"Ha ha, you've got some nerve to fight back. I'll show you the vast difference between Body Refining level five and level four!" Lu Feng declared.

Like Wang Hui, Lu Feng was a student in the intermediate class who followed Zhang Hai, hoping to benefit from the Zhang Clan's influence. Many like them, aware of their mediocre martial talents, saw the intermediate class as their limit. Graduating with a Body Refining level five or six cultivation from the Martial Hall's intermediate class could earn them a decent position in the Zhang Clan.

Their commotion caught the attention of some students heading to the Library Pavilion. Many worried for Luo Xiu, as Lu Feng was a Body Refining level five from the intermediate class, while Luo Xiu was just a beginner class student.

"Bang!"

The sound of a fist colliding with a palm echoed, and Lu Feng's body suddenly stiffened. His lips trembled, and his face turned pale.

"Ah!..."

A painful scream erupted from Lu Feng's mouth, sharp and piercing. His face was ashen as he staggered back, his entire right arm hanging limp, the bones in his right hand completely shattered.

"Lu Feng!" Wang Hui's expression changed, shocked that his Body Refining level five companion was defeated by Luo Xiu in a single move.

Lu Feng howled in pain, his body trembling uncontrollably from the agony of his broken bones.

Luo Xiu remained expressionless. "You broke the Martial Hall's rules and tried to stop me from entering the Library Pavilion. You brought this on yourself!"

As he spoke, Luo Xiu's cold gaze turned to Wang Hui. "Do you still want to stop me now?"

Though these two were a level higher in cultivation, Luo Xiu no longer regarded the intermediate class's Body Refining level five students as a threat.

Feeling Luo Xiu's gaze like a fierce tiger ready to pounce, Wang Hui felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, cold sweat pouring out as he struggled to breathe.

But remembering Zhang Hai's backing, Wang Hui forced himself to calm down and shouted angrily, "Luo Xiu, how dare you defy authority and trespass into the Library Pavilion, attacking the guards! The Martial Hall will not tolerate such arrogance!"

His words were lies, but Wang Hui spoke with righteous indignation, his inner qi surging.

"I've seen shameless people, but none as brazen as you. Everyone here can testify that you broke the rules first, yet you dare to accuse me and act so righteous?" Luo Xiu's voice grew colder.

"Exactly, just because they're in the intermediate class doesn't mean they can look down on others. Luo Xiu is clearly already at Body Refining level four, and by the rules, he can enter the Library Pavilion to choose martial arts, yet they won't let him in."

"Right, these lackeys think they can do whatever they want with the backing of a big family."

"But Luo Xiu is truly impressive, defeating a Body Refining level five martial apprentice from the intermediate class with one punch."

The surrounding discussions made Wang Hui's face increasingly unsightly. He knew he had no moral ground, but if he crippled Luo Xiu, the Martial Hall wouldn't likely punish him for dealing with a cripple, especially with Zhang Hai as his support.

With this thought, he grew bolder and shouted angrily, "Luo Xiu, how dare you slander me! Wild Wolf Fist!"

He charged at Luo Xiu, throwing a punch that seemed to roar like a ferocious wolf, its momentum terrifying!

"Since you keep blocking my way, I'll carve a path for myself. Get out of my way!"

Tired of these two pests, Luo Xiu met the incoming fist with his own, aiming for the hardest bone, meeting force with force!

As the two fists collided, Wang Hui suddenly let out a sharp scream.

"Ah, my hand!"

He flew into the Scripture Pavilion as if hit by a speeding truck! In front of Luo Xiu, there was no longer any obstacle, the path to the Scripture Pavilion now clear!

"What just happened?"

Everyone was stunned once again. Lu Feng and Wang Hui, both Body Refining level five, were undoubtedly stronger than level four, yet both suffered at Luo Xiu's hands in a single move.

"Is Luo Xiu's fist made of iron? There must be something more to this."

"The Wild Ox Fist is only a Grade-One Martial Technique. When did it become so powerful?"

The crowd was bewildered, unable to see the hidden mystery with their limited knowledge as Martial Hall students.

"Now that I'm entering the Library Pavilion, do any of you have objections?"

Luo Xiu didn't bother looking at the two wailing on the ground like beaten dogs and stepped forward.

"Luo Xiu, don't be so arrogant. Offending Young Master Zhang will bring you nothing but trouble!" Wang Hui shouted, his voice fierce but lacking confidence.

At the Library Pavilion's entrance, Luo Xiu saw an elderly man with white hair and beard sitting cross-legged. Throughout Luo Xiu's conflict with Wang Hui and Lu Feng, this elder had kept his eyes closed, ignoring the commotion.

Conflicts and struggles among Martial Hall students were a form of natural selection, a rule of survival of the fittest. As long as no one died, the Martial Hall wouldn't intervene.

This elder was the Martial Hall Elder responsible for guarding the Library Pavilion. In Luo Xiu's eyes, the elder's vital meridians glowed with a rich green light.

"Innate Realm Martial Master!" Luo Xiu's eyes narrowed, sensing the powerful force within the elder, far surpassing the Qi Sea Realm martial artist, Teacher Lu.

"Junior class student Luo Xiu greets the Elder." Luo Xiu saluted and said, "I've reached Body Refining level four and wish to enter the Library Pavilion to select Grade-Two martial arts."

The Martial Hall Elder slowly opened his eyes, glanced at Luo Xiu, and nodded. "Go in."

"Thank you, Elder." Luo Xiu replied and then turned to enter the Library Pavilion.

The elder had witnessed the conflict between Luo Xiu, Lu Feng, and Wang Hui. Defeating a Body Refining level five with level four wasn't uncommon, so he didn't pay much attention. For someone at the Innate Realm, the Body Refining Realm was too low to warrant concern.

The Library Pavilion housed numerous martial arts, with the highest grade said to reach Grade-Four. Only the most outstanding Martial Hall students were eligible to learn them.

For Luo Xiu, Grade-Four martial arts were still a distant goal. For now, Grade-Two martial arts were his target.

With his Body Refining level four cultivation, Luo Xiu could select martial arts, internal cultivation, and movement techniques from the first floor.

On the first floor, Luo Xiu saw several Martial Hall students, also there to choose martial arts.

"Wind-Cleaving Palm, Fierce Tiger Fist, Willow Fluff Movement Technique, Windward Step..."

The martial arts manuals were diverse and numerous, dazzling to the eyes.

The martial arts were categorized into cultivation method area, martial technique area, and movement technique area.

Luo Xiu first looked at the cultivation method area, where most were Grade-One methods, with a few Grade-Two.

Low-grade methods were generally similar, so Luo Xiu chose a common Grade-Two internal cultivation, the Muscle and Bone Refining Art.

This method was best suited for martial apprentices in the muscle refining and bone tempering stages, allowing cultivation up to Body Refining level six.

The meridians and acupoints involved offered more flexibility and potential for improvement than the Grade-One basic internal cultivation Luo Xiu had practiced before.

Next, Luo Xiu went to the martial technique area. Martial arts training emphasized gradual progress. Since he had a foundation in the Wild Ox Fist, Luo Xiu chose another fist technique, the Dragon-Tiger Fist, as his Grade-Two martial technique.

This fist technique was known for its power and explosive force, ranking among the top in Grade-Two martial techniques. Many Martial Hall students practiced it, but few mastered it to a high level.

For movement technique, Luo Xiu chose "Inch Step," a technique for quick movement within a small space. It was easy to start but difficult to master.

Satisfied with his three Grade-Two martial arts selections, Luo Xiu was about to leave when a soft, gentle voice called out, "Luo Xiu?"

Turning towards the voice, Luo Xiu saw a girl in a blue dress looking at him.

"Miss Liu." Luo Xiu smiled and nodded in greeting.

The girl in the blue dress was Liu Yuxin, once the object of Luo Xiu's secret affection. Back then, he was a non-notable Body Refining level two in the junior class, while she was a Body Refining level six in the intermediate class.

It was because of her that Luo Xiu had clashed with Zhang Hao, leading to subsequent conflicts.

In the past, Luo Xiu would have felt timid and inferior in her presence, but the fusion with the Life and Death Pearl had given him immense confidence, changing his attitude towards Liu Yuxin.

Liu Yuxin looked at Luo Xiu with surprise. "I didn't expect you to reach Body Refining level four. I remember you were at level two just a few days ago."

"Hehe, I just got lucky and broke through." Luo Xiu replied with a smile.

"But the assessment is in three months. If you can't reach Body Refining level five, what will you do?" Liu Yuxin smiled gently. "If you have nowhere to go, you can come to the Liu Clan. I can arrange for you to be a guard."

"A guard for the Liu Clan?"

Luo Xiu's expression turned a bit strange as he looked at Liu Yuxin, suddenly understanding her intention.

She likely felt guilty for him getting beaten up after standing up for her against Zhang Hao and thought he wouldn't pass the assessment in three months, so she wanted to find him a path.

In the past, Luo Xiu might have seriously considered her suggestion, but now, he didn't see the upcoming assessment as a concern at all.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Liu. I will pass the assessment in three months." Luo Xiu said calmly.

His demeanor exuded an indescribable confidence, surprising Liu Yuxin.

"Ungrateful fool, do you really think you can reach Body Refining level five in three months?"

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan