First Martial Hall

"Student Lin Zhen, Azure Sky Martial Hall has decided to recruit you. You can sign a five-year contract at once, with a monthly salary equivalent to that of a senior student!"

"Come to Light and Shadow. Our contract terms definitely won't be worse than Azure Sky's. If you have any requirements concerning your family, we can find them jobs and provide them with Base City living benefits!"

"General Slayer can do that too. We can also provide housing—a detached two-story villa in XC District for you to live in free of charge!"

"Stop arguing. Changfeng has decided to take him in. You can also participate in the headquarters' special training, with free instruction from War General-level mentors. Changfeng members can even get a 5% discount on goods. That's something those small Martial Halls don't have."

The area around them erupted into noisy commotion. These lofty Martial Artists were acting like vegetable vendors, doing everything they could to promote their own Martial Halls.

It couldn't be helped. Lin Zhen's performance had been far too outstanding.

His punching strength and speed had both reached the standard of a Level Three Warrior, while his Neural Reaction had unbelievably reached the level of a Level Four Warrior. Neural Reaction determined a Martial Artist's ability to survive. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Lin Zhen had a strong chance of becoming a God of War Level expert in the future.

And Lin Zhen was not even seventeen yet.

No one had expected Sixth High School to produce such a talent. Even among the several aristocratic schools—First, Second, and Third High Schools—people like him were rare.

They had thought Lin Zhen would be overwhelmed by such generous offers, but he stood amid the crowd with a faint smile, completely unmoved.

He was still waiting, waiting for even better terms.

Ouyang Yu watched Lin Zhen with jealousy. Brother Li, who had just sworn he would help him, was now busy calling the person in charge to discuss an attractive contract for Lin Zhen, completely casting Ouyang Yu aside.

But before the Dragon Slayer people could finish their call, Zhao Liang, the representative from Raging Wind Martial Hall, stepped forward. Meng Dong followed beside him, wiggling his eyebrows at Lin Zhen.

"Lin Zhen, Raging Wind is offering you a Second Class Student contract, signed for three years at a time. We believe that after three years, this contract will no longer suit you. We promise to resolve your family's employment and living issues, and we'll provide you with a detached three-story villa in XC District. It has a strict security system, so your family can live without worries and you won't have anything holding you back."

Meng Dong chimed in from the side. "Lin Zhen, come to Raging Wind. This is Huaxia's number one Martial Hall. We can keep being together too. In the future, we can form a team to kill monsters and carve out a future together, brother!"

Lin Zhen let out a soft breath. "Then I'll join Raging Wind."

Upon hearing that Lin Zhen had chosen Raging Wind, and hearing the terms Raging Wind had offered, the people from the other Martial Halls finally fell silent. Raging Wind truly had deep pockets. They could casually give away a detached three-story villa; their Martial Halls simply didn't have that kind of financial power.

Only the Dragon Slayer people had just finished their call and immediately said, "Lin Zhen, we can offer you the same treatment! Even better than Raging Wind's."

Lin Zhen glanced at the Dragon Slayer people and shook his head. "I'm still joining Raging Wind."

"Why? Shouldn't a Martial Artist pursue the greatest possible benefit for himself?" The Dragon Slayer representative was rather puzzled.

A smile tugged at Lin Zhen's lips. He suddenly pointed at Ouyang Yu behind him. "Because I don't like the sight of this kid. If you break his legs right now, I'll consider whether to join Dragon Slayer."

The Dragon Slayer representative froze, opening his mouth but saying nothing.

Breaking Ouyang Yu's legs was naturally impossible, but he understood one thing: Lin Zhen's refusal to join Dragon Slayer was probably really related to Ouyang Yu. This left him with a trace of dissatisfaction toward Ouyang Yu.

If he had known, he would rather have offended Zhang Huai than recruited Ouyang Yu. Lin Zhen's potential clearly far surpassed Ouyang Yu's. He could have received a substantial bonus, but now it had all gone down the drain.

Ouyang Yu hurriedly shouted from behind, "Brother Li, don't listen to this kid's nonsense! He's deliberately trying to drive a wedge between us!"

"I'm not an idiot. I don't need your nonsense!" Brother Li replied coldly before turning and leaving the testing hall.

With everything settled, the people from the various Martial Halls dispersed one after another. Sixth High School's graduation examination was over.

Lin Zhen signed the contract with Raging Wind on the spot. The contract stipulated that Lin Zhen had to obey Raging Wind Martial Hall's basic arrangements, prioritize Raging Wind's interests in all matters, and not betray it.

At the same time, Lin Zhen would enjoy Raging Wind's benefits. A Second Class Student contract was extremely generous. Meng Dong only had a Third Class Student contract, yet Third Class Students could earn two hundred thousand a month, while Second Class Students could earn five hundred thousand.

Raging Wind also promised to resolve Lin Zhen's parents' living situation, allowing them to receive five thousand yuan each in monthly Base City living benefits. The elderly couple would receive ten thousand yuan every month without doing anything. Though it was not much, it was enough to maintain a basic living standard. This was something Lin Zhen valued greatly.

Moreover, as a Second Class Student joining a Martial Hall for the first time, he could receive an additional month's salary. Zhao Liang from Raging Wind handed Lin Zhen five hundred thousand on the spot, along with the keys to a detached three-story villa in West City. Even the property deed was transferred right there.

Aside from that, Lin Zhen would be able to access Raging Wind Martial Hall's internal network in the future. With his Second Class Student status, he could receive a 5% discount on online purchases.

That 5% discount was not to be underestimated. Buying things was a Martial Artist's largest expense. Over time, even a 5% discount would amount to a huge fortune, and as Lin Zhen rose in rank, the discounts he received would grow even greater.

For example, First Class Students could receive a 7% discount, while official Martial Artists could get 10% off. That was when the real savings began.

There were also Martial Hall uniforms and satellite phones, all uniquely assigned. Lin Zhen and Meng Dong each received one.

After these necessary procedures were completed, Zhao Liang patted Lin Zhen and Meng Dong on the shoulders. "Come on. Brother Zhao is treating you two to drinks today. Welcome to Raging Wind Martial Hall. I'll also show you what the world of Martial Artists is like."

Networking was important for Martial Artists as well. The more friends one had, the more people there would be to help when trouble arose. Zhao Liang clearly thought highly of Lin Zhen and Meng Dong's potential. As an established Martial Artist, his willingness to befriend newcomers was quite rare.

Lin Zhen had originally planned to go home today and give his parents a surprise, but it was hard to refuse Zhao Liang's kindness. After considering it, he decided to inform his family first.

Taking out his phone, Lin Zhen called home.

His father picked up quickly. The moment the call connected, his father immediately asked how Lin Zhen's graduation examination had gone.

Lin Zhen hesitated. Seeing that there were still many people around, he did not want to draw too much attention as someone who had joined Raging Wind Martial Hall. He merely said to his father over the phone, "Dad, don't worry. I did pretty well this time. I'll tell you when I get home. I might be back very late."

Zhao Liang said from beside him, "What do you mean, very late? We're drinking all night and having a good time today."

Lin Zhen could only continue, "If it gets too late, I won't come back. I'll return tomorrow morning."

His father agreed, then hung up.

After ending the call, Lin Liye said to Li Qin, who was waiting anxiously beside him, "That kid... I'm guessing he might not have done very well. He's always the type to report good news and hide bad news. You know that."

Li Qin nodded. "If he didn't do well, we can't criticize him when he comes back."

"Don't worry. I know better than that."

The elderly couple had no idea whether Lin Zhen had gotten into a Martial Hall, and they felt somewhat uneasy.

After Lin Zhen finished the call, he and Meng Dong followed Zhao Liang out of Sixth High School.

As he walked through Sixth High School's gates, Lin Zhen looked back. His high school life had ended once again, but this time, he had finally entered Huaxia's number one Martial Hall and begun an entirely different life.