Chapter 17 – 13 Martial Arts Research

“I know, I was discussing it with my classmates a few days ago. Anyone who wants to take the entrance exam for Martial Arts Academy and the Affiliated Martial Arts Hall, after filling out the application, should try to go to Demon City for a martial arts study tour to fight demons. First, it’s to train real combat skills and accumulate experience. Second, by defeating demons and earning war merits, you’ll get bonus points during supplementary exams, making it easier to pass.”

Li Linhan said, “I have a friend who’s quite close to me, he’s a boss of a Pioneer Company branch. His son’s grades aren’t very good, but he spent a lot of money to secure a supplementary slot at West Sea University. Once the results are out, they’ll form a team to head to Demon City for a martial arts study tour.”

“You want me to go?”

“Yeah. I’ve met that kid, and although… he’s a bit of a failure, he’s not that spoiled. That boss is hiring bodyguards and needs some students who just took their college entrance exams as foils, you understand?”

Zhou Leng said, “We’d likely be fighting demons together, but letting him take more action, while we protect him. That way, he’d absorb more demon aura, and the war merit tokens would allocate more war merits to him?”

“Right. He’ll compensate the team members with some money, probably around thirty to forty thousand. If you discover a spiritual object, he’ll share the profits with you as well. Even though that boss is ruthless, he’s fair, and with me around, you won’t be put in a tough spot.”

“At least thirty thousand… that’s a high price.” Zhou Leng said.

“That’s why I’m asking you. Of course, if you have a better team, you can pass.”

Zhou Leng shook his head, “I don’t have your connections. If Zhang Xinglie stayed in Rucheng and formed a martial arts study team, I would definitely go. But right now, I can’t find a better team. The key is, normal study teams can’t afford to hire bodyguards.”

“That’s also one of the reasons I want you to go. That boss will hire two lower-rank Blood Transporting Period experts to hang back and only step in during critical moments. Such a team is far safer than a regular martial arts study tour team.”

“I know you want to make money, but you didn’t enter an Elite Martial Arts Class, haven’t had real combat experience, and weren’t able to keep up with pill cultivation, so venturing out recklessly is dangerous. Therefore, I still hope you take this route, earning while gaining actual combat experience. After you’ve entered Demon City a few more times and advance from the Qi Nourishing Period to the Blood Transporting Period, you can join a Pioneer team, and I won’t stop you then.”

Zhou Leng fell into contemplation.

Zhou Leng had originally planned to have Uncle Li introduce him to a safe Pioneer team to earn tuition money after the college entrance exam.

Usually, Pioneers need to be at least at the Blood Transporting Period, and if he joined the team, he would just be an odd job guy with a monthly salary not exceeding ten thousand.

Zhou Leng asked, “When do they stop recruiting?”

“Preferably before the college entrance exam results come out, and I have a good relationship with that boss, and they’re also worried about having random people. If the team is full, then there’s nothing to be done.” Li Linhan said.

“Then I’ll give you an answer in three days.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Leng looked up at the calendar, there were still five days until the final results were announced.

Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment and asked, “Should I sell a Pill Voucher to buy some combat supplies? After all, martial arts study tours often involve casualties.”

“You underestimate those bosses. For such a team, they’ll prepare everything needed. For the sake of their son’s future, they won’t hold back. However, some valuable items need to be returned after use.” Li Linhan said.

“That’s even better.”

“There are still five days until the results are announced. You third-year students worked so hard, take a few days off, hang out with classmates, and relax a bit.” Li Linhan said.

Zhou Leng thought about the balance in his bank account and said, “I want to go to Xiaoru Village to train and prepare for the martial arts study.”

“You… just recovered, don’t overexert yourself.”

“Don’t worry, I know my limits. I’ll go to the hospital on Monday to remove this green wristband.” Zhou Leng raised his hand to show the wristband.

“Good.” Li Linhan smiled.

“By the way, our team’s vice captain Jiang Yan wanted Hu Yi and me to work, but we both ignored him.”

Li Linhan thought for a moment and said, “There was an urgent batch of goods that day. He knew you two had the college entrance exam and still pushed you. It’s likely related to his recent assessment. He must be trying to move up. Don’t worry, I’ll have a talk with him.”

“Thanks, Uncle Li, but I wasn’t really bothered.”

“A company is not as simple as a school. Pay attention, but don’t let yourself get shortchanged either.”

“Yes.”

After chatting for almost an entire afternoon, Zhou Leng returned home.

Sitting quietly, without wanting to do anything.

“Whew…”

Zhou Leng exhaled a deep breath, finally, the college entrance exam was over.

Turning to look out at the twilight and cloud-filled sky, Zhou Leng felt relaxed but with a slight sense of loss.

The past is gone, but the future is filled with the unknown.

Curiosity, and also fear.

Joy, and also confusion.

Zhou Leng took out his phone and opened the group chat of Class 3.

There were over five thousand unread messages, still increasing.

Zhou Leng began to quickly read from the top, occasionally smiling at his classmates’ jokes.

Soon, Zhou Leng saw classmates proposing a gathering and a trip.

Some supported it, while others said they would join after the martial arts study tour.

So, the classmates began to discuss the martial arts study tour.

“You guys must be careful on the martial arts study tour, Demon City is too dangerous, I wouldn’t dare to go.”

“People die on martial arts study tours.”

“Pah, don’t speak nonsense.”

“As long as we don’t encounter the Demon Worship Sect and demons, it’s basically fine. Magical beasts are brainless, just swarm them, no fear.”

“Don’t forget to prepare demonized weapons, they’re useless against Innate Realm demons, but very effective against Qi Blood Realm demons.”

“Nonsense, the country strictly controls demonized weapons, we don’t have the qualifications to use them.”

“Even renting them costs thousands a day, can’t afford it.”

Scrolling to the end, Zhou Leng found a video call from Hu Yi.

Answer.

The phone screen was filled with Hu Yi’s big round face.

“Zhou Leng, how are you planning these days?”

“Cultivating.”

“Don’t joke around.”

“I need to prepare for the Martial Arts Studies.”

“Huh? Not planning to have fun anymore?”

“Really don’t have the time.”

“What about the Pioneer Company?”

“I’ll talk about it after the Martial Arts Studies.”

“Alright. By the way, Feng Wenhao is also going for the Martial Arts Studies. It would be great for you two to go together. They say Demon City is the greatest test of human nature, and since you two know each other well, you can look after each other in case of danger.”

“I’ll contact him now.”

“See you later.”

After hanging up the video call, Zhou Leng went to Li Linhan’s house again.

“Uncle, can I bring a classmate to the Martial Arts Studies?”

“The team requirements demand at least one martial art at Great Success level. Does he meet the standard?”

“Seems a bit lacking, but his Inner Power should be at Minor Achievement, Seventh or Eighth Heaven. His body technique and fist technique are at Minor Achievement, so getting into the Affiliated Martial Arts Hall shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Send me his Martial Arts Diary then. I’ll ask Boss Xue about it. Even if it works out, the pay probably won’t be high.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to him about it.”

Back home, just about to contact Feng Wenhao, but a new message came in.

Xu Qingjin.

“Zhou Leng, how did you do in the exam? My mom just said when the results are out, she’ll invite our classmates over to our house, specifically mentioned you.”

“Thank Auntie for me. I’ll definitely come then. My exam went well, performed above average.”

“That’s great!”

“Which Martial Arts Academy are you planning to apply for?” Zhou Leng asked.

“I’m severely biased in my skills, only Inner Power and body technique are good. I probably can’t get into the Top Ten, so I’ll most likely apply to Rucheng Martial Arts Academy. What about you?”

“My scores aren’t enough for Martial Arts Academy, planning to apply for supplementary admission to Rucheng Martial Arts Academy, and the Affiliated Martial Arts Hall of Rucheng Martial Arts Academy.”

“Not bad at all. We’ll reunite at Ruda in the future. By the way, how’s the team formation for the Martial Arts Studies going? Want me to help you contact a few people? You’re definitely in high demand, your True Qi control is amazing. Unfortunately, our team was fixed back when we were in the honors class, and we’ve already been to Demon City three times. Otherwise, we would have definitely pulled you in.”

“Uncle Li found me one, and Teacher Sun can also help. If these teams don’t work, I’ll come to you.”

“Alright, it’s a deal then!”

Xu Qingjin sat on her knees on the sofa, put down her phone, and called towards the kitchen, “Mom, Zhou Leng said he’d definitely come.”

“Great, he’s always been a good kid since he was young. He always looked out for you when you were frail as a kid. What does he like to eat again? Tsk, it’s been years, I’ve forgotten completely.”

“Meat! He likes any kind of meat. Oh, but don’t make duck, I bet he’s sick of it by now.”

“Alright, we’ll make meat then.”

Zhou Leng chatted with Feng Wenhao, agreeing to respond together in three days.

He then checked the class group chat and browsed various websites.

Still the same as before, he’s only able to browse, not post any messages.

The next morning, the alarm went off.

Zhou Leng habitually sat up slowly, groggy for a moment, remembering that high school was completely over.

It seemed like he didn’t need to train like crazy as he did before.

Zhou Leng walked to the window, gazing outside.

Zhou Leng suddenly slightly leaned forward.

On the sidewalk, Zhang Xinglie was slowly walking back to the community.

Zhou Leng checked his phone time again, yep, it was just after five in the morning; Zhang Xinglie was coming back from training.

“As expected of the top senior at Eighth Middle School, others only see your genius side, but I always see your terrifying self-discipline and perseverance.”

“You believe so firmly that I can reach the peak like you, I can’t fall too far behind either.”

Zhou Leng quickly washed up, drank his basic Morning Exercise Powder, and went downstairs for a run as usual.

This time, Zhou Leng only ran on the jogging path because he had so much to think about.

“With my current body, I can wear weighted clothing in the future. With money, I’ll buy demonized cultivation armor…”

“Whether it’s entering the Martial Arts Academy or Martial Arts Hall, by September, I need to save up for tuition, over a month left…”

“Thinking carefully, currently, the only option is to join Boss Xue’s son’s Martial Arts Studies team. With my current connections and strength, there’s no better choice…”

“Next, I need to go frequently to the Frost Giant Tree for training, and plan my diet well since I can’t afford high-calorie foods or martial artist food anymore…”

“In the coming days, train to achieve Great Success in Qi Nourishing, Qi Reaches the Skin. By then, when encountering magical beasts, I’ll have the power to fight. As for demons, without reaching the Blood Transporting Period, it’s impossible to defeat them alone. Even the weakest lower-rank demon requires more than ten people to have a chance…”

While Zhou Leng was running and thinking, he arrived at Xiaoru Village.

“Woof…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep