Realm-Hopping Martial Master
Chapter 24 - 23: Treasure Medicine of Heaven and Earth! Exotic Beast Meat! (Please follow and read)

Chapter 24: Chapter 23: Treasure Medicine of Heaven and Earth! Exotic Beast Meat! (Please follow and read)

The Primacy of Talent!

Xia Country does not lack resources; what it lacks are talented Martial Artists!

Zheng Yanbo disclosed the truth, "Besides Student Jiang Shu, Principal Zhang, can your school find another Martial Arts Student capable of Qi Blood Transport? Or even better, one who has achieved small success in Qi Blood Sensing and the Horse Stance?"

It was like a dagger thrust into Zhang Taining’s heart. Zhang Taining gave a wry smile. As a principal, he naturally cared about the actual situation of the Martial Arts Students in his school. Just as Zheng Yanbo had guessed, aside from Jiang Shu, there was not a single one, not even one who had achieved Qi Blood Sensing!

Martial Arts—it truly was a track only the talented could enter.

How had he spoken so carelessly all of a sudden? If he really allowed all the students in the school to practice martial arts, he, as principal, would probably have to resign next year. He would be sending a batch of students who could have attended an undergraduate program to a vocational one instead. That would be too big a blunder.

Jiang Shu was just an exception!

Seeing that Zhang Taining had recognized the error in his thinking, Zheng Yanbo said no more. Looking at Jiang Shu, his gaze filled with undisguised admiration, he stated, "Jiang Shu, you have now achieved Great Success in the Horse Stance, and you are only one step away from Perfection. But this step is not necessarily easy or simple. So, I only say that there’s hope for the academy. But regardless, with your current talent, becoming a Martial Artist in the future is almost certain."

"When that time comes, you will truly understand why we practice Martial Arts and what its purpose is."

Having said that, he stretched out his arm to check the time on his watch. Zheng Yanbo continued, "You’ve listened to me for so long, you must have many questions. While we still have some time, feel free to ask. I’ll see which ones I can conveniently answer."

"Thank you, Mr. Zheng, for your guidance."

Jiang Shu stood up and bowed respectfully.

Practicing Martial Arts cultivates an unyielding spirit, not arrogance.

Zheng Yanbo’s visit to Fifth High School for a Martial Arts lecture was part of his job. But discussing the current world changes, martial arts cultivation, and even allowing him to ask questions privately—that was a personal kindness.

This was a kindness he had to remember.

"No need for such formality. I am much older than you. If you don’t mind, young genius, you can call me Uncle Zheng," Zheng Yanbo said with a hearty laugh, pleased by Jiang Shu’s respect.

"Alright. Uncle Zheng, you said that above the Horse Stance is the Guiding Skill. So, is this Guiding Skill something that our Xia Country will publicly announce, or do we need to achieve Perfection in the Horse Stance before we can apply to learn it?"

"Martial Arts Students entering university is essentially a talent selection process. So, after this selection, how do the martial arts resources differ among ordinary universities, key universities, and academies?"

Jiang Shu stood straight, pondered for a moment, and raised two questions.

Asking about state-level government decrees was obviously inconvenient. What he could ask about were only the Guiding Skill and martial arts resources. The former related to the method of cultivation, the latter to the assets for cultivation. To obtain one is like having a favorable wind carry you to the azure clouds. To possess both is to soar directly ninety thousand miles.

"According to government decrees, it should be announced next year. However, for this year’s batch of Martial Arts Students, once they achieve Perfection in the Horse Stance and their Qi and blood achieve a full body circulation, they can also apply through their school to learn the Guiding Skill directly."

"As for cultivation resources, the most important are actually Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine and exotic beast meat." As Zheng Yanbo spoke of this, his voice lowered slightly. "Exotic beast meat has extremely high energy. A single pound of even the lowest quality exotic beast meat is comparable to ten pounds of pork belly."

"After starting Martial Arts, a Martial Artist’s appetite will greatly increase. If they only eat ordinary meat, firstly, it’s not filling, and secondly, it tends to produce various impurities that can affect their future martial arts path. Therefore, as long as a student can achieve full body Qi and blood circulation, exotic beast meat is consistently provided, whether at an ordinary university or an academy."

"The real difference lies in Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine. It can be used in medicinal cuisine and medicinal baths to maximize the strengthening of a Martial Artist’s Qi and blood. No matter how abundant the resources, there are too many people. Exotic beasts can be crossbred and cultivated, but treasure medicine requires years to mature; use one, and there’s one less. One resource is essentially limitless; the other is finite."

...

The exchange of questions and answers continued. Some of the doubts in his heart gradually dissipated. Unconsciously, it was almost noon.

"Mr. Zheng, I’ve arranged for a meal..."

"Principal Zhang," Zheng Yanbo replied, "I appreciate your offer, but I have other commitments at noon. My apologies."

After politely declining Zhang Taining’s invitation, Zheng Yanbo turned to Jiang Shu. "You can note down my mobile number. I may not be able to help you much with Martial Arts itself, but regarding related matters, as long as regulations permit, I can still share some information."

"I hope that the next time we meet, Student Jiang Shu, you’ll have a big surprise for me."

He rose to his feet and waved goodbye to Zhang Taining and Jiang Shu.

"Safe journey, Mr. Zheng."

"Safe journey, Uncle Zheng."

They saw Zheng Yanbo to the school gate and watched the official government car disappear into the distance.

"Principal Zhang, I’m planning to go home and practice Martial Arts as well," Jiang Shu said. He didn’t intend to return to the classroom.

He had learned too much inside information today and needed time to digest it all properly.

"Alright. You can still come back to visit the school when you have time. As your principal, I wish you smooth and successful Martial Arts cultivation."

He hadn’t managed to keep Zheng Yanbo. Nor could he keep Jiang Shu. Zhang Taining couldn’t help but sigh internally. He adjusted his feelings and watched Jiang Shu leave.

「Outside the school at this moment.」

The clouds were white, the mountains green; the sky was vast, the earth expansive. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the trees lining the streets.

Jiang Shu walked along the street, imitating a tiger’s leisurely prowl. It seemed lax and effortless, but in reality, his mind was highly focused. His body was poised, circulating the Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique, ready to unleash a devastating strike at any moment.

Zheng Yanbo lived in Shengjing and had seen countless Martial Artists. He definitely knew that the practice of the Horse Stance progressed from fast to slow. From entry-level to small success, and from Great Success to Perfection, both seemed like crossing a minor stage. But in reality, the difference between them was like that between clouds and mud. Even so, his words were mostly encouraging, saying there was hope for the academy. He must also feel deep down that entering an academy was no easy feat.

However, what Zheng Yanbo understood was merely the martial arts progress according to the practice of the Horse Stance. He, Jiang Shu, had never planned to achieve full body Qi and blood circulation through the Horse Stance! The Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique. The Hungry Tiger Stance. This was his current path!

Key universities were certainly good. But how could they compare to the mere four academies in Xia Country!

If, before, wanting to enter an academy was just to give his parents a surprise, then now, Jiang Shu truly harbored such an ambition deep in his heart. It was like wild grass growing uncontrollably.

The academy is definitely not a symbol of ability or status. The academy *is* resources! Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine! Exotic beast meat! These were cultivation resources he had never even heard of in Pingling County. Even if such resources did exist there, they would undoubtedly be hidden deep within the County Yamen or among the great families, not easily obtainable by him! But on Xuanxing, in Xia Country, as long as he was admitted to an academy, such resources would be readily obtainable! In Martial Arts, one step ahead means every step ahead! He, Jiang Shu, must enter an academy!