Quasi-Martial Artist

"My trainee didn't do anything wrong! Was there any need to restrain his hands and feet? You're twisting right and wrong, turning black into white! This is outrageous!" Jiang Nian snapped.

The two officers conducting the interrogation trembled in fear. The one who had clearly been hostile toward Wang Ji earlier was especially shaken, barely able to stand. He had no idea who the middle-aged man was, but the Extreme Pavilion badge he wore was enough to put him under tremendous pressure. This was the Extreme Pavilion! With that kind of presence, he had to be a senior figure at the Yangzhou City branch. And wasn't the deputy director of the local precinct standing beside him with a smile, half a step behind?

He'd picked a fight with someone he shouldn't have! The officer cursed Liu Biao and his ancestors in his heart.

Soon afterward, the police station chief hurried over and was also chewed out by the white-shirted police chief. After briefly getting up to speed on the situation, the chief pointed at the officer and said, "You're fired! You've disgraced the whole department! What were you thinking?"

The officer looked like he was about to cry, and didn't dare defend himself!

Wang Ji felt once again how much power a warrior held. I have to become a Quasi-Martial Artist as soon as possible! he shouted inwardly.

By the time Wang Ji and Wang Yan got home, it was already the middle of the night. After comforting their mother and seeing her off to bed, Wang Ji returned to his bedroom. Their cramped two-bedroom apartment made him feel suffocated.

Wang Ji was seething. He gripped the broken helmet. "Enter!"

"Shhk!" With a practiced slash, he killed the Steel-Bristle Pig, then hoisted the dead young warrior over his shoulder. He quickly changed into a set of protective gear in the basement and gripped his War Blade.

"Shhk!" His precise slash split open the belly of the Shadow Cat that had just poked its head out. It counterattacked, but he held his ground and killed it.

Out the door!

Wang Ji crept out of the house, moving carefully.

"Awooo!" A Brindle Mastiff pounced around the corner. Wang Ji steeled himself and deliberately shoved his left arm into its jaws.

"Crack!" A piercing pain shot through him as his left arm shattered. But even through the agony, his mind was crystal clear. He swung his blade upward with his right hand.

"Shhk!" The War Blade ripped a huge gash across the Brindle Mastiff's belly. They were both badly wounded!

But the beast's fighting instincts were ultimately stronger. With his left arm slowing his movements and disrupting his dodges, Wang Ji died before the Brindle Mastiff.

He still hadn't gotten a third Essence Source point. Two points! Add them!

"Strength: 810 kg, Speed: 22.8 m/s."

"Again!" Wang Ji growled. "Enter!"

"Shhk!" He killed the Steel-Bristle Pig!

He thrust his blade. "Shhk!" He killed the Shadow Cat!

"Awooo!"

Staggering, Wang Ji finally managed to drive his War Blade into the Brindle Mastiff's belly again! The Brindle Mastiff was dead!

At last! At last, he'd killed the Brindle Mastiff head-on!

Wang Ji was so excited he could barely contain himself. He staggered, then collapsed.

"Whew!" Wang Ji sat up in the bed in his cramped bedroom.

"Huh? Why has the light on the broken helmet gone out?" Wang Ji was alarmed. Could it be...

He hurriedly pressed a hand to the helmet. Nothing happened!

The Monster Town instance was gone!

Could it be... that he was still just a little short of qualifying as a Quasi-Martial Artist? Would he have to keep grinding away slowly? How long would it take? Half a year? A year? Wang Ji suddenly regretted it bitterly!

Status panel!

Name: Wang Ji

Age: 17

Strength: 810 kg

Speed: 19.2 m/s

Nerve Reaction: Beginner Warrior qualified

Monster Town instance cleared!

Reward: 100 Essence Source

Essence Source... 100? "Holy shit!" Wang Ji jumped to his feet!

One hundred Essence Source points! That could increase his strength by 1,000 kg! System, you're generous!

Resisting the urge to spend it all at once, Wang Ji added 10 points first. "Hiss..." A blissful sensation unlike anything he'd ever experienced spread through his body and lasted nearly ten seconds! Pure bliss!

"Strength: 910 kg, Speed: 25.1 m/s"

Nice!

He'd save the rest for now! Otherwise, it'd be way too ridiculous! Wang Ji tossed and turned for most of the night before finally falling into a deep sleep.

Now that he was stronger than a Quasi-Martial Artist, Wang Ji wasn't in a hurry. After work each day, he went straight to the Extreme Pavilion to train. His older sister, Wang Yan, had been very worried, but Wang Ji took her to the Extreme Pavilion. "Bam!" His punch registered 910 kg, and Wang Yan stopped worrying.

She just spent all day looking at Wang Ji with wide, adoring eyes.

She's my real sister... My real sister! Wang Ji repeated to himself, ignoring Wang Yan's gaze as he threw himself back into serious training. Besides, the Quasi-Warrior Assessment was held only once a month, and it was still a few days away.

"Bam!"

"942 kg!"

That wasn't from spending points. It was what Wang Ji had gained over the past week! His technique had grown smoother, naturally increasing his strength. His speed had also climbed to 26 m/s. What a pleasant surprise.

At this point, Wang Ji should be able to take on a Brindle Mastiff one-on-one, with no more than minor injuries.

"Wang Ji!" Jiang Nian called from behind him.

"Uncle Jiang!" Wang Ji turned and smiled. Since Wang Ji had shown that his strength exceeded the Quasi-Martial Artist standard, Jiang Nian had been even more enthusiastic toward him. If he'd had a daughter, he might even have tried to make them family.

"Give me another punch!" Jiang Nian said.

"Bam!" "938 kg!"

"Ah! Your technique still isn't up to standard. That just goes to show... just goes to show how terrible it used to be! I've never seen anything so bad! You were wasting the potential of your body! Otherwise, I'd have spotted you long ago!" Jiang Nian sighed.

Wang Ji was secretly delighted, but gave nothing away.

Jiang Nian continued, "I'll work with you some more. If your technique gets a little cleaner, you might even break 1,000 kg in the Warrior Assessment!"

As he spoke, he demonstrated each move for Wang Ji. Getting one-on-one instruction from a seasoned Advanced Warrior was a rare opportunity, and Wang Ji paid close attention.

"Tomorrow! The Quasi-Warrior Assessment is tomorrow. I've already submitted your name. It's at the Extreme Pavilion in Jiangnan Base City! Remember to bring your ID, and don't be late!" Jiang Nian reminded him.

Wang Ji nodded. "Got it, Uncle Jiang!"

In the HR Warrior Residential District stood a magnificent European-style villa.

"Smack!" A hawk-nosed man slapped Liu Biao across the face. Blood burst from Liu Biao's nose and mouth, but he didn't dare move. It was his father, Liu Zhendong—a seasoned warrior!

Liu Biao's mother had died when he was young, but Liu Zhendong hadn't spoiled his only son. Instead, he beat him at the slightest excuse. Liu Biao might have thrown his weight around outside, but deep down, he was terrified of his father.

"Useless! Look at who you've gone and provoked!" Liu Zhendong barked. He flung his phone down in front of Liu Biao.

Liu Biao looked down. On the screen was a high-resolution photo of Wang Ji smiling brightly, his fist still extended in front of him. The punch-force testing machine displayed a clear number: "938 kg!"

"Impossible!" Liu Biao blurted out.

Liu Zhendong frowned. "Is there any room left to make peace?"

"M-Make peace?" Liu Biao stared at him in disbelief. This was his father—a seasoned warrior who'd always been tough. Why would he bring up making peace with some young punk?