The Times Have Changed

Li Ziqing brushed off his clothes and asked, "Any other questions?"

Lu Ren took a deep breath, then solemnly performed a formal disciple ceremony. "I want to take you as my master!"

Li Ziqing's expression shifted slightly. His gaze flickered, but he did not stop Lu Ren from kneeling. Whether it was the month of personal instruction or what had happened now, he was worthy of Lu Ren's bow.

Besides, Lu Ren's talent for martial arts was truly astonishing. Though he was somewhat old, it was not as though he could not amount to something. Since ancient times, there had been exceptionally gifted people who began practicing martial arts at this age. With modern society's abundant material conditions thanks to technology, the possibilities were even greater. It was just that...

He pondered for a while, shook his head slightly, and finally sighed. "Had I met you ten years earlier, I would certainly have accepted you as my disciple. I accept your bow, but my school may..."

After thinking for a moment, he took a business card from his pocket.

"Lu Ren, times are different now. Modern society has abundant resources, providing excellent conditions for martial arts practice. But we live in an age of information explosion and constant technological advancement. Desire runs rampant, people are restless, and few are willing to live the near-ascetic life required for cultivation. As a result, many Fist Law Schools are on the verge of fading away. They no longer hoard their knowledge. If you can bring your Fist Law practice to a respectable level, come find me at this address. Well, perhaps you will not need to. Later on, you may be here anyway. Also, just call me Teacher."

Li Ziqing had made himself very clear. In this era, there was no need for a formal master-disciple relationship, but he had not denied that Lu Ren was his disciple. He only hoped Lu Ren could settle down and cultivate properly. Once his Fist Law reached a respectable level, the title would be justified.

Lu Ren was not disappointed in the slightest. Whether by sentiment or reason, that bow had been deserved.

"Yes, Teacher Li."

After a pause, Lu Ren asked curiously, "Teacher Li, what did you mean when you said I might be there too?"

Li Ziqing gave him a meaningful look. "If you wish to cultivate martial arts, you cannot advance very quickly alone. The resources available to you will restrain your potential for growth. You need to understand that for a top Martial Daoist, the food consumed each day simply to sustain the body is already astonishing. It is not something one person can bear."

Li Ziqing sighed deeply. "The times have changed. This is the age of guns and artillery. How many are still willing to practice martial arts?"

Shaking his head, Li Ziqing slowly departed.

Lu Ren gradually rose to his feet and let out a long breath. Just as Li Ziqing had said, martial arts had gradually declined with the development of the times. Martial skill honed through decades of arduous training could not compare to a bullet made in a few seconds.

With material abundance, the conditions for martial arts training had improved, yet it had declined even further because of the limitations of the age.

Just as Lu Ren was reviewing everything and preparing to carefully study the Fist stance within the Falcon Fist that had formed into a skill, the hospital room door opened and Zhang Li walked in, speaking directly to him.

"Lu Ren, it has been confirmed that there is nothing wrong with your body. You may be discharged."

"Huh?"

Lu Ren froze. Did that mean he would no longer get to eat the nutritious and delicious meals here?!

It would probably be difficult to eat such things once he got out. The medicinal cuisine listed in the Falcon Fist notes alone would cost a considerable sum, while here he could choose anything from the menu!

Seeing the hesitation on Lu Ren's face, Zhang Li found it somewhat amusing. "What? You do not want to leave? If you do not want to leave, I can send you to a cell for a while longer."

It seemed he could not stay here any longer.

Somewhat helplessly, Lu Ren said, "Then how much are you planning to reward me for that dagger? That was epoch-making black technology I brought back from another space! Besides, I have been extremely cooperative with you these past few months!"

"The approval has already come through. You will receive a ten-million bonus, as well as a villa in the suburbs."

Lu Ren was stunned for a moment, then broke into a broad smile. "That's great! That's really great!"

After quickly completing the discharge procedures, Lu Ren looked at the ten million transferred into his phone, the property deed in his backpack, and the keys in his pocket. He already felt as though he had reached the peak of life.

Lu Ren was in such a good mood that he even swayed from side to side as he walked. His formerly slightly hunched back was now ramrod straight. Even when he looked at the beautiful women passing by on the street, it was no longer a lecherous gesture, but an open and proper appreciation.

Several young women noticed this change in his bearing. Not only did they not mind Lu Ren's gaze, they even smiled at him.

Money gave men courage!

He grandly hailed a taxi and headed to the address he had been given.

Watching the car carrying Lu Ren away, Zhang Li let out a breath, the worry on his face deepening. Xiao Chen beside him also sighed.

"The frequency of spatial tremors is increasing. There have already been thirteen incidents like Lu Ren's. Some were even death zones—absolute deadlands. Everyone who entered died within seconds."

Zhang Li said heavily, "This world is changing. Perhaps the things in those dimensional spaces may come over as well... I still suggest that the higher-ups activate the plan as soon as possible."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "Things across the ocean have also gone too far recently. Something bad may happen."

"We can only move as quickly as possible. We only need to handle things here at home. Let the overseas security management people worry about the rest."

"Damn, it's even fully furnished!"

After entering the two-story villa, Lu Ren excitedly paced around it seven or eight times before finally calming down. Then he sat on the sofa and frowned in thought.

Over the past month, Zhang Li had come to see him frequently, sometimes even three times a day. The questions asked all concerned his experiences in the two other spaces. The details had been so exhaustive that it was practically as if they had wanted to ask what his shit smelled like.

From their expressions, Lu Ren could tell he was not an isolated case. Similar incidents had happened in many places. He had merely drawn attention because he had survived the other spaces and stood out among those who had survived during the same period.

Lu Ren suddenly felt an intense sense of urgency. Damn it, is this world going to change drastically in the future?

Those bizarre news stories he had browsed before were not going to come true, were they?

No, he needed to train!

Lu Ren immediately ran upstairs, picked the largest bedroom, and slept for a while. By the time he woke, night had fallen. After taking care of his personal needs and showering, Lu Ren went to the small garden behind the house.

He looked at the Falcon Fist skill that had formed on the Character Panel.

Falcon Fist (Beginner 198/1384)

He did not have the so-called Shackles of realms. He only needed to proceed step by step and continuously increase his proficiency to break through. This was an enormous advantage he held over other Martial Daoists. However, he suspected that the higher the Fist Law's level, the more astonishing the required proficiency would become. Moreover, it was still unknown how higher-level Fist Laws would manifest. He would only understand after experiencing it himself.