Seventh-Realm Grandmaster!
In the Dragon Country, such figures were exceedingly rare. Take the Western Shu Province, for instance—there might only be a handful. Yet each one was a revered national treasure, occupying the highest echelons of status.
Most of the time, they were not even within the province. Their rare appearances were usually limited to news broadcasts. Only a handful of prestigious universities had the privilege of inviting a Seventh-Realm Grandmaster for martial demonstrations or lectures.
For an ordinary martial high school, securing a Sixth-Realm Martial Lord-level expert was already a monumental feat.
Let alone Rongcheng—it wasn’t exactly a major city. Even the martial high schools in Huayang City, the provincial capital of Western Shu, wouldn’t dare claim they could reliably invite one.
And yet, our Rongcheng martial high school managed to secure a Seventh-Realm Grandmaster?
“Seriously?”
“A Seventh-Realm Grandmaster… isn’t that the kind of person you only see on the news?”
“Wait, does our Rongcheng No. 7 High even have the connections to pull that off?”
“A martial demonstration from a Seventh-Realm Grandmaster… Even if he just performs a basic fitness routine, it’d still be invaluable.”
“Bai Hongtian! Wasn’t he the one who slayed the S-Class Mutant Beast, the Wind King Falcon, above Rongcheng just a week ago?”
“I never thought I’d get to witness a Seventh-Realm Grandmaster’s prowess while still in high school…”
“Hold on, does Principal Xia have some kind of god-tier connections?”
The students buzzed with excitement, their faces flushed red. The entire class erupted into clamor.
It wasn’t until Cui Sanyan cleared his throat a few times that the noise gradually subsided.
The homeroom teacher, a stern man in his forties with an air of solemnity, spoke slowly:
“At the event, each class will select two to three students to go on stage for a close-up observation of Grandmaster Bai’s martial demonstration.”
“With some luck, they may even receive personal guidance.”
“Our class has been allotted three spots.”
The students froze momentarily.
This was an incredible opportunity!
Even if they didn’t receive direct instruction, merely watching a Grandmaster’s martial arts demonstration would guarantee some insight, no matter how untalented they were. Improving even slightly in technique or gaining some martial enlightenment would be effortless.
“Teacher,” Chen Yuting frowned, “are these spots tied to the selection for the Martial Arts Class?”
“The school hasn’t specified.” Cui Sanyan replied flatly. “The Martial Arts Class requires an entrance exam… As for these three spots, each class will determine them based on student performance.”
“Currently, the provisional selections are: Chen Yuting, Li Zihang, and Zhou Xukun.”
No one was surprised when Cui Sanyan announced the names.
These three had consistently ranked in the top five in both innate vitality and academic performance over the past two years.
Likewise, if anyone were to enter the Martial Arts Class, it would be them.
So when the names were called, most students immediately understood—these were likely the same three who would join the Martial Arts Class.
Wang Xian wasn’t surprised either.
In his past life, these three had been the ones selected.
As for Grandmaster Bai Hongtian…
‘This didn’t happen in my past life, did it?’ Wang Xian felt a flicker of doubt.
Had the world changed in some subtle way because of his rebirth?
“However!”
Cui Sanyan’s tone sharpened. “If any of you can master a martial art before then, the selection can be adjusted.”
With that, his gaze settled on Wang Xian.
The rest of the class also turned to look at him.
Clearly, Cui Sanyan was referring to Wang Xian.
After all, he was the only one who had demonstrated a first-tier technique in the recent assessment.
“Teacher…” Li Zihang chuckled. “Wang Xian skipped the morning martial exercises all week and only visited the library once. There’s no way he could’ve mastered—”
Before he could finish, Chen Yuting shot him a glare, cutting him off.
“Teacher…” Chen Yuting frowned. “Isn’t this too sudden? I thought we still had a month…”
Cui Sanyan waved a hand dismissively.
“No need for debate. Wang Xian, what do you think?”
Wang Xian shook his head silently.
He had no intention of joining the Martial Arts Class.
Enrolling would mean no winter break—he’d be stuck training at school.
And this winter, he had other plans. The resources of the Martial Arts Class were worthless to him.
Besides, if he took a spot, Zhou Xukun—the last in line—would be pushed out.
He wasn’t about to do that.
As for some Seventh-Realm Grandmaster’s demonstration? He had zero interest.
In his past life, he’d crossed fists with more Seventh-Realm Grandmasters than he could count. What was the point of watching a mere display?
Now, if it were a Martial God’s demonstration… that might be worth his time.
“Tch—!”
Cui Sanyan sighed deeply, his expression a mix of frustration and regret.
---
After class, during lunch break.
Cui Guoliang stormed into the school conference room with a grim expression.
Inside, the room was packed—homeroom teachers from every senior class, along with Principal Xia and Vice-Principal Zhou Dahai.
“Principal Xia, I’d like to advocate for my student, Wang Xian,” Cui Guoliang said firmly. “Even if he isn’t qualified for the Martial Arts Class, he should at least be allowed on stage tomorrow.”
“His talent in classical martial arts is exceptional.”
The other teachers remained silent.
Principal Xia, a refined man in his fifties, merely smiled.
“Teacher Cui… Do you truly believe just anyone can receive guidance from a Seventh-Realm Grandmaster?” The homeroom teacher of Class 1 smirked. “‘Classical martial arts talent’? A student with an innate vitality of 0.1 has a hard ceiling, no matter how gifted.”
“Besides, what era do you think this is?”
“Exactly,” the Class 3 teacher snorted. “Your class already got three spots. Ours only has two, and you’re asking for another?”
“One random assessment doesn’t prove anything.”
“Indeed.” The Class 5 teacher kept stealing glances at Principal Xia. “If we’re comparing talent, does he measure up to Xia Sichen? That’s real classical martial arts talent—mastering a martial art in under a week!”
Cui Guoliang’s eyes turned icy as he stared down the Class 5 teacher.
Xia Sichen mastering a martial art in a week?
What kind of privileges did he have?
Personal coaching from teachers at school, private tutors at home.
Unlimited access to martial manuals, even live demonstrations.
Pre-training foundations laid out by experts.
Not to mention the best resources money could buy…
And Wang Xian?
A slacker for two years, yet after casually playing a game, he replicated a technique in real life.
Given time and proper guidance, he could master a martial art within a month.
But there was no point arguing.
None of them had expected the school to actually pull off inviting a Seventh-Realm Grandmaster.
Sighing inwardly, Cui Guoliang turned to Principal Xia.
The other teachers did the same, wondering just how Principal Xia had managed such an impossible feat.
“The school operates on fairness.” Principal Xia spoke calmly. “Since Grandmaster Bai has honored us with his presence, we must present him with our finest students. Otherwise, what would that say about our institution?”
"Professor Cui, let me ask you—if you were a seventh-rank grandmaster visiting a martial arts academy and discovered that among the students you were about to mentor, there was one who had been slacking off for two years, how would you feel?"
"It would be an insult!"
"An insult to you personally, and a dereliction of duty toward the academy!"
The room fell silent.
That made sense.
"You must understand..." Principal Xia cast a meaningful glance at the group. "Our academy wasn't the only one to send an invitation to Senior Bai. Rongcheng No. 1 High and No. 4 High did as well. Their standards are even higher than ours."
"And yet, out of all of them, it was our No. 7 High that managed to secure his visit. They’re all watching. If they see us sending such a student to represent us, what will they think?"
Cui Guoliang said nothing, merely scanning the room.
"Actually..." Zhou Dahai suddenly spoke up. "I think that student, Wang Xian..."
His mind drifted back to a morning a week ago.
Even now, recalling the kid’s Body Forging Fist, he felt a flicker of insight.
In fact, his own practice of the technique had shown subtle improvements these past few days.
If he could watch the boy perform it a few more times, he might even make a breakthrough.
But who knew the kid would only show up on the first day and skip the rest?
So undisciplined!
"Director Zhou, what do you think?" A glimmer of hope appeared in Professor Cui’s eyes.
"I believe... we could consider it," Zhou Dahai coughed.
"No need for further consideration." Principal Xia vetoed outright. "The roster is finalized. Let’s leave it at that. Make sure your students are prepared tomorrow."
"If we can’t impress Senior Bai enough to earn his guidance, we should at least avoid embarrassing ourselves!"
Yifu Building, Rooftop.
Wang Xian carried his lunch tray, basking in the sunlight as he stepped onto the rooftop.
From afar, he spotted that graceful figure.
Perhaps thanks to better meals this past week, Ye Miyue’s complexion had improved noticeably.
Before, her face had been pale, her gaze icy—beautiful, but lacking vitality.
Now, though still fair, her cheeks carried a faint blush.
Her shimmering eyes, once distant, now held a brighter spark.
At the moment, she stood sideways to him, leaning against the railing as she gazed at the distant clouds.
The loose blue-and-white school uniform, from this angle, could no longer hide the elegant curve of her waist and hips.
Her jet-black hair, tied in a high ponytail, left a single strand draped over her back, swaying gently with the breeze—a fleeting trace of youth.
The girl closed her eyes, raising a hand to shield her forehead from the harsh sunlight, though it did little to obscure the delicate contours of her face.
Wang Xian approached and suddenly said:
"Thinking about what you’ll wear for my massage this afternoon?"
His voice startled the girl from her sunlit reverie.
The faint blush on Ye Miyue’s cheeks deepened, yet her tone remained cool:
"My work uniform."
As per their agreement—once a week.
After all, they only had one day off.
"Nope." Wang Xian shook his head.
Ye Miyue turned to face him.
"I’ll give you options."
Wang Xian narrowed his eyes, counting on his fingers. "One, a JK uniform. Two, an office skirt suit. Three, a spaghetti-strap dress with black stockings... Pick one."
Ye Miyue’s composure shattered instantly, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
Each outfit was bolder than the last—who would wear something like that for a massage?
Absolutely not!
"Not willing?" Wang Xian feigned displeasure, frowning. "Fine, then here’s another choice. You come to my place for the massage. Wear whatever you want."
"No surveillance at home, and we’re less likely to run into anyone from the martial arts hall."
"Right?"
Ye Miyue considered it. Compared to the mortifying outfits he’d suggested...
This was at least negotiable.
"I can wear anything?" she verified.
Wang Xian nodded solemnly, playing the part of total indifference.
Only then did Ye Miyue give a soft "Mm."
After all, the choice was hers.
She could just bundle up a little more...
No problem.
Watching her adorable reaction, Wang Xian smirked inwardly.
Silly girl.
Once you’re in my home, what you wear won’t be up to you anymore!
