Landing in Qingshan! S-Grade Breathing Technique Acquired!

Qinghai City, High-Speed Rail Station.

Like a giant dragon, the high-speed train roared into the station, gradually slowing as it approached the platform.

Ye Li stood up from his seat, his gaze fixed on the window.

Speaking of which, in this world, some high-tier martial artists could already outrun high-speed trains with just their physical speed.

Furthermore, some low-tier martial artists could also achieve this after awakening their corresponding Martial Arts Talent.

When beasts in the secret realms outside the city rioted, or even launched a beast tide, the railways would likely be damaged. At such times, these martial artists would be of great use.

To maintain high-speed rail operations, the railway bureau would also issue commissions, inviting some martial artists to clear out exotic beasts appearing around the railway from time to time.

These martial artists were sometimes adventurers taking on jobs, and sometimes Martial Science Students from martial arts universities earning some pocket money.

Different worlds would spawn different industries...

Ye Li's thoughts wandered as he followed the crowd off the high-speed train.

As soon as the group exited the high-speed rail station, two students in school uniforms approached them.

"You must be the friends from Linhai First High School, right?"

One of the students said with a smile:

"We've already arranged a hotel for you to rest in, just follow us."

"Okay."

Soon, the group headed to the reception hotel prepared by Qingshan First High School.

The hotel was located in the city center.

Judging from its decoration style, the hotel was quite high-class, indicating that the reception party from Qingshan First High School had put some thought into it.

"Teacher."

After the Linhai First High School team members went to their respective rooms, the two reception students from Qingshan First High School came before Wang Yongfeng and said with a light smile:

"If you don't have any plans next, why not come visit Qingshan First High School? It's not far from here, and it would be a good way to familiarize yourselves with the environment in advance."

Wang Yongfeng pondered for a moment and nodded, "That sounds good. I'll go call my people."

"No rush." The two students exchanged glances, seeing the joy in each other's eyes.

As long as the other party stepped into Qingshan First High School, the plan would be considered half successful.

In a hotel room.

Ye Li surveyed the room, generally satisfied with the environment.

The exchange competition was scheduled for 3 PM, so there was still plenty of time to kill.

After sitting down on the bed, he summoned the system panel.

[Name: Ye Li]
[Martial Arts Level: Second-Tier Level 1 (15%)]
[Current Malice Points: 0]

It had been several days since he broke through to Second-Tier, yet he was still stuck at Level 1.

He was truly getting impatient.

To wait for the Breathing Technique's bonus, Ye Li hadn't used his Attribute Points even though he had over ten thousand Malice Points.

However, after several inquiries, Jiang Qingzhu had always replied with "still needs a little more time."

He figured that an S-Grade Breathing Technique wouldn't be so easy to obtain, so Ye Li didn't make things difficult, merely nodding silently.

But as time went by, seeing so many points that he couldn't use felt like a frustrating tease.

Wait two more days. If he still hadn't gotten the Breathing Technique after the exchange competition, he wouldn't wait anymore...

Ye Li exhaled.

After the exchange competition, the Martial Arts Exam would be just around the corner. To be safe, he had to find a Breathing Technique to use first.

His personality, which disliked making do, was really causing delays.

Knock, knock, knock--

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Ye Li got up and walked over.

Upon opening the door, Jiang Qingzhu's clear and refined face came into view.

"Teacher Wang wants us to gather and go visit Qingshan First High School together,"

Jiang Qingzhu blinked, her tone light and cheerful.

"Visit?"

"Mm, consider it getting familiar with the environment in advance."

With that, Jiang Qingzhu's slender hand swept across her ring, and a thick, heavy tome appeared in her hand.

"Also, this is the Jiang Family's [White Mist Frost Snow]."

Handing the tome to Ye Li, Jiang Qingzhu said apologetically, "It took me quite some time to get it out, I'm sorry."

"So thick?"

Ye Li took the tome, asking with some surprise. This was the thickest one he had received so far.

"Yes, precisely because of that, it was quite difficult to steal it out without a sound."

Jiang Qingzhu nodded in agreement, adding with a hint of pride, "But that's nothing I can't handle."

"……"

Ye Li opened his mouth, and after a moment of consideration, asked suspiciously:

"Won't you get punished for doing this?"

Stealing a family's S-Grade Breathing Technique and giving it away…

No matter the world, that's the kind of thing that would make a father's eyes go black, right?

Confinement? Caning?

For a moment, Ye Li imagined countless punishments she might face.

But Jiang Qingzhu seemed unconcerned.

She waved her hand calmly, "Don't worry, they won't beat me to death."

"……What kind of reassurance is that?"

Ye Li raised his hand to rub his forehead, then said, "But thank you anyway. Next time you're in trouble, I'll help you."

"What are you saying? This is a fair trade between us."

Jiang Qingzhu's small face turned serious, feeling that he was being too polite. He had helped her with such a big favor, yet he acted as if he was the one at a disadvantage.

Moreover, their relationship now was that of friends—or so Jiang Qingzhu believed—why split hairs so finely?

Hearing this, Ye Li chuckled lightly, then nodded gently.

"Then I'll take a look. Please tell the teacher for me that I have something to do and won't be going to Qingshan First High School to get familiar with the environment."

"Okay." Jiang Qingzhu pursed her red lips, then cautioned:

"The cultivation difficulty of [White Mist Frost Snow] is very high, far beyond any martial skills you've had before.

"I've been cultivating for nearly a year, and I've only just reached the entry-level threshold. I'm still a long way from mastery.

"So, if you can't understand it right away, don't rush.

"You can ask me. I'll teach you whatever I know. I should be able to guarantee that within a year… no, with your talent, three months! Within three months, you'll be initiated!"

With that, she waved at Ye Li, "Then I'll head over first?"

Ye Li nodded in response, noncommittal.

Three months? The yellow flowers would have long since wilted by then.

After she walked away, he slammed the door shut and turned back to the bed.

After calming his emotions, he slowly opened his status panel.