"Spear Technique Mastery, proficient in Bow Technique, and the Iron Flesh Realm... Jiang Qiu, you have a real chance of passing the Military Department’s test," Zhao Gongzheng said, patting Jiang Qiu’s damp right shoulder with a slight smile. "With your talent, you should be able to complete your training in the Iron Flesh Realm before the college entrance exams. I’ve already asked a friend in Jiangnan to find you a Middle Level Su Fragrance for Body Refining. It will be a great help when you’re ready to train for the Steel Bone Realm."

"A Middle Level Su Fragrance?" Jiang Qiu’s pupils quivered, his heart pounding in his chest. "Director Zhao, you’ve gone to too much trouble."

’Qiang Su Fragrance is a type of Middle Level Su Fragrance. If Director Li Ang of the resources department hadn’t prepared it specially for me, I wouldn’t have gotten it even with my top performance in the practical training hunt.’

’These kinds of Martial Arts Resources are all state-controlled. They’re incredibly precious and not easy to come by.’

’The value of a single portion of Middle Level Su Fragrance... is nearly impossible to quantify.’

"Trouble? Cultivating prodigies is my duty. It’s no trouble at all. A resource’s true value is only realized when it’s put to its best use. Otherwise, a Middle Level Su Fragrance would just be a name with no substance."

Meeting Zhao Gongzheng’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qiu felt a jolt run through him. He straightened up and said with earnest sincerity, "I will never forget your guidance, Director Zhao."

’He supported me during the practical training hunt, helped me apply for the Prodigy Program, and took the initiative to find a Middle Level Su Fragrance for me... These are debts of gratitude I can never fully repay.’

’Right now, I’m not even a true Martial Artist. All I can do is focus on training, get stronger, and fight to get into the Prodigy Program to secure more resources. I have to earn a spot among the top ten prodigies in the college entrance exams and bring honor to Director Zhao.’

’Given time, once I have enough influence of my own, I will repay these debts!’

As he was thinking, a question suddenly popped into his mind, and he blurted out, "Oh, right, Director Zhao. What exactly is the Military Department’s test? I’ve already won the challenge against Liu Yong, so that test should be next, right?"

"Hmm... The specific details are classified, so I don’t know everything myself. However, it’s highly likely to involve killing Demon Beasts," Zhao Gongzheng said, his brow furrowing and his expression turning grave. "Within the Military Department, any test involving killing Demon Beasts is typically a live combat scenario that all students in the Prodigy Program must face. It’s very difficult to fully guarantee the safety of the students.

Every year, the various talents in the Prodigy Program are screened through these military tests. The ones who are chosen as Optimizers receive even more resources for their training. The competition is fierce. In fact, not long ago, a prodigy who had been an Optimizer for two years straight was killed by a Demon Beast. That death has spurred many other geniuses to set their sights on that resource-rich position.

A test like this is not much different from a small-scale war. In reality, even those with power far exceeding a Martial Artist’s will be fighting, too preoccupied to look out for anyone else.

General Mo has given me his word. If you can pass the Military Department’s test, you will directly fill that now-vacant Optimizer spot. You’ll gain access to the military’s Virtual Training Pods and also receive a portion of Gong Su Fragrance.

It’s incredibly difficult. When I first heard about this opportunity, I honestly didn’t have much hope..."

He paused, his gaze like that of a master craftsman studying a piece of uncut jade. "But you... you’re progressing at an incredible rate. I believe you have a chance to pass the Military Department’s test and become an Optimizer in the Prodigy Program!

Give it your all. Leave no room for regret!"

"Yes!"

Jiang Qiu clenched his fist in response.

...

The challenge was over, and the excitement that had flared up died down like a fire plunged into the ocean. The top students who had been watching gradually dispersed, and soon, the twang of bowstrings once again filled the Archery Range, sounding like a sudden downpour.

TWANG—WHOOSH—

TWANG—WHOOSH—

White dots spun slowly across the black screen wall. After tracing a short arc, each one was struck by an arrowhead, exploding in a ripple of white light.

[Advanced Archery Training x1]

[Advanced Archery Training x1]

[...]

[Ancient Martial Arrow (Novice)]

[50/500]

In a single day, he could now fire fifty arrows without straining his arm muscles. In concert with his [Blood Circulation] ability, it felt as if he were nourishing his internal organs. His Qi Blood Circulation improved, and the rhythm of his shooting grew faster.

[Iron Flesh]

[651/1000]

’The progress on my Physical Body Realm isn’t bad either. At this rate, half a month should be enough to break through to the Steel Bone Realm.’

CLICK—

Stepping through the great steel doors, Jiang Qiu tilted his head back to look at the sky full of red clouds against the darkening heavens. ’It’s almost dark again, and I didn’t even notice.’

He let out a breath and shook his head, striding away from the elite training hall.

"Jiang Qiu!"

He paused. As he turned, he saw a petite figure pop out from behind the training hall’s outer wall. Waving, she ran toward him, a bright-eyed smile on her face. "You’re spending even more time here now that you’re going to the Archery Range than you did when you were just practicing your spear."

"Drawing a bow strains the muscles, so I have to take longer breaks. That’s why I’m here so long," Jiang Qiu said, studying the girl in front of him. A flicker of recognition crossed his face. "Were you going to my house today to get the barrel?"

"There’s no need," Liu Zili said with a smile, shaking her head. "When my dad found out I didn’t have one, he made another barrel at his work and brought it home. I’m planning to take my Wusu Fragrant Medicine Bath tonight."

"I’m sorry about that, making you wait so many days to use your Wusu Fragrance..."

As he said this, Jiang Qiu’s brow twitched and he inwardly clicked his tongue.

’If her dad hadn’t made a new barrel, was she planning on using the one I’d already used for her medicine bath...?’

At that thought, Jiang Qiu shook his head, quickly banishing the steamy image of a fragrant bath that had just popped into his mind.

’Once the payout from the practical training hunt comes through, she’ll have an income of several hundred thousand. She definitely won’t be hurting for a wooden barrel.’

’Right. No point in overthinking things that didn’t happen.’

"No delay, really! There are still six days until this month’s resource distribution day, so I’m not in a rush," Liu Zili said, shaking her head vigorously. Her breath was warm. "A lot of students get much stronger after their first Wusu Fragrant Medicine Bath. I just want to reach the Copper Skin Realm as soon as possible so I can qualify for a second portion of Wusu Fragrance.

Wang Guanjia has already broken through to the Copper Skin Realm and has almost completely grasped Hidden Force. Zhang Shan and Li Si have also developed their Copper Skin, and their Hidden Force is stronger than before.

I’m hoping I can also compete for a spot and get more Wusu Fragrance..."

As her voice trailed off, her bright eyes darted toward Jiang Qiu. She stole a glance at his profile before quickly looking away, her gaze falling to the cracks in the paving stones at her feet. "After you finish practicing with the Qi Blood Bow at the Archery Range... do you still practice your spear? Could I... watch and learn?"

’Now that Teacher Wu Shan has gone to teach the complete Ancient Martial Spear Technique to Class 8, everyone in Training Ground 8 is just practicing on their own. Wang Guanjia and Xie Kuang can practice by themselves with imposing, tiger-like ferocity, while Zhang Shan, Li Si, and the others are tirelessly sparring in pairs.’

’Ever since this morning, when everyone saw Jiang Qiu break the [Hundred Shadows Stab] with a single thrust, their enthusiasm has been soaring. They’re all dreaming that they, too, might one day grasp Spear Sense...’

’Spear Sense isn’t a specific Spear Skill from the Mastery Realm, and it doesn’t have a strict definition. What if I could develop it one day, too?’

With this thought in her heart, Liu Zili clenched her fists, her heart thumping in her chest.

’If I could just learn a fraction of the power behind his Spear Sense, maybe even I—someone who started Martial Arts so late—could make it into the top five and secure that monthly portion of Wusu Fragrance in six days.’

’But he’s always alone at the Archery Range. Would I be disturbing him if I asked to watch? What if I affect his focus for archery or spear practice...’

"Practice my spear?" Jiang Qiu said with a light laugh. "Of course. If you want to come, you should just need to ask Teacher Wu Shan for permission to enter the Archery Range.

But if you watch me practice, you might be influenced by my Spear Sense. That kind of influence on your Martial Arts path isn’t something to take lightly. If it’s not a good fit for you, forcing it could cause you lifelong harm..."

"Hehe, just being able to learn about Spear Sense from you is good enough for me," Liu Zili said, her face breaking into a radiant smile, her eyes twinkling like stars in the night. "I’ve never expected to get very far on the path of Martial Arts. Gaining even one new skill is a victory."

"Alright. Keep up the good work."

The tall and short figures walked out of the school grounds together, their shadows stretching long before them in the setting sun.