Richard York, a genius like this, was guided by his family elders and cultivated the Liu clan’s entry-level martial arts.

“Ryan Lawson, get out here for me!”

A loud, thunderous voice came from outside the classroom.

Inside the classroom.

Some students felt their blood surging, almost unable to stand steady.

“It’s Richard York!”

“This Richard York is terrifyingly strong. His voice, infused with true qi, shakes one’s very core and blood.”

The students were all unsettled and alarmed.

Ryan Lawson sat where he was, unaffected.

He had activated his divine vein, greatly increasing his physical strength; and his spiritual power was several times greater than others at the same level.

Thud, thud!

A burly young man clad in battle armor, with a fierce and murderous aura on his face, strode in.

“Richard York!”

Many students were terrified, their bodies trembling involuntarily.

“You’re that crippled vein Ryan Lawson, I know you!”

Richard York’s gaze was sinister and icy.

“What do you want?”

Ryan Lawson remained seated, unhurried.

According to the academy’s rules, sparring was allowed in the martial arena and similar places, but fighting was strictly forbidden in the classroom.

“You, come out with me!”

Richard York’s tone was forceful, with an air of unquestionable authority.

After speaking, he turned and walked out of the classroom.

Do you take me for a fool?

You call me out, and I’m just supposed to listen to you?

Ryan Lawson sneered, completely ignoring him.

Richard York was a martial artist at the Open Vein stage, having opened qi veins within his body and possessing true qi. Dealing with someone at the ninth level of Body Tempering was no harder than crushing a bug.

After all, the Body Tempering stage was just the entry point to martial arts, known as a martial apprentice.

A martial apprentice versus a true martial artist?

The barrier and gulf between the two had always been nearly insurmountable since ancient times; only those peerless prodigies recorded in ancient texts might possibly achieve it.

And even those prodigies, at best, could fight across levels, but actually winning was unlikely.

“Ryan Lawson, do you think hiding like a turtle will let you escape this?”

“Hurry up and go out with Brother Ba, kneel and admit your mistake, and you might suffer less.”

Some nearby students gloated over his misfortune.

“What’s all this noise!”

A deep male voice rang out.

“Mr. Lincoln.”

“Hello, teacher…”

The students in the classroom respectfully made way.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a square face, named Ethan Lincoln, a teacher of the advanced class responsible for theory lessons.

“If you have grievances, don’t make a scene in the classroom.”

Ethan Lincoln said in a deep voice.

He swept his gaze over Richard York, with a hint of warning; then glanced at Ryan Lawson, frowning slightly.

Clearly.

Ethan Lincoln saw the conflict between Richard York and Ryan Lawson, but had no intention of intervening.

For someone like Ryan Lawson, a crippled vein, Ethan Lincoln had always felt no goodwill.

Hmph!

Richard York shot Ryan Lawson a cold look and turned to leave.

As a martial artist at the Open Vein stage, he could usually skip classes and only show up for assessments.

“Class is starting.”

Ethan Lincoln mainly taught theory.

Ryan Lawson lowered his head and quietly cultivated the “Heaven’s Mandate Creation Art.”

In the introductory section, the focus was on refining spiritual power, nurturing the soul, and enhancing one’s spiritual perception.

Seeing Ryan Lawson not paying attention in class, Ethan Lincoln felt disgusted. He wanted to find a way to expel such a student, lest he tarnish the reputation of the advanced class.

……

In the afternoon, the practical combat class began.

The practical class was nothing more than some basic fist techniques and footwork.

Ryan Lawson practiced diligently, building a solid foundation; many advanced martial skills and techniques required reaching the Open Vein stage to cultivate.

As school was about to end.

Ryan Lawson suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his back, noticing several Liu clan students secretly watching him.

This was the effect of cultivating the Creation Art, which greatly enhanced his spiritual perception.

He was being tailed!

Ryan Lawson’s expression turned grim: it seemed Richard York was determined to make a move against him.

“Heavenly Book.”

His consciousness touched the Creation Heavenly Book.

Whoosh!

The Heavenly Book slowly opened, the first page only regaining a faint glow.

“With my current strength, what are my chances against someone at the Open Vein stage?”

Ryan Lawson had just asked.

Whoosh!

A mass of black mist appeared again on the Heavenly Book, blocking the way.

“Hmph, do you really need to ask the Heavenly Book such a question?”

“You, a dignified divine vein possessor, though not fully awakened, what is there to fear from someone at the first level of the Open Vein stage?”

The Book God said with a hint of disdain.

It’s this guy again!

Ryan Lawson became cautious, ready to slip away at any moment.

“Young man, wait, don’t be in such a hurry to leave!”

The Book God immediately lost his arrogance.

“What else do you want?”

Ryan Lawson’s expression was cold.

“Heh heh, this god has a method that can help you fight that person, with nothing but benefits…”

The Book God chuckled.

“Oh?”

After listening to The Book God’s method, Ryan Lawson’s eyes lit up.

This method was truly brilliant!

“But you must first let this god out of the Heavenly Book!”

The Book God said with a smile.

“No way. What if your method is fake? I have to try it first.”

Ryan Lawson would never let The Book God out so easily.

“You…”

The Book God was a bit exasperated.

In the end, he could only say helplessly, “Young man, you mustn’t deceive The Book God, or you’ll be struck by lightning!”