Three days.
To practice the Flame Killing Fist until it's completely proficient, though it's still not at the level of being exemplary or extraordinary.
But in terms of sheer destructive power, with the strong physique refined by the "Infinite Divine Demon Body Refining Technique," Xu Lingjun can freely execute each difficult aspect of this fist technique, and purely in terms of destructive power, it's probably not inferior to those martial artists who have been training hard for several years.
He once tried, under full force, a punch was enough to directly turn a sandbag into charred ash.
This Flame Killing Fist not only contains extremely strong fist force but also has scorching qi force to assist, a dual-kill with one punch, it's downright brutal.
Except for not quite reaching absolute hard strength, Xu Lingjun feels that as long as nothing unforeseen happens, he should have no problem getting into Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion.
Even though, in terms of hard strength, he's still a level short.
But during this time, he'd been taking supplements to train his fists, his body and bones getting more resilient, and although he just broke through to Body Tempering Eighth Rank, he feels like in a few days he'll reach Body Tempering Ninth Rank.
This progress is nothing short of miraculous.
Then, on this day.
Wang Qingya finally could no longer tolerate Xu Lingjun blatantly using her back door.
She felt that ever since she became Xu Lingjun's teacher a few days ago, the frequency of him skipping classes had been rising linearly... Though she understands that with the Dragon Gate Examination approaching, Xu Lingjun wants more time to hone his martial skills, the Dragon Gate Examination tests aren't just about the Martial Tao courses, it's not that simple.
If the cultural courses aren't up to par, you'll still be caught blind!
So.
After being absent for a few days, Xu Lingjun was dragged back to the familiar classroom.
Class hadn't started yet, and right now, the classroom was bustling.
Everyone gathered in a heap, fiercely discussing something.
Amid the conversation, waves of noisy exclamations occasionally erupted, as if they'd heard some shocking news.
And the student sitting in the middle, practically being worshipped by everyone like a star surrounded by moons, had a face full of calmness, yet the corners of his eyes almost soared to the sky.
This student Xu Lingjun also recognized.
Li Lei, a prominent figure in the school whose strength had long reached Body Tempering Ninth Rank, just one step away from Qi Gathering Realm.
It's said that the reason he hadn't reached Qi Gathering Realm is because whether he enters the Martial Mansion or joins a sect, there would be high-level cultivation techniques far exceeding what his parents could provide at this level for him to practice.
He's suppressing his level, waiting for the Dragon Gate Examination.
In the eyes of the girls, Xu Lingjun is undoubtedly a person of excellence, but in the school, Li Lei is the true prominent figure.
Xu Lingjun knows that this time, with the sect recruiting five disciples, this guy is bound to win.
Upon noticing Xu Lingjun's entrance.
The female classmates who were heatedly discussing something with Li Lei promptly and tacitly took a few steps back, quickly distancing themselves from Li Lei.
Each assumed a polite and refined demeanor, returning to their seats.
Li Lei's face, which had been smugly gleaming, instantly turned sullen.
He felt that only when Xu Lingjun wasn't around could he receive the star treatment of being the center of attention.
Xu Lingjun, with a naturally composed demeanor, sat back beside Li Lei.
The chair was still warm; someone must have just sat in my chair secretly.
But he was used to this.
It's better compared to finding damp marks on the pen in my drawer last time.
Li Lei glanced at Xu Lingjun and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Xu Lingjun replied, "I'm a student. If I'm not here for class, then what? To flirt?"
"I thought you hadn't come to class these past few days because you were lost in Teacher Wang's wide, soft embrace and couldn't extricate yourself. The allure of a teacher's bosom is indeed more charming than those of schoolgirls, right?"
Li Lei taunted a bit.
Xu Lingjun replied, "You're talking nonsense, Teacher Wang's bosom isn't as big as you think, it's just that her waist is so slender it makes her chest appear bigger. Without her shirt, it's just an average size."
Li Lei felt as if his heart was stabbed fiercely, and even Guo Zheng, who was secretly eavesdropping, was nearly out of breath.
It took a while before Li Lei could compose himself again, casually saying, "By the way, Old Xu, you might not know this yet, but tomorrow morning we're starting the sect assessment. If nothing goes wrong, I might not participate in the Dragon Gate Examination."
He apologized, "Sorry, about our previous bet on who scores better treating the other to a meal at the best restaurant in Qingzhou City, that bet might be off."
He apologized, but the natural expression on his face showed pride, clearly flaunting to Xu Lingjun.
No matter how popular he was, a boy in his late teens at the prime of youth most anticipated the attention of the opposite sex... Unfortunately, no matter how outstanding his strength was, or how proficient his martial skills were, as long as he's near Xu Lingjun, those female classmates only pay attention to Xu Lingjun.
Ironically, both are seatmates and friends.
It left him without any sense of authority.
Wealth beyond measure, a fortune large enough to rival a country, so what?
At this age, girls are least interested in money.
Li Lei, born at the wrong time.
Xu Lingjun was surprised, "You're so confident?"
Li Lei complained, "The difficulty of this assessment is very high; we sixteen must team up to hunt down a Demon Beast Ghost Wolf that has eaten humans in the Outer Realm. Then based on our individual performances, the top five will be chosen to join the sect. Sixteen vying for five spots seems lenient, but these sixteen are the best from Qingyang High School, so the competition is fierce, and it's chosen based on a comprehensive score... A comprehensive score is so intangible, might as well say whoever kills the Demon Beast can join the sect."
Li Lei sighed, clearly portraying an image of a king leading fifteen bronzes, it's exhausting, this time he must go all out to lead them.
Xu Lingjun was surprised, "A Demon Beast eating people?!"
"Yes, there was a family of three in Qingzhou City recently who were completely devoured by a Demon Beast. You know, if a Demon Beast doesn't eat humans, that's one thing; once it does, it becomes addicted to human flesh and blood, and then it's unstoppable!"
Li Lei's eyes flashed with excitement, "This is truly fighting for life and death. Senior Sister said it bluntly enough, the path of a Martial Artist is either progress or regression; you can't always have someone to protect you, so this time it's just the sixteen of us going in without tutors, signing a life-and-death agreement. If we encounter a life-threatening situation, there's real risk of losing our lives. Thinking about it now, I'm a bit nervous."
"Be careful, Leizi."
Xu Lingjun exhales heavily, saying, "I've been to the Outer Realm, a Demon Beast that has eaten humans and one that hasn't are two completely different creatures. Sixteen of you hunting a Demon Beast sounds like bullying the beast, but the Outer Realm isn't just about Demon Beasts, and moreover, if your hearts aren't united, infighting is the most treacherous thing in the Outer Realm... I feel whoever thought of this idea, either has a screw loose or hasn't realized the cruelty of human nature."
Li Lei earnestly said, "Xu Lingjun, enough, I'm used to you humiliating me, but I won't allow you to disrespect Senior Sister. She's so nice; knowing I'm your friend, she specially reminded me of many taboos in the sect assessment, and she even quietly asked me to ask you if you'd like to participate in the assessment. If you would, she could find a way to help you breakthrough to Body Tempering Ninth Rank!"
Beside him, Guo Zheng was surprised, "Really?"
"It should be false, after all, Old Xu played disappearing act these days, I haven't even had a chance to ask, yet she suddenly found me, saying no, you can't join the Sun and Moon Bright Sect!"
Li Lei said, "If I didn't know no woman would dare toy with Old Xu, I'd suspect she's toying with him too."
Xu Lingjun speechlessly said, "Alright, stop slandering the girl, I barely know her, why would she want to toy with me? But as for you, Leizi, be careful, don't die only to let us collect your body afterwards."
"With your help, how could I die?"
Xu Lingjun curiously asked, "How could I help you?"
Li Lei hesitated for a moment, slightly embarrassed, saying, "I remember your dad was Qingzhou City's most formidable scavenger back then, scavenging an area once and ending up with a 300-square foot large house being quite inspiring at the time. I don't believe he wouldn't have left you with any tactics or a map of Demon Beast territories."
Xu Lingjun, upon hearing this, reluctantly said, "There are indeed some, but those are things left to me by my dad..."
Li Lei sentimentally said, "Dad, help me."
Xu Lingjun: "........."