Chapter 27: The Amateur Martial Artist Tournament

Zhang Chu naturally understood what Wang Peng meant by the Exotic Beast Reserve Warehouse. It was a government institution under the Martial Artists' Administration Bureau, much like a grain reserve depot. Every city had its own enormous Exotic Beast Reserve Warehouse for storing materials used in refining elixirs and manufacturing weapons and equipment. When the warehouse was built, the Martial Artists' Administration Bureau famously declared: "Even if all the exotic beasts in the world vanished, our reserve warehouse could supply the city's martial artists for ten years."

Zhang Chu trusted Li Dashan’s character. He sat chatting with Wang Peng for a while. Half an hour later, Li Dashan, drenched in sweat, walked over with the registration book in hand. "Xiao Chu, Uncle Li will give you the highest purchase price. See if this is satisfactory."

"Uncle Li, how could I possibly be dissatisfied with the price you’re offering? It’s great!" Zhang Chu glanced at the figures. The three Overlord Tigers fetched 180,000 each, totaling 540,000. Thirty first-level exotic beasts averaged 60,000 each, amounting to 1.8 million. Zhang Chu had researched the Martial Artists' Management Center's purchase prices before; they were about the same as the black market. Li Dashan was a straightforward man and offered generous prices. Zhang Chu didn’t bargain, and even rounded down the total for convenience. Li Dashan, not one to take small advantages, handed over 40,000 yuan to Wang Peng as an extra bonus commission.

Very soon, 2.3 million yuan was credited to Zhang Chu’s bank card—a card he had set up at the bank just days earlier. With such large transactions, using his Martial Artist Card would attract unwanted scrutiny. After Li Dashan treated them to dinner, Zhang Chu took a taxi home. He ordered a late-night snack with some beer, then sprawled on the living room sofa, browsing his phone. Tonight, he wasn’t scrolling through forums but the "Car Guru" app.

He now had status and standing. He had a system. He already owned a grand villa; the only thing missing was a car. This was something Wang Peng had reminded him of over dinner. The bus from Binzhou to the Exotic Beast Forest only ran once a day, and Zhang Chu had to time it precisely for his daily hunts. As a level-three martial artist, he could apply for a private car permit to travel out of the city. Buying a personal car would make it easy to spend the night at the Exotic Beast Forest and drive back early the next morning, enjoying complete freedom.

But after browsing all night, he still didn’t find a car that satisfied him. In short... they were all too cheap! He drifted off to sleep at some point, only to wake up and find he’d accidentally opened a video site filled with provocative clips that left him rather invigorated. After a quick wash, Zhang Chu headed out.

It was the weekend, and the Martial Artists’ Center was bustling, especially with pure-faced university students. The prize event for the twelfth floor leaderboard had ended, but the virtual hunting grounds were still running. Zhang Chu’s video had boosted the twelfth-floor hunting ground’s popularity and, by extension, made the eleventh-floor viewing area even more crowded. With the martial arts exams approaching, university students flocked here to observe and learn.

He squeezed into the elevator and got off at the eighth-floor martial equipment sales area. After being certified as a level-two martial artist, the system had issued him a 20% discount coupon that he hadn’t used yet. Now, with money in hand, the first thing Zhang Chu wanted was a weapon that suited him—essential preparation for future expeditions into level-three Exotic Beast Forests. Having a weapon at your side was always better than going bare-handed.

"You’ll do!" After searching the electronic procurement area for a long time, Zhang Chu finally chose a grade-one, low-quality "Xuangang Greatsword." Its features were size, lightness, and length, and the price was acceptable—1.2 million yuan, reduced to 960,000 with the coupon. Most importantly, as part of a current promotion, the sword came bundled with a grade-one, low-quality sword technique manual, "Thirteen Blazing Swords," which would otherwise cost 300,000 yuan alone during the promotion.

Moments after he paid, staff delivered both the Xuangang Greatsword and the "Thirteen Blazing Swords" premium package. He found a restroom, tucked the package into his storage ring, and headed downstairs. With a new martial skill, he was eager to raise his proficiency. As a level-two martial artist, he could purchase five Vitality Pills. Zhang Chu took them and headed down the stairwell.

He swallowed all five pills. "Ding, five Vitality Pills detected: Vitality +75." A white pop-up appeared almost immediately. "Host has learned 'Thirteen Blazing Swords.' Estimated consumption: 75 Vitality to reach beginner proficiency." Zhang Chu was already well-practiced in such basic operations. After choosing to proceed, a figure appeared in his mind, demonstrating the "Thirteen Blazing Swords." A few minutes later, Zhang Chu slowly opened his eyes. "Thirteen Blazing Swords" was a combination sword technique; at beginner proficiency, he could only master the first four moves. But that was already sufficient.

Soon, Zhang Chu reached the ground floor. Today, the martial artist certification desk was manned by a stone-faced uncle. After collecting an application form, Zhang Chu went to the basement to test his vitality value. "Hello, I’d like to certify as a level-three martial artist." Zhang Chu handed both forms to the uncle at the window.

"Congratulations," the uncle said, apparently still not fully awake from a hangover. He didn’t even notice Zhang Chu’s age or which school he attended, assuming he was a research institute student. Before long, Zhang Chu’s martial artist card was upgraded to a yellow card, signifying level three.

The benefits of being a level-three martial artist were impressive. The Martial Artist Mall app soon sent a notification: an immediate reward of 150,000 yuan, a monthly stipend of 20,000 yuan, and 170,000 yuan credited to his account on the day of certification—bringing his balance back up to 1.2 million yuan. He also received two 30% discount shopping coupons and a monthly quota of ten Vitality Pills. As for housing, since Zhang Chu was single, he couldn’t upgrade to a larger villa, but he did receive an invitation code. To his surprise, it was for the official Martial Artist Administration’s singles matchmaking app, "Martial Romance."

"This is ridiculous—do they really have to manage every little detail?" Zhang Chu was stunned. The Martial Artists’ Administration was truly meticulous in supporting martial artists, even considering their single status and launching a dedicated matchmaking app. Only those who reached level three or above were eligible to download it.

This was a benefit Zhang Chu found utterly pointless, even laughable. He had been reborn—who had time for romance? Was late-night food not delicious enough, or were games not entertaining enough? With his new martial artist card, Zhang Chu returned to the elixir sales area. He immediately bought ten Vitality Pills and took them in the stairwell. As expected, his vitality soared by 150 points.

A white pop-up appeared again: "Ding, 'Thirteen Blazing Swords' proficiency can be improved. Estimated consumption: 140 Vitality. Execute?" Execute! Zhang Chu silently commanded. The figure reappeared in his mind, practicing the technique. Ten minutes later, a smile spread across Zhang Chu’s face. He had just acquired "Thirteen Blazing Swords," and his proficiency had already reached intermediate level—progress as fast as a rocket.

With a million left, he could buy a car. But what kind to get? After pondering for a long time, his phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was Zhou Chuanxiong: "Brother Zhang, the Binzhou Martial Artists' Administration is about to launch a new off-duty martial artist competition with generous rewards. Are you interested in participating?"