Invitation

"Are you saying the ground just happened to collapse and crush Song Wenkang to death?"

Sun Wenbin looked at the earnest-faced Xu Ziming, a strange expression already forming on his face.

"It is the absolute truth, Officer. I am merely a student with a Life Energy Level starting with a 3; how could I possibly defeat a member of the True Martial Sect?"

Every word Xu Ziming uttered revealed a rare sincerity, as if that were truly how things had transpired.

"Fine, let's assume that's the case. As for the 5,000 Blue Star Coin reward, that will..."

"Hey now, Officer, let's keep business separate. I did risk my life for public safety and national stability, after all. A reward is a reward; it should still be issued."

Sun Wenbin finally lost his composure and pulled out the Rat-Man Cultivation Diary, waving it in front of Xu Ziming.

"Do you know what this is?"

"The Rat-Man Cultivation Diary."

"Pfft!" Wang Hu, who was watching the spectacle from the side, could no longer hold back, spraying a mouthful of tea everywhere.

Xu Ziming hadn't done this on purpose; he simply didn't want to get tangled up in these messy affairs. He had only wanted to cultivate steadily and get into college.

Fighting against alien races was supposed to be a future concern—how had he jumped to this stage already?

He could never stay out late again.

"Student Xu, I'm not joking with you. Besides this book, did you find anything else on Song Wenkang?"

"You found out about that too?" Xu Ziming immediately and helplessly rummaged through his own belongings.

Sun Wenbin and Wang Hu's eyes lit up instantly. Their goal was that drop of Qilin Source Blood, but when they arrived at the scene last night, they hadn't found it at all.

Whether it was Song Wenkang's body or the spatial bracelet of this kid in front of them, there was no sign of the Qilin Source Blood anywhere.

"You're looking for this, right? It's a full 10,000 Blue Star Coin. I'm not the type to embezzle, so let's just hand this over to the state."

Xu Ziming had already transferred 20,000 into his own account on the way, so there was indeed only 10,000 left in the account at this moment.

Seeing this, Sun Wenbin gave up completely, covering his eyes with his hand and waving it dismissively.

"Keep it yourself. It seems Song Wenkang didn't have that thing on him at all."

It was no wonder he thought that; how could a high school student with a mere 3.2 Life Energy Level make something with such immense life intensity as the Qilin Source Blood disappear right in front of them?

Could he have a cheat, like a system?

Don't be ridiculous. If he had a system, he wouldn't still have a measly 3.2 Life Energy Level.

"Go back to school first. The reward will be deposited into your bank card shortly. As for the certificate... we've already given it to your homeroom teacher."

At this moment, Sun Wenbin suddenly glanced at Wang Hu.

"Little Xu, are you interested in becoming an external martial artist for our police station? The benefits are quite good, and there's usually almost nothing else to do."

Regardless of Xu Ziming's current Life Energy Level, the fact that he defeated Song Wenkang was right in front of everyone.

He now possessed the strength to defeat a martial artist. If they could recruit him to the police station, he would surely complete his first Life Evolution within two years.

The martial arts cultivation system of this world was based on Life Evolution, the simplest of which occurred when one's Life Energy Level reached 5.0.

At that point, there were no requirements for Life Evolution other than meeting the Life Energy Level; for every subsequent Life Evolution, the Life Energy Level was merely the most basic requirement.

"Many thanks for the kind offer, Officer Wang, but my goal for now is still the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam. I'm afraid I cannot serve as an external martial artist for the police station."

"Hahaha, no worries, no worries. In that case, I wish you success in getting into one of the Five Great Spirit Academies. Consider it again after you get into college."

As they spoke, Wang Hu walked to the entrance of the police station, pressed his watch, and a Flying Boat specialized for police use descended from the sky.

"Get in, I'll take you back to school." He pointed at the Flying Boat and stepped inside.

Xu Ziming naturally didn't refuse and followed him in.

It had to be said, this was Xu Ziming's first time riding in a Flying Boat. It was incredibly fast, capable of reaching 260 km/h even within the city.

In just two or three minutes, they arrived at his school.

"Go to class, I'm off." Wang Hu watched Xu Ziming get out, waved his hand, and vanished in a flash.

Xu Ziming was just about to ask why he was in such a hurry when he was stunned by the sight before him.

The eternal, unchanging gate of Pengcheng No. 3 High School was plastered with a giant photo of his face, followed by a long, flowery string of text.

"Congratulations to our school's senior student Xu Ziming for stepping forward to defend Pengcheng and defeating the True Martial Sect member: Song Wenkang, a youth..."

It started with him defeating Song Wenkang, followed by a long list of inspirational quotes. Even more absurdly, his photo made him look like a complete idiot.

"Look, it's Xu Ziming!"

As soon as he stepped onto campus, people around him began to recognize him.

His fame at Pengcheng No. 3 High School had reached a certain level; you might not know the principal, but you couldn't not know Xu Ziming, the guy who hacked a True Martial Sect member to death with a single sword strike.

As for how the "hacked to death with a single sword strike" rumor started...

Ignoring the gazes of the crowd, he arrived at his classroom door, but before he could even enter, he heard Dai Fei's voice.

"My brother Xu Ziming is top-tier strong! Even that so-called True Martial Sect member with the strength of a martial artist was nothing more than someone who got hacked to death in one strike. The scene back then was absolutely intense..."

Xu Ziming walked silently behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Huh? A-Ming, you're back!" Dai Fei immediately left the crowd and gave Xu Ziming a fierce hug.

"Stop spreading rumors in class."

Xu Ziming pushed Dai Fei away in disgust and covered his face with his hand.

The person who had been mocking Xu Ziming earlier lowered his head the moment he saw him enter, terrified of being noticed.

"Tomorrow is your match against Zhao Yong, right? How do you plan on crushing him?"

Dai Fei pushed Xu Ziming toward the exit, not wanting others to overhear their conversation.

"We're all classmates, what's there to fight about? If it weren't for the scholarship quota..."

"No, A-Ming, you can't think like that. My old man has told me since I was a kid that the Martial Way is about competing with people, competing with the heavens, and competing with all things in the universe."

"As the old saying goes: 'The success of one general is built on the bones of ten thousand.' That holds just as true today. I don't have the talent, but you're different. I believe you can do it!"

Dai Fei patted Xu Ziming on the shoulder. "I'll tell you a secret: my Life Energy Level has gone up by 0.1 recently. Maybe I'll be able to get into a Martial Way undergraduate program too."

Xu Ziming suddenly fell silent. He looked at Dai Fei and smiled. "Good. Once you get into an undergraduate program too, we'll definitely have to celebrate properly."

"That goes without saying. I've already studied the locations of the Five Great Spirit Academies. I've found a decent undergraduate school in every city, so wherever you go, I'll go."