3: Preparatory Warrior Badge

East of the city, Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

The carved wooden door opened with a gentle chime of bronze bells. The shop was filled with the rich aroma of Medicinal Pills, where several well-dressed rich young masters were selecting Medicinal Pills. Lin Yuan, in his faded school uniform, entered, looking out of place.

"One Body Tempering Pill." His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable penetrative force. The savings card slapped onto the sandalwood counter with a crisp 'tap'.

The freckled cashier looked up, surprised, scrutinizing the young man in the faded school uniform. Fifty thousand yuan was almost half a year's income for an ordinary family. "Fifty thousand yuan! Are you sure..." Before she could finish, Lin Yuan had already completed the card payment.

The jade box, cool to the touch, glowed with cloud patterns. The moment he stepped out of the shop, several greedy gazes from the alley's shadows clung to him like poisonous snakes.

Lin Yuan's lips curved into a cold arc. He strode into the crowd, the dormant power within him subtly surging; his iron fist yearned for blood!

At home, silence reigned. The doors and windows were tightly shut, and the light was dim.

Lin Yuan sat cross-legged. As the jade box opened, a pure medicinal fragrance instantly filled the small room, invigorating his spirit. The crimson Medicinal Pill was the size of a longan, with faint, intricate golden patterns on its surface.

The moment his fingertip touched the pill body!

Buzz!

The panel in his mind burst with golden light!

[Detected Evolvable Item: Body Tempering Pill (Normal/Yellow Rank Low Grade)]

[Effect: combat power +1 (first time), Impurities content 10%]

[Consume 1 evolution points to Evolve to Body Tempering Pill (Fine/Yellow Rank High Grade)?]

[Effect: combat power +3 (first time), no Impurities]

"Evolve!" Lin Yuan's will was like iron.

Hiss!

A violet Qi, like a needle, swiftly pierced the Medicinal Pill! The crimson pill body trembled violently, and the golden patterns inside seemed to ignite, growing and intertwining wildly!

In the blink of an eye, the Medicinal Pill became crystal clear, like colored glaze, and a complete, faintly glowing golden Meridians map appeared on its surface!

[Body Tempering Pill (Fine) Evolution complete!]

[Effect: combat power +3! Pure and flawless!]

"Three times the efficacy!" Lin Yuan's eyes flashed with electric light. He swallowed this reborn Body Tempering Pill without hesitation!

Boom—!!!

The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering his mouth, instantly transforming into scorching lava! An incomparably violent heat current exploded, and Lin Yuan's entire skin instantly turned crimson like a branding iron, his temple veins bulging as if they would burst!

He gritted his teeth, letting out a beast-like growl from his throat. The improved 'Elementary Body Refining Art' operated at its limit, guiding this destructive torrent to impact his extraordinary Meridians!

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

His bones crackled like popping beans, and muscle fibers were repeatedly torn and restructured by an invisible immense force! Sticky, foul-smelling black filth surged wildly from all his pores, instantly covering his body. The detector's numbers jumped frantically:

6.8→ 7.5→ 8.2→...

The intense pain reached its peak, and his consciousness was on the verge of collapsing—

Buzz!

The wisp of Primordial Purple Qi in his chest awakened again! Like the descent of a supreme monarch, it instantly suppressed the violent medicinal power! Wherever it passed, the scorching lava became as docile as a stream, efficiently integrating into his limbs, bones, and internal organs! Finally, the number settled at—

9.4!

"Ha—!" A mouthful of turbid Qi shot out like an arrow, condensing into a three-foot white streak in the air that lingered for a long time!

Lin Yuan opened his eyes, a flash of violet disappearing from them. Looking down, beneath the black filth covering his entire body, his muscle lines were sharply defined, and the contours of his six-pack abs were clearly visible. He looked like a refined steel hammered a thousand times!

He rushed into the bathroom, and as cold water poured down, a 'sizzle' of white mist steamed up! The young man in the mirror had eyes as sharp as knives, and his demeanor was as calm as a mountain, completely different from yesterday! He casually clenched his fist, his knuckles cracked, and a surging sense of power erupted.

"9.4... just one step away!" Lin Yuan glanced at the clock: 2:20 PM.

He took a deep breath and sat cross-legged again. The improved Cultivation Technique circulated, and spiritual power surged like a great river, even three times faster than before taking the Medicinal Pill! The Grandmist's initial modification held infinite potential!

The golden crow set in the west, and dusk gathered all around.

The last ray of evening light passed through the curtain gap, casting a golden sword mark on the floor. The detector suddenly emitted a crisp and pleasant 'ding-ding' notification sound.

Lin Yuan's eyes snapped open, and deep within his dark pupils, a violet glow lit up like a star!

10.0!

"Done!" With a low roar, he shot up like a cannonball, his head 'bang' lightly touching the ceiling! His body felt weightless. He casually threw a punch—

Clap!

The air exploded with a sonic boom! The heavy metal pen holder on the table was easily crushed by his grip, twisting and deforming as if made of dough, with deep finger marks!

Changing into his only patch-free navy blue T-shirt, Lin Yuan swayed and dashed out of his house like a leopard!

The evening wind whistled past his chest. Each step left a shallow indentation on the ground. A hundred meters, reached in a breath!

Martial Dao Association, Reserve Martial Artist Hall. The lights were bright, but there were few people.

The bald old man on duty was dozing off, drool dripping onto the registration book. Lin Yuan gently placed the filled application form on the counter.

"Certification, Reserve Martial Artist." His voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear.

The old man jolted awake, sleepily glancing at the application form, then at Lin Yuan's young face and the '10.0' on the detector. He pursed his lips: "Oh, just barely made the cut? Good luck. Two thousand for the processing fee, then to the testing room for actual combat power." His tone carried a hint of perfunctoriness.

Inside the testing room, a cold silver humanoid target stood silently. Lin Yuan closed his eyes and concentrated, a mighty force reawakening within him.

He took a deep breath, pushing the improved Cultivation Technique to its limit, all his strength twisted into a single rope, converging in his right fist—

Boom!!! Crack—!!!

A deafening explosion accompanied by the harsh, tearing sound of metal! A clear fist print, an inch deep, appeared on the humanoid target's chest!

The alloy in the depression even showed a crimson color, as if melted by high temperature, and wisps of white smoke rose! The screen above flashed with blood-red light:

[Lin Yuan, actual combat power: 12.8]

"What?!" The old man sprang from his chair like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, dashing into the testing room, his eyes almost popping out!

He stared intently at the crimson fist print and the glaring '12.8' on the screen, his voice trembling: "Detec... detected value 10.0, actual 12.8? Never Cultivated Martial Skill, power exertion efficiency 128%?! Is this... is this a monster?!"

He tremblingly produced the silver-backed, black-edged badge engraved with the words "Reserve," his attitude doing a complete 180-degree turn: "Young man! No! Student Lin! Please keep this badge! Tomorrow! You can come and get your certificate tomorrow!" There was no longer any disdain in his eyes, only shock and reverence.

The badge was cool and heavy to the touch, with extraordinary texture. As Lin Yuan solemnly pinned it to his left chest, he instantly thought of something.

Buzz!

The panel in his mind refreshed:

[Grandmist Primordial Purple Qi Fusion: 0.002%] (+0.001%)

[Daily evolution points recovery: +3 (Base +1, Fusion bonus +2)]

[New function unlocked: Item Appraisal (Elementary) - Can analyze basic item information and potential evolution paths]

The evening wind passed through the association's entrance, making the flag flap loudly. Lin Yuan's fingertips brushed the cold surface of the badge, his gaze cast towards the outline of the school in the twilight, a sharp curve forming at the corner of his mouth. Tomorrow, what kind of shock would this badge stir up?

The next morning, Class 3 (7).

Lin Yuan deliberately arrived three minutes after the bell. The moment the classroom door was pushed open—

Swish!

All the noise ceased abruptly! As if a mute button had been pressed! Over thirty gazes, filled with incredible astonishment, were fixed on the silver badge on his left chest, which glittered with the morning light!

The complex and profound anti-counterfeit spirit patterns shifted unpredictably under the flowing light, exuding the unique majesty of the Martial Arts Association!

"W-what the heck!!" Wang Xiaopang in the front row sprang up as if electrocuted, his chair 'clattering' as it toppled. "Lin... Lin Yuan! That... that thing you're wearing... is a Reserve Martial Artist badge?!"

"Just certified yesterday." Lin Yuan's voice was calm, his finger gently stroking the cold words "Reserve" on the badge. "combat power, 10.2."

Boom!

The classroom instantly erupted! Several girls gasped in surprise, and Zhang Hao, the tall and burly sports committee member in the back row, pounced forward, his thick finger directly poking Lin Yuan's wrist detector—

10.2! The crimson numbers stung everyone's eyes!

"Rea... really 10.2?! Last week, your physical test was only 3.3?! What kind of interstellar joke is this?!" Zhang Hao's roar made the roof tremble.

"It must be fake! A high imitation!" Liu Qiang, Zhao Hao's lackey, shrieked, his voice sharp and grating. "My cousin is in the Martial Arts Association! He said the black market..."

"Shut up! Idiot!" Chen Xue, the class monitor, slammed her hand on the desk, her ponytail swinging violently. She pointed at the flowing spirit patterns on the badge, her voice resolute: "The Martial Arts Association's 'Starflame Anti-counterfeit Spirit Patterns'! Energy fluctuations cannot be faked! Detector data cannot be faked! Do you think the Martial Arts Association is just for show?!"

Her gaze was as sharp as a knife, forcing Liu Qiang to shrink his neck.

Lin Yuan nodded slightly at Chen Xue. As soon as he sat down, he was instantly surrounded by the fervent crowd.

"Brother Yuan! How did you do it?!"

"Is there a secret method? Please give us some pointers!"

"I've been stuck at 8 for half a year, help a brother out!"

The cacophony of voices almost lifted the roof. Just then—

The classroom door was 'bang'ed open!

Carrying a dazzling limited edition spiritual power backpack, Zhao Hao walked in like a peacock surveying its territory, his chest badge gleaming brightly.

He habitually raised his chin, ready to receive everyone's admiring glances, however—

Everyone's focus was on that corner! On the chest of that good-for-nothing he had never even bothered to look at!

When he clearly saw the genuine silver badge on Lin Yuan's chest, the smugness on Zhao Hao's face instantly froze, his pupils suddenly contracting to pinpricks!

A flame mixed with shock, jealousy, and fury surged to his head!

"Oh really?" Zhao Hao forcibly suppressed the surging Qi and blood, his voice laced with biting sarcasm. He strode to Lin Yuan's desk and reached out to grab the badge: "The theoretical ace has switched to making fakes? Let big brother help you examine this toy..."

Slap!

A crisp sound of wrist-grabbing!

Lin Yuan struck like lightning! His five fingers, like steel tiger pliers, clamped tightly onto Zhao Hao's outstretched wrist! Immense power erupted instantly!

"Ugh!" Zhao Hao grunted, his face instantly flushed. He instinctively tried to pull free, but his wrist felt as if it were clamped by a thousand-ton hydraulic press!

Under their struggle, the heavy solid wood desk let out a grating 'creak' that made one's teeth ache! Beads of sweat seeped from Zhao Hao's forehead!

After a few seconds of stalemate, Zhao Hao suddenly pulled his hand back, stumbling a step backward. Five deep red finger marks were clearly imprinted on his wrist, stinging painfully!

His gaze at Lin Yuan, for the first time, was filled with suspicion and a hint of... apprehension!

"Strength... not bad." Zhao Hao rubbed his wrist, his voice low, his eyes swirling with gloomy malice like dark clouds. "This afternoon's Martial Skill class, Instructor Wang Meng will teach Mountain Crushing Fist in actual combat. Dare to spar with me in the arena? Let everyone see the true quality of your 'Reserve Martial Artist' badge!" The provocation was obvious.

Just then, the class bell rang as if to save the day.

Teacher Li Wen walked in with a stack of test papers, her gaze immediately caught by the dazzling silver badge!

"Lin... Lin Yuan?!" Her voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes behind her glasses instantly widening. "You... this is...?"

"Teacher Li," Lin Yuan stood up, nodded slightly, his voice clear and steady: "I passed the Martial Arts Association certification yesterday. Reserve Martial Artist, combat power 10.2."

Gasps and whispers once again filled the classroom, barely suppressed.

Teacher Li Wen quickly stepped forward, her fingertips trembling slightly as she gently touched the badge's surface—

Buzz!

The anti-counterfeit spirit patterns activated in response, and a soft, visible layer of starlight instantly lit up, enveloping the badge! This was the most irrefutable proof of official certification!

"Good... good! Good!" Teacher Li Wen said 'good' three times, her eyes slightly red. She looked at Lin Yuan's completely transformed demeanor, a thousand words stuck in her throat, finally turning into a heavy pat on his shoulder, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of imperceptible worry: "After class... come to my office!"

Halfway through the 'Outer Realm Survival Skills' class, the dry theory continued.

A delicately folded note, like a nimble butterfly, quietly slid from the right onto Lin Yuan's open book. Unfolded, it revealed Chen Xue's elegant handwriting:

"Zhao Hao's combat power has already broken through 13 points! His family's 'Heavenly Blazing Art' is fierce and overbearing, specializing in breaking the spiritual power circulation of basic Martial Skills! Be extremely careful during the sparring this afternoon! Dangerous!"

Lin Yuan's heart warmed slightly. He turned his head and nodded slightly in Chen Xue's direction. On the back of the note, he drew a simple smiley face, but his fingertips quietly brought up the data panel in his mind:

[Host: Lin Yuan]

[combat power: 12.8 (detected value 10.2)]

[Cultivation Technique: Elementary Body Refining Art·Grandmist Initial Modification (Yellow Rank Medium Grade)]

[Martial Skill: None]

[evolution points: 2 (+3/day)]

His fingertips gently rubbed the cool, angular edges of the badge on his chest. Lin Yuan's gaze drifted out the window, towards the direction of the training ground where the afternoon Martial Skill class would be held.

Sparring?

Just as I wished!

After class, in the Teacher's office.

As soon as the door closed, Teacher Li Wen turned impatiently, her gaze burning: "What exactly happened?! Last Friday, your physical test report clearly stated 3.3! It's only been a few days?!" Her voice carried both shock and lingering fear.

Lin Yuan had already prepared his excuse, his expression showing a perfectly measured hint of 'lingering fear' and 'luck': "Teacher, it was my parents... a Medicinal Pill they accidentally obtained during an exploration back then, always kept for my life-saving. Before... I didn't dare to use it, afraid I couldn't bear the medicinal power. The day before yesterday at the factory, I tried to improve my Cultivation Technique and almost suffered Qi Deviation, my Meridians severed... at the brink of death, I... I swallowed that Medicinal Pill..."

"Parents' relic! Could it be an exotic Medicinal Pill?" Teacher Li Wen gasped, a hint of understanding and deep complexity flashing in her eyes. "No wonder... no wonder it had such miraculous effects, but it was also extremely dangerous!"

She looked at Lin Yuan's steady gaze, her tone turning serious: "Zhao Hao clearly wants to humiliate you in the arena, and even... strike heavily! You won't be able to block his 'Heavenly Blazing Art'! This afternoon's class..."

"Teacher, don't worry." Lin Yuan's lips curved into a confident and steady arc, his eyes sharp as a drawn sword. "I know my limits. On the path of a Martial Artist, how can there be any reason to avoid battle or be timid?" He gently pressed the badge on his chest. "This badge is not just for show."

Teacher Li Wen looked at the young man before her, whose demeanor had undergone a world-shaking change. She could only sigh deeply in the end and waved her hand: "Go... be sure to be careful!"

Lin Yuan turned and left the office, his steps steady and powerful.

The arena this afternoon?

We'll see who has the last laugh!