My Arts Evolve When Perfected

"Jiang Qiu, this is Instructor Shangguan Yue from Northwest Martial University’s Refining Academy," Liu Zili explained. "She was in Gao Yuan City on business, so she found me and asked me to bring her to see you."

Liu Zili’s eyes curved into crescents, her smile as bright as a little girl finally eating cotton candy again after six long years.

"To be precise, I’m here to recruit you on behalf of my academy," Shangguan Yue said, glancing at Niu Yao. She tilted her head up at Jiang Qiu with a knowing smile, her voice carrying the spirit of a fiery fox yet flowing as gently as water. "Are you interested in pursuing the path of the Refining System?"

Her voice struck Niu Yao’s heart like a stone, sending a tremor through his chest. His brows furrowed, as if weighed down by a great boulder. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

’Why would Shangguan Yue, a genius instructor from the Refining Academy all the way from Jiangnan, personally come looking for Jiang Qiu?’

’This doesn’t make sense. Countless students are desperate to become her disciple, including some of the academy’s own peerless refining prodigies. Why would she go out of her way to find a high school student who’s never shown any talent for refining?’

’A respected instructor like her, coming to recruit someone in person... How... How am I supposed to compete with that?!’

Niu Yao’s lips twitched. He was about to interject when he met a casual glance from Shangguan Yue. Like a baby mouse facing a fox, he swallowed his words along with his frustration.

’My mentor didn’t explain the situation clearly. Jiang Qiu is just a prodigy from Gao Yuan City. Is it really necessary to go to all this trouble for him?’

’Tch, this recruitment mission just got a lot harder.’

"The Refining System?"

Jiang Qiu glanced back at Niu Yao, who stood frowning in silence. Then, his eyes fell on the "little sister" Shangguan Yue, who barely reached his chest. He secretly activated his [Dragon Eye].

"!!!"

’Niu Yao’s flame was crimson, about the same as Liu Qi’s. But Shangguan Yue’s flame was so red it was almost black, nearly on par with Principal Sun De of Eighth Middle School.’

’She’s really an instructor at Northwest Martial University? A Dharma Realm expert?!’

Jiang Qiu’s expression grew solemn. He spoke with sincerity, "Instructor Shangguan, the Refining System is for creating things like Su Fragrance, correct? I’ve never tried refining before. I have no experience at all."

’I just got back to Gao Yuan City. I haven’t even had time to visit the Inner City Mansion Director Zhao mentioned was a gift for me, let alone catch up on the latest about Northwest Martial University.’

’All I know is that it’s the only Martial Arts University in the Northwest Province. Northwest Martial University has numerous academies, each representing a major Martial Arts path: the Weapon Dao, Body Tempering Dao, Spirit Control Dao, Hundred Machines Dao, Refining Dao, Ancient Rune Dao, and more.’

’The only paths I’ve had any real contact with—and seen some success in—are the Weapon Dao and the Body Tempering Dao.’

’That’s what Director Zhao recommended, too. Besides, to eventually fight the Demon King, I have to walk a Martial Arts path focused on ultimate slaughter and combat.’

Jiang Qiu glanced back at Niu Yao and snorted to himself.

’But after all this, going to the Body Tempering Academy would probably leave a bad taste in my mouth.’

"Don’t worry about it, Jiang Qiu. Refining talent usually only awakens after someone becomes a Martial Artist. You’re still at the Cast Jade Sinews stage, right? You might just awaken a talent for refining once you officially become a Martial Artist."

Shangguan Yue chuckled, reaching up to pat Liu Zili on the right shoulder. "I’m planning on taking her as my personal disciple, you know. If you join us, you’ll have a familiar face. It won’t be like the Body Tempering Academy, where you don’t know anyone and could easily get bullied."

She shot a glance at Niu Yao—who was glaring like his namesake, the ox—then grinned and tilted her head back up to Jiang Qiu. "And if it turns out you really don’t want to learn refining, I can arrange a transfer to another academy for you, with a more suitable instructor."

Jiang Qiu’s eyes widened. He glanced at Liu Zili, who was avoiding his gaze, then met Shangguan Yue’s fiery, enthusiastic stare. He was taken aback. "Liu Zili is going to be your personal disciple?"

"That’s right. Her talent for paths like weapons or Body Tempering might not be prominent, but her current constitution is perfectly suited for mastering the Fiery Flame Spirit Charm for refining." Shangguan Yue put her left hand on her hip, proudly puffing out her chest as she patted Liu Zili’s back, which had gone stiff and was trembling slightly. "I have a gut feeling she’s going to be a prodigy who surpasses even me someday."

"Hehe..."

Liu Zili’s cheeks flushed crimson. Her gaze flickered to the large, conspicuous wooden barrel in the middle of the hall. Her heart hammered in her chest, and her fingers, clasped behind her back, had long since tangled themselves into the shape of a Snow Lotus Flower.

’When I got home, Instructor Shangguan Yue was already there visiting my parents. She even praised me, calling me a future refining genius, the likes of which have never been seen before.’

’I almost dismissed it as a little girl’s prank, but then she took out her official Martial Artist certification, and I was so happy I started jumping for joy.’

’Plus, the instructor was surprisingly petite, and so enthusiastic.’

’She was probably here for Jiang Qiu, that piece of uncarved jade. I was just a pebble she picked up along the way.’

’But even so, this is far beyond what I ever expected! An instructor recruiting a personal disciple on the spot... I heard that’s the kind of treatment reserved for the top ten prodigies of the provincial capital, or for a true genius with a special, latent talent... ’

Liu Zili’s heart swelled with glee. She secretly turned her face toward the corner of the room, listening to her own heartbeat, which sounded like a whistling kettle.

’The Refining Academy is where you learn to create things like Su Fragrance. And Instructor Shangguan Yue is a genius expert from Jiangnan, the heart of the refining industry. If I work hard and learn from her, maybe I’ll finally be able to help Jiang Qiu, right?’

’Even if it’s slow, even if it takes a lifetime to repay him, that’s still better than never being able to repay him at all...’

"Mm, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Liu Zili to have met you." Jiang Qiu’s lips curved into a smile, but his gaze was resolute and serious. "However, I don’t intend to join the Refining Academy. For me, mastering Slaughter Techniques is more important."

"Slaughter Techniques? Then you’re in luck! Our Body Tempering Academy specializes in strengthening the physical body and has numerous Secret Techniques for close-quarters combat."

Niu Yao seized the opening and boomed, his voice resonating from his Dantian. He stood tall, chest and broad shoulders puffed out, a smirk playing on his lips. His large hands seemed to clench around an aura of pure pride.

’I may not have the special privileges the instructors do to recruit a prospect like Jiang Qiu, but the reputation of the Body Tempering Academy speaks for itself. Our foundation is undeniable.’

’Besides, Jiang Qiu is a genius in Horizontal Training. How could he possibly not choose the Body Tempering Academy?’

’And as for my mentor, he’s one of the most powerful instructors in the entire Body Tempering Academy. It’s no exaggeration to say that even for a talent on the level of the provincial capital’s top ten prodigies, my mentor would be a top-tier choice.’

"Every academy has its own Slaughter Techniques. And the Soldier Cultivation Academy also specializes in combat-oriented Martial Arts," Shangguan Yue said, crossing her arms. She straightened her back and gave a light snort. "Besides, everyone in your Body Tempering Academy is a masochist. Every year, the freshmen do nothing but howl and cry during their body tempering. Who would willingly sign up for that?"

Niu Yao clenched his fists and jutted out his chin with a muffled grunt. "Body Tempering is supposed to require constant, arduous training! You think you can achieve a physical transformation just by soaking in a bath?"

Jiang Qiu grimaced, then happened to exchange a glance with Liu Zili.

’Weren’t all the students in that medicinal pool transformed?’

’And it wouldn’t be strange at all to achieve a transformation just by soaking in various Su Fragrance medicinal baths, without even needing training methods like the Ancient Martial Spear...’

Niu Yao raised an eyebrow and glanced down at Shangguan Yue, who looked like a middle schooler. A surge of confidence shot straight to the top of his Skull as he pulled his lips into a smirk. "Instructor Shangguan, you heard the man. Jiang Qiu isn’t interested in learning refining. As things stand, our Body Tempering Academy is the only suitable choice. As for the Soldier Cultivation Academy..."

"And what of the Soldier Cultivation Academy?"

Suddenly, an aged yet resonant voice drifted in from the street. It carried the weight of a Six Harmonies Spear descending from on high. The open door vibrated slightly. Niu Yao’s pupils instantly dilated, and his heart began to race.