Sparring Partner

This was not the colossal headquarters located in the core region of humanity, but merely an ordinary branch hall established in the small city of Qingshi County.

Li Wen stood at the edge of the square, looking up at those three characters, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his eyes.

If schools were cradles facing the vast sea of students, sowing the seeds of martial arts and civilization, then Xinhuo Hall was a crucible of war facing all of humanity.

Its doors were always open—whether you were a young student in the prime of youth, or a middle-aged person supporting a family; whether you were an ordinary person with a clean background, or a fugitive burdened by the past—as long as you paid enough money, you could step inside and gain access to basic martial arts training and opportunities to seek guidance from skilled practitioners.

Of course, all services here were built on a foundation of money.

Want to hire an experienced martial artist for personal, meticulous guidance? That was possible, as long as your purse was thick enough.

Want to use the top-tier immersive training pods? No problem, but the price was equally top-tier. However, there were a few exceptions:

First, becoming an official member of Xinhuo Hall.

This was no easy feat; it represented recognition by the core forces of the human camp, and at the same time meant the responsibility of being sent to the most dangerous front lines at any moment.

Second, obtaining an early contract from Xinhuo Hall.

This meant being seen as a seed of extraordinary potential, worthy of investing resources to cultivate. It was the ladder to the heavens that countless geniuses from humble backgrounds dreamed of.

Third, being a poor student like Li Wen, still in school.

This was a faint but incredibly precious hope that Xinhuo Hall gave to those struggling at the bottom.

During the long winter and summer vacations, by presenting school enrollment proof and poverty certification, one could enter the branch hall for free and use the basic, ordinary martial arts rooms for training.

This did not include expensive food supplies, nor did it include professional martial arts courses that required additional payment.

Only the first two identities could enjoy the fully free, luxurious treatment that encompassed almost all core resources.

Li Wen had also heard that even among official members, there were different grades.

From the lowest-level ordinary members to the high-ranking senior members, the resource allocation, access to techniques and secret arts, mission rewards, and logistical support between different levels were as different as heaven and earth.

That was the true path of the strong; every promotion required proving one's worth through blood and fire.

But unfortunately... "Martial artist."

The lowest threshold to become an official member, and the first threshold Li Wen knew of—one had to become a formal martial artist.

And not just an ordinary martial artist who had barely crossed that line; one had to be a skilled or even elite martial artist.

This path, for him who was still struggling with a physical level of 6.3, was far too distant, like gazing at the stars in the sea.

"Rather than waiting to become a martial artist before joining... maybe," Li Wen clenched his fist, feeling the friction of the backpack strap texture against his palm, his gaze sharp as a blade, "taking the early contract route, relying on the terrifying insight boost from [Absolute Focus]... would actually be faster for me!"

Level 4 was already in sight, and Level 5 was just around the corner.

Once [Absolute Focus] underwent a complete qualitative change, how unimaginable would his insight into techniques become?

After mastering top-tier techniques came minor mastery, major mastery, perfection... and then what? Legendary secret arts, the Unity Realm? This was the true weapon he could rely on to break through class barriers!

In contrast, the physical level improvement, which required methodically tempering Qi-Blood, honing bones and muscles, and enduring tearing pain to slowly advance, was, for him with his current lack of resources, the real iron wall.

Poverty made even running difficult for him. His father's serious illness was like a boulder, stubbornly dragging down his forward progress.

Money. Resources. Power! These three words were like brands, burning repeatedly in Li Wen's mind.

He took a deep breath of the cold air, dispelling the surging distractions in his heart, and refocused his gaze on the magnificent hall before him, which represented "opportunity" and "challenge." He took steady, powerful steps and walked firmly toward the heavy, cold door of the Qingshi Branch of Xinhuo Hall.

The first step started here.

Make good use of this hard-won free training room resource, to completely stabilize the newly promoted [Rainbow Light Blade Art], and even... seek a chance for a breakthrough.

The winter sun streamed through the high, wide glass dome, spilling into the grand first-floor lobby of the Qingshi County Xinhuo Branch, bringing a trace of warmth but unable to dispel the thick scent of Qi-Blood and sweat lingering in the air.

The arrival of winter and summer vacations made this martial arts sanctuary, open to all people, even more bustling than usual.

A motley crowd came and went, some with upright postures and steady steps, others with expectant faces and hurried expressions. The air flowed with the desire to grow stronger and the longing for the future.

Li Wen tightened the backpack on his shoulder—inside were some cheap energy supplements—took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

The hall's ceiling was high, the space open, divided into clearly functional areas.

His gaze swept over the floor guide at the entrance. The massive fifteen-story structure symbolized the steps leading to a higher martial arts world.

However, for him, who only had temporary access as a poor student, only the first three floors, representing the basics, were open to him.

"Li Wen?" A slightly familiar voice sounded.

It was Wang Chao, from another class in the same senior year at his school. "Wang Chao? You're here too." Li Wen recognized him and nodded in greeting.

"Yeah, my family pulled some strings and got a basic access card. I'm here during the break to use the basic area's training rooms."

Wang Chao explained a bit sheepishly, also recognizing two other familiar faces from No. 3 High School, and they exchanged greetings.

After brief pleasantries, Li Wen parted ways with them and headed straight for the second-floor cafeteria.

Besides the large cafeteria, the second floor was lined with shops—pharmacies, physiotherapy clinics, and the like. The price tags on the Qi-Blood Potions displayed in the windows, often in the tens of thousands of Huaxia Coins, made Li Wen quicken his pace—with an empty wallet, out of sight was out of mind.

The lunch rush was over, and the cafeteria was not very crowded, which suited Li Wen just fine; he hated pointless waiting in line.

He quickly swiped his Temporary Student Card on the Smart Ordering Machine, picked up a standard but filling Nutritious Meal Set, and found a quiet corner seat by the window.

He had only taken a few bites when the conversation of two male students not far away drifted over.

"The morning session was really effective. I gritted my teeth and hired a Level 2 Training Partner for two hours. The results... tsk tsk, totally worth it!" said a boy with a crew cut, his tone dripping with pride.

"Damn! A Level 2 Training Partner? Two thousand an hour! Old Qin, your family really goes all out! I can't even afford a Level 1!"

The companion across from him widened his eyes, his voice full of envy and jealousy.

"Heh heh, the results are great, but my wallet's hurting. Still, money spent where it counts."

The boy called Old Qin was clearly enjoying the shock he'd caused. Though his words complained, his face couldn't hide his smug satisfaction.