It was morning again. Jiang Qiu walked out of the Shantytown on the stone-paved road, heading for the advanced training hall of Eighth Middle School, pondering his next steps along the way.

Since his Ancient Martial Spear reached the Path of Mastery, his previous practice routines could no longer improve it. It was as if normal training and combat had reached their limit, and he needed to find a new path.

’But now that I can’t find a way to keep improving my Ancient Martial Spear Technique, I can only spend more time tempering my body for the next two months.’

’The only methods to temper my body are the Wusu Fragrant Medicine Bath or practicing with my spear using the Circulation Qi Technique. The former is a rare opportunity, and the latter is relatively inefficient...’

"Hello, Brother Jiang!"

A sudden greeting interrupted Jiang Qiu’s thoughts. He subconsciously nodded. "Hello."

Looking toward the voice, he saw a bald man in a black shirt whom he’d met a few times before.

They exchanged a few polite words before heading to their respective training areas.

Along the way, every student in a black shirt he encountered greeted him proactively, and Jiang Qiu would nod in response.

"BEEP—"

"Verification successful."

As he stepped into Training Area 8 with his right foot, a timid voice greeted him, "Hello, Brother Jiang..."

"Mm, hello."

Jiang Qiu glanced at Hu Ye’ye, who was putting away her spear and wiping her sweat. He walked silently to the weapon rack. CLICK. The glass door slid open, and he took out a black-shafted long spear.

A cold glint flashed across the Double Arc Blade Spear Head as he gripped the ice-cold shaft in his palm.

The weapon rack had new spear shafts. This one weighed fifty pounds; it was hard but had a slight give, feeling heavy and substantial in his hands.

With a flick of his wrist, the entire spear hummed to life, the sound like an Azure Dragon roaring in an empty valley.

SWISH—

He casually spun the spear behind his back in a flourish, like a phoenix circling by his right side, his Huajin forming a perfect arc.

Not far away, the back of Hu Ye’ye’s left hand paused as she was wiping her face, her peach-blossom eyes widening in silence.

’Those two seemingly casual movements condensed the essence of the Ancient Martial Spear Technique and his own comprehension. They were domineering and sharp, yet supple as a coiling Azure Dragon, devoid of killing intent.’

This wondrous feeling had an official name in Martial Arts: Spear Sense.

When one’s spear training reached a certain level, the spear became an extension of the arm. There was no need to memorize basic moves; the spearhead moved as the heart desired, extending and retracting with perfect freedom.

Achieving this required many years of spear practice, and some Martial Artists couldn’t find this feeling even after sixty years of training.

’Maybe I’m seeing things. Or perhaps all geniuses like Jiang Qiu who have reached the Path of Mastery practice their spear like this...’

[Qi Martial Integration practiced x1]

[Iron Flesh]

[503/1000]

Jiang Qiu’s eyes lit up. He rotated his right wrist. "With this ’Spear Sense,’ the breathing for the Circulation Qi Technique has become much smoother."

SWISH, SWISH, SWISH...

For a moment, the hum of the spear was like a dragon’s roar, his figure like a charging wolf.

[Qi Martial Integration practiced x1]

[Qi Martial Integration practiced x1]

[...]

By the time all the students for Training Area 8 had arrived, they were all standing stunned on the sidelines. No one spoke, their eyes wide and heads turning, their gazes locked on the Double Arc Blade Spear Head as it darted left and right, up and down.

Liu Zili, Wang Guanjia, Zhang Shan, and the others watched with burning gazes, the fingers of their hands gripping their own spear shafts twitching rhythmically. For a moment, they weren’t sure what was so fascinating to watch, but they knew it felt different.

It was like appreciating a traditional landscape painting—a feeling that could only be understood, not explained.

Even Xie Kuang, huddled in the farthest corner, lowered his thick brows. His dark eyes darted over, and Jiang Qiu’s figure spun within them. ’Spear Sense?’

"Hoo~"

After finishing a set of the Ancient Martial Spear Technique, Jiang Qiu brought the butt of his spear down on the tile with a CLICK. He frowned at the crowd. "Is this your first day back from the practical training Hunt? Not used to practicing, so you’re all watching me instead?"

"It’s nothing, we just think you look cool, Brother Jiang."

Li Si chimed in with a grin, and several other students nodded in agreement.

"Heh..."

A small smile played on Jiang Qiu’s lips. ’Of course I know that.’

"BEEP..."

"Verification successful."

Wu Shan strode through the door, his expression as heavy as a storm cloud. His single right eye immediately fixed on Jiang Qiu. "The rest of you, continue with your daily practice. Jiang Qiu, come with me. I have something important to tell you."

"Mm, alright."

Soon, the glass door slid shut, and the figures of Jiang Qiu and Wu Shan disappeared outside. Inside the training area, everyone’s eyes went wide. "Damn, look at the teacher’s expression. This can’t be good."

"It shouldn’t be. Brother Jiang’s strength is plain to see. He’s a genius who has reached the Path of Mastery in the Ancient Martial Spear, and he even turned the tide in the Secret Realm. He’s top-tier among all the high schools in the Outer City. What could happen at our school to make the teacher look so grim?"

"Maybe it’s not something about our school."

...

In the hallway, Jiang Qiu followed closely behind Wu Shan, his brow furrowed. "Teacher, what happened?"

"You know about the Prodigy Project, right?"

The words landed on Jiang Qiu like a heavy stone, shaking him. "I do."

The Prodigy Project was a program specifically designed to cultivate geniuses for Gao Yuan City, selecting a batch of prodigies from both the Outer City and Inner City during middle school to train with the Military Department.

These prodigies were akin to the legendary figures of old: Li Guang, whose arrows could sink into stone; Lü Bu, who could shoot a halberd from the camp gate; Yang Youji, who could pierce a willow leaf from a hundred paces; Zhangsun Sheng, who could fell two eagles with a single arrow; and even Xiang Yu, a general so mighty his peers would avoid facing him.

They were all individuals destined for greatness.

And when it came to the college entrance exams, their Bow Technique was outstanding. Possessing long-range killing power made it easier for them to score points than ordinary candidates.

Unless one’s Spear Dao reached an extremely high level of Mastery, their performance in the exams would generally not compare to someone with Spear and Bow Dual Cultivation.

’But the entrance exams are in two months. What does that have to do with me...?’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"During a meeting yesterday, Director Zhao proposed fighting to get you a spot in the Prodigy Project. All the teachers involved in the practical training Hunt, myself included, supported it. After the principal agreed, the application was submitted to the Martial Education Department that same afternoon..."

Hearing this, Jiang Qiu’s pupils trembled. He stared blankly at the broad back in front of him.

’The Prodigy Project... Archery Dao, being a prodigy, extra resources for getting into Northwest Martial University in the future... a golden path not meant for ordinary people.’

’There are only two months left until the entrance exams. Can I really apply to join the Prodigy Project now?’

At this thought, Jiang Qiu subconsciously blurted out, "The application wasn’t approved?"

"No, the final result isn’t out yet. However, many people in the Martial Education Department are against it. What’s more, about ten days ago, First Middle School also applied for a student to join the Prodigy Project—one who broke through to the Path of Mastery on the brink of death during their practical training Hunt. They failed."

Jiang Qiu’s heart rate slowed, and his fists quietly clenched.

’That’s First Middle School... the top recruiting ground in the Outer City, with the best teachers and students. They even went to bat for a genius who reached the Mastery Realm, and they still failed to get an application through.’

"The Prodigy Project is probably out of my reach then, isn’t it?"

Jiang Qiu’s chin dipped slightly, his eyes as calm as a still pond.

’For me, getting in would be a pleasant surprise, but not getting in is only logical...’

"No. Director Zhao is still fighting for you. He has gone over the Martial Education Department’s head and is talking directly to the person in charge of the Prodigy Project at the Military Department."

Jiang Qiu’s chest swelled. The image of a middle-aged man with thick glasses, standing with his hands behind his back, flashed through his mind. A belated rush of hot blood surged to his cheeks, making them tingle slightly.

’The person in charge of the Prodigy Project must be a Major General at least. Someone of that status isn’t easy to approach.’

’Why are they fighting to get me a spot in the Prodigy Project? Even if I don’t get the chance, I wouldn’t lose anything. But now Director Zhao is the one who will be indebted to others...’

At this thought, Jiang Qiu’s fists clenched tighter.

"In Director Zhao’s eyes, you can’t be compared to an ordinary genius like the one from First Middle School. At best, that student comprehended the Ancient Martial Spear Skill his father taught him on the brink of death, which was just enough to survive until the Secret Realm Experts opened the realm. He couldn’t protect anyone else.

But you, in a desperate situation, comprehended your own Spear Skill, slayed a Demon Plant, and reduced the casualties to a minimum in a situation where everyone could have been wiped out.

Director Zhao believes you deserve the best resources. He thinks that whether it’s your mentality or your Talent, you are qualified to enter the Prodigy Project.

Moreover, you have already stepped onto the Path of Mastery for the Ancient Martial Spear Technique. At this stage, it’s nearly impossible for you to make any more significant progress. The best solution is to join the Prodigy Project and learn the bow, so you can shoot down the flying Demon Beasts during the entrance exams.

This is one of the very reasons the Prodigy Project exists: students who have mastered the Spear Dao must also possess promising Talent in Bow Technique.

So, I will take you to pick out a Great Bow. You have to prove to the Martial Education Department and the Military Department that you also possess Talent for the Archery Dao!

Reaching proficiency in the Archery Dao in two months is unrealistic, and even getting started won’t be easy. You practice as much as you can. I believe Director Zhao will fight to get you the best possible opportunity."