Chapter 038: [Wishful Thinking]

Looking for a master to apprentice under?

For Su Jingxing, who was fifteen years old and already a seventh-rank martial artist, it wouldn’t be difficult at all to find someone to take him as a disciple. The question was, was it worth it?

Becoming someone’s disciple was not like enrolling in a martial arts school and paying to learn some techniques. At a martial arts school, you could leave whenever you wished; no one would stop you.

But becoming a disciple was different.

It meant seeking out a patron, but at the same time, placing a heavy yoke upon yourself.

Right now, Su Jingxing was free and uninhibited. No one restricted him. Every day, simply moving corpses made him stronger. Even if he never reached sixth rank, with his supply of Qi Cards, he could still rival the power of sixth, fifth, even fourth rank!

As long as he had enough Qi Cards, even someone like Li Linzhou was not beyond his reach.

So, seeking a master was out of the question.

By the same logic, joining a major faction was unnecessary.

Since he didn’t understand the root of his problem, he decided to set it aside for now.

In any case, the Qi Cards could be kept and used at any time.

...

He took a deep breath, steadying his mind.

Su Jingxing rose and looked out the window—dawn had already broken.

He had the morning off and didn’t need to go to work.

With no clue yet how to reach sixth rank, he decided to switch targets.

It was time to complete the remaining transaction with Wei Jiajia!

Though the extermination of the Little Blade Society could not be directly linked to the Black Tiger Gang’s involvement, the deterrent effect Wei Jiajia had sought was achieved.

All those who had been eyeing the Wei family’s assets had retreated to their own lairs, no longer daring to make a move.

Thus, Wei Jiajia and her brother had returned home days ago.

Su Jingxing wouldn’t need to visit the Martial Affairs Bureau to find her.

With this in mind, he changed his clothes, donned his mask, and went out for breakfast.

After eating, he strolled leisurely toward the Wei Family Martial Arts School.

...

At the Wei Family Martial Arts School, the training grounds were empty.

Wei Jiajia sat on a bench, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

This crisis had been weathered—barely. But now the problem was how to develop the martial arts school further.

The supposed “senior brother” was an imposter. Without a true expert to hold the fort, no one wanted to study martial arts here.

And with her own ninth-rank strength, how many students could Wei Jiajia possibly attract?

Surely she couldn’t teach the “Seven Step Fist” for free?

“Ah…”

Her head throbbing, she sighed helplessly, unable to come up with a solution.

Just then—

“You still have two requests left.”

Su Jingxing’s voice cut in abruptly. “Have you decided what they’ll be?”

Wei Jiajia nearly jumped in fright. Realizing who it was, she turned to see Su Jingxing enter from the back door and blurted out, “I want you to join the Wei Family Martial Arts School!”

“No way,” Su Jingxing replied instantly.

Wei Jiajia was speechless.

“Then… will you at least be an instructor here?” she asked, somewhat aggrieved.

“An instructor for just two lessons? Is teaching the Seven Step Fist twice enough?” Su Jingxing countered.

“…”

“Heh.” Wei Jiajia stifled her urge to retort, forcing a laugh. “Of course not. If you became an instructor, it would be a normal position, with generous—”

“Forget it.”

Before she could finish, Su Jingxing interrupted coldly. “Next one.”

“Phew!”

Wei Jiajia exhaled, taking a deep breath to regain her composure, then forced a smile. “What if my brother Jia Ping apprenticed under you? He has more talent for martial arts than I do, but his health is weak. That can be remedied with the right diet. Once he’s—”

“No.”

Su Jingxing cut her off again, indifferent.

Take on a disciple?

He didn’t even know where his own path had gone astray—how could he take on a student?

Ridiculous!

Wei Jiajia was fuming. If she didn’t know how powerful Su Jingxing was, she’d have cursed him out already.

Even so, she was practically choking on her own frustration.

“Fine! Then find me a spirit beast!” Wei Jiajia gritted out.

Su Jingxing didn’t answer immediately, but looked her up and down, an odd expression on his face.

“What… what’s wrong?” Wei Jiajia’s face changed, but she steeled herself and insisted, “You said I could ask whatever I wanted. Whether you agree is up to you.”

“Of course. That’s how transactions work,” Su Jingxing replied calmly. “But honestly, you’re not all that pretty.”

“What do you mean?” Wei Jiajia was completely bewildered.

What did her looks have to do with anything?

And she wasn’t unattractive! Maybe not the most famous beauty in the school or the city, but certainly a well-known beauty on these few streets.

Even Chen Xiaodao, while alive, had coveted her looks.

Yet Su Jingxing had always been indifferent to her, as if blind.

Wei Jiajia gritted her teeth, complaining inwardly.

“It’s simple,” Su Jingxing said, ignoring her resentful gaze. “You’re not that beautiful, but you have some beautiful ideas.”

Wei Jiajia nearly leapt up in anger.

Even holding herself in check, she trembled with rage.

She was about to speak when—

“Hurry up. Next one,” Su Jingxing said coldly. “I don’t have time to waste here. The sooner you finish, the sooner we’re done.”

“Fine!” Wei Jiajia snarled through clenched teeth. “Then I want an introduction letter to the ‘Sword Immortal of Astonishing Grace’, or a fresh ‘Morning Bloom’ flower! Well? Can you—”

“All right!” Su Jingxing cut her off, solemn. “With the remaining two requests, I’ll get you an introduction to the Sword Immortal of Astonishing Grace, and a fresh Morning Bloom flower!”

With that, Su Jingxing turned and, using the “Eight-Step Ascending Dragon,” vanished out the back door in a few flickers.

He left Wei Jiajia frozen in place.

Only after a long moment did she recover, muttering to herself in confusion and disbelief.

“Is he… is he serious?”

She felt uneasy, but also doubtful.

Uneasy because both requests were for herself, not the martial arts school.

Doubtful because she didn’t believe Su Jingxing could actually deliver!

Take the first request—an introduction to the Sword Immortal of Astonishing Grace.

That was the most coveted invitation in the entire Yu Kingdom.

It granted personal guidance from a third-rank master!

The Sword Immortal of Astonishing Grace was a legendary figure among female martial artists in Yu Kingdom, idolized by all women.

Not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also passionate about mentoring the younger generation.

Every six months, she sent out a random invitation—a gift to the juniors.

Anyone of Yu citizenship, if lucky enough to be chosen, would receive one to three days of her personal guidance.

Over the years, nine out of ten who had received her tutelage achieved remarkable progress.

After so many years, her invitation had become the most sought-after prize of all.

This was especially true among ordinary folk and low-tier martial artists, who coveted it above all else.

Unfortunately, the odds of receiving it were minuscule.

The Sword Immortal herself drew the lot, with no discernible pattern and no way to predict the platform she’d use.

Every six months, only one was chosen.

Whoever was picked was truly blessed.

How could Su Jingxing possibly obtain this for her?

…

How, indeed?

Through hacking, of course!

When Su Jingxing unlocked the skills card and gained this ability, he discovered that the cybersecurity of Earthstar was not particularly advanced.

Not poor, but not high, either.

That was because the truly valuable things—rare treasures, secret files—were all kept in vaults and hidden chambers, never on the network.

Mobile payment hadn’t caught on either; banking was the main means of transfer.

But that wasn’t for lack of ability. It was simply that everyone’s ambitions were focused on martial cultivation.

Regardless of age or gender, everyone’s greatest dream was to become a martial artist!

And once they achieved that, their only thought was to grow even stronger.

Ninth-rank martial artists aspired to reach eighth rank.

Eighth to seventh.

Seventh to sixth.

Sixth to fifth.

Fifth to fourth.

Fourth to third…

...

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