Martial Pavilion

After eating and drinking his fill, Chen Xu wiped his mouth and walked out of the buffet restaurant under the astonished gazes of the owner and the other diners.

This was the first time in nearly two years that he had eaten to his heart's content, replenishing the energy his body needed.

Before he had transmigrated, the previous owner of this body and the old master had always lived rather poorly. The reason was simple: no one came to learn.

For a martial arts school, no disciples meant no income. Chen Martial Arts Academy had not had a disciple in nearly two years.

Even the annual martial arts school exchange tournament had ceased to be attended because Chen Zhenwu was growing older by the day.

If he participated in the masters' battles in his aged state, whether he could preserve the glory of his former top-ten ranking was truly questionable.

If even the title of former top ten was lost, no one would be willing to study martial arts at their struggling school.

Without money, they could not purchase martial arts resources. Without resources, the master and instructors could not improve their strength. Without strength, no one would come to learn martial arts. And without students, there would be no income.

Most small martial arts schools passed their days like this, trapped in a vicious cycle until they were ultimately eliminated.

After counting his remaining Abyss Coins, Chen Xu raised a hand and hailed a taxi.

"Martial Pavilion," Chen Xu said blandly, leaning against the back seat and closing his eyes to rest.

Upon hearing "Martial Pavilion," the driver subconsciously glanced back at Chen Xu. Seeing that he was a teenager, the driver seemed to understand something.

"Sir, you're taking the self-study route, right? Are you going to apply for the martial arts apprentice assessment today?

"I heard that a master's disciple from Floating Light Martial Arts School is taking the martial artist assessment today. A martial artist under twenty—her talent is really impressive."

He waggled his eyebrows at Chen Xu and gave a knowing man-to-man smile. "I have relatives at Floating Light Martial Arts School. According to them, she's a stunning beauty."

Seeing that Chen Xu remained silent, the driver gave an awkward smile and stopped talking. He lightly pressed the accelerator and picked up speed.

About fifteen minutes later, the taxi pulled over by the roadside.

"Sir, we've arrived at the Martial Pavilion. Vehicles like mine can't go any farther."

Chen Xu opened his eyes. An aura resembling that of the king of beasts flashed past in an instant, making the driver unconsciously shrink his neck and glance around, only to find nothing.

Opening the car door, Chen Xu looked toward the towering building a thousand meters away. The words "Martial Pavilion" atop it were bold and vigorous, gleaming brightly.

A steady stream of people flowed in and out. Of course, most of them were tourists carrying cameras and taking pictures everywhere.

Starting the year before last, Great Abyss had passed the Martial Arts Support Act, but changed the term "martial arts" to "wushu," gradually transforming it from a method of combat into one of performance and entertainment.

With policy support, all kinds of flashy performance-oriented wushu schools had sprung up throughout Great Abyss like mushrooms after rain. Though they were also called martial arts schools, they were rejected by many established schools.

Chen Xu strode into the Martial Pavilion. A group of young people in matching uniforms caught his attention. The insignia on their bodies showed that they were apprentices from Floating Light Martial Arts School, just as the taxi driver had mentioned.

This martial arts school was one of the new-style schools that had risen to prominence the year before last. In just four short years, its income had already surpassed that of countless established schools, second only to Jinning's number-one martial arts school, the century-old Nine Heavens Martial Arts School.

Seemingly noticing Chen Xu's gaze, the middle-parted man who had his back to him turned around and sized him up. Seeing his shabby outfit, which probably did not even cost a hundred Abyss Coins altogether, a trace of sympathy appeared in his eyes.

Even in the same city, the gap between rich and poor had grown this vast. Perhaps the money that teenager's family earned over several years was not enough to cover two or three months of tuition at Floating Light Martial Arts School.

"Brother Lu, why did you suddenly stop talking?" The man beside him followed Lu Yi's gaze and looked over, revealing undisguised contempt.

"Huh? Why is he heading toward the VIP-only passage? Don't tell me he can't read." The woman in high heels covered her mouth and chuckled. Before their senior sister arrived, watching this poor boy make a fool of himself would be a decent way to pass the time.

"Junior Brother Zheng, go bring him over here. Ask what business he's here for, then send him to the regular counter. If he wanders somewhere he shouldn't, the security personnel inside won't show mercy."

"There aren't many people like Brother Lu who are both kind and strong. This kid is lucky to have run into you, Brother Lu." Junior Brother Zheng offered a not-too-obvious bit of flattery before walking toward Chen Xu.

"Hey." Junior Brother Zheng extended his hand, intending to pat Chen Xu, but seemed to think of something and withdrew it.

"What is it?" Chen Xu stopped walking, his voice even.

Gulp.

Junior Brother Zheng's throat bobbed several times. He did not know whether it was an illusion, but he felt as though he was not speaking to a teenager, but to a fierce tiger dozing with its eyes closed.

Just as he was about to speak, a booming laugh interrupted him. "Isn't this Master Chen? What happened at noon must have made you laugh."

A middle-aged man dressed in a gray robe slowly strolled over.

"Chang Wei, hurry up and apologize to Master Chen!"

Chang Wei reluctantly stepped out from Zhicheng Martial Arts Academy's group. Apologizing publicly to a teenager seven or eight years younger than himself, especially in front of students he had taught for years, was utterly humiliating.

"Master Chen, I am deeply sorry for causing you trouble at noon." He bowed deeply, concealing the hatred in his eyes. If not for Chen Xu, how could Chang Wei have been demoted to junior instructor again? He had even directly lost the next Refining Liquid benefit.

After straightening up, he took an exquisite gift box from the bag he carried with him, held it carefully, and respectfully offered it to Chen Xu.

Seeing Chang Wei's expression, how could Chen Xu not know what he was truly thinking? But he did not care. He was merely a minor instructor. He was no match for Chen Xu now, and he would be even less capable of catching up in the future.

Chen Xu casually hooked a finger around the ribbon on the gift box and said to Master Xu, "Thank you, Master Xu. You're welcome to visit my martial arts school anytime in the future."

With that, he lifted his foot and headed into the VIP area.

"Hold it." Master Xu kept both hands tucked into his sleeves, a glint flashing through his eyes.

"Master Chen, have you forgotten something?"

"Oh? What do you mean?" Chen Xu paused slightly, the skin beneath his clothes faintly taking on a bronze hue.

"You and I are both masters of martial arts schools. If I say it publicly, wouldn't that cause you to lose face, Master Chen?"

Master Xu slowly spread his hands from within his sleeves.

"Master Chen, we have already paid our compensation. Now it is time to discuss how, after defeating Instructor Chang of our school, you seized his personal belongings."

"That's right, Chen! You're going too far! If you know what's good for you, hand back the Refining Liquid immediately!" Seeing his master backing him up, Chang Wei instantly found his courage and shouted.

"Since when did a dog get to interrupt when its master was speaking!"

An invisible pressure spread out. The bearing of the king of beasts immediately shut Chang Wei's mouth, and he shrank back behind the group.

After dealing with Chang Wei, Chen Xu played with the gift box. "As for what Master Xu mentioned, I have no recollection of it at all. Could it be that he was muddleheaded from sleep and has to blame me even for losing something while walking down the road because he cannot find it?"