202: Chapter 22 Heading to the Linhai Martial Arts Association!

Qin Yan couldn't help but laugh softly, looking at his sister's daydreaming expression. He couldn't bring himself to pour cold water on her enthusiasm at that moment.

To tell her about the hardships and cruelty hidden behind the path of a Martial Artist.

Let this beautiful aspiration stay in her heart for now.

At the dinner table, their parents were more concerned about Qin Yan's life in Modu.

Qin Yan selectively shared with them some lighthearted and pleasant campus anecdotes, impressive mentors, and friendly Classmates—things he could talk about.

He glossed over the brutality of the Exchange Competition and the dangers of the future Hidden Dragon Assembly, presenting only a sunny, positive side.

Seeing his parents listen intently, sometimes surprised, sometimes nodding with relief, Qin Yan felt that this was enough.

In the afternoon, because the space at home was limited and unsuitable for practicing the wide-ranging movements of the long spear,

Qin Yan spent the afternoon practicing his fist techniques in his small room.

Even with just the basic stances and footwork, combined with the circulation of a Third-Rank Martial Artist's blood and qi, faint sounds resembling wind and thunder could be heard.

His movements were steady and powerful, possessing a natural rhythm between motion and stillness.

Qin Xiaoxi curiously peeked in from the doorway but was pulled away by Chen Juan with the reason, "Don't disturb your brother's training."

In the evening, Qin Yan continued his training.

...

The next day, February 2nd, early in the morning.

As the sky was just beginning to lighten, Qin Yan quietly got up.

Without disturbing his still-sleeping family, he shouldered his long spear and left home alone.

The morning breeze was slightly chilly, the streets were empty.

Qin Yan's goal was clear—the Linhai City Martial Arts Association.

Before long, he stood before the Martial Arts Association's imposing yet dignified building.

Gazing up at this structure representing the core of Linhai City's official Martial Artist power, Qin Yan felt a surge of complex emotions.

He still remembered that before the College Entrance Examination, due to his ordinary family background, he had relied on Zhao Bin's status to access the limited training grounds in the Association's family residential area.

Back then, he was filled with awe and yearning for this place.

He felt that those who could freely enter and train here were all remarkable figures.

But today, standing here again, his state of mind was completely different.

He was not a visitor here to borrow someone else's light.

He had come to participate in the membership assessment as a Third-Rank Martial Artist.

To officially become a member of the power system represented by this building.

The Martial Arts Association, one of Huaguo's most important official Martial Artist management organizations.

Its branches are spread across every Linhai in the nation.

Its functions extend beyond merely registering and managing Martial Artists; it also shoulders the heavy responsibilities of maintaining urban security, eradicating Martial Artist criminals and cultists who endanger society.

It is a cornerstone protecting the safety of ordinary citizens and maintaining social stability.

For many freelance Martial Artists who haven't joined the military or large organizations, joining the Martial Arts Association signifies both recognition of status and implies responsibility, opportunity, as well as corresponding resources and mission channels.

Qin Yan took a deep breath to calm his emotions.

He stepped into the main hall.

The hall wasn't crowded, appearing somewhat quiet.

He walked directly to the front desk service window.

Behind the window sat a young woman in an Association uniform with neat makeup, sorting through documents with her head down.

Qin Yan walked to the window, stopped, and spoke clearly and calmly:

"Hello, I'm here to take the Third-Rank Martial Artist membership assessment."

Hearing his voice, the woman looked up. Her gaze fell on Qin Yan's surprisingly young face, and a flicker of unconcealable astonishment instantly passed through her eyes.

A Third-Rank Martial Artist?

Judging by this youth's appearance, he probably hasn't even graduated from university yet, has he?

Is there such a young Third-Rank Martial Artist in Linhai City?

Despite the doubts filling her mind, her good professional training made her quickly suppress her surprise, and a standard, polite smile appeared on her face.

"Sir, hello. To participate in the Third-Rank Martial Artist membership assessment, we need to first verify your identity information. Please present your ID card. I need to log your basic information."

As instructed, Qin Yan took his ID card from his pocket and handed it through the service window.

But then, after a moment's thought, he also handed over the Modu University of Martial Arts student ID he carried with him.

The student ID was engraved with Modu University of Martial Arts's unique emblem and anti-counterfeiting marks, carrying considerable recognition and weight within Martial Artist circles itself.

The young woman behind the window—Tang Jing—accepted the documents with both hands.

She first placed the ID card on the scanner. With a soft "beep," Qin Yan's basic citizen information appeared on the screen before her: name, age, hometown... everything normal.

A young man who had just turned nineteen.

Next, she picked up the more eye-catching student card.

The card felt smooth and warm to the touch, made of exceptional material.

The front showed Qin Yan's photo, name, and student number; the back bore Modu University of Martial Arts's motto and complex anti-counterfeiting patterns.

When she placed this card into the scanner as well—

"Beep!"

Qin Yan's information popped up on the screen.

[Qin Yan]

[Institution: Modu University of Martial Arts (Freshman)]

[Student ID: 225******]

A Modu University of Martial Arts student?!

She looked up sharply, her gaze once again falling on the youth before her, whose face still held a trace of youthful innocence but whose eyes were as calm as still water.

The astonishment in her heart was instantly replaced by a wave of immense realization and shock!

No wonder! No wonder someone so young dared to come for the Third-Rank Martial Artist membership assessment!

That's Modu University of Martial Arts!

One of the nation's top-tier Martial Arts institutions, a place teeming with geniuses and prodigies!

Every year, the students who emerge from there are all outstanding talents among their peers, future pillars of the Martial Arts world, even potential grandmasters!

For them, breaking through to the Third Rank at eighteen or nineteen, while still astonishing, isn't entirely impossible.

All previous doubts and confusion vanished in that moment, replaced by a spontaneous sense of reverence.

This was not only reverence for the strength of a Third-Rank Martial Artist but also reverence for the talent, potential, and future represented by the four words "Modu University of Martial Arts"!

In a small Linhai like Linhai City, a Third-Rank Martial Artist is already a master capable of holding their own in a region; even the Vice President of the Martial Arts Association here is only at the Third-Rank level.

And the person before her was not only Third-Rank but also a favored son of heaven from Modu University of Martial Arts!

His future achievements would likely far surpass those of a mere Vice President of a Linhai-level Association.

She quickly gathered her thoughts, suppressing the shock deep within.

Tang Jing respectfully handed Qin Yan's ID card and student ID back to him with both hands.

The professional smile on her face became much more sincere and enthusiastic, her tone now carrying obvious respect:

"Mr. Qin, your information has been verified, and everything is in perfect order. Your eligibility for the Third-Rank Martial Artist membership assessment is confirmed."

Qin Yan took back his documents and gave a slight nod. "Thank you for your trouble."

"No trouble at all! It's my honor to serve you, Mr. Qin!"

Tang Jing quickly waved her hands, even giving a slight bow.

For a mere front desk staff member like her, a single polite word from such a young, immensely promising Third-Rank Martial Artist—and a prodigy from Modu University of Martial Arts at that—made her feel somewhat flattered.