.

DRIP! DROP!

Sweat dripped from the helmet onto the ground. Lin Qi’s hair was plastered to his scalp, as if he’d just been pulled out of the water. Only his ragged breathing could be heard.

"I am!"

"I can tell."

Guo Heng looked at Lin Qi, inwardly stunned. ’This guy’s Qi and Blood Value is lower than mine, and he’s two or three hundred kilograms weaker than me, yet he managed to last this long. His Willpower is astonishing.’

’And his reflexes and awareness are far beyond that of an Ordinary person.’

"Lin Qi, you’re really something else."

"Whether it’s your Qi and Blood Value or your Tiger Form Fist, you’re inferior to me."

"But when I fight you, I can’t seem to gain any advantage. It’s truly strange."

"You and Jiangtao are both true geniuses, worthy of being my friends."

"If you run into any trouble in the future, you can come to me."

"Thanks, Young Master Guo!"

Jiangtao, who had been resting on the side, said with a smile.

Lin Qi fought back his exhaustion and nodded, taking the sports drink from Jiangtao and gulping it down.

Guo Heng spoke as he took off his protective suit:

"I have something to take care of today, so I’m leaving first."

"Next time we spar, we’ll be using Weapons. Get proficient with them quickly, and don’t disappoint me."

After saying that, Guo Heng grabbed his clothes and walked into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, after washing up, Guo Heng suddenly added:

"Oh, right. There are still 40 minutes left for this Martial Arts Room. You can use it freely."

Lin Qi and Jiangtao, who were sitting and resting, looked delighted. After Guo Heng left, only the two of them remained in the entire Martial Arts Room.

"Brother Qi, your Tiger Form Fist has already reached Great Success. Just as Guo Heng said, we should start focusing on Weapons."

"After all, in the college entrance exams, cold weapons are the second most important component after Qi and Blood Value."

"And when we step onto the battlefield in the future, we’ll need to use Weapons to kill Calamity Beasts."

With that, Jiangtao stood up, walked straight to the wall, and took a training saber from an embedded rack.

SWOOSH!!

He swung it casually, the long saber tracing flourishes in the air. A sharp Saber Technique flowed from his hands.

His Fist Technique had already reached Great Success, so he was now practicing his Saber Technique.

Meanwhile, Lin Qi put down the empty sports drink bottle and slowly got to his feet.

After resting for a few minutes, his exhausted body had recovered a good deal of stamina.

’Yeah, the mini-test is over. It’s time to get back to practicing the spear.’

For the past week, Lin Qi had devoted himself entirely to the Hunyuan Posture and Tiger Form Fist.

He hadn’t touched a long spear once.

Ever since starting high school, he had been practicing the Hunyuan Posture, Tiger Form, and Spear Technique all at the same time.

Lin Qi walked to the wall, where six Training Lances were neatly arranged on a black metal panel.

He took one of them down. It was 2.7 meters long, with a rounded, unsharpened tip and a red tassel.

His gaze locked onto his panel.

[Name: Lin Qi (17)]

[Template: True Monarch Erlang Yang Jian]

[Fusion Degree: 2%]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 60%]

[Body Technique: Tier One 57%]

...

In one week, his Spear Technique and Body Technique hadn’t changed at all.

’It’s time to raise those numbers.’

With that thought, his eyes narrowed. He gripped the long spear with no slack, braced it against his waist, and began to perform his Spear Technique.

SWISH! SWISH!!

He flicked his right wrist, rolled his rear hand at his waist and lower abdomen, and used his front hand to guide the force as he sank into a horse stance.

In an instant, the long spear thrust out, its shaft vibrating as he stepped forward.

He twisted his waist to extend his reach, keeping his shoulder level with the spear as his horse stance shifted into a bow stance.

Block, seize, thrust...

He executed the basic fundamentals of the long spear in a single fluid motion, the weapon carving a perfect arc through the air.

Lin Qi then shifted his technique. He had already practiced the Basic Spear Skill countless times, engraving it into his very being.

He performed the techniques one after another.

From blocking, seizing, and thrusting, to smashing, splitting, piercing, flicking, coiling, raising, poking, and parrying...

He flawlessly demonstrated all the foundational techniques of the spear.

The Basic Spear Skill was a Spear Technique derived from Ancient Spear Technique by the Xia Country’s Martial Arts Realm, designed to build a foundation for Martial Arts novices.

It consisted of thirty-six techniques, encompassing all the basic moves.

All other Spear Technique moves were derived from the Basic Spear Skill.

Even after a week without training, Lin Qi’s spear movements were still as smooth as flowing water.

The key points of the Spear Technique constantly surfaced in his mind, and his execution of the moves grew more and more proficient.

[You have gained a new understanding of Basic Spear Skill. Spear Technique +2%]

[You have practiced the Basic Spear Skill and developed a new comprehension. Spear Technique +2%]

[Through practicing the Basic Spear Skill, you have become more proficient. Spear Technique +1%]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 60% → 65%]

...