Becoming the Provincial Martial Leader Was Only the Beginning

Chen Lie nodded to Zhu Yining and asked, "Are you going home?"

Zhu Yining hummed in agreement and said, "Yes, is Senior also going home?"

"No, I'm going to open a Star Dollar account," Chen Lie said.

"Really? There's a Blue Star Bank branch near my house, just the next stop. Shall I go with you, senior?"

Chen Lie originally wanted to go to a large city branch in Changdong City, as he wasn't sure where there were any smaller branches of Blue Star Bank in Changdong City. Since Zhu Yining had suggested it, he figured the next stop was nearby, so it didn't matter where he went. He nodded and agreed, "Okay."

Zhu Yining's face lit up with a bright smile, "Senior, can I add you as Green Bubble friend?"

"Can."

Chen Lie nodded, took out his Communicator, and showed his friend code.

Zhu Yining pulled a somewhat worn-out Communicator from her pocket, a hint of self-consciousness on her face. She quickly scanned Zhu Yining Chen Lie's friend code, added him as a friend, and then hurriedly put the Communicator back into her pocket.

Chen Lie pulled out his Communicator and a notification popped up: An Ning has requested to add you as a friend.

Upon seeing the name An Ning and the familiar lake-themed profile picture, Chen Lie suddenly remembered something.

"Aren't you named Zhu Yining? What's the matter with An Ning?"

"An Ning is the nickname my mother gave me."

Chen Lie nodded and asked, "Do you know Chen Xingyao?"

"You know Chen Xingyao too, senior? When I was in the Key Class, I often practiced martial arts with Chen Xingyao, but I haven't seen Chen Xingyao much since I was removed from the Key Class."

Chen Lie hummed in agreement and said, "Chen Xingyao is my sister."

He remembered that in his past life, when he was being pursued by a powerful enemy and had nowhere to turn, his sister asked a classmate from Blue Star University to help her order a ticket for an anonymous Star Boat to Outer Stars and a spot to Leaving the Star.

He had seen his sister contact that classmate from Blue Star University using Green Bubble, and that person's Green Bubble nickname was "An Ning," and their profile picture was a lake.

Chen Lie had initially thought the person who helped them was from another province, but now it seemed to be Zhu Yining.

"But why haven't I heard Chen Xingyao mention you? Is it because of the confidentiality policy for the families of members of the Genius Group?"

Just as Zhu Yining finished speaking, the Flying Bus began to land and stopped at the bus stop.

"Senior, we've arrived. Shall we get off?"

Chen Lie nodded and got out of the car with Zhu Yining.

After getting off the Flying Bus, Zhu Yining walked ahead and gave directions.

"Senior, the Blue Star Bank branch is just ahead."

After walking for about ten minutes, Chen Lie finally saw a small branch of Blue Star Bank by the roadside.

Chen Lie went in and took a number. It took him about half an hour to open a Star Dollar account and obtain a Star Dollar Card.

After the Star Dollar account was set up, Chen Lie immediately sent the account information to Jiang Minghua.

In less than ten minutes, Chen Lie's account received a transfer of 200 million Star Dollar.

"Senior, what do you need this account for?" Zhu Yining asked.

Logically speaking, at this age, one shouldn't need a Star Dollar account.

"To collect an endorsement fee."

"They're charging endorsement fees, huh?"

Zhu Yining suddenly realized that many gene-enhancing drugs, even Blood Essence Fluid and martial arts equipment on the market, were labeled with strong recommendations from members of the Provincial Youth Genius Group. These must be the so-called endorsements.

"Zhu Yining, I heard that you didn't use Blood Essence Fluid even though your Blood Qi Value exceeded 1. Is your family facing financial difficulties?" Chen Lie asked.

"I----"

A deep sense of inferiority flashed in Zhu Yining's eyes, and she nodded gently with an "Mm".

"Being poor is nothing to be ashamed of. It's different from hundreds of years ago, so you don't need to feel embarrassed," Chen Lie said. "In the Martial Era, martial arts skills determine one's status. Since you know my sister, you should know that although my family is better off than yours, it's still only average."

Compared to those born into privilege, you and I are no different. However, the number of privileged children who have fallen to me, from the Genius Training Camp to now, is no less than a handful. Relying on the blessings of their ancestors, these privileged children may be arrogant and domineering at present, but as long as you work hard, you will surely trample them under your feet within ten years.

"Senior, you're joking. How can I compare to you?" Zhu Yining said.

"Your talent is not weak, and it is even much stronger than most of the members of the Provincial Youth Genius Group. It's just that the martial arts resources are not keeping up at this stage."

Once you join the Elite Class and have the ability to secure resources for yourself, you'll be on the fast track to martial arts mastery.

"Me—really?"

Zhu Yining could hardly believe it.

Her current Blood Qi Value is less than 2 cards, while the members of the Provincial Youth Genius Group all have Blood Qi Value in the four digits. Can her talent really compare to these geniuses?

Chen Lie nodded to her, handed Zhu Yining a black Star Dollar Card, and said, "This is a Star Dollar Card with one million Star Dollar coins inside. There's no password. It can help you speed things up in the initial stages of martial arts."

"This—how can this be?" Zhu Yining quickly refused, "How can I accept so much money from my senior?"

"Take it. My endorsement fee is two hundred million Star Dollar. This one million Star Dollar is negligible to me."

Considering that Zhu Yining had helped them in her previous life, he wouldn't leave it unattended, even though it was just a small Zhu Yining at the time.

One million Star Dollar might be insignificant to Chen Lie, but for Zhu Yining, it could save her a year in martial arts training.

"Although one million Star Dollar are insignificant to you, senior, I can't accept something for nothing, I really—"

"Alright, enough rambling. As I just said, you have good potential. Consider this one million Star Dollar as my investment in you. If you become capable in the future, you can repay me with Martial Dao Rare Treasure; otherwise, consider my investment a failure."

But I—

"My time is more precious than a million Star Dollar. Just accept it as a sign that I have high hopes for you. If you are confident, you can repay me tenfold or a hundredfold in the future."

Chen Lie said no more, simply stuffed the Star Dollar Card into Zhu Yining's pocket, and then walked out of the small branch.

After realizing what was happening, Zhu Yining quickly chased after her.

Seeing Chen Lie's retreating figure, she shouted, "Senior, I will return that one million Star Dollar to you—"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lie turned around, nodded, and then turned back to continue walking forward.

"Martial Dao Rare Treasure?"

Zhu Yining had heard of rare Martial Dao Rare Treasure Martial Dao Rare Treasure, which were said to be priceless.

She didn't know if she would be able to earn a Martial Dao Rare Treasure in the future, so she secretly resolved to work twice as hard to learn Martial Dao Rare Treasure from now on and try to earn one.

Chen Lie arrived at the bus stop and took the Flying Bus home.

On the other side, Feng Yuelan was doing her daily work in the military office.

Suddenly, her office door was pushed open, and her colleague Wang Mei walked in.

"Yuelan, how can you still have the mind to work here?"

If I were you, I wouldn't be able to sit still either. Seriously, you have a really good attitude!

Feng Yuelan curiously, "What's wrong, Sister Mei?"

"You're asking me what happened? Yuelan, you've been hiding this really well. Your son, Chen Lie, won first place in the provincial All-Member Martial Competition of the Provincial Youth Genius Group, becoming the Provincial Martial Leader."

According to official news reports, congratulatory statements have been published in all major official media outlets in East River Province.

If this were ancient times, your son would be a legitimate provincial champion.

"What? You're saying Chen Lie has become the Provincial Martial Leader?"

"Such a big thing, you didn't know?" Wang Mei asked curiously.

"I really don't know." Feng Yuelan shook her head.

"How is that possible? Didn't Chen Lie inform you about the province-wide open All-Member Martial Competition for Provincial Youth Genius Group?"

Watching the live stream, he performed so well in the martial arts competition, even winning first place. Logically, he should be full of confidence and determined to be number one. Could he really keep quiet?

"Sister Mei, you're not joking, are you? Chen Lie has only been a member of the Provincial Youth Genius Group for a little over a month, how could he possibly be number one in the martial arts competition?"

"Alright, take a look at the news our Changdong Daily published half an hour ago."

Wang Mei pulled out a news article and handed the Communicator to Feng Yuelan to look at.

Feng Yuelan took the Communicator and instantly saw the news headline.

[A new Provincial Martial Leader has been crowned; a true Wuqu Star Incarnate.]

Feng Yuelan quickly started reading the news.

The focus of the news report was on Chen Lie's information, which was described in almost perfect terms throughout.

Chen Lie was repeatedly pointed out as the pride of Changdong City, having overpowered a host of geniuses in the martial arts competition, and was truly Wuqu Star Incarnate.

"This... is my son?"

After reading this news, Feng Yuelan was stunned.

"How is it? Yuelan, hurry back and ask your son."

I watched Chen Lie's live stream, and my god, with one palm strike, he sank almost half of the concrete Duel Platform, which was a meter high and several hundred square meters in size.

How is martial arts trained?

How can a Martial Artist who hasn't even entered the first rank be stronger than Third-Order Martial Artist?

Feng Yuelan was getting restless and said, "Sister Mei, could you help me with this little bit of work? I'll go back and ask what happened."

"Alright, go quickly. Winning the Provincial Martial Leader is no small matter. The Provincial Martial Leader will definitely be able to get into the legendary Starry Sky University and go beyond Blue Star to see the world."

After thanking her, Feng Yuelan hurriedly left the office and headed home.

Meanwhile, Chen Lie arrived home and placed the Martial Leader Medal awarded by the Provincial Governor on the table.

Hearing the commotion, Chen Xingyao, who was in the Practice Room, immediately came to the living room.

Upon seeing Chen Lie, she quickly went up to him. "Brother, you're back?"

"Um!"

"I watched the entire live stream of the Provincial Youth Genius Group competition today. Bro, you've become the Martial Leader! That's amazing!"

"He's just a Martial Leader from East River Province; there's a much bigger world out there."

"After all, they are the most powerful in East River Province."

As Chen Xingyao spoke, she noticed a medal made of an unfamiliar material sitting on the table next to her.

"Brother, what is this—"

"The medal of the Martial Leader."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xingyao immediately took the medal in her hand and examined it carefully.

"Is this the medal that the Provincial Governor awarded in the live broadcast?"

This material doesn't seem to be found on Blue Star; could it be made from Outer Stars?

Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Feng Yuelan returned home.

"Mother?"

Upon seeing his mother, Chen Xingyao immediately exclaimed, "Mom, come quick! My brother has won the Provincial Martial Leader! This is the Martial Leader Medal awarded by the Provincial Governor!"

"Yaoyao, do you know that your brother won first place in the martial arts competition and became the Martial Leader?" Feng Yuelan asked.

"Of course, didn't you watch the live stream?"

In the martial arts competition, my brother almost defeated his opponent with a single punch. It wasn't until the finals, when he faced the previous Martial Leader, that he had to use all his strength.

Feng Yuelan asked Chen Liedao, "Chen Lie, why didn't you tell me and your father about your participation in the Genius Group martial arts competition?"

"Mom, there's a martial arts competition every month, no need to mention it."

"So, were you confident of winning first place from the very beginning?"

"Yes, I wanted to give you and Dad a surprise. Even if I had said I was confident of winning first place, you probably wouldn't have believed me, right?" Chen Liedao.

"Shouldn't you at least have told me in advance?"

"Alright, I'll say this in advance: I'm confident I can take first place at the next Three-Provinces Martial Tournament."

"First place in the Three-Province Martial Tournament? Three-Province Martial Champion? How is that possible?"

Feng Yuelan said, "For decades, the champion of the Three-Province Martial Tournament always came from Cloud River Province. When have the champions of the Three-Province Martial Tournament ever come from East River Province or West River Province?"

Chen Lie said, "See? Mom, you still don't believe me."

"It's not that Mom doesn't believe it, it's just that it's too unbelievable."

I've heard that a Provincial Martial Leader from Cloud River Province named Ji Lingxuan is very powerful. Are you confident you can defeat her in the Three-Province Martial Tournament?

"How can I take first place if I can't defeat her?" Chen Lie retorted.

Feng Yuelan knew her son was full of high spirits, but she didn't want to spoil the mood at this time.

Becoming the Provincial Martial Leader is absolutely a stroke of good luck, the number one among the younger generation in East River Province. "I spoke with your dad when I came back. He had only been in Cloud River Province for two days, but he's already back. He should be home in about an hour."

We're not eating at home today. You've become the Provincial Martial Leader, so we're going to celebrate! Let's go to the Starlight Hotel for dinner!

"Okay, I agree!" Chen Xingyao said immediately.

About an hour later, Chen Gequn returned from outside.

As soon as he entered the door, Chen Gequn saw Chen Lie standing in the living room and asked incredulously, "Son, have you really become the Martial Leader of East River Province?"

"Dad, this is the medal awarded to the Martial Leader. You can take a look."

Chen Gequn accepted the medal, glanced at the special medal a few times, and then put it down.

"Your martial arts skills have improved so much lately, to be honest, I'm a little confused."

After receiving your mother's notification, I specifically checked several news reports from East River Province's official media before I dared to confirm that you had indeed become the Martial Leader.

Your mother and I only hoped that you would get into a top martial arts university.

"Dad, Martial Leader is just the beginning. Let's be patient this time. You'll be in for a surprise later."

Chen Xingyao added, "That's right, Dad! My brother will only get more and more amazing. Mom said we're going to celebrate for him today by going to the Starlight Hotel in the provincial capital. You can't be this excited!"