The Privileges of a Martial Artist

"My skills are about the same as yours, junior brother. I only reached Minute Subtlety with weapons a few months ago," Dong Xin said. "You clearly have more talent for technique than I do."

"As long as you can reach level 39 and attain perfection in Inner Landscape techniques, you can become an Earth Martial Artist even without awakening an Astral Aspect."

"I think that's also why Martial Uncle Jiang Wei was willing to help you," Dong Xin said.

His guess was already close to the truth.

Fang Yu's heart stirred, and he immediately thought of the Sleeping Star Aspect he had visualized... If his Astral Aspect could awaken, he was absolutely confident.

But if his Astral Aspect remained asleep and he couldn't absorb Star Power, Fang Yu felt the path would be full of difficulties.

After all, from level 20 to level 39, his physical attributes would have to increase dozens of times over. Relying solely on potions and treasures would be extremely difficult... As a life form's level rose, the body-tempering effects of all potions and treasures would grow weaker and weaker.

The wealth required would be a terrifying sum.

"Junior brother."

"I know what you're worried about." Dong Xin seemed to have seen through Fang Yu's thoughts. "Although the chances of awakening grow slimmer if you still haven't awakened by level 20, you're ultimately still in the golden age range, so there's still some hope."

"Second, there's technique."

"If your technique can enter the Inner Landscape stage early... the Inner Landscape allows you to tap into your body on a deeper level, so the same potions and treasures can improve your physical attributes to a greater extent," Dong Xin said. "Some students at Crescent Moon Martial Arts University can become level 39 martial artists before they graduate."

"They rely on exceptionally powerful Astral Aspects combined with Inner Landscape techniques... That makes the speed at which their life levels advance almost inconceivable," Dong Xin said with a sigh. "Although you can't compare with them, junior brother..."

"As long as your technique keeps improving, you have a chance of becoming an Earth Martial Artist."

"Thank you for the guidance, senior brother." Fang Yu now understood his path.

On one hand, he would continue buying various potions and treasures to temper his body and raise his life level... On the other, he would further improve his martial arts techniques.

Just like over the past month or so, his life level had risen rapidly thanks to his Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety and his Innate Divine Ability.

The two complement each other.

Only then can I get more opportunities, Fang Yu thought. After years of hard work, plus Senior Martial Uncle Jiang Wei's help, I got a chance at an Elite Contract with Huguang Martial Arts University this time.

If Fang Yu himself hadn't been strong enough... Jiang Wei wouldn't have stepped in.

Opportunities and fortuitous encounters... One had to be strong enough to seize them. Chances rarely fell from the sky.

Senior Brother Dong thinks improving my technique is the key, but only I know that the most important thing is still raising my life level as quickly as possible.

I have to try to awaken my Astral Aspect.

Time passed as Fang Yu and Dong Xin talked about many things. Dong Xin was very patient and gave Fang Yu plenty of advice about the university he was about to attend.

He also had a great deal of advice about actual combat on the Primordial Star and even sent over quite a bit of material.

"Junior brother, you were dismissed by the Xinjiekou Branch last time." Dong Xin changed the subject. "Did you discover something while working under Huo Yun?"

Fang Yu was taken aback.

Why did the subject change so quickly? Fang Yu had no intention of telling Senior Brother Dong about Manager Huo.

"Senior brother, I was planning to resign anyway," Fang Yu said.

"I checked the company's file correspondence. Your application to become a permanent employee was submitted late, just after the company's new rules were released. Was that old fellow Huo Yun targeting you?" Dong Xin said with a smile. "Even if that was a coincidence... why did you sign a confidentiality agreement?"

"What would an assistant instructor like you have to keep confidential?"

"The compensation Huo Yun gave you was also calculated at the highest rate... You say you resigned, but I couldn't find your resignation letter." Dong Xin shook his head.

Fang Yu was at a loss for words.

A resignation letter? He had been waiting for Manager Huo and Supervisor Gao to "hand him money" back then, so naturally he hadn't written one.

"It's fine. Since you signed a confidentiality agreement, I won't force you to tell me," Dong Xin said with a smile. "Actually, the city headquarters has already received a report and is investigating them for passing off inferior goods as quality ones. They dared to do it on such a large scale... How could nobody know?"

Fang Yu felt a flicker of surprise.

So Senior Brother Dong knew all along?

"All right."

"Before the investigation reaches them, I'll use the opportunity of your becoming a direct-admission student to make them bleed some more, and help pave your martial arts path," Dong Xin said with a smile.

"Bleed?" Fang Yu hesitated briefly. "Senior brother, is that necessary?"

Fang Yu was worried that once they were exposed, they would very likely suspect he had leaked their secret.

Even if he wasn't afraid, what about his family?

"Don't worry."

"I won't let them suspect you. I'm about to become deputy head of the headquarters' Audit and Supervision Investigation Group. This top-to-bottom investigation and rectification campaign will last more than two months, and their branch will be the last one we investigate. By then, you'll already be studying at Huguang Martial Arts University," Dong Xin said with a smile. "They'll just think they were unlucky."

"That they happened to get caught."

"Besides, given the amount involved in their crimes, they'll be sent directly to the Primordial Star to fight and earn 'Civilization Points' for the group to make up for their wrongdoing."

"Even if they don't die on the Primordial Star, it'll be a long time before they return."

Fang Yu understood.

So Senior Brother Dong was about to be promoted. Just from the name Audit and Supervision Investigation Group, he could tell it wielded considerable power.

"Congratulations on your promotion, senior brother," Fang Yu said with a smile.

"It's not really a promotion. My rank is the same." Dong Xin shook his head. "This time, the senior I follow rose to become general manager of the city headquarters. He arranged for me to join the Audit and Supervision Investigation Group to help set things straight."

Fang Yu nodded slightly.

Set things straight? I'm afraid it's not that simple.

Since it was none of his business, Fang Yu didn't ask any more questions.

"Senior brother, what are the Civilization Points you mentioned just now used for?" Fang Yu couldn't help asking.

Civilization Points were also mentioned in Huguang Martial Arts University's Elite Contract.

"I'm not entirely clear on how Civilization Points are generated, or what they do," Dong Xin said. "But the major martial arts schools, national governments and their subordinate provinces and cities, and even the various martial artist groups all attach great importance to them."

Fang Yu listened carefully.

"As far as I know..."

"When martial artists kill on the Primordial Star, whether they kill ferocious beasts or powerhouses from alien civilizations, they receive Civilization Points," Dong Xin said. "Martial artists can't use these points directly. They can only be converted into the corresponding number of Primal Points."

Primal Points?

Fang Yu's heart jolted, and he immediately thought of the 200 Primal Points Senior Martial Uncle Jiang Wei had given him.

"Let me give you an example."

"You've lived in Huguang Province since childhood. The Civilization Points you earn over your future career as a martial artist will all count toward the performance evaluations of the government, province, and city you belong to," Dong Xin said. "Your secondary school, college, and university will benefit too."

Fang Yu understood.

No wonder Huguang Martial Arts University's contract placed so much importance on who received the Civilization Points.

"Later, if you join a martial artist group, the Civilization Points you earn while you're with it will also affect the group," Dong Xin continued. "In short, Civilization Points have an impact on every aspect of things."

"They affect you personally too."

"For example, when it comes to paying taxes, if you don't kill at all and only seize heavenly treasures on the Primordial Star, your Civilization Points will be very low. After you sell those treasures, the maximum tax rate can reach 80%," Dong Xin said seriously.

An 80% tax rate? Fang Yu was dumbfounded.

Isn't that too outrageous?

For high-paying jobs in society, even with an annual salary of several million, the maximum personal income tax was usually only 40%.

"That's the most extreme case. It generally won't be that high," Dong Xin said with a smile. "The higher a martial artist's Civilization Points tier, the lower their personal income tax. Under the rules, someone in the highest tier might earn a hundred million in a year and pay less than ten million in personal income tax."

"Also, why do so many big high-tech companies hire large numbers of martial artists? Do you think they hire them to fight and kill for them?" Dong Xin asked with a smile.

"For tax deductions?" Fang Yu realized.

"Right."

Dong Xin said seriously, "Just like how many big companies can get tax deductions for hiring people with disabilities, the same principle applies to hiring martial artists. Many martial artists venture onto the Primordial Star in their early years, and it's easy for them to get injured or even disabled. So they choose to retire and lend their names to companies, easily earning hundreds of thousands or even millions of Star Coins every year."

"It's a privilege and benefit the Blue Moon Alliance gives martial artists."

"After all, martial artists fight bloody battles on the Primordial Star, contributing to the entire civilization. Their lives in their later years should be secure."

"In a sense, martial artists who don't dare go to the Primordial Star to fight, venture out, and earn Civilization Points don't deserve to be called martial artists." There was a gleam in Dong Xin's eyes. "I'm still in a period of rapid growth."

"After I cultivate for a few more years, I'll also apply to transfer from the martial arts branch to the Iron Mountain Martial Artist Group and venture onto the Primordial Star."

"Junior brother."

"Your talent is extraordinary. Perhaps someday, we martial brothers will have a chance to venture onto the Primordial Star together," Dong Xin said cheerfully. "I'm really looking forward to that day."

Before long, the two ended their call.

In an enormous martial arts room in Wuling City.

"That junior brother of mine really is impressive." The powerfully built Dong Xin smiled faintly. "Perhaps he'll be a good helper in the future."

Even a hero needed three helpers.

Dong Xin knew that most friends made as an adult were friends of convenience... What martial artists needed when venturing onto the Primordial Star were brothers willing to risk their lives at a critical moment.

That was why he had stayed in touch even though Fang Yu had never awakened his Void Star Aspect and his martial arts prospects had been bleak.

Partly because of the bond they had built in their youth.

And partly because he had held on to a sliver of hope... Now, that hope was becoming reality.

"Fang Long and Fang Siyue are my junior brother and sister too. I'll have to find a way to keep in touch with them more often from now on." Dong Xin smiled faintly. "If even one of those three siblings can become an Earth Martial Artist, it'll be a great help to me."

At that thought, Dong Xin made another video call to the contact marked "Huo Yun."

The other party answered quickly.

"Manager Dong." Manager Huo appeared on the video, an ingratiating smile on his face. "What can I do for you?"

"Huo Yun, look what you've done." Dong Xin's expression was cold. "General Manager Yan just gave me a scolding because of you."

"What?" Manager Huo had a bad feeling.

He had already heard that Dong Xin was about to transfer to the Audit and Supervision Investigation Group, where he would have considerable power. He had no desire to offend him.

"Do you remember Fang Yu?" Dong Xin asked coldly.

"I do." Manager Huo felt a trace of wariness. Could Fang Yu have reported me?

"Today."

"Fang Yu got an excellent result in Wuling City Martial Arts College's university transfer exam and caught the eye of a professor from Huguang Martial Arts University," Dong Xin said indifferently. "He's suspected of having received an Earth Contract. Do you understand what that means?"

Manager Huo could hardly believe it. "Fang Yu? An Earth Contract? How is that possible?!"