Chapter 292: Gold-plated?

Chapter 292: Gilded?

The training hall had a pleasant atmosphere.

Most of those who came here to learn martial arts were wealthy second-generation heirs. In Tianyue City, they weren’t the top tier, but they still belonged to the second echelon. Spending hundreds of thousands or even a million on a hobby each year posed no pressure for them. For them, martial arts were merely a pastime. When tired, they rested—few were as devoted and serious as Qi Yuan. So when they heard Qi Yuan wanted to participate in the martial arts tournament, no one was surprised. They came to Mingwu Martial Arts Gym as a hobby, a casual affair. Qi Yuan... was different.

"Our gym also has a few participants in the tournament. They’re different—they’re elite seeds," Wang Shiqiao said, looking at Qi Yuan with a wink.

"What’s their best result?" Qi Yuan asked.

"The best result is top twenty in Tianyue City. Unfortunately, only the top ten qualify for the national martial arts tournament. But don’t underestimate that top twenty. Without gene serums or hot weapons, those top twenty would be city-level heroes in ancient times!" Wang Shiqiao spoke, envy flickering in his eyes.

After all, the pure, natural human limit was always popular. Within the circle, it was even more sought after.

"It seems our gym’s students are a bit weak," Qi Yuan couldn’t help but remark.

"Don’t let those elite members hear you say that, or they’ll come looking for trouble. Among those elite members, there’s a tough character—a big shot even in Tianyue City," Wang Shiqiao said, his expression wistful.

Qi Yuan wasn’t interested in any of that and continued practicing the Mingwu Resonance Fist on his own. But Wang Shiqiao, like a chatterbox, kept talking nonstop.

"The strongest person in our gym is named Xu Tiehua. He’s already reached the ninth level of the Mingwu Resonance Fist. Even the senior brother might not be his match. Not only is his martial arts formidable, but his family also has considerable connections. You know what? Yesterday, a big shot died in Tianyue City—the Black Crystal Count. In a few days, the Black Crystal Count’s funeral will be held. It’s very low-key, only inviting a select few. Every attendee is among the top elite of Tianyue. And Xu Tiehua... he’s qualified to attend the Black Crystal Count’s funeral!"

Qi Yuan, who had been training the Mingwu Resonance Fist, paused. Then he heard Wang Shiqiao say, "Jealous, huh?"

The other students around them showed envy in their eyes. They had some money, enough to live comfortably without worry, but compared to the true elite of Tianyue, the gap was still vast.

"Xu Tiehua is nothing like us," one said.

"If he can make it into the top ten of the city-level martial arts tournament, with his family connections, he can easily secure a military position."

"We’re just slackers."

These students were clear-headed; for them, life had no great ambitions—just drifting through. For a hardworking genius like Xu Tiehua, they naturally felt immense envy.

Of course, when their conversations reached the ears of the gym staff, it sounded like humblebragging. Those staff members earned a monthly salary of six or seven thousand. To buy a decent house in Tianyue City, they’d have to go without food or drink for twenty or thirty years. The gap between rich and poor in the State of Qin Yuan was wider than that between humans and dogs. Ordinary people worked their whole lives and still lived worse than a rich man’s dog.

Qi Yuan paid no attention to these voices. As he swung the Mingwu Resonance Fist, his blood began to simmer faintly. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his back, only to vanish without a trace. At that moment, Qi Yuan’s Mingwu Resonance Fist stepped into the fourth layer.

"Hmm... still a weakling with a combat power of five."

Qi Yuan didn’t notice any significant improvement in his combat ability. But for an ordinary person, relying solely on the strength gained from martial arts, it would be enough to handle one or two thugs of the same weight class—provided those thugs didn’t have knives.

"So, at least reaching the seventh layer counts as... a certified martial artist?"

Not everyone who practices martial arts is a martial artist. To obtain a martial artist certificate, one must meet the requirements set by the state. These requirements vary depending on the school or style, as defined by the Martial Arts Association. For example, the Mingwu Resonance Fist requires reaching the seventh layer to be considered a martial artist and obtain the certificate.

The function of the martial artist certificate is similar to various professional certifications in the previous life on Blue Star. To become a martial arts coach or open a gym, one must have the certificate. Mingwu Martial Arts Gym had over a hundred students, but only fifteen held the certificate. Although an ordinary person could obtain the certificate after three years of daily hard training, the problem was... many people couldn’t be bothered to train.

"At this rate, I’ll get the certificate in another half month?" Qi Yuan thought to himself.

After absorbing the essence blood of the mutated sea monster, Qi Yuan’s martial arts aptitude had improved considerably. His training speed had also increased. Plus, he was originally a cultivator. What might take an ordinary person one or two years, he could accomplish in half a month—that seemed normal. Once he broke through to the seventh layer and became a true martial artist, Qi Yuan could then take secret substances to make further breakthroughs.

"I should find time to contact Carnival and ask about the secret substances."

For Qi Yuan, this was just a casual game. If there were tasks for NPCs to handle, why do them himself?

Time passed quickly.

Qi Yuan was constantly practicing martial arts, appearing out of place among the other students present.

Not far away, Wang Shiqiao sat on the sofa playing with her phone.

Just then, a female voice came: “Xiaoqiao, you’re not really interested in that guy, are you?”

The woman looked petite and delicate, but her body contained immense energy; she was one of the few in the martial arts hall who held a martial artist certificate.

Wang Shiqiao glanced at Qi Yuan, who was training hard, and smiled: “What do you mean by interested? Aside from having a bit of fun, can’t I just be friends?

Having a handsome guy like him as a friend makes me look good when I take him out.”

At first, Wang Shiqiao was indeed attracted by Qi Yuan’s looks and harbored covetous thoughts.

Later, she discovered that Qi Yuan was different from what she had imagined, not like her at all.

So she withdrew those thoughts and treated him as an ordinary friend.

Of course, if they ever drank together someday, she wouldn’t mind something beyond friendship.

“It’s good that you think that way. He… his family isn’t well-off; he’s the child of a martyr.

Coming to the martial arts hall probably cost him all his savings.

Seeing how serious he is, unlike you guys who treat it as a hobby, he’s taking it as a career,” the petite woman said, with a condescending tone.

Wang Shiqiao laughed: “Xing Yu, I didn’t realize you had such a strong sense of class?”

Wang Shiqiao and Xing Yu were close friends, roommates in the dormitory.

Wang Shiqiao came from a moderately wealthy family, while Xing Yu’s family was average—even poorer than the others in the dorm, hailing from a small town.

Through Wang Shiqiao’s connections, Xing Yu had climbed into the bed of a billionaire and successfully secured a legitimate position.

After serving the old man for a few years, Xing Yu’s hardships paid off; the old man was dying.

He was about to leave her a huge inheritance. In the eyes of the rest of their class, Xing Yu was a complete winner in life.

But Wang Shiqiao laughed only when she saw Xing Yu looking down on Qi Yuan like that.

Xing Yu wasn’t angered; instead, she said softly, “In the future, I can play with as many men like him as I want.”

“You’re not also after Qi Yuan, are you?” Wang Shiqiao said, somewhat exasperated, then added, “I always feel his temperament is different; money probably won’t work on him. Otherwise, I’d have already paid up!”

“How can there be anyone in this world that money can’t move? It’s just that the money isn’t enough,” Xing Yu said confidently.

“What if the hundreds of millions you inherit can’t move him at all?”

“Is he made of gold?” Xing Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you saying he’s more expensive than Xu Tiehua?”

“Hey, isn’t it a bit rude to talk behind someone’s back like that?

And besides, I’m not made of gold, but I’m more expensive than gold!”

Just then, a hearty voice rang out, and a middle-aged man with a well-proportioned figure walked over.

Though middle-aged, he had a baby face and wore a shirt; those at the martial arts hall knew that beneath the shirt were explosive muscles.

This man was Xu Tiehua.

He was the top student at Mingwu Martial Arts Hall, with an aura even stronger than the senior disciple’s.

When Xing Yu saw Xu Tiehua appear, a blush spread across her face.

The other students also turned their gazes to Xu Tiehua.

Some people become the center of attention the moment they appear.

“Ahem… eavesdropping on young ladies’ private whispers—aren’t you afraid your ears will rot?” Xing Yu said coquettishly, all traces of her earlier arrogance gone.

The others also greeted Xu Tiehua, but they unconsciously felt a lack of confidence in his presence.

After all, Xu Tiehua was a true aristocrat, someone who could attend the funeral of the Black Crystal Count.

Xu Tiehua greeted everyone present, then walked over to Qi Yuan with a kind expression: “You’re Qi Yuan? I heard from Second Senior Brother that you’re participating in this Martial Arts Tournament?”

His purpose in coming here was to meet Qi Yuan.

“Mm,” Qi Yuan nodded, looking at Xu Tiehua.

“I didn’t expect our hall to have one more person signing up this year.

With you included, our hall has four participants this year. With four people… besides the individual competition, there will also be a team competition.

If you’re free, the four of us could train together for a while each day to prepare for the Martial Arts Tournament!”

Xu Tiehua extended a sincere invitation.

The team competition relied not only on strength but also on tactics.

The order of rotation among the four and the roles each played were very important.

That was why Xu Tiehua came to invite Qi Yuan, to get him familiar with the other teammates first.

Qi Yuan shook his head and directly refused: “The competition is still three months away; there’s plenty of time. We can coordinate in the last few days. Right now… I’m busy improving my strength.”

He was only at the fourth layer of the Mingwu Resonance Fist, still several layers away from becoming a martial artist.

During this time, he had to push his strength to the limit.

He needed to win the first Martial Arts Tournament.

Xu Tiehua was momentarily stunned by Qi Yuan’s words, then smiled: “You’re right; improving your own strength is the most important thing.

How about this: come find me whenever you feel ready.”

Xu Tiehua was easy to talk to and took good care of Qi Yuan.

If it had been someone else, they might have lost their temper after being refused by Qi Yuan.

“Alright,” Qi Yuan nodded.

Xu Tiehua said nothing more, bid Qi Yuan farewell, and left the martial arts hall.

Wang Shiqiao, watching from the side, winked at Qi Yuan: “Why did you turn down Young Master Xu?

You just joined the hall not long ago; in the individual competition… well, you’ll probably be out in the first round.

Why not prepare well with them for the team competition? Xu Tiehua is pretty strong; maybe you can last a few more rounds and gain some experience.”

Wang Shiqiao’s words echoed the thoughts of most people.

Qi Yuan had just entered the hall and wasn’t even a martial artist yet; participating in the Martial Arts Tournament was basically just cannon fodder.

“My goal is to win the Martial Arts Tournament. As for the team competition… I’ll see,” Qi Yuan said honestly.

“You…” Wang Shiqiao rolled her eyes. “With your level, you want to win?

If you actually win the Martial Arts Tournament, I’ll eat your shit!”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan gave Wang Shiqiao a dark look: “Your intentions are quite deep?”

“Huh?” Wang Shiqiao was dumbfounded.

“Where in the world is there such a good deal? Trying to scam a free meal out of me.”

“Get lost!” Wang Shiqiao cursed, finally understanding what Qi Yuan meant.

Night fell, and the people in the martial arts hall left one after another.

Wang Shiqiao bid farewell to Qi Yuan and left with Xing Yu.

Qi Yuan walked out of the martial arts hall, his expression rather languid.

"Mr. Qi... what a coincidence, running into you here!"

By the roadside, the car window rolled down, and a pair of fair hands reached out, waving at Qi Yuan.

Inside the window, a young, pretty face appeared, her eyes filled with delight.

"Oh, you are... Wu Qi?"

Qi Yuan recognized the person in the car, his expression calm.

"Mr. Qi, are you heading home? I happen to be going that way—why not let me give you a lift?" Wu Qi extended the invitation, and even as she forced herself to stay composed, one could see the turmoil within her.

Yesterday on the cruise, Qi Yuan had left a deep impression on her.

As a rational person, she knew what she was after.

Having glimpsed such power and privilege, she naturally couldn't bear to let go.

Just then, a friend of hers mentioned seeing an incredibly handsome student at the Mingwu Martial Arts Hall and even sent her a photo.

She recognized him as Qi Yuan at a glance.

In that instant, she felt it was fate, her good fortune.

Without a moment's hesitation, she drove straight there to stage a chance encounter.

Qi Yuan smiled: "You don't even know where I live—how could it be on your way?"

Wu Qi in the car blushed, her heart fluttering with panic.

Then she heard Qi Yuan speak.

"You, this NPC, can be my driver for today."

It would save him a bit on cab fare—Qi Yuan was pleased.

With that, he got into Wu Qi's car.

A look of ecstasy spread across Wu Qi's face, her heartbeat quickening.

"If I told you now that I'm not interested in you and don't want anything intimate, would you think I'm being arrogantly self-assured?" Sitting in the car, Qi Yuan thought of something and said with a light laugh.

After all, his words did come off as cocky and patronizing.

Wu Qi was stunned, a wave of deep disappointment welling up inside her.

Still, she forced a smile: "Mr. Qi, you're joking."

"Do you know why I got into your car?" Qi Yuan spoke again.

Wu Qi's eyes showed confusion; she hadn't expected him to ask that.

Why?

She was bewildered.

"Because you... are a little special."

Qi Yuan's gaze seemed to pierce through Wu Qi's body, settling on her blood.

Under that look, Wu Qi felt a strange discomfort all over, as if her clothes and defenses had been stripped away, leaving her bare before Qi Yuan.

(The chapter ends)