https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-291-Continuing-the-Martial-Arts-Training/13025345/
Chapter 292: Gilded?
Chapter 292: Gilded?
The atmosphere in the training room was vibrant.
Those who came here to learn martial arts were mostly wealthy second-generation heirs.
In Tian Yue City, they weren't the top-tier elites, but they were considered the second-tier.
Spending hundreds of thousands, or even millions, on their hobbies annually was effortless for them.
For these individuals, martial arts were merely a pastime.
They would take a break when tired, unlike Qi Yuan, who was genuinely dedicated and immersed in his training.
Thus, when Qi Yuan expressed his intention to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, no one was surprised.
They came to Ming Wu Martial Arts Studio as a hobby, just for fun.
But Qi Yuan was different.
"Our studio also has a few participants in the Martial Arts Tournament, but they are exceptional; they are elite seeds," Wang Shiqiao said, winking at Qi Yuan.
"What's their best achievement?" Qi Yuan asked.
"The best result is being among the top twenty in Tian Yue City. Unfortunately, only the top ten are eligible to compete in the national-level Martial Arts Tournament.
But don't underestimate these top twenty; without the use of gene potions or hot weapons, they would still be considered heroes in ancient times!"
Wang Shiqiao spoke with a hint of envy in her eyes.
After all, natural human limits were always in high demand.
Within their circle, such achievements were even more celebrated.
"It seems our studio's students are a bit weak," Qi Yuan couldn't help but sigh.
"Be careful not to let those elite members hear you say that, or they might cause you trouble.
Among them is a tricky person who is considered a big shot in Tian Yue City," Wang Shiqiao said, her expression filled with admiration.
Qi Yuan wasn't interested in these matters and continued to practice the Ming Wu Resonant Fist.
But Wang Shiqiao couldn't stop talking.
"The strongest person in our studio is Xu Tiehua. His Ming Wu Resonant Fist has reached the ninth level.
Even the senior apprentice might not be his match.
Not only is he skilled in martial arts, but he also has influential connections.
Did you know that a big shot in Tian Yue City died yesterday? It was the Black Crystal Marquis.
In a few days, the Marquis will have a funeral, and only a select few are invited.
The attendees are all top-tier elites in Tian Yue.
And Xu Tiehua... he has the qualifications to attend the Marquis' funeral!"
Qi Yuan, who had been practicing the Ming Wu Resonant Fist, paused for a moment.
"Are you envious?" Wang Shiqiao asked.
The surrounding students couldn't help but reveal their envy.
They had some money, enough to live comfortably, but compared to Tian Yue's true elites, the gap was significant.
"Xu Tiehua is not like us."
"If he can make it into the top ten in the city-level Martial Arts Tournament, he can easily secure a position in the military with his connections."
"We're just slackers."
These students were openly envious, as they had no real aspirations in life and were content with just getting by.
Naturally, they admired talented and hardworking individuals like Xu Tiehua.
However, their conversation, overheard by the studio staff, sounded a bit pretentious.
These staff members earned six to seven thousand yuan a month, and it would take them two to three decades of saving to afford a decent home in Tian Yue City.
The gap between the rich and the poor in Qin Yuan Kingdom was more significant than that between humans and dogs.
Ordinary people worked hard their entire lives, yet their living conditions were inferior to that of a rich person's pet dog.
Qi Yuan paid no attention to these voices.
As he practiced the Ming Wu Resonant Fist, his blood seemed to boil slightly.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on his back, only to disappear moments later.
At this moment, Qi Yuan's Ming Wu Resonant Fist reached the fourth level.
"Hmm... I'm still a weakling with a combat power of five."
Qi Yuan didn't notice any significant improvement in his combat power.
However, if an ordinary person trained and improved their martial skills, they could easily handle one or two small thugs of the same caliber.
That is, assuming the thug didn't have a knife.
"So, I need to reach at least the seventh level to be considered... a certified martial artist?"
Practicing martial arts techniques didn't automatically make one a martial artist. To obtain a martial artist certificate, one had to meet the national standards.
These standards varied depending on the cultivation technique, martial arts studio, or association.
For instance, to be certified as a martial artist in the Ming Wu Resonant Fist, one had to reach the seventh level.
The martial artist certificate was similar to professional licenses from the previous life on Blue Star.
To become a martial arts coach or open a martial arts studio, one needed this certificate.
Ming Wu Martial Arts Studio had over a hundred students, but only fifteen held the martial artist certificate.
While it was said that an ordinary person could obtain the certificate with three years of diligent practice, many were simply too lazy to train.
"At this rate, I'll have my martial artist certificate in half a month?" Qi Yuan thought to himself.
After consuming the essence blood of the mutated sea monster, Qi Yuan's martial artist aptitude significantly improved. His cultivation speed also accelerated, especially since he was already an immortal cultivator. Tasks that might take ordinary people a year or two to accomplish, he could achieve in half a month, which was considered normal for him.
Once he broke through to the seventh layer and became a true martial artist, Qi Yuan could consume the secret item and make another breakthrough. "I should find some time to contact Kan Huan and ask about the secret item," he thought.
For Qi Yuan, this was just a casual game. Why do things himself when he could have NPCs do them?
Time passed quickly as Qi Yuan continued his training, appearing out of place among the other students in the hall. Not far away, Wang Shiqiao sat on a sofa, playing with her phone.
At that moment, a feminine voice reached them, "Xiao Qiao, you wouldn't have really fallen for that guy, would you?"
The speaker was a petite and delicate-looking woman, but within her small frame lay a powerful energy. She was one of the few in the martial arts studio who possessed a martial artist certificate.
Wang Shiqiao glanced at the diligently cultivating Qi Yuan and smiled, "What do you mean by 'fallen for him'? Besides playing around, can't we just be friends? Having such a handsome guy as a friend also boosts my reputation."
Initially, Wang Shiqiao had indeed been attracted to Qi Yuan's good looks and harbored some covetous thoughts. But later, she realized that Qi Yuan was different from what she had imagined and not like her. So, she retracted her thoughts and decided to treat him as a regular friend.
Of course, if one day they had a few drinks, she wouldn't mind engaging in some activities beyond friendship.
"It's good that you think that way. His family isn't wealthy; he's a martyr's child. I estimate that coming to the martial arts studio has already spent all his savings. Look at how serious he is; he's treating this as a profession, unlike you who are just playing around as a hobby." The petite woman spoke with an air of superiority.
Wang Shiqiao burst into laughter, "Xing Yu, I didn't know you had such a strong sense of class distinction!"
Wang Shiqiao and Xing Yu were close friends and roommates. Wang Shiqiao came from a moderately wealthy family, while Xing Yu's family background was average, and compared to the other roommates, it was even considered poor. She was from a small town.
Through Wang Shiqiao's connections, Xing Yu climbed into the bed of a billionaire and successfully became his official partner. After serving the old man for a few years, Xing Yu's hardships finally paid off, as the old man was nearing his end. She was set to inherit a substantial portion of his estate.
In the eyes of their former classmates, Xing Yu was a true winner in life. But when Wang Shiqiao saw Xing Yu looking down on Qi Yuan, she couldn't help but laugh.
Xing Yu didn't get angry but spoke softly, "In the future, I can play with as many men like him as I want."
"You wouldn't have taken a liking to Qi Yuan, would you?" Wang Shiqiao was speechless. "I always feel his temperament is different. Money probably won't work on him; otherwise, I would have made my move long ago!"
"How could there be someone in this world that money can't buy? It's just a matter of having enough of it," Xing Yu asserted.
"Maybe your inherited billions can't even move him?"
"Gilded?" Xing Yu couldn't help but laugh. "Are you saying he's more expensive than Xu Tiehua?"
"Hey, isn't it a bit impolite to talk behind someone's back like this? And just so you know, even though I'm not gilded, I'm more expensive than those who are!"
At that moment, a cheerful voice interrupted them. A middle-aged man with a well-proportioned physique approached. Despite being in his middle age, his face still had a youthful appearance, and beneath his shirt was a muscular build that the martial arts studio members were well aware of. This man was Xu Tiehua.
The top student among the martial arts studio's trainees, his prestige even surpassed that of the second senior apprentice.
Upon seeing Xu Tiehua, a blush spread across Xing Yu's face. The other students also turned their attention to him. Some people naturally become the center of attention wherever they go.
"Cough... Eavesdropping on girls' private conversations, aren't you afraid of getting your ears burned?" Xing Yu said in a coquettish tone, a stark contrast to her previous domineering attitude.
The other students also greeted Xu Tiehua, but they couldn't help feeling a lack of confidence when facing him. After all, Xu Tiehua was the true aristocrat, someone who could attend the funeral of the Black Crystal Marquis.
Xu Tiehua greeted the others and then approached Qi Yuan with a friendly expression, "You're Qi Yuan, right? I heard from the second senior apprentice that you're going to participate in this year's Martial Arts Tournament?"
He had come here specifically to meet Qi Yuan.
"Yes," Qi Yuan replied, looking at Xu Tiehua and nodding.
"I didn't expect that this year, our studio would have one more participant. With you, we'll have four participants this year. With four people, we can not only compete in individual events but also participate in team events. If you're free, let's spend some time training together every day to prepare for the Martial Arts Tournament!" Xu Tiehua extended an earnest invitation.
The team competition relies not only on strength but also on strategy. The positions and roles of the four members rotating in are equally crucial.
Xu Tiewa invited Qi Yuan to get acquainted with the rest of the team.
Qi Yuan shook his head, directly refusing, "The competition is still three months away; we can practice together in the final days. For now... I'm busy improving my skills."
Currently, he was only at the fourth layer of the Bright Martial Resonance Fist, still a few layers away from becoming a Martial Artist.
During this time, he had to focus on rapidly enhancing his abilities.
For the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament, he needed to secure the championship.
Xu Tiewa was slightly taken aback by Qi Yuan's words but quickly smiled, "You're right, improving your skills is the most important thing.
How about this, when you feel ready, come find me again."
Xu Tiewa was easy to talk to and considerate of Qi Yuan. If it were someone else, they might have gotten angry after being rejected.
"Okay," Qi Yuan nodded.
Xu Tiewa didn't say anything further and bid farewell to Qi Yuan before leaving the studio.
Wang Shiqiao, standing nearby, witnessed this exchange and gave Qi Yuan a knowing look, "How could you refuse Xu Dashao?
You just joined the studio, and for the individual competition... I'm guessing you'll be out in the first round.
Why not practice with them for the team event? Xu Tiewa is quite skilled, and you might be able to last a few rounds, gaining some experience."
Wang Shiqiao's words echoed the thoughts of most people.
Qi Yuan had just entered the studio and wasn't even a Martial Artist yet, so participating in the Martial Arts Tournament was like a free pass.
"My goal is to win the Martial Arts Tournament. For the team event, we'll see how it goes," Qi Yuan replied honestly.
"You... with your skills, want to win the tournament?" Wang Shiqiao rolled her eyes, "If you can win, I'll eat your shit!"
Hearing this, Qi Yuan gave Wang Shiqiao a subtle look, "Your thoughts run deep."
"Huh?" Wang Shiqiao was momentarily stunned.
"Where in the world can you find such a good deal? You're trying to scam me for a free meal!"
"Get lost!" Wang Shiqiao shouted, understanding Qi Yuan's implication.
As night fell, people gradually left the studio.
Wang Shiqiao bid farewell to Qi Yuan and left with Xing Yu.
Qi Yuan exited the studio, looking rather relaxed.
"Mr. Qi, what a coincidence! I never expected to run into you here!"
By the roadside, a pair of pale hands emerged from a car window, waving at Qi Yuan.
Inside the car, a youthful and beautiful face appeared, her eyes filled with delight.
"Oh, it's you, Wu Qi?" Qi Yuan recognized the person in the car, his expression calm.
"Mr. Qi, are you heading home? I'm going that way, so I can give you a ride," Wu Qi offered, trying to maintain her composure, though her heart was clearly not at ease.
The day before, on the cruise ship, Qi Yuan had left a deep impression on her.
As a rational person, she knew what she was pursuing.
Having encountered such an aristocrat, she wasn't willing to let go easily.
Coincidentally, a sister of hers had mentioned seeing an extremely handsome student at the Bright Martial Studio and had even taken a photo for her.
She instantly recognized the person as Qi Yuan.
She felt it was fate, her good luck.
Without hesitation, she drove here, hoping for a chance encounter.
Qi Yuan smiled, "You don't even know where I live, how can it be on your way?"
Wu Qi's face turned red, her heart racing.
"You, an NPC, can be my driver for today," Qi Yuan said, thinking he could save some fare money.
Wu Qi's face lit up with joy, her heart racing even faster.
"If I tell you now that I'm not interested in you and don't want to get involved in anything intimate, would you think I'm too straightforward?" Qi Yuan thought to himself as he sat in the car, then chuckled lightly.
After all, his words did sound rather straightforward, and he was acting like a father figure.
Wu Qi was momentarily stunned, a deep sense of disappointment welling up within her.
However, she managed a smile, "Mr. Qi, you're joking."
"Do you know why I got into your car?" Qi Yuan asked again.
Confusion flashed in Wu Qi's eyes; she hadn't expected Qi Yuan to ask such a question.
"Because you... are special," Qi Yuan said, his eyes seemingly seeing through Wu Qi's body, focusing on her blood.
Under Qi Yuan's gaze, Wu Qi felt uncomfortable, as if her clothes were being stripped away, leaving her naked before him.
(End of Chapter)
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