Chapter 43: The Massive Debt at Home (Please keep reading)

Fang Huiyi looked into Lin Qi's eyes. They were bright and deep, radiating an invisible aura that was somewhat intimidating, causing her to daze for a moment.

Unconsciously, her son had undergone a world-shaking transformation.

"Yes, you have grown up!"

Fang Huiyi revealed a smile and spoke

"In the past, I treated you like a child. Fearing I might affect you, I kept many things from you. Now, it is time I told you."

"Over these past ten-odd years, our family has borrowed a total of approximately 1.25 million Xia Kingdom yuan from your uncle's family."

"Your father and I have been trying to pay it back all these years, but unfortunately, the debt has only continued to grow."

"Your aunt has also had quite a few complaints about us," Fang Huiyi sighed.

Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. *That much? Uncle hasn't said anything all these years; he truly is a great man.*

The same went for his aunt; she had only offered "complaints" over all this time. Anyone else might have hated their family to death.

"Besides what we owe your uncle, your father and I have maxed out online loans and credit cards over the years to pay for my medical treatments."

"We could originally manage to pay back a little, but ever since I fell ill during the summer break, we haven't been able to pay it back at all. We've had to use new loans to pay off old ones."

"Between your father and me, the online loans and credit cards total a bit over 1 million. Your father knows the exact amount more clearly."

As Fang Huiyi reached this point, her voice grew lower, her tone laced with guilt and apology.

For Lin Qi's parents, who were both martial artists, an online debt of around 1 million was slightly less than one might imagine, but it was still a massive amount.

Lin Qi did a quick calculation; with a debt of 1 million Xia Kingdom yuan, the monthly interest alone would be a huge sum of money.

"Mom, don't worry. With me here, the debt will definitely be cleared."

"And your illness will definitely get better," Lin Qi said to comfort her.

Fang Huiyi looked up and nodded firmly. "Xiao Qi, Mom believes in you."

Looking at his thin mother, Lin Qi sighed inwardly, finding it hard to imagine the immense pain and psychological pressure she had endured.

When he was three years old, a small spatial gate appeared in the University Town between Rongshan Community and No. 2 Middle School, and countless ferocious disaster beasts rushed out to begin a massacre.

At that time, Lin Qi's family of three were shopping nearby and were the first to be attacked by the beasts.

To protect himself, Lin Qi's father, Lin Zhen, a third-realm martial artist, had his arm bitten off by a Mastiff-toothed Dog.

His mother, Fang Huiyi, was also attacked and was accidentally struck by the venom of a third-level disaster beast, the Dark-winged Bat.

Her entire bloodstream and organs were corroded and eroded. Although she was eventually saved, the toxins in her body could not be fully cleared. Her immune system was destroyed, and she required various medications every day to sustain her life.

From time to time, the toxins would suddenly flare up, requiring emergency hospital treatment. And every treatment only addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause, costing a fortune.

"Even though I have both parents, our family situation isn't much better than Taozi's," Lin Qi mocked himself.

...

A few minutes later, feeling weak, Fang Huiyi went back to her room to rest.

Lin Qi lay on his bed. In the darkness, his brain was still operating at high speed.

The family's current debt was approximately 2.25 million, with massive monthly interest. The pressure was like a giant mountain, making it hard to breathe.

Clearing all the debts would not be easy.

Lin Qi only had a few hundred thousand on him; facing the debt, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

"To clear all the family debts without delaying my own cultivation... the difficulty is immense."

"Unless I can obtain more money..."

Lin Qi knew well that no matter how much money there was, he could never have too much.

His current channel for making money was to apply for a higher "Genius Loan."

Although the Genius Loan was still a loan, it was interest-free, as long as it was paid back by the time university ended.

Aside from that, there was another way: signing contracts with the three major martial arts halls.

There were four tiers of contracts—D, C, B, and A—with the amounts increasing with each tier.

So, ultimately, it all came down to demonstrating sufficient talent and strength.

Lin Qi clenched his fists, set his goal, and fell into sleep.

...

Martial Era Year 2045, October 10th.

During Martial Arts Class.

Zhang Cheng's roar filled every corner of the room.

"The newcomer, Xu Chenhui, has joined the Elite Class! My rules are the rules!!"

"Now, stop your sword technique immediately and go practice basic swordplay a hundred times! Your sword technique is weak and lacks power; your foundation isn't solid. How did your martial arts instructor teach you?"

The newly joined Xu Chenhui felt his head buzzing, his face turning pale. His face flushed red and his breathing became rapid, as if he were ready to strike at any moment.

Countless people around were waiting to see the drama unfold, and Zhang Cheng grinned.

After a few seconds, Xu Chenhui suddenly turned and left. After a moment of anger, his rationality returned.

He had heard that the instructors in the Elite Class were very overbearing, but he hadn't expected it to be true. Moreover, he was a cautious person; he sensed danger and was certain that if he defied Zhang Cheng, he would die a very ugly death.

"Tsk!"

The onlookers shook their heads and dispersed.

Zhang Cheng also shook his head in boredom and continued looking for others, eventually arriving in front of Lin Qi.

Looking at Lin Qi, his expression was complex. The boy's comprehension had struck him as brilliant. Whenever a problem was pointed out, Lin Qi could improve rapidly; all he lacked now was proficiency.

Even if Zhang Cheng wanted to scold him, he didn't know where to start.

"Teacher, I have a question," Lin Qi asked.

"Oh? What question?"

"Is there a way to increase blood qi levels? I need greater strength," Lin Qi inquired.

Zhang Cheng shook his head. "That question is too broad."

"To quickly increase blood qi, besides talent, it depends on your own effort and the resources you use."

"You actually want to ask about the little tricks outside of those three, don't you?"

"Exactly!" Lin Qi nodded.

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng grinned.

"I expected you to ask that."

"To temper the physical body and increase blood qi, you must practice the Round Pillar Stance. But even if you practice the stance to its limit, you cannot increase the efficiency of the tempering."

"This is where you must turn to the Five Elements Fist."

"The higher the realm of your fist technique, not only can it increase tempering efficiency, but it can also improve your control over your body."

"Therefore, fist techniques are crucial."

"Fist techniques?" Lin Qi frowned, appearing to have an epiphany as countless thoughts surfaced in his mind.

"In the training of fist techniques, there has always been a trick, but many people cannot use it even if they know about it," Zhang Cheng grinned.

"That is: if you can master two different Five Elements Fist styles, both your tempering efficiency and your fist technique realm will increase rapidly."

"You are learning the Tiger Style of the Five Elements Fist. If you can also learn the Crane Style, by executing the two styles consecutively, your tempering efficiency and even your fist technique realm will increase significantly."

Lin Qi's eyes lit up. There was actually such a trick within the Five Elements Fist.

"However!" Zhang Cheng's tone shifted.

"This method only suits a few. Only those geniuses with high comprehension can adapt to this technique."

"But mastering a single fist technique takes a considerable amount of time. If it delays your mastery of the skill, it might be more loss than gain."

"If you have confidence in your comprehension, then go practice the Crane Style!"

Zhang Cheng grinned as he looked at Lin Qi.

"I understand. Thank you for the guidance, Teacher!"

Lin Qi nodded in thanks.

After Zhang Cheng left, Lin Qi stayed in place, beginning to recall the Crane Style from the Five Elements Fist in his mind.

Everyone had studied the five styles of the Five Elements Fist, but most people, after choosing the one they were best at, never practiced the other four.

Lin Qi was the same.

Zhang Cheng said practicing two styles required high comprehension, and he had immense confidence in his own. If even he couldn't do it, then no one could.

With that thought, he took a combat stance—not the familiar Three-Body Stance, but a new one.

...

(End of Chapter)