Officially Joining

Entering the Elite Training Camp was merely the most generous condition offered in the Extreme Martial Arts Hall contract; there were other equally astonishing terms, such as the startup capital increasing from twenty million to two hundred million, and the ability to choose any Movement Technique, Guidance Technique, or Attack Technique manual, provided the price was within one billion, all free of charge.

The other clauses were simple, clear, and easy to understand at a glance.

After Chen Daolin and Ji Xuan finished reading, Zhuge Tao, Wang Heng, and Wesley all cast expectant gazes toward them.

"Chen Daolin, Ji Xuan, what is your choice?" Zhuge Tao asked.

Chen Daolin: "I choose to join the Extreme Martial Arts Hall."

Ji Xuan: "I choose to join the Extreme Martial Arts Hall."

A smile appeared on Zhuge Tao's face, beaming with extreme joy. He stood up and said loudly, "Good, your choice is very wise. Since that is the case, we will head to the Jiangnan General Hall immediately; the official contract can only be signed by our president."

With matters having reached this point, both Wang Heng and Wesley could only sigh inwardly at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall's sheer luck, and they left with a sense of disappointment.

Chen Daolin and Ji Xuan followed Zhuge Tao without delay back to the Extreme Martial Arts Hall General Hall in Jiangnan Base City. Under the supervision and accompaniment of President Zhou Yongzheng, they tested their physical fitness, and Ji Xuan tested her Spirit Reading Power. Both passed smoothly, signed the contracts, and officially joined the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

"The Elite Training Camp is located at the global headquarters of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. The departure time is 2:00 PM on August 29th. Go back, rest well, and wait for notification. A special envoy from the headquarters will come personally to take you there," said President Zhou Yongzheng. He was a God of War level powerhouse and one of the most influential figures in Jiangnan Base City, yet he was very amiable toward Chen Daolin and the others.

Walking out of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall General Hall building, Chen Daolin remarked with emotion, "I never expected so many things to happen during this Martial Artist Practical Examination, and now we've even joined the Elite Training Camp of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. I wonder what it's like there."

"Indeed," Ji Xuan nodded, though she was wondering how her family would react once they found out.

According to custom, students of the Elite Training Camp must study there for five years, with holidays only in January and February each year. Thinking about leaving home for such a long time, Ji Xuan felt a bit reluctant. But when she looked at Chen Daolin beside her, she felt a bit more at ease.

On the afternoon of August 2nd, the two returned to Mingyue Residential Quarter in Yangzhou City. Ji Father, Ji Mother, and Ji Xuan's younger sister, Ji Han, had already received the news that Chen Daolin and Ji Xuan had successfully passed the Martial Artist Practical Examination. They were waiting at the entrance of the residential quarter with beaming smiles. Mingyue Residential Quarter was home to the families of martial artists, and passersby who heard the news also offered their congratulations, leaving the couple grinning from ear to ear, while Ji Han's small face was also filled with smiles.

Soon, they saw Chen Daolin and Ji Xuan walking over from a distance.

"Xiao Lin, Xiao Xuan."

"Sister, Brother Daolin."

"Dad, Mom, Xiao Han." The family was reunited once again. Chen Daolin stood to the side, also wearing a wide smile.

"Let's go, let's head back. We've already prepared a meal at home, just waiting for you to return to celebrate." Ji Father then said to Chen Daolin, "Xiao Lin, today is a joyous day. You come too; we two men will have a good drink today."

Chen Daolin laughed, "Alright, Uncle Luo."

"Dad, I want to drink too," Ji Han said in a crisp voice.

"Children shouldn't drink alcohol," Chen Daolin said, patting her head.

"Hmph, I'm already seventeen, not a child," Ji Han said indignantly.

Ji Xuan added from the side, "Xiao Han, girls shouldn't drink." Her sister's health wasn't great, so it was best she didn't touch alcohol.

That evening, after happily finishing dinner with the Ji family and celebrating, Chen Daolin left the Ji residence and returned to his own villa. After showering and changing into a loose, comfortable bathrobe, he carried a cup of hot tea and sat contentedly on the soft sofa in the second-floor media room. His mind felt a bit dazed; he had been in this world for three years, had experienced so much, suffered so many hardships, and had almost lost his life just last night. Now, he had finally reached this step: becoming a true martial artist.

Chen Daolin collected his thoughts, looked at the night view outside the window, and smiled slightly, "I really look forward to my life as a martial artist from here on out."

Becoming a martial artist meant he could access special networks, such as the Martial Artist Forum, which only those with martial artist status could enter, and the Extreme Home, accessible only to internal members of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. As for the HR Alliance Platform, any martial artist could log in.

Chen Daolin entered the URL for 'Extreme Home' and verified his fingerprint. A personal page appeared on the giant screen, featuring a photo of Chen Daolin, followed by an information table—

Name: Chen Daolin

Gender: Male

Address: Huaxia Country, Jiangnan Base City

Martial Artist Certificate Number:

Level: Warrior Level (Initial)

Contribution Points: 0

Currency Balance: Huaxia Coins

The last digits of the martial artist certificate number represented that Chen Daolin had passed the Martial Artist Practical Examination on August 1, 2056, with the second-highest score. He figured the first place must have been Luo Bin, as she was an Initial Warlord level Spirit Reader who had also killed an Initial Beast General level monster, the 'Gray Fur Rat King'.

The reason his level was still Initial Warrior was that martial artist level assessment required personally killing two monsters of that level. If Chen Daolin wanted to become an Initial Warlord level martial artist, he would need to provide materials from two Initial Beast General level monsters.

Generally, no one would try to fake it; after all, without the actual strength, even if you claimed to be a God of War level, it would be very easy for others to expose and mock you.

There were two emails. Chen Daolin opened them; one was a congratulatory message from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall Jiangnan General Hall, informing him that as long as he purchased manuals through the internal network, any amount under one billion would be fully reimbursed. Chen Daolin couldn't help but sigh; he was now a martial artist with a net worth of 1.2 billion.

The other was a video, an introductory guide to the Extreme Home, which Chen Daolin quickly finished watching.

The 'Extreme Home' had many uses. For instance, the online mall sold various manuals, weapons, equipment, materials, firearms, vehicles, high-tech items, gene serums, and more.

It was also very convenient for communicating and learning face-to-face with other martial artists. If you had the money, you could even hire a God of War level powerhouse to provide one-on-one instruction via the network.

Additionally, the Extreme Home had a contribution point feature. Contribution points were divided into five star-levels, each granting different discounts and rights within the Extreme Home. Reaching four stars allowed for a 50% discount.

There were two ways to increase one's contribution star-level: first, by hunting monsters and selling the materials to the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. The prices were slightly lower than outside, but one could earn certain contribution points.

The second method was through donations: ten thousand yuan equaled one contribution point. One could donate up to a maximum of ten million points (one hundred billion) to reach four stars.

As for the legendary five-star level, it required fifty million contribution points.

Fortunately, the contract Chen Daolin had signed with the Extreme Martial Arts Hall included a clause stating that his first purchase of manuals and other items on the Extreme Home would be eligible for the four-star 50% discount.

Chen Daolin first opened the 'Online Mall' and found the manual category. After experiencing the Martial Artist Practical Examination, he realized the deficiencies in his spear techniques and movement techniques and was eager to improve his strength in these areas.

Movement Technique, Attack Technique, and Guidance Technique—these three types of manuals were the most important for a martial artist!

Soon, as Chen Daolin clicked to enter, physical photos of various manuals appeared on the screen, along with their names and prices.

When Chen Daolin saw the information for the manual at the very top, he was immediately captivated.

World Destroyer, Category: Spear Technique. Rating: Ultimate. Price: 100 billion Huaxia coins (full price), 50 billion Huaxia coins (half price, requirement: four-star contribution points).

"The spear technique of the world's number one powerhouse, Hong!" Chen Daolin's eyes shone, his blood boiling.

Only one thought occupied his mind—I! Must! Buy! It!

But when he saw the price that followed, it was as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head, chilling him to the core.

"100 billion for the full price!? Even half price is 50 billion?"

Chen Daolin silently took a sip of tea to calm his nerves; he couldn't afford it, he really couldn't afford it.

Chen Daolin calmed down and continued reading, only to discover that the manual could be purchased in separate volumes.

World Destroyer first three levels—Price: 8 billion Huaxia coins (full price), 4 billion Huaxia coins (half price, requirement: three-star contribution points).

World Destroyer first two levels—Price: 2 billion Huaxia coins (full price), 1 billion Huaxia coins (half price, requirement: two-star contribution points).

World Destroyer first level—Price: 200 million Huaxia coins (full price), 100 million Huaxia coins (half price, requirement: one-star contribution points).

World Destroyer, the ultimate manual created by the world's number one powerhouse, Hong, is touted as the world's premier attack technique. Beyond the Attack Technique, it also includes a complementary Movement Technique.

However, the introduction noted that the difficulty of practicing World Destroyer is extremely high, requiring immense comprehension!

Chen Daolin was truly envious as he read it.

He couldn't afford the full set, but the first two levels only cost 1 billion, which he could afford.

Chen Daolin did not hesitate any longer and clicked to purchase.

After buying the first two levels of World Destroyer, the funds in Chen Daolin's account dropped from 1.2 billion to 200 million. For the first time, he realized that a martial artist's money could be spent so quickly.

Subsequently, Chen Daolin spent another 100 million to purchase a top-tier Guidance Technique, 'Heavenly Pillar Cloud Qi'.

Following that, Chen Daolin bought a suitable spear, the C6 Model—Price: 50 million Huaxia coins (full price), 25 million Huaxia coins (half price, requirement: one-star contribution points).

The C6 Model spear could withstand head-on combat with 'High-level Beast General Level' monsters without the worry of it easily breaking.

The importance of weapons to a martial artist goes without saying; they are even more critical than a Combat Suit or protective gear. If a weapon fails during a life-or-death struggle, it is a fatal matter. You get what you pay for, and Chen Daolin had no intention of skimping. He spent where he needed to; after all, it was money gifted by others anyway.

He estimated that he would be able to use this spear for a long time.

Next was the full set of D6 Series Combat Suit capable of resisting attacks from 'High-level Beast General Level' monsters. The full price was 80 million, but for his first purchase, Chen Daolin only needed 40 million; this was the special treatment Extreme Martial Arts Hall granted to a genius like him. Of course, it was limited to the first time only.

Adding it all up: 1 billion for the first two levels of the World Destroyer manual, 100 million for the 'Heavenly Pillar Cloud Qi' Guidance Technique, 25 million for the C6 Series spear, and 40 million for the full D6 Series Combat Suit, the total came to 1.165 billion. As for other items like the backpack and tactical watch, their combined price was negligible.

It was a perfect illustration of what it meant to spend money like water.

Next door, in the Ji family residence, Ji Xuan was also wearing pajamas in the second-floor media room, looking at the Martial Artist Forum on the Extreme Home internal network (her forum access was based on her status as an Elite Training Camp student), her eyes bright.

"Water of Life..."