Dongfang Yueming walked on the wide road leading to the academy, his steps three times faster than usual. Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the shops lining both sides of the street and the bustling crowds, but he had no mind for these mundane sights at the moment.
Suddenly!
Two figures, like arrows released from a bowstring, sped past him, the strong wind they created ruffling his fringe.
They were two young men dressed in tight-fitting martial attire, their temples slightly bulging, their eyes sharp, and their movements powerful and agile like a Dragon and a Tiger. A distinct aura of strength, completely different from ordinary people, emanated from their bodies!
“Martial Artists…” Dongfang Yueming’s eyes narrowed, and an indescribable heat surged in his heart.
In this world, Martial Artists were the privileged class! They possessed greater strength, higher status, and could resist the increasingly fierce Mortal Beasts outside the city. Furthermore… legend had it that Grandmaster powerhouses could live up to two hundred years! What an enviable level of Lifespan that was!
But he clenched his fists, and the fire in his chest burned even brighter. Envy? No! It wasn't just envy!
He, Dongfang Yueming, was not from this world! He was a Transmigrator! More importantly, he had a cheat! A System called “Add Points,” simple and crude: as long as he had “points,” he could directly increase the proficiency of Cultivation Techniques and martial arts!
One day, one point! Since his Transmigration, he had hoarded them like the most miserly of misers, never wasting a single one! Now, he had accumulated a full one thousand points! One thousand points! Enough to instantly bring any common martial art to its peak!
However, the past days had been so frustrating! Martial arts in this world were hoarded like treasures, not common goods found on the street. Without connections or Family background, he had a Heaven-Defying cheat but couldn't even get his hands on the most basic Body Tempering Cultivation Technique! It was like sitting on a mountain of gold but having nowhere to use it!
But today! Everything would change!
Today was the opening day of the United University Martial Arts Academy! It was an institution established by the Dynasty to cultivate low-level Martial Artists and resist the beast tides! Here, he would finally encounter true martial arts! His thousand days and nights of accumulated longing and points finally had a purpose!
Thinking of this, Dongfang Yueming could barely suppress the roar in his heart, his steps quickening, almost breaking into a run! Excitement! An indescribable excitement filled every cell of his body!
“Creak—”
Pushing open the heavy door of the Martial Arts Practice Hall, a wave of noise washed over him. In the vast, enormous classroom, hundreds of young people, just like him, brimming with martial arts dreams, had already gathered, their faces filled with excitement, nervousness, and anticipation.
“Did you hear? If you become a formal Martial Artist, the Dynasty gives you a monthly subsidy, so you don't have to worry about food or clothes!”
“More than that! If you can become an Inner Strength Martial Artist, you can join the city guard's elite, or even be recruited by a major Family!”
“Hmph, short-sighted! The Dao of martial arts is so long! Body Tempering, Qi cultivation, Inner Strength, Grandmaster… If one is fortunate enough to step into the Grandmaster realm, with a Lifespan of over two hundred years, looking down upon all living beings—that is true freedom!”
Amidst the noisy discussions, someone couldn't help but remind them, “Stop aiming too high! We are all commoners; it’s already lucky to get into the Martial Arts Academy. The most urgent task is to complete Body Tempering! Didn't you read the introduction? The foundation of a Martial Artist begins with Body Tempering!”
These words were like a bucket of cold water, calming many down, which then turned into low sighs.
“Alas, isn't that the truth… Those scions of influential Families, they’ve had medicinal baths and personal guidance since childhood. They’ve probably already achieved Minor Achievement in Body Tempering, right?”
“And us? We're just starting today… We’re a decade behind others!”
“Can we catch up…”
A wave of despondency began to spread.
Just then!
The light at the entrance dimmed slightly, and the previously noisy Martial Arts Practice Hall instantly fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard!
Everyone involuntarily held their breath, their gazes uniformly fixed on the entrance.
Only to see a woman walk in.
She wore a fiery red, tight-fitting martial arts uniform that perfectly accentuated her breathtaking curves. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her skin as fair as snow, but her Phoenix eyes were sharp as blades, and her red lips were tightly pursed, exuding an aura of formidable charisma and authority that kept others at a distance.
She walked step by step, her high-heeled martial arts boots tapping “tap, tap, tap” on the solid ground, each step seemingly echoing in everyone's heartbeats.
Beautiful!
Stunning!
Strong!
These were the words that instantly popped into everyone's minds. Even Dongfang Yueming was momentarily stunned, but this was quickly replaced by an even stronger anticipation—this person must be their martial arts instructor!
The woman walked to the podium, her sharp gaze sweeping across the hall. The invisible pressure made all the students unconsciously straighten their backs.
She spoke no unnecessary words, her voice clear and cold, yet carrying an undeniable power:
“My name is Qin Rushuang, your basic martial arts instructor for the coming year.”
With a flick of her jade hand, hundreds of thin booklets, as if endowed with life, flew precisely to each person's front.
“This is the 《Qu Pi Jue》, the first step of Body Tempering: Skin Tempering. You have one month!”
Qin Rushuang’s eyes suddenly sharpened:
“Within one month, you must activate your Qi and blood to achieve Skin Tempering! Those who fail to do so—”
She paused, then declared decisively:
“Will be expelled from the Martial Arts Academy! The Dao of martial arts does not accept waste!”
As her words fell, the entire Martial Arts Practice Hall became utterly silent!
Dongfang Yueming picked up the thin 《Qu Pi Jue》, feeling the rough texture of the paper, his heart pounding wildly!
It's here! It's finally here!
His gaze was fervent, as if it could burn through the small booklet!
One thousand points, already eager for action!
Achieve Skin Tempering? One month?
One second is enough for me!