36: Chapter 36 Training Partner

This isn't the behemoth located in the human core region; it's just an ordinary branch established in the small town of Qingshi County.

Li Wen stood at the edge of the plaza, looking up at these three words, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

If a school is a cradle for students, spreading the sparks of Martial Arts and civilization, then Kindling Hall is a furnace of war for all of humanity.

Its doors are always open—whether you are a young student or a middle-aged person supporting a family; whether you are an ordinary person with a clean background or an exile burdened by the past—as long as you pay enough money, you can enter and gain access to basic Martial Arts Cultivation and opportunities for guidance.

Of course, all services here are built on the foundation of money.

Want to hire a senior Martial Artist for dedicated guidance? Sure, as long as your pockets are deep enough.

Want to use the top-tier Immersive Cultivation Pods? No problem, the price is also top-tier. But, there are a few exceptions:

First, becoming an official member of Kindling Hall.

This is by no means easy; it represents recognition by the core forces of the human camp, but it also means the responsibility of being sent to the most dangerous front lines at any time.

Second, obtaining an early contract with Kindling Hall.

This means being seen as a seed with extraordinary potential, worthy of invested resources. It is the ladder to the heavens that countless geniuses from humble backgrounds dream of.

Third, impoverished students like Li Wen.

It is a faint but incredibly precious glimmer of hope given by Kindling Hall to those at the bottom who work hard.

During the long winter and summer breaks, with school certification and poverty identification, one can enter the branch for free and use basic, ordinary Martial Arts rooms for Cultivation.

This does not include expensive food supplies, nor does it include professional Martial Arts courses that require additional fees.

Only those with the first two statuses can enjoy the luxurious treatment of being completely free, covering almost all core resources.

Li Wen had also heard that even official members are divided into different Ranks.

From the lowest-level ordinary members to the high-and-mighty Advanced members, the resource allocation, access to Cultivation Technique and secret art exchanges, mission rewards, and logistical support differ vastly between different Ranks.

That is the true path of the strong, where every promotion requires blood and fire to prove one's worth.

Unfortunately... "Martial Artist."

The minimum threshold to become an official member, and the first threshold Li Wen knew of—one must become an official Martial Artist.

And not just an ordinary Martial Artist who just crossed that line; one must be a skilled or even elite among Martial Artists.

This path, for him whose Physical Body Rank was still struggling at Rank 6.3, was truly too distant, like looking up at the stars and the sea.

"Rather than waiting to become a Martial Artist before joining... perhaps," Li Wen clenched his fists, feeling the friction of the backpack strap's texture against his palm, his gaze sharp as a blade,

"Taking the early contract path, relying on the terrifying boost to Comprehension Ability brought by [Absolute Focus], will be... even faster for me!"

Lv4 is already in sight, and Lv5 is just around the corner.

When [Absolute Focus] undergoes a complete qualitative change, what incredible level will his Comprehension Ability in techniques reach then?

After a Top-tier Technique reaches the entry level, there's Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, Perfection... and then? Legendary secret techniques, Unity Realm? This is the excellent Sharp Weapon he can truly rely on to break through class barriers!

In contrast, the Physical Body Rank increase, which requires step-by-step tempering of Qi and blood, training of bones, and enduring tearing pain to progress slowly, is the true stone wall for him, who currently lacks resources.

Poverty makes even running feel like a struggle. His father's serious illness is like a giant boulder, dragging down his progress.

Money. Resources. Power! These three words were like brands, repeatedly burning in Li Wen's mind.

He took a deep breath of cold air, dispelling the stray thoughts churning in his heart, and refocused his gaze on this magnificent hall representing "opportunity" and "challenge." He took steady and powerful strides, walking firmly toward the heavy, cold gates of the Xinhuo Hall Qingshi Branch.

The first step starts here.

Make good use of this hard-won free Cultivation room resource, completely stabilize the recently promoted [Rainbow Light Saber Technique], and even... seek a chance for a Breakthrough.

...

The winter sun shone through the high glass dome into the magnificent first-floor lobby of the Qingshi County Xinhuo Branch, bringing a hint of warmth but unable to dispel the heavy scent of Qi, blood, and sweat permeating the air.

The arrival of the winter and summer breaks made this Martial Arts Holy Land, open to all, even noisier than usual.

All sorts of people came and went, some with upright postures and steady steps, others with expectant faces and hurried gaits. The desire to become stronger and the longing for the future flowed in the air.

Li Wen tightened the backpack on his shoulder—inside were some cheap Energy Supplements—took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

The ceiling inside was high, the space open, and it was divided into clear functional areas.

His gaze swept over the floor guide at the entrance; the massive fifteen-story structure symbolized the ladder to a higher Martial Arts world.

However, currently, for someone like him who only had temporary access as an impoverished student, only the first three floors, symbolizing the foundation, were open.

"Li Wen?" A somewhat familiar voice sounded.

It was Wang Chao from another class in the third year of high school. "Wang Chao? You're here too." Li Wen recognized him and nodded in greeting.

"Yeah, my family pulled some strings to get a basic access card. I'm here during the break to use the Training Rooms in the basic area."

Wang Chao explained a bit sheepishly, and also recognized two other familiar faces from Third Middle School, greeting each of them.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Wen parted ways with them and headed straight for the second-floor cafeteria.

Besides a large cafeteria, the second floor was filled with pharmacies, physical therapy shops, and other stores. The price tags on the qi and blood potions displayed in the windows, often costing thousands or tens of thousands of huaxia coins, made Li Wen quicken his pace—he was short on cash and preferred not to see what he couldn't afford.

The peak lunch hour had passed, and there weren't many people in the cafeteria, which was just as Li Wen wanted; he hated unnecessary waiting time.

He quickly swiped his temporary student card on the smart ordering machine, took a portion of a substantial but ordinary nutritious set meal, and found a quiet corner by the window to sit down.

He had just taken a few bites of rice when the conversation of two boys nearby drifted over.

"The results this morning were really good. I gritted my teeth and hired a Level 2 Sparring Partner for two hours. The effect... tsk tsk, it was worth it!" a boy with a buzz cut said boastfully.

"Holy crap! A Level 2 Sparring Partner? That's two thousand yuan an hour! Old Qin, your family is really willing to spend! I can't even afford a Level 1!"

The companion opposite him widened his eyes, his tone full of envy and jealousy.

"Hehe, the effect is good, but it's hard on the wallet. Still, you have to spend where it counts."

The boy called Old Qin clearly enjoyed the shock, complaining with his words but unable to hide the smugness on his face.