Class 8, Grade 10.
Returning to the classroom, the students enthusiastically gathered around Xu Zhou, chattering as they inquired about his talent.
Faced with these classmates, Xu Zhou had to spend quite some effort dealing with them one by one.
Returning to his seat, Xu Zhou couldn't help but sigh, being too popular isn't always a good thing!
The teacher's public praise, the fervent admiration of the classmates, the girls' secret glances... all of this made Xu Zhou feel a little dizzy.
If an ordinary person encountered such a situation, they might lose sight of their goals and forget their future.
Lost in this ephemeral illusion, they might briefly lose themselves.
But Xu Zhou forced himself to calm down.
"My talent, though impressive," Xu Zhou thought to himself, "actually requires a lot of cultivation resources!"
Whether for his own cultivation or the growth of the mutated sharktooth chicken, a lot of funds were needed.
Without money or resources, his cultivation speed might even be slower than an average person!
And the school's top 100 ranking is currently his only place to earn money.
Thinking of this, Xu Zhou glanced at Wen Yuehui at the desk next to him, "Ahui, do you know the rewards for the top 100 ranking?"
"Top 100 ranking?"
Wen Yuehui looked at him and then explained, "You're talking about the top 100 ranking for Grade 10, right? Getting on the list supposedly comes with a reward of three thousand bucks a month."
"Three thousand bucks a month!?" Xu Zhou held his breath.
That's equivalent to his stepmother's monthly salary!
Wen Yuehui seemed informed and continued, "I heard that students who make it to the top ten of the top 100 ranking can even receive an additional ten thousand Federation Coin reward and some very precious cultivation resources."
Ten thousand Federation Coin!
Hearing this, Xu Zhou was immediately shaken, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
Ten thousand Federation Coin, just how much food could that buy!
It might even allow the mutated chicken to break through to rank 1, right?
Beside him, Wen Yuehui was taken aback by the look of desire on Xu Zhou's face.
"Xu Zhou, you aren't thinking about the top 100 ranking, are you?"
Wen Yuehui said seriously, "Even the Grade 10 top 100 ranking is not to be underestimated. Most of them have been cultivating since the ninth grade."
"Moreover, these people have basically mastered at least one martial arts technique and are very powerful, such that even some of the average Grade 11 students can't compete with them!"
"We, who haven't even touched on martial arts techniques, shouldn't think about challenging the top 100 ranking."
Wen Yuehui shook his head helplessly.
Xu Zhou was slightly taken aback; the so-called martial arts techniques naturally meant those for combat, referring to techniques such as saber techniques, swordsmanship, and spear techniques.
After cultivating martial arts techniques, combat power would greatly increase.
But for most students, just cultivating one "Basic Cultivation Method" is barely enough, and it's naturally impossible to cultivate more challenging martial arts techniques.
Of course, Xu Zhou hadn't cultivated them either.
"Martial arts techniques..." Xu Zhou mused to himself, "I have to cultivate a martial arts technique."
He currently had an avatar to help boost Qi-Blood, so there was no need to cultivate the basic method in his daily life.
Wouldn't the spare time be perfect for cultivating a martial arts technique?
In an instant, Xu Zhou had a clear plan for his future.
"Cultivate a martial arts technique, get onto the top 100 ranking!" Xu Zhou thought to himself.
Just then, a loud voice came from the classroom door, "Xu Zhou, come to my office!"
Xu Zhou's eyes lit up slightly, and he immediately stood up and walked out.
...
Cao Yong's office.
"Xu Zhou." Cao Yong looked at him and said slowly, "I spoke very clearly about your talent today on the podium."
"I hope you don't become complacent and slack in your cultivation because of your talent."
"There are far too many talents in this world who never grow up!"
Xu Zhou's heart tightened, and he solemnly said, "Understood, teacher."
Cao Yong nodded and turned to take out three metal medicine bottles from the cabinet behind him.
"This is the double resource allocation I promised you, for this month."
Xu Zhou took them with delight.
"Primary cultivation potion." Xu Zhou looked at the metal bottles and thought to himself, "Each one is worth over a thousand dollars, but the price is secondary. The key is, they're not available on the market!"
Such potions are state-controlled items, usually only supplied to students.
Although the price is only over a thousand dollars, it looks cheap, but its actual value is far greater, and ordinary people with no channels can't buy it even with money.
Cao Yong took out three at once. If it weren't through internal channels, it might have cost him a fortune.
At this point, Cao Yong looked at the three metal bottles with a slight look of pain.
But it quickly disappeared.
He looked at Xu Zhou and said in a deep voice, "Go back and cultivate well. I hope the next time I see you, your performance will impress me!"
Xu Zhou nodded but did not leave immediately, and instead said, "Teacher, I would like to cultivate a martial arts technique."
Hearing this, Cao Yong was slightly taken aback.
Then he frowned, "Don't aim too high. Your current goal is to quickly increase your Qi-Blood. Martial arts techniques are for combat; you're not at that stage yet."
Xu Zhou said earnestly, "Teacher, I've discovered during these few days of cultivating Qi-Blood that the progress is almost the same whether I cultivate for two hours or an entire day."
"Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to use the remaining time to cultivate a martial arts technique?"
"..."
Cao Yong was a little stunned. Xu Zhou's progress in two hours was as much as an entire day?
Regarding the talent of "Transforming Dragon," he didn't know much, only that its cultivation speed was indeed very slow.
But if what Xu Zhou said is true, then indeed, the remaining time should be spent cultivating martial arts techniques.
Cao Yong thought for a moment and nodded, "In that case, I'll let you give it a try."
He turned and took a thin booklet off the shelf behind him, continuing, "The cultivation of martial arts techniques doesn't rely on talent but tests comprehension."
"If you can understand this saber technique within an hour, then I'll allow you to cultivate martial arts techniques."
Xu Zhou nodded and accepted the thin booklet, which had four large characters written on it in cursive.
"Mountain Breaking Saber Technique?"
It was an actual martial arts technique!
Xu Zhou was a bit surprised; his intention was just to obtain a martial arts technique, not expecting it to be so easy.
Immediately, Xu Zhou didn't hesitate, sat in a chair, and began to read through it.
However, as Xu Zhou began his focused study, Cao Yong did not quietly observe.
On the contrary, he continually moved around, creating some noise from time to time, even accidentally dropping a teacup on the ground, causing a loud noise.
But none of this distracted Xu Zhou; he was absorbed in the study of this saber technique, highly focused.
Xu Zhou had always excelled in literature from a young age, with no pressure at all in reading.
"Not bad, not affected by external distractions." Cao Yong nodded slightly.
Cultivating martial arts techniques requires being free from distractions. If one doesn't even have this level of concentration, there's no point in cultivating.
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, an hour had passed.
Xu Zhou stood up and returned the booklet to Cao Yong.
"Did you understand it?" Cao Yong asked him.
"Yes, teacher," Xu Zhou replied.
Cao Yong nodded, turned to take a standard Tang Dao off the wall, and tossed it to Xu Zhou.
"Stand here, perform it once, and let me see your comprehension."
"Yes."
Xu Zhou took the Tang Dao, took a deep breath, his eyes slightly closed.
The next second, his eyes opened sharply, and an invisible aura spread out.
"Hmm?" Cao Yong raised an eyebrow, was there genuinely some form there, what had he comprehended?
The next moment, Xu Zhou began to practice the saber technique inside the office, slashing, chopping, flicking, slicing, thrusting, intercepting, pushing, stabbing... all kinds of moves appeared one after another.
Suddenly, Xu Zhou raised his saber forward, Qi-Blood roared, and then he swung it down vertically with force.
"Ah!"
The saber wind was fierce, deafening!
Beside him, Cao Yong's eyes grew increasingly brighter, and at this point, he couldn't help but stand up suddenly.
"Qi-Blood resonance, entry-level saber technique?"
"This kid's talent for saber techniques is astonishing!?"
No wonder Cao Yong was so shocked.
Because what Xu Zhou had just demonstrated was exactly the entry move for the Mountain Breaking Saber Technique and for all basic saber techniques.
Qi-Blood Resonance!
An average person wielding a saber uses brute force, yet if one masters the saber techniques, it is not mere brute force but using the whole body's Qi-Blood!
Qi-Blood resonates with the saber blade, unleashing the Martial Artist's fullest strength.
This is not easy for most people to achieve.
At least, it requires long-term practice, continuously consuming Qi-Blood, ranging from a few days to several months to possibly grasp this move, thereby achieving entry into saber techniques.
But Xu Zhou?
It only took an hour!
Cao Yong's eyes shone even brighter as he watched Xu Zhou continue to wield the saber.
At this moment, four large characters floated in his mind.
Saber Technique Genius!