Early the next morning.
The disciples of Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall stood in neat formation, full of energy. They had received word the night before that a new martial art would be taught today.
Hall Master Yuan Shan stood before them, straight as a pine. Without wasting time on pleasantries, he began his demonstration.
"Today, I'll teach you one of the basic fist techniques of Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall: Old Ape Stretches Arms."
Yuan Shan raised both arms. His movements seemed slow, yet carried a peculiar rhythm, as if an old ape were stretching its limbs and climbing branches deep in the forest.
The disciples watched, dazzled and enthralled.
But Li He's heart sank.
He had learned Old Ape Stretches Arms long ago from his neighbor, Grandpa Zhang, and had already practiced it to minor mastery. Every detail of its movements and every shift in his breathing were ingrained in him.
The Federation's official website really hadn't lied to him.
Old Ape Stretches Arms was indeed a lower-level martial art derived from Ape Arm Mountain Crushing Fist, and it was part of Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall's basic curriculum.
Last night, Senior Brother Lin Feng had messaged him to say that a new martial art would be taught today and that he absolutely had to come. He had thought he'd get to learn something new, but after all that, it turned out to be something he had already mastered.
What a letdown.
After demonstrating the technique a few times, the hall master left the class to Lin Feng and Yuan Lingling, then returned to the inner room to rest.
The disciples listened intently to Lin Feng's explanation, doing their best to imitate the hall master's movements.
Li He forced himself to focus and followed along, secretly planning to approach Senior Brother Lin Feng once the explanation was over and ask about taking on a task.
Freelancers couldn't take on tasks. They had to be affiliated with a martial arts hall or a university.
As he was thinking this, Li He felt someone's gaze fall on him. He looked up to see Senior Brother Lin Feng crossing the formation and walking straight toward him.
"Junior Brother Li." Lin Feng stopped in front of him. "Could I have a word with you?"
"Of course."
Li He readily agreed and followed Lin Feng to an empty corner.
"Junior Brother Li, the hall master saw you practicing earlier. Your movements were smooth and your force flowed naturally—it didn't look like you were a beginner. He asked me to find out if you'd learned Old Ape Stretches Arms before."
"Senior Brother, before joining the hall, I did have a fortuitous encounter. I learned a couple of moves from an old man, and Old Ape Stretches Arms was one of them," Li He answered honestly.
Understanding dawned on Lin Feng's face. "I see. Don't let it bother you, Junior Brother. Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall is committed to promoting martial arts, and we've never been possessive of what we teach. Basic techniques like Old Ape Stretches Arms are practically public knowledge. The fact that you learned it elsewhere and have kept practicing it shows you have a deep connection with our hall."
Li He neither agreed nor disagreed. "I've already reached minor mastery in Old Ape Stretches Arms. Could you teach me the next martial art?"
"No. As far as I know, you've reached minor mastery in at least five martial arts, haven't you?"
Wild Goose Eight Steps, Cloud Hand Eighteen Forms, and Silk-Reeling Power had all reached minor mastery under Li He. That was no secret.
Add the hall's Ape Standing Stake and Old Ape Stretches Arms, and that made five martial arts. Only Federation Body Forging Fist and Turtle-Crane Health Stance remained undisclosed.
"Reaching minor mastery in five martial arts is impressive, but it also means you've spread yourself too thin. Trying to learn too much at once is a major taboo in martial arts!" Lin Feng advised him.
"The hall master's advice is that you shouldn't think about learning new techniques for now. First, practice Old Ape Stretches Arms until you reach major mastery. Learning a technique to major mastery and taking stock of your current martial arts is what matters most."
Li He listened in silence, his expression unchanged.
Only he knew the truth.
His constitution was poor, and he lacked resources, so his martial arts proficiency grew very slowly. He needed new martial arts to keep raising his vitality so he could continue progressing.
Time passed quickly.
That afternoon.
Li He went to find Lin Feng, who was working on the accounts.
"Senior Brother Lin."
Lin Feng looked away from his computer screen. "Junior Brother Li, is something the matter?" Remembering their conversation that morning, he assumed Li He had come to discuss fist techniques.
"Senior Brother, I'd like you to issue me a martial arts hall identity certificate."
Lin Feng frowned at this, but didn't interrupt.
Li He continued, "I understand what you told me this morning. I just feel that training in isolation can't compare to sharpening myself through real combat. I'd like to take on some low-level tasks. They could help with household expenses and give me a chance to test myself."
Lin Feng considered it briefly. "You have a point, Junior Brother Li. I'm glad you've thought this through. An identity certificate, right? No problem. Come with me."
Lin Feng took Li He to the office area and quickly prepared a stamped identity certificate. It stated that Li He was an official disciple of the hall and was authorized to register with the Martial Arts Guild and take on tasks under the hall's name.
"Here you go. I'll send the electronic version to your Feixin account shortly." Lin Feng gave him a solemn warning. "Remember, your safety comes first. If anything feels wrong, abandon the task immediately and protect yourself."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I know what I'm doing."
Li He took the certificate, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.
Lin Feng thought for a moment, then took a jade bottle from his waist pouch and handed it over.
"Take this."
Li He looked down. A label on the bottle read: Qi-Boosting Blood-Activating Pill.
"What's this?"
"It's a medicinal pill the hall master prepared himself," Lin Feng explained. "It's very effective for restoring stamina and stabilizing your qi and blood. You're bound to run into danger while carrying out tasks away from the hall, so keep it with you in case of emergencies. It might come in handy when it matters most."
Li He held the bottle, warmth rushing through him. Lin Feng had sternly advised him that morning, yet in the afternoon he supported Li He's decision without hesitation and even gave him a medicinal pill.
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I promise I'll live up to your expectations and return safely." Li He thanked him sincerely and put the bottle away.
After saying goodbye to his senior brother,
Li He took a few days' leave and left the hall.
He didn't waste a moment, setting off immediately for the Martial Arts Guild.
Established by the Federation government, the Martial Arts Guild was the organization responsible for coordinating and managing all martial artists. It was not only a platform for posting and taking on tasks, but also a central hub for verifying martial artist identities, evaluating ranks, exchanging resources, and sharing information.
Li He took the Public Maglev Train and soon arrived in the bustling city center.
As a First-Rank Martial Artist, he could only go to a low-rank branch.
Even so, the branch was far larger and grander than he had imagined.
It was an immense building that covered a vast area, its overall appearance silver-gray, with clean, angular lines that gave it a distinctly futuristic feel. Above the enormous arched entrance hung the Federation emblem and four gilt characters reading "Martial Arts Guild," gleaming in the sunlight.
The plaza in front was spacious and crowded. Martial artists from various halls hurried past, their auras fierce. Federation Martial Artists in uniform escorted sealed crates, and there were also plenty of unfamiliar faces like Li He's, carrying a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.
Inside the entrance was a vast, spacious lobby. The polished floor reflected the complex network of energy conduits in the ceiling.
The lobby was clearly divided into several sections. The most eye-catching was the central area, where dozens of holographic screens floated, displaying a constant stream of task listings.
"Hello, sir." A gentle, pleasant voice sounded beside Li He.
Li He turned toward it and saw a young woman in the Guild's standard uniform smiling at him. She wore a Guild badge and nameplate on her chest: Su Ya.
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