This World

Chapter 1: This World

Starlight diffused, clouds of mist hung heavy!

In the silent alleyways of the city, trash was everywhere, scattered stray cats and dogs darting back and forth, barking as they fought over territory.

Suddenly, a patrol car roared past, its siren letting out a piercing shriek!

"Hurry, hurry, don't let him get away!"

"The suspect is suspected to be a Martial Artist. Everyone be cautious and careful. You can open fire directly if necessary."

A group of Patrol Officers armed with guns ran swiftly, charging into the dark alley.

Zhao Rui, carrying an old travel bag, kicked a discarded soda can blocking his path with a dejected expression, the clanging sound scattering the cats and dogs in the corner.

Lost again. This thing called talent is really frustrating!

Zhao Rui thought glumly.

Just then, a gust of wind struck from behind, a dark figure rapidly approaching, their palm striking towards his neck like a blade.

Zhao Rui's sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he tilted his head. Then, with a flip of his left elbow, he grabbed the incoming palm strike with one hand.

The dark figure's eyes widened in shock. Before they could react, their body, like a tattered sack, was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto a trash can.

The dark figure's vision went black, and they lost consciousness.

I'm already in a bad mood, and you come looking for trouble!

Even if I can't beat them, I'm damn sure not a weakling! Damn it!

Zhao Rui spat, shaking his head self-mockingly. His footsteps didn't falter as he disappeared into the alley's shadows.

Just as his figure vanished, five or six heavily armed Patrol Officers arrived belatedly at the alley entrance.

"Captain, that person just now...!"

"He's likely a Professional Martial Artist. Don't worry about him. Let's check on the suspect first. If he's not dead, cuff him and take him away. Remember to install the tracking device beforehand!"

"Yes, Captain!"

A moment later!

"Captain, his ribs are broken, but he's otherwise fine!"

"Let's take him!"

The group arrived in a hurry, didn't even break a sweat, and then left in a hurry, escorting the suspect.

[Name: Zhao Rui]
[Height: 182cm]
[Copyable Martial Arts: Butterfly Catching Hand (Copy?)]
[Copy Progress: 0/10]
[Allocatable Advancement Points: 0]
...

What is this?

Zhao Rui's expression froze. He was astonished, looking at the transparent digital panel that had appeared out of nowhere in his mind.

Could this be the system panel that all transmigrators get?

Zhao Rui had awakened the memories of his past life, or rather, his previous dimension's world, three days ago.

This world, from the outside, looked no different from a certain stage of society in his past life on Earth Star. Skyscrapers lined the cities, and vehicles flowed endlessly. In the countryside, lush greenery and dense vegetation flourished.

Even its historical progression and technological development were remarkably similar.

People worked tirelessly for a living, bustling through the world.

However, all of this was just a facade.

As a Martial Artist, he knew that this world was not entirely the same as his past life. The biggest difference was that this world had Martial Arts.

Martial Arts, or the Martial Way, was largely similar to what was described in the martial arts novels of his past life. When cultivated to a deep level, one could unleash Palm Force to Split the Air, leap seven or eight zhang into the air.

Furthermore, with Internal Energy filling the body, ordinary blades and spears could hardly inflict damage, and one could use flying flowers and plucked leaves to injure others invisibly.

Of course, this was only what Zhao Rui had personally witnessed. As for those who could fly and burrow underground online, he couldn't tell if they were real or fake.

In any case, he, a registered Professional Martial Artist, had never seen such things.

The practice of martial arts in this world had become secularized. Everyone knew about the Martial Way.

However, not everyone could achieve success in their training.

Ordinary people, lacking talent or the ability to generate inner qi, could only be like in his past life, having the form but not the energy.

Zhao Rui in this life belonged to the type that was neither here nor there.

If you say his talent is low, he still has talent for practicing martial arts. His roots are not ordinary, far from being comparable to ordinary people who live a mediocre life and never reach the hall of mastery.

If you say his talent is high, compared to those top talents, he is still far behind in both comprehension and spirituality.

No matter how much diligence can make up for clumsiness, or how the early bird catches the worm, he is still missing something compared to the top group.

His previous self worked hard for ten years before barely becoming a Professional Martial Artist, preparing to participate in the Gaokao with his martial arts specialty.

In this world, Martial Artists are divided into Professional Martial Artists and Non-Professional Martial Artists.

Professional Martial Artists, as the name suggests, are those with official positions and records, specializing in martial arts innovation, combat, and fighting.

They are widely distributed in various security forces, professional competitions, and security departments of various government agencies and enterprises.

Speaking of which, they are no different from the combat athletes of his previous life, except that their personal combat power is much stronger, and feats like scaling walls are not a problem.

The other type is Non-Professional Martial Artists, who are not on the official payroll and operate outside the formal official channels.

These people, whether openly or secretly, are the most numerous. They may work for private armed forces, engage in gang activities, open their own martial arts halls, or participate in civilian competitions.

Due to the issue of explosive combat power, these non-staffed Martial Artists are difficult to control, and the overall level of chaos in society far exceeds that of the previous life.

It's a bit like the Hong Kong City Kung Fu Era or the chaos of the Republic of China era from his previous life, with guns, kung fu, violence, murder, drug trafficking, gang disputes, feuds, and widespread chaos.

The apparent order on the surface forms a stark contrast with the hidden swordplay and bloodshed.

However, in this life, Zhao Rui is just an eighteen-year-old student. His knowledge is, to put it mildly, just so-so. Most of it comes from news media and people around him.

He just participated in a joint competition organized by the district martial arts hall association today.

Unfortunately, he was eliminated in the top 100.

"Damn it, this talent is as useless as in my previous life!"

In his previous life, Zhao Rui was a professional billiards player in the province, but his skill was limited. He never managed to break through and could only serve as a Sparring Partner for seeded players.

He did this for many years!

Who doesn't have a bit of pride? Who doesn't want to shine in front of others, who doesn't want to stand out under the spotlight?

Unfortunately, in the arena, talent is sometimes something that hard work simply cannot compensate for.

"Hey, handsome, come play, you look so handsome, two hundred is fine!"

Just as his emotions were fluctuating due to the appearance of a panel in his mind, a long-haired woman in revealing clothing appeared at the street corner. She leaned against the high wall, winked at him, and said playfully.

Zhao Rui looked in the direction of the sound, his eyes showing a hint of surprise. He didn't expect this woman to be quite beautiful.

Her delicate features were like jade carvings, her graceful figure was curvaceous, and the exposed skin was smooth and fair. He knew without touching that it must be incredibly smooth and soft.

Her legs, straight and slender under the miniskirt, had a sexy and graceful curve, making it hard to look away at first glance.

If there's any benefit to being a Martial Artist, it's definitely sharp eyesight.

What a shame, such a beautiful woman, and she's a prostitute!

Zhao Rui shook his head and sighed. Two hundred, he didn't even have two hundred.

"Sister, I'm still a virgin. They say you have to pay to lose your virginity!"

Hearing his words, the beautiful woman's expression visibly faltered. Then, with a charming smile, she said, "Then tell me, how much do you want?"

"Twenty thousand! I won't do anything for less!"

Zhao Rui said shamelessly.

The woman was clearly angered by his words!

With her looks, she had to pay him? This was completely topsy-turvy!