Become a Martial Warrior First!

After dinner, Qin Heng walked Fang Lingxue home.

On the way, Fang Lingxue asked him, "Are you angry? You didn't say a word just now, and you looked a little scary."

Qin Heng replied, "A little, but not at you guys."

"I know it wasn't at us, but it's the same with anyone else. The neighbors are all ordinary people. If you, a Quasi-Martial Warrior, retaliate against them, you could have your enrollment at the Martial Hall revoked."

Fang Lingxue was worried that his anger might get the better of him and make him do something violent.

Qin Heng smiled. "What are you thinking? Do I seem like that kind of person?"

Fang Lingxue asked, "Then what were you thinking about?"

Qin Heng said, "Every grievance has its debtor. Even if I wanted revenge, I'd go after Wang Peng. But that guy has a Grandmaster behind him, so there doesn't seem to be an opportunity for now."

When Fang Lingxue heard the words "Grandmaster," she let out a quiet sigh.

Then she comforted him, "Just focus on cultivating first. Don't think too much. Once you have money, we'll move to the New City District. Then Uncle and Auntie won't have to suffer harassment from the neighbors anymore."

"Mm..."

Qin Heng said no more.

But a plan had already formed in his mind.

After seeing Fang Lingxue home, Qin Heng took out his phone from his pocket on the way back and made a call.

He had only bought the phone recently. It had cost 3,000 yuan. Not only did he have one himself, but there was another at home as well, so he could contact his family after going to Heavenly Dao Martial Hall when he could no longer return home.

Beep...

The call went through, and the profile picture and name "Zhong Wanshan" appeared.

The call was answered quickly.

Qin Heng said, "Teacher Zhong, I'd like to ask you something."

"What is it? Let's hear it." Zhong Wanshan's lazy voice came from the phone. It was somewhat noisy around him, as though he were drinking with someone else.

Getting straight to the point, Qin Heng said, "My punching force has now exceeded 1,000 kilograms. Can I apply directly to register for a Martial Warrior Household Registration?"

"Huh? What? 1,000 kilograms!"

Upon hearing that, a sharp crack came from Zhong Wanshan's end, as if he had crushed a wineglass in his hand.

Zhong Wanshan said in astonishment, "You're not joking, are you? You were still at 928 kilograms during the assessment a few days ago. It's only been a few days!"

Qin Heng said firmly, "I'm absolutely certain. I'm definitely not exaggerating!"

Today was the seventh day of his cultivation of the Innate Fetal Breathing Art. Over the past seven days, every morning after finishing cultivation, he could clearly feel his physique growing stronger, and even his height was changing along with it.

He was now a full ten centimeters taller than he had been a week ago. Though he had not tested his strength yet, his punching force surpassing 1,000 kilograms was as certain as a nail driven into a board—and it would not surpass it by just a little!

Zhong Wanshan fell silent for a while.

A moment later, he muttered to himself, "You just passed the Quasi-Martial Warrior assessment, and now you want to register as a Martial Warrior? Isn't that a little too outrageous?"

Qin Heng said, "Teacher Zhong, I looked it up. The official Martial Warrior assessment is held once every month, right at the end of the month. If I sign up now, I can still make it."

This was the result of careful consideration. He wanted to use the status of an official Martial Warrior to clear his own name.

The Martial Arts Tournament was still three months away. That was too long.

He himself could ignore it, but seeing his parents and Ling Xue being talked about every day made him feel guilty.

Everyone knew that the boost from divine medicine was a one-time thing. Once it reached a certain level, there would be no second improvement, and one could never continue growing for the rest of one's life.

His assessment had been 928 kilograms a few days ago, and people had spread rumors that he had taken divine medicine.

Now, if he took the official Martial Warrior assessment, as long as he passed the punching-force test of at least 1,000 kilograms and the wilderness hunting operation trial, the rumors would collapse without being attacked!

Zhong Wanshan said, "That's true. The 20th to the 26th of every month are registration days for the Martial Warrior assessment. On the 27th, all registered Quasi-Martial Warriors gather and take the Martial Warrior Alliance's Wilderness Battle Vehicle into the wild to carry out missions. As long as you complete the combat mission, you can obtain a Martial Warrior Household Registration and enjoy many privileges."

"Then can I sign up? Will it affect my admission?" Qin Heng asked.

Zhong Wanshan replied, "It won't affect it. This sort of thing has happened a few times before, all with repeat examinees. Our Martial Hall has three different types of student classes: Quasi-Martial Warrior, Martial Warrior, and Elite Class. If you pass the Martial Warrior assessment, you'll be assigned directly to the Martial Warrior Class. As for the Elite Class... I'm not sure. With my status, I can't make the call on that."

Qin Heng immediately looked much more at ease. "I'm not in a hurry to enter the Elite Class. Teacher Zhong, I'll go sign up now. If I'm late, it'll be too late."

Today happened to be the 26th, the final day for registration.

Zhong Wanshan chuckled. "Since you've made up your mind, go ahead. Oh, right. The Martial Warrior examination requires you to hunt designated Monsters in the wilderness. The wilderness is dangerous. Every month, people die or are crippled during the Martial Warrior assessment. You need to protect yourself. I can accept you failing the assessment, but you absolutely cannot be injured or crippled. Otherwise, forget a monthly salary of 120,000—even 12 yuan would be too much for you."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Zhong!"

Qin Heng ended the call. His eyes burned with blazing light.

"Martial Warrior!"

He clenched his fists, somewhat excited.

Once, he had regarded "becoming a Martial Warrior" as his greatest goal. He had thought that he would work desperately hard, pass the Quasi-Martial Warrior assessment, then cultivate for several years in one of the Four Great Martial Halls. In the end, he would become an official Martial Warrior, change his Martial Warrior Household Registration, alter his fate from then on, and let his parents and Ling Xue live good lives.

But after only a few short days, not long after passing the Quasi-Martial Warrior assessment, he already possessed the strength of an Elementary Martial Warrior!

This experience forced him to reassess his future and change "Martial Warrior" from a lofty goal into "a starting point."

Qin Heng was now brimming with confidence!

"If I sign up now, then go out for the practical examination, the round trip will take at most three or four days."

"Three or four days from now, I'll be a Martial Warrior—one of the world's three million special people!"

"My parents and Ling Xue will also become Martial Warrior Family Members, protected by the Martial Warrior Rights Protection Act."

This could only succeed. Failure was not an option!

Qin Heng looked up the registration office's phone number for the Martial Warrior assessment.

Two minutes later, he made another call.

"Hello, I'd like to register for the Elementary Martial Warrior certification assessment."

"Qin Heng, eighteen years old, male. ID number 108403207009081079."

"Yes, that's me. I passed the Quasi-Martial Warrior assessment just a few days ago."

Upon hearing his name, the person at the registration office seemed quite surprised and asked another question, "Student Qin Heng, are you sure you possess the strength of an Elementary Martial Warrior?"

Qin Heng stated clearly, "I'm completely sure. Please register me for this month's assessment."

Only after a long while did the staff member reply, "All right, you have been added to the list. Please report to the Martial Warrior Alliance's main station at 9 a.m. on June 27th, which is tomorrow morning, for a punching-force test. As long as you pass the test, you may take a special vehicle into the wilderness that afternoon for a three-day practical assessment."

"Mm, I'll definitely be there." Qin Heng hung up.