As he walked, Chen Hao finally had time to take in the scenery around him, reflecting on the tense week and a bit he had just been through.
He felt as if a lifetime had passed. A little over a week ago, he had been an ordinary nobody. Then he had been swept into an Alternate Space-Time by Flying Transmigration and taken over the body of an unlucky guy who had been knocked unconscious by a pane of glass.
Fortunately, the Synthesis Panel had appeared in time to change his life. It had rapidly improved his strength when he was at his weakest, keeping him from becoming another cannon fodder and giving him a greater sense of security.
His nerves, which had been taut all this time, slowly relaxed. Only then could he take the time to appreciate the unique scenery of this other world.
After walking for more than ten minutes, he arrived at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. Looking at the familiar entrance, he realized that his state of mind had changed completely.
He shook his head with a smile, took out his Warrior Certificate, and scanned it at the entrance. Then he strolled inside.
He quickly made his way to the third floor. The Training Hall was crowded. After scanning the room, he spotted Yang Wu, Tong Yun, and the others gathered together, then headed over with a smile.
Some of the Martial Hall's Senior Trainees noticed Chen Hao, too.
"Chen Hao, over here!" Tong Yun spotted him first and hurriedly waved.
Tong Yun's greeting drew the others' attention to Chen Hao as he walked toward them.
Joy flickered in the eyes of Tong Yun, Yang Wu, and the rest of their group, though they seemed a little awkward.
The other group of Senior Trainees, however, looked far less pleased. Their faces were grim, and panic and regret flickered in their eyes from time to time.
Seeing the expressions on Yang Wu and the others' faces, Chen Hao immediately understood. It looks like word that I became a Martial Artist has already spread among the Senior Trainees.
"Chen Hao, did you really become a Martial Artist? Yesterday, I asked the instructor where you were, and he said you'd taken and passed the Warrior Assessment. We were so shocked—we thought he was joking!" Tong Yun still found it hard to believe.
"I was just lucky." Chen Hao smiled, without a trace of smugness. "I simply got there a little ahead of you. I'm sure you'll pass the next Quasi-Warrior Assessment. Becoming Martial Artists will be a piece of cake for you then."
Seeing that Chen Hao was just as he'd always been and wasn't acting superior, the awkwardness among them gradually faded.
Yang Wu stepped forward and patted Chen Hao on the shoulder, his voice filled with emotion. "I knew your physical fitness was excellent, but I didn't expect you to become a Martial Artist so quickly. Your talent really is extraordinary. We should celebrate—let's go out for a meal."
"Sure! Invite everyone. It's on me!" Chen Hao readily agreed.
"Go ahead and keep training. The Hall Master called me earlier, but I don't know what he wants. I'll go see him first."
"Then hurry over."
"Yeah, don't keep the Hall Master waiting."
At the entrance to the Fourth Floor, Li Bo saw Chen Hao and beamed. "Chen Hao! Congratulations on becoming a Martial Artist. The Hall Master is waiting inside. Go on in."
"Okay, Li Bo. Thanks." Chen Hao nodded to him, then went inside.
In the Training Hall, Jiang Nian was practicing his saber technique. Chen Hao watched and gave a slight nod.
Having already mastered the Basic Saber Technique, Chen Hao could tell at a glance that Jiang Nian was only a hair's breadth away from Saber Mastery.
With a thought, a Blood Shadow Second-Generation Battle Sword shot off the weapon rack and flew toward him. He caught it by the hilt and gave it a casual swing. "Hall Master, take this!"
Jiang Nian had noticed Chen Hao as soon as he came in. He had been about to greet him when Chen Hao suddenly charged at him.
Jiang Nian chuckled to himself. As long as Chen Hao didn't use his Spiritual Thought Master abilities, there was no way he could beat Jiang Nian, since they were both Advanced Warriors.
Once they crossed blades, Jiang Nian realized how naive he had been. The force behind Chen Hao's strikes wasn't any greater than his own, but every move was as elusive as an antelope's horn, making it painfully difficult for him to swing his blade.
Nearly every one of Chen Hao's attacks targeted a weakness, forcing Jiang Nian's moves to fall apart halfway through. The longer they fought, the more frustrated Jiang Nian became, and the more stifled he felt.
At last, with a low growl, he unleashed a satisfying slash, as if pouring all the frustration in his heart into that single stroke.
Chen Hao drew back his saber and dodged away. Jiang Nian studied the battle sword in his hand, then burst out laughing. "That was satisfying! I can't believe the saber technique I haven't advanced in for years finally broke through today."
Then he sincerely thanked Chen Hao. "Thanks, Chen Hao. If you hadn't been here just now, who knows how much longer it would've taken me to reach Saber Mastery?"
Chen Hao didn't take credit for it. "You've been building toward this for years, Hall Master. It has little to do with me. I'm sure you would've broken through soon even without my help."
Jiang Nian gave a self-deprecating smile. "It's not that easy. I know myself best. I've been stuck at this step for years. I guess the comfortable life really doesn't suit a Martial Artist."
Then he brightened again. "After this breakthrough, I finally have a chance of reaching War General Rank. By the way, why has your saber technique become so impressive? It looks at least like you've reached Saber Mastery."
Chen Hao rubbed the fuzz on his chin. "Maybe I'm a little more perceptive than most. It's nothing special. I only reached Saber Mastery not long ago."
Jiang Nian rolled his eyes. The way you put it makes me want to punch you. "You're full of it. I called you earlier, but you didn't answer. I wanted to ask whether you were thinking of joining a Warrior Squad. I could help you find one."
Chen Hao shook his head. "I haven't thought about joining a Warrior Squad. Zhuge Supervisor asked me about it earlier, too. I told him I wanted to train alone in the Wilderness Zone. If I joined a squad, I'd get much less out of the experience. Zhuge Supervisor seemed to agree that I should venture out on my own."
Jiang Nian's eyes widened. "Training in the Wilderness Zone is no simple matter. There are not only dangerous Advanced Monsters out there, but plenty of scoundrels with bad intentions, too. One careless mistake could get you killed... Going out alone is extremely dangerous!"
Chen Hao laughed. "Hall Master, have you forgotten my other identity? If someone stupid enough to provoke me comes along, I don't mind teaching them how a Martial Artist is supposed to follow the rules." A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Hearing this, Jiang Nian couldn't help laughing. "That's true. Spiritual Thought Masters have an innate sense of danger, and with your Spiritual Thought Master abilities already at the Intermediate War General level, you can fly using Object-Flying. Anyone trying to ambush you would probably be in for a nasty surprise. I wonder which unlucky squad will be the first to cross your path."
Chen Hao grinned. "Hall Master, that won't be my fault. I'd just be acting in self-defense. And if I do take action, I'll only be cleaning up the scum in the Wilderness Zone. It'll be a good thing for everyone."
Jiang Nian laughed, too. "You're not wrong. You're even stronger than I am now, so I can't judge you by ordinary standards. No wonder Zhuge Supervisor agreed to let you train alone."
"Maybe that's what Zhuge Supervisor thinks, too. By the way, I'm having dinner tonight with Yang Wu, Tong Yun, Luo Feng, and a few others. Want to join us?"
Jiang Nian shook his head. "You young people are getting together to celebrate. I won't intrude. People might feel awkward with me there."
Chen Hao didn't insist and took his leave. "All right, I'll go downstairs and find them."
Jiang Nian waved him off. "Go on. I've just broken through in my saber technique, so I need to consolidate my progress. I won't see you out. Have fun."
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