Ma Ran took off his shirt, with Inner Qi flowing through his acupoints, and with every blink, a shimmering glow appeared in his eyes, full of divine energy.
In the mirror, his muscles were well-defined, streamlined, neither exaggerated nor slender, with extremely clear lines, giving off a vigorous impression.
This body fat percentage has already reached the level that many bodybuilding enthusiasts can only achieve during competition period.
Whether the Black Rock Stele Martial Arts is strong or practical is not up for discussion for now.
At the very least, it's unparalleled in shaping the body.
Ma Ran clenched his fists, feeling the power surging within, creating the illusion that he could punch an alien to death in one hit.
He knew this was a misconception brought on by the rapid increase in strength.
Actually, his body was still developing and hadn't undergone systematic scientific training, with a lot of potential for improvement.
Without considering combat skills, even with the Fourth Rank Inner Qi support, Ma Ran's attributes in speed, endurance, agility, power, and resilience only reached the level of a featherweight world champion.
If combat skills were to be considered for comparison...
That would be somewhat unfair.
Even against a heavyweight champion, Ma Ran could easily kill them with minimal effort!
Fingers, knuckles, knees, elbows...
Forehead, tiny buttons on clothes, broken ribs...
In Ma Ran's hands, they could all become extremely lethal weapons.
Every Earth Civilization Guardian has had their hands stained with the blood of alien invaders.
And Ma Ran was a hardcore Earth Guardian who fought until the very last moment.
He made a living through the craft of [killing].
...
A convoy of dark green vehicles was heading towards the Grass Hut Academy.
The passengers in the second car were three young people.
To be precise, it was a young man and woman, along with a boy whose face was full of "pride".
They wore the same blue and yellow uniform, yet their temperaments were distinct, full of brilliance and energy, leaving an unforgettable impression.
The young man was handsome and kind-hearted, sunny and good-looking, giving off the vibe of a big brother from the neighborhood.
At this moment, he was earnestly advising the boy about some points to note: "Xiao Di, when you go to Grass Hut Academy this time, control your temper and don't offend people casually."
The boy called Xiao Di snorted, "He the Second, just mind your own business."
"I admit that you qualify to be my friend, but..."
"Don't point fingers at me."
Upon hearing this, He the Second chuckled bitterly twice, shook his head, and said no more.
Helping the boy curb his arrogance and make some friends like a normal person, so he wouldn't be isolated again—this was an additional task given by President Fulan before departure.
But now, it seems that this task is of no avail.
It is easy to change rivers and mountains, but difficult to change a person's nature.
How can a character developed from childhood be easily altered?
Seeing the atmosphere in the car become awkward, the young woman who had been resting with closed eyes slowly opened her eyes: "Xiao Di, perhaps you don't know that apart from supporting Grass Hut Academy with equipment and experience, we have another task this time..."
"It is to transfer your records to Grass Hut Academy."
"Do you know why?"
The defiant boy snorted again, "Such things..."
"I actually got the news long ago."
"Mediocre and incompetent people can only be jealous of the talented."
"Despite joining the society late, I surpassed those who lacked talent and skills and was promoted to the Second Rank of Inner Qi early."
"So, they were jealous of me, slandering and undermining me, making it impossible for me to stay at Fulan Academy."
"The president transferred me to Grass Hut Academy, actually for my own good."
The young woman glanced at him and said calmly, "Since you know it all, then I don't need to say more."
"After arriving at Grass Hut Academy, tone down your sharpness, speak less hurtfully, and make more friends."
"It's good for you."
Upon hearing this, the boy called Xiao Di was displeased and blurted out, "Sister Die, I'm not an idiot, more friends, more paths, don't I know that?"
He the Second, sitting next to him, felt a twitch in his eyelid.
He felt something was off.
Using "number of" to describe friends, is that really okay?
Isn't that more like describing dogs?
Xiao Di, unaware of the emotional changes of those next to him, continued talking: "I've already gathered quite a bit of information on Grass Hut Academy from 'DJI'."
"Although it's newly established, there are talents inside."
"Ma Ran, Su Qiangwei."
"Both of them are about two years older than me, but overall they seem decent, perhaps I can befriend them."
He the Second couldn't help but speak up: "There are currently forty-eight members at Grass Hut Academy, and you don't regard anyone else?"
"Of course not!"
Xiao Di said dismissively, "My dad said that anyone not as wealthy as our family isn't qualified to be my friend."
"I think he's not entirely right!"
"My mom's words are the truth!"
"Anyone not as excellent as me doesn't qualify to be my friend!"
This talk left the young man named He with tingling scalp.
For Xiao Di to develop this kind of personality, wind up being excluded from Fulan Academy...
At least half of the responsibility lies with his eccentric parents!
What kind of crazy logic is that?
According to such logic, if others are better than you, why would they be friends with you?
Are you qualified?
After holding back for quite some time, the benevolent He the Second kept these thoughts to himself.
He could only hope that someone at Grass Hut Academy might be able to handle this little fellow...
...
Meanwhile,
In the small auditorium, more than forty members and President Huang were gathered together.
In the morning, after Ma Ran's move, Huang Weiguo hurriedly organized the relevant materials for the Black Rock Guiding Technique into file documents and sent them to the higher authorities.
In the afternoon, as people from Fulan Academy were coming over to provide support, the moral education course on the agenda was also temporarily canceled.
Firstly, it's to show importance, and secondly, it allows members to engage and gain insights from the predecessors of other academies.
Of course, Ma Ran was not in the category of "gaining insights".
Although Grass Hut Academy started relatively late, President Huang truly believes there's no one else in China's current state who could compare with Ma Ran's progress in Inner Qi Cultivation.
The waiting process was rather dull, so President Huang took the initiative to speak: "Just received the news that due to traffic congestion on the road, members of Fulan Academy will arrive later than expected."
"Waiting here isn't productive, why not exchange some insights on Black Rock Martial Arts cultivation and make full use of the time!"
"Feel free to speak up!"
This proposal has some constructive value.
The topic is one of general concern, and during the exchange process, it can adjust the atmosphere and also promote camaraderie among members.
Old Huang believes that as the head of Grass Hut Academy, it is his duty to help the young in the academy develop correct values, worldview, and outlook on life while they are exposed to supernatural power and have them grasp the true meaning of family, friendship, and love.
Therefore, he is quite attentive to relationships between members.
However, due to the overwhelmingly heavy workload and stressful tasks, President Huang has been too busy lately to guide these young people promptly.
Luckily, it seems there's a born leader in Grass Hut Academy who helps him share part of this responsibility invisibly.
Huang Weiguo noticed keenly...
As soon as he finished speaking, almost all the members, at the first instance, looked towards Ma Ran.