A-grade Subsidy

Seeing the slight confusion in Lin Mu's eyes, Bai Fan smiled and said at once, "Do you find it strange that Mental Strength is valued so highly?"

Lin Mu nodded.

"You've actually noticed it too. Through cultivating Martial Skills, martial artists can raise their Blood Qi Value. So, under normal circumstances, the higher a martial artist's skill level, the stronger they will be!"

"Mental Strength can effectively raise one's skill level!"

"This is also the key to breaking through from the Fourth Order to the Fifth Order. To break through to the Fifth Order, you must cultivate at least one skill to Diamond Grade!"

"As for how difficult that is, you'll only understand once you truly begin cultivating in the future!" Bai Fan said.

"There are many things that you wouldn't understand even if I told you now. In short, raise your Mental Strength as much as possible. It will bring you many benefits in cultivation in the future!"

Lin Mu nodded. "I understand!"

"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer. Cultivate well. I'll see you in half a month!" Bai Fan said.

"Thank you, Principal!"

Bai Fan waved his hand, rose to his feet, and left.

Watching Bai Fan's retreating figure, Lin Mu felt somewhat moved.

He knew that the farther one progressed down the path of cultivation, the harder it became.

He was still at the very bottom of this world, and there were many things he did not understand.

By a twist of fate, I actually learned a little about breaking through from the Fourth Order to the Fifth Order. But according to Principal Bai, there should be formidable obstacles ahead if I want to improve further!

Lin Mu thought to himself.

However, he was not overly worried. With the system, he was bound to make something of himself in the future.

After putting away the items on the table, Lin Mu turned his gaze to the system interface.

"Name: Lin Mu."

"Blood Qi Value: 6.73 points."

"Mental Strength: 1.3 points."

"Skills: Fist Technique (Black Iron Grade 77%), Movement Technique (Silver Grade 6%), Blade Technique (Black Iron Grade 51%)."

"Secret Art: Dragon Secret Art Fragment (Minor Mastery 34%)."

"Breathing Technique: Xuanmu Breathing Technique Fragment (Beginner 55%)."

"Cultivation Method: Five Hearts Facing Heaven Art (Major Mastery 30%)."

"Martial Skills: Dragon Roar Fist (Perfection), Dragon Swimming Step (Perfection), Dragon's Thousand-Mile Stride (Minor Mastery 13%), Immovable Rock Golden Body (Beginner 89%), Berserk Strike (Beginner 77%)."

"..."

Looking at the data before him, excitement flashed in Lin Mu's eyes.

This trip to the Blood Qi Medicine Pool had brought him tremendous help.

His Blood Qi Value had increased by a full 3.0.

That was equal to all his previous painstaking cultivation.

People really do need resources!

Lin Mu thought to himself.

His gaze fell once more on the Breathing Technique and the Secret Art.

Both were fragments.

They greatly restricted his development as well.

Getting the complete versions won't be easy!

Lin Mu thought to himself.

He stretched his waist and headed for his room.

Sitting in his room, he reviewed some more lessons. At around ten o'clock, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Lin Mu brought the rewards Bai Fan had given him to the martial arts hall downstairs.

Quite a few people in the martial arts hall were extremely warm toward Lin Mu when they saw him.

News of Lin Mu guiding Li Yan had long since spread, and Li Yan had indeed improved greatly. He was now a First-Order Martial Artist.

Thus, many people admired him greatly.

When Huang Yan saw him, her beautiful eyes were filled with eagerness, as though she wished Lin Mu could devour her right then and there.

"Lin Mu, you're here!" Huang Yan puffed out her proud chest, her voice carrying a hint of seduction.

"Mm. I'm here to exchange for some things!"

"What are you exchanging for? I'll handle it for you!" Huang Yan said.

Lin Mu took out the Exchange Vouchers.

"Thirty B-grade cultivation supplies, one Tier 3 Martial Skill, and one B-grade Battle Saber!" Lin Mu said.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of many people present visibly changed.

Those items were extremely valuable. Together, they were worth more than several million.

Lin Mu was only a student. How had he suddenly become so wealthy?

Huang Yan's face was also filled with disbelief. Yet when she saw the Exchange Vouchers Lin Mu had taken out, the astonishment in her beautiful eyes grew even more obvious.

These Exchange Vouchers bore Steel Stamps, so they had to be genuine.

She simply could not understand where a poor student like Lin Mu had gotten them.

"I'll report this for you!" Unable to make the decision herself, Huang Yan immediately made a call.

After she briefly explained the situation, a figure soon hurried down from upstairs.

When he saw those Exchange Vouchers, his expression visibly changed.

"Exchange Vouchers issued by the Ministry of Education? You have an A-grade Subsidy from the school?" the man asked Lin Mu at once.

As soon as he spoke, the expressions of many people present changed drastically.

An A-grade Subsidy!?

What kind of outstanding person did one have to be to receive that?

"I remember there was a trainee before whose family was rather poor, but whose Blood Qi Value had reached 2.5. He only received a D-grade Subsidy after applying several times, and every step up in grade is at least ten times harder."

"How terrifying must his talent be for him to receive an A-grade Subsidy!"

"That's right. Li City isn't exactly prosperous. Even the Ministry of Education rarely takes out such things to subsidize students. Anyone who can receive this kind of subsidy must have extraordinary talent!"

"Maybe he could even become a Fourth Tier Martial Artist in the future!"

"..."

Many people discussed it among themselves, and the way they looked at Lin Mu gained several degrees of respect.

If Lin Mu's previous performance as a sparring partner had only surprised them and made them think he had great talent for real combat, then now, in their eyes, Lin Mu was an undisputed genius.

Someone like him would become a figure they could only look up to in the future.

Hearing this, Huang Yan's beautiful eyes were full of disbelief.

A Fourth Tier Martial Artist!

This man before her might actually become a Fourth Tier Martial Artist in the future!

She felt as if her head were spinning.

What kind of powerful talent did one need to possibly reach such a Realm!

Why didn't I notice before that he had such talent!

Her heart was filled with regret.

She knew that the Lin Mu of today and the Lin Mu from before belonged to two entirely different worlds.

Even if she threw herself into his arms now, he probably would not spare her a second glance.

Lin Mu looked at the man before him and nodded slightly, confirming his question.

The man drew a deep breath, and his gaze toward Lin Mu gained several degrees of respect.

"I never thought I would meet someone like you. I'm Lei He, the Vice Curator of this martial arts hall! Let's talk inside!" Lei He said with a smile.

Lin Mu nodded.

Following Lei He upstairs, the two sat in an office and chatted.

Lei He treated Lin Mu as though he were a superior.

Even though he possessed Second-Order Cultivation and could crush Lin Mu with a single slap, he still showed Lin Mu sufficient respect.

"I have a general understanding of your situation. Based on your current circumstances, there are several Martial Skills you can take a look at. Of course, this is only my personal suggestion. If you don't think they suit you, you can choose for yourself..."