Another Encounter with Ding Anbai

Unlike the Martial Arts Department, the Martial Arts Association was a global organization, with branches all over the world. Jing City alone had four locations.

As Shen Qian walked out of the Martial Arts Association's North City branch, he felt that the world had become a little different.

The reason was the badge in his hand, complete with magnetic card authentication.

The badge was made of bronze, with the traditional Chinese character for "Martial" in the center, symbolizing Shen Qian's official status as a martial artist.

Once Shen Qian advanced to an Intermediate Martial Artist, he could exchange it for a silver badge, followed by gold, platinum, diamond...

"Burst Strength: 150.63 kg. Instantaneous Speed: 9.96 seconds."

Those were the results Shen Qian had tested half an hour ago.

Shen Qian felt quite accomplished, because this time, he had not summoned System Dad.

Of course, Shen Qian had not actually reached the level of a Beginner Martial Artist yet. His physique was only comparable to that of an ordinary person with Burst Strength of around 145 kg.

But after learning the system's method of exerting force, he was already able to unleash greater strength.

Though he was far from being as perfect as the system, passing a Beginner Martial Artist certification was more than easy enough.

To be on the safe side, Shen Qian had specifically come to the Martial Arts Association's North City branch for his certification. Although North City was full of experts, a seventeen-year-old Beginner Martial Artist still drew quite a crowd of staff members.

Still, as long as it was North City, everyone could understand it.

...The only pity was that the big-eyed girl who had registered him had not even asked for his contact information. She was probably worried that she was aiming too high, right?

Shen Qian smacked his lips regretfully.

Getting the martial artist certification badge was not enough. Shen Qian still needed to make another trip to the Martial Arts Department, because the Martial Arts Association only handled certification, while the Martial Arts Department was the true provider of food and funds.

So Shen Qian hailed another taxi and headed to the Jing City Martial Arts Bureau headquarters in the center of Jingcheng City.

Compared to the Martial Arts Association branch tucked away on a street corner, the Martial Arts Bureau headquarters before him was far more imposing. In the city center, where every inch of land was precious, the Jing City Martial Arts Bureau occupied an entire lake. More than a dozen buildings of varying heights were scattered around Jing City Lake, all belonging to the Jing City Martial Arts Bureau.

China's Martial Arts Department held immense authority. Not only did it manage all martial artists in China, it also had corresponding departments for anything related to martial arts.

Military affairs, education, technology, medicine, diplomacy... none of them could avoid the Martial Arts Department.

It could not be helped. This was a world founded on martial arts.

And today, Shen Qian, officially registered as a martial artist, entered this place with his bank card crying out to be fed, entirely justified in doing so.

The Martial Arts Bureau covered far too much ground. Shen Qian twisted and turned through it, asking for directions several times before finally finding the Martial Artist Logistics Benefits Support Department.

After another series of queues, forms, and identity checks, Shen Qian walked out half an hour later with his bank card linked, thoroughly satisfied.

According to what the auntie had said, the first subsidy payment would be deposited into his account within three business days.

Let's see, my birthday was just after January. That means I can still get ten months of ten thousand yuan. The road to a comfortable life finally has some hope.

After secretly rejoicing for a while, Shen Qian came back to his senses and discovered that he was lost again.

But since he had nothing else to do, Shen Qian could not be bothered to ask for directions again and simply wandered around the Martial Arts Bureau.

Before long, Shen Qian suddenly spotted someone he knew ahead.

They were not exactly acquainted. Shen Qian had only met him once, but he remembered asking the man for a business card.

Canglang Pharmaceuticals, Ding Anbai!

The impeccably dressed Ding Anbai was walking with a group of equally well-dressed people, all heading toward a courtyard to the southwest. They seemed to have some sort of identification hanging from their chests, but Shen Qian was too far away to make it out clearly.

Since it was such a coincidence, Shen Qian decided to go over and see what was happening.

He had always vaguely considered monetizing the formula for the Stamina Potion. After using Old Wang as a guinea pig last time, Shen Qian had become even more certain that the Stamina Potion absolutely crushed every Body Tempering Potion currently available on the market.

Unfortunately, due to various concerns, Shen Qian had never been able to make up his mind. If he could have more contact with Ding Anbai and learn more about his character and background, it would help him make the right judgment.

When Shen Qian reached the small courtyard, he looked up at the sign.

"Martial Arts Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Institute."

That was what the plaque at the entrance read.

Two banners hung beside it. One read, "A Warm Welcome to the North Capital Experts Visiting the Jing City Medical Institute," while the other read, "Grand Celebration for the Successful Opening of the Seventh Jing City Pharmaceutical Industry Summit."

Shen Qian glanced through the entrance. Aside from four young female greeters in cheongsams, two guards with imposing Auras stood there.

"Hello. Please show your identification." One of the guards reached out to stop Shen Qian as he tried to enter.

"I'm from Canglang Pharmaceuticals. I forgot to bring it," Shen Qian said without changing expression.

The guard frowned and was about to speak when Shen Qian called out ahead, "President Ding!"

Ding Anbai, who had just followed the crowd inside, turned at the call. When he saw Shen Qian, he froze briefly, surprise appearing on his face.

Huh, he seems to remember me. As expected, I'm a handsome young man who leaves a deep impression on people...

Of course, whether Ding Anbai remembered him or not, Shen Qian had already strode over. As expected, the guard did not stop him again.

"You..."

When Shen Qian approached, Ding Anbai had only just opened his mouth when Shen Qian coughed. "Mr. Ding, if you don't mind, shall we head farther inside?"

Ding Anbai was taken aback. He glanced at the guard still watching them, then understood. Amused, he did not expose Shen Qian and simply turned to walk inward.

"You knew I was attending the summit today, so you deliberately waited here?" Ding Anbai asked indifferently.

"Not at all. I came to the Martial Arts Bureau to take care of something, and I happened to see you, Mr. Ding, so I came over to say hello." Shen Qian shook his head and answered truthfully.

Ding Anbai neither confirmed nor denied it, merely shaking his head inwardly. What could a seventeen-year-old student possibly be doing at the Martial Arts Bureau?

But given his status, he could not be bothered to argue with Shen Qian. His expression simply grew a little colder.

Just as Shen Qian was considering how to start the conversation, Ding Anbai suddenly stopped. After everyone beside them had moved ahead, he turned and looked straight at Shen Qian.

"Young man, I roughly know what you're thinking. To be honest, I did not dislike you before. After all, I was once your age too. I also came from poverty, and everything I have today was earned step by step through my own efforts."

"There are many paths in life with no shortcuts."

"One last piece of advice for you..."

Ding Anbai shook his head. Looking at Shen Qian, who seemed too stunned to speak, he said calmly:

"A person must not belittle himself, but neither should he aim too high. That is all I have to say. Go back. Don't go to such lengths to find me again. It will only deepen my disgust toward you."

With that, Ding Anbai turned and left.

Shen Qian: "???"