Martial Saint!
Chapter 226 - 0165 The Extreme Realm (4k for monthly ticket and subscription)_2

Chapter 226: 0165 The Extreme Realm (4k for monthly ticket and subscription)_2

During this time, the world outside the school remained unsettled. The Martial Arts Department, in collaboration with the Security Department, concluded their investigative activities targeting the Beautiful Life Spiritual Healing Hospital and arrested several hall masters and incense masters of the Heart Happiness Sect. The cosmetic surgery hospital was indefinitely closed for investigation.

Other cosmetic surgery hospitals were also not at peace.

The Su City police were constantly searching for the whereabouts of Chen Yongjing.

However, this person seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no one knowing his location.

Chen Yongjing had no family and was all alone.

A few days ago, Officer Chen told Lu Chenzhou that Three Cannon Hammers·Zhang Fei ultimately had a change of heart and returned to the country to turn himself in. During the interrogation, when it came to discussing Chen Yongjing’s affairs, Zhang Fei said he had sworn a divine vow and could not answer. The evil skill was so peculiar that the Su City police didn’t dare to force a confession out of fear of the divine vow backfiring and causing Zhang Fei’s death, which would ultimately lead to a complete loss of clues.

Now, this traitor was detained in Su City’s Martial Prison.

A promising martial artist had fallen to such depths, which was a cause for sighs.

On the side of the Vajra Group, the police occasionally issued minor tasks, but Lu Chenzhou was currently focused on sprinting to Tenth Rank and had no intention of taking on tasks for the time being.

...

December 30th.

The night was deep.

At Shi Hu Villa No. 2.

Grandmaster Wu was still practicing Heavenly Pile diligently. He listened to the young man’s understanding and insights into the Elephant Form Fist Principle before him, nodding in approval from time to time. In the end, he summarized,

"Connecting with the divine, the most important aspect is connecting with the spiritual essence and divine intention. You must envision yourself as a true tiger and delve deep into understanding... Among the Martial Arts Geniuses in Dragon City’s main branch, one person awakened a Martial Bone Dao Embryo known as the Mystic Bird’s Voice, possessing a divine ability to communicate with the spiritual essence of a hundred birds.

When she fully immerses herself in that of the hundred birds, she attains an effect similar to connecting with the divine. She originally practiced Ape Form; after her talent awakening, the school suggested that she shift to the most difficult Bird Form Fist Technique: Phoenix Form Fist. Since then, her progress has been by leaps and bounds daily."

Lu Chenzhou as if struck by realization, murmured,

"Mystic Bird’s Voice..."

He thought of his own Swallow Return Divine Seed.

He could also sense the emotions of swallows and communicate with their spiritual essence.

Back then, his understanding was limited, and he didn’t realize the practical use of this divine seed. Looking back, he should spend some time each day to quietly contemplate and sense its essence.

Perhaps it would help in improving the Boxing Realm of the Swallow Form Principle.

Understanding one form of the Elephant Form Fist Principle could also serve as a reference for other forms.

At the profound levels of Martial Arts, ultimately all forms are essentially one. Thus, the Absolute Peak Strong ones at Dragon City Martial Arts University, such as the Four Symbols Master, were able to integrate the forms of the snake, turtle, peacock, and ape, creating the Supreme Divine Skill-level "Ling Kong Four Symbols Fist."

Seeing Lu Chenzhou appearing somewhat entranced, Grandmaster Wu asked with a smile,

"Have you had some insight? Feel free to share."

Lu Chenzhou thought for a moment and said,

"Senior, although I cannot communicate with all birds, it seems I can communicate with swallows. Will this help me in practicing the Swallow Form Fist Technique?"

Grandmaster Wu looked surprised,

"Only with swallows?"

"Yes."

"That’s not Mystic Bird’s Voice, and I’ve never heard of a Martial Bone Dao Embryo that relates specifically to swallows; it must be an extraordinary aspect brought about inadvertently through your practice of Swallow Return Fist. In any case, this is a good thing; it shows that you are not only a prodigy in Tiger Form but also in Swallow Form."

"Senior, apart from Mystic Bird’s Voice, are there other forms of Martial Bone Dao Embryo that can aid us in practicing Elephant Form Fist Technique? Is it convenient to discuss this?"

Grandmaster Wu shifted into another Heavenly Pile posture and said,

"There’s nothing inconvenient about it. While most of us have no relationship with Martial Bone Dao Embryos, understanding them can help you know your opponent if you ever face such geniuses in the future. I’ll give you a lesson today, starting with ’Innate Nine Apertures,’ a talent that is extremely useful for any Boxing Lineage; you surely know of this."

"Yes, I’m aware of that,"

"And then there are ’Voice of Hundred Beasts,’ ’Mystic Bird’s Voice,’ ’Voice of Canghai,’ which greatly assist the practice of animal forms, avian forms, and sea beast forms, respectively, within the Hundred Beasts. Generally, these individuals will choose one form they are most interested in to practice and won’t pursue all of them. Another special one is called ’Innate Dragon Species,’ which is particularly helpful for dragon, snake, crocodile, turtle, and fish forms. These are relatively common, and there are also a few peculiar, niche ones that you’ll come to know in the future."

"I’ve learned a lot."

"Go back now. I’ll see you next week."

"Thank you, Senior."

Lu Chenzhou felt extremely content.

He benefited tremendously from every one-on-one session with the grandmaster.

Being a genius and receiving special attention was truly wonderful.

This lesson was something money couldn’t buy.

A grandmaster was like an Immortal; mere worldly wealth was just numbers.

Back home, Lu Chenzhou didn’t rest. Continuing to strike while the iron was hot, he immersed himself in the practice of the Tiger Spirit Divine Strike Fist. Before he knew it, it was already one in the morning.

At a certain moment, as Lu Chenzhou practiced, his presence was like the descent of the Tiger God, his eyes exuding the majestic authority of the Mountain Lord. His imposing demeanor soared to the heavens without anger, and within his body, a great river of mysterious power surged forth from the acupoints, cascading into the river of Qi-Blood and propelling his aura higher and higher. His muscles and bones greedily absorbed the mysterious power, rapidly growing stronger.

Crackling and popping sounds resounded from within his body.

His muscles and bones roared in unison, releasing a more intense sound comparable to that of thunderous tigers and leopards.

[Tiger Spirit Divine Strike Fist: Small Success (100%) → Great Success (1%)]

He knew that his Qi-Blood had entered the standard of Tenth Rank.

Moreover, it must have surpassed rank seven.

Lu Chenzhou crossed his arms in front of him, his muscles twined with green snakes and red pythons under the Golden Light. These muscles weren’t grotesquely large, but they contained an immense strength of Wan Jun.

Looking at the Alloy Wood Pile before him, he tensed his form, and the Tiger Form Dark Force from Tenth Rank converged from below to his right palm with an explosive sound amidst the rumbling.

Buzz buzz!

He withdrew his hand, glowing red and numb.

Faint palm prints appeared on the alloy wood pile.

"Incredible, this is C1 alloy... If it were an ordinary ironwood pile, it might have already been deformed by my strikes. This is the power of Dark Force after breaking through the seventh Qi-Blood level. With my current strength, below Martial Artists, I can walk sideways wearing protective gear."

This was the confidence from cultivating both his internal and external abilities.

After a bath, Lu Chenzhou’s mind cleared, and he blissfully fell asleep.

He’d finally reached Tenth Rank before his birthday, just as he wished.

Though he was already rated as a Special Level martial arts talent.

...

The following day.

January 1, 2223.

The day to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

Inside Shi Hu Villa, Li Xianghua and Lu Guoping had carefully prepared a lavish dinner. It had been a long time since they used the stove at home, and today was Lu Chenzhou’s birthday.

He was 18 years old.

"Junior brother, open the door!"

Ji Feiyan’s urgent voice came from outside.

"Coming."

Upon opening the door, four figures stood there.

The two senior sisters, along with the long-unseen Ji Xuantong and his wife.

Li Xianghua invited everyone into the house to join for dinner.

Ji Xuantong looked at Lu Chenzhou with a slight movement in his eyes and asked,

"Chenzhou, has your cultivation been going smoothly recently?"

"Quite smoothly."

"I assume by your aura, you must be close to Tenth Rank?"

"I’m already at Tenth Rank..."

Hearing this, Ji Xuantong burst out laughing while slapping his thigh,

"Ha ha ha, that’s great! I knew it."

Ji Feiyan’s hand, grabbing a chicken wing, trembled. She shook with envy,

"Junior brother, you’re way too fast. I’ve been at Nine and a Half Ranks for half a year now, and Tenth Rank still seems far away. I’m afraid it won’t come until the year after next. Oh heavens, grant me an epiphany too!"

Shi Ruyu gazed at Lu Chenzhou with a smile brimming with joy,

"How wonderful."

The junior brother didn’t simply gain an epiphany by chance, she did as well. Now, she’s only at the late stages of Eighth Rank. If all goes well, she would reach Ninth Rank in the first half of this year, but her path is increasingly diverging from her junior brother’s.

As time goes on, their difference in strength would only widen, and one day, her junior brother might stand at the pinnacle of Martial Arts, while she might not even be in this world anymore.

She chuckled bitterly in her heart, finding the thought quite melancholy.

Casting aside these mixed thoughts, Shi Ruyu raised her cup and said with a smile,

"Congratulations to the junior brother on reaching Tenth Rank, stepping into the Extreme Limit Realm, and soon to be a Martial Artist!"

Ji Xuantong added,

"Today is New Year’s Day, as well as Chenzhou’s coming-of-age birthday, and also his day of reaching Tenth Rank. It is indeed a triple celebration. Chenzhou, have a little drink today."

Lu Chenzhou responded with a smile,

"Alright, I’ll drink a toast to my master first!"

Ji Xuantong happily downed his cup.

He had been wanting to find an occasion to drink himself into oblivion.

Today, with three joys upon him, it was certainly a day to celebrate!

...

That day.

The small number 32 villa was filled with joy.

In these tumultuous times, there was still joy in the human world.

Lu Chenzhou drank alcohol for the first time—people may not be drunk by the wine, but by the atmosphere.

During the final birthday wish-making, he made three wishes in his heart:

For his loved ones to be safe and sound.

For success in Martial Arts.

For peace in the human world.

...