Signing?

Wan Keshan jolted awake, turning to look at his niece, wondering if he had misheard.

He saw Li Qingshan every day—how could he not know his strength?

To orchestrate this sacrifice, the Evil God Cultist must have already been corrupted, with the ability to transform.

Was this something Li Qingshan could handle?

But the mecha's iron mask revealed no expression, and Yu Man didn't speak again.

Wan Keshan couldn't hold back and questioned:

"Li Qingshan is only at Body Tempering Second Level..."

"Uncle, I admit you were right before."

Yu Man frowned, cutting him off impatiently:

"Killing an Evil God Cultist at Body Tempering Second Level, and hunting three Fierce Beasts in a row—Li Qingshan truly is a genius."

"Genius?" Wan Keshan was stunned.

Back then, it was just an excuse he'd made up to his niece to hand out a bigger bonus.

In his mind, Li Qingshan had at best a sliver of a chance to reach the New Continent.

But now...

"Killing an Evil God Cultist at Body Tempering Second Level? And hunting three Fierce Beasts in a row?"

A flash of insight struck Wan Keshan, and he said firmly:

"Did he snatch a Laser Gun? That kid's really clever!"

"What Laser Gun? Weren't Mizong Step and Wind Shadow Blade, those two D-rank Martial Skills, taught to him by you?"

Inside the mecha, Yu Man's frown deepened. She felt her uncle was "hinting" at her, showing off.

Taking a deep breath, she waved her hand and projected four light screens.

"Stop asking. See for yourself!"

On the screens were the battle scenes the mecha had simulated earlier.

"Not a gun?"

Wan Keshan muttered, his gaze fixed on the figure's right hand.

Though the image wasn't clear, he could recognize it as a Chopping Knife.

The Chopping Knife he had given to Li Qingshan!

As the figure in the screen stepped forward and swung the blade, Wan Keshan's eyes gradually widened in disbelief:

"Mizong Step at Great Accomplishment? Wind Shadow Blade at Great Accomplishment?"

"Is this really Li Qingshan?"

He instinctively voiced doubt, but as the figure on screen circled behind and slashed upward, he fell silent.

The figure in the screen was definitely Li Qingshan!

Beside him, Yu Man's pent-up frustration eased slightly, but she gradually sensed something off.

She lifted her visor and asked, puzzled:

"Uncle, you really didn't know?"

"Know my ass!"

Wan Keshan cursed.

Two months ago, sending those martial skills to Li Qingshan was just based on that "hypothesis" of facing Fierce Beasts alone.

But a hypothesis was just a hypothesis—he never thought it would actually work.

In the following days, seeing Li Qingshan listless from practicing the skills, Wan Keshan had even regretted sending them so early.

Later, when Li Qingshan's mental state returned to normal, he assumed the kid had "listened to advice" and given up on training.

He never expected...

"Two months, Mizong Step at Great Accomplishment! Wind Shadow Blade at Great Accomplishment!"

"Hahaha, that kid's been saving me a surprise!"

Wan Keshan burst into laughter, excitement written all over his face. He turned to his niece and instructed:

"By the way, don't leak these materials. Li Qingshan's level is too low—better not let those hyenas catch wind of him early."

"I know my limits." Yu Man nodded first, then furrowed her brows slightly.

"But there were too many onlookers at the scene. Li Qingshan's record might not escape some local companies."

"It's fine. That kid's clever—he won't fall for it so easily." Wan Keshan waved his hand confidently.

"Survivors are all Ordinary People—they won't catch the details. As long as Li Qingshan's talent stays hidden, those big corporations won't make a move early."

Luoying City at night wasn't quiet at all.

The streets were bustling with traffic, both sides lined with brilliant lights and flashing neon. Countless projection ads lit up the walls of high-rise buildings.

In the night sky, a Hovercar glided silently past.

Li Qingshan sat on the sofa, gazing down at the cityscape through the window.

"Coach Li, thank you for teaching my son this past month."

Cao Ya's smile was genuine as he slapped the back of his son's head again.

"This Brat—I always thought he had no talent for martial arts, so I never pushed him."

"Good thing Coach Li came along, or who knows how much more time would've been wasted?"

Cao Shaoyu's eyes were teary, his chubby face flushed red, but he didn't dare talk back.

Li Qingshan found it amusing and shook his head. "The talent is his own. I just guided him a little."

"Coach Li is too modest." Cao Ya said, lifting the sofa cushion beside him and pulling out a long wooden box.

"Coach Li, I prepared this as a token of thanks. Please don't refuse."

"How can I accept this!" Li Qingshan shook his head and waved his hand. "I've already taken the tuition—"

Before he could finish, Cao Ya opened the box.

Inside was a sheathed long blade, entirely black. The hilt and scabbard were carved with mysterious patterns that flowed together seamlessly.

Cao Ya pushed the box toward Li Qingshan. "Coach Li, why not take a look at this blade first?"

Li Qingshan didn't refuse. He picked up the blade and drew it halfway from the sheath.

A flash of lightning appeared, then vanished in an instant.

"Lightning?"

Li Qingshan blinked, staring at the silver blade tinged with a faint purple glow.

But the lightning didn't reappear, as if it had just been an illusion.

"To be precise, that wasn't lightning—it was 'thunder.' This blade is called the Thunder Pattern Blade."

Cao Ya explained briefly without going into detail, then said earnestly, "Coach Li, teaching my son might just be doing your job to you."

"But for this Brat, being able to go to the New Continent early means more opportunities in the future. This is a life-changing event for him. You absolutely deserve this gift!"

"Besides, I picked this Thunder Pattern Blade carefully. It'll be important for your martial arts training later on. Please, accept it."

With that said, Li Qingshan stopped being stubborn and took the Thunder Pattern Blade openly.

"Thank you, Mr. Cao."

He'd just treat this blade as Little Fatty's "thank-you gift for the teacher."

When they got to the New Continent later, he'd just do his duty as a "master" a little more thoroughly.

"Coach, can you stop smiling at me? I'm scared!"

Cao Shaoyu shuddered and couldn't help scooting away.

"Brat!"

Cao Ya, as if addicted, slapped him again.

Only after Little Fatty's eyes welled up did he withdraw his hand with satisfaction. He turned to Li Qingshan seriously. "Coach Li, there's one more thing I think I should warn you about."

"Go ahead." Li Qingshan's expression turned serious.

"News from tonight will definitely spread. After this, quite a few companies will probably contact you to sign a contract."

"Sign a contract?" Li Qingshan raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Isn't it usually not until the third year that companies come to sign with the Martial Arts Class?"

Every year, only a handful of students got into the New Continent. Signing with a big company was the way out for most Martial Arts Class students.

"It's different. Those are just employment contracts." Cao Ya shook his head and explained, "What I'm talking about is an Investment Contract!"

"These contracts are usually aimed at the geniuses they have their eye on. They invest resources early, funding their early martial arts training, and in return, the person has to work for the company long-term."

"A Contract of Indenture."

Li Qingshan cut straight to the point, exposing the true nature of the so-called Investment Contract.

"Uh, you can't really say that." Cao Ya's lips twitched, his expression turning somewhat unnatural.

"For ordinary geniuses from poor families, trading decades of future freedom for a smooth early path in martial arts isn't necessarily a bad deal."

Li Qingshan nodded, offering no rebuttal.

The logic was sound, but with his Status Panel in hand, he'd rather endure a tougher start—work more odd jobs, report more Evil God Cultists—than ever sign such a Contract of Indenture.

Still, watching Cao Ya's expression, Li Qingshan couldn't help but wonder if the sudden mention of this topic meant there was a big company behind him too.

Just as Li Qingshan was considering how to refuse, Cao Ya suddenly shifted gears.

"Of course, that's only for ordinary geniuses. Coach Li, you don't need to worry about that."

"Oh?" Li Qingshan's eyes flickered, waiting for him to continue.

"The Federation's training system for martial arts and mechas has been perfected over so many years."

Cao Ya took a sip of water, gazing out the window.

As he spoke, the Flying Car descended slowly, landing silently on the lawn of the residential complex.

"With your talent, just perform normally at school, get into New Continent Martial Arts University, and you won't lack for cultivation resources."

The car door had already opened. Cao Ya stopped there, not elaborating further, only adding a final warning:

"Coach Li, I brought up the contract just to remind you—don't let some company trying to pick up bargains fool you."

"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Cao."

Li Qingshan nodded, expressing his gratitude sincerely.

Though Cao Ya had always treated him as an equal because of Cao Shaoyu, this last piece of advice was no different from a senior's concern.

The three of them got out of the car. Cao Ya, with his son in tow, watched Li Qingshan leave before turning back and getting into the vehicle.

The Flying Car rose slowly. Cao Ya leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes to rest, while Little Fatty rummaged through the compartments as usual, looking for snacks.

Suddenly, he knocked over a drink bottle.

"Crap, Dad, this document got stained."

Cao Shaoyu held up a folder, his expression nervous.

Cao Ya opened his eyes and glanced at the folder.

"It's not a document. It's a contract."

At those words, Little Fatty grew even more tense.

Seeing his son's anxious look, Cao Ya let out a carefree laugh and lightly patted the back of his head.

"It's fine if it's dirty. It's useless anyway."

Little Fatty breathed a sigh of relief and casually tossed the contract onto the floor.

The cover of the contract was already soaked through with the drink, leaving only a faint "S" visible at the beginning...