Chapter 8: Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall (Please keep reading)

“Beep!”

Lin Qi scanned the items in his hand one by one against the checkout machine.

“The total is 2,525 Xia currency!”

Lin Qi packed his things into his backpack and walked out of the Chiqiong Martial Arts Supermarket, his heart aching.

The remaining three thousand yuan had suddenly dwindled to less than 500; this was supposed to be his food budget.

“These blood-qi capsules and blood-qi potions are enough for me to give it a shot.”

“And Taozi, I hope he can find a reliable part-time job.”

Lin Qi thought to himself.

……

Evening, Martial Arts Classroom.

After evening self-study ended, many students continued to practice martial arts, beginning their third session of the day.

Morning, noon, and night—three sessions a day.

Lin Qi, dressed in his martial arts uniform, took the blood-qi capsules he had bought that afternoon out of his backpack, swallowed one, and followed it with a blood-qi potion.

The taste was mediocre.

“Hoo~”

A moment later, the capsule and the potion took effect simultaneously. Lin Qi felt his body begin to heat up, his stomach burning like a furnace.

“Start training!”

An hour later.

“Bang! Bang!!”

The two-meter-tall, thick punching post rotated continuously. Two tiger claws struck it repeatedly, the powerful force causing it to emit constant booming sounds.

Lin Qi swung his sharp claws, his legs rooted to the ground, steady as a rock. His hands were hooked into claws, his entire body flushed red, drenched in sweat.

Blood-qi diffused throughout his body as he unleashed his fist techniques against the post, his expression serious.

The punching post was covered in a special material designed to absorb force and reduce damage.

Feeling the transmission of force, Lin Qi frantically executed his techniques, carefully observing the changes in the post and the direction of the force transfer.

He led with his waist, his muscles exploding under the stimulation of his blood-qi, force channeling to his fingertips.

“Bang! Bang!”

The collision between the tiger claws and the post sent vibrations through his arms and into his body.

As the blood-qi circulated, it rapidly tempered his muscles under the impact of the vibrations.

Lin Qi’s brain was running at full speed, the various essentials of the Tiger-Form Fist flashing through his mind.

【During your intense exercise, your blood-qi value has increased significantly. Blood-qi +0.02!】

【You have gained new insights into the Tiger-Form Fist. Fist technique +0.1%】

“……”

Notifications kept popping up on his panel; both his blood-qi value and his Tiger-Form Fist had improved to varying degrees.

【Name: Lin Qi (17)】

【Template: Erlang Shen · Yang Jian (Fusion: 1%)】

【Blood-qi Value: 5.63 → 5.69】

【Fist Technique: Tier 1 85% → 85.3%】

【……】

“Hoo~”

Lin Qi retracted his fists and exhaled, feeling the wisps of heat in his body transform into endless strength.

“As expected of blood-qi potions, the effect is great. Training after taking them increases efficiency exponentially; my blood-qi value is rising very quickly.”

“With enough blood-qi capsules, my blood-qi value will definitely break through 6.0 before the test!”

Lin Qi felt the future was promising.

……

September 3rd, evening. The weather wasn't as scorching as it had been during the day, but it was still stifling.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao stood side by side at the entrance of a massive building. Under the night sky, the white lights made it shine brightly.

“Qi-ge, we’re in luck. I found a high-paying part-time job yesterday.”

“Working as a sparring partner, 1,000 Xia currency per hour.”

Jiang Tao explained from the side. Lin Qi was startled; the pay wasn't bad at all.

“To be able to set the location here, it doesn't look like a scam.” Lin Qi nodded.

It was the height of the August heat; their short-sleeved shirts, soaked with sweat, clung to their skin, emitting a faint scent of perspiration.

The transparent glass doors opened, and a gust of cold air rushed out to meet their heated bodies, dispelling the heat.

It was refreshing, instantly waking them up.

On the massive wall of the building, a giant red flame logo was displayed, with five characters embedded beneath it

“Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall!”

“The Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall belongs to the Chiqiong Group. It was founded 30 years ago by the world’s strongest person, the first Nine-Realm titled martial artist—the Red Emperor.”

“The Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall is also one of the strongest martial arts halls in the Xia Kingdom.”

“They have branches in every city. Those who can get in and afford to spend money inside are either wealthy or noble.”

Listening to his best friend, Lin Qi looked up at the clean, bright, and high-tech martial arts hall. He felt incredibly small in front of it.

This was the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall, a top-tier national institution. There were no advertisements at the entrance, only a simple introduction; it never lacked customers.

Because its name alone was the brand.

He exhaled, steadying himself.

“Let’s go in!”

Lin Qi said.

At the front desk in the lobby sat two women in black slim-fit uniforms, both beautiful with a clean temperament.

One of the receptionists quickly noticed the two figures entering.

They were two boys, sturdy and with bright, spirited eyes.

They radiated the youthful energy unique to students.

However, their handsome looks made her eyes light up.

Especially one of them—wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, with sharp, defined facial features; even a simple buzz cut couldn't hide his handsomeness.

His posture was natural and generous, his expression calm.

This caught her eye, and she couldn't help but look twice.

Ordinary people visiting the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall for the first time usually appeared tense and unnatural.

She had been the same once.

But this person was different.

It didn't match his ordinary attire at all.

Seeing them approach, she offered a professional smile

“Hello, students. Is there anything I can help you with?”

When Jiang Tao entered, feeling the luxury around him and looking at his own clothes, he immediately felt a sense of inferiority.

But looking at the naturally composed Lin Qi beside him, he felt admiration

As expected of Qi-ge. Since we were kids, no matter how big the scene, he never changes his expression.

Influenced by Lin Qi, he puffed out his chest, feeling a surge of confidence

“Hello, we have an appointment for a sparring session with Guo Heng in Room A-128. Could you tell us how to get there?”

“Room A-128 is on the first floor…”

The receptionist moved her hands over the desk, and suddenly a 3D map was projected into the air, clearly displaying the entire Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall before them.

“Okay, thank you!”

Jiang Tao thanked her after noting the location and signaled to Lin Qi.

The two turned and walked through the lobby, heading inside.

Like country bumpkins entering a grand mansion, they curiously observed everything around them.

The men and women passing by were dressed elegantly, possessing powerful auras and radiating a terrifying presence, like formidable humanoid beasts.

“As expected of the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall, it’s so luxurious. When will I be able to train here?”

Jiang Tao sighed with envy.

Lin Qi felt the same.

But he had heard that even the most basic martial arts room here cost 1,000 yuan an hour, which made him retreat instantly.

“It’s a pity 1,000 yuan is too expensive. Think of how many blood-qi capsules that could buy.”

Jiang Tao shook his head and sighed.

A moment later, they arrived at their destination—A-128.

It was a silver-white metal door equipped with a keypad lock.

“Boom~”

The metal door opened, and a boy in blue walked out, clutching his arm, accompanied by a thick scent of sweat and a hint of blood.

He glanced at Lin Qi and his friend.

Then he limped toward the exit.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao exchanged a look, feeling an inexplicable pressure.

They then entered the martial arts room together.

“Bang~ Bang~”

The first thing that caught their eyes was a spacious, bright area—a martial arts room of nearly three hundred square meters.

In the center of the room, two figures were colliding.

Both sides were wearing thick black protective gear, circling and intertwining as they fought.

One of them was taller and attacked fiercely, while the other was being forced back by the relentless assault.

Lin Qi watched their movements, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

“Are you the ones here to spar?”

After Lin Qi and his friend entered, they heard a woman’s voice.

Turning their heads, they saw a beautiful woman in her twenties, tall and wearing blue, with a well-endowed figure.

She held a tablet and asked expressionlessly after seeing them.

“Yes, you must be Sister Lian, right? We agreed on WeChat; we’re here to spar.”

Jiang Tao stepped forward and responded first.

The woman in blue looked down at them, scanning Lin Qi and his friend from head to toe.

Especially when she saw their worn-out sneakers, she frowned and said

“Let’s get this straight: 1,000 yuan per person for sparring. If you do well, you can stay on for long-term sessions at 1,500 yuan Xia currency each.”

“Medical expenses are included. Any problems?”

“No problem!”

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao looked at each other and nodded.

……

(End of chapter)