Chapter 108: A Hidden Dragon Should Not Be Used

Martial Arts Academy, Azure Dragon Branch, Qinghua Building.

From the window on the third floor, one could overlook the beautiful, pristine lawn outside, see the ten-meter-tall metallic statue of an azure dragon at the academy entrance, and watch students arrive at Qinghua Building for dinner in small groups.

As the cafeteria of the branch, Qinghua Building featured an interior that was both elegantly classical and elegantly modern. The tables were made of beautiful solid wood, with embroidered cushions on the seats. Through the transparent kitchen windows, dozens of staff members could be seen busy preparing dinner. Dressed in clean white uniforms, they appeared spotless, well-trained, and orderly. The students dining were equally quiet. The vast cafeteria felt more like a high-end restaurant, exuding an air of luxury from within and without.

Gao Wu, visiting for the first time, looked around with curiosity. Fortunately, they were in a private room where no one could see inside, meaning no one could witness the head of the Azure Dragon Branch, An Ziru, personally hosting these two teenagers.

"Do try the braised bear paw; it's one of our signature dishes here at Qinghua Building."

An Ziru’s face, usually as cold and stern as a man’s, softened into a rare smile. She warmly encouraged Gao Wu and Song Mingyue to eat. Although Qinghua Building was a cafeteria, its ability to process ingredients—especially those from the Otherworld—was top-tier, even by the standards of the Northern Province.

The braised bear paw remained intact, its appearance a glistening, deep red, with a thick, aromatic sauce. Most impressively, the paw was half a meter square, a size that felt almost exaggerated.

As the host, An Ziru took the first bite. Only then did Gao Wu and Song Mingyue pick up their chopsticks; this was not only out of respect for a Martial Arts Master but also a basic courtesy as guests. The bear paw was tender yet chewy, a texture that invited one to chew and savor it slowly.

"How is it?" An Ziru asked.

Gao Wu smiled and praised, "I’m not very experienced, but it’s incredibly flavorful and delicious!" As a high school student, he didn't need to be overly flattering. Judging by An Ziru’s demeanor, she wouldn't appreciate that anyway. He simply stated his honest feelings. Song Mingyue nodded, indicating she felt the same.

An Ziru smiled. "If you like it, eat more. The preparation isn't difficult, but the freshness of the ingredients is key. The seasons in the Otherworld differ from ours, and this paw is quite fatty—it’s the perfect time for it..."

Gao Wu didn't stand on ceremony. Such a large bear paw was rich in Source Force particles, far beyond the digestive capacity of an ordinary person. Even with his appetite, he had to go all out to finish it. In the presence of a Martial Arts Master, there was no need to pretend. He tucked in, eating heartily; the dish was well-seasoned and grew more delicious with every bite.

"This bear paw is brimming with Source Force. What level of exotic beast was this?" Gao Wu asked.

"Level five." An Ziru’s expression turned complex. "In recent years, the Source Force tide in the Otherworld has become increasingly turbulent, and level-five beasts have become more common. Some even slip into the secret realms and take root there."

Speaking of this, An Ziru felt a weight of worry. As the buffer zone between two worlds, the secret realms were gradually being dominated by Otherworld life. If this continued, it wouldn't be many years before these lifeforms invaded the real world, bringing catastrophe to humanity. However, she didn't dwell on these topics; for teenagers like Gao Wu and Song Mingyue, such matters were too heavy and too distant. Young people rarely possessed such a sense of responsibility, and excessive preaching would only lead to rebellion.

True responsibility was cultivated through the example of leaders and an individual’s love for their life and their world. Responsibility was not a burden, but the most stable and powerful anchor an individual could have. Without understanding this, a forced sense of duty would only bring suffering.

Once Gao Wu and Song Mingyue had finished eating, An Ziru smiled and said, "The reason I invited you both to eat today is simply to have a chat. You both intend to apply to our Martial Arts Academy, don't you?"

***

There is a saying that a person’s character at age three can be seen at eighty. While an exaggeration, the saying that "nature is hard to change" holds truth. A person’s fundamental personality is difficult to alter. An Ziru wouldn't claim to see through the very core of Gao Wu and Song Mingyue, but she could get a general sense. Both had clear growth trajectories, especially Gao Wu, who had left many traces along his path.

An Ziru was deeply impressed by Gao Wu's performance in the preliminary rounds. Song Mingyue was reserved and indifferent without being cryptic or strange, while Gao Wu was passionate and cheerful yet tough and iron-willed; the two presented an interesting contrast. Whether in the Northern Province or the entire Alliance, both deserved the title of genius. Having discovered such talents ahead of others, she naturally couldn't let them slip away.

Gao Wu and Song Mingyue understood her meaning and nodded in unison. The Anjing University Martial Arts Academy was the strongest specialized institution in the Northern Province, overseen by four Martial Arts Grandmasters and numerous Martial Arts Masters. In terms of sheer combat power, the university was astonishingly strong. Entering the academy meant standing among the top young elites, and the connections alone were a massive fortune. Becoming a personal disciple of a Martial Arts Master meant joining a powerful faction; if one were lucky enough to become the personal disciple of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, it would be a meteoric rise. Since they were studying in the Northern Province, Gao Wu and Song Mingyue had no other choice.

An Ziru nodded. "Since you both have the intent, I will provide you with special invitation letters. You will not need an interview; with these, you can be directly admitted to the Azure Dragon Academy."

"Thank you, Dean An."

"Thank you."

Gao Wu and Song Mingyue thanked her simultaneously, though Song Mingyue was more reserved while Gao Wu beamed.

Song Mingyue asked softly, "Dean An, I heard that admitted students are divided into different grades corresponding to different benefits. May I ask what grade we would receive?" She and Gao Wu had an unspoken agreement: Gao Wu would be the polite one, while she would be the one to address the practical interests.

The Martial Arts Academy evaluated students into four grades—A, B, C, and D—subdivided into twelve levels, each corresponding to different training resources. Given that this concerned their path of cultivation, she had to ask clearly.

An Ziru understood this well and replied sternly, "Both of you are rated at the highest level: A-Plus. You will each be granted 10,000 points per semester, which can be freely exchanged for corresponding resources. However, while A-Plus is excellent, it comes with responsibilities. You will be evaluated every semester and must complete tasks assigned by the school."

In terms of exchange value, one point was worth one thousand credits. Cultivating an A-Plus student meant the academy would spend 100 million over five years. Although it couldn't be calculated simply as cash, the cost was substantial. To pay such a price, the school naturally expected to cultivate talents useful to the Alliance.

An Ziru softened her expression and added, "Resources for A-Plus students are limited in each branch, and the academy encourages healthy competition. You will face immense pressure, so prepare yourselves mentally."

Song Mingyue and Gao Wu exchanged a glance. Gao Wu said proactively, "With rights come responsibilities. We understand this."

"That is good." An Ziru nodded with satisfaction. To become a powerhouse, one must face intense competition. If one cannot even surpass their peers, they have no right to be a powerhouse. She said to Gao Wu, "Your promotion to Martial Artist has relieved a great deal of pressure for me."

Giving Gao Wu an A-Plus rating was primarily based on his meritorious deeds in the preliminary rounds, but that matter was sensitive and couldn't be made public. If others saw Gao Wu receiving an A-Plus rating, they would inevitably question the academy’s fairness. Such matters regarding resource allocation always caused friction, and the resulting public opinion would have subjected Gao Wu to immense scrutiny. Fortunately, Gao Wu’s sudden promotion to Martial Artist over the past two days had saved her from countless headaches.

An Ziru didn't ask for details about his promotion; she had long noticed his exceptionally vigorous vitality and his talent for mental energy. It would have been strange if he weren't already a Martial Artist. Given his foundation, it only took a small stimulus or insight for him to naturally break through.

"You have just reached the level of Martial Artist," An Ziru said. "Your essence and energy are overflowing and your sharpness is fully exposed; this is not necessarily a good thing." She paused. "I have some insights into the Nine Dragon Forms. I can pass on the 'Hidden Dragon Remains Still' form to help you consolidate your essence, regulate your body and mind, and temper your energy."

Gao Wu didn't expect such a boon. He stood up immediately and bowed. "Thank you, Dean An."

"You helped me greatly by eliminating the Demon God's followers in the secret realm. This is just a token of my gratitude."

As she spoke, An Ziru stood up and gently tapped the center of Gao Wu’s forehead. Gao Wu’s vision went dark, and he saw a dragon coiling as it entered his mental world. The dragon dived deep, its spiritual light gradually fading as it curled into a ball. Its eyes were tightly shut; its body was not tense but possessed a long, quiet relaxation. With every breath, the dragon’s body rose and fell slightly—its power contained, deep, patient, and stable.

It was like a seed buried deep in the earth, quietly absorbing the energy of soil and rain, accumulating strength to sprout and break through the surface. It was also like a fetus in the womb, hiding its vitality while steadily drawing energy to grow, preparing fully to become an independent individual.

Gao Wu had always used the "Hidden Dragon Remains Still" form for deep sleep. He understood its meaning: to hide one's form and spirit, nurture one's vitality, and accumulate power in the darkness... Understanding the theory was not difficult; the challenge was integrating it into cultivation, grasping the soul of the technique, and adjusting both body and mind to the corresponding state.

By passing on the martial imprint directly through mental force, Martial Arts Master An Ziru saved him the long process of insight and learning. This was similar to the method Song Chunqiu had used, but "Hidden Dragon Remains Still" was far more complex and profound than the Battle Soldier Fist. The Nine Dragon Forms were the foundation of his cultivation, and every technique was vital. The Battle Soldier Fist was merely a tool for competition and could not compare to the Nine Dragon Forms.

Gao Wu had gained enlightenment in the river, mastering the "Roaming Dragon Leaps the Abyss" variation, which brought his Nine Dragon Forms to the minor success stage and allowed him to condense his acupuncture points and become a Martial Artist. Essentially, he had only mastered that one variation and had yet to grasp the others.

The mental imprint An Ziru passed on acted as a fast track, elevating his understanding of "Hidden Dragon Remains Still" to a very high level—at least on par with his understanding of "Roaming Dragon Leaps the Abyss." Given time, he would certainly be able to cultivate it to an even higher realm.

As Gao Wu adjusted his posture, his breathing rhythm, and his mental state, he entered a state of clarity and emptiness, with all distracting thoughts fading away...

When Gao Wu finally awoke from his deep, long slumber, he saw Song Mingyue sitting quietly beside him. Outside the window, it was pitch black.

Gao Wu smiled at her. "What time is it?"

"Nine-thirty. You slept for two hours." Song Mingyue looked him over and nodded slightly. "Your essence is contained, and your source force is hidden. The 'Hidden Dragon Remains Still' passed on by Dean An is indeed profound..."