The morning light was faint, and the mist had yet to fully clear.
Lin Fan left Grandpa Li's small courtyard. Instead of heading straight to the docks, he took a detour to the open space in the center of the Slum District. There stood a weathered notice wall, the Slum District's only hub for information—job postings, missing-person notices, and messages about things for sale were all pinned there.
Today, the space in front of the notice wall was packed with people.
At least three times as many as usual.
Lin Fan's heart stirred, and he squeezed into the crowd. He wasn't particularly tall, but his Strength had already surpassed 15 points. He edged forward without making a fuss, and hardly anyone could hold him back.
"Make way, make way..."
"What are you pushing for? Got a death wish?"
Complaints rang out one after another, but nobody actually threw a punch. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the brand-new notice in the center of the wall, stamped with a red seal.
It was a sheet of thick, pale-yellow paper with gilded edges. Its quality was far better than the tattered job postings around it. At the top was an emblem of a sword crossed with a book, and beneath it were six bold characters: "Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy."
Lin Fan held his breath and quickly read the notice.
[Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy · Annual Admissions Notice]
Eligible applicants: Blue Star citizens aged 16 or older but under 18
Admissions period: September 15 to September 30, Spiritual Recovery Calendar Year 303 (from today until half a month from now)
Testing location: Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy Main Campus (Eastern District, Outer City)
Testing requirements:
1. Strength test (Strength Testing Monument; minimum standard: 300 kilograms)
2. Speed test (100-Meter Gale Array; minimum standard: 7 seconds)
3. Combat test (face the Academy's Standard Puppet and last at least one minute)
Admissions benefits:
- Tuition and accommodation fees waived
- Monthly allotment of basic resources (nutritional supplements, basic medicinal ingredients)
- Top-performing students may receive additional cultivation methods and martial arts rewards
Notes:
1. Applicants who pass all three tests will be admitted according to their overall score
2. Total enrollment: 500 students (including 50 in the Genius Class and 450 in the Regular Class)
3. Children from impoverished families may apply for meal subsidies with proof of household registration
Dozens of bright red fingerprints had already been pressed beneath the notice—the marks of those who had registered.
Lin Fan stared at the lines of text as his heartbeat gradually quickened.
Tuition and accommodation fees waived, plus a monthly allotment of basic resources... This was practically an opportunity made just for him!
His younger sister needed long-term medication, and even the cheapest Lung Cleansing Pill cost 5,000 Credit Points a month. Yesterday, he had worked at the docks all day, to the point of utter exhaustion, and earned only 41 points. Even if he spent nothing on food or drink, he would need to save for three years.
But once he entered the Martial Arts Academy, everything would be different.
As long as he became a Martial Artist—even if he was only a 1st Grade Martial Trainee—he could earn hundreds of points by hunting a single 1st Tier Demonic Beast in the Wilderness. If he made it into the Genius Class, the Academy would provide better cultivation methods and pills, and might even assign him a mentor...
"An opportunity..." Lin Fan murmured.
Since crossing over, this was the first—and clearest—path to a better life he had seen.
"Tch, the Martial Arts Academy again." A middle-aged man with a face full of pockmarks spat to the side. "They recruit every year. How many people actually get in?"
"Exactly." A Tall Thin Man beside him chimed in. "More than two hundred people from our district went last year, and only three got in. All of them were in the Regular Class, too."
"That's still pretty good!" a young man said excitedly. "Getting into the Academy is like a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate! My cousin got in two years ago. Now he's a 2nd Grade Martial Artist and an assistant captain in a Hunting Group. He makes twenty thousand points a month!"
"Twenty thousand?!" A wave of sharp gasps went through the crowd.
In the Slum District, ordinary laborers earned no more than a thousand points a month. Even two thousand counted as a good job. Twenty thousand was an unimaginable sum.
"That's why you have to give it a shot!" The young man clenched his fist. "What if I make it?"
"Make it? Do you know how hard the tests are?" the pockmarked man sneered. "The strength test requires 300 kilograms! We get two watery meals a day. We're lucky if we can manage 150 kilograms. And that Gale Array—there's wind blowing inside! If you haven't trained your footwork, it'll blow you right out!"
"The combat test is even scarier." The Tall Thin Man lowered his voice. "My neighbor's kid went last year. The Iron Puppet broke two of his ribs, and he was laid up for three months. The Academy called it 'controlled injury.' Bah! If they really kill someone, they just pay a little compensation and call it a day."
The crowd buzzed with debate, excitement and fear tangled together.
Lin Fan listened quietly, analyzing the situation at speed.
A punching force of 300 kilograms—his actual Strength was now 15.6 points. Based on his earlier test, each point of Strength equaled about 12 kilograms of punching force, which put him at roughly 187 kilograms. He was still short of 300, but it wasn't beyond reach. If he could raise his Strength above 20 points in half a month, or improve his fist technique to a higher level for a greater bonus, he might have a chance.
The speed test required a 7-second hundred-meter dash. An ordinary person took around 12 to 15 seconds; a trained Martial Artist could get under 10. His Basic Footwork was already at Mastery Level, giving him a 20% bonus. With a Speed attribute of 9 points, his actual speed should be around 10.8 points. He estimated his hundred-meter sprint at roughly 9 seconds. He still had to get faster.
The combat test required him to last one minute. That was the most uncertain part. How strong was the Puppet? What was its attack pattern? The Original Owner's memories held no information about it.
But no matter what, he had to pass.
"Move! Make way!"
A rough shout came from behind the crowd.
The onlookers parted to make a path. Lin Fan looked back and saw three well-dressed young men striding over. The one in front was none other than Wang Hao.
Today, Wang Hao wore a black training outfit embroidered with gold trim, a jade belt around his waist, and beast-hide boots. He looked every bit the young master. The two lackeys behind him were also dressed in fine silk, a stark contrast to the tattered clothes of the Slum District's residents.
"Tch, a slum's a slum. It reeks of sour sweat." Wang Hao pinched his nose, his face full of disdain.
He went straight to the notice wall and glanced over the announcement. A scornful smile tugged at his lips. "300 kilograms? Seven seconds? And they call this a Martial Arts Academy? The entry requirements at the Wang Family Martial Hall are 400 kilograms and six seconds."
"Of course, Brother Hao. Last year, you hit 450 kilograms on the Strength Testing Monument and ran the hundred meters in 6.2 seconds. You went straight onto the Genius Class reserve list," one of his lackeys flattered him.
"This year, I'm breaking 500 kilograms." Wang Hao spoke with pride. "I'm getting into the Genius Class."
The children of the Slum District lowered their heads one after another, not daring to meet his eyes.
Wang Hao enjoyed their fear. His gaze swept over the crowd, then suddenly stopped on Lin Fan.
"Oh? You're here too?" He raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking. "What, hoping to get lucky?"
Lin Fan said nothing. He simply looked at him calmly.
"Save yourself the trouble." Wang Hao stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Martial arts aren't for peasants like you. Without resources, cultivation methods, or pills, you could train until you died and still never hit 300 kilograms."
He paused, and his smile turned cruel. "But... if you get on your knees and beg me, I could toss you a few Body Tempering Pills. Maybe they'd get you barely over the threshold. How about it?"
Lin Fan's gaze turned cold.
But he didn't get angry. He merely said, "No need to trouble yourself."
"Heh, got a bit of backbone, do you?" Wang Hao sneered. "Just wait and see. Don't cry when the Puppet beats you to a pulp in the testing arena."
With that, he turned and left with his lackeys, deliberately bumping into Lin Fan on the way.
Lin Fan swayed slightly, then steadied himself.
Status Panel: [Sustained a light impact; Iron Body Skill Proficiency +1]
His heart stirred—this worked, too?
It seemed the system's criteria were broad. Anything related to "cultivation" might raise his Proficiency.
Only after Wang Hao and his group had gone did the crowd loosen up again.
"Was that a young master from the Wang Family?"
"Yeah, Wang Hao. He almost got into the Genius Class last year. This year, he's probably a sure thing."
"Ah, some people are born with everything. We can work ourselves to death and still never catch up..."
"Such is fate."
Amid the sighs, people began stepping forward one after another to press their fingerprints beneath the notice and register.
Lin Fan stepped up as well. He pressed his right thumb into the nearby ink pad, then firmly placed it on the blank space beneath the notice.
A clear fingerprint appeared among dozens of others.
"Brother Fan?" a familiar voice came from behind him.
Lin Fan turned around and saw Chen Dahu pushing through the crowd. The honest-looking young man wore a coarse shirt washed to a pale color, but it was clean, and sweat beaded on his face.
"You're here to register, too?" Lin Fan asked.
"Yeah!" Chen Dahu nodded hard. "My dad said if I fail again this year, I'll have to go work as an errand boy for his Hunting Group. But I want to get into the Academy... Brother Fan, do you think I can make it?"
Lin Fan looked him over.
Chen Dahu was stocky, with a broad frame. He was clearly built for Strength. He hadn't trained in any systematic martial arts, but he'd been toughening his body alongside his father since childhood. His foundation was far better than that of most children from the Slum District.
"Your Strength should be fine," Lin Fan said honestly. "What about your speed?"
"I'm not a fast runner..." Chen Dahu scratched his head. "My hundred meters takes about 11 seconds."
"You've still got half a month. Train your footwork, and you've got a chance," Lin Fan said.
"Footwork? How do I train?" Chen Dahu's eyes lit up.
Lin Fan thought it over, then said, "Starting tomorrow, come to the Abandoned Workshop on the east side every morning. I'll teach you."
"Really?!" Chen Dahu was overjoyed. "Thanks, Brother Fan! I... I'll make sure to learn properly!"
"Just so you know, it'll be grueling." Lin Fan looked at him.
"I'm not afraid of hardship!" Chen Dahu puffed out his chest. "My dad says there's no such thing as easy martial arts training. You have to be able to endure hardship before you have a chance."
Lin Fan nodded.
The young man had a good heart. He was worth helping.
After registering, Lin Fan didn't leave right away.
He walked around to the side of the notice wall, where a yellowed "Map of Jiangnan City" was posted. It showed the divisions between the Inner City and Outer City, the main streets, and several important landmarks.
Jiangnan City was divided into three layers:
At its core was the Inner City, the smallest area. It was home to officials from the City Lord's Manor, the great lineages, and high-ranking Martial Artists, as well as the most important landmark: the Spiritual Qi Tower. It was the core that sustained the city's Protective Grand Formation.
The middle layer was the Outer City, the largest area, divided into eastern, western, southern, and northern districts. The Eastern District was mainly home to academies, martial halls, and merchant guilds; the Western District was residential; the Southern District held workshops and markets; and the Northern District housed the military headquarters and Hunting Group headquarters.
At the very edge were the Slum District and the Buffer Zone. The Slum District stood right against the city walls, while the Buffer Zone was the wilderness within five miles of the walls. It was regularly cleared and relatively safe.
The Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy was in the Eastern District of the Outer City. Covering a thousand mu, it was Jiangnan City's largest base for cultivating martial arts talent.
Walking from the Slum District to the Academy took two hours.
"I need to find a way to get a bicycle..." Lin Fan frowned.
Spending four hours a day on the road was a waste of time. With only half a month to prepare, every minute was precious.
But he had only 41 points to his name, and even the oldest secondhand bicycle cost 200.
"First, I'll go to the docks." Lin Fan made up his mind.
He'd work extra hard today and try to earn 50 points. Then... perhaps he could take on some "private work."
The docks were as noisy as ever.
Lin Fan found the foreman from the day before, collected his numbered tag, and started hauling cargo.
Status Panel: [Strength Proficiency +1] Status Panel: [Strength Proficiency +1]
The Status Panel's notifications appeared at regular intervals.
He tried adjusting the way he exerted force. Instead of relying on brute strength, he combined the techniques from the Basic Fist Technique: coordinating his lower body and his stance, driving from his legs to his waist, then from his waist to his arms.
His efficiency improved just as he'd expected.
Cargo boxes that had taken three steps to move now took only two. He also used less energy, and his breathing stayed steadier.
"Son, have you trained before?" An old dockworker nearby watched him for a while, then suddenly asked.
Lin Fan nodded. "Just messing around."
"Doesn't look like it." The old dockworker narrowed his eyes. "There's a trace of martial arts fundamentals in the way you exert force. Shame... you're a bit old. If you'd started training as a kid, you might've become a Martial Artist by now."
Lin Fan didn't answer. He continued working.
The old dockworker didn't say anything else either, only glancing at him from time to time with a complicated look in his eyes.
During the lunch break, Lin Fan sat beside a pile of cargo and chewed on his dry rations. The old dockworker came over and handed him a water flask.
"Have some. I added salt."
Lin Fan took it and thanked him.
"Trying to get into the Martial Arts Academy?" the old dockworker suddenly asked.
Lin Fan paused and looked at him.
"I saw you press your fingerprint on the notice wall this morning." The old dockworker sat down and lit a hand-rolled cigarette. "My son went last year, too. He didn't pass. During the combat test, the Puppet broke his arm."
"...I'm sorry."
"There's no need to be sorry." The old dockworker breathed out a mouthful of smoke. "The boy wasn't good enough. He's got no one to blame but himself. I just wanted to tell you that getting through the Academy's tests isn't easy."
He paused and lowered his voice. "The combat test is especially tough. Those Puppets are 'War Soldier No. 1' models retired from the military. They're the oldest models, but their Strength is close to that of a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, and they're not slow, either. Worst of all... they feel no pain, never get tired, and only carry out their preset attack patterns."
Lin Fan listened attentively.
This was valuable information.
"How do you fight them?" he asked.
"You don't." The old dockworker shook his head. "The requirement is to 'last one minute,' not to 'defeat it.' So don't think about meeting force with force. Dodge, keep moving, and use the arena to your advantage."
"The arena?"
"The testing arena is a circular platform twenty meters in diameter, with an energy barrier at the edge. Step outside and you fail," the old dockworker explained. "The Puppet's attack pattern is fixed: for the first thirty seconds, it uses straight punches; for the next thirty, it adds sweeping kicks. You just have to dodge its attacks within those twenty meters. Don't get hit, and don't step out of bounds."
Lin Fan quickly ran the numbers.
The arena was twenty meters across. Once he and the Puppet took up space, there wouldn't be much room to move. The Puppet's Strength was close to that of a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, and it probably wasn't slow, either. Dodging it wouldn't be easy.
"Any tricks?" he asked.
The old dockworker looked at him. "Footwork. You need at least entry-level footwork, or you won't be able to dodge. There's a tell before the Puppet throws a punch: its shoulder moves first. When it sweeps its leg, its center of gravity drops. You have to recognize those movements and dodge early."
Lin Fan pondered this.
It would take observation, as well as Combat Experience.
His Combat Experience was only 8 points. It was nowhere near enough.
"Thank you," Lin Fan said earnestly.
"No need to thank me." The old dockworker waved him off. "I just saw that you're willing to work hard, and it reminded me of myself back in the day. Too bad I'm old now. I don't have a chance anymore. You're still young. If you get a chance, give it everything you've got."
He got to his feet and brushed the dust off his backside. "By the way, there's a shipment of 'private goods' to move at the docks tonight. Thirty points for one trip. You in?"
Lin Fan's eyes lit up. "I'm in."
"Eight tonight, back entrance of Warehouse No. 3." With that, the old dockworker turned and walked away.
During the afternoon shift, Lin Fan focused even harder.
He trained not only his Strength, but also his footwork. As he weaved between the piles of cargo, he deliberately practiced the techniques of the Basic Footwork, darting and shifting to improve his agility.
Status Panel: [Basic Footwork Proficiency +1] [Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]
His proficiency grew slowly but steadily.
When work ended at dusk, the foreman paid him 45 Credit Points—four more than yesterday, thanks to his improved efficiency.
Added to yesterday's 41, that brought him to 86.
He was still 114 points short of a secondhand bicycle.
"If tonight's side job works out, I'll only be 84 points short," Lin Fan calculated.
First, he went to the pharmacy and bought three days' worth of medicine for 150 points, using the money Grandpa Li had lent him. When Grandpa Li heard he was preparing for the entrance exam, he had offered to lend him 200 points, telling him there was no rush to pay it back.
Lin Fan kept this kindness in his heart.
After buying the medicine, he returned to Grandpa Li's little courtyard.
Lin Xiaoyu was helping sort vegetables in the yard. When she saw Lin Fan return, a smile appeared on her face. "Brother."
"How are you feeling today?" Lin Fan asked.
"Much better," Lin Xiaoyu said. "Grandpa Li boiled me some medicinal soup. After I drank it, I felt warm all over."
Lin Fan looked at Grandpa Li, who was stretched out on a recliner beneath the eaves.
The old man had his eyes closed, seemingly asleep, but Lin Fan could sense that his breathing was long and steady. He was no ordinary person.
"Thank you, Grandpa Li," Lin Fan said softly.
Grandpa Li didn't open his eyes. He only waved a hand.
Dinner was brown rice and vegetable soup. It was simple, but filling.
After dinner, Lin Fan chatted with his sister for a while, then checked her pulse. It was still weak, but steadier than yesterday.
"Brother, I heard about the Academy entrance exam," Lin Xiaoyu said suddenly. "You can definitely do it."
"Mm." Lin Fan nodded. "I'll get in, then take you out of the Slum District."
"I don't care where we live." Lin Xiaoyu looked at him. "I just want you to be safe."
Warmth filled Lin Fan's heart. He ruffled her hair. "I'll be careful."
At half past seven, Lin Fan rose to take his leave.
"Going out again tonight?" Grandpa Li opened his eyes.
"I picked up some work to earn tuition," Lin Fan said.
Grandpa Li fell silent for a moment, then reached into his robe and pulled out a small cloth pouch, tossing it to Lin Fan. "Take this."
Lin Fan caught it and opened it. Inside were three black pills, each about the size of his thumb, giving off a faint medicinal fragrance.
"Qi Recovery Pills," Grandpa Li said. "If you get tired, hold one in your mouth. It'll restore your strength. Don't swallow it—just keep it in your mouth."
"...These are too valuable." Lin Fan knew each pill cost over a hundred points.
"Consider it a loan. Pay me back someday." Grandpa Li closed his eyes again. "Go on. Don't get yourself killed."
Lin Fan gripped the pouch, bowed deeply, then turned and left.
The docks lay sparsely lit beneath the night sky.
Warehouse No. 3 stood at the westernmost end of the docks, near the derelict area. Few people went there.
When Lin Fan arrived at the back entrance at the appointed time, five or six men had already gathered there. They were all sturdy, muscular fellows, including the old stevedore from earlier that day.
"You're here?" The old stevedore nodded. "Everyone's here. Let's go."
He pushed open the metal door, and the others filed inside.
The warehouse was enormous, stacked with wooden crates. A faint, fishy smell hung in the air. Several people dressed in black stood in the shadows, their faces impossible to make out.
"You all know the rules, right?" one of them said, his voice hoarse. "Don't ask what the cargo is, don't open the crates, and don't talk. Finish moving them, collect your pay, and leave."
Everyone nodded.
"Get started."
The crates were heavy, each weighing over two hundred kilograms. Lin Fan tested one. He could just barely lift it, but carrying it was a struggle.
[Strength Proficiency +1] [Strength Proficiency +1] [Iron Body Skill Proficiency +1]
Proficiency notifications flashed one after another.
Whatever was inside these crates, it definitely wasn't ordinary cargo. It was incredibly dense, like metal, but had a little spring to it.
Lin Fan didn't dare think about it. He kept his head down and worked.
An hour later, they had moved all the crates. Everyone was exhausted and gasping for breath.
The men in black handed out the money one by one, paying each person 30 points.
When it was Lin Fan's turn, one of them gave him a look. "You've got some strength, kid. I'll call you again when there's more work."
"Thanks." Lin Fan took the money and tucked it into his clothes.
He now had 116 points.
After leaving the warehouse, the old stevedore caught up with him and said in a low voice, "Keep tonight's business buried in your gut."
"Understood."
"Good." The old stevedore paused. "Starting tomorrow, there'll be work every night. Same pay, 30 points a trip. You in?"
"I'm in," Lin Fan replied without hesitation.
If he could earn 30 points every night for half a month, that would be 450 points. Added to his daytime wages, it would be enough to buy a bicycle, with plenty left over for medicinal ingredients and supplements.
"Same time tomorrow. Warehouse No. 2." With that, the old stevedore turned and disappeared into the night.
On his way back, Lin Fan didn't head straight to Grandpa Li's place. Instead, he took a detour to the Abandoned Workshop east of the Slum District.
He wanted to try one of those Qi Recovery Pills.
He sat cross-legged and took out a black pill, holding it in his mouth.
A cool medicinal force slowly dissolved, flowing down his throat with his saliva before spreading through his limbs and bones. His exhaustion quickly faded. His aching muscles gradually loosened, and his breathing grew long and steady.
[External energy detected. Cultivation Efficiency increased by 20%]
The Status Panel's notification appeared.
It really was good stuff!
Lin Fan didn't waste the opportunity. He immediately began practicing his punches.
Under the night sky, his fists blurred through the air.
[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +1] [Basic Footwork Proficiency +1] [Iron Body Skill Proficiency +1]
With a Qi Recovery Pill in his mouth, he trained for a full hour before its medicinal effects finally dissipated.
Lin Fan checked the Status Panel:
[Basic Fist Technique (Proficient 612/1000)] [Basic Footwork (Proficient 205/1000)] [Iron Body Skill (Skilled 388/500)] [Strength: 14 (+0.7)] [Speed: 9 (+0.45)] [Combat Experience: 8]
After a night of hard training, all his skills had improved noticeably. His strength had increased by 0.4 points, and his actual punching power was probably close to 200 kilograms now.
At this rate, 300 kilograms wouldn't be out of reach in half a month.
Lin Fan exhaled a breath of Turbid Qi and gazed up at the night sky.
Stars glimmered, and the moonlight was cold and clear.
In the distance, Jiangnan City rose like a towering silhouette against the night. The Spiritual Qi Tower in the Inner City gave off a faint blue glow, like a beacon guiding the way.
The Martial Arts Academy stood at the edge of that light.
It was his only way out.
And his sister's only hope.
I have to get in. Lin Fan clenched his fist, determination flashing in his eyes.
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