6kv Chapter 17 Jade in the Stone
Chapter 17 Jade in the Stone
"This disciple has made a breakthrough in the Nine Yang Strength and has come to register."
Upon hearing this, Li Jiangwei was slightly taken aback and did not react for a moment.
However, a moment later, when her gaze fell on Chen Luo, she was not surprised. Instead, a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, and the gentle smile on her face faded slightly.
"You already registered half a month ago, I remember clearly, there is no need to register again."
She deliberately emphasized the words "I remember".
She subconsciously thought that Chen Luo was using an excuse to come back.
This kind of thing had happened before. She knew that the martial arts school disciples admired her. There was a disciple who had re-registered just to see her, and when he was found out, he would awkwardly lie and say that he had forgotten.
Chen Luo realized he had been misunderstood and explained, "Last time it was for the entry registration, but this time I was lucky enough to break through to the second level of strength."
Li Jiangwei was stunned again.
"I remember your name is Chen Luo, right?" She rummaged through the case file for a moment, found a piece of paper, and glanced at the record. "The last time you entered the Nine Yang Strength training was half a month ago."
She looked up, her tone hesitant, "So, you've broken through to the second level of strength in just half a month?"
"Yes." Chen Luo nodded.
Seeing his composed expression, Song Ruokui suddenly felt a little uncertain. "In that case, could you demonstrate it on the spot?"
"It's only natural." Chen Luo wasn't surprised; breaking through to the second level of strength in half a month did indeed sound unbelievable.
He immediately threw a punch, without the slightest hesitation, the powerful force unique to the double-force pouring out from his fist.
"..." A look of surprise gradually appeared in Li Jiangwei's eyes.
That's truly a double force.
Did he really break through to the second level of strength in half a month?
Li Jiangwei looked at the record in her hand in disbelief again, and asked in surprise, "You entered the academy in the 94th year of the Da Lin Xuanli era, and are now nineteen years old. It took you three years to master the Nine Yang Strength, but you broke through to the second level in just half a month?"
"Yes." Chen Luo nodded. Seeing Li Jiangwei's genuine surprise, he thought for a moment and added, "I wasted the first two years at the martial arts academy and didn't actually learn much. My formal martial arts training should have started a year ago."
This was the truth; his predecessor hadn't really learned much during those two years, and he hoped that saying this would lessen Li Jiangwei's surprise.
In addition, he also wanted to say that he was able to make such a rapid breakthrough because of Song Ruokui's guidance, which is also true.
Moreover, invoking the name of Song Ruokui should better explain his rapid progress.
But upon closer reflection, he realized that it had taken him a year to even begin to grasp the basics after listening to Instructor Li practice in the evenings.
With Song Ruokui's instruction, he reached the second level of strength in fifteen days.
Isn't this a veiled criticism of Instructor Li for his ineffective teaching?
Li Jiangwei's reaction to this was somewhat hurtful.
She shook her head. "It took me a whole year to get started, which is quite mediocre."
"Hehe." Chen Luoqian chuckled.
"You..." Li Jiangwei's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, as if she wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing.
She nodded slightly: "Alright, it's registered. I'll inform Instructor Li of your situation. You may leave now."
"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Luoyi took her leave first.
After Chen Luo walked away, Li Jiangwei pondered for a moment, got up, closed the door, and went straight to the backyard of the martial arts school.
In the backyard, Li Shen still sat upright in his armchair, with locust leaves swaying above his head.
In front of him, more than ten disciples were practicing their boxing with sweat in their hands. When they saw Li Jiangwei arrive, they all became more serious.
Li Jiangwei nodded and smiled at them. Half a month later, the faces of this group of disciples had changed somewhat.
Some left, while others joined.
Those who left were often those who felt hopeless about making a breakthrough and instead went to work for the mountain guard.
The newly promoted disciples are the outstanding young students who have recently shown their talent at the martial arts academy.
Zhengyang Martial Arts Academy is just like that. It gathers the vast majority of young men and women in Qingshan County who practice martial arts, and can be described as a place where talents emerge in large numbers and outstanding disciples never cease. However, as the saying goes, the path of martial arts is difficult. Only one in ten thousand can enter the inner sanctum, and even then, only a handful can achieve something and enter the Qingyun Martial Arts Academy in a year.
"Is something the matter?" Li Shen glanced at his daughter. Although Li Jiangwei's expression was normal, he still sensed something was off.
"My daughter mentioned a disciple who only mastered the Nine Yang Strength technique after three years, half a month ago. I wonder if Father still remembers him?" Li Jiangwei poured him some new tea.
"I remember." Li Shen blew on the hot air. "What happened to him?"
"He has already broken through to the second level of the Nine Yang Strength and just came to register."
"Oh?"
Li Shenping's usually calm and composed expression turned slightly solemn as he looked up at his daughter. "Is this true?"
Not only him, but the disciples who were practicing their boxing also looked over with surprise and doubt, and they even forgot to practice their boxing.
"You registered just half a month ago, and you're registering again now? Doesn't that mean you've already broken through from the beginner level to the second level of skill in just half a month?"
"How is that possible?"
"Is this speed the same as that of the previous Miss Song?"
"..."
The disciples couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
Li Jiangwei did not answer, but handed over Chen Luo's registration form, saying, "This is the file recording the disciple's information. Father, please take a look."
Li Shen took it, glanced at it, and his expression shifted. "Chen Luo?"
"Does Father know him?" Li Jiangwei noticed something was off about his expression.
Li Shen didn't say anything, but simply put the note aside, lost in thought.
Li Jiangwei remained silent, waiting quietly to the side.
She knew that her father valued nurturing his mind and disliked being impatient, so she did not disturb him.
But the disciples around them couldn't contain themselves.
One of the disciples, seemingly worried about Li Shen, especially Li Jiangwei being deceived, stepped forward and said, "This disciple believes that just because this person registered on that day doesn't necessarily mean he entered the sect that day. Perhaps he entered the sect long after..."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Jiangwei interrupted him with a frown, saying calmly, "This matter is none of your concern, so refrain from making unwarranted comments."
She knew what the disciple wanted to say; he simply suspected that Chen Luo had only come to register some time after entering the sect.
In fact, she had her doubts about this. She had hesitated to speak when facing Chen Luo before because she wanted to say this, but she was worried that it would hurt Chen Luo's feelings, so she didn't say it at the time.
So, if she could think of this, and this disciple could think of it, how could Li Shen not have thought of it?
This disciple's rash comments were undoubtedly an overstepping of the bounds.
Although she is usually gentle, as the manager, she will never hesitate to discipline her disciples if they overstep their bounds.
Upon seeing Li Jiangwei's displeasure, the disciple immediately became frightened, and he and the other disciples stopped saying anything.
"I remember this disciple. When the Mountain Guard asked me about the cat demon, a snake catcher broke through in the heat of battle, mastered the Nine Yang Force, and killed the cat demon. That should be Chen Luo."
Li Shen took a sip of tea, his voice clear to everyone, "This matter happened exactly half a month ago, so this disciple must have indeed entered the sect half a month ago."
He was actually explaining this to Li Jiangwei.
"Oh, I see." Li Jiangwei was even more puzzled. "But Father, Chen Luo spent a whole year just to master the basics, so how come he was able to break through to the second level of strength in just fifteen days?"
"The world is vast and full of wonders. Perhaps he is a gem hidden in stone that will mature late in life."
"Jade within a stone?" Li Jiangwei didn't understand.
"Martial arts aptitude varies from person to person. Some people are like pure gold, which can shine after being refined by fire. Others are like uncut jade, hidden deep in the rock. Only when the stone coat is removed will their brilliance be revealed." Li Shen smiled. "This kid might just be a piece of uncut jade. Jiang Wei, your knowledge is still a bit shallow."
Didn't you say before that the first strike was his limit? Li Jiangwei quietly pouted.
"Should we summon Chen Luo to receive his guidance?"
Li Shen pondered for a moment and said, "I will give him some pointers tomorrow."
"Once?" Li Jiangwei was taken aback.
According to the martial arts academy's custom, disciples with exceptional talent will be given special training and come to this back courtyard to receive daily guidance, hence they are also known as inner courtyard disciples.
Only the second-best disciples have one chance to receive guidance, and are left to be observed.
Chen Luo broke through to the second level of internal energy in half a month, which is truly astonishing. Logically speaking, he should not have been instructed only once.
Li Shen said calmly, "This person was able to enter the sect at the age of nineteen, which naturally shows his perseverance. Now, he has broken through to the first level of strength in half a month, and his talent is beginning to show. However, he needs to calm down and take a gradual approach. He should not be too impatient."
"But..." Li Jiangwei still had concerns.
Li Shen waved his hand to interrupt her, and said calmly, "No need to say anything. If he really is a gem hidden in stone, I will arrange another place for him."
Li Jiangwei's expression shifted, realizing the deeper meaning in his words, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
She said nothing more, simply lowered her head and calmly prepared tea.
Li Shen said no more, turning his gaze to the disciples in the arena, his eyes filled with contemplation.
He had just omitted some words because he was mindful of the many disciples present and the presence of many eyes.
To enter the sect in a year and break through to the second level of strength in fifteen days—besides the possibility of being a hidden gem, there is actually a second possibility: that disciple named Chen Luo... may have had a fortuitous encounter.