C19 I Want to Learn All of Them!

In the Flame Country, martial arts inheritances are strategic resources under official government control.

Typically, one can only receive martial arts inheritances through schools, the military, or martial arts dojos.

Personal inheritances are also under government jurisdiction. For instance, the Wind Splitting Leg that Wang Tong imparted to Lu Chong and the Golden Cicada Robe that the old principal passed on are examples of this.

These inheritances are transmitted via an Inheritance Jade Slip, which not only records the techniques but also the insights of masters who have perfected the martial art.

Creating an Inheritance Jade Slip is a demanding process. It requires precise high-tech methods and the collaboration of someone who has mastered the martial art to perfection.

Crucially, the Flame Country's official approval is needed before an Inheritance Jade Slip can be taught to registered individuals.

There are exceptions, though. Creators of their own martial arts, like the old principal, have more control over their inheritance and can even earn royalties akin to intellectual property rights.

Lu Chong is somewhat familiar with these matters and recognizes their worth.

By official estimates, a Human Level High Grade Martial Art costs no less than a hundred thousand. Plus, one must pass various qualification checks before learning the art.

Only in schools can students freely receive such inheritances.

A High Grade Body Refining Martial Skill like the Golden Cicada Robe is even pricier and rarer, beyond the reach of most to purchase or practice.

Lu Chong can't help but think, "The old principal's self-created martial arts must have earned him a substantial amount in royalties over the years."

"Truly, knowledge can change one's destiny. If I could create a practical martial art, I could make a lot of money," Lu Chong muses.

Nevertheless, since the old principal freely offered the martial art to Lu Chong, he felt it would be improper to decline.

"Go ahead and cultivate it. If you have any questions, come to me," the old principal advised after watching Lu Chong use the invaluable Inheritance Jade Slip.

After expressing his gratitude, Lu Chong left the principal's office. As he gently closed the door, he saw his Class Teacher waiting anxiously outside.

Walking Lu Chong some distance from the office, Wang Tong inquired softly, "How did it go?"

"I got it," Lu Chong replied with a smile.

"That's fantastic!" Wang Tong exclaimed, patting Lu Chong's shoulder. "With this Body Refining Martial Arts, you stand a great chance of getting into a prestigious school."

"Mr. Wang," Lu Chong said, foregoing his class, "I have some questions for you."

"You're skipping class?" Wang Tong glanced at his watch, then paused and decided, "Never mind. Sparring with them wouldn't be very meaningful for you."

"Come to my office," Wang Tong led Lu Chong to his workspace.

Once there, Wang Tong poured Lu Chong a glass of water and offered, "Tell me what's troubling you. If it's within my power, I'll help however I can."

"Teacher," Lu Chong began earnestly, setting aside the water, "I'd like to learn additional martial skills from the school."

Lu Chong was aware that high school martial arts education wasn't limited to just Monument Breaking Hand and Nine Shadow Step.

Yet, students in regular classes were typically exposed to only these two skills.

It wasn't that the school was miserly; teachers were concerned that learning too many martial arts might lead to jack-of-all-trades mastery.

Only in specialized classes like Class 1 would teachers tailor additional martial arts instruction to individual students' needs. Zhou Feng's Iron Line Fist, for example, was one such skill.

Iron Line Fist, a Human Rank Low Grade martial art, is an offensive skill distinct from Monument Breaking Hand, which is more versatile and fundamental. Iron Line Fist focuses on powerful, heavy strikes.

Lu Chong was seeking martial arts like Iron Line Fist to bolster his combat abilities comprehensively, leaving no weak spots.

His resolve was only strengthened after today's sparring session with Class 1 students; he wouldn't underestimate any martial art.

After some thought, Wang Tong said, "I've put in a request for you, and it's been approved. The school offers Iron Line Fist, Eagle Claw Technique, Cloud Penetrating Finger, Mountain Hitting Crash, and Heart-poking Foot—all Human Rank Low Grade. Which one interests you?"

Lu Chong, slightly embarrassed, admitted, "Teacher, truthfully, I'd like to learn all five."

Wang Tong choked on his water, coughing twice before regaining his composure.

"Lu Chong," Wang Tong said seriously, "your aptitude is good, but don't be overzealous. Learning more martial arts now doesn't necessarily make you stronger. Besides, you need to focus on cultivating the Wind Splitting Leg and the old principal's martial art. Not to mention, you can't neglect your cultivation progress. How will you find the time to practice even more martial arts?"

Wang Tong spoke with earnest concern, genuinely worried that Lu Chong's pride might hinder his progress in cultivation.

Lu Chong was aware that the Class Teacher harbored doubts about him, yet the teacher was oblivious to the fact that Lu Chong's martial skills cultivated themselves.

Lu Chong could assert without hesitation that he could master ten additional martial skills without it significantly impacting his time.

Even without the opportunity to expedite his cultivation, his martial skills would continue to develop at their own pace.

"Still, I'm not sure if there's a limit to how many skills can cultivate themselves," Lu Chong mused, realizing that only through experimentation would he find out.

The self-cultivation of martial arts reminded him of running several programs simultaneously, and he wondered if cultivating too many at once might cause issues.

But explaining this to the Class Teacher was out of the question. Instead, Lu Chong assured him with patience, "Teacher, please be at ease. I'm not acting on a whim. As you've seen, I've brought both Monument Breaking Hand and Nine Shadow Step to the Perfection Stage without taking much time. The Wind Splitting Leg has reached Small Completion, and I'm confident it won't be long before it advances to Great Completion or even the Arcane Stage. Soon, I'll have no more martial skills to work on. I'm just giving it a try, and I won't let it interfere with my cultivation. In fact, the synergy between the various martial skills might even accelerate my progress."

It dawned on Wang Tong that Lu Chong had indeed perfected two martial skills, meaning he no longer needed to dedicate time to them.

Considering Lu Chong's recent achievements, it appeared quite possible he could master several more martial skills.

With this in mind, Wang Tong softened his tone, "Still, I must caution you. The difficulty of mastering different martial skills varies greatly. Some may come easily to you because they resonate with your style, but that doesn't hold true for all of them."

Wang Tong, with a hint of reluctance, proposed a deal, "Alright, I'll permit you to take on two more martial skills for now. If you can elevate the Wind Splitting Leg to the Arcane Stage within a month and reach Stage 6 in your cultivation, then I'll make all the remaining martial skills of the school available to you."

Lu Chong felt a sense of resignation, knowing that words alone wouldn't suffice to convince anyone.

Yet, Wang Tong's terms were straightforward: advance the Wind Splitting Leg to the Arcane Stage.

With this in mind, Lu Chong responded confidently, "Three days should be more than enough."