CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 7: MARTIAL BONE AWAKENING

Jiang Ye was a bit puzzled.

He’s indeed asked Chen Zilu for advice many times these days, but never privately sought her out before.

It’s also the first time Chen Zilu has ever sought him out proactively.

Just as Jiang Ye was pondering, a girl approached him and handed over a bottle of water.

"Um, this water is for you."

Looking up, Jiang Ye saw it was the girl who often gave him water, named Xia Qing.

"Thanks, I’ll bring one for you next time," Jiang Ye replied.

Xia Qing nodded shyly, then quickly ran away with a face flushed red.

Watching her retreating figure, Jiang Ye felt a hint of sentiment — is this the benefit of being handsome? Unfortunately, in this world, being handsome can’t be used to make a living.

In the distance, Wen Yuehui came over, staring at him with disbelief.

"Hey, buddy."

Wen Yuehui said with a look of discontent, "Did you switch persons?"

Jiang Ye turned his head in confusion and asked, "What’s up?"

"The Ye I know couldn’t possibly have such impressive Martial Arts talent. Hey, who are you, give me my good buddy back!"

Wen Yuehui lamented loudly.

This past month, Jiang Ye’s rate of progress might not be visible to others.

But Wen Yuehui, being the closest to him as a partner in mischief, could see it clearly.

Especially now, since even Chen Zilu took the initiative to offer Jiang Ye extra lessons, which made Wen Yuehui’s jealousy practically palpable.

Looking at Wen Yuehui’s funeral-like expression, Jiang Ye couldn’t help but twitch his mouth in amusement.

Goodness, afraid that a brother has it rough, yet also afraid that the brother might drive a Land Rover, right?

At this moment, Wen Yuehui suddenly said, "Ye, did you activate some cheat? If you find something good, remember your buddy here."

Jiang Ye shook his head, sighing, "Could it possibly be just my perseverance and hard work?"

Wen Yuehui was momentarily stunned.

Then he said haltingly, "If perseverance and hard work were that effective, the richest person would be a donkey."

"..."

This remark couldn’t be refuted.

Seeing that Wen Yuehui still wanted to rant, Jiang Ye said, "Let’s head to the cafeteria, if we don’t go now there won’t even be soup left."

"Dang it!"

Wen Yuehui suddenly realized and rushed out of the classroom.

Jiang Ye followed right after, and the two quickly arrived at the cafeteria entrance.

There was an electronic rolling screen hanging at the cafeteria’s entrance.

On it, electronic slogans repeatedly scrolled:

[Efficiency is life! Please observe the dining duration!]

[15 minutes for seniors, 20 minutes for juniors, 30 minutes for freshmen]

Seeing this scene, Wen Yuehui couldn’t help but curse, "Holy crap, why has the time shortened again? Wasn’t there half an hour for juniors previously?"

Jiang Ye was speechless as well.

He understood it was the school’s regulation to squeeze out more time for students to cultivate.

But now, the dining time had been shortened again.

Just twenty minutes left!

Practicing martial arts does require a huge appetite.

You want the ox to run but not let it graze, isn’t this just absurd?

The two entered the cafeteria with grumbles, only to see the students devouring their meals without a single word, leaving only the sound of frantic swallowing.

Jiang Ye couldn’t help but glance at several private dining rooms on the second floor.

"Those rooms are occupied by students from the elite class."

Though ordinary and elite classes share the same school, their treatments are worlds apart.

The dining duration rule only applies to ordinary classes, not affecting elite ones.

Elite class students receive better nutritional supplements and access to various resources.

Of course, these perks are still bearable.

Jiang Ye even heard that in some schools, ordinary class students need to greet elite class students, cultivating the habit for future work culture.

"Thankfully, An City No.3 High School isn’t like that...."

Jiang Ye quietly remarked in his heart.

...

After lunch, Jiang Ye hurriedly went to Chen Zilu’s office.

The office was empty; evidently, Chen Zilu hadn’t finished her meal.

Jiang Ye decided to start cultivating right there.

In no time, half an hour passed.

Turning his head, Jiang Ye saw a beautiful and cold lady seated on the chair.

"Teacher."

Jiang Ye approached and said.

Chen Zilu glanced at him and said, "You’ve made quite progress these days. Did you use a Dragon Pill?"

Jiang Ye was startled.

He hadn’t expected her first sentence to be about that.

Could his significant progress make even his teacher suspect him of using pills?

Immediately, he shook his head to deny it.

Chen Zilu said blandly, "Using pills too early isn’t ideal; you’re not at the Great Success stage of cultivation yet. If you use pills now, breaking through to Perfection will be harder."

"I let Li Zhichao use pills because both his parents are Martial Arts powerhouses and can eliminate some side effects."

"If you use pills prematurely, you’ll only deplete yourself further."

Even Wen Yuehui could see Jiang Ye’s progress, Chen Zilu as the teacher saw it even more clearly.

In her eyes, Jiang Ye’s enhancement over the month was clearly unusual.

Jiang Ye said helplessly, "Teacher, I honestly didn’t use any pills."

He had no desire to pretend he’s weak only to surprise everyone later.

The more she realized his potential and was willing to teach him, the more opportunities he’d have to advance.

But Chen Zilu smiled, "Why are you so anxious, I know you didn’t use any pills."

"Huh?"

Jiang Ye looked at her in confusion.

Chen Zilu continued, "But if you plan on using pills later, you can come to me. I know a cheaper source with fewer side effects."

"..."

Jiang Ye was momentarily stunned.

Then he felt a burst of astonishment in his heart.

So all she said was essentially pitching pills to him?

Could Li Zhichao’s Dragon Pill also be bought from Chen Zilu?

"Teacher, didn’t you just say not to use pills?" Jiang Ye asked after being speechless for a while.

Chen Zilu replied, "Don’t use them prematurely, not don’t use them at all."

"To climb the Starry Sky of Martial Arts, using pills is a necessary part."

"But ideally, you need to master the ’Star Martial Cultivation Technique’ to Perfection to withstand the pills’ side effects."

Jiang Ye asked puzzled, "Then Li Zhichao..."

He recalled Li Zhichao only mastered the Great Success in Fist Technique before Chen Zilu recommended him to use pills.

Chen Zilu said blandly, "Li Zhichao’s potential is exhausted, only using pills early would give him hope to get into a better Martial Arts University."

"As for you....."

She glanced at Jiang Ye, saying, "I haven’t sensed any sign of you using pills, does this mean you underwent Martial Bone Awakening?"

"Martial Bone Awakening?"

Jiang Ye looked puzzled.

Chen Zilu explained, "What determines a person’s Martial Arts talent, besides talent itself, is the Martial Bone."

"Of course, the higher the talent, the naturally stronger the Martial Bone."

"Usually, Martial Bone, like talent, cannot be altered." Chen Zilu said, "However, rare cases have occurred where Martial Bone subtly changed afterward, dramatically boosting talent, known as Martial Bone Awakening."

"I see."

Jiang Ye nodded, a bit of understanding seeping in.

What’s referred to as Martial Bone should be akin to ’constitution.’

He didn’t undergo Martial Bone Awakening but had his constitution enhanced.

This explanation suited well to justify his faster cultivation pace.

Jiang Ye promptly said, "Then I guess it’s Martial Bone Awakening. I indeed felt the change within previously..."

He slightly adjusted the description of changes during constitution enhancement in his account.

After listening, Chen Zilu got up and approached Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye was still confused when he felt a slender hand touching the back of his neck.

"Do you mind?" asked Chen Zilu.

"Please go ahead, teacher."

Jiang Ye replied calmly.

The next moment, he sensed a mysterious energy coursing through him from the vertebrae.

A tingling sensation immediately aroused Jiang Ye’s nerves.

"This is...." Jiang Ye felt stirred inside.

He had heard that those who break Life Shackles would generate extraordinary inner energy.

Is this extraordinary energy?

It surprisingly brought a sudden surge of delight, making every cell in his body ease.

Quickly, Chen Zilu withdrew her hand, nodding:

"It seems you indeed had Martial Bone Awakening."

Looking at Jiang Ye, she smiled, "Now you perhaps have a chance to get into a slightly better Martial Arts University."

Jiang Ye cupped his hand, "I owe it all to your guidance, teacher."

Chen Zilu laughed, evidently pleased.

"No need to be modest, a mentor opens the door; cultivation depends on oneself, your effort is what’s crucial."

Chen Zilu continued, "Since you’ve had Martial Bone Awakening, there are certain things you’re now ready to understand."

Jiang Ye expressed confusion, "Please elaborate, teacher."