Fang Yu

The year was 2046 in the old calendar, or 60 in the new calendar.

July 12.

Blue Star, Xia Nation, Huguang Province, Wuling City.

At two in the afternoon, the midsummer sun was like a great ball of fire in a cloudless sky. Aside from passing vehicles, most streets were nearly deserted.

But the entrance to a sprawling five-story building on the street, its exterior decorated in a futuristic style, was packed with cars. Large numbers of parents were braving the sun to bring boys and girls dressed in training clothes inside.

The sign on the building bore the words "Iron Mountain Martial Arts Society" in large characters, with a smaller line beneath reading "Xinjiekou Branch."

More than a dozen brand-new posters were displayed on one side of the entrance:

"Special discounts for summer enrollment, new calendar year 60: For students in the golden age bracket. Tuition: 58,888 for 20 lessons. A Sky-Roving Martial Artist oversees the program, and elite martial artists offer one-on-one instruction. The greatest boost for your push into a martial arts undergraduate program!!"

"Parenthood certificate crash course: For adults in the silver age bracket under 30. Succeed and qualify to have children, with a million-star-coin reward for your first child!!"

"From a third-rate high school to a top university: A special lecture by Jiang Chenyi, an elite student trained by our society, the city's top scorer on the university entrance exam in new calendar year 59, and an outstanding student at Crescent Moon Martial Arts University..."

On the fourth floor was a martial arts room covering more than 500 square meters.

Thick, specially made mats covered the floor. Sandbags, wooden dummies, weapon racks, and other equipment stood around the room, while punching-force testers, movement testers, life-level detectors, and other instruments occupied one side.

More than forty middle school students, all around thirteen or fourteen years old, stood in stance training, dressed in matching training clothes.

"Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes turned slightly inward. Bend your knees slightly, but don't let them extend past your toes. Hollow your chest and straighten your back, with the crown of your head suspended as if by a thread..." Fang Yu, dressed in an instructor's uniform, patiently guided each student.

He was about 1.85 meters tall.

In his early twenties, he had sharply chiseled features. He could not be called handsome, but he had a distinctive masculine bearing.

"You're beginners in martial arts, so you should all know the saying: practice your punches without training your fundamentals, and you'll have nothing to show for it in old age. Those fundamentals are the basic exercises you practice day after day."

"Stance training massages your internal organs from the outside in and cleanses your bone marrow. It can help you get the most out of all kinds of tendon, bone, qi, and blood potions, raise your life level as quickly as possible, and then awaken a Void Star Aspect."

"Good stance training is the foundation for getting into a martial arts undergraduate program and even becoming a starry sky martial artist in the future..." Fang Yu explained.

At the words "undergraduate program" and "starry sky martial artist," many of the boys and girls, who had only recently begun stance training and were already suffering from the strain, perked up and gritted their teeth to keep going.

Fang Yu watched them and reflected inwardly.

In this age of highly advanced technology and ever-intensifying competition, getting into a martial arts undergraduate program could absolutely change one's fate. That was why so many parents invested enormous resources to send their children to martial arts classes at an early age.

And starry sky martial artists?

Ever since humanity landed on Moon Star and the first starry sky martial artist emerged in the new calendar era, who had not heard the legends about them?

They were peerless martial artists who could cross the starry sky in the flesh.

They were also the pillars that held up the entire civilization!

In this age, young people idolized not celebrities or singers, but powerful martial artists.

"Youth really is wonderful..."

Looking at the young students he taught, Fang Yu seemed to see himself a few years ago, and his thoughts wandered. Unfortunately, you only get one chance at the university entrance exam. I failed to awaken a Void Star Aspect in high school and had no choice but to attend a martial arts junior college. If I want an undergraduate degree now, my only option is to transfer into a program.

As a martial arts junior college student,

even if Fang Yu was an exceptionally good one... his chances of transferring into an undergraduate program were slim.

If I'd awakened a Void Star Aspect back then, even a Mid-Rank Star Aspect, I should be working toward becoming a level 30 advanced martial artist by now. I might even have had a chance at reaching sky-patrol rank someday, Fang Yu sighed inwardly.

On the path of the Starry Sky Martial Dao,

awakening a Void Star Aspect was the first step. Without one, never mind becoming a legendary starry sky martial artist, even reaching level 30 and becoming an advanced martial artist would be difficult in one's lifetime.

After half an hour of stance training, Fang Yu called for a break, and more than half the students collapsed onto the floor.

Fang Yu smiled at the sight.

Once one grasped the basics of the Zhoutian Star Stance and the training took hold, never mind half an hour, even two or three hours of standing would not cause the slightest ache in the back. One would only feel comfortable all over, and perhaps a little tired at most.

After all, stance training integrated the tendons and bones and reshaped the body. It was a bright road toward life evolution and martial mastery approaching the divine.

Once martial arts cultivation was on the right track, it could be even more addictive than pleasure.

As the students rested, Fang Yu suddenly stopped walking as well.

He raised both hands sharply to eye level, then slowly pressed them down to his abdomen. He naturally and clearly sensed the state of every part of his body, from his internal organs down to every bone and tendon in his limbs.

"Whew!"

He parted his lips slightly and let out a long breath. It shot out like an arrow from a bow and lingered for a long time.

"Huh?"

"Was that breath like an arrow?"

"Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety?"

"Instructor Fang can actually breathe out like an arrow? Our schoolteacher was so proud when he showed us his tendons and bones resonating last time." The students, who had just sat down exhausted, grew excited one after another.

In this age, everyone trained.

As middle school students, they had still been growing, so most had only done flexibility training and the like, rather than particularly advanced or intense martial arts cultivation. But "general martial arts knowledge" was a compulsory subject at school.

Things like the six martial artist ranks and the three realms of martial skill were common knowledge.

Breath like an arrow was the mark of greater mastery of Subtlety, the second realm of martial skill.

The parents outside the martial arts room, who had been watching through the glass and considering whether to sign up, saw it too. Every one of them was surprised.

"This young man is impressive."

"They have an instructor of this caliber teaching a beginner trial class?"

"He looked so young that I thought the Iron Mountain Martial Arts Society had found some junior college martial arts student to fool us."

"Even at Huguang Martial Arts University, there probably aren't many students whose martial skills have reached this level. His life level must be at least 25. He might even be a level 30 advanced martial artist."

"The Iron Mountain Martial Arts Society lives up to its reputation." The parents discussed it, all of them very pleased.

At most martial arts societies, beginner classes were taught by junior martial artists in the teens. It was rare for intermediate martial artists in their twenties to teach them.

After all, most martial arts university students were only in their twenties by the time they graduated.

As for level 30 advanced martial artists?

Martial artists of that level could easily join major companies and corporate groups. At a martial arts society, they would certainly be senior instructors whose lesson fees were astonishingly high. How could they possibly teach a beginner class?

Inside the martial arts room,

Fang Yu's eyesight made it easy for him to notice the changing expressions on the faces of the parents outside the window.

My skill broke through to Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety a few days ago, and the effect is indeed pretty good. Quite a few more parents should sign up this time, so my performance bonus should be secure, Fang Yu thought.

As an assistant instructor, he was responsible for part of the instruction in the beginner class.

His base salary was low, and most of his income came from commissions when parents signed up or renewed their children's lessons. Some assistant instructors chose to chat privately with parents after class to build rapport and offer discounts.

Others chose to demonstrate their strength during lessons to attract parents.

I don't have the time or energy to chat with every parent. If I want to earn more, I should make use of my advantage, Fang Yu thought. My advantage is my martial skill.

I never awakened a Void Star Aspect, so even though I trained desperately for three years at junior college, my life level isn't particularly high. But martial skill is part of one's strength too.

In martial arts cultivation and life evolution, life level was the foundation.

Take the legendary starry sky martial artists, who could cross the starry sky in the flesh and withstand a nuclear explosion. What incredible physical might was that? They were practically gods.

But martial skill was important too.

With superb martial skill, one could make a single measure of strength produce the effect of ten.

If I earn more,

and add the living expenses Dad is about to send me, I can buy more qi and blood mixture and bone-strengthening pills this summer. My chances of transferring into an undergraduate program in the second half of the year will be much better. The thought crossed Fang Yu's mind.

In this society, junior college students were very common, whether they studied academic subjects or martial arts.

Huguang Province alone had twenty martial arts junior colleges, graduating 100,000 students every year. More than a million academic junior college students graduated each year. The people sweeping the streets or putting up little loan advertisements could all be junior college graduates.

Undergraduates were entirely different.

Huguang Province had only two proper martial arts universities with undergraduate programs, admitting a total of 10,000 students each year. Compared with the province's population of over a hundred million, their status was naturally high.

"Everyone says outstanding undergraduates are no worse than junior college students."

"Even though undergraduates who transfer from junior college still have junior college as their first qualification and can't change their junior college background."

"But if you can get into an undergraduate program, who would choose junior college?"

After teaching stance training, Fang Yu began teaching the Twenty-Four Basic Fist Forms, an introductory cultivation exercise promoted to the entire population by the civilization's upper echelons.

The name was ordinary, but its effects were not.

"Push off with your foot, turn your waist, and drive with your shoulder. Let one punch pierce the nine heavens. When you practice, don't just use your arms. Use the strength of your whole body, and coordinate it with your breathing technique." Fang Yu demonstrated as he explained.

He hollowed his chest and straightened his back. Standing there, he gave the impression of an immovable mountain. Then he pressed his five fingers together, his spine like a great bow drawn to its limit.

His fists lashed out like arrows loosed from a bow.

Bang! The air exploded.

As Fang Yu demonstrated, whether it was a sidestep cross punch, a forward lunge punch, or a downward chopping punch, his movements flowed like a wandering dragon. They possessed an artistic beauty and sent gusts of force stirring through the air.

Power traveled from his limbs to the great dragon of his spine, passing through layer after layer. His spine trembled continuously, producing a succession of sounds: his tendons and bones resonating in unison.

The students' eyes lit up at the sight.

Most of them had seen plenty of videos of the Twenty-Four Basic Fist Forms online, but how could a video compare to the impact of seeing it in person?

That feels good. Fang Yu was immersed in the training as well.

Even though he was a level 16 martial artist, the Twenty-Four Basic Fist Forms could still mildly stimulate the tendons, bones, and muscles throughout his body, making him stronger.

Whether they were privileged elites on New Moon

or children from the slums of Blue Star's old lands, anyone who chose martial arts could consider the Twenty-Four Basic Fist Forms the best body-tempering fist technique before awakening a Void Star Aspect.

It had been refined and compiled by generations of martial artists since the Great Burning Heaven era.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. After instructing each student individually,

Fang Yu said in conclusion, "You haven't been practicing martial arts for long, but you can surely feel that compared with stance training, the Twenty-Four Basic Fist Forms seem to stimulate the body more. But I hope you'll remember: stance training is the root, and fist techniques are the leaves. Deep roots make for lush leaves; shallow roots make them wither."

"Once you grasp the basics of stance training and gradually gain control of the force throughout your body, practicing fist techniques will become several times more effective."

"The class teaches you the methods. After you go home, you still need to devote yourselves to practicing." Fang Yu reminded them, "All right, that's all for today's lesson."

"Goodbye, Instructor," the dozens of students said in unison.

The teaching ability Fang Yu had displayed might not have inspired their worship, but it was enough to win their respect.

"Parents, I'm sure you've seen the caliber of our martial arts instructors. If you'd like to enroll in the summer course, scan the code and log in to pay now for a five percent discount." Outside the martial arts room, another salesman, a burly, fat man, called out loudly.

Fang Yu had already entered the changing room next door.

The training class of more than two hours had seemed easy, but in fact, while speaking, walking around, and demonstrating fist techniques, Fang Yu had been controlling the tendons, bones, qi, and blood throughout his body to train in marrow cleansing. Naturally, he was drenched in sweat.

Making sure not to waste training time was a habit Fang Yu had developed over many years.

If I eventually reach greater mastery of Inner Landscape, the third realm of martial skill, and gradually activate the cells throughout my body, I'll be able to seal all my pores. As long as I want to, I won't sweat at all, Fang Yu reflected.

Unfortunately, the realm of Inner Landscape was still some distance away.

He had only just reached Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety. Once he had circulated his qi and blood for a while longer, he would be able to control their flow almost perfectly and retain a breath of qi inside his body. He could also close his pores to a certain extent, though he would not be able to maintain it for long.

After washing up and changing clothes, Fang Yu returned to the martial arts room, which was now empty.

"Brother Fang, you're amazing. Your martial skill has already reached Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety." The burly, fat salesman walked into the room.

From a distance, he gave Fang Yu a thumbs-up and waggled his eyebrows. "Once the manager knows, he'll definitely give you a raise. A lot of full instructors aren't as skilled as you."

"Big Head, cut it out. First tell me how many paid," Fang Yu said with a smile.

Big Head's real name was Xu Chenyang. He and Fang Yu had been high school classmates and were good friends.

Though burly in appearance, he was actually an academic junior college student, not a martial arts student. Fang Yu had introduced him to the society for a part-time sales job.

"Thirty-three," Xu Chenyang said at once.

"Not bad." A smile appeared at the corners of Fang Yu's mouth.

The beginner summer course lasted twenty days and cost 28,888 star coins, including tuition and some associated medicine expenses. Compared with the 58,888-star-coin high school crash course, it was cheap.

But in Wuling City, where the average salary was only a little over 7,000 star coins and the median income was even lower, it was a considerable expense.

Signing up more than seventy percent after a single trial lesson was quite good.

Academic study could be pursued on a poor man's budget, but martial arts required wealth.

In this age, both New Moon and Blue Star's old lands encouraged martial arts. Everyone knew it was a road to the heavens.

But unless one was extraordinarily talented, gained admission to a martial arts university, and received support from state resources,

ordinary middle-class families could not afford to buy all the medicines that aided cultivation and hire senior martial artists for instruction on their own.

It was no exaggeration to say that the martial artist's path was paved with gold.

"Once your skill reaches Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety, you can circulate your qi and blood. Brother Fang, you should have a chance of reaching level 20 before graduation, right?" Xu Chenyang asked. Although he was not a martial arts student, he knew some of the basics.

"Mm." Fang Yu nodded gently.

"Level 20! That makes you an intermediate martial artist." Xu Chenyang sighed. "You'd even qualify to go to New Moon, and you'd have a chance of joining a major corporate group or company."

Fang Yu said nothing.

Level 20 was indeed respectable in Blue Star's old lands. After graduation, it would not be hard to land a job paying several hundred thousand a year, but... that was not Fang Yu's goal.

He turned his head slightly to look out the window, as though he could see the bright celestial body beyond the sky.

New Moon.

That is the holy land of martial artists!

After signing with the finance department and confirming his commission of over 9,000 star coins from the recent trial lessons,

Fang Yu was preparing to leave the martial arts society with Xu Chenyang when a pretty girl called out to him. She carried a folder and wore a black suit jacket, with long legs clad in stockings exposed beneath it.

Fang Yu recognized her as the manager's secretary.

"Instructor Fang, the manager would like to see you," the pretty girl said with a smile.

"All right, I'll go now." Something stirred in Fang Yu's mind as he said, "Big Head, why don't you go home first?"

"No need. I'll wait for you here." Xu Chenyang shook his head.

...On the fifth floor, Fang Yu went straight to the manager's office. The door stood open. The office covered nearly a hundred square meters and was luxuriously furnished, with a dedicated training area and testing equipment.

"Manager Huo, you wanted to see me?" Fang Yu looked at the lean, muscular middle-aged man standing by the window, apparently lost in thought.

The Iron Mountain Martial Arts Society belonged to the Iron Mountain Group, a sizable martial artist conglomerate headquartered on New Moon. Even as the manager of a mere branch in Wuling City, he held considerable power.

"Mm."

"Fang Yu, there's something I need to tell you." Regret showed on Manager Huo's face as he sighed. "Your application to become a full-time assistant instructor wasn't approved, apparently because of your educational qualifications. Under headquarters' regulations,

"I have to dismiss you."

--

P.S. A new book sets sail! Brothers, please add it to your collections and send me your monthly votes!