Martial Saint!
Chapter 57 - 0057 Hitting a person penetrates to the marrow, hitting a tree penetrates three inches into the wood.

Chapter 57: 0057 Hitting a person penetrates to the marrow, hitting a tree penetrates three inches into the wood.

In the Martial Arts Room.

Lu Chenzhou rigorously followed Hong Fu on the wooden post, practicing his punches. Before he realized it, an hour had passed. Drenched in sweat, he looked towards the Martial Arts Tree, but no new martial arts techniques had appeared. This time, he experienced the difficulty of "Tiger Supreme Fist."

If it were any other third-rate Tiger Form Fist, with his current foundation in Tiger Form, he could have mastered it within an hour. He was not discouraged; instead, he felt even more excited.

Hong Fu was in high spirits and was not yet satisfied with his practice. He felt that Lu Chenzhou was learning faster than he had expected. This student really had excellent comprehension; indeed, he was teachable.

He took the initiative to ask,

"Have you used up your five hours of one-on-one lessons this week yet?"

"I’ve been saving them, hoping to learn a new fist technique from you."

Hong Fu was overjoyed and chuckled,

"Then let’s continue. Are you tired?"

"Not tired, not satisfied!"

"Very good! Then let’s keep going at it until you reach your limit. If you can master ’Tiger Supreme Fist’ today, I’ll privately give you three extra one-on-one lessons next week... Just don’t tell the other students, okay?"

Lu Chenzhou was also brimming with determination.

"Thank you, teacher!"

He was eager to see just how difficult the "Tiger Supreme Fist" was.

Hong Fu, like him, purely loved Martial Arts, and even more so, he was solely passionate about Tiger Form Fist. The two shared a mutual appreciation for each other’s dedication.

Lu Chenzhou was very fortunate.

Up to this point in his martial arts training, Shi Ruyu, Ji Xuantong, and Hong Fu... all were excellent seniors. They influenced Lu Chenzhou’s martial arts values with their words and deeds.

In the path of Martial Arts, a teacher is very important.

It’s often said that "the master leads you to the gate, but cultivation depends on the individual."

But "leading to the gate" is actually the most difficult part.

Hong Fu, as a Martial Artist, appeared to have endless energy. The more he fought, the more excited he became, demonstrating and explaining the essentials of "Tiger Supreme Fist" to Lu Chenzhou.

"Punch fiercely, like hammering iron! Claw fiercely, like a tiger grabbing its prey! Chop fiercely, like an axe splitting wood! Jab fiercely, like a chisel piercing wood! Each strike is a deadly move formed from your combat instincts. Strike people to penetrate their bones; hit the tree so it splits in three! The core idea of Tiger Form Fist, which never changes, is the fierceness of a tiger!

Moreover, this fist technique is for close combat and short hits. In a real fight, be aware of your body position; if the enemy advances, I retreat, if the enemy retreats, I tangle; maintain a distance of one arm and one leg."

Boom!

Suddenly, Hong Fu pounced like a fierce tiger clawing, and Lu Chenzhou dodged to the right, only to see Hong Fu’s claws deeply embedded in the hanging wooden post.

The wooden post swayed in midair, penetrated by the tiger claws.

Hong Fu’s momentum was fierce; amidst his ferocity, there was a hint of an adolescent-like spirit as he said,

"Lu Chenzhou! This is the momentum of a tiger!"

Lu Chenzhou nodded, pulling his startled mind together.

Hong Fu continued,

"Do not be timid; the weak cannot cultivate Tiger Form Fist. Continue."

Thus, the master and the student practiced from morning to noon in the Martial Arts Room, not caring about lunch. Lu Chenzhou felt he was close to mastering it.

Hong Fu sensed it, too, and shouted,

"Push a little harder. Don’t worry about the lessons today. As long as you can keep up, I will stay with you until you master ’Tiger Supreme Fist.’ Lu Chenzhou, can you do it?"

"I can do it!"

Whether it was the wooden posts stuck in the ground or those hanging from the ceiling, a forest of heavy, rocking posts filled the room. Like a tiger teaching its cub to run and hunt in the mountains and forests.

It was now two o’clock in the afternoon.

Lu Chenzhou could no longer hold on.

But Hong Fu was still as lively as a dragon.

He looked at Lu Chenzhou and smiled,

"Congratulations, you have mastered the ’Tiger Supreme Fist.’"

Lu Chenzhou bowed deeply.

"Thank you, teacher!"

"No need to thank me; I wish everyone in the world would learn Tiger Form Fist... I’m going to eat now. You rest a bit and then go have something to eat. Make sure to lock the office door when you leave."

Hong Fu waved his hand and strode away.

Lu Chenzhou sat cross-legged among the wooden posts to regulate his breath.

"The teacher is really kind."

Today, he in fact used seven lesson periods, exceeding by two sessions.

Ordinary teachers would never spend their time so freely.

He looked towards the Martial Arts Tree.

"Tiger Supreme Fist: Beginner (4%)"

...

Teacher’s cafeteria.

Hong Fu was eating alone; the other teachers had already finished.

Yu Zheng walked in and asked,

"Why are you eating so late?"

Hong Fu smiled,

"I was teaching Lu Chenzhou the fist technique ’Tiger Supreme Fist’ this morning."

"How did it go?"

"Including the rest time, it took seven hours to master."

"Not bad. How long did it take you initially?"

"Two hours... But before I started learning Tiger Supreme Fist, I had already mastered five Perfect Level Tiger Form Fists. My foundation is much stronger than his."

"This Lu Chenzhou might really be a gem."

"By the way, why are you eating so late?"

"This morning, I helped the Su City police smash a Holy Master Sect hideout, earned a little extra cash. You’re still young, you wouldn’t understand the pain of middle-aged men providing for their family."

"Hahaha, if I had a son as promising as Yu Shan, I’d also be motivated to make money. Speaking of which, this Evil Calamity is becoming more rampant."

"A lot of Su City’s forces have gotten dragged into the Taihu whirlpool, and some people just want chaos, trying to make themselves noticed... Cults, they should be killed!"

...

Four in the afternoon.

Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.

After lunch, Lu Chenzhou came here.

"Senior Brother Lu is back."

"Senior Brother Lu, long time no see."

"Senior Brother Lu seems even stronger."

The students stopped to greet Lu Chenzhou.

"Long time no see."

Lu Chenzhou, Fourth Rank, returned home, feeling as if he was riding the wind. Soon, Qin Zheng also arrived at the Martial Arts Academy from home, eager to see Chenzhou, the star of tomorrow.

"Chenzhou, you’ve gotten more robust, you’ve grown taller, haven’t you?"

Qin Zheng wasn’t very tall and was sensitive about height.

"Yes."

"Damn, I’m so envious. You progress so fast in Martial Arts Training, and you’re tall too."

"When are you reaching Third Rank, Mr. President?"

"If I can reach Third Rank before the college entrance exam, that’d be great. You think everyone is like you... You must have also made rapid progress recently, reached 1.8 in qi-blood, right?"

Qin Zheng casually asked, but seeing Lu Chenzhou’s hesitant face, his heart jumped. Knowing his character, it was very likely already 1.9.

"You’re not at 1.9, are you? Weren’t you just Third Rank at the end of March?"

Qin Zheng asked again.

Just as Lu Chenzhou was about to speak, Qin Zheng exclaimed:

"Holy crap! Did your qi-blood break through 2? Monster!"

Lu Chenzhou held up four fingers.

"Uh... I’m at Fourth Rank."

Qin Zheng was silent for a while.

"Fourth Rank?!"

Ji Xuantong, who had emerged at some point, rebuked.

"Why making a fuss over nothing?"

Qin Zheng said, "Reporting, sir, Lu Chenzhou is at Fourth Rank."

Ji Xuantong was also shaken internally but continued expressionlessly:

"Continue training, Lu Chenzhou, come with me."

His pace was brisk, his spirits visibly lifted by the happy news.

The other students gathered around Qin Zheng.

"Did you say Senior Brother Lu is Fourth Rank now?"

"Yes, he said so himself."

"Really?"

"With his character, I even suspect he’s already at Fifth Rank."

The crowd sighed in admiration, full of envy.

Du suddenly felt some relief.

"Chenzhou and us really aren’t in the same world anymore."

He had also been training exceptionally hard, full-time. But even now, his qi-blood was only at 1.85, far from reaching Fourth Rank, and comprehending Dark Force was as hard as ascending to heaven.

He knew, this time in the Martial Arts Academy exchange competition.

The champion was already beyond doubt.

...

Martial Arts Room.

"Chenzhou, are you really at Fourth Rank now?"

"Yes, teacher."

"What Great Medicine did you take at school?"

"None, I just spent more time practicing Martial Arts Training recently, and coupled with a recent moment of inspiration, water flowed and a channel formed, I comprehended Black Tiger Dark Strength."

"Good... good! Chenzhou, you haven’t disappointed me."

Ji Xuantong smiled broadly, a stark contrast to his usual reserved demeanor.

Having run a Martial Arts Academy for so many years, he had never encountered such a talent before.

"By the way, did you come here for anything specific?"

"I just came to see you. My parents would like to invite you for a meal when you have time. I also wanted to consult you about the qualifications for the Void Blade assessment."

Ji Xuantong was in a good mood and replied:

"No need for a meal, I appreciate your sentiment. About the assessment, I’ll call your senior sister over. I have an intermediate certificate, you can only take the beginner level now."