Events

"Master Fang's way of doing things set an example for me. He wanted to keep walking further down the martial path and see the scenery from higher up. I have the same thought."

Li Pin replied with a smile.

"The martial path..."

Shanhu looked at Li Pin, somewhat dazed. "That's right, you're only twenty-two. A martial artist's growth period can last until thirty to thirty-five. You still have more than ten years."

"Twenty-two... It would've been so much better if I were eighteen."

At this moment, Fang Yubai said regretfully, "Level 2! If you were only eighteen, you could've entered the youth division of the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament and won a placing. If your ranking were high enough, you might even get to take part in the National Tournament, or even the Number One Martial Arts Tournament in the World hosted by Tianyuan. Even if you were eliminated in the first round, those credentials alone would be enough to get you endorsement deals and lecture invitations until your hands went soft."

"Indeed. Shen Manjun, one of today's top stars, came from the youth division of the Fourteenth Haizhou Martial Arts Tournament. She made the top ten in the youth division, and since she was the only girl among that year's top ten, the management company behind her packaged her as the number one female martial artist of that youth division. She gained six million fans that very day, then secured fourteen endorsements within a month. In just one year, she raked in over a hundred million."

Shanhu nodded. At the end, she added, "Gold Yuan."

"Over a hundred million Gold Yuan."

Taibai's currency system had once been targeted by the Star Alliance and had nearly collapsed. Back then, residents could spend tens of thousands just eating at an ordinary restaurant. Though the domestic currency was still in use, most people had already switched to Tianyuan Currency, uniformly issued by the Tianyuan Dynasty.

The exchange rate between Tianyuan Currency and Taibai Currency was as high as 1:570. Its value was extremely high, and it was also known as Gold Yuan.

"That's nothing. Su Aojian, who came from our Jiangzhou, also rose to prominence in the Fifteenth Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament. He was directly recruited by the Sun Glory-level Qiankun Martial Hall, and now he's preparing for the National Tournament. His signing bonus alone was eighty million over five years."

Fang Yubai said enviously.

His family was wealthy, but after two generations of hard work, they had only accumulated a few hundred million in assets, most of them tied up in businesses.

If converted into cash, they could not even scrape together tens of millions.

His monthly allowance was only around ten thousand Gold Yuan.

"Can't be helped. I'm already twenty-two."

Li Pin shrugged.

"Li Pin can enter the youth division, can't he? I remember the age limit for the youth division is thirty-six?"

Liu Yingying said.

"Yingying, you don't understand."

Shanhu shook her head. "A martial artist's growth period ends around thirty to thirty-five. In other words, martial artists generally reach their peak between thirty-five and forty, maintain it for more than a decade, and then begin declining. The youth division is a true battle of gods. Without cultivating Dan Jin, don't even think about standing out in the Jiangzhou Tournament."

As she spoke, she lowered her voice slightly. "The reason my master hasn't been coming to the martial hall much lately is because he's preparing for the Sixteenth Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament."

"The Sixteenth Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament..."

Li Pin had some thoughts of his own as well.

Such tournaments were held once every three years.

They were divided into provincial tournaments, the National Tournament, and the Number One Martial Arts Tournament in the World, which encompassed the entire Tianyuan Federation.

Each level of competition lasted for a month.

Once a tournament began, it became a carnival for the entire nation, even the entire federation.

Especially during the finals, schools and workplaces would specifically give people time off so they could watch the matches.

There was no first in literature, no second in martial arts.

If martial artists wanted to attain the highest professional title—Martial Saint?

The most direct way was to enter the National Tournament and seize the championship.

It was said that after the Number One Martial Arts Tournament in the World came the once-in-a-decade King of the Century Martial Arts Tournament.

Every one of those participants had broken past the limits of the human body. Their flesh could withstand bullets, and they could even suppress ordinary Star Refiners.

However, that had little to do with the Taibai Kingdom.

For the past three tournaments, the crown of King of the Century had not fallen to the Tianyuan Federation.

"If Master Fang can rise to prominence in the Jiangzhou Tournament, Changfeng Martial Hall's reputation will truly spread far and wide."

Li Pin said.

"Right. Then we can apply for a Xinghui-level martial hall rating. If we pass and become an enterprise supported by the city, our scale will definitely expand rapidly. By then, having several thousand or even ten thousand students won't be difficult."

Shanhu glanced at Li Pin. "What do you think? Do you want to reconsider becoming a resident instructor?"

"The reason martial artists hold such lofty status in society is partly because martial arts can aid Star Refiners' cultivation. Another reason is that scouting many dangerous regions requires martial artists, who will not be detected by Demonic Beasts. However, for a martial artist to grow, the most important thing is actual combat."

Li Pin said calmly, "The country spares no effort in holding all kinds of tournaments precisely to increase martial artists' real combat experience. So I'd also like to go and see this tournament for myself."

"You want to participate in this Jiangzhou Tournament?"

Shanhu was stunned. "You... Although your strength as a Level 2 Martial Artist meets the youth division's registration standards, wouldn't a Level 2 Martial Artist going up there just be cannon fodder? In an entire province, where talents gathered like clouds, which of those who could break into the top ten hadn't achieved mastery in Dan Jin?"

"Results aren't the point. As long as I can accumulate some real combat experience and fight a great number of Hua Jin experts, even Dan Jin Masters, I'll be completely satisfied."

Li Pin said sincerely.

On Blue Star, opportunities like this were far too scarce.

But in this world, it happened once every three years!

Every three years, he could spar with Dan Jin Masters and Gang Jin grandmasters one after another, experiencing the mysteries of Dan Jin and Gang Jin...

Just thinking about it was exciting.

He truly wondered what wonderfully beautiful sound it would make when Dan Jin slammed into his body and shook his bones until they thundered.

For a moment, an expectant smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

"Old Li, steady yourself. Don't go wild."

Fang Yubai hurriedly said from the side, "Although every Martial Arts Tournament invites renowned martial arts veterans and uses star artifacts to ensure nothing goes wrong, there are still death quotas. I remember that in the last Jiangzhou Tournament, three died and nine were crippled."

"Wasn't that only twelve altogether?"

Li Pin smiled. "Millions of people die in car accidents every year. Does that mean no one drives anymore? Besides, what martial artist goes without getting injured?"

"This..."

Fang Yubai did not know what to say.

"If it's only to gain practical combat experience, it shouldn't be too dangerous. Besides, with Li Pin's talent and growth rate, he may not necessarily fail to stand out in the Jiangzhou Tournament before turning thirty-six. Competing early can also count as accumulating experience for the future."

Shanhu was quite supportive instead.

"I'll cheer for you when the time comes."

Liu Yingying smiled at Li Pin.

Li Pin nodded.

At that moment, the dishes arrived, and everyone ended the discussion.

After they finished eating, Li Pin and Shanhu headed upstairs to the martial hall, with Liu Yingying following them.

Fang Yubai, meanwhile, continued accompanying his girlfriend as they shopped and watched a movie.

After the two had walked for quite a while, Meng Lingbing suddenly asked, "That Miss Shanhu said just now that Li Pin might be able to stand out in the Jiangzhou Tournament before he turns thirty-six. Is that true?"

"Even if there was some praise mixed into it, it probably wasn't far from the truth."

Fang Yubai spoke with some emotion. "Honestly, a month ago, when my uncle said he'd cultivated force, I was shocked. Once someone cultivates force and earns a martial artist certificate, their income in related industries surely won't be worse than that of Hanyang University graduates from previous years, right? But today, he's already going straight for the Level 2 professional title..."

The Taibai Kingdom was somewhat better off.

Located in the center of the Tianyuan Federation, it had no dangerous regions within its borders apart from Death Valley and Shadow Forest. Everyone lived in peace and comfort. Although they knew Star Refiners held noble status, martial artists, as supplements and assistants to Star Refiners...

Their status advantage had not become particularly apparent.

But in those nations with even more terrifying dangerous regions within or around their borders, every martial artist—especially those willing to scout dangerous regions for Star Refiners—could practically enjoy treatment like a hero.

Even some Star Refiners treated them with great respect.

Academic circles, the entertainment industry, even the business world—none of them could compare with the Martial World.

An assistant martial artist's professional title was even more useful than an associate professor's title.

Earning an intermediate martial artist title entitled one to tax reductions or exemptions, even state subsidies.

"That friend of yours is truly short-sighted. She merely listened to a few bits of gossip and threw away such a marvelous opportunity for nothing."

Fang Yubai sneered. "Just wait. She'll regret it in the future."

"I won't associate with her anymore."

Meng Lingbing immediately said.

"Don't. I still want to see how dumbfounded she'll be when Old Li truly becomes famous."

Fang Yubai laughed loudly. "Can't be helped. Your boyfriend is just that kind of vulgar person."