Volume One: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Ultimate Martial Arts Hall

After parting ways with Luoshui, Wang Jue originally planned to head straight home. However, he suddenly recalled what Lan Yiyi had mentioned the day before. After a moment’s thought, he decided to go to the bank first to get a bank card, trusting that Lan Yiyi wouldn’t lie to him over such a small amount of money.

In any case, he would soon be a high school student—it was time to have a bank card of his own, which would make things much more convenient in the future.

Arriving at the bank, Wang Jue inquired about the procedure for applying for a bank card. He handed over his ID to the staff to print and copy, filled out the application form, and paid the ten-yuan fee.

He then took a number and sat in the waiting area. The bank staff had told him earlier that it would take at most half an hour to issue the card.

Indeed, in less than half an hour, Wang Jue heard his number called at counter four. He stood up and went to collect his new bank card.

Examining the card, Wang Jue found that it was much like those on Earth, except that on this planet, there was only one bank—humorously named the "Safe Bank"—whereas Earth had many, each with different card colors.

The reason for such a name was that Azure Star had no countries. Every place inhabited by humans was called a Safe Zone, each essentially governing itself.

In simple terms, Azure Star was comprised of many Safe Zones of varying sizes. The stronger the Safe Zone, the larger its territory. In a sense, they functioned much like Earth’s countries, only under a different name.

With the bank card sorted, Wang Jue felt a sense of relief, but soon his thoughts turned to how he might earn money.

There was only about a month left before the entrance exams. During this time, he needed to strengthen himself; otherwise, even with extra credit for cultivation, he wouldn’t get into a top hundred academy.

If he wanted to be admitted, he had just this month to find a way to become stronger!

"Hey, kid, hold on a second—have you heard about the Ultimate Martial Hall?"

Suddenly, a young man as thin as a monkey stood by the roadside, handing out flyers with a wide grin to everyone passing by. Just as he finished with one person, he spotted Wang Jue, stopped him, and handed him a flyer.

Perhaps because of the words "Martial Hall," Wang Jue accepted the flyer without thinking, intending to look it over.

He remembered Luoshui mentioning before that martial halls were typically run by true warriors or stronger. Such people would never lower themselves to handing out flyers, so Wang Jue’s first thought was that this "Ultimate Martial Hall" must be a fake.

Seeing Wang Jue accept the flyer, the skinny man sensed an opportunity and quickly began his pitch: "Kid, listen, our Ultimate Martial Hall has more than two hundred years of history—it’s truly a reputable institution here in Peaceful Town..."

"Oh? If it’s so established, why are you handing out flyers on the street?" Wang Jue glanced at him, the implication clear.

The skinny man’s face froze for a moment, then he replied awkwardly, "There are at least dozens of martial halls in Peaceful Town—the competition is tough. We had no other choice. But I absolutely stand by what I said—our Ultimate Martial Hall was once renowned. We’ve declined a bit, but even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse! The current master is still a famed expert!"

Wang Jue said nothing, pondering as his eyes drifted to the flyer.

The entrance fee was only five thousand. The hall taught swordsmanship, saber techniques, staff, spear, fist, leg techniques, and more.

If the flyer was telling the truth, then a martial hall with over two centuries of history teaching so many martial skills wasn’t unreasonable.

"Can you show me around first?" Wang Jue raised an eyebrow, deciding to see for himself before making a decision.

"Uh..." The skinny man was momentarily stunned, then broke into a delighted grin. "Of course, come with me—this way, please..."

As they walked to the martial hall, the two chatted.

"Kid—uh, brother, what should I call you?"

"Wang Jue."

"Great name! You’re destined for greatness!"

"..."

"My surname’s Hou, but everyone calls me Monkey."

"..."

"Wang Jue, lately the Safe Zone has introduced new policies. Many martial halls that didn’t used to recruit students are now taking in lots of ninth-grade students preparing for the entrance exams. But most of those halls are just out to make money—after a few days of instruction, they leave you to practice on your own unless you ask questions. Our Ultimate Martial Hall is different."

"How so?"

"Our master personally teaches every day. That’s something few halls can match. Trust me, Ultimate Martial Hall is your best choice!"

"…"

Half an hour later, in a rather deserted alleyway, Wang Jue finally arrived, led by Monkey, before a rusty iron gate.

Looking at the dilapidated entrance, Wang Jue shook his head inwardly. It wasn’t the location that bothered him, but the plain and unadorned facade—no wonder people were reluctant to come.

Hanging above the gate was a plaque with the words "Ultimate Martial Hall" scrawled in a wild hand, yet it possessed a certain unrestrained grace.

Monkey pushed open the iron door, pausing to turn and kindly warn, "Watch your step."

"Thank you," Wang Jue replied, following him inside.

Monkey led the way, while Wang Jue observed his surroundings with curiosity.

Soon, they passed through a front yard, turned a corner, and Wang Jue saw a rundown training ground where a dozen or so students in blue practice uniforms were wielding wooden swords, sabers, staffs, or spears, practicing martial skills.

Among them, a middle-aged man in a black martial robe walked around, occasionally offering guidance, sometimes joking with the students, and at other times barking at them for their mistakes.

"Hey, Senior Hou is back!" someone suddenly shouted. Instantly, everyone stopped and turned to look.

When they saw Wang Jue emerge behind Monkey, the middle-aged man’s face broke into a beaming smile. Realizing he might scare the newcomer, he quickly composed himself.

As they approached, the man greeted them warmly, "Hello, I’m Zhao Qingming, master of the Ultimate Martial Hall. Is there a particular martial skill you’d like to learn?"

Wang Jue nodded in response but didn’t speak.

Zhao Qingming shot a discreet glance at Monkey, who immediately chimed in, "We teach many martial arts here, but what we’re truly famous for is our swordsmanship. With a glorious history of two hundred and forty-three years, in Peaceful Town, when it comes to swordplay, no one dares dispute our top spot!"

As Monkey finished, Zhao Qingming looked expectantly at Wang Jue and continued, "I see your fingers are long and strong—you’re an excellent candidate for swordsmanship. Learn swordplay with us for just five thousand yuan, and I’ll personally instruct you every day."

Wang Jue: "…"

Perhaps because he’d been waiting so long for a new student, Zhao Qingming, whether out of excitement or a desire to demonstrate his prowess, grabbed a wooden sword and began to perform the basic sword form in front of Wang Jue. "This is our hall’s foundational sword technique. Watch closely."

As he spoke, Zhao Qingming raised the wooden sword.

A powerful aura surged from the sword, each movement—slash, thrust, flick, sweep, cloud, point, snap, intercept, cleave—flowing seamlessly and gracefully, even carrying a hint of the saber’s dominance.

Wherever the sword pointed, a fierce wind whipped up, sending dust swirling and leaving everyone present visibly shaken.

"Our Ultimate Martial Hall has a two hundred and forty-three-year legacy, producing many sword prodigies. Our sword techniques have become a unique system. This foundational form was created and refined by generations of sword masters!"

"I always warn my students never to underestimate this basic form just because it’s called ‘foundational.’ Now, take this opportunity and watch carefully…"

"Perfected, this move can cleave the sea and split mountains!"

As he spoke, the dust at Zhao Qingming’s feet trembled and hovered as if under the influence of a powerful force.

In the next breath, his arm muscles rippled, gathering the strength of his entire body. In one fluid motion, Zhao Qingming brought the sword down.

A thunderous crash echoed, startling everyone. A fierce wind blasted their faces, stinging sharply.

Those who had practiced the sword form were especially astonished. Despite their days of practice, they had never produced such an effect. Clearly, they had underestimated its power, and now they yearned even more for such strength.

Wang Jue’s own shock needed no words.

This was the power he desired!

"Well? Would you like to learn swordsmanship here?" Zhao Qingming sheathed the sword and looked over, a trace of hope in his eyes.

Wang Jue glanced at the mark left by the wooden sword slashing through the air, marveling at its might and wondering if this was the power beyond a warrior.

So, when Zhao Qingming asked, he answered frankly, "I don’t have the money right now."

Zhao Qingming: "…"

Feeling a little embarrassed, Wang Jue quickly added, "How about I bring the money tomorrow? What time do you open?"

"We open at six in the evening and close at nine," Zhao Qingming replied with a broad grin.

Wang Jue nodded and headed out the way he’d come.

Watching Wang Jue’s departing figure, Zhao Qingming couldn’t help but call out, "Hey, young man, will you really come tomorrow?"

"I will!"

"That’s good, that’s good…"

When Wang Jue’s silhouette vanished, Monkey sidled over and exclaimed, "Master, I didn’t know you could talk up the hall like that."

"What nonsense?" Zhao Qingming’s face darkened, nearly furious. "You think I was deceiving the boy?"

Monkey sighed, "Ah, Master, there’s no one else here—who are you putting on a show for?"

"You didn’t seriously think I was lying to him from the start, did you?"

Zhao Qingming, letting his anger go, glanced at Monkey, his expression turning thoughtful. "I may not be the best judge of character, but this time, I have a feeling—call it intuition—that this boy is not ordinary. I’m just not sure how yet…"