The path of a martial artist

"You bought them that quickly?" Fang Yu was astonished at how fast his father had shopped.

Click~

Fang Ping'an had already opened the case. First, he took out five exquisite jade bottles, along with two large boxes of sealed elixirs bearing the words "Galaxy Group."

"Cell Vitality Elixir?" Fang Yu recognized one of the boxes at a glance.

"Yes."

"You're a college student, so you should recognize both of these elixirs: Cell Vitality Elixir and Vitality Regeneration Elixir, six vials of each." Fang Ping'an pointed at the two boxes.

Fang Yu's heart jolted.

How could he not know them?

At college, he had a wealthy classmate who occasionally used the two advanced elixirs. Their effects on tempering the body far surpassed those of Qi and Blood Mixture and Bone-Strengthening Pills.

As a result, even though that classmate didn't cultivate particularly hard and had only average talent for martial techniques, his life level was exceptional. He had reached level 18 in the final assessment of his third year, placing among the top ten in life level.

But their price was astonishing too.

The Cell Vitality Elixir and Vitality Regeneration Elixir were advanced elixirs that only the eight major groups could produce consistently. A single vial cost 50,000 star coins.

The twelve vials his father had brought out were worth 600,000 star coins in total.

"These two elixirs work best when used together. Normally, Junior Martial Artists can only take one vial every ten days. Any more would waste much of the medicinal effect and might even overnourish the body. Too much is as bad as too little," Fang Ping'an said. "But you've reached Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety in controlling your body, so your tempering efficiency is much higher."

"They should be just enough for a month."

Fang Ping'an didn't give Fang Yu a specific schedule. Someone who had reached Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety could sense their own condition extremely well and decide for themself.

How elixirs were used varied from person to person.

"Paired with a small amount of Qi and Blood Mixture and Bone-Strengthening Pills, these two elixirs will maximize the speed at which you raise your life level," Fang Ping'an said.

"But the most important thing is this."

Fang Ping'an pointed to the five jade bottles and opened one. Waves of chill emanated from within, where a thumb-sized fruit lay, its surface resembling ice.

"Is that an Ice Heart Marrow-Cleansing Fruit?" Fang Yu asked hesitantly.

"So your 'Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures' class at school wasn't wasted. You can actually recognize it." Fang Ping'an smiled.

Powerful martial artists would all venture into the Primordial Star someday.

As a battlefield for martial artists, the Primordial Star held countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures... Over the years, to prevent the new generation of martial artists from missing treasures when they ventured there,

all martial arts college and university students were required to take the "Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures" course.

At the very least, they had to know how to recognize and store them.

"Dad," Fang Yu couldn't help asking, "do those five jade bottles contain five Ice Heart Marrow-Cleansing Fruits?"

Fang Ping'an nodded.

Fang Yu held his breath. Like the Myriad Phenomena Life-Transforming Fruit, the Ice Heart Marrow-Cleansing Fruit was used to reinforce one's foundation.

But the Myriad Phenomena Life-Transforming Fruit had an extremely gentle effect, gradually releasing its medicinal power over several months. It was best suited to beginners in martial arts... For Junior Martial Artists, it was relatively lackluster.

The Ice Heart Marrow-Cleansing Fruit, on the other hand, was a foundation-building treasure with a much more potent effect, mainly suited to Junior Martial Artists in their prime years.

Precisely because its effect was so potent,

Many Junior Martial Artists were unwilling to buy it. Its price wasn't too high, but that was only relative. Five fruits still cost nearly two million star coins.

"You can use them because you've reached Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety."

"And since you didn't use any other foundation-building treasures during your three years at college, the effect should be good," Fang Ping'an said. "Take them all within a month, and they should make up for some of the shortcomings in your foundation."

"Speaking of which, it was my fault I didn't give you a Myriad Phenomena Life-Transforming Fruit when you were in high school." Fang Ping'an sighed softly.

Back then,

although he had supported Fang Yu in pursuing martial arts, the fact that Fang Yu hadn't awakened the Void Star Aspect had indeed made him hesitate... Three Myriad Phenomena Life-Transforming Fruits cost six million star coins.

"Dad."

"I hadn't awakened an astral aspect back then. Using a Myriad Phenomena Life-Transforming Fruit would have been a complete waste," Fang Yu said, shaking his head. "You bought me a Star Spirit Life-Generating Pill, and the foundation I built was pretty good. Otherwise, I couldn't have reached level 8 in physical fitness right after the college entrance exam."

"Nor could my cultivation have gone so smoothly after I entered college."

One important effect of the Myriad Phenomena Life-Transforming Fruit was that it helped beginners draw star power into their bodies more quickly.

The Star Spirit Life-Generating Pill was a lower-grade foundation-building treasure, used mainly to temper the body. Even so, one pill cost 600,000 star coins.

"Mm."

"Fang Yu, you've rarely given me cause for concern since you were little. Now you're fully grown, and your martial strength far surpasses mine at my peak." Fang Ping'an looked intently at Fang Yu. "Of you three siblings, your younger brother and sister are still young. I'll certainly have to look after them more from now on."

"This time, they both awakened the Sun-Swallowing Python Astral Aspect. Although they both signed directly with martial artist groups and won't lack sponsorships, if they want to progress faster and get into a top martial arts university, the expenses will only be greater... I'm afraid I'll be able to do much less for you from now on."

"These things"

"are the last major help I can give you as your father on your martial path." Fang Ping'an sounded somewhat apologetic.

"Dad!"

"I understand all of that." Fang Yu shook his head and smiled. "You've already helped me enough. In what other family would they spend so much on martial arts for a child who hadn't awakened an astral aspect?"

Fang Yu meant every word.

Including this purchase, his father had spent nearly ten million star coins on his martial arts cultivation over the past decade... How much had his father earned in all those years?

His family wasn't even that wealthy.

Even a tycoon worth hundreds of millions might not have done the same.

"Son."

"To tell you the truth, I've done business all my life, and investing in your martial arts really was the closest thing to a gamble. A lot of people advised me to give up and save the money for you instead." Fang Ping'an smiled. "But this investment in you is the one I most want to win."

"I think"

"it's probably the investment your grandfather most wants to win too."

"I'm leaving on a business trip out of town soon. While you're home this month, keep an eye on your brother and sister's progress... And listen to your grandfather too. He put a lot of effort into this," Fang Ping'an said.

"Grandpa?" Fang Yu was surprised.

It sounded like Grandpa had put up quite a lot of money this time... Where had he gotten it?

Standing on the second floor, Fang Yu watched his father walk out of the courtyard gate.

With Dad's abilities,

if it weren't for the three of us, he'd probably be living a much freer life, Fang Yu thought, his gaze falling on the case on his desk again.

I've received so much.

I have to succeed in the university transfer exam. Fang Yu's desire grew stronger. Once I get into a university, I can cultivate using the country's resources and become an intermediate martial artist as soon as possible. Then I'll be able to ease Dad's burden.

The path of a martial artist had to be paved with money.

But those who achieved great things could also earn money at an astonishing rate.

The next morning at six, as Fang Yu practiced his saber techniques,

on the second floor of the villa,

"Do you see that?"

"It's six o'clock now. Your big brother has been cultivating since three," Fang Zhiyuan said sternly.

In front of a laptop, Fang Siyue and her younger brother Fang Long watched the surveillance footage of their big brother Fang Yu, who had already been training hard for hours.

"No one makes him do it. He's been like this since middle school."

"Yes, he goes to a college, but you should know that most people who get into a martial arts college have awakened an astral aspect. Your big brother hasn't, and his cultivation resources aren't exceptional either. Your dad only gives him 500,000 star coins a year, but his results have consistently placed him in the top ten."

"Do you know how many students there are in a college year? Five thousand!"

"And his martial technique is unquestionably the best in his year," Fang Zhiyuan said bluntly. He didn't know Fang Yu's exact results very well, but that didn't stop him from exaggerating.

Exaggeration made a stronger impression.

Fang Siyue and Fang Long both looked shocked and believed him without question. They had admired their big brother since they were little.

"How did he manage it?"

"Through the hard work you can see."

"That's martial arts. A day of practice brings a day of progress; a day without it wastes a hundred days." Fang Zhiyuan looked over his grandson and granddaughter. "Your astral aspect talents are stronger than your big brother's."

"So your big brother was willing to make a sacrifice. He's only taking basic living expenses and won't ask the family for any more money."

"Your dad is willing to pay the price too."

"The day before yesterday, he contacted someone and prepared to mortgage all the supermarkets just to buy foundation-building treasures for you and give you the best possible foundation in martial arts," Fang Zhiyuan said.

Mortgage the supermarkets?

Fang Siyue and Fang Long were dumbfounded. They understood what the supermarkets meant to their family.

"Just your foundation-building treasures alone cost two million star coins apiece. You'll need one every year for three years, which comes to six million. For the two of you, that's twelve million star coins, and that doesn't include what comes afterward," Fang Zhiyuan said bluntly. "Your dad told me not to tell you. He said you were still young and he didn't want you to feel pressured."

"But you're both fifteen. You're not that young anymore."

"You should understand what that money means."

Twelve million? It was an astronomical sum.

Fang Siyue and Fang Long were both holding their breath. Their usual pocket money amounted to a few hundred star coins at most.

"The cultivation treasures haven't been bought yet, so I want you both to think carefully."

"Do you really have the determination and perseverance to take this path and work as hard as your big brother? Are you confident you can live up to what your dad is doing for you?" Fang Zhiyuan stared at his grandson and granddaughter. "I'm not trying to force you."

"If you don't have that much confidence, that's fine too. Say so sooner, and no one will blame you. Then you can be like me and take it easy. Back then, I didn't have the courage to shoulder that kind of responsibility."

"But I've lived a comfortable life."

"If you choose to shoulder this responsibility, there'll be no turning back once the treasures are bought. Don't complain about hardship or exhaustion later."

"I'll give you a day to think it over," Fang Zhiyuan said. "You don't need to practice martial arts today. Think carefully about the path you want to take."

"Only when your mind is made up can you take your steps more firmly."

After seeing the still-dazed Fang Siyue and Fang Long out of his room,

Fang Zhiyuan returned to the laptop and watched Fang Yu on the surveillance screen.

When it comes to perseverance and determination, neither my grandson nor my younger granddaughter measures up to their big brother back then, Fang Zhiyuan thought. They've been too well looked after.

Hmph.

"Awaken an Upper Astral Aspect and become a powerful martial artist just like that?" Fang Zhiyuan muttered to himself. "Dream on! The martial artist's path is fraught with danger. If they can't even bear this much pressure, they'd be better off giving up early."

"They can just become advanced martial artists and leave it at that. They could still earn a million a year and live more freely."

In the underground martial arts room,

Fang Yu finished practicing his saber techniques and took out an Ice Heart Marrow-Cleansing Fruit.

"Let's see how effective it is." Fang Yu ate it in one bite.