Chapter 148: Martial Arts Supernova, Resource War

"Zhou Yuanzhang, is Xiao Qin's health all right?"

The next day, Chen Ruofu came by car to Tai'an's largest sanatorium to visit Qin Shi.

Wearing a white coat, Zhou Yuanzhang, about fifty years old, said cheerfully:

"Student Qin Shi is probably the healthiest 'patient' in our hospital. His life force is more intense than a wild beast's, and his physical quality far exceeds that of his peers."

Zhou Yuanzhang led Chen Ruofu to the ward, and the two chatted as they walked:

"He excels in every aspect, especially digestion and absorption—far ahead of everyone else. He's practically a natural-born seedling for the Martial Artist Path! Our sanatorium's highest-spec nutrition meals—he eats three portions by himself, scaring the cafeteria aunties."

Chen Ruofu laughed heartily. For the Martial Artist Path, being a big eater was indeed top-tier talent.

Especially in the later stages of Life Force Development, increasingly rich material resources were needed to perfect the Evolution Chart and break through genetic bottlenecks.

For example, the blood and flesh essence of various Star Sea creatures, mature fruits of plants, even metal ores, and so on.

"Xiao Qin is a youth genius that even Nanhuang Dojo can't help but be tempted by! Senior Zhang's vision is so high that even he couldn't refuse."

Chen Ruofu entered the ward. Though called a ward, it was actually a fully equipped living area.

Three rooms and two halls, excellent lighting, located by the lake, fresh air, like a private villa.

Qin Shi's daily routine was very stable: completing his cultivation exercises every day, then reading books to supplement historical knowledge he was interested in, followed by sitting meditation to maintain body-mind meditative union.

"This child is the most self-disciplined person I've ever met, and the one who can best endure loneliness. During these days of recuperation, he hasn't slackened at all."

Zhou Yuanzhang sighed.

Someone Qin Shi's age was usually full of energy and restless; staying for a while might make them feel bored.

A high school student who could sit still and calm their mind was a rare find.

"Xiao Qin balances spiritual cultivation and has a steady temperament. Not to mention compared to his peers, even those much older than him might not catch up."

Chen Ruofu nodded. This was also something he appreciated about Qin Shi. In the vast Hengzhou, there was no shortage of geniuses.

The Martial Association, the Education Bureau, and various universities produced several pairs of hands' worth of outstanding youths every year.

Those with leading talent and extraordinary aptitude inevitably carried a bit of arrogance, which was only natural.

Chen Ruofu and Zhou Yuanzhang stood in the reception room, patiently waiting for Qin Shi to finish his morning practice before speaking:

"Xiao Qin, your resource quota approval has just come through."

"Thank you, Uncle Chen!"

Qin Shi thanked him sincerely. He knew that having outstanding talent was one thing, but receiving matching treatment was another.

As an external staff member, enjoying the welfare benefits of the Patrol Division's internal system—if word got out, it would probably make a large group of people envious.

Even Martial Arts Department students from Qiguang Heng University, after graduating, wanting to become a Senior Inspector in the Action Division—without background or backing, suffering for over ten years was normal.

Tan Cong, that Tiger of Action Division who likewise walked the Old Martial Arts path, was clear proof.

A full-time-level powerful life force, daring to fight and strive, had even earned merits, but after wasting half his life, becoming a Senior Inspector was the end of the road.

"Roughly speaking, I've saved myself twenty years of detours."

Qin Shi thought to himself.

"This is the reward you deserve. As our Patrol Division's most outstanding Zheng Pai Ren Yuan, you should be commended. As the old saying goes, virtue must match position. I mentioned you at an internal meeting of the Action Division. Whether it was old frontliners like Tan Cong or newcomers like Chen Yun, they all voted in favor."

Chen Ruofu spoke very well, leaving Qin Shi stunned one moment after another, almost thinking he really was some heroic model.

"In a few days, Hengzhou's Martial Arts New Star will officially launch for comprehensive selection. Xiao Qin, I hope you can represent Tai'an, represent the Patrol Division, and participate. I heard that this time's Martial Arts Supernova can lead directly to the Dongxia Star Cup's Youth Group."

Hearing this, Qin Shi's eyes brightened. Almost everyone in Dongxia had heard of the Star Cup since childhood, but the specific competition registration and how to participate were little known.

"Uncle Chen, does that mean this Hengzhou Martial Arts New Star is very important?"

"Correct. It's almost a resource war. Xiao Qin, resource distribution for all Administrative Stars is unified by Dongxia, and allocated by the Three Departments and Nine Bureaus.

If the Education Bureau gets a bit more, then the Security Bureau gets a bit less. That's the convention. Every year, all departments compete, show off their abilities, and try to make their money bags a little fuller, so they don't have to tighten their belts."

Chen Ruofu explained the ins and outs to Qin Shi. If the talents cultivated by the Patrol Division could show their faces and brush up a wave of prestige and honor, the Security Bureau of Center City would also have some face, and might perhaps suppress the Education Bureau.

"Does Center City's Education Bureau also have a new star they're betting on?"

Qin Shi looked curious. With his cultivation speed, he basically surpassed the entire Taian Urban Circle. People like Zheng Yun and Lu Hui couldn't keep up with him at all.

Therefore, he looked forward to the geniuses of Center City, wondering what kind of monsters they were.

As a local snake, Chen Ruofu had top-notch information channels, and immediately explained in detail to Qin Shi:

"The Education Bureau has been running the 'Top Ten Newcomers' project in recent years, heavily cultivating outstanding students aged fifteen to eighteen, opening up many resources for them. Among the more famous newcomers are Mo Zicheng from Qianyang High School, Wu Ling from Xusheng High School, and Han Qian from Ziling High School."

These few also participated in the 'War Base Summer Camp' on Yinghuo Ancient Star this summer vacation, experiencing a month of sentry life and learning various combat methods.

Qin Shi couldn't help but sigh. Truly, learning had no end; above the top scholar was the spirit scholar. Geniuses from all places had different treatments.

The Taian Urban Circle was still competing over life force growth, while people in Center City had already begun focusing on combat method training, improving both quality and strength together.

"Besides Center City, places like Yincheng and Zhou City will also send out excellent students, striving to win local resource distribution. That's why I said this is a resource war. Whether resources are used efficiently naturally depends on the level of geniuses produced."

Chen Ruofu smiled:

"Later I'll have Secretary Huo send you a more comprehensive set of materials."

Qin Shi nodded. All the way he had come, he had received help from many people and carried the hopes of many.

For example, Lao Liang very much wanted to see him one day stand on the Star Cup arena.

And Nanhuang Dojo, including Lao Chen working so hard, mobilizing various resources.

There was no such thing as unearned good fortune, nor was there any giving that was taken for granted.

The only thing Qin Shi could do was cultivate hard to satisfy these expectations.

"Uncle Chen, I won't let you and others down."

"Xiao Qin doesn't need to carry too much pressure. Besides you, the Education Committee selected several good seedlings, and the Martial Association itself has arrangements."

Chen Ruofu waved his hand:

"From now on, if you lack anything, just speak up. The Patrol Division's resource quotas are mostly concentrated on cultivation and combat uses. The Education Committee side focuses on inheritance techniques and teaching staff."

Qin Shi thought that he had Lao Liang and Nanhuang Dojo as guides, plus Super Xiao He, who was like an encyclopedia.

He just didn't value the Education Committee's resources much.

"Right, Chen Shu, can you help me find a weapons expert? I just got a fine weapon, Four Pillars Strict Selection, solid quality."

Qin Shi was worrying; that 【Perfect-Grade Electric Shock Military Knife】 sitting in his hand gathering dust was too much of a waste.

"Action Division's Lao Tan, he has mastery of all weapons! Back then he led Qiguang Heng University's Weapon Society to kill in all directions, winning the Martial Arts Demonstration first place three years running!"

Chen Ruofu laughed, his gaze falling on the military knife leaning in the wall corner, involuntarily envious.

Having a Divine Spirit Pillar bestow a physical reward is not easy.

The vast majority of recipients, at most, receive beneficial Halo Blessings.

"Then it's settled, I'll go consult with Tan Ge in a few days."

Qin Shi showed a delighted expression; with his weapon equipped, combined with his three-times limit-breaking physical body, his combat power would rise at least two tiers.

"Right, the Education Committee is organizing an after-school activity this afternoon, do you want to go?"

Chen Ruofu asked before leaving.

"They've invited several New Martial Arts instructors to give lectures."

Qin Shi pondered a moment, then nodded in agreement:

"Chen Shu, can I go sit in too?"

"With your outstanding performance in the Heng Jian Xing Dong, who has the qualification to make you stay in the spectator stand. This after-school activity, the Education Committee sends three instructors, the Patrol Department sends three, you'll wear an instructor badge and go up to talk about real combat experience."

Chen Ruofu laughed; with Qin Shi's current status, including the talent he'd shown, he could no longer be viewed as an "ordinary student".

……

……

At three in the afternoon, the Youth Palace, the Education Committee chose this place as the venue for the extracurricular activity.

Because its space is large, it accommodates many people, and it's also a subordinate unit of the Education Committee.

Elite Class top students from various schools, in groups of three or five, entered one after another.

They all wore blue Employee ID Cards around their necks, stating identity information.

"I heard someone say, this Sweep Away Black Remove Evil Heng Jian Xing Dong almost had an accident."

"Seems Secret Sect disciples secretly held a Living Body Sacrifice!"

"Apparently Patrol Department experts took action, resolved the crisis……"

Listening to this melon-eating gossip, Xu Mo's mood was complex; he was still thinking about Lu Hui's heart-piercing words yesterday.

After the extracurricular activity ends, a real combat demonstration will be held under the eyes of the various instructors.

If the performance is outstanding, one can be selected as a Martial Arts New Star reserve.

Xu Mo glanced at Lu Hui, who sat alone in the front row as if no one else existed, and felt tremendous psychological pressure.

"Zheng Yun is here."

Zhao Yunzhu poked Xu Mo's shoulder.

The latter turned his head, looking toward the doorway.

A tall, sturdily built youth with solid, powerful arms strode in with head held high, meeting everyone's gaze, and walked into the venue, sitting in the area belonging to Xin Yi High School.

Not only Xu Mo and Zhao Yunzhu paid attention; even Lu Hui, wearing headphones as if he didn't take others seriously, cast close observation at the first moment Zheng Yun appeared.

"Got stronger again! Zheng Yun's Qi Life Force now, might've already broken through forty points, possibly even fifty points!"

Lu Hui recalled last time in the elevator, Qin Shi personally saying he himself had reached the forty-nine point Barrier.

He felt Zheng Yun shouldn't be inferior to the other party.

After all, he has Center City Big Company's resource quota.

"Students, quiet."

After counting heads and confirming all present, the Education Committee Staff Member walked onto the podium and began setting up instruments.

The bright windows were drawn, keeping the chamber relatively dim.

Then light intertwined, Scene Projection.

Everyone silently held their breath, following the first-person perspective of various auxiliary personnel, immersing into the Forbidden Zone's exploration.

Battle with outlaws, using force to eliminate criminal nests, falling into gang encirclement and fighting desperately to break out…… the footage spliced from recorders made the students below boil with hot blood.

(Chapter End)