Martial Arts Research

Chapter 13 Martial Arts Research

"I know. I even discussed it with my classmates a few days ago. Anyone applying to a martial university or an affiliated martial arts academy should, after submitting their applications, try to go to Demon City for a Martial Arts Research trip and fight Demonic Beasts. The first reason is to train their combat ability and accumulate experience. The second is to obtain Battle Merit through fighting Demonic Beasts. Battle Merit counts as bonus points when applying through supplementary admission, making it easier to get in."

Li Linhan said, "I have a fairly close friend who owns a Pioneer Branch Company. His son's grades are a little poor, but he spent a great deal of money arranging a supplementary admission spot for him at West Sea University. Once the results come out, he'll form a team and head to Demon City for Martial Arts Research."

"You want me to go?"

"Mm. I've met that boy before. Although... he's a bit of a disappointment, he's not a bad person and isn't that much of a wastrel. That boss has hired bodyguards, but he also needs to hire some college entrance exam students as foils. Do you understand?"

Zhou Leng said, "We'll probably fight Demonic Beasts together, but let him take more action while we protect him as much as possible. That way, he'll become stained with more of the Demonic Beasts' aura, and the Battle Merit Tokens will allocate more Battle Merit to him?"

"Exactly. He'll compensate his teammates with some money, probably thirty to forty thousand. If you discover any spiritual objects, he'll give you money for those too. That boss may be ruthless, but he's fair in how he does things. With me there, he won't make things difficult for you."

"Thirty thousand guaranteed at minimum... That's a very high price." Zhou Leng said.

"That's why I'm asking you. Of course, if you have a better team, you can give it up."

Zhou Leng shook his head. "How could I have your connections? If Zhang Xinglie stayed in Ru City and formed a Martial Arts Research team, I'd definitely go. But right now, I Cannot Find a better team. The key is that ordinary research teams can't afford to hire bodyguards."

"That's one of the reasons I want you to go. That boss will hire two young experts in the Blood Circulation Stage to follow far behind and act only at critical moments. A team like that is much safer than a normal Martial Arts Research team."

"I know you want to make money, but you didn't enter the elite martial arts class, you have no actual combat experience, and your Pill cultivation hasn't kept up. Charging in recklessly would be very dangerous. So I still hope you'll take this path, making money while gaining practical experience. Once you've entered Demon City several more times and advanced from the Qi Nourishing Stage to the Blood Circulation Stage, you can join a Pioneer team. At that point, I definitely won't stop you."

Zhou Leng fell into deep thought.

Zhou Leng had originally planned to have Uncle Li introduce him to a safe Pioneer team after the college entrance examination so that he could earn his tuition.

Ordinary pioneers needed to be at least in the Blood Circulation Stage. Once he joined a team, he could only do odd jobs, and his monthly salary would not exceed ten thousand.

Zhou Leng said, "When will the other side stop recruiting?"

"Preferably before the college entrance exam results come out. Besides, that boss and I have a good relationship, and he's also worried about taking in all sorts of unreliable people. If the team fills up, then I can't say for sure." Li Linhan said.

"Then I'll give you an answer in three days."

"Good."

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

Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment before saying, "Should I sell a Pill Voucher and buy some combat supplies? After all, people often get injured or killed during Martial Arts Research."

"You're underestimating those bosses. For a team like this, they'll prepare everything. For the sake of their son's future, they won't be stingy. It's Just That some valuable things have to be returned after you use them." Li Linhan said.

"That's even better."

"There are still five days until the results are announced. Your third year of high school was so grueling. Rest for a few days, go out and have fun with your classmates, and clear your mind." Li Linhan said.

Thinking of the balance in his bank card, Zhou Leng said, "I'm going to Xiaoru Village to cultivate and prepare for Martial Arts Research."

"You... Your body just recovered. Don't overwork yourself."

"Don't worry, I know my limits. I'll go to the hospital on Monday and have this green wristband removed." Zhou Leng raised his wristband.

"Good." Li Linhan smiled.

"By the Way, Jiang Yan, the deputy leader of our group, asked Hu Yi and me to go to work. Neither of us paid any attention to him."

Li Linhan thought for a moment before saying, "There was a shipment that day, and it was rather urgent. He knew perfectly well that you two were taking the college entrance exam and still pressured you, so it was probably related to the recent assessment. He should be trying to advance further. Don't worry. I'll go and say something to him."

"Thank You, Uncle. I honestly didn't take it to heart."

"The company isn't like school. Things aren't so simple there, so be more careful. But you can't let yourself be wronged either."

"Yes."

After chatting for nearly the entire afternoon, Zhou Leng returned home.

He sat quietly, not wanting to do anything.

"Phew..."

Zhou Leng exhaled a long breath. The college entrance examination was finally over.

Turning his head to look at the evening glow and clouds outside the window, Zhou Leng felt very relaxed, but there was also a trace of emptiness.

The past was already past, while the road ahead was Filled With the unknown.

He was curious, yet apprehensive.

He was happy, yet lost.

Zhou Leng took out his phone and opened the class-three group chat.

There were more than five thousand chat messages displayed, and the number was still increasing.

Zhou Leng quickly read from the beginning. Occasionally, he saw his classmates joking around, and the corner of his mouth curved into a faint smile.

Before long, Zhou Leng saw that some classmates were suggesting a gathering and an outing.

Some supported it, while others said they wanted to go on a Martial Arts Research trip and would talk about it after they returned.

Thus, the students in the class began discussing Martial Arts Research.

"Those of you going on Martial Arts Research trips have to be careful. Demon City is too dangerous. I definitely don't dare to go."

"People die during Martial Arts Research."

"Bah, don't spout nonsense."

"As long as you don't run into the Demon Worshipping Cult or demons, you'll basically be fine. Demonic Beasts don't have much intelligence. When there are enough people charging together, there's nothing to fear."

"Don't forget to prepare demonized weapons. They're useless against Demonic Beasts in the Innate Realm, but they're incredibly effective against Demonic Beasts in the Qi and Blood Realm."

"Stop talking nonsense. The state strictly controls demonized weapons. What qualifications do we have to use them?"

"Even if you rent one, it costs several thousand a day. We can't afford that."

After scrolling to the end, Zhou Leng discovered that Hu Yi had started a video call.

He answered.

Hu Yi's large, round face filled the phone screen.

"Zhou Leng, what are you planning to do over the next few days?"

"Cultivate."

"Stop messing around."

"I Want To prepare for Martial Arts Research."

"Huh? You're really not planning to have fun anymore?"

"I really don't have time."

"What about the Pioneer Company?"

"We'll talk about it after I return from Martial Arts Research."

"Alright. By the Way, Feng Wenhao is also going on a Martial Arts Research trip. Wouldn't it be great if you two went together? Everyone says Demon City tests human nature the most. You two know each other well, so you could look out for each other in danger."

"I'll contact him right 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 with me to Martial Arts Research?"

"The team requires at least one martial art to have reached mastery. Is his level sufficient?"

"He seems to be a little short, but his internal energy should be at the seventh or eighth minor-success layer. His movement technique and boxing technique have both reached minor success. He shouldn't have a problem getting into an affiliated martial arts academy."

"Send me his Martial Path Diary when the time comes. I'll ask Boss Xue whether it's possible. Even if it is, I estimate the money offered won't be very high."

"Alright, I'll discuss it with him."

Just as Zhou Leng returned home and was about to contact Feng Wenhao, a new message appeared.

Xu Qingjin.

"Zhou Leng, how did you do on the exam? My mother just said that after the results come out, she wants to invite our classmates to our house for a gathering. She specifically mentioned you."

"Thank your aunt for me. I'll definitely go then. I did alright. I performed beyond my usual level."

"That's wonderful!"

"Which martial university are you planning to apply to?" Zhou Leng asked.

"I'm severely unbalanced in my subjects. Only my internal energy and movement techniques are decent, so I probably can't get into the top ten. If nothing unexpected happens, I should apply to Rucheng Martial University. What about you?"

"My grades aren't enough for a martial university. I'm planning to apply for supplementary admission to Rucheng Martial University, and for the academy, I'll apply to its affiliated martial arts academy."

"Not bad, not bad. Then the two of us will meet up at Ru University in the future. By the Way, how's your Martial Arts Research team search going? Do you want me to contact a few for you? You'll definitely be in high demand. Your true-energy control is incredibly powerful. It's a pity our team was fixed back when we were in the elite class. We've already gone to Demon City three times. Otherwise, I'd definitely pull you in."

"Uncle Li helped me find one, and Teacher Sun can also help. If these teams don't work out, I'll come to you."

"Good, then it's settled!"

Xu Qingjin knelt on the sofa, put down her phone, and shouted toward the kitchen, "Mom, Zhou Leng said he'll definitely come."

"It's good that he's coming. He's been a good child since he was little. When you were young and weak, he always looked after you. What does he like to eat again? Tsk, he hasn't come over in several years. I've forgotten everything."

"Meat! He likes all kinds of meat. By the Way, don't make duck. I estimate he's sick of eating it."

"Alright, we'll just make meat."

Zhou Leng chatted with Feng Wenhao, and they agreed to give their answer together in three days.

After looking through the class group chat for a while longer, Zhou Leng browsed several major websites.

Unfortunately, things were still the same as before. He could only browse and couldn't post any messages.

Early the next morning, the alarm rang.

Zhou Leng habitually sat up slowly. After being dazed for a while, he remembered that high school had completely ended.

It seemed he no longer needed to cultivate as frantically as before.

Zhou Leng walked to the window and looked outside.

Zhou Leng suddenly leaned forward slightly.

On the sidewalk, Zhang Xinglie was slowly walking back toward the residential complex.

Zhou Leng looked at the time on his phone again. There was no mistake. It was a little after five in the morning, and Zhang Xinglie had returned from cultivation.

"As Expected Of the Eighth Middle School's Senior Disciple. Others only see your genius, but I can always see your almost terrifying self-discipline and perseverance."

"You firmly believe that I can reach the peak just like you. I can't fall too far behind, either."

Zhou Leng washed up simply, finished drinking his basic morning-training powder, and went downstairs to run as usual.

This time, Zhou Leng only ran along the jogging track because he had too many things to think about.

With my current body, I can wear weighted clothing in the future. Once I have money, I can buy a demonized cultivation suit...

Whether I enter a martial university or a martial arts academy, I have to save up my tuition before September. There's only a little over a month left...

Thinking about it carefully, right now I can only go with Boss Xue's son's Martial Arts Research team. With my current connections and strength, I don't have a better choice...

From now on, I'll have to cultivate at the Frost Giant Tree frequently. I need to plan my diet properly. I can't afford high-calorie food or martial artist food anymore...

Over the next few days of cultivation, I'll strive to reach great success in the Qi Nourishing Stage, so that my qi can reach my skin. When I encounter Demonic Beasts then, I'll have the strength to fight. As for demons, it's impossible to defeat one alone before reaching the Blood Circulation Stage. Even the weakest lower-ranked demon in the Qi and Blood Realm would require more than ten people to have a chance of winning...

Zhou Leng ran while thinking and arrived at Xiaoru Village.

"Woof..."