Quasi-Warrior Assessment

"I heard the Warrior Assessment involved real combat. You have to be careful and stay safe."

Ling Ling took a sip of wine, her little face flushed red.

"Haha, your husband's amazing. A mere assessment is nothing!"

Jiang Li scooped Ling Ling up and grinned. "Honey, while the alcohol's still—"

The next moment, the little snake became a mighty dragon.

Late that night.

After Ling Ling had fallen asleep, Jiang Li went to the guest room again.

As usual, he practiced the Tai Chi Breathing Body-Tempering Art, drawing in the spiritual energy drifting through the world to wash over his body.

It was the middle of the night, and dawn was fast approaching.

Only then did Jiang Li slowly open his eyes.

"Too slow. The Tai Chi Breathing Body-Tempering Art is still an extremely rudimentary cultivation method. I have to comprehend a more profound art as soon as possible!"

But even the tallest building started on the ground. Even if he comprehended a new art, he still needed a foundation. He couldn't conjure one out of thin air.

Jiang Li thought to himself, I bought a few cultivation methods last time, but haven't properly studied them yet. Let's give it a try.

[You continue studying Peach Island Basic Sword Art. A new idea seems to have occurred to you, and inspiration surges!]

[Combining it with Taiji Health Fist, you take the union of yin and yang as your foundation and the pursuit of longevity as your goal, creating Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art!]

"Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art? Let's see how many points it's worth!"

Delighted, Jiang Li immediately opened the chat group.

[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: I woke up to a wonderful surprise! Someone finally bought my Peach Island Basic Sword Art!]

[Zixia Gentleman Sword: It wasn't me. I don't need sword arts.]

[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: Guild Leader Yue, do you have nothing better to do?]

[Wudang Centenarian: My Taiji Health Fist is only a basic fist technique. There's no need to waste points buying it!]

[Zixia Gentleman Sword: Why has nobody bought my Purple Mist Divine Art?]

[I Am Spider-Man: Where's Devourer Lord? Why hasn't he shown up yet?]

[Heaven and Earth Infinite Borrowing Method: A powerful three-star expert like him could easily spend a dozen days in seclusion!]

[Ding!]

[Group member Devourer Lord uploaded Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art. Please check it out!]

Just then, a message appeared before everyone.

Devourer Lord was online!

[Cheng Shifei: Speak of the devil, and he appears!]

[I Am Spider-Man: Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art? It's obviously a sword art. Not interested!]

[Zombie Taoist: Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art? Longevity, huh? Sounds pretty amazing. I'll go take a look!]

[Heaven and Earth Infinite Borrowing Method: I'll check it out too!]

[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: I'll show Devourer Lord my support!]

After uploading Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art, Jiang Li opened the chat and skimmed through the messages. There didn't seem to be anything especially important.

[Devourer Lord: Greetings, everyone. You all seem to have so much free time. Aren't you supposed to be cultivating?]

[Wudang Centenarian: You jest, Great One. With our level of cultivation, how could we spend all day cultivating?]

[Zombie Taoist: @Devourer Lord, Great One, what's this Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art of yours? Why does a sword art cost thirteen thousand points? My talismans and Maoshan magic only sell for a few hundred.]

[Heaven and Earth Infinite Borrowing Method: Insane! A sword art costs that much? That's outrageous! It must be an immortal's sword art!]

[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: @Devourer Lord, I wanted to show you some support, Great One, but I can't afford that many points!]

[Inviting Moon: Same. I can't afford it either.]

[Little Li Flying Dagger: +1]

Even Inviting Moon and Little Li Flying Dagger, who had been lurking for ages, popped up to comment.

Jiang Li chatted with them briefly, then left the group.

He opened the Points Mall.

A dazzling array of items appeared before him.

[Peach Island Sword Art, from Huang Rong, the little chef, 15 points]

[Maoshan Body Technique, from Zombie Taoist, 20 points]

[Bright Jade Art, from Inviting Moon, 500 points]

[Mystic Heart Marvelous Art, from Yan Chixia, worth 800 points!]

[...]

There were countless other items, including talismans and so on, all uploaded by other group members.

"My Tai Chi Breathing Body-Tempering Art is starting to fall short. Tai Chi Longevity Sword Art is just a sword art. Even if I condense sword intent, it won't help my cultivation level. Looks like I still need to create a higher-level cultivation method!"

"But first, I need to get the Gene Original Energy Cultivation Method."

Early that morning, after having breakfast with Ling Ling, Jiang Li headed to the meeting point.

"Brother Jiang!"

As soon as he arrived, a young man called out to him.

"Luo Feng? You're here for the assessment too?"

Jiang Li saw Luo Feng standing at the entrance to a residential area, staring at it.

This was Mingyue Residential Area, where the martial artists of Jiangnan Base City gathered.

"Gentlemen, this is Mingyue Residential Area. Please don't approach."

A line of soldiers carrying live firearms stood at the entrance.

One of them warned them sternly, "Step back. If you cross the line, I have the right to shoot you on the spot!"

"Just like the rumors say. Everyone who lives here is either a martial artist or a martial artist's family member. Even the police aren't allowed to barge in!"

After a moment of amazement, Luo Feng took out his student card. "Everyone, I'm Luo Feng, an advanced student at the Limit Martial Arts Hall. This is Jiang Li, also an advanced student. We're here for the Quasi-Warrior Assessment."

"Oh?!"

Hearing Luo Feng, an old man came out of the break room, holding a handheld computer. "You're so young? Please show me your student cards."

"Beep, beep!"

The cards passed over the computer, and their information appeared immediately.

"Jiang Li, twenty years old? Quite an impressive young man."

"Luo Feng, seventeen—eighteen years old?"

The old man looked surprised. "Well done, young man. You have a bright future ahead of you! I hope you both pass today!"

"I might not pass, but Brother Jiang definitely will!"

Luo Feng glanced at Jiang Li, who looked calm and unruffled. "Sorry to trouble you, sir."

"Xiao Lin, take them inside!"

At the old man's command, an armed soldier led the two into Mingyue Residential Area. As they walked, he patiently reminded them, "Gentlemen, you're only permitted to enter the Limit Guild Hall. Don't wander around, especially not into the residential area for martial artists' families!"

"If you break the rules, the soldiers on patrol will shoot you!"

At that,

Jiang Li nodded slightly and followed Xiao Lin straight to the Limit Guild Hall.

Although martial artists weren't under the government's jurisdiction, they were still one of the country's sources of strength. If even their families couldn't be kept safe, who would be willing to risk their lives fighting monsters outside?

"Ha, Jiang Li!"

As soon as they arrived at the Limit Guild Hall, Lu Fei walked over, a vicious scar running across his face. "Luo Feng, you're here for the Quasi-Warrior Assessment too?"

"I'm not sure I'll pass. I'm just treating it as a chance to train."

"Not bad. I took the test last month too. Unfortunately, my speed was a little short, though my strength met the standard."

Lu Fei looked helpless. "Jiang Li, how did you train your speed? Your strength is terrifying, yet you're fast too!"

"Haha, strength is easy. Speed is the hard part!"

A booming voice came from nearby. "Lu Fei, are these two kids from your Yi'an District Martial Arts Hall?"

Jiang Li looked over. The speaker was a burly man with a thick beard and well-defined muscles showing on his arms. He asked curiously, "Even you think his strength is terrifying? Kid, how much force can you put into a punch? 1,000 kg? Or 1,100?"

"Tang..."

Lu Fei glared at him, then grinned. "Guess higher!"

Tong Guan stared at the unremarkable-looking Jiang Li in surprise. "Could it be...?"

"Everyone, quiet down!"

Just then, a sharp voice rang out from the center of the hall. A middle-aged man in loose training clothes glanced over them all. "Follow me upstairs. An old friend of our Chief Instructor is visiting today. Behave yourselves and don't cause trouble!"

"An old friend of the Chief Instructor?!"

The few of them looked startled.

The heads of the city's twelve martial arts schools were called "instructors," while the head of the guild hall was called the "Chief Instructor."