Chapter 8: The Scarlet Sky Martial Arts Hall (Seeking Continuous Reading)

"Beep!"

Lin Qi scanned the items in his hand one by one at the checkout counter.

"The total is 2,525 Xia Kingdom Yuan."

Lin Qi packed his things into his backpack and walked out of the Chiqiong Martial Arts Supermarket, feeling a sharp sting of regret. With only 500 Yuan left out of his remaining three thousand, this was all he had for his living expenses.

"These blood-energy capsules and blood-energy potions should be enough for me to take a shot at it."

"And Taozi, I hope he can find a reliable part-time job," Lin Qi thought to himself.

...

Evening, Martial Arts Classroom.

After evening self-study, many students continued to practice martial arts, beginning their third training session of the day.

Morning, afternoon, evening—three sessions a day.

Dressed in his martial arts uniform, Lin Qi took the blood-energy capsules he bought that afternoon from his backpack, squeezed one out to swallow, and paired it with the blood-energy potion.

The taste was mediocre.

"Hoo—"

A moment later, the capsule and potion took effect simultaneously. Lin Qi felt his body begin to heat up, his stomach burning like a furnace.

"Begin training!"

An hour later.

"Bang! Bang!"

The two-meter-tall, thick punching post rotated continuously, and two tiger-claw hands struck it repeatedly, the immense force causing it to resonate with thundering thuds.

Lin Qi brandished his sharp claws, his feet rooted to the ground, as steady as a rock. His hands were curled into claws, his body flushed red, and he was drenched in sweat.

Blood energy circulated throughout his body as he unleashed his fist techniques against the post, his expression solemn. The punching post was covered in a special material designed to absorb force and minimize damage.

Feeling the transmission of force, Lin Qi practiced his techniques frantically, carefully observing the changes in the post and the direction of the force transfer. Using his waist to drive his strength, his muscles exploded under the stimulation of his blood energy, force channeling straight to his fingertips.

"Bang! Bang!"

The collision between his tiger claws and the post sent the force traveling through his arms into his body, shaking him continuously. As the blood energy coursed through him, it rapidly tempered his muscles under the vibrations.

Lin Qi’s brain was spinning wildly, the various essential points of Tiger-Form Fist flashing through his mind.

[During intense exercise, your blood-energy value has increased significantly: Blood-energy +0.02!]

[You have gained new insights into Tiger-Form Fist: Fist Technique +0.1%]

"..."

Notifications kept popping up on the panel; both his blood-energy value and his Tiger-Form Fist had improved to varying degrees.

[Name: Lin Qi (17)]
[Template: Erlang Shen, Yang Jian (Fusion Level: 1%)]
[Blood-energy Value: 5.63 -> 5.69]
[Fist Technique: Tier 1, 85% -> 85.3%]
[……]

"Hoo—"

Lin Qi withdrew his fists and exhaled, feeling the wisps of heat inside his body transforming into endless power.

"As expected of blood-energy potions, the effect is excellent. Training after taking them increases efficiency drastically; my blood-energy value is rising especially fast."

"With enough blood-energy capsules, I can definitely break through to 6.0 in blood-energy before the test!"

Lin Qi felt the future was full of promise.

...

September 3rd, evening. The weather was not as scorching as during the day, but still stifling.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao stood side by side in front of a massive building. Under the night sky, the white lights made it shine brightly.

"Brother Qi, we’re in luck. Yesterday, I found a part-time job with great pay."

"Working as a sparring partner, 1,000 Xia Kingdom Yuan per hour."

Jiang Tao explained. Lin Qi was startled; the price wasn't bad at all.

"Since the location is set here, it doesn't look like a scam," Lin Qi nodded.

It was the sweltering heat of August, and their sweat-soaked short-sleeved shirts clung to their skin, releasing faint smells of perspiration.

The transparent glass doors opened, and a gust of cold air rushed out to meet their overheated bodies, dispelling the heat. It was chillingly refreshing, and they both felt invigorated.

On the massive wall of the building, a huge red flame logo was displayed, with five large characters embedded beneath it:

"Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall!"

"The Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall belongs to the Chiqiong Group, founded 30 years ago by the world’s strongest person, the first Tier 9 titled martial artist—the Red Emperor."

"Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall is also one of the most powerful martial arts venues in the Xia Kingdom."

"They have branches in every city, and those who can get in and afford to consume inside are either rich or noble."

Listening to his best friend, Lin Qi looked up at the clean, bright, and high-tech martial arts hall. He felt incredibly small in front of it.

This was the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall, a top-tier national institution. There were no advertisements at the entrance, only a simple introduction, as it never lacked for clients.

Because its name alone was its brand.

He exhaled to steady himself.

"Let's go in!" Lin Qi said.

At the front desk in the lobby sat two women in black form-fitting uniforms, both beautiful with a refined air.

One of the receptionists quickly noticed the two figures entering. They were two young men, sturdy and with bright, piercing eyes. They radiated the unique youthful aura of students. However, their handsome features caught her eye.

Especially one of them, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, with sharp, well-defined facial features; even a simple buzz cut couldn't hide his handsomeness. His demeanor upon entering was generous and natural, his expression calm.

This made her eyes light up, and she couldn't help but look twice. Most ordinary people visiting the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall for the first time would be tense and unnatural. She had been the same once.

But this person was different. It didn't match his ordinary attire at all.

Seeing them approach, she gave a professional smile: "Hello, students, is there anything I can help you with?"

When Jiang Tao entered, he felt the luxury surrounding him, and looking at his own clothes, a sense of inferiority suddenly arose. But looking at the calm Lin Qi beside him, he felt admiration: *As expected of Brother Qi, from childhood to now, no matter how grand the scene, he never changes his expression.*

Influenced by Lin Qi, he straightened his chest and spoke with newfound confidence: "Hello, we have an appointment for a sparring session with Guo Heng in room A-128. Could you tell us how to get there?"

"Room A-128 is on the first floor..."

The receptionist moved her hands, and a 3D map suddenly projected into the air, clearly displaying the entire Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall before them.

"Okay, thank you!" Jiang Tao thanked her after noting the location and signaled to Lin Qi.

The two turned and walked through the lobby, heading inside. Like country bumpkins entering a grand mansion, they curiously observed everything around them. The men and women passing by were dressed in extraordinary clothes, their auras powerful, radiating a frightening presence like terrifying humanoid beasts.

"As expected of the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall, it's so luxurious. When will I be able to train here?" Jiang Tao sighed with envy.

Lin Qi felt the same. But he had heard that even the most basic martial arts room here cost 1,000 Yuan per hour, which immediately made him back down.

"It's a pity 1,000 Yuan is too expensive; think of how many blood-energy capsules that could buy," Jiang Tao shook his head and sighed.

A moment later, they arrived at their destination—A-128. It was a silver-white metal door equipped with a keypad lock.

"Boom—"

The metal door opened, and a boy in blue walked out, clutching his arm, accompanied by the thick smell of sweat and a hint of blood. After glancing at Lin Qi and his friend, he limped toward the exit.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao exchanged a look, feeling an inexplicable pressure. They then entered the martial arts room together.

"Bang! Bang!"

The first thing that caught their eyes was a spacious, bright, and well-lit space of nearly three hundred square meters. In the center of the room, two figures were colliding. Both were wearing thick black protective gear, circling and intertwining as they fought.

One of them was taller, attacking fiercely, while the other was being forced back by the relentless onslaught. Lin Qi watched their movements, strange light seeming to flicker in his eyes.

"Are you the ones here to spar?"

After they entered, they heard a woman's voice. Turning around, they saw a beautiful woman in her twenties, tall and wearing blue, with a well-endowed figure. She was holding a tablet and looked at them expressionlessly.

"Yes, you must be Sister Lian. As discussed on WeChat, we are here to spar," Jiang Tao stepped forward and spoke first.

The woman in blue looked down, scanning Lin Qi and Jiang Tao from head to toe. Especially when she saw their worn-out sneakers, she frowned and said:

"Let's get this straight: for sparring, it's 1,000 Yuan each. If you do well and stay on for the long term, it will be 1,500 Xia Kingdom Yuan each time."

"Medical expenses are included. Any problems with that?"

"No problem!" Lin Qi and Jiang Tao looked at each other and nodded.