Before they knew it, it was time for Training Ground Eight to distribute resources again.

Fifteen top students gathered in the center of the grounds, casually wiping the damp, fluorescent sheen from their cheeks as they chatted and laughed. "We’ve really struck it rich! This month, every one of us gets at least one portion of Wusu Fragrance. I feel like I might have a shot at reaching the Copper Skin Realm too!"

"Of course you have a shot! Reaching the Copper Skin Realm gives you a much better chance of passing the college entrance exams!"

"In the end, it’s all thanks to Brother Jiang. Without him, there’s no way the school would have given us so many resources... Brother Jiang!"

A sudden cry made everyone turn toward the glass door that had just slid open. Their faces were flushed, and their voices surged like a tidal wave: "Hello, Brother Jiang!"

"Brother Jiang is here to ’inspect’ us!"

Jiang Qiu strolled in with the spear-wielding Liu Zili, a faint smile on his lips. "Quite lively in here..."

His hands were empty and his breathing was even. If not for the faint traces of sweat on his cheeks, he would have looked just like a leader dropping by for a quick look.

Although he no longer needed to prove his strength for this resource distribution, he still had to come and collect his Wusu Fragrance...

Soon, Wu Shan strode into Training Ground Eight carrying a metal alloy case. The bustling chatter of the crowd was silenced by the sound of his footsteps, and all eyes turned to him, burning with anticipation.

"Ahem. It is once again time for Training Ground Eight to distribute resources. I have already explained the new distribution rules to each of you," Wu Shan’s solitary right eye swept over all the students, a hint of thunderous resolve within it. "Jiang Qiu alone will receive six portions of Wusu Fragrance. This is non-negotiable; it is the result of a meeting between two directors and numerous teachers.

"As for everyone else receiving at least one portion, this is an opportunity Jiang Qiu has brought you, and it is also the result of your own efforts during the practical training hunt."

"I had initially thought that some of you would drag down the average, but it seems the student with the lowest kill count isn’t from our training ground. I am very pleased with this. You all have a good chance of getting into Northwest Martial University."

After finishing his spiel of encouragement, Wu Shan unfolded a list, his voice booming like thunder. "Now, based on the kill counts from the practical training hunt, I will announce the list of those who will receive two portions of Wusu Fragrance!

"Xie Kuang, 45 Black Armored Lizards and one Red Armored Giant Lizard killed. Two portions."

"Wang Guanjia, 56 Black Armored Lizards killed. Two portions."

"Zhang Shan, 23 Black Armored Lizards killed. Two portions."

"Li Si, 22 Black Armored Lizards killed. Two portions." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Pi Wu, 16 Black Armored Lizards killed. Two portions."

Aside from Jiang Qiu, this list was identical to last month’s. The strong students remained on top.

At this, the crowd’s clenched fists couldn’t help but relax, and they sighed inwardly. ’Their kill counts are the highest, as expected. But at least I’m getting one portion of Wusu Fragrance, which is still excellent...’

But before that thought could even fade, a sharp cry, like a startled bird taking flight, shattered their reverie. "Teacher, I want to challenge Pi Wu!"

Everyone’s head swiveled toward the short-haired girl who had stepped past Jiang Qiu, their expressions dumbfounded. "Huh?"

’Sixteen kills?!’

That number wasn’t exceptionally high, but it was enough to make the list. Pi Wu was a student who had received Wusu Fragrance for many months, earning him the nickname Brother Pi.

Since Zhang Shan and Li Si had already developed Copper Skin, he was the student in Training Ground Eight closest to the Copper Skin Realm. He had mastered a trace of Hidden Force and was currently studying Spearpoint Armor-Piercing.

Liu Zili, on the other hand, had come from the ordinary class with Jiang Qiu. She had barely been practicing the spear for a month, was usually cold and quiet, and aside from suppressing the least talented student, Hu Ye’ye, at the very beginning, she had never competed with anyone.

If it weren’t for her closeness to Jiang Qiu and her face being cleaner than Hu Ye’ye’s powdered-white one, it was likely no one would have paid her any attention.

Now that she was challenging Pi Wu, it felt absurd, like an amateur trying to teach a master his own craft...

Everyone frowned, pondered, and recalled, sinking into deep thought. Their myriad thoughts coalesced into a single, sorrowful sigh.

’Liu Zili probably spent a few days learning the spear from Jiang Qiu at the Archery Range and mistakenly took his Spear Sense for her own.’

’No one doubted Jiang Qiu’s Talent and strength, but how could a few days possibly be enough?’

’Such a naive girl. A pity she doesn’t recognize her own limits...’

"A challenge for Pi Wu, is it?" Wu Shan raised his right eyebrow, sizing up the girl who had stepped forward before glancing at Jiang Qiu. "Very well. The kill count is just a reference; what’s more important is potential."

"If any of you believe your potential surpasses others on the list, you are free to issue a challenge. If you win, I am more than willing to allocate more resources to you."

At these words, Pi Wu, standing in the crowd, smiled and shook his head. He strode forward, holding a Six Harmonies Spear.

Liu Zili clenched her fist and glanced back at Jiang Qiu. Seeing his light smile and nod, she raised her spear and advanced.

’More Wusu Fragrance means greater potential for growth. The opportunity is right in front of me, how could I possibly pass it up?’

’Seizing an opportunity is like gripping a spear. The moment you let go is the moment the fight is over. You either live to the end or die along the way.’

’I can understand and learn Jiang Qiu’s Spear Sense, bit by bit. I believe I’m suited for martial arts, and I deserve to fight for more Wusu Fragrance for myself!’

CREAK—

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening interrupted the brewing atmosphere. Zhao Gongzheng walked in with his hands behind his back. His calm gaze swept over the two who were about to compete, and he chuckled. "Haven’t you finished distributing the resources yet?"

"Director Zhao, is something the matter?"

Wu Shan’s right eye widened in surprise.

"I’m here to see Jiang Qiu. No rush," Zhao Gongzheng said, giving Jiang Qiu a deep look, the corners of his lips turning up involuntarily. "We can talk after the match is over."

Hearing this, everyone’s gaze refocused on Liu Zili and Pi Wu. Pi Wu’s expression turned solemn as he flourished his spear, the tip a vibrating blur. A raw, powerful aura erupted from him.

’I was just going to take it easy,’ he thought. ’After all, she’s close to Brother Jiang; I can’t make her lose face for him. But now Director Zhao is here. If I don’t go all out, I’ll be losing face for all of Training Ground Eight.’

’Forget it. I’ll still hold back a little. I can’t make Brother Jiang uncomfortable...’

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a clear shout rang out from across the field:

"Top student Liu Zili, requesting a match with top student Pi Wu!"

...

BANG!

A spear was knocked from its owner’s grasp. Immediately after, a cold glint shot toward Pi Wu’s brow. He swallowed hard, his mouth turning down as a chill like a cold stream ran down his spine.

’Damn it, I couldn’t have won even if I didn’t hold back!’

’She really did learn a sliver of Spear Sense from Brother Jiang!’

"Holy shit... her understanding of Mingjin and Hidden Force is already better than Brother Pi’s! It seems she’s on par with Brother Shan and Fourth Brother!"

"The force she used to knock away that spear... that’s at least at the Copper Skin Realm!"

"The key is that her spear strikes actually have a hint of Brother Jiang’s style! How else could her Spear Technique have suppressed Brother Pi?!"

"I want to learn Spear Sense from Brother Jiang too!"

The crowd was astonished. Zhang Shan and Li Si were stunned. Wang Guanjia raised an eyebrow slightly, looking toward the empty-handed young man who was watching the fight. ’Can you really comprehend Spear Sense just by practicing with Jiang Qiu at the Archery Range?!’

Jiang Qiu blinked, his lips pursed in thought.

’So her Talent is actually better than most people’s?’

’No wonder after I trained with her a few times, I could find a trace of that familiar Spear Sense in her. It felt... comfortable, like planting a flower and watering it...’

"The match is over. Pi Wu’s spot goes to Liu Zili. Does anyone else wish to issue a challenge?"

Wu Shan’s dull eyes glinted as they rested on Jiang Qiu and Liu Zili for a moment. He called out, but when no one spoke, he opened the alloy case and began distributing the resources according to the new list.

Zhao Gongzheng raised an eyebrow, glancing at the grinning Liu Zili as she accepted her two portions of Wusu Fragrance. After a moment of thought, he strolled over to Jiang Qiu. He brought his hands out from behind his back, revealing two small, gold-inlaid metal boxes resting in his palms.

The lid of the box on the left was engraved with the insignia of the Military Department.

The lid of the box on the right was engraved with the insignia of the Martial Education Department.