Chapter 23: Mastery Soars

Zhang Chu’s decision to join the team left the Gale Squad utterly stunned.

Hu San hurriedly introduced the members to Zhang Chu.

Glasses, a bespectacled fellow, was best known for his ability to escape quickly.

Turtle, apparently the eighth child in his family, was slow-witted but wealthy, serving as the Gale Squad’s cash cow.

Then there was Skinny Monkey, tall and lean, aloof and silent.

After the introductions, the five of them squeezed into the elevator and headed toward the thirteenth floor.

The thirteenth floor, newly opened today, was the Mercenary Service Station.

Upon entering the lobby, they found it packed with people queuing up.

“Hu, I think we’re late. We might miss out on the perks this time—three Blood Vitality Pills per person!” Glasses groaned miserably.

The first ten certified mercenary squads would receive Blood Vitality Pills as a benefit.

Skinny Monkey remained silent, his eyes darting about, plotting something unknown.

“With Brother Zhang Chu joining us, that’s worth more than any Blood Vitality Pill,” Hu San said, unconcerned.

With a level two martial artist on board, the Gale Squad could now be certified as a level two mercenary group.

Level two mercenary groups received an eighty-thousand cash reward per person—double that of level one.

Calculating carefully, this was certainly a profitable move.

“Brother Zhang, are you here for mercenary group certification?” As they queued, Zhou Chuanxiong appeared before Zhang Chu.

“Brother Zhou, what brings you here?” Zhang Chu was surprised.

“Brother Zhang, I’ve been doing well with the business on the eleventh floor lately, and the leadership assigned me to temporarily oversee the Mercenary Service Station on the thirteenth floor.”

Such fortune was unstoppable!

Hu San and the others were still bewildered.

Zhang Chu explained his purpose.

Zhou Chuanxiong’s eyes flickered, and he led the five into the manager’s office.

Mercenary group member certification required real-name registration, though nicknames could be displayed publicly.

Hu San, Glasses, Skinny Monkey, and Turtle all used their industry aliases.

Zhang Chu pondered for a moment, then boldly wrote his own alias: “Big Zhang.”

It wasn’t just fast—it was instantaneous.

In less than a minute, the Gale Squad’s official certification was approved electronically, with Zhou Chuanxiong himself stamping the document.

The level two mercenary group insignia was brought in by the staff.

Hu San and the others touched the badges on their chests, feeling as if they were dreaming.

“Brother Zhang, I’ve collected your Blood Vitality Pills for you,” Zhou Chuanxiong said.

He stepped out briefly and returned with five small boxes, each containing three Blood Vitality Pills.

With the pills in hand, Turtle finally snapped out of his daze. “Hu, with Brother Zhang Chu so well-connected at the Martial Artist Center, our Gale Squad is destined for greatness!”

“Brothers, tonight we drink to our hearts’ content—my treat!” Hu San declared, pounding his chest resolutely.

Men didn’t need words of thanks; bandaged and boisterous drinking was the highest form of respect.

Ding-dong!

Before they could leave, their phones chimed.

The first round of mercenary group bonus support from the thirteenth floor had arrived.

Thanks to Zhang Chu’s membership, the Gale Squad was certified as a level two mercenary group.

Not only did they receive three Blood Vitality Pills each, but an eighty-thousand cash reward was instantly credited.

“Brother Zhang, the Martial Artist Management Center just started offering mercenary certification today. Three days from now, mercenary missions will officially begin. I’ll reserve some good tasks for your team,” Zhou Chuanxiong promised with a smile.

“Brother Zhou, shall we drink together tonight?” Zhang Chu threw his arm around Zhou Chuanxiong’s shoulder.

With such a powerful ally at the Martial Artist Management Bureau, making money was a matter of minutes.

Zhou Chuanxiong feigned reluctance twice before finally agreeing.

That night, they arranged a lively gathering, drinking until Zhou Chuanxiong was sick three times.

When Zhang Chu returned to the grand villa and slept until he woke naturally, it was already afternoon the next day.

After a simple meal, around six-thirty, Zhang Chu called Wang Peng, arranging to meet at the Martial Artist Black Market.

Wang Peng was his brother from the orphanage.

Though he couldn’t bring Wang Peng into the ranks of martial artists, he could at least help his brother earn some commission.

Before long, they met at the entrance to the Martial Artist Black Market.

Wang Peng offered him a cigarette. “Chu, what’s up?”

“A windfall of fortune—are you ready for it?” Zhang Chu replied with a mysterious smile.

“Helping brothers make money? I’d call you godfather if you asked,” Wang Peng understood Zhang Chu’s intent, and the two entered the black market arm in arm.

This time, Zhang Chu’s primary goal was to buy Blood Vitality Pills.

The three pills he’d received from the mercenary group certification yesterday he hadn’t rushed to take.

Today, he came to the black market to purchase more.

He first visited Li Dashan’s shop to support his business.

But Li Dashan’s shop mainly sold exotic beast pelts and similar items; the supply of Blood Vitality Pills was limited—only seven available.

Seven pills, bundled at two hundred thousand.

That left Zhang Chu with six hundred thousand.

Wang Peng took Zhang Chu to a shop specializing in the sale of Blood Vitality Pills.

This type of shop required a password and was only open to trusted customers.

Once Wang Peng’s status as a black market dealer was confirmed and with Li Dashan’s endorsement, the owner quickly brought out a box of Blood Vitality Pills.

Each pill cost thirty-five thousand, five thousand more than Li Dashan’s store.

Zhang Chu didn’t hesitate. He kept fifty thousand as living expenses and spent the remaining six hundred thousand on eighteen pills.

After a late-night snack with Wang Peng, Zhang Chu hurried home by taxi.

By the time he arrived, it was already ten o’clock at night.

He drew the curtains, locked the door, and made sure no one would discover him.

Only then did Zhang Chu take out the twenty-eight Blood Vitality Pills.

A sip of water, a pill—he felt as if he were taking six-flavor pills.

The pills had little taste; eating so many at once was unpleasant.

But the sound of the system spurred Zhang Chu on.

“Ding-dong, detected that the host has consumed one low-grade level one Blood Vitality Pill. Vitality +15.”

“Ding-dong, detected that the host has consumed two low-grade level one Blood Vitality Pills. Vitality +30.”

Half an hour later.

Zhang Chu looked at his personal information panel:

Name: Zhang Chu

Level: 2

Added Vitality: 420

Total Vitality: 1171/1500

Martial Skill: Sky Cannon (Level One, Low Grade)

Skill Proficiency: Intermediate

Martial Skill: Iron Mountain Shield (Level One, Low Grade)

Skill Proficiency: Beginner

Another ten minutes passed. Just as Zhang Chu prepared to sleep, a white popup appeared before his eyes.

“Ding-dong, detected that the host has gained 420 vitality. Would you like to convert to martial skill proficiency?”

Zhang Chu examined it carefully.

“Sky Cannon” upgrade to advanced proficiency—estimated cost: 300 vitality.

“Iron Mountain Shield” upgrade to intermediate proficiency—estimated cost: 110 vitality.

“Execute!” Zhang Chu commanded.

His purpose in purchasing the Blood Vitality Pills was to activate the martial skill proficiency system.

In an instant.

Visions of both martial skills appeared simultaneously in Zhang Chu’s mind.

After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes, a satisfied smile on his face. “At last, I can take on mercenary missions.”