CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 57: THE STARVING TIGER’S FINAL CLAW

"This is... Jiang Shu..."

Someone in the crowd couldn’t help but blurt out.

If Wang Han arriving in a BMW had caused envy among the others, then Jiang Shu alighting from the government-issued Magotan brought shock!

Is this the charm of Martial Arts?

He went from being an ordinary student to being recommended to Jiangnan Academy, shooting a Martial Arts promotional video with top star Ye Zhenzhen, and now even being chauffeured in a government car.

In just six short months, while they were all still recent high school graduates, Jiang Shu’s status had undergone a complete transformation!

Wang Han, who had been waiting to scoff, was left speechless. Standing there dazed, the car key he had been twirling in his hand suddenly dropped to the ground.

CLATTER.

...

Perhaps because of Jiang Shu’s special entrance in front of the grand hotel, Wang Han and his clique were huddled at another table inside the private room, lacking their usual boisterousness.

The entire teacher appreciation dinner went extremely smoothly.

Yan Dehou, who showed up too late to know the truth, thought Wang Han had changed for the better after the college entrance exam and had grown up a bit. Content with this mistaken impression, he even drank a few extra glasses of beverage.

"Jiang Shu, do you have any plans for the summer vacation?"

As they were leaving, Xu Shuhui couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "I plan to learn driving too, but it might be boring alone..."

"I practice Martial Arts."

As if not understanding the hint, Jiang Shu replied succinctly.

What summer vacation? Did he even have such a thing?

He wished he had forty-eight hours in each day for his Two Realms Shuttle. These days, he spent more than twelve hours daily at Jiangnan Academy and hardly had time to go to Pingling County.

Even as a Martial Artist who had achieved the Skin Grinding Realm, he hadn’t reported to Elder Chou.

"Okay, got it."

"Mm, good luck with your driving. Just don’t overthink it; it’s not that hard."

Jiang Shu stood up. In this life, he hadn’t dealt with vehicles yet, but in his previous life, he had driven smoothly on highways. Therefore, there was no need for him to waste time getting a driver’s license from a driving school.

When it was time to buy a car, he would just go to the vehicle management office and get a license.

After all, his mentor Xie Feichen had said that the government would take care of all mundane matters.

Stepping out of Fengchun Grand Hotel, as soon as Jiang Shu made a phone call, the Magotan slowly approached. He opened the door, got in, and waved goodbye to his classmates who were just coming out.

Jiang Shu headed straight back to Qingjiang Residential Community.

At that moment, Qingjiang Residential Community was adorned with long banners, and the air still seemed to carry the scent of firecrackers.

Ever since the news of his recommendation to Jiangnan Academy spread, all the residents of Qingjiang Residential Community felt honored.

Within the community, several families even took advantage of the occasion to get married in succession.

Property prices, in turn, had soared.

Jiang Shu unlocked his door. "Mom, I’m going to buy a smart lock online. We should switch to a fingerprint system; always carrying keys is too much hassle."

"Exactly!"

Jiang Yanyue, stuffing snacks into her mouth on the sofa, chimed in, "Brother, buy one with video capability that can unlock with facial recognition and has surveillance. It’s even more convenient!"

"You talk too much, always wanting to change everything. Why don’t you say we should get a new house too." Xu Lizhi glanced at her daughter, turned the TV volume down, and said, "Xiaoshu, how much do you need? Mom can transfer it to you on WeChat."

"No need, your son has money now."

"No matter how much money you have, it’s still the pocket money your parents gave you. Don’t you need money for your Martial Arts practice? Going to Jiangnan Academy this time must have cost quite a bit too. Even if the academy provides a subsidy, what about when you start dating in the future? The household items you bought for the family, surely Mom and Dad paid for that."

As she spoke, Xu Lizhi picked up her cellphone from the coffee table in front of her. Just as she was about to open WeChat, her son’s voice slowly said,

"Mom, I’ve become a Martial Artist now, with a fixed ten thousand in martial allowance every month.

"Buying a house might be a bit difficult, but buying a smart lock is easily within reach."

...

「Half a month later.」

「Pingling County.」

Jiang Shu’s figure swiftly turned to dodge a punch.

Ever since he reported his realm to Elder Chou, he had been diligently cultivating.

Every day, aside from delving into the "Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength," he also sparred with Qi Yuan.

After half a month of continuously consuming Red Armored Tiger meat, the vital energy and blood in his body had become increasingly robust. It already far surpassed that of an average Leather Hide Realm Martial Artist.

His aura was by no means weak.

The more he fought, the smoother his moves became.

The Perfect Level Tiger Form Three Styles, in his hands, blended changes from the thirty-six forms of the Congenital Guiding Skill.

He launched punches at Qi Yuan from all sorts of tricky angles.

The force of his strikes thundered; the training suit on his body billowed with the rise of his power.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Qi Yuan grew more fearful with each exchange.

In this half-month, he had witnessed with his own eyes how his junior brother transitioned from just entering the Skin Grinding Realm, unfamiliar with the use of inner strength in combat, to now being no weaker than him.

His skin and flesh had undergone a second tempering, reaching the Stone Skin Realm, which allowed him to block most of Jiang Shu’s attacks. Otherwise, he probably would have been repeatedly forced to retreat under Jiang Shu’s relentless assault!

What kind of Talent was this! Thankfully, this was his own junior brother.

Qi Yuan let out a long roar, unable to hold back the complete eruption of his energy. Having reached the Stone Skin Realm, he had learned many new moves from their master. Fighting as he spoke, he said,

"Little junior brother! Master told me, ’Punch first, kick later, then grapple.’ In our Famished Tiger Martial Hall’s Tiger Form Three Styles, the pounce is the punch, and the scissor is the kick. Now, he has passed on to me the art of grappling.

"Famished Tiger Castration Claw.

"Just watch!"

"Good!"

Jiang Shu’s momentum climbed; he didn’t retreat but advanced instead. He too was eager to see just how far he fell short compared to a Stone Skin Realm Martial Artist.

"The Famished Tiger Castration Claw consists of twelve moves. It targets the waist’s vital points, capable of severing one’s lineage!"

With a loud shout from Qi Yuan, it was a reminder for Jiang Shu to be extremely careful. One claw stretched out, ruthlessly venomous.

Jiang Shu’s arms swung, parrying and countering, blocking several times.

But on the fourth attempt, he was forced to leap back, a fine layer of sweat beads rolling down his forehead. It turned out the area near the crotch of his trousers was torn, and Qi Yuan held a small piece of black fabric in his hand!

"HUFF... Brother, your Famished Tiger Castration Claw is truly fierce and ruthless!"

Jiang Shu took a sharp breath and couldn’t help but speak out.

Without Qi Yuan’s early warning and his mercy, that move could have taken a chunk out of his thigh, despite his quick reflexes!

"There’s an old saying: ’Practice the fist without the internal skill, and you end up with nothing in old age.’ But in my opinion, practicing internal skill without the fist is also a waste. You might have a body full of inner strength, abundant vital energy and blood, yet still be unable to unleash your true power.

"It’s fine in a safe place, but what about when encountering an enemy?"

Smiling, Qi Yuan retracted his fists and stood still, saying, "However, little junior brother, you are already very strong. If not for Master’s Famished Tiger Castration Claw being so vicious, it might not have been able to force you to such a state.

"Do you remember what I told you last time? When you become a Martial Artist, I’ll invite some friends for a gathering, and we can spar and learn from each other.

"At first, I was worried you might not be strong enough and could get hurt by accident during the exchange. Now it seems, I was too concerned.

"Any thoughts? Want to set a time?"