Inside the hospital room.
When Wang Jinhai saw Chu Tiannan agree without hesitation, his formerly stern expression relaxed considerably, and he said with a smile.
"Young man, you'll be proud of the decision you made today!"
As he spoke, Wang Jinhai took another smart wristband from his pocket, though it looked much like a civilian smart wristband.
"This is a smart wristband specially issued by the Martial Artist System. It also serves as proof of your identity as a Martial Artist, Chu Tiannan."
Wang Jinhai handed it to him as he spoke. Seeing Chu Tiannan put it straight on, he said.
"Since you haven't taken the Martial Artist assessment yet, you don't count as a true Martial Artist, so you'll have to go through the motions."
"I'm sure going through the motions won't be difficult for a junior Martial Master like you!"
"Competing against advanced students would just be bullying them."
Chu Tiannan smiled at that.
Indeed, he was a junior Martial Master, while those advanced students weren't even Martial Artists.
Of course it counted as bullying!
"If Devour hadn't told me I could activate the Heaven-Deriving Sword, I wouldn't even have known I'd broken through."
The life-and-death pressure in prison had unleashed Chu Tiannan's potential once again.
He had thus broken through to junior Martial Master in one leap.
"An eighteen-year-old Martial Master. You've got talent. I have high hopes for you!" Wang Jinhai looked at Chu Tiannan, then glanced at Luo'er and said with a smile.
"I thought I'd gotten ahead of you." Luo'er gave a little huff, making Chu Tiannan shake his head and chuckle.
Deep down, this girl still disliked being outdone.
"Now that your Martial Artist matters are settled, let's discuss something else." As Wang Jinhai spoke, his smile gradually faded, and he snorted.
"Daring to openly lay hands on a Martial Artist-that advanced student named Luo Ji is definitely going to prison!"
Luo'er nodded at that too. "I never expected this Luo Ji to be so devious. If I'd been a few days later, I'm afraid..."
"The warden of the East District prison has already admitted that Luo Ji commissioned and ordered it." Wang Jinhai's voice carried a faint air of authority as he declared forcefully.
"The East Martial Arts Hall has already stepped in with a joint investigation into everyone connected to your case. Don't worry. You're one of us at the East Martial Arts Hall now. As long as you don't go looking for trouble, no one can bully our people!"
Chu Tiannan nodded too, and cold killing intent flashed through his eyes.
Not only had Luo Ji provoked him time and again, but even after taking a beating, he had still tried to set him up in prison.
He was simply courting death!
Inside an upscale restaurant in the South District.
Luo Ji leisurely sipped fruit wine, seemingly waiting for something.
Whoosh!
The door slid open, and a young man with a gloomy expression walked in. Luo Ji hurriedly stood up at the sight and said with a smile.
"Brother Qing, what took you so long? Did your boss make you work overtime again?"
Liu Qing said nothing. He sat down, his expression terrifyingly dark.
"What's wrong, Brother Qing?" Luo Ji also realized something was amiss and couldn't help asking.
Liu Qing took a sullen gulp of wine, then sneered. "Well done, Luo Ji. It's one thing if you want to die, but you're trying to drag me down with you!"
"What's going on?" Luo Ji's heart lurched. As though he had guessed something, he hurriedly asked.
"Has Chu Tiannan become a Martial Artist?"
This was what Luo Ji feared most. After all, he was still quite far from becoming a Martial Artist. If Chu Tiannan had become one, this matter would become troublesome.
But it would only be troublesome. After all, his father, Luo Meng, was also a Martial Artist.
And he was very strong!
"That Chu Tiannan you wanted me to deal with was picked up by people from the East Martial Arts Hall today. And it was their chief instructor, Wang Jinhai, who picked him up!" Liu Qing looked at Luo Ji and said gravely.
"Become a Martial Artist?" Liu Qing stared at Luo Ji and scoffed.
"You're from the same Martial Artist Academy, at least. Are you really stupid, or are you pretending? Don't you know anything about Chu Tiannan?"
"I..." Faced with that question, Luo Ji felt even more strongly that things were going badly, so he told the truth.
"That kid transferred into our academy later. Brother Qing, has he become a Martial Artist?"
That was what concerned him most now. If Chu Tiannan had backing but wasn't a Martial Artist...
There would still be room to turn things around.
"Hmph, what are you thinking?" Liu Qing saw through his thoughts and sneered.
"I won't keep you guessing. I came today to tell you, so you won't die without even knowing what killed you."
As he spoke, Liu Qing rose and looked down at the uneasy Luo Ji, saying coldly.
"This Chu Tiannan has already been recruited by the East Martial Arts Hall. And!"
"He's a junior Martial Master. You've really gone too far this time!"
"You're on your own. I've paid for this meal, so you don't need to treat me!" With that, Liu Qing turned and left.
He left Luo Ji sitting blankly on his stool.
Luo Ji's face instantly went pale. Even the hand holding his wineglass began to tremble, and his eyes went wide as he said in terror.
"A... Martial Master?"