Chapter 41: Three Martial Arts Halls (Request Follows)

Red Sky Martial Arts Hall

Even after midnight, the virtual room remained bustling, all 100 virtual pods still operating at high speed.

“Just one more match—I could’ve advanced to Star Rank! Damn it!!” someone emerged, clutching their head in despair.

“I was so close—what a shame. That’s 500,000 Xia National Currency, enough to buy so many resources.” someone muttered bitterly.

…

At the top floor was an office area exceeding a thousand square meters, decorated entirely in red and white, with crimson flame martial symbols visible everywhere.

The first level was divided into dozens of office zones, each workstation displaying projections, where dozens of men and women in red-and-white uniforms rapidly processed data.

In the central area, a large screen projected the Red List, its rankings etched into everyone’s vision.

“Director Sun, as of midnight, our Tianhai City has a total of 108 individuals who advanced to Star Rank in the Red Arena.”

A middle-aged man in a black suit, muscular and bearded, gazed at the Red List while listening to his staff’s report.

Director Sun nodded and spoke:

“The number of those advancing to Star Rank has increased by twenty compared to last year, proving this year’s geniuses are of higher quality.”

“The Tianhai monthly exam is over, the Star Event is over, and all the top talents have surfaced.”

“It’s time we act—sign contracts with these geniuses, especially those who reached Star Rank; they’re our primary targets.”

“With their strength, most can qualify for A- and B-level contracts.”

“You organize the files. Everyone starts tomorrow—focus first on A- and B-level geniuses.”

“Understood, Director. We’ve already prepared everything; most of these geniuses were assessed long ago,” the employee nodded.

Director Sun exhaled a long breath as he stared at the Red List.

“Another talent war is about to begin—another few months of chaos.”

…

The next day

“Ding ling ling~”

“Class dismissed!”

“Lin Qi, Jiang Tao, Chen Zichuan—come to my office.”

Homeroom teacher Yan Hong said to the three students in the class.

Lin Qi, Jiang Tao, and Chen Zichuan exchanged glances and immediately understood.

They rose and followed Yan Hong to her office.

“Have a seat!”

The three sat separately on the sofa, waiting silently for Yan Hong to speak.

Yan Hong calmly took a sip of water before saying:

“Jiang Tao, Lin Qi, Chen Zichuan—you three have shown clear improvement in this monthly exam.”

“Therefore, the school has decided to apply for higher-tier Genius Loans for you.”

All three’s eyes lit up, awaiting the next words.

“Jiang Tao, you’ve entered the top ten of your grade—you may apply to upgrade from First-Class to Special-Class Genius Loan.”

“Hehe!” Jiang Tao grinned.

“Lin Qi, you’ve improved the most—you may apply for Second-Class, possibly even First-Class Genius Loan.”

“Chen Zichuan, you’ll likely only qualify for Second-Class Genius Loan—unless you make further progress in the mid-term exam?”

Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan both nodded; they weren’t surprised by this outcome.

For Lin Qi, whether Second-Class or First-Class, the Genius Loan was still a massive sum.

Chen Zichuan’s eyes gleamed with joy—he currently relied entirely on his Genius Loan funds to purchase resources and boost his cultivation.

His strength still fell short of advancing to Star Rank in the Red Arena, so he received no 500,000 Xia National Currency reward.

…

Leaving the office

The three walked down the corridor.

“Special-Class Genius Loan—perfect timing. I’ve nearly used up my one million, and Special-Class gives three million Xia National Currency!”

“After subtracting my previous one million, I still have two million—enough to last me a long time.”

Jiang Tao’s expression was ecstatic; Lin Qi understood why.

According to Jiang Tao, half of his one million Xia National Currency went to his sister Jiang Miaoyin.

Everything she ate, wore, and lived in was replaced with new items.

Hospital checkups, recuperation, purchasing vast quantities of nutrients to replenish lost energy, laying a solid foundation—all added up to a huge sum.

Lin Qi’s mind conjured a delicate figure: a frail, stubborn, pitiable girl, beautiful, who loved calling him “Lin Qi brother.”

On her, Lin Qi saw echoes of his mother, Fang Huiyi.

“Hum!”

Back at his desk, Lin Qi felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out—it was a deposit notification.

【Your ICBC card ending in xxx has received 500,000 Xia National Currency. Current balance: 563,128 yuan!】

The Star Event reward had arrived. Lin Qi felt a surge of quiet joy.

He turned to see Jiang Tao also pulling out his phone to check.

“Brother Qi, the 500,000 just hit!” Jiang Tao grinned. Lin Qi’s lips curled slightly upward—now that 500,000 Xia National Currency was in hand, he had enough to buy resources.

Even if he only got Second-Class Genius Loan—500,000 minus the Third-Class’s 200,000—still left him with 300,000.

Added to his current 560,000, that’s 860,000—nearly a million, enough to sustain him for a long while.

…

At noon, after eating two portions of nutrient meals—only eight-tenths full—Lin Qi returned to his martial arts room.

After a brief digestion period, he began moving his body, preparing for today’s second training session.

He pulled out two vials of Blood Qi tonic, pouring the translucent red liquid into his mouth.

“Gulps~”

Seconds later, his stomach warmed, heat surging through his body.

Lin Qi stared at the remaining vials of Blood Qi tonic and exhaled slowly.

!

“As my Blood Qi continues to rise, I need more and more resources just to maintain my progress speed.”

Blood Qi capsules had been discarded by Lin Qi; he occasionally bought some as candy.

His daily staple remained Blood Qi tonic—he trained four times a day, consuming two vials per session.

That totaled 120,000 Xia National Currency monthly, plus frequent use of Stimulant Tonic—another major expense.

Add meals and other purchases, and his Third-Class Genius Loan left him with only 30,000 yuan.

Fortunately, the 500,000 Xia National Currency arrived just in time to cover his cultivation costs—otherwise his progress would’ve stalled.

“Huh~”

“Bang bang!!”

As he thought, he curled his hands into claws, channeling force to his fingertips, unleashing a Tiger Claw strike that stirred violent winds.

Black Tiger Steals Heart!

White Tiger Offers Claw!

Furious Tiger Pierces Forest!

The six forms of Tiger Fist flowed from his hands, each strike echoing sharply through the air.

His entire body heated, radiating steam, heat spreading everywhere as if a furnace were forging his muscles.

The Blood Qi tonic was taking effect.

He had already broken through to Stage Two of Tiger Fist, its essence sinking into his bones—he now began truly understanding its core: intent as spirit, joints as power sources, Qi as force catalyst…

Before, he merely knew the theory; now he comprehended it—muscle groups coordinating force, power flowing between bones and flesh.

He began clearly sensing the force within his body!

Muscles strained violently, Blood Qi flowing and polishing—Lin Qi grew stronger with every strike.

He felt like a wild tiger hunting within the martial arts room.

【Through training, your understanding of Tiger Fist deepens. Fist Skill +1%】

【Through training, your Blood Qi breaks through. Blood Qi +0.05】

【Blood Qi: 8.2 → 8.25】

【Fist Skill: Stage Two 10% → 11%】

…

“Huh~”

Lin Qi exhaled hot air, pleased as he viewed the rising stats.

Not only had his Blood Qi increased, but his Fist Skill had improved too—training fists strengthened his body and enhanced his bodily control.

Though his Spear Skill advanced quickly, it didn’t progress as fast as his Fist Skill.

And the higher his Fist Skill rank, the more it accelerated his Spear Skill.

“I hope my Fist Skill advances even faster—I can ask Teacher Zhang Cheng for advice.”

Lin Qi thought to himself.

……

In the afternoon, during Martial Arts class

After guiding one student, Zhang Cheng took a sip of water, checked the time, and saw there were only about ten minutes left until class ended.

He cleared his throat, looked around at everyone, and when he saw all had finished washing up, he spoke:

“Everyone stop what you’re doing and gather here!”

More than thirty students halted their actions and gathered around Zhang Cheng.

“There’s still a bit of time before class ends, so I’ll say a few things.”

As Zhang Cheng spoke, his expression was serious; everyone immediately knew what he was about to say was extremely important.

“As per tradition, after the Tianhai monthly exam, the Martial Arts instructor will explain to the Elite Class the key points regarding signing contracts with Martial Arts Halls.”

“Signing contracts with Martial Arts Halls?”

Many students’ eyes lit up instantly; the atmosphere grew tense and excited—this concerned everyone’s future, and all were deeply attentive.

……

(End of Chapter)